Opa! Checked something off my list!

On my "30 before I'm 30" list I said I wanted to be a counselor for missionaries because I thought this would be a cool overlap of my interests and gifts. As of July 24 - CHECK! I did it! 

For an entire week in July I was in an island resort in Greece. And while it was a nice vacation, I wasn't there solely to improve my tan and eat feta cheese (both of which I did do though).

I was volunteering my time to serve as a counselor for missionaries that live and work in Europe. It's a pretty cool program called Member Care in which all the full time staff meet with someone to sort of check in with while they gather for a week to relax, reconnect with each other and rejuvenate before heading back to their homes in places like Macedonia, Scotland and Spain.

I mentioned back in March that I was headed to Greece. But now it's actually happened and it's been a blessing to be used by God in this unique way. God stretched me in Greece through my interactions with the missionaries. While I won't share all the details, I will share that God's faithfulness is evident in His people who are willing to leave their comfortable suburban lifestyles in the US and make a home in a European city where their kids learn multiple languages and it's normal to vacation to Greece. God's grace was evident in the woman who had just won her battle with cancer and used it as a way to open conversations about God in her city. God's goodness was demonstrated in how quickly and deeply missionary kids develop lifelong friendships with each other. It's like He knows they need people who understand being a third culture kid. God's joy showed up in our worship times and through the sweet conversations struck up by the pool or the Aegean Sea. It was a beautiful trip, in more ways than one.

I also got to do a guided tour of Corinth. I'll post about that separately, but many of the photos are from that day outing. I didn't take a ton of pictures at the conference because we were working and were in the same place everyday.

Cheese + Chocolate = Vacation

Check out my trip to Switzerland!

I then went to Greece. That video will be up shortly.

My "Expert" Packing Tips

I just returned from a trip to Europe (12 days) and packed everything in a backpack (which could fit under the seat) and a carry on (in the overhead compartment on most planes). Now I have a friend who was going to 2 continents for over 2 months and was doing the same thing so this was not such a feat, but I accepted her challenge and learned some things along the way that I thought I'd share with you.

My departure from GSO with luggage in tow

Linda's Packing List: Europe 2012My packing list:

• 2 dresses and 4 skirts; - Pack cotton skirts which roll up well and are great in hot summer weather. These I wore twice and could have worn 3xs if needed.The dresses could be worn wrinkly ;)
• 1 short; 2 travel pants - For this summer trip I didn't even bring jeans, just 1 pair shorts, dresses and skirts. Look at it as a perk of being a woman in the summer.
• 12 shirts - Solid colored shirts (tank tops mostly) that can go with more than 1 bottom. This way you still have choices once you're traveling and it's more likely you'll actually wear all of what you bring.
•  2 cardigans - 1 left one there at the end of my trip to give myself room for dresses I bought abroad. I also made sure one was accessible on the plane since it gets cold. I picked colors that went with several outfits. I wore them more in Switzerland since it cools off in the evening.
•  6 sets pjs (tshirts and boxers) - I showered before bed so that were cleaner longer. 
• 15 undies; 3 bras (1 sports) - didn't want to have to re-wear these. 
• 2 teva sandals; 1 TOMS - This was hard to only take 3 shoes, but the 2 sandals were black and I chose outfits that worked with them. These were easy to get through security as well.
• 1 bathing suit and cover up - Despite the temptation to bring 3 to rotate through.
• empty water bottle - which I filled in the airport to avoid paying $5 for water. Also used to stay hydrated as we toured Corinth and to avoid buying drinks always as we were out and about. I left it there when I went to pack, leaving room for more souvenirs (chocolate in my case) 
• outlet adapter to charge Ipad; Ipad - I didn't need a converter for an apple product. So I was able to charge my Ipad and Ipod which made traveling better! I also used the Ipad for wi-fi instead of renting a world phone.
• watch - I set it ahead or behind depending on the time change expected in order to try to trick my body and sleep on the plane as needed. 
• gum, hand-sanitizer, eye drops and travel size lotion - to fight the dehydration and yuck of airplane air.
• Passport; cash; credit card - Obviously the essentials but I put these items in different places so as not to be completely without if something was misplaced. 
• drawstring backpack - rolled up in my carry-on to be used as my purse once I got there. Best solution for the days I was going to hang out at the pool at another hotel. Or when I was going to be gone all day long (it hold souvenirs as you buy them).
• 4 granola bars - mostly for those weird hours in a plane when they aren't serving food.
• 4 books to read - I gave one away and always kept one near me on the plane for those times not connected to an electronic.
• Travel size toiletries including a small brush. Limit the liquids to what can go through carry-on security. You don't need more than 3 ounces of sunscreen even if you're gone for a month. 
• 3 necklaces, scarf - can go with more than 1 outfit and don't take up much space. 

You can do it too!

Injustice Shuts Its Mouth.

I attended a gala last week. When I first heard it was a gala, I thought, how lovely! I'd been reading a lot of old English literature and I pictured a Pride and Prejudice type event. I invited my friend Tara and we planned to attend.

We arrived at Castle McCullough after a full day of work and enjoyed the sites and sounds as we bid on silent auction items (Tara won a painting) and listened to musicians. The program was a fundraiser for World Relief and to increase efforts to fight human trafficking. I honestly can't remember how I first found out about this event, I've just been telling people I follow a lot of "this kind of stuff" on twitter and like it on Facebook. The "kind of stuff" I am referring to are social justice issues and causes I care about.

The tone of the evening was hard to describe. But here is my attempt.

Maybe intense? - A survivor of trafficking courageously shared her story including more than a decade of forced prostitution, coercion by her pimp and drug addiction. I think everyone had tears in their eyes.

Maybe  inspiring? - We heard Spoken Word and a lament which point us back to God's faithfulness and love for His people.

Maybe hopeful? - The CEO of World Relief, Stephan Bauman shared his vision for a world free from slavery and reminded us of Wilberforce and the things we've accomplished thus far. 

Maybe igniting? - I spent a couple hours in a room full of people who care about making a difference in our world today. I ended up at a table with the former president and a regional director of World Relief. I signed up for a taskforce and found this other event I may attend soon. 

I've shared with several friends that one day I'd like to run or create a nonprofit and thus far have been looking for those clues God has so graciously revealed over the past several years. I think this even was perhaps a clue. I'm excited for this catalyst and want to keep seeking God's face for what He may be leading me toward. 

Stephan Bauman shared Job 5:16 as part of his vision and as our call to action. Let us pursue God and his love for all people so that injustice shuts its mouth!

According to the UNODC, Human Trafficking is a crime against humanity. It involves an act of recruiting, transporting, transferring, harboring or receiving a person through a use of force, coercion or other means, for the purpose of exploiting them. If you're wondering what World Relief (in High Point NC) does, check out Human Trafficking Advocacy

And to end things well, check out one of the performances Micah Bournes did at the event: