A little over a month...

It's been along time again. We seem to get caught up in teaching, planning, grading or exploring this fantastic island. In fact just this past Saturday, Jake graded over 400 math and science papers, so we apologize for our lack of communication! :)

Here's a picture of us on our recent hike.

Things are going well though. We are well finished the first two weeks of school and they went well. 19 1st graders is fun but a challenge. They sure like to talk all the time.


For Jake, teaching 9 different classes within 6 periods, plus finding a good system for all that grading is his challenge. We love the students though, and especially love the staff. The other teachers here are incredible teachers and people.


We continue to find new things to enjoy: like new people to take us on awesome adventures (like David our tour guide for the past two weekend trips), other Howlies who have such awesome fun ideas to share (like Ultimate Frisbee, Paddling, $ Taco Nights on Tuesdays and Hash runs - which is basically a jungle run on a Saturday afternoon for 2 hours with drinks and food and fire afterwards), and hanging out more with the teachers that live here in the apartments with us. God has really blessed us with some amazing people as next door neighbors.


Another reminder to all, to download Skype - free talking! :)


Also continue to check out our Picasa Web Album - more pictures are up!


Please email us or post on here and let us know how you are doing. We miss all of you!





Continue to pray for us as we teach the students and minister to them in all we do.


Blessings and Love,


J & J

First Days of School...

So our first two days of school are over!!! We did so far.

The first day in 1st grade when awesome. What adorable little children:

My first grade class working on their first project!!

As cute as they are - they sure are talkers. As much as I loved the first day and enjoyed getting to know them today was a trial. They like to talk whenever and well, it'll be a challenge to get them to listen - all year!

Over in 6th grade - Jake had a great first two days. He's busy testing the 6th, 7th and 8th graders in Math so he knows what type of Math to teach them. Science he's getting started on life science. He's gotta alot of work ahead of him this year and he'll learn to become more organized and ready!

We are both so excited to be working at this school, with the amazing teachers we get to work with and the fun and adorable students!

After our first day, we went with Brittany and Mark to Pacific Island Club for a first-day celebration. Our tables were in the sand, and we could enjoy the sunset and chat about our first day. We really love this new couple and can't thank God enough for having them here too. They are a blessing to each of us.

Jake and I by the beautiful sunset

Mark and Brittany Sawyer! :) We love you too!!

The beautiful sunset and water!!!

Also - today Jake and I bought ourselves a scooter. We had been looking with Brit and Mark the past couple days for some cheap, under $400 scooters and happened to find one for $380. After Jake test drove it to an ATM he brought it home and now we have some wheels... :)

Me and my new helmet!
Our new ride!!
Please continue to keep us in your prayers and let us know how your lives are going. We can't wait to hear how everything is going for you and your families!!! We miss you all!
Love

J & J

One crazy week...

It's been awhile since the last post. And that's because we have been soo busy. This past Monday we started work at 8AM in our classrooms and with several meetings. We have both been preparing and decorating our classrooms and getting ready for our students. Our first day of school is THIS MONDAY!!! 7AM!!! :)

It's been long days of decorating, typing up letters and notes for parents, writing lesson plans and procedures and rules for the students and mentally preparing ourselves for our first year teaching.

Here are some classroom pictures:

When we aren't in the classroom we have been hanging out with all the other teachers, getting to know each other. There is another married couple, Mark and Brittany, here from Idaho/Washington. We really enjoy spending time with them so far and can't wait to keep getting to know them. The other teachers are extremely friendly and helpful as well. We both know that God will continue to bless us with the new people and friendships He continues to privde us with. He is such a great God!

Last night we went to the weekly Thursday Night Street Market. Its' a great place to eat dinner for 2 for $6 and see some culture and entertainment.

Jake and Mark


Brit and I


Things are going good. We are hoping to relax this weekend before all the busyness starts up. Please continue to check out our Picasso Web Albulms, because I continually update and add more photos!! Also if you could keep us in your prayers and things will get busier now, but also as we begin full-time teaching and yet still adjusting to our new life here on the island. We miss everyone of you so much. Blessings...

Love,

J & J