Getting Political

Every day you learn something new.

Yesterday I learned that if you fill out the survey on the bottom of your T.G.I. Friday receipt, you can get a free dessert the next time you come in... or if you fill someone else's out who left in the restaurant, you can get it while you are actually there :)

On another not-so-serious note, I ran into Barack and Michelle Obama at Barnes and 

Noble.  

Yes, that's right - The Official Barack and Michelle Obama Paper Dolls are here. 

Complete with the Red and Black inauguration outfit, (as well as everything Michelle has ever been seen in...) 

I admit, I was a little offended by the "Africa Foreign Relations Outfit"... with giraffe and elephant masks. 

Seriously?

Way to dignify our nations leadership, America. At least our elections don't resemble that of Iran right now. 

Don't know much about the history?

Spend about 4 hours and $7 to read Persepolis, and see what has developed these people into a very persistent nation. 

Rainbows and Rambles

As part of the internship today, my fellow volunteers and I ventured to the great unknown of South Orange County, on a quest to educate and inform clinics and urgent care centers of the plight of human trafficking victims. 

After several long hours of driving and talking, frustration and laughter, we ended our days journey in San Clemente - the tip of the County. 

Just as we turned around to come home, we spotted something out of the corner of our eyes. 

It was the elusive Rainbow Outlet -- a bit smaller than I had imagined. 

10 minutes and $15 later, I had a brand new pair of mens rainbows (not a big fan of the womens style)

You see, my last pair of rainbows were last seen in a hotel in Nairobi, Kenya. It would be cool to have a GPS on them to see where they are now.

Too bad I didn't think of that before.

While talking in the car I made an observation about ... well... talking.

Towards the end of a great conversation about religion and our different perspectives on life, I realized more than ever that it is too easy to focus on the message we want to convey in a conversation, rather than intently listening and trying to understand what is being said. Thus, utterly ruining any attempt for successful communication. 

I wonder what went through Jesus' head as he communicated with those around him. I mean... he already knew what was in their hearts. Crazy to think about.

Sunday Afternoon Thoughts

What if we believed together that God not only loves us, but really likes us? 

"When the imitation of Christ does not mean to live a life like Christ, but to live your life as authentically as Christ lived his, then there are many ways and forms in which a man can be a Christian." - Henri Nouwen (*as found in The Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning)

I have been thinking about India a lot lately. 

The BBC is featuring a photo gallery about the (Sikh) Golden Temple in Punjab.

Also, The Lakers won tonight.

No longer enough

I'd like to introduce you to Jean Sasson.

For my Islam class this last semester I had to read the first book of her Princess trilogy. The true story of a Princess in Saudi Arabia, Jean Sasson uses her friendship with the Princess to tell her life story in three books. After the first one, I had to keep going and find out what happened! It offers perspective on the Islamic faith by one who holds its values dear, yet clearly depicts a world that has bound women specifically in chains of cloth. Though most Saudi Women do not have it this good, If you are interested in human rights, Islam, the Middle East, or Compassion at all... this trilogy is worth the read. My perspective continues to grow on human rights... 

With the internship I have I am learning that we have an incredible governmental system in the U.S. to be able to give victims of trafficking and oppression a place of refuge and safety. However, even the government cannot change cultural norms. For example, recently an Egyptian girl was rescued from working as a servant in a Southern California Home for most of her life. Though she was rescued over two years ago, and is now doing incredibly well, her family has broken ties with her. The $19 a month that her family was paid for her to serve here in the States no longer comes in, and her family "responsibility" appears to have been severed. We do what we can to help victims using the resources we have, but the issues involving injustice are deep and complicated. 

No matter what, I am convinced that the image that has driven me to want to work in this field is no longer enough. The image of a girl lying on the floor of a brothel, hidden from sight and mind. That image evokes emotion strong enough to work for a day... a week... a month. But ultimately it leaves me drained. Unmotivated. Overwhelmed. For me, it can only be the LOVE of GOD that motivates action against injustice. From this never ending fountain comes a stream of grace that each soul is an image of the creator, and that the compassion I feel is only a glimpse of the heart of My Savior.