Where In the Story? Lupus in Pregnancy Update #6

by Elisa | Dec 6, 2021 | Busy Moms, Community, Family & Relationships, Fully Alive, Hard Conversations, Life Purpose, Live Intentionally, Lupus and Autoimmune Disease, Mental Health, Personal Growth, Raising Kids, Recovery, Safe Spaces, Spiritual Discipleship, Uncategorized

Lupus Update in Pregnancy? What’s the real story of having a flare with SLE? Here’s the real narrative.

Not the Baby Announcement I Planned (Lupus #2)

by Elisa | Nov 14, 2021 | Busy Moms, Community, Family & Relationships, Hard Conversations, Identity, Lupus and Autoimmune Disease, Personal Growth, Raising Kids, Safe Spaces, Spiritual Discipleship, Stuff of the Heart

This wasn't the baby announcement I had planned. Many of you know I am in the hospital. A couple weeks ago I was diagnosed with THE DESPICABLE systemic lupus erythematosus, currently attacking my kidneys, subcutaneous lupus, and autoimmune hair loss. Yet not all of...

In Honor of a World Changer

by Elisa | Oct 12, 2021 | Being World Changers, Family & Relationships, Fully Alive, Giving Back, Identity, Life Purpose, Live Intentionally, Personal Growth, Recovery, Safe Spaces

This poem is in honor of a world changer, Leah Flores, who died recently.

How to Help: Afghanistan

by Elisa | Sep 30, 2021 | Art of Advocacy, Being World Changers, Busy Moms, Children-in-Need, Conflicts, Wars, Genocides and Atrocities, Family & Relationships, Hard Conversations, Helping that Doesn't Hurt, Human Rights, Mental Health, Poverty, Raising Kids, Refugees and Immigration, Safe Spaces, Seeking Justice, United States, Ways to Make a Difference

How can we help the crisis in Afghanistan? I’ve spent the last month researching ways everyday people can be involved!

Did Jesus Welcome – Join Me!

by Elisa | Sep 29, 2021 | Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Art of Advocacy, Being World Changers, Children-in-Need, Conflicts, Wars, Genocides and Atrocities, Discipleship Tools, Hard Conversations, Human Rights, Personal Growth, Refugees and Immigration, Safe Spaces, Seeking Justice, Spiritual Discipleship, Stuff of the Heart, United States

Did Jesus welcome immigrants and refugees? What is Christ-like Welcome? Join me at the intersection between faith, politics and justice in discussion!

Advocating Well For the Homeless

by Elisa | Sep 13, 2021 | Art of Advocacy, Being World Changers, Busy Moms, Family & Relationships, Fully Alive, Giving Back, Good Charities, Helping that Doesn't Hurt, Human Rights, Life Purpose, Personal Growth, Poverty, Raising Kids, Seeking Justice, Spiritual Discipleship, Stuff of the Heart, United States, Ways to Make a Difference, Your Voice on Racism

What does it look like to advocate well for the homeless? Especially when we are just everyday people? Learn some tips and wisdom here!

Trauma Informed Everyday Advocacy

by Elisa | Sep 5, 2021 | Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Art of Advocacy, Being World Changers, Children-in-Need, Community, Create Awareness, Family & Relationships, Fully Alive, Giving Back, Global Health, Hard Conversations, Mental Health, Personal Growth, Raising Kids, Recovery, Safe Spaces, Seeking Justice, United States

Ice and coffee exploded over the corner table, running in rivulets to the floor. The woman started alternatively sobbing and screaming as she balled up by the trash bins, wailing "I always ruin everything!" Her friend stood by, somewhat shocked, trying to figure out...

First Day of School Blessing

by Elisa | Aug 30, 2021 | Being World Changers

After a pandemic, there are a lot of feels about kids going back to school. Here is a blessing over the future world changers to pray with me.

Grief in the Harvest: Losing Those You Lead

by Elisa | Aug 30, 2021 | Being World Changers

As leaders, it is hard for us to lose those we've been investing in. In addition, the results of what we've poured into don't look like we've dreamed. Even when the harvest is amazing, there is still often grief in the harvest--not because of what we didn't do, but...

Adventure

Swamp Wisdom: An Ecclesiastes on Human Rights

Ever heard of ancient King Solomon? He was said to be the wisest of them all as he philosophized...

Busy Moms, Community, Family & Relationships, Raising Kids

Identity Crisis #3467 – My Messy Beautiful

The other day, my daughter was excitedly expressing her admiration of the teachers and helpers at her school. I usually resist the temptation to to ask my kids what they want to be when they grow up because at some point in my...

Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Mental Health, Recovery, Safe Spaces

Understanding Terms for Poor Nations vs. Rich Nations

Terms of Poverty Whether in public political addresses or in pleas from non-profits, we have all heard some of these terms thrown around at some point or another. But just because we can infer their general meaning, I...

Ethical Fashion, Fair Trade Products, Giving Back, Socially Conscious Brands

Everyday People Doing Something About Human Trafficking And Refugees

Can an everyday person make a difference for refugees? Yep. They can! Just as I’ve seen it...

Children-in-Need, Clean Water, Conflicts, Wars, Genocides and Atrocities, Global Health, Good Charities, Helping that Doesn't Hurt, Human Rights, Poverty, Refugees and Immigration, Seeking Justice, United States

How To Not Be a Bad Advocate for Social Change

Occasionally, the best way to learn how to do something well is by learning what not to do. I empower people to be good advocates for social change, but these days I am seeing a lot of bad activism. Here are things not to say if you want your advocacy and activism to be better-received.