What a night!

Praise the Lord for answered prayers! I finally have hope for this country we call home again. I am still in shock. It was a blow out! Clearly this country was looking for change and i think we have found it! My spirits were lifted immediately and i feel like this was all a dream in some sense. Sen. Obama's speech was moving...just beautifully put. This is history in the making and it feels so amazing to be part of that! And yay for OHIO and Indiana for coming through! can you believe it!? I finally feel like my vote counted!

on a more somber note, there a couple propositions here in california that are going to be very close, including prop 4 and 8. 4 would force organizations performing an abortion for any female under 18 to notify their parents 48 hours before the abortion takes place...i just can imagine how sad this could be for young women who have crazy parents that would react in a horrible way (kicking them out of the house, verbal abuse, etc.). and prop 8 will ban gay marriage (that was just recently granted in California) and has been a HUGE issue here. especially in Fresno where there have been rallies and protest every weekend for weeks. $47 million was spend on this campaign b/w both sides. how sad will it be if this is overturned and those who just gained this right will go back to not being recognized. BUT OBAMA WON, so that is still making me very happy!

Daniella made a cake and iced it to look like an american flag which was hilarious! (i will put a picture of it up soon)

Work has been pretty depressing this week as one of our Core Members might be put on the streets next week if we cannot come up with funds for him as a circle. Parole is not giving him money this month apparently. These guys are at the mercy of a completely flawed and screwed up system. I have never seen ANYONE look so hard for a job(s) in my life for a vigorous 5 months and come up with nothing. it is heartbreaking and i found myself getting choked up when explaining this to the MVS support committee last night after dinner. i am realizing how emotionally draining this job truly is. i am still thoroughly enjoying my work and the people i work with on a daily basis. (although i do have many "bad days", but who doesn't) well i must go to bed if i want to make it to work on time tomorrow! love you all and miss you dearly every day. the falling leaves make me miss home more than ever. keep in touch.

Much love and happiness,
Jor