.the wallet tells all.

As I was driving around doing those ambiguous arrends on my day off yesterday, I was listening to npr. On "All Things Considered" they did a story about one of the few Christian churches sanctioned by the Chinese government. NPR had gone to China originally to report on the growing number of Chinese christians in the athiest country, at the time of an interview with a local pastor, the devestating earthquake hit. The story then turned into one about churches after the earthquake, where they are meeting, what they are doing, how they are involved with the relief work. They reported that last Sunday with 30 people attending the church they raised 17000 yen, that is equivalent to 80 American dollars per person. Incredibly telling about Chinese Christians, no wonder the kingdom is growing faster there than anywhere else in the world.

Is there a church in America that could raise an average of 80$ on a random Sunday morning? No building program, no sermon series placing conviction for giving weeks in advance, no little kids creating Lotty Moon boxes...just raising money to completely give away...I'd like to see it.

.where my gurls be.

I hate to be "that person" but I just have to for one second...then I'll be over it. I started this blog a few years ago and had been pretty faithful to it. While they all said, "sure Kate, I read your blog" only on occasion would I have a comment from them. It was the faithful lightbox that has been around since the beginning. And then...years later...all my ladies (and..yes, even some of THE LADIES) have joined the blogosphere. So I just want to give a shout out to all of you who are jumping in, a little late in the game, letting you know that after a brief hiatus...I'll be joining you again.

Let's just see who is out there these days, first of all, my best friend from high school (yes...highschool) met my old room mate who used to drive a black cougar (as I remember it). My first and last room mate from college, who happened to play a few pranks on people but seemed to NEVER get blamed, and a girl who could take anyone DOWN in an arm wrestling match but could never handle a simple love pat on the back. This lady may have lived above a strange hamburger joint, but mysteriously never smelled like beef. Martha came into the game a while back...but she deserves some recognition too. And OF COURSE we can be blog friends.

With some oldies come some newbies too...so my current room mate has a blog, this lady who fly fishes in skirts. And although she may not know it yet, we'll be real live co-workers in a couple weeks.

So ladies...hello and welcome. These are some amazing women, I recommend reading their blogs.

.sleeping under stars.

in preparation for..




I'm going to sleep outside, in the city, just so I can use my new...




I'll keep warm by the super light and durable down in my...

.something I'd stand for.

I wish America would completely withdraw from the Olympic Games 2008.

We would claim "We willingly put aside our opportunity for success, fame and gold for the cause of justice and to proclaim that we see the forgotten and hear the cries of the voiceless". But instead we'll turn our heads towards that olympic flame, cheer loudly "U.S.A." as to not hear that nagging voice of truth whispering 'what am I really supporting".

I love the Olympics. I love the tradition, the history, the commradory, the global unity and excitement. I love the underdog coming from behind to win and the dreams that are realized as obscure national anthems are played at award ceremonies...but I have to say, I don't think I'll be watching this summer's games...I just don't think I could stomach it.

But that's just my humble...but strong...opinion.

.sermon.

the only way to escape sacrifice is to run from love


(more thoughts on Irwin's sermon to come...)