Woah...

So I have a little good story. Last night I attended a princess... Of course I didn't know it at first. She was in my "special guest" section at the Passion World Tour in Vancouver. I asked her how she knew Louie Giglio and Chris Tomlin, and she said she'd flown to Manilla, Philippines for another tour stop with her mom, and that Louie had wanted to meet her mom. Great, I said, why did he want to meet your mom? Oh, she's very special... Cool, what does she do? Oh, she stays at home. Hmm, not getting anywhere, I changed the subject.
Later I found out that her dad is the richest man in the world and where she grew up is the largest home in the world. Intense. And really awesome to know that all the earthly riches in the world (literally) do NOT COMPARE to the riches of Christ. Amen. The princess and her delightful posse of 10 were all about worshipping the God of grace- and the anthem of Tomlin continues to ring through my ears, as the only thing capable of bringing ultimate satisfaction, "Your grace is enough for me."

Israel and Palestine

My friend Kate has had some posts about Palestine (last winter, and this week) that were illuminating about Christians and oppression in Palestine. This week she shared how Christians even boycott sponsoring World Vision children in Palestine, click here to read that sad story. Then another friend, Heidi, posted this on her Facebook status update: Heidi is saddened that the unwavering support of Israel is considered more “patriotic” than the primacy of basic human rights. Check out this link she offered, called If Americans Knew. Eye-opening to say the least.

China- Human Rights Watch

I had a great dinner last night in Pasadena with one of my self-proclaimed "blog-stalkers." She's not creepy, actually she's quite amazing, with a Master's in International Development and working at World Vision's International headquarters here. She's our age and has already been to 40 countries so far, double what I've done! Along with being substantive, she's gorgeous and was wearing high heels; quite the catch, but sorry guys, she's married. I got this link to some of the terrible things happening in China from her. Check it out if you are curious to be more informed about things that are going on there.

Beijing Olympics

I have mixed feelings about China and these Olympics, but I've gotta say they put on one heck of an opening ceremony!  It was neat to hear all the underdog stories and see people (like the 14 year old British diver- so cute!) who are so excited just to be there (since they have no real chance of winning a medal.)  But the thing that stuck out most to me was the commentary on the lone Afghani woman who was supposed to be there.  Apparently because of death threats on her life from fundamentalists, she disappeared recently and is seeking asylum in Norway.  That makes me sad on multiple levels.

I don't know what else to say about that, so on a more superficial note, the second thing that sticks out to me is how many countries I've never heard of and how varied the fashion is in the world.  I liked the classic Brits, and French, quadrennial favorites (I'd say perennial but it's every four years) and the Kazakhs rocking the turquoise and orange, fave colors of mine.  Here's to great competition and drama over the next few weeks (and to clean air in China, and female Chinese babies, and stopping human traficking and media censorship, freeing Tibet, and saving Darfur, etc.)

Ephesus

Port of Kusadasi, Turkey (stunning from the water)

Classic

Famous Library in 'center' of ancient town

Our group in the ampitheater- we sang Amazing Grace/baked in 100+ degrees

Amazing column details from 2000 years ago


Leaving town

I loved this crumbling structure