I saw this shocking image on Facebook today, and thought I’d post it here.
May we all have a bit more perspective as we approach Christmas.
Location:A little Christmas perspective.
Author Archives: Nish
Stop and watch.
This video has been making the rounds on Facebook and Twitter. I know some of you have already seen it, but I know many of you haven’t.
Please take four minutes out of your day to watch this fantastic & beautifully joyous telling of the Christmas Story. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen one this good!
(Also? The kids who tell the story have New Zealand accents. That alone should be enough motivation.)
Smile, share, and enjoy.
Posted in Everyday Life, Faith
How I manage.
My computer… the silver Mac sitting on the steel desk… has magical powers.
I’m not quite sure how it works, but its pretty remarkable. It seems that every time I sit down in front of the computer, it sends a subliminal message to my child (no matter where he is in the house), that lets him know I’m at the computer.
Rowan no likey.
Within seconds – no joke, SECONDS – of sitting down at the keyboard, my small boy child comes screeching into the room and immediately tries to sieze my entire body whilst sitting in the chair.
Fact of life with my two year old: If he’s awake, the computer stays off.
Which, as you can imagine, creates some problems when you’re a blogger and a writer. I have my own personal blog, I manage a site with over 20 writers, editorial calendars to figure out, posts to promote, ideas to write down, comments to reply to, inspiration to find, and emails, emails, emails neverending.
Computer time is valuable currency in this world of blogging and social media. I’d go so far as to say its pertinent to the job.
So, what to do?
I can’t lie. I spend a lot of time with this little device:
I’m able to do everything I need to do in the palm of my hand. I can sit on the floor and crash trucks over and over again and still be available if a serious email drops into my inbox, or if a hater decides to hate over at Deeper Story.
I can take pictures with it, Tweet with it, Facebook with it (when did Facebook become a verb?), download documents with it, jot ideas down with it, and blog from it.
I’ve tried total world domination with it, but I’m still coming up a hair short.
This is my go-to in the realm of social media. A few of my favorite apps for managing the blog side:
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Evernote: This app is awesome. I can track ideas and keep them together with pictures and links so I don’t forget. Also, you can download it for your desktop, and it automatically syncs wirelessly… so when I finally get the chance to sit down and type out that blog post, all of my ideas are on the desktop already.
BlogPress: Out of all the mobile blogging apps, this one is my favorite. It’s easy to link up your blog to the app, the interface is user-friendly, and you can drop pictures and links with ease.
Instagram: I put a bit more stock into this app than just a picture taker. I love capturing every day moments. It’s just… what I do. This app allows me to take pictures, filter them accordingly, and it keeps a record of them in my phone. A lot of the pictures that I take with Instagram end up being inspiration for a blog post, so to that end, it’s been immensely valuable.
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Aside from my phone and technology, I really do think that some things are best processed on paper with ink.
My journal is always close by and I have spent many hours scratching away with new ideas and fresh words. I also keep a paper planner to help me see where my new ideas are going to land in the realm of real life. Having a planner or calendar to schedule out my writing keeps me from getting overwhelmed, overworked and stretched too thin. I know what my max is, and with it written on paper, I can see it visually.
But you know what? Sometimes, all of it can wait. Because playing with Rowan, watching him grow, and being his mommy is far more important to me than what happens when I sit in front of the computer.
And that’s okay with me.
What about you? What tools do you use to help manage your social media responsibilities?
Posted in Blogging, Everyday Life
Where I write.
“Where you do what you do, matters.” Bob Goff
I’ve always wanted a writing space of my own. Some place with a window and a view, and a door that closes. A space with an overstuffed chair and piles of books and small areas to light candles. I’ve always wanted a space that cultivates creativity.
We live in an old house here in Salt Lake City. It’s 110 years old, to be exact. The rooms are limited and with the hubster working from home in the offseason, he needs an office of his own more than I need a writing space.
So, I compromised a bit on my writing space. In the landing area, just off the kitchen and next to the sliding door, we plugged in the computer on top of a new stainless steel table. I’ve always wanted a stainless desk… I love how clean it feels and how it easily reflects light. We perched a shelf on the wall above and I hung some pictures and started to make the space my own. It’s not ideal, but its great, and it’s starting to feel a bit more comfortable.
I keep my knitting things close by, and I’m trying to gather some pieces for the walls that inspire me. I have so many friends who are artisans and artists, and they’ve been kind to point me in the right direction. But, Rome wasn’t built in a day, so it will be a gradual settling-in.
I keep a few cookbooks up above, along with some necessary resources, like a Bible, a Madeline L’Engle book and Common Prayer for Ordinary Radicals. The lamp on my desk is always on. I like how warm it feels and the pink glass feels airy and light. The mug rug that Mandie made rarely sits alone like that… if I’m sitting at the desk, chances are, there’s a hot drink there.
And my Kindle is always within reach. We all know I can’t leave The Hunger Games trilogy for too long.
So, it’s not entirely finished & it still feels a bit empty, but I’m slowly making it feel more like a space I enjoy.
And some days, the desk just won’t do. So, I take the laptop and cozy up next to the fireplace with a knit blanket on the couch. Comfort is key sometimes, you know?
What about you? Where do you write?
Any tips on making my desk area a little more cozy?
Posted in Blog, Nish Happens
Justice. Innocence. Human Rights. [12 Causes for Christmas]
I sat riveted with people around the world. On the edge of my seat, biting my nails, trying to make out the Italian commentary happening in the courtroom.
The defendant looked like she could throw up. Shaking, eyes darting from side to side, breathing heavily… trying to remember to breathe.
The not-guilty verdict was read and I saw her, she nearly collapsed. She was held up by armed guards around her, her lawyers doing everything they could to maintain composure.
She was free. After years of imprisonment for a crime she didn’t commit, an innocent young woman accused of murdering her roommate in Italy was free.
I remember pouring over article after article, story after story, trying to learn how Amanda Knox kept hope alive behind bars. I wanted to learn what she was passionate about, what she hoped to do when she was released.
She wanted to help the efforts of the Innocence Project.
An organization founded in 1992, The Innocence Project seeks to assist prisoners who could be proven innocent through DNA testing.
To date, 280 people in the United States have been exonerated by DNA testing, including 17 who served time on death row. These people served an average of 13 years in prison before exoneration and release.
If there is a shadow of a doubt, they fight tooth and nail for that shadow. Dr. Greg Hampikian, the director of the Idaho Innocence Project, was able to analyze the DNA evidence from the Knox case and his findings were the catalyst for her appeal, and ultimately for her release.
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Standing alongside The Innocence Project in fighting for the rights of the wrongfully convicted and imprisoned is Amnesty International.
Amnesty International is a global movement of more than 3 million supporters, members and activists in over 150 countries. We work with and for each other to defend human rights. We believe that human rights abuses anywhere are the concern of people everywhere.
Until every person can enjoy all of their rights, we will continue our efforts. We will not stop until everyone can live in dignity; until every person’s voice can be heard; until no one is tortured or executed.
Where the Innocence Project works hard to examine cases, exonerate the innocent and free them from prison, Amnesty International takes another step to fight for safeguards against human rights violations in detention and fights for appropriate justice for convictions in accordance with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights – which includes the full abolition of the death penalty.
Amnesty International stands in the gap for all humans, regardless of criminal conviction. They fight against torture. They fight for fair trials. And most recently, they are fighting against life-without-parole sentences for children under the age of 18 in the USA.
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How?
How can one person fight against something to monolithic as wrongful conviction and human rights abuses?
Here are some strategic things you can do this season to engage the issue of innocence and justice alongside The Innocence Project and Amnesty International:
1. Pray.
2. Put pressure on local, national, and international governments through writing letters, making phone calls, signing petitions (yes, they do work!), and reaching out to the media regarding wrongful convictions and human rights abuses.
3. Connect with your local Innocence Project organization and ask how you can volunteer. Contact Amnesty International in your region and attend events, join cause groups and donate.
Both organizations have “How You Can Help” pages. The links are below.
Innocence Project – How You Can Help
Amnesty International – How You Can Help
Why?
Why talk about wrongful imprisonment, the death penalty and human rights abuses during such a joyous time, like Christmas?
Because in the midst of twinkle lights, gift-giving, and mistletoe, it’s easy to forget what Christ was born into the world to do: Save us all.
He was the only perfect human to ever exist… the one without sin. He committed no crime, yet He was convicted & sentenced to a torturous death sentence. He was the ultimate display of innocence. He was the ultimate wrongful conviction.
The only sinless man to ever live came to save all of humanity, for all time. Though we aren’t perfect, surely those of us who follow Christ can work hard to save the life and dignity of one innocent person in the eyes of the law.
Posted in Faith
what i’m into: november edition.
I’m sorry. I think I misheard you. Did you say tomorrow is the first day of December?
How did THAT happen?
I reckon it’s the time to review everything I’ve been into this past month, with my soul sister over there, Megan at Sorta Crunchy.
On my nighstand.
At the start of the month, I was all about reading Jane Austen’s Persuation. It was the last book of hers I had yet to read. I dug in for a while, but then I got sidetracked with…
THE HUNGER GAMES TRILOGY.
Seriously. I think I love Katniss Everdeen as much as I love Harry Potter. Okay, that might be a stretch. This book series, which has taken the world by storm, has me completely captivated. I can’t put it down (I’m in the middle of Catching Fire, the second book in the trilogy).
What I want to read.
The Hunger Games. Every day. Every night. Every waking moment.
TV show worth watching.
My love affair with The Office continues. I try to catch episodes of The Daily Show when I can, and I’ve actually been enjoying Jimmy Fallon, too.
Movie I’ve seen.
It’s been a while since we’ve been to the theater, but we watched Morning Glory the other night on Netflix and it was pretty cute. Harrison Ford’s character was a little over the top as a grumpy Tom Brokaw wannabe, but it was cute nonetheless.
But my favorite movie over the last month is definitely The Art of Flight. It’s a Red Bull production, and they really pulled out all the stops in this one. Even if you’re not a snowboarder or extreme athlete, you’ll really enjoy it. It’s fantastic and the camera work is epic.
Also? Red Bull helicopter pilots are incredibly bad ass. Watch the movie and tell me different. Dare you.
In my kitchen.
Costco’s pumpkin pie just keeps reappearing in my fridge, and I have NO earthly idea how it gets there.
I’ve also been baking a lot. I made some oatmeal cranberry cookies during the Oregon/USC game because I was so stressed out. Chocolate chip pumpkin bread because… well, because I can.
Dinners have been a lot of comfort food. French bread pizza, beef stroganoff, chicken spaghetti, homemade mac & cheese…
In my ears.
I’m loving The Naked and Famous. It’s a band, I promise. Alt-techno kinda stuff that’s really catchy. I’ve also been LOVING Coldplay’s new album, Mylo Xyloto. And since it’s Christmas season now, I’ve been listening to Sufjan Stevens, She & Him & Michael Buble.
Items of note.
I’m participating in the 12 Causes for Christmas effort, put on by my friend and fellow Bolivia blogger, Joy. I’ll be writing about human rights and justice issues, and highlighting some organizations that are doing a good job in those areas. Look for that post on Friday.
I still have advertising spots open for December. So, there’s that.
Have I mentioned I love the Hunger Games? I did? Oh. Well, here’s a trailer for the MOVIE that’s coming out in March. You know I’m going the night it opens.
What I’m looking forward to.
The Christmas season. More snow. New writing opportunities. Renewing my love for my camera. Coffee dates.
…and more pumpkin pie.
Posted in Everyday Life
how we roll when decking the halls.
CHRISTMAS TIME! It’s here! Already!
I’ve been playing Sufjan’s Christmas album non-stop… along with some She & Him and the Nutcracker soundtrack (Yeah, I know. One of these things is not like the other).
I usually get excited about the holiday season around the first of November. But, my Grinch of a husband makes me wait to enjoy the Christmas stuff until AFTER Thanksgiving. Whatever. I’m not bitter.
So, after we returned from Thanksgiving in Austin, I was about ten levels of ready to put up the tree.
I love the smell of pine trees. Someone mentioned that Yankee Candle figured out a way to bottle the scent… which is good, because I have a confession to make: We are fake tree people.
I know. I KNOW.
Allow me to explain. Over the past 5 years of our marriage, we have traveled every year at Christmas, save one year (the year Rowan was born). So, having a real tree when we’re gone for a huge chunk of time – it just isn’t realistic. Also, if we’re going to get a real tree, I want to go all Griswold-style and go cut one down ourselves. And, I’d like to wait until Rowan is a little bit older to appreciate that.
So, fake tree. There you go. Upsides: it looks AWESOME, it’s saved us a nice bit of cash, and the forests & tree farms get to keep one more tree.
Rowan loves being by the tree & playing by the tree.
But not as much as he loves Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. Just keepin’ it real.
LOOK at those LIPS. And the EYES. And the HAIR. Oh my baby, he’s such a heartbreaker.
One of my favorite parts of our holiday decorating is the Nativity scene. This was in Erik’s family for a while and it was passed to us when we were married. It’s solid wood, each piece beautifully carved. It’s really lovely.
Another sign of Christmas (or winter, in general) around here is clementines in the bowl. What is it about clementines that makes them sweeter and more amazing in the winter months? Anyone know? Regardless, I could go through a bowl of these in a week.
I hang wreathes on the front door and around the house. Just to give things a little more Christmas love.
We participate in Advent Conspiracy… and have done so for the past 4 years now. We make it a point to not spend a lot of money on Christmas gifts… and instead, we give relational gifts that cost less. The leftover money we would have spent, we give away.
So, since I’m always trying to come up with unique, frugal gifts, the thing that I’m REALLY excited about this year is the ability to actually make some of our Christmas gifts.
I recently took up knitting, and I have to tell you… I am addicted. I love it. I’ve found it to be so cathartic and rhythmic and I actually feel CRAFTY! Who knew, right?!
When it comes to knitting gifts, I love that I can pick out patterns and yarn that are a perfect fit for the recipient. I love that with each stitch, I think about that person & how they’ll use it. It’s really been a rewarding practice for me thus far.
So, I’ve been stocking up on some more yarn. I’m currently in love with Malabrigo. It’s just… yummy. That’s the only way to describe it. The texture, the colors, they’re both so rich and luxurious. And it knits up really well.
That’s it, for me and my house. I’ll even pop out to say hi.
So, tell me. How do you deck YOUR halls at Christmas?
Posted in Advent Conspiracy, Everyday Life, Home
My brothers, I’m tired.
My brothers, I’m tired.
I’m tired of being pushed aside and pushed down. I’m tired of hearing the lie that my contributions and opinions aren’t strong enough or deeply rooted in Scripture enough, simply because I’m a woman. I’m tired of those lies coming from you. I study Scripture just like you. I read the commentaries and I read primary documents and I pray and seek counsel, just like you. I’m quite capable of theological discussion. Just because I come to a different conclusion, doesn’t mean I’m “theologically unsound” or “unbiblical.” Please stop calling me that.
This is just a snippet of a guest post that I wrote for my friend, Mason Slater. You can read the rest of the letter over at his place.
Posted in Faith, Guest Blog
Babyproofing… or not.
My friend Jessica started blogging when she became pregnant with her (so-adorable-I-can-hardly-stand-it) son. I immediately started reading for a few reasons.
1. Jess is brilliant. Like, studied-at-Oxford brillant.
2. Jess is a fantastic and downright HILARIOUS writer. She’s so honest, open, and real about her experiences that it feels like you’re sitting in her living room, listening to her tell you her stories.
3. Jess offers really valuable insight for first time moms. Everything from choosing a birthing plan to breastfeeding to the innate desire to compete with other new moms.
Last week, Jess asked me to share my insights & philosophy on baby-proofing. I hesitate talking about our parenting choices for fear of sounding judgmental (and subjecting myself to judgment), but I went ahead and jumped in. Erik and I are very adventure-nurture parents, and we are VERY minimalistic on a lot of fronts when it comes to parenting. Our philosophy on baby-proofing is pretty consistent with that.
Hop on over to Jess’s blog to read the post!
Posted in Guest Blog, Parenting
Slowing down the hard days.
We’ve had countless time-outs today, and I’ve said “No! We do not hit the pups!” so much, my voice might be going hoarse. My Rowan is physical these days, with swinging arms and limbs. The arched back and clenched fists when its time for bed, the thrashing of his head from side to side when he doesn’t want to get in his car seat.
His inability to speak plays out in maximum physical frustration. It’s wearing me thin & it makes the days longer than most.
I work hard to slow him down. I rub his back as he plays with his firetruck. I lay on the floor with him when he cries in frustration. Sometimes, a little Disney Channel is the best thing to calm his frayed nerves. I’ll do anything to draw him in, to tame the frayed nerves and tight muscles.
He eventually calms down and he eventually takes naps and he eventually goes to bed. When those moments of quiet come, I find myself sitting on the edge of seats. I’m pacing, looking for something that needs finishing. I’m as tightly wound as he was and my head starts to pound. A reminder that I need to slow down, too. Sometimes, I need someone to rub my back and lay on the ground with me.
My relaxation today comes in a hot cup of chai, and it comes in two knitting needles, clicking together over and over to make a hat out of rich-colored, soft merino. Both the chai and the knitting are new to my senses, and both seem to be working wonders. I’m trying now to slow down the hard days, to be mindful of my nerves and reactions. The warm cup soothes and the knitting is cathartic. Tension eases quick and I’m made calm.
As mothers, it’s important to know what winds us up, but it’s equally important to learn what calms us down. We need to know these things about ourselves as much as we need to know them about our children.
There’s always something to get done. There’s always something waiting for your attention. But maybe today, take a moment to discern when YOU need some attention. It’s okay to take time away… time to be, time to calm, time to breathe. Rough day? Long hours? Not much sleep? Take some time today, mama. Take a moment to calm, unwind.
It’s good for you, I promise. The laundry can wait another five minutes.
Posted in Parenting
