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I told you I was behind...this is a look back, and forward to Indonesia. Last December (2017) we headed to Indonesia for another round of concerts, workshops, fellowship and adventure.  Each time we head over there, I get MORE excited...to reconnect with friends and meet new ones, to step into worlds of beautiful children with whom God so generously allows me the extreme privilege...

2018 so far has been a year of some pretty noteworthy adventures in my book.  Somewhere along the line recently, I've begun saying "Yes" whenever possible.  Sometimes a thing is not possible.  Sometimes I say yes and then it doesn't end up panning out.  But more often than not, a yes has resulted in an adventure...a thrilling, fulfilling, exhausting, faith-stretching...

Okay, so these "catch up" blogbits aren't going to be in order.  If I try to do that, I'll make mistakes anyways. In March of 2018 I had the privilege of going to the Philippines with a church from Temecula, California (Calvary Bible Fellowship).  They arranged a bunch of places to do VBSs and concerts, mostly in the little area near Bacolod on Negros Island called Himamaylan...

Good grief my last blog was a year ago. Confession...I got overwhelmed by blogging.  I would put it off, intending to write alllll about these adventures God brought our way and include lots of photos.  I would keep waiting for a few free evenings to sit down and tackle this BLOG...but those nights were always filled with prepping for or doing the NEXT thing, and the next, until...

Last fall we moved out of our office/warehouse of 18 years.  It was definitely bittersweet. There were GOBS of memories in there, all over the walls.  Photos of kids who are now probably in their twenties.  Cards hand-written by kiddos who are now probably writing papers in college. Love notes scribbled by toddlers who surely don't remember me now, but we had a connection...

Ron and I are back from another incredible trip to Indonesia, and this time, Singapore!  Many of you prayed for us through it all, and if you did, thank you!  We are thanking and praising the Lord that everything went smoothly, exceeding our expectations on so many levels.  We had the thrill of praising the Lord with thousands of children from 6 Christian schools in Indonesia,...

Hey, friends! Here is a follow up on my trip to Indonesia with some more photos. Thank you so much for your prayers and encouragement…I/we could never do this without you! And if you don’t already, please follow me on Instagram (@janaalayra).  I’m finding it easier to do those quick photo pohests immediately at or after events. I try to keep up with Facebook...

My friend Rehana invited me spur of the moment the other day to go see the movie Hidden Figures with her, along with her sister Siti, mom Vera and niece Naya. I was thrilled to do anything with these ladies, but I had also been wanting to see this movie  everyone had been raving about.  Well, now I know why!  What an incredible movie!  The casting, the dress, the acting,...

I'm addicted to a radio program where a fantastic Bible teacher answers questions from callers about anything related to the Bible.  One day a caller asked, "What makes Jesus different than any of the central figures of other religions?"  And although he went on to elaborate, his initial answer, simple but profound, was "Because Jesus is a LIVING Savior.  Those other...

September 2016 It's all His. Does this happen to you?  Something you've heard many times before hits you anew like a thunderbolt and rocks your world? It happened to me the other day when I was in the car, in traffic (arg…), making the most of it by listening to my favorite Bible teacher on my phone.  He mentioned in passing the meaning of Psalm 2:7&8….that...

11-26-15 SO many gifts! I woke up this morning with a very thankful heart.  Thankful to have a bed.  My family went into the city of Santa Ana last night and helped serve food to the homeless there with our church.  Many of these dear folks sleep on the hard ground, in weather that by California standards is way too cold to be in a tent or a box.  Arthritis runs...

Perspective Happy New Year, everyone!  May it be an incredible year of joy and growth for you and yours! On January 1, 2015 morning I rang in the New Year by going with my dear friend Suzy and her family to the Rose Parade.  Suzy and Gus’s youngest daughter has a rare disability, and through the city of Pasadena they receive special seating right on the street,...