The Author
My name is Nicole. I'm currently a graduate/seminary student. I've previously been a high school educator and worked in the field of social work. I enjoy (the pursuit of) a simple life, I believe that all people should be treated with dignity, and I really love my nephew.
The Blog
Mashena is Hebrew. It means: Welcome, stability, a place of rest.
This word has become my motto, my goal, my prayer, my hope, my purpose. It fits so perfectly into many of the interests and gifts that God has given me.
One of my favorite verses has always been the one from Micah that says, “act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly.”
I believe that is how I should live out “mashena” in my life – no matter what my life circumstances are. To seek justice (which often means refuge for the oppressed rather than judgment of the wicked – though it means that as well), to love mercy, to provide that “welcome” and “rest”, for people. And I can do all this – I can seek to make my life one that offers stability, rest, and welcome by being humble – by understanding that I am capable of any fall and that the only reason my life does not have some of the trials we like to judge others for is of no doing or superiority of mine.
After a couple years of keeping a variety of public blogs on specific topics (domesticity, teaching, single parent adoptions) I’ve decided to merge and transition to something a bit more broad. You’ll find all the old entries here and still many of the same topics because since mashena is my life mission - I kind of think most of my life fits into it somehow :) But there will be more – things about justice and mercy and stability – whatever form that takes in my life on any given day or year. It's a personal blog with a little bit of focus, sometimes. :)
