Saying Goodbye

Do you think these 2nd graders could fit in my suitcase?

Ariann made my smile bigger! When she would see me outside or in the lunchroom, she would run up to me and give me a huge hug.

The 6th grade was my favorite class. Oh man! Why do I have to go?!

I love these girls! Oh I am going to miss them!

Shannon (aka "Shine") won my heart!

Mel and I went snorkeling outside the reef today. We saw 6 HUGE Spotted Eagle Rays! It was amazing! I felt so small in the big ocean!

I promise - this is real. I was there!

Yay! My team won the Ultimate tournament this last weekend!

Sunset Volleyball. I only have a few days left of this!

Heather, Melody, Kelly and I are getting along great as housemates, fellow teachers and friends!

Ashley is a 2nd grade teacher at the school I am teaching at. It didn't take long for us to discover that we get along great!

As you can see, she is a lot of fun!

Forbidden Island

We had to hike down to the beach, then across the water and up a steep trail to the top of Forbidden Island. I think this falls into the top ten of coolest experiences so far in life! Next weekend a group of us are going to camp out on top!

I had to pinch myself to make sure I wasn't dreaming!

We hiked down to this cold pool inside a cave near Forbidden Island. AMAZING!!!!! The ocean was right outside through a small opening. We climbed through it to see a site more incredible than I could have ever imagined!

Naiomi and Amanda are two of the sweetest girls in school! They gave me my first Saipan Valentine's cards this week :).

God is so faithful!

As I was reading my Bible at the spa on Monday, this man and woman approached me and asked what I was reading. They asked if I was a Christian, and when I said "yes" they each got a huge grin. Hyojin told me He was a pastor from Korea, and he and his wife Kyusang (just married on Saturday!) were on their honeymoon in Saipan. They asked what I was reading for, and I told them I was preparing for chapel the next day. They told me they would pray for me. I had to smile since I had just gotten off the phone in an attempt to call my mom and dad to ask them to pray for me about chapel. They hadn't answered, and I was disappointed that I would not be able to talk with them. Not even half an hour later, this sweet couple comes my way to encourage me and offer their prayers! Cool! I love how God works!

The verse behind me reads, "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart." That is so true! I shared that verse as part of my chapel message yesterday. My message was about knowing God, not just knowing about God. As I have invested in my relationship with God and have gotten to know Him, I have found that He loves to fulfill the desires in my heart - such as ... getting to speak in chapel! He knows I have a passion to speak, so He blessed me with an opportunity! Thanks God! :)

Cliff Jumping at Lau Lau Bay, Saipan

"Ahhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
Mel jumping into Lau Lau Bay.

That's Me!

You don't need to write me and tell me how ridiculous my cliff jumping form is... I am well aware of it already!

My Heros!

Todd and Yosh literally saved my life yesterday when I was trying to exit the Grotto (where they had been scuba diving and I had been snorkeling). Surges of waves come in and out of the cave so you have to time your exit, otherwise you could be swept into what is called the "Washing Machine". An unexpected surge came as I was trying to get out. I lost my footing and as I was being swept away into the jagged rocks, Todd grabbed me, but by doing so, he lost his grip on the rope. Yosh managed to grab one or both of us and the rope. I am not sure how this all played out since my head was under water the whole time! I do remember thinking "I think I am going to die". The girls were on the rock above us freaking out and praying as they watched. I know if it weren't for Todd and Yosh (and of course God!), I could be dead, or atleast in really bad shape. I only have a couple scrapes and bruises, and Todd got cut on his knee. I must have hit my face on a rock cause my left side has some small cuts and bruises. We were all amazed we walked out of there with such minor injuries.

The Grotto

Here's a picture of The Grotto, the second best cave dive site in the world. This is where I had a very close call yesterday. Looking back, it's kinda exciting, but at the moment I would have to say I was pretty scared for my life! Click here to see a video of the Grotto. Grotto Go the video that says "The Grotto in Saipan".

Cliff Jumping!

Oh my! This evening was probably one of my favorites so far! Our friend, Yosh, took us cliff jumping close to 50 feet into Lau Lau Bay. Check out my video! Videos