Take the time to watch this..

Event raised over $750,000!!!

The 2008 run to feed the hungry was the most amazing event to be a part of. Proud to say us gals jogged the whole 3.1 miles for a time of 35 minutes. For a person who can barely run a mile on the treadmill I was shocked, and extremely sore today. ;) Even though there were over 30,000 people that attended, every group of runners encouraged each other to keep truckn' as they ran past. The emotions were high because of the event's cause. We ran through neighborhoods where families were outside watching us go by. They were cooking their turkey, playing music, and cheering the crowd. A prayer was said before the race, and a 'God bless America' was sung also. God is good all the time...and all the time God is good! We kept saying to each other "we are blessed to have two legs that move, so why not do this simple everyday movement to help the community" ;) Check out the slide show. 

 SEE THE SLIDE SHOW HERE!

Today's headlines

Man arrested - for not leaving jail

That may make sense to you but...I got a chuckle out of it. You can read the story here.

I GOT THE JOB!

I was given an amazing opportunity yesterday. After 3 interviews, and lots of anticipation I finally got my dream job. Teaching and managing a dance program. I could not stop smiling!!! Still can't. My current employer has been so great, and they've always supported me. After almost 4 years here I'm on my way out. Kids are my passion as is dance, and so putting those two together for a career is almost perfect. Praise God for his constant provision. He's always looking out. Jeremy was excited to hear the news last night, and to have him support my dreams and goals just makes me want to reach higher! What I've worked for for so long has finally come true.

Dr. Seuss moment

Here's my Christmas (early) poem. It's been slow like a turtle here at work so here goes!

Candlelit tables and old wooden stables, a story told around the earth,
Ribbons and strings we find joy in things, forgetting the story of His birth
The stars in the sky they all seem to cry as we scurry like cattle in our shopping malls
Presents and trees paying taxes and fees, opening up boxes and decking the halls
Baking cookies all day it’s the new Christmas way we all get to together and eat way too much, cards flood the mailbox and long distant phone talks with family and friends with whom we lost touch,
Santa Clause faces in all kinds of places he’s everywhere all at the same time it seems, try to see the old man get a picture if you can as the room is filled with kids yelling and screams.
Fancy shoes, ugly ties and grandma’s fruit pies are all excepted with a forced wincing smirk, Rude gestures, exhaustion, and last minute buys are all in a good ‘ol holidays work
Chestnuts are roasting and people are toasting as they gather around they’re warm winter feast, it was worth the fight at the grocery store right? Your guests are full and happy at least.
We ring in the year with kisses and beer, celebrating the month we just had to endure, the tree is now brown all lights are torn down where all the time went you just aren’t sure.
With decorations put away you miss their display and attempt to get back to your daily routine, but family is gone and something is wrong you feel empty inside and your heart has a sting.
Try not to displace the reason for grace, the big picture of why we do what we do, the biggest gift of all is from the manger not the mall, He sent his son to us because he loves you.

Celebrate that….


Jessica Ala

2008 Run to Feed the Hungry

My good friend Crystal and I are participating in this run on Thanksgiving day! If you live in or around Sacramento please register! You can run (or walk) the 5k or 10k. This picture is from last years run. To learn more about the cause, sponsor the event, or to register please visit:

runtofeedthehungry.com

The video says it all!

Mimzy cat

Our cat has been on this 'sneaky' streak lately. I seem to have trouble finding her and then BAM she jumps out from a corner and gives me heart attack. I have to say this little hairy child of mine is more of a dog. She begs. She sits. One day I'll video her saying "mama" so you'll believe me when I say she speaks too. (no joke) Anyhow, this morning I was being productive before coming into work. I piled the whites and the darks in preparation for laundry day when I returned home. Jeremy was sound asleep and I attempted to make no noise at all. I turned and noticed I left the door open so I tip toed out and shut the door quietly. After grabbing my lunch, my purse, and unlocking the door I noticed my little cat-dog had not seen me 'farwell' like she usually does. "Hey mim" I whispered. "Mimzy where are you?" Usually by now I'd hear a faint 'beep-like meow' coming from her. Nothing. I walked into the room where her food was and she wasn't there either. "Mim stop playing where are you?" (Like cats can understand english I know). Still nothing. Then the light bulb went on in my blonde brain. Oh my gosh she's in there with Jeremy! I opened the door and looked around. Have you seen the movie ET? Of course everyone has. Remember when ET was hiding in the closet with all those stuffed animals? He looked like one of them? Well, Mimzy was in the pile of clothes laying down as still as a sculpture. I didn't even see her. Then out of nowhere the clothes fly left and right, and she bolts out from beneath her 'bunker' and nearly got a scream out of me. Crazy cat. Jeremy didn't even budge. Wish I could sleep that well! 

Can silence be hilarious?

It can when Keith Wann is on stage. Jeremy attends an ASL (American Sign Language) class at Sierra College. Last night there was no class, but rather an invitation to see a C.O.D.A perform (Child Of Deaf Adults). He grew up a hearing child in a deaf family. Most of his comedic routine was done by sign with an interpreter. His physical comedy was really entertaining. For myself it was almost like watching one guy do an hour long game of charades. He even did an awesome rendition of 'ice ice baby' by Vanilla Ice. All in sign and some hilarious dance routine. He explained differences between the hearing and the deaf. The way they get each other's attention, the way they drive, and the way they tell secrets (which is a bummer for the deaf community). He said he can never tell a secret because by the time he turns around there's 150 ASL students staring at him in awe trying to figure out what he said. He continued to say, "do spanish students run up to a mexican and try to figure out what they said?". We had a great time...check him out at Keithwann.com.

My heart just broke

Read this updated story of what's happening in Congo. It's so hard to read. To think that today I was worried about how much gas was in the car, deadlines I have to meet, and how hungry I am. Unbelievable. I see words like 'Machetes' and 'children' in the same sentence and I cringe. 

Be strong and take heart all you who hope in the Lord. 

Psalm 31:23-24

Yearbookyourself.com

The other day I found these pictures in an album. Blast from the past! Kiddn' they're obviously not real but if you've never "yearbooked yourself" you have to try it out it's hilarious. 

World Vision

Just go to this website! Then come back and read. 

http://connect.worldvision.org/person/jess

I'm hearing a lot about change lately. Don't you want to be a part of it? That change doesn't just need to happen here in America. 

Please consider sponsoring a child through World Vision. It's amazing how God provides so don't worry! This will not "break your bank"! You can give a one time gift if you choose, corporately give through your work, or sponsor a child for $35 a month. It will give a child food, clean water, medical treatment, shoes and clothes, school supplies, and more. You can't even imagine how far that $35 will go. This child (or children) will write you letters, you'll receive a yearly update, and you will be able to see how far love can reach. You can make a difference around the world by sharing your gifts.  

Why I love rock band...

Let me count the ways. Actually I'll sing the ways. ;)

Rock band is so awesome I could play it everyday, drums guitar and singing I can rock it anyway! With friends we dance on couches, and swing mic cords through the air. We take the stage and start to rage with drumsticks in our hair. 'Mississippi Queen' first takes the scene and I belt it with all I've got. For four nice girls in ribbons and curls we sure are lookn' hot! The drummer starts to get off beat, the guitar is missing notes. With just one chance I take my stance and sing those famous quotes. Oh no! We're being booed at, and the fans are throwing stuff! We don't care fists in the air our faces lookn' tough. The song is almost over and each note is hit just right, we lost track of time between rhythm & rhyme we rocked into the night! Our guitar player had a solo waving the strings all over the place, until it hit the microphone right into our singer's face. After that the band broke up but only for a day. Rock band is so awesome and my favorite game to play! So rock on you band members with your talent and high score, if I owned the game I'd probably play it even more. 

(Last night we played and all of us girls had a blast. It's a lot of fun!) 

Is that my furby?

Check out this little guy! They found him in Indonesia! He's called a 'pigmy tarsier' said to have been lost (extinct) for 80 years. The lady that found this little furry ball was ever so excited to say this comment. 

"I'm the only person in the world to be bitten by a pigmy tarsier".  She said this mini beast turned it's head around 180 degrees and chomped down. Bad furby. 

Oh baby!!!! A baby!!

I have something to tell you guys. I've been hiding it....just kiddn' not me, not yet anyway, but I found out that a very close friend of mine is pregnant!! Sign me up for babysitting! I'm super excited for them, and can't wait to be a part of those 9 months! 

Mom....your time will come I promise. ;) 

Never again....

So Halloween this year was fun! I dressed up as a butterfly with wings and all. I have say though, this year will be the LAST year I wear fake eyelashes. Putting them on I was somewhat proud of myself. Taking them off....I was crying. All day at work I felt like I had an eye lift. My eyes were burning and I couldn't wait to go home and rip 'em off. Well, the Harvest Festival at Bridgeway needed help so I figured I'd just stay in costume and drive on over. I had those darn things on for over 12 hours. The glue was stuck to my real lashes, and because the fake ones were so huge it was pulling on my whole eyelid! It took me about 15 minutes to finally peel away these awful green, feathery, fashion accessories. They were super cute though!

Mercy Run update!

I just got home from running the 5k Mercy Ministries run!! (well, technically walked most of it with a couple friends) but it was for an awesome cause. So many people showed up, and even the little kids were running on the sidewalk. On the road at each turn were 'statements' chalked on to the pavement saying, "God is your source!" and "Keep going! Thank you for running for us!". It was awesome. I plan on doing more of these in the future. The next one is the "Run for Hunger" around thanksgiving time. I encourage you to sign up!!

Uganda II

Worship in Togo



Construction for the children's center

Dancing at Lake Victoria

Swinging from the rubber tree!!

London

The Nile River

Uganda I

Our mission trip was in July. I just can't say enough about God's grace and mercy. These pictures tell only part of the story. BIG work was done over in Togo and Kampala. We miss them so much, and they taught us more about love then we could have ever imagined. (not sure why there's so much space underneath this......oops!)

Napa

We had a great time for our anniversary. Jeremy surprised me with a trip to wine country! He booked a bed and breakfast, and took me to a castle. It was so much fun. The Castillo Di Amarosa is a huge castle constructed by builders from all over the world! Enjoy the pics.

Pajamas are fine when you're drinking wine!




Sorry Mr. Mondavi, but I couldn't resist.


Jeremy looking out into the courtyard at Castillo Di Amarosa.


Well...well......well?




The chapel at another local vineyard.


Oh deer. These guys didn't move an inch. I think they were real?


Gorgeous day, and the castle was a perfect romantic touch.

Yes, that is a red car that conveniently got in the way of my shot.