My family is to join me in Seattle today, and we're to head up to Vancouver on a Chinese tour-group bus! I haven't been on one of those since I was in junior high! You know, the endless stop-and-go, taking pictures constantly at every scenic spot (where you only stay long enough to take the picture.)

The Lord will have mercy on me, since Joy will be my sidekick. :) I even have a manual that will give us good (or "bad", depending on how you look at it) ideas on how to plot trouble and mayhem. Come on, how else are we to make it a worthwhile trip? Stay tuned for details of our exploits.

International Justice Mission (the cool org I interned for this past summer, for more info see www.ijm.org) is looking for an intern to go overseas 9-12 months to work at their Thailand office. It's unpaid, but I believe housing is provided. They prefer someone with a grad degree, but will consider someone with an undergrad degree that has admin and writing experience in a professional environment.

I've heard awesome things about the IJM Thailand director, and I imagine the work will be really rewarding and exciting. I heard the office is actually quite nice. They need someone immediately.

E-mail me if you want to apply, and I'll forward your materials to the HR Director.

For Matrix Fans everywhere!

You MUST check this out. It plays on Windows Media Player, and is definitely preferable with sound (though not necessary I think.)

Trust me, this rivals the A-Ha video.

http://www.mdunkerton.com/videos/hkzkt10.wmv

Someone compared the on-campus interview process to competing in a beauty pageant. To a certain extent, I agree. For instance, you need to look the part. You need to smile a lot and be enthusiastic. You need to answer their questions smoothly and with grace and poise. They are judging a parade of us, coming in and out, and making little notes and remarks on their scoresheet.

Others have been less complimentary about it - "selling yourself" and acting like a "whore". Don't say this, be sure to say that. Tell them what they want to hear because they have something we want. Saying you "work hard" needs to translate into, sure I'm willing to give the firm the best years of my life.

I don't think I'm that cynical about it. There are some really down-to-earth folks who genuinely seem to like their jobs, and they want to find personable, well-rounded, smart and competent associates. There are some great firms who do top-notch work, while also producing excellent attorneys.

To them I say, "Pick me, pick me!" *smile, smile.*

Just a reminder, please don't e-mail me at my IJM address, since I'm no longer there and the account will be wiped out soon. I'm still at my AOL and UW addresses, so keep them coming!

Goodbyes are terrible. I did end up saying goodbye to all that were in the IJM office on Friday afternoon. The attorney that I particularly admire gave me a stellar review, and although she isn't demonstrative or expressive of emotions, I learned from others that she really likes me! "She likes me! She really likes me!" I felt like an adolescent who just found a crush has the same feelings, haha.

I left D.C. while it was raining and arrived to sunshine and blue skies in Seattle. And yes, there is sleepiness in Seattle. Pre-travelling and travelling are both quite tiring. I usually don't get enough sleep due to packing and last-minute things (incl. hanging out with people.)

Jason took me to a great (expensive) steak dinner at the Metropolitan Grill in downtown Seattle. Yes, the baked potato was the size of, no kidding, at least three regular potatoes in one. I told the manager that it was on steroids. He seemed a little surprised by my comment, but laughed.

Today was the first day of on-campus interviews. It went fine - they were all very pleasant and nice interviewers, so I suppose I can't tell if I did well or not. Ah, the joys of wearing suits and carrying a briefcase!

Last day at the IJM office. It is rather bittersweet. I picked up my dry-cleaning from the sweet Korean lady on the first floor and we said our goodbyes. I went to the first-floor cafeteria (where I eat 2-3 times a week) and most of the staff know my face there too. Koreans always make such good food. I was chatting with the owner, a very smiley and nice Korean man, and told him that it was my last day. He seemed sad to see me go (and it wasn't just that he'd lose my business, I think.) He ended up treating me for my last meal!

It's a little sad that most of the staff are not in the office today. Then again, I don't really like to say goodbye sometimes... it's easier for both parties, in my opinion, if one just slips out quietly. I'm sure I'll be back someday to say hello again.

It's the last few days of my time here in D.C. I wish I had a little more time to go back to the National Gallery of Art (probably my favorite museum here - in small part it has to do with their really cool cafeteria! Though they do have a fairly comprehensive online tour, neat! Here's one of the paintings I really like) or just to hang out and reflect on the things I've learned and experience here. Alas, though, there are plenty of errands to run, and much to prepare for upon my return to Seattle.

I'm always immensely encouraged by the Sunday worship time at Christ our Shepherd. Today was no different, and I always feel like I need to digest and really wrestle through the stuff I experience or learn from the service. Today a bunch of church members shared their experience on the missions trip to Uganda last month. It was incredibly powerful to witness the impact their time had on them.

In particular, there was one woman who's testimony really struck us all. She began by talking about how fearful she had been to go on this trip... last year a pastor had challenged the church about "consecration" (that is, the setting apart of oneself for God), they had all felt convicted, signed up to go on the Uganda trip, etc etc. But as time passed, and the world crept in, and rather than feel the conviction of needing to be consecrated for God, she just felt increasing condemnation and guilt over her life and how she did not live up to that. She felt fearful of being convicted again, knowing that she needed to change her ways, but feeling like she could never change, not a real permanent change. The only change she felt like she had ever known was the "mountain-top" experience where one feels really good for a while, only to slip back to the old ways once again.

Pointing to the passage of the "rich young ruler" in Luke 18, she began to draw some interesting parallels between herself and this "kid" (as she called him.) Here was a guy who probably was very similar to her - he was wealthy, privileged, doesn't say what he ruled over, but it's clear he must have been powerful. She, also, was a wealthy, young professional who held a powerful job on Capitol Hill - used to getting her own way, throwing her political weight around to get things done, etc. The young ruler asks Jesus, "What must I do to inherit eternal life?" Jesus, in the usual rabbi way, answers his question with a question. He finally tells the young ruler to "sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me."

The young ruler became sad, the Bible says. She says the young ruler became sad, NOT because he was too attached to his wealth, but because, being the rich ruler that he was, he realized that this was impossible. This was like Jesus asking us to be perfect - which is impossible. Everyone surrounding them during this conversation realized that Jesus was asking the impossible, and they were saying "Who then can be saved?" Jesus also illustrated the idea of the camel entering through the eye of a needle (impossible) as being easier than this. He was asking the impossible, and the young ruler, in his humanness, realized that he could not meet the standard.

If we were to sit down and really consider and think hard about the idols in our lives - to list them out... we would despair. How can I follow You, Jesus? How can I give up my desire to be Someone in the world's eyes? How can I stop obsessing about money and prestige? How can I stop watching too much TV? How can I stop eating so much? How can I give up the nice things in life? How can I stop lusting with the eyes? How can I stop being seduced by the world? How can I wake up early to set aside each day for you when I don't get enough sleep to function normally as it is? How, how, HOW is this possible?

It's not possible. Indeed, it is IMPOSSIBLE. But the ruler didn't understand what Jesus later said, "What is impossible with men is possible with God."

So what does that mean? How does that translate into the nitty-gritty daily living? When the alarm goes off three hours before you need to be at work - how does God make it possible? Day in, day out... when you've lost the mountain-top inspiration, how do we go on? God said that if you have faith like a mustard seed, you can move mountains. Really? Doesn't feel like I move mountains on even an occasional basis. How does that work, anyway?

She then made the analogy to The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. She said it's like the scene where they're going to be slaughtered by the massive orc army. It is the 300 of them in that citadel thing, while a tsunami of 10,000s of orcs descend up them. She notes it's interesting that Tolkien chooses the number 300 - similar to Gideon in Judges 6 of the Bible. How can so few go against so many? Legolas had said something like, "This is insanity, they will all die!" And Aragorn said, "Then I will die with them" or something equally heroic.

Aragorn's small mustard seed of faith or bravery rallied and inspired those around him - and we all think, if we are to die, let us die bravely while fighting rather than as cowards. The woman said that, that little spark of hope in the middle of such odds has the ripple effect like the mustard seed to move mountains. And yet, it is not that tiny faith - the faith of THIS moment, not one to overcome everything for all time - that rallies heaven's powers, rather it is that faith that moves the hand of God. What amazing imagery! Do you remember the scene? It is when they fight so bravely - and finally, the white horse of Gandalf and the others come to rescue them! It is like in Judges 6 when the tiny band of 300 fight the the swarms of Midianites (too numerous to count) descending up the like locusts ravaging ther land, and God causes the Midianites to turn on each other and God's people prevail.

So the rich young ruler got it wrong from the very beginning when he asked, "What must I do?" You have got it wrong, young ruler, for there is nothing you can do. It is not by your works you are saved, but by your tiny moment-by-moment faith in the God who will save you. It is impossible with man, rather it is only possible with God.

So today, I call on the Lord this moment. Like Legolas, I must say, "I'm sorry, I was wrong to despair" in the face of all the odds stacked against me, despairing that I will never overcome the idols, sins and distractions. There is no guarantee that I can follow God in the next year, month, day or even moment. But I can call upon Him RIGHT NOW. I will ask for God to help me wake up this morning, to help me pray these few minutes, to fight this temptation or besetting sin or seductive thought. And this moment will be the very mustard seed needed, where God will meet me and bring the power of the heavenlies that will move the mountains.

This morning's IJM prayer time filled me with a strong sense of gratefulness. One of the attorneys returned from Bolivia, where what seemed to be incredible miracles took place during his month trip. We at headquarters had prayed before he left and while he was there, and God just blessed it beyond what we had imagined or could have imagined. Actually, the work in Bolivia had begun about three years ago, and it is amazing to see what God sets in motion and the fruit that is borne by faithful prayer.

It's made me want to identify the concrete blessings God has bestowed on me this summer, lest I forget. I suppose I won't remember them all, but it can be an ongoing reflection.

1. Great work - being a part of IJM for this period was not quite what I expected, but God provided Christian professionals with a big heart for Him and for His work of justice around the world. So cool to learn from them, see big and small prayers answered, contribute in a small way. Learning about suffering and injustice around the world - continues to challenge me in how I should live, God's calling for my life, etc.

2. Great housing - notwithstanding some of the roommate difficulties, God provided a great living situation with 3 other Christian women. Been encouraged by them, as well as spurred on to think about Christian community and living with others (since I got so used to living on my own in Seattle.) Challenged me in working on communication skills, patience, and love.

3. Great weather - there were some fierce thunderstorms and rain, but the weather was definitely not as hot and humid as it could have been. Made it so much easier to walk to and from the Metro stations each workday, and to enjoy the city and all it has to offer.

4. Protection - even with the groping incident, God has kept me safe. He provided home church friends who helped look out for me, esp. when I was adjusting to the new environment.

5. Free time - being able to hang out at bookstores/coffeeshops after work or on weekends, with no schoolwork nagging at the back of my mind, read books for leisure, explore museums and other DC sights, call up friends and family and talk and catch up.

6. Opening doors for future (trust & fruit) - God has given me great opportunities in school stuff and being able to look forward to the year ahead. God providing me with greater reassurance and trust about uncertainty and lack of clarity and a realization that He will provide for all things!

Last night my roommates and I attended "a monthly gathering of creative culture-shapers exploring goodness, truth, and beauty through the works and words of artists." (See more about Brewing Culture.)

This month's event focused on "Spiritual Experiences in Film", a project of the Damah Film Festival. Check out their website for a few of the films we saw last night. Go here and scroll down to "The Machine". It's rather intense and may be disturbing. Use your own viewer discernment! Runs about 18 minutes.

I ran into an old high school classmate (almost literally) at the Spy Museum! Very random. I hadn't seen him since high school, and he's grown something like 6 inches since that time! A really nice guy, and it was good to chat with him for a bit. He is a 3rd year med student in nearby Maryland, serving in the navy. EHS folks, do you remember the illustrious Peter Cole?!?!?

Beverly Tseng has been my companion for several days now... what fun! Though of course, she now knows too many of my secrets. Hmmm... her flight leaves this afternoon... or so she thinks... bwah-ha-ha-ha! (evil laugh)

We have done some pretty good exploration. We hit the Spy Museum (did I mention I'm on my way to becoming the next Sydney Bristow? I'm just in training now), Holocaust Museum (very sobering - excellent narrative style), and also the Jefferson (beautiful, gorgeous at night) and FDR Memorials (chronological/narrative memorial with outdoor "rooms" representing his three terms as President). All are excellent and I highly recommend. We also looked at dinosaur fossils in the Natural History Museum and a little bit of the French Impressionist paintings at the National Gallery of Art. We also got caught in a big thunderstorm on the way to Ethiopian food... so we had to abort that mission and instead had Indian food (still yummy.)

It's hard to be back at the office on a Tuesday morning after a long weekend... esp. when one has had too much fun!