2nd Quarter

Jake with Desrei and Anna. We took 5 amazing children to the beach with Amanda and it was a blast - something they have not done in a while. We played in the water, buried each other in the sand, had sand fights, ate "pillows" (filipino chocolate snack) and enjoyed the sunshine and each other. We love these children - notonly are they adorable but they are fun, loving and need to be loved!!!

Jake with Sedrei!
She loves him! :)

An amazing sunset! We haven't seen one of these in awhile because it's been so rainy - wow!

My amazing Ultimate Frisbee team: Linda, me, Bruce, Rob and Aaron

I played in a frisbee tournament last Saturday and we had a great team. We played hard, had a ton of fun and enjoyed each other the whole time - what a great day! Awesome sport and even more awesome people! :)

We were house-sitting for two weeks in September for Russ & Kanae ( our amazing ME Step parents ). We decided to have a dinner party: Battle of the Sexes! This is the whole group enjoying the amazing dinner created by the females and males - fantastic evening!

And...

since our last update - the Typhoon has passed and we are safe and sound!

Thanks for all the prayers and emails and love - there are storms still all around so continue to pray for all the islands in the Pacific.

We just finished with our 1st Quarter at school - that's 9 weeks down...WOW time goes so quickly. The kids have already grown up in 1st grade and have improved so much. That is so great to see in them - and I know we both see it in our classes. Some exciting news regarding us and teaching - next year I (Jackie) will the the 5th grade teacher at Saipan Community School. Tami Winkfield who teaches it this year will be off island goin to grad school next year and so I will be taking her place. So spread the news - there will be a 1st grade position at Saipan Community School open next year! :)
Pray for me as I continue to teach the 1st graders this year - also pray for Jake and his classes.

We appreciate all the prayers and know you are praying them!

Jake, Tami and I have been coaching our school's volleyball team and we have been doing fairly well. It's been great working together and spending that extra time with the kids - makes me even more excited to teach older kids next year!

I've been attending Gold's Gym and so far have lost 14 pounds - it's fantastic! I can't even believe it sometimes. I feel so good and feel better about myself and I'm more in shape and as said earlier today: "I look toned" -what a great compliment! I love working out and running and eating healthy and it's all thanks to Nina and Brett and Jake and the support of friends here. It's amazing how muchmore blessings and love you can feel and see when you are truly happy with yourself. Continue to pray for me as I work hard in being healthy as sometimes it is still a struggle.

Jake is working hard for the triathalon - less than a month away! His knee is pretty sore and he ices it almost every day and so prayer for his knee and training is appreciated as well.

Can you tell we really feel your prayers lately - thank you all so much!

Tomorrow Jake and I are biking in a 50k bike ride - we are both excited and nervous about it. Should be awesome so we'll update youa bout that afterwards!

We miss home (Canada, Montana, Iowa, etc) alot - but Saipan is becoming more of home every day. We miss our family and friends and know you love us and thank you for that!

Our good friends Craig and Sarah had a baby boy almost a whole month ago and we are very happy for them. And our good friends here Mark and Brittany are now pregnant and that is also exciting for them! Life is good - we are enjoying it greatly! :) Blessings each and every day!

Love,
Jackie and Jake