SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!

We did it! We finished our first year of teaching on a beautiful tropical island with the most diverse class possible. We have had our fair share of ups and downs and it's been hard and so rewarding at the same time. Saipan has been a blessing and we are soooo excited to stay here for another year and hopefully more following. We love it here and are blessed by amazing students, staff and teachers who have become a family and creation here. We hope that you all can come visit someday!
Enjoy the pictures from the last several weeks! :)
Life is good! (we leave for australia in a week so it couldn't be better! :)
Love
J & J

Terry & Sandy at Lau Lau Kafe

Terry, Amanda and I after the Teacher Staff Party!

Pastor telling Sandy how beautiful she is!

The Motown came back in full swing!

the living and dining room and view of the house we are house-sitting!

the Teachers of SCS

Jake and I with Frankie - an 8th grader!

Justin and Jake

Terry and I!

Amanda and I with the 4 8th grade girls! :)

The 8th grade class singing: "All you Need is love!"

Tamiko and I!

Jake and his baritone - it's been 5 years since he's played!

Pastor Greg Dickerman and his beautiful wife Sandy ( they are our island parents!)

yes it is true what you see..... only in Saipan!

Jake and Terry!

Baby Hilah and I! :)

Jake and I at our station for the Tagaman triathalon! We had to direct the bikers in three different directions!

Henry with his art work!

Italian Ukulele's

With a nice house to live in and some great friends, we thought we'd have all of those great friends over and have a dinner. We went with Italian and boy was it a good choice. The food that was prepared by all was delicious and the wine was also just as tasty. We ate, laughed, talked, drank, laughed and just continued to hang out. It was such a great night and a good thing to have in the middle of the week, especially with the school year ending next week.
Two days later there was a Ukulele Jam/Concert at the school. Middle school students are required to take ukulele/music class. Some hate it while the majority either enjoys or loves it and it shows. There are some really talented ukulele players in our school. The had an awesome majority of music, some special guests playing along with them and doing solos. It was different than any other school event I've been too and I loved it. Helped us remember what a fun, loving, creative school we work at.
Today is Saturday and we are both helpin run the All-Schools Track and Field meet. It started yesterday at 4-9 and today will be from 8-2 (which island time of 2 will most likely be 4) So it'll be a long day. But another great way to spend getting to know the students better. We have some amazing kids at the school and the more we get to know them personally andoutside of school the more friendships we create and the more God continues to use us both. We are happy.
Love,
J & J

We had a great weekend. We started house-sitting on Friday night for our "Step" Parents: Russ & Kanae Quinn. They have a beautiful house up on the hill. We "moved" in Friday night after a great Bible Study! It's so nice to be in a house and not an apartment - it makes the urge to move on in life a little more prevelant! :)
Saturday we slept in and then Jake got ready for his 8th grade boy's afternoon. The three male teachers of our school took all 9 8th grade boys out to some caves and boonie stompin'/clearing for the afternoon. Jake had a blast and was glad to spend time with the boys outside of school and in a new setting for some of them. The male teachers also had a chance to talk about being a man of God and I know that blessed Jake and the boys as well. While he was out with the boys, I went to the Spa for the afternoon. There were several other ladies there and we enjoyed lounging in the pools, sun and saunas! Very relaxing!
Later that night we attended Taste of the Marianas. It is a huge event located in the American Memorial Park. All the hotels have food booths, along with several restaurants and everyone (and I mean EVERYONE) gets together, eats, drinks and enjoys local entertainment. It was a great night and we can't wait to go again this coming Saturday night.
Sunday was relaxing as well - church in the morning, lunch and Tony Roma's with Pastor Dickerman, Sandy and Dean. It was a beautiful lunch and great fellowship. Then we headed back up to the house and relaxed even more by napping and hanging out on nice, soft couches!!! It was a great weekend and much needed because we are back at it with a full week.
Jake has track practice every day this week and we both will be at the Track meet that is this Friday afternoon/night and all day Saturday. Plus we have a Uke Jam on Thursday night, which is apparently the highlight event of the year! Very much looking forward to it! We'll also get to spend some quality time with good friends as well.
Life is going great here. We are looking forward to only 9 days left of school and then 19 more days until we leave for Australia.
We miss you all and love you all!
Love
J&J