blog.

Choosing

By Megan Westra / January 7, 2014 /

My word for 2014 is Joy. On December 31st though, as Ben and I were out and about eating poutine and visiting friends, a steady, silvery snow fell downy over the city. I hate snow. It freaks me out. I hate driving in it, I hate walking in it, I hate the fact that it’s…

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The Equally Audacious but Hopefully More Successful 2014 Reading List

By Megan Westra / January 2, 2014 /

So last year I read a decent amount, just not what I planned to read necessarily. Here’s to sticking to the plan this year! January The Locust Effect: Why The End of Poverty Requires the End of Violence (Gary Haugen and Victor Boutros) Educating All God’s Children: What Christians Can – and Should – Do…

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An Intention for 2014: Joy

By Megan Westra / January 1, 2014 /

I explained last year why I’m a bit averse to making traditional resolutions. But at the same time, there’s so much value in pausing to look at life, to reflect, analyze, evaluate, plan and project. It’s so easy to find yourself in a rut, slamming up against the same old walls, falling into the same…

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Looking back: 2013

By Megan Westra / December 31, 2013 /

2013 started off with a “blahhh” as I battled through 10 days of the worst case of flu I’ve ever had in my life and somehow, miraculously, Ben and Cadence did not catch it. I caused a bit of a stir by questioning whether or not we really know what it means to be “pro-life.”…

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Weekend Reading

By Megan Westra / December 28, 2013 /

Not that I use or endorse Pantene Pro-V products, but this is incredible: [youtube=http://youtu.be/kOjNcZvwjxI] Work  “Soon I will be 30, the age of accountability – though that age seems to age with me – and I’m supposed to have it together, in labeled bins, where it can be easily located. Actually, I do have it…

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when i wax poetic on Christmas Eve

By Megan Westra / December 24, 2013 /

on this night, exile is over. all those excluded shut out knocked down and stomped on too poor, too strung out hopeless rejected are welcomed in. and all those bound up in pretention perfection the knowledge and position privilege and stature they are welcome, too. because on this night the Word that started it all…

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Please Consume Responsibly: Part 3 A Post on Charities, Your Money and You.

By Megan Westra / November 29, 2013 /

I am so encouraged every year to hear about more and more people choosing to give to charities, rather than to line the base of their tree with gifts.  This is a beautiful thing and one of the best ways we can truly commemorate what Christmas is all about. I want to wrap up the…

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Thanksgiving Reading (for when you've had too much turkey and football for one day)

By Megan Westra / November 27, 2013 /

Best reminder: Kid President’s 20 Things We Should Say More Often “I disagree with you, but I still like you as a person who is a human being and I will treat you like that because if I didn’t I would make everything bad.  And that’s what lots of people do and it is lame.”…

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A Guide to Sustainable Christmas Celebration: Part 2 Experience not Excess

By Megan Westra / November 25, 2013 /

According to Business Insider, Christmas  is the biggest commercial holiday celebrated in the U.S. In 2011, consumers spent just over $700 in gifts alone. $400 of that was spent on gifts for children. We spent another $2.6 billion in paper to wrap all that crap up.  Paper that would be promptly torn, crumpled, shoved into…

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Please Consume Responsibly: Part 1 Slavery, Social Enterprise and Fair Trade

By Megan Westra / November 14, 2013 /

Introduction: Earlier this week I posted about why we need to re-think the way we – as followers of Christ – celebrate Christmas.  If you haven’t read that post yet, do so now. That said, a few other nuts and bolts you should know about before diving in to the guide. Slavery exists.  Yep.  It…

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