Family Trip

Dad and Gma being here was such a blessing! They visited for 12 days! We spent time in our classrooms, touring the island, visiting all the beaches, hanging out and eating with some of our awesome friends here on island and just being together. Jake and I were so happy to have them here and saying goodbye this time wasn't as hard, because we are happy to say, that we will be home to North American, VISITING this summer! So hopefully you all stick around at some point so we can catch up! =)

Enjoy our vacation in Saipan through pictures!

We love you Dad!

We love you Grandma!

Thank you so much for coming and visiting.

One huge prayer request we ask is that you pray for our school. Saipan Community School is in need of 7 new teachers for next year...7!!!!

So spread the word, tell anyone you know - we need K, 1st, 3rd, 4th, P.E, middle school language arts, and ESL/computer. We need your help and especially your prayers! =)

Love always,

J & J

So excited to see each other!!!

Tamiko Winkfield (one of my closest friends) and Grandma making Japanese slippers
Gma and I shopping!
Grandma and Sandy getting pedicures!
Dad and I as we tour the island!
Dad and Grandma with Garapan in the background
Jake, Dad and I at Jeffrey's Beach - my favorite place on island!
Out for Korean food!
Relaxing at PIC
reading!
Dad and the gorgeous sunset!
learning how to windsurf
Enjoying the sunset and happy hour!
Dad came to visit while I was teaching nursery rhyme actions!
Grandma loved all the flowers!
Jake and his adopted daughter...Sedrei
She loved Grandma!
Sunset #2
Dad relaxing on the last afternoon!
to Mom! :)
Thanks for coming out Grandma!
Dad and Grandma on the sunset cruise!
Grandma and I!!!!
All of us after a VERY enjoyable evening! Thank you so much for visiting!

Family

Dad and Grandma have been here for 5 days now and life is so great! :)

They arrived on Thursday afternoon and we have kept them busy so far. We went to the weekly Thursday night Street Market with some friends, opened Christmas presents, visited classrooms and students at school, went to Managaha, tried to win $1000 at a Duck Race, at some Zoom Chicken, went to karaoke with Dad and Grandma (and they loved it), went and got pedicures with some awesome ladies while Dad and Jake went to the movies, had dinner and movie night, went shopping while the boys went golfing, head massages, games, and just sitting around catching up. It's been a full and busy 5 days so far and we still have a week left! :)

Hopefully the rain will stop now and we'll get some sunshine!

Everything is going well and I'm so blessed and happy to have family visiting!!!

We just want to remind everyone to keep praying for Haiti and the people there. Jake's Aunt and Uncle and cousins live in Haiti and have actually almost all left Haiti for the time being, except for his Uncle. They need plenty of prayers and help in anyway. We will keep everyone updated as we are updated on their situations.

Love

J & J

2010

We are here - 2010...I remember when it was 1999 and we were approaching Y2K!! Crazy how things change.

We have finished our Christmas vacation and are now back at school.

Our vacation was fast and filled with busyness. I was the coordinator for a Korean English Camp at one of the local Korean hotels. I had to be at the hotel every night to watch over and teach the evening classes. I had free-time during the day but all my nights were working there. It was a great experience. We lived at the hotel during it, ate all of our meals there and got to really know these 15 Korean students. They were a blessing. Jake taught several of the afternoon classes and earned extra money doing that. Otherwise he spend his vacation spear-fishing (because he got a new spear gun for Christmas) and watching cable tv (it was in the hotel room).

We both still managed to relax and enjoy our Christmas vacation. We spent Christmas eve with some of our great friends both at a Christmas Baking party and a Christmas Dinner party. We then spent Christmas Day with the Korean kids at the camp and the afternoon with Pastor and Sandy and some of our awesome "family"!!!!

New Years was spent at Emily Gries (the 1st grade teacher I replaced) wedding reception, our friend Linda's 50th birthday party and then a New Years party with some new and old friends! We really enjoyed celebrating and ending 2009. I was sure ready to bring on a new year! :)

We are now back at school and are half-way through the year. THANK GOODNESS!

Somedays I'm beginning to wonder if I chose the wrong professions. I would love some prayers on that!

Pray for us as we start thinking more and more about starting a family. It's scary and exciting and we would really appreciate prayers!

We are praying for all of our families and friends back home; praying that God will give you a BEAUTIFUL new year!

We miss you all!

LOVE always,

J & J

Happy New Year!
My new Korean friend Gia (LOVE HER) and long-time friend Nina!!!
helping Jake sing Britney Spears at New Year's party karaoke!
Amanda and I jumping on the bed!
My amazing friends and I do this thing called "shakey face" - =) (Hyun Jae (green dress), Shimiko (burgundy sweater), Hee Jae (red and white), Amanda (blue) and Kristina (in front of me)

Jake, Russ, Todd, Yosh and Nikki at Christmas Eve Dinner

Nikki, Kanae and I!!!! Two amazing woman in my life!

Jake with Justin, one of the Korean English camp students!

My Ladie's Bible Study Christmas Party!! (L - R: Nina, Mel, Amy, Sarah, Natalie, Emily, myself and Amanda)
Vinson (my student) and Hila his little sister, dancing in their church's Christmas Program
Our hotel room view!!!
Our Christmas vacation home!!
We went to the local MMA fight! Jake was excited!
The day school was let out, we took our adopted daughters out for a Christmas afternoon (McDonald's, the beach and presents)
my 1st grade class all ready for the Elementary Christmas Program
At the Saipan Community Church Christmas Feast with our Filipino Mom - Cris (pink) and Jan Springer!
Jake and his adopted Mom - Debbie Winkfield!