Memories From Sand: Making Christmas Meaningful

by Elisa | Dec 11, 2014 | Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Art of Advocacy, Fair Trade Products, Family & Relationships, Spiritual Discipleship, Stuff of the Heart, United States, Ways to Make a Difference

The Freak-Out This week in December just FREAKS. ME. OUT. All of the sudden the Christmas everything is happening: the parties, the presents, the paper reindeer from school, the tree trimming, the needing to buy not needed things for all the people,...

Christmas Expectations: What To Give To The Person Who Has It All

by Elisa | Nov 29, 2014 | Human Rights, Human Trafficking, Spiritual Discipleship, United States, Ways to Make a Difference

The Weight of Expectation Once upon a time my husband didn't give me a Christmas present, but after the holiday he brought me to the mall. He told me just to meander, walk around, pointing out what I liked. It was rather annoying because I would say "yes, yes,...

The New Feminism (and Why Women Are Worth Fighting For)

by Elisa | Nov 20, 2014 | Art of Advocacy, Create Awareness, Seeking Justice, Women's Empowerment

Yes, I do love Harry Potter, thank you very much. And because of the fame of the boy who would not die, out from the walls of Hogwarts (besides the poltergeists of course), comes a brand of feminism--new feminism--which just might rock our world as we finally...

The Prospective Ardor of the Buccaneer Baboon and the Privateer Pup: A Short Story

by Elisa | Nov 14, 2014 | Uncategorized

This short story was prompted by the following image: “The Prospective Ardor of the Buccaneer Baboon and the Privateer Pup" _____________________________________ Unfortunately for me, I’m a pirate. Pirates don’t spit fire or worship skeletons. We climb masts,...

Short Story: Welcome ElectrAliens

by Elisa | Nov 13, 2014 | Uncategorized

This short story was prompted by the following image: Never before has the wind whipped like cream and the ocean churned like butter as much as it did this time, in their new device. I don’t believe in magic; fate either. But electricity--now that’s...

Love Thy Community: The Angel in a Fashionable Red Coat

by Elisa | Oct 24, 2014 | Busy Moms, Create Awareness

I met an angel in a fashionable red coat yesterday. I liked her a lot. I wish I took a selfie with her, but maybe she wouldn't have shown-up in pixels anyway. On Facebook, my picture of us would just be a blank spot I'd be leaning on, or bright-burning light I'd be...

Ebola: Three Ways to Mitigate Your Worry

by Elisa | Oct 18, 2014 | Anthropology Psychology Sociology, Create Awareness, Global Health, Spiritual Discipleship, Stuff of the Heart, United States, Ways to Make a Difference

We aren't fully panicking yet. But as an infected man went through our token international airport a few miles off, I am beginning to hear the stirring speculations: Is it possible that maybe Ebola carries through the air? Could these germs have flown up route 28,...

Do Something: Make STOPPING Ebola Go Viral

by Elisa | Oct 18, 2014 | Ways to Make a Difference

Before she settled in Washington state with her husband and two daughters (one of which was recently adopted from China), the author of this post, Rebecca, used to work on mobilizing our church with me to care about what was beyond them. I was blessed to learn...

These Brave Birds: A Very Clever Story

by Elisa | Oct 17, 2014 | Women's Empowerment

This short story was prompted by the following image: Winter came upon them like a rainbow; their minds had been dancing in preparation. Finally they found themselves in the “Coughing Lair” as they called it, cigar fumes so rich and red. Taking their...

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...