the Van Dam 'ventures

I LOVE being pregnant!

2011-08-16T11:31:00.002+10:00

Two weeks ago we had our ultrasound appointment. We saw the tiny toes and knees, the elbows and little fingers, the spine, stomach, umbilical cord, eye, pointy little nose and smiling mouth (Yes "fefe" really was smiling)

WHAT A MIRACLE!

Every little movement I feel, or movement we get to watch together, we are just amazed at what is happening inside. It's a little baby, OUR little baby.

We can't wait til Dec 1st (or earlier possibly as the ultrasound shows) to find out whether our little miracle is a boy or a girl. LOVE BIG SURPRISES!!!

Here I am today, just about to start my 25th week!! ALmost mid-way through Month #6!

a mini catch you up...

2011-08-04T14:34:00.004+10:00

Wow...it's been awhile.

We have been busy moving out of our Gualo Rai house and into a new house up by NMC College. It is ALOT closer to the school for Jake. Once December 1st comes/BABY VAN DAM I will no longer be working at Gold's Gym but will instead stay home with my baby!

Today, as I write this brief update, I am officially starting my 23rd week of pregnancy and feeling GREAT and very healthy!

Jake is gearing up for school to start on Monday with the new school year. There are 4 new teachers for the school year and Jake is very happy and excited to be going back to work and a job that he loves.

His sister Beth will be moving out here sometime later in August to work at a public school close to the new house, AND she will also be living with us. We are both very happy and excited to have some blood family here with us! It'll make home even a bit more like home!

God is good!

Love,

the Van Dams

Baby Van Dam

2011-06-21T17:54:00.003+10:00

As many of you may already know, Jake and I are expecting our very first baby in December.
We are so excited and can't wait to be parents.
I know Jake is going to be make an awesome, loving, fun and protective Father and cannot wait til baby is here to watch!
So far I am in the middle of my 16th week. We have had several ultrasounds and appointments and we are in the clear, everything looks good!

Here I am on Sunday, 16 weeks preggo!

Outfit #1

Out fit #2 - Felt much better in this outfit!
:)

Bali 2011

2011-06-21T17:29:00.007+10:00

In May, Jake and I went on vacation for about 10 days to Bali, Indonesia. We left with another couple, some of our closest friends here in Saipan. We spent 9 days in Bali and the rest of the time travelling. It was an unforgettable, most amazing trip we have ever taken. Loved every minute of it and the pictures will tell...

Easter

2011-04-23T10:53:00.002+10:00

It's officially Easter weekend and yet it doesn't feel like Easter at all for some reason.

Jake walked up Mt. Topachau yesterday with some good friends. I didn't go because I wasn't feeling well and also very tired, maybe that's part of it. We have early morning sunrise service tomorrow for Easter Sunday and then several invites for Easter Sunday dinners.

Maybe it's because I've been working all week and Saturday and am used to taking that time off.

Maybe it's because I know family will be getting together for Easter dinner and that's another one to miss out on.

hmmm...maybe it's because I feel like I'm not living in reality right now. There are some unreal things happening to us.

Jake and I are are going to have a baby. WOW.

It's crazy. We are super excited! and super scared - but who isn't really?!!? It's not like it's some little thing -IT'S HUGE!!! A baby?!?! Come December 1st?!!??

WOW - I have no words really - I'm ecstatic, thrilled, shaking, haven't fully realized it yet, because all it feels like so far is I got the stomach flu and am tired.

Anyways, we wanted to share our exciting news...we are finishing up on Month #2! Going on 3!!! Only alot more to go!! HAHA :)
Jake and I are feeling pretty good. Things will change a bit for us, luckily our house is perfect with an extra room and yard - so we're happy about that.

Well,

Happy Easter!
Love you all!

Love & Blessings,

Jake and Jackie

life lately

2011-03-08T13:17:00.005+10:00

Gorgeous George is about 5 weeks old in the picture on the left, and about 8 weeks old in the picture on the right. He's growing like crazy!

George again at 8 weeks old in these two pictures. Him and Bella get along great and spend most of their time together play fighting or having a tug-o-war over a toy.

On to other Van Dam family members.

Tim and Jana are set to arrive in Saipan late this Friday night/early this Saturday morning. They'll get to see Jackie and I team up to complete the Xterra race on Saturday morning. We'll all hang around together on Saipan till Monday morning when they leave for Australia for a week. Pretty exciting stuff. I think dad has wanted to go to Australia for quite a while now. Then they'll be back on Saipan for a few more days before heading back to the states.

Pray for safety for mom and dad as they travel and that we'll have a good time together here in Saipan. Also, both Jackie and I had pretty bad crashes during the race last year, and we would definitely appreciate a prayer for safety in this year's race.

love,

Jake and Jackie

Jake here

2011-02-23T09:05:00.004+10:00

So I don't know if anyone reads this anymore. If not I can't say that I blame you. (if I truly believed that no one reads it anymore I guess I wouldn't have written that sentence... or this one) I honestly wasn't even sure if Jackie still updated. I guess we're both more facebookers than bloggers.

In any case, I need to post this just to say that my sisters are amazing people. There are a number of reasons for this sentiment, most of which I'm going to keep to myself. But the thing that convinces me most of their amazing-ness has to do with the people they've become.

Why didn't I already know that they are amazing people? you might ask. Let me explain.

First of all, I think I have only just discovered who my sisters are. Again, that might sound a bit peculiar. My sisters and I did grow up together. What I mean is that I don't think I had any idea the type of people that my sisters have grown up to be until the past 6sih months. I clearly remember my/our childhood and I regret that much of it was spent arguing, fighting, teasing, and basically just not getting along. Many friends of my sisters and I were similarly aged and got along famously. Not so for the Van Dam kids. To be honest, it was mostly... ok ok I'll actually be honest here, it was all my fault. Any fighting we did can be traced directly to me. I can't say for certain what my problem was back then. I think I was very envious of the relationship my sisters had with each other. But I don't know why that would cause me to instigate so much discord. My behavior and jealously prevented me from getting to know my sisters and who they actually were.

Second, I have been apart from my sisters for the majority of the time since they were 16 and 13. Having been away at college and now even further away in Saipan has robbed me of being near to my sisters when the person they have become was being molded. I definitely didn't and still don't make near enough effort to stay in touch with them while being away. Again, my fault.

Now for the reason why I think they are amazing.

Beth and Becca, you have become your own person. I don't mean in a congratulations type of way. That might infer that I have become my own person, which I'm not sure that I have. I mean like, Holy crap! My sisters are really stinking awesome people and I had no idea till now! I love people who are their own person. These people are who they are. They don't apologize for it. They don't try to hide in a crowd or put on an act. You both are all of these things and so much more. You both are unique and wonderful people.

I have to admit that I'm still jealous. Not as much for the relationship that you have with each other. (Though I'm still a little jealous about that) I'm more jealous of the people that get to be your friends, that get to spend time with you, that get to see you often. Those are the things I want. I'm sorry for not realizing all of this earlier. Please know that I'm a big fan of you both.

Love,

Jake

2010-11-02T14:12:00.003+10:00

a few pictures to share...check out more on Facebook!

Jake's new look with a much nicer, trimmer goatee

Jake and I at the local MMA fights

Amanda and I at halloween

Me with HeeJae, Amy and Mel (my girls)

playing ultimate frisbee in our tournament!!

Marriage Encounter Weekend in October that Jake and I coordinated

Me with my Chamarro sisters: Carol, Linda and Juanette

Jake with his Chamarro bros: John and Jun

November already...

2010-11-02T12:25:00.002+10:00

Sometimes I think no one reads this...that it is just for me to babble and brag about our fabulous life here in Saipan...
then I don't post anything for long periods of time because I'm busy, stressed with work, struggling with living so far away from family and just have nothing fabulous to say...so why post?
I don't want it to be full of complaints...

This new job at Gold's has really just changed out lives. We now live in a house (a fabulous house actually) but there are stresses that come with that...like how busy we are that we never really are home to even enjoy our house. Jake is finished by 3pm in the afternoon and I'm not til 7 some nights. That's another major difference for us. We have a crazy dog...whom Jake loves a little more than I do. I want a baby and so does Jake (somedays) but then I just started this new job, we don't have that much money, we're still paying off tons of loans, the economy is shit everywhere...
I'm going to be 25 on Friday.
I feel grown-up. I don't want to feel grown-up. I want to be 5 again and my only decision is what to wear to school and who to play with at recess.

ahhhh life....
:)

I spent time this morning before work with my adorable little best friend (who is six) Jennah.
She has no school today so we spent the morning going shopping, baking brownies and watching some of Ice Age. She's so wonderful. I love having a six year old best friend. Adds a little perspective back into life...
my complaining/ranting/whatever you wanna call it up above...means nothing. It's meaningless. It's life and that's the way it is.
At least that is what Jennah told me today when I asked her why she had two different socks on this morning..."Duhhh jackie...it's life, that's the way it is sometimes..."

We have the good and the bad, the beautiful and the ugly, the challenges and the success, the joys and sorrow...it's all life, the way it is...

I really am happy. I'm loving life most days.
I'm down to 156 pounds...that's almost 40 pounds since I started losing weight. I feel amazing, I am in shape, fit, have muscle and feel so good. Jake has been sick lately but he is starting to get back his strength and that'll make him feel better. We have food every day for our meals and clothes to wear. We have an amazing truck that never has problems, an awesome house and comfy bed with air-con, we have money in the bank, we have friends that are like having family here, and we have family way back home that still loves us, we have this amazing monstrous ocean all around us everywhere we look which is a constant reminder of how Great and Mighty our God is.
so that's it...it's life...bad and the great...the ugly and the beautiful amazing parts.
We love you all!

Love,
J & J

Back to Life in Saipan

2010-08-18T08:03:00.004+10:00

We have really fallen off on updating our blog.
Our trip to the States was amazing, FUN, long, exciting, tiring and just well needed. We spent all 7 weeks travling all over the States and Canada. I saw three new States, the Grand Canyon and lots of family! It was a blessing to be home and spend time on those relationships!

Here we are with our families!

Me with my sisters and brother!
with Jake's family at Glacier.

We are now back in Saipan and have been for the last month.
It is so great to be home again!
I have started working at Gold's Gym as the General Manager. It is a fun, yet challenging job. I'm learning lots about business and myself! I do miss teaching somedays and all those cute little kids!
Jake is back to school and starting his 2nd week. He is enjoying it again and the more years he teaches the better it seems to get for him!
We are busy with Marriage Encounters as we are in charge of the next upcoming October Weekend. YIKES! Lots of planning and organizing and preparing. Thank goodness we are blessed with the ME Family and have lots of help and support!
We seem to have run into a block with our money and paying off loans so keep us in your prayers as we figure out our financial situation here in Saipan.
Again, what a blessing to see you all this summer!
We love you all!

Love
J&J

The End

2010-05-24T07:56:00.003+10:00

Here are some reasons for the end...

school is finished and we are officially on summer vacation...

we leave in 17 hours for the States...

we will be back in the States in 18 hours (haha - with all the time changes)...

my time at Saipan Community School is over for the time being. I have taken a new job starting July 17th - as the Manager of Gold's Gym here in Saipan...

we have found a house and will be moving into that once we return to Saipan on July 13th - so no more apartment living...

Jake will still be at SCS teaching Math and Science - so no ending there...

We are so blessed. LIfe is changing and they are all exciting, awesome and very welcomed changes!

We can't wait for our trip home this summer to see family and friends...

Hopefully the next time you read this you will have seen us!

Love always,

J & J

May

2010-05-13T16:29:00.004+10:00

It's already May...with only 7 days left of school!

Which means that we only have 12 days left until we leave for our States Vacation!!!!

We cannot wait to get back and see each and every one of you!

We will be in LA on May 25th.

Then we will be going to Arizona for 3-4 days.

After that we will be going to Colorado for almost a week and spending time with Jake's grandparents and aunt and uncles. We will also spend a whole day mountain biking - which neither of us can WAIT for!

Then we are off to Montana for 1.5 weeks with Jake's parents and sisters. After Montana we will head down to Minnesota and Iowa for about a week and then we will head up to Chicago for a few days!

After Chicago we will go up to Canada to spend time with my family for 1.5 weeks as well.

And after that we fly out to LA and spend another week there before we return back home to Saipan! We are so excited to be back there and visiting and seeing each of you!

Prayers for safety and blessings as we travel and visit everyone!

We can't wait!

Love always,

J & J

Japan Spring Break P.S

2010-04-15T12:42:00.005+10:00

As you will see below (2 previous posts) I spent my spring break with my dear, amazing friend Amanda in Singapore, Malaysia and 20 hours in Japan. It was a blessing to be able to travel and see more of ASIA. Makes me appreciate and LOVE living here all the more. Here are tons of pictures and small captions to show off the trip.

I have amazing memories and stories to remember forever.

I will never forget Japan. Seeing those cherry blossom trees that only bloom in certain areas for certain days at certain times was amazing. I was there! Unbelievable beautiful creation!

Enjoy these pictures!!

my capsule for the 8 hours I slept in Japan!!
our sweet capsule pajamas!!!
WELCOME TO TOYKO!!!
At breakfast the next morning - Amanda and I!!!
my breakfast :S
amazing calligraphy in the Art Museum
beautiful painted and hand-crafted fans - such artwork!
me with the giant hookah
my Japanese-Pakistani henna
CHERRY BLOSSOMS!!
beautiful!
I was amazed, moved to tears because it was so beautiful!
more cherry blossoms....

P.S. Life is good. We only have 27 more days left of school (not including weekends) which means....we only have 40 more days til we are BACK IN THE STATES!!!

We can't wait to see everyone and everything!!!

Love always,

J&J

Malaysia Spring Break

2010-04-15T12:20:00.009+10:00

While Jake was busy fishing and biking and running, I was busy playing with the monkeys and enjoying the beautiful country of Malaysia (as well as Singapore and Japan). It was much more jungly than I thought - it was amazing!!!

Enjoy the pictures!!

apparently they eat this in Malaysia! I did NOT try it!
Genting Highlands - most amazing place in Malaysia - unbelievable city up above the clouds...
more of the view
the Buddhist Temple up in the Highlands
WOW!
At the Malaysian Palace - couldn't get him to smile!
beautiful downtown Kuala Lumpur
At the Chinese Street Market (Amanda, Jamie (our gracious host) and her boyfriend Long - our driver)
amazing invention...coffee in a bag!
crazy monkeys who wanted ALL of our bananas
me with some of the crazy monkeys!
trying to feed it!
he was peaceful!
the view from the Hindu temple we climbed! This is where we played with all the monkeys!
The Petronas Towers downtown KL.
monkey!!!
Holland!!! For you Miedema's and Stams and Van Dams and family everywhere!!!
some of the best food I've ever eaten - ROTI!
We were there - pretty awesome!
Malaysian sunset
MY HOME! :)
Three awesome friends! What an awesome trip!

Singapore Spring Break

2010-04-15T11:02:00.008+10:00

Over Spring Break, my husband stayed home to rest and fish and play sports, while I got to go off with Amanda and explore some amazing, colorful and fun parts of the world. We stayed in Japan for about 20 hours (see other post) and then went to Singapore for three days, then Malaysia for three and back to Singapore for two days. Here are some highlights from the Singapore trip! It was full of animals, beautiful buildings and cultures, shopping, walking and meeting people!

Enjoy!

World's Largest Fountain - Fountain of Wealth - amazing!
At the fish spa - a very new and CRAZY experience....

fish eating my feet

Amanda and I with more water-front view - I LOVE SINGAPORE!!!
beautiful buildings!
An escalator that goes from the 7th floor to the 11th. SCARY!
The Raffles Hotel - gorgeous!
Amanda and I at the famous Long Bar. The famous Singapore Slinger (drink) cost $29.90 here...YIKES! Needless to say all we did was take a picture and not drink!
ahhhh! Singapore!!
the 70th floor view of the city!
me and orangs!!!
The new casino and hotel!
me and the waterfront restaurants!
Carrot Cake?!?!?!
smoking some sheesha! =)
Mosque on Arab street
Amanda, Hozumi and I downtown Arab street - so beautiful!
Me and Fat Buddha
The colorful streets of Singapore

ME Love

2010-03-25T12:51:00.004+10:00

We had our Marriage Encounter weekend and it was truly amazing. Jake and I had our personal weekend way back in November 2008...feels like forever ago!! We have been a part of the ME community since then. We love it! They are our family here on island - they are full of love and have been through the same things we have and we talk about our relationships and marriages. We help each other grow and Jake and I LOVE being a part of it. We try to be as involved as we can because we truly believe in it. We also wouldn't have such amazing friends or people in our lives here if we weren't a part of it!

Here's us at the weekend (March 19-21, 2010)

After the whole weekend was over (which consisted of LONG LONG days and short short nights of sleep) on Sunday night we had our Love Circle. All the couples that helped organize and run the weekend stick around after all the clean-up and have a love circle. We go around and share what the weekend was for us and how God worked. It's the best part of the whole weekend - we never miss it!

It is also the time where people are nominated and chosen for planning positions for the next upcoming weekend...and we'll we are very EXCITED to say that we are the new HEAD Coordinators and Chair people for the Fall 2010 Weekend. It took a lot of preparing Jake for the notion (all weekend we talked about it) but by Sunday night, after a few beers, we agreed and are ready to take it on!!!

So now lots of planning and preparing!!! Good thing I'm an organizer!

Good thing we are in LOVE and LOVE Marriage Encounter!!!

So there's a quick update....

Spring Break is upon us and neither of us can wait! I am heading off to Singapore on Saturday with my friend Amanda. Pray for safe travels. Jake will be sticking around Saipan to fish, golf, fish, fish, bike, swim, play frisbee, fish, golf and fish. =)

Love

J&J

March so far...

2010-03-18T12:41:00.010+10:00

We are about half-way through March and it keeps coming fast. We only have 1 more week and then it'll be Spring Break. 10 days of freedom and neither of us can wait!!!!

We've been keeping really busy since the lost time I wrote.

We have another Marriage Encounter weekend coming up this weekend. Jake and I are in charge of the hotel facility and so we've been busy planning and helping and organizing and getting ready. Last weekend we also competed in our first xtreme triathlon: The Xterra. So we have also spent alot of our time preparing for that and training. Now that's 1 of the 2 is over we can take a small breathe.

The Xterra is an extreme off-road triathlon. First you swim 1 mile (which really isn't that extreme). Then you run out to your bike and bike 24 miles (which doesn't sound that bad...) but those 24 miles are almost all uphill, on rocky, hill trails and through mud. (CRAZY) Then once you get finished with that you still have a 7 mile run (of course which is hilly, rocky, in caves and mud-outs) and then you are finished. There are lots of professionals that come out (from Aussie, Europe and even the States) and then there are lots of regular athletes (also from all over). Jake trained really hard these last few months for this and for doing the whole event. I trained hard on my bike as I did it in a team. Tami Winkfield was the swimmer and Amanda Allen, the runner.

We were all geared up and ready to go but then I had to go an crash and end it for our team. Two crashes, both hitting my head and after the second one they decided it was best to take me to the hospital. NOthing is broken and now everything is slowly healing - so I'm fine.

Jake finished and did amazing! This man is a triathlete for sure! He was hoping to be under 4hours and 30min and he finished the WHOLE thing in under 4 hours!!! His time: 3h58min. I could not have been more proud of him and all his hard, tiring work.

Here are some pictures to show it!

Oh and his "prize" for doing so well - a ring tattoo (since he lost his actual wedding ring)

Things are great here - just looking forward to a break - soon enough!

We miss y'all back in the States but then again, soon enough we'll be back there to see ya!!

Love always,

J & J

Jake, Tami, Russ and Kai (Kai who swam faster than all the pro's out there)

Tami and Jake getting ready to swim with me and "Oma" watching behind!!
Jake and I with Mike Vine, the Canadian pro
Kevin and I and our injuries!!!
my nasty knees
me after my 2nd fall in the First Aid tent
Jake right after he finished the whole thing - looks like he could keep going!
camping at Managaha!!!
wishing I could be in Japan for Cherry Tree season so instead I found a fake one to take a picture with!
Jake getting his Xterra "prize"
5-19-2007 (I LOVE YOU!)

The Love Month!

2010-02-11T12:58:00.003+10:00

Things are always moving here in Saipan. It's already February 11th today!!

I am excited for this upcoming weekend. First of all it's a 3 day weekend - we get Monday off. Jake and I are both SOOOO ready for a day off of school! I am looking forward to sleeping in and relaxing.

This weekend will be full of fun and exciting events with lots of friends!!! Friday night there is a birthday party for one of my best friends Amanda. We are doing Happy Hour, dinner and karaoke and I cannot wait to dress up, go out and have fun! Then on Saturday we are helping two of our friend move into a new apartment. I love moving so I'm excited to help them empty out and move into a nice, closer place! :) Later that evening we get to get dressed up again!

The first grade is sponsoring a Father/Daughter, Mother/Son Valentine's Ball! It's at one of the prettiest hotels in Saipan and it will be such a blast. I cannot wait to see all my first graders dressed up and ready to dance!!! Pictures to come!

Then of course Sunday is Valentine's Day and I cannot wait to spend that day with my amazing, loving husband! As of now I have no idea what our plans are but something fun I'm sure! We will be going to watch Anjelah Johnson, the Comedian on Sunday night and we are very excited for it. If you haven't heard her comedy you should really check her out - hilarious! :)

So Happy Valentine's Day weekend to all of you!

May yours be full of love and laughter and joy! And may God's love fill you as He continues to fill my heart and give me love to love with. I am so blessed by Him and love all of you with it!

Love always,

J & J

Family Trip

2010-01-29T10:25:00.008+10:00

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

2010-01-19T06:42:00.002+10:00

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

2010-01-05T16:16:00.007+10:00

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!

Thankfulness...

2009-12-03T17:04:00.007+10:00

We are into December already - where does the time go?

Thanksgiving gave us the time to sit and think of all the things we have in our lives and the people in our lives we are so thankful for!
Like our school and jobs, our cozy apartment, our amazing family in Canada and Montana, grandparents all over North America, friends in the States with new babies and lives, new friends here in Saipan, shopping trips, game nights, and dinners with amazing friends, our very active bodies that keep us in shape and fit, our church family that supports us and grows with us, our "families" here that feed us and love us (thank you Winkfield's and many others- we love you), and it is all from our gracious and loving Heavenly Father.
We are especially thankful that we only have two weeks left of school before Christmas vacation and even more thankful for the part-time teaching job we will have over Christmas vacation to help us make a few extra dollars! =) God is so good these days, we are very happy! Here's some pictures from Thanksgiving weekend to share in our thankfulness!!!
Love
J & J

some amazing friends at game night (Amanda, David and Nina)

some other amazing friends, who are sadly moving away (Jari and Chantelle)

my suitcase packed full after a shopping weekend in Guam

playing around in Motherhood Maternity

Kristina and I - I am thankful for her friendship!

Kristie and I - I am very thankful for her friendship too!

Debbie (Mom) and I - our family! =)

My black sister - she is amazing and one of my best friends and I will miss her so much next year when she goes off to grad school...

for you Mom: Death by Chocolate!

Jake is very excited about Thanksgiving dinner!

Jake, Terry and Sandy (Mom #2)

Jake and Jeremy shooting targets before the party started!

me working on my pecan pies!

Jake and Bobby watching some football while us ladies got the food ready! :)

Debbie teaching me how to make a pie!

Rota Triathlon!

2009-11-24T11:10:00.011+10:00

Two weekends ago we went to another island close by called Rota. It is alot like Saipan but so much more peaceful, quiet, and in it's natural beauty. We really enjoyed all our time there. We were there for a whole weekend and it was a nice break from work and a busy life here. We spent time touring around the island checking out the fabulous sights and eating some awesome food. We also spent a bit of time lounging out by the pool! We stayed at this beautiful resort with beautiful rooms and of course t.v! =)

On Saturday morning we piled into our rented van and drove to the East Harbor where the Triathlon was set to start. We got all our gear ready to go and before we knew it - Jake was in the water ready to swim. He swam a great swim - 38 minutes and was on his bike and trying to catch me. I had a swimmer named Tami - who was AMAZING and finished her swim faster so I was on my bike sooner. My goal was to not let Jake pass me on the bike - and sure enough, two minutes after I came in, Jake came in. He of course had to turn around on his feet and run 6 miles while I sat around taking pictures, enjoying the sun and morning waiting for Amanda to finish our run. She did AMAZING as well and we finished 1st place out of all the teams!

Jake did amazing as well. His goal was 3 hours - and he completed it in 3 hours and 2 minutes. I was and still am SOOOO PROUD of him! :) He works so hard at biking, running and especially swimming and he did so good!

We both love being so active and the opportunities that Saipan has to offer that for us. It's fun and enjoyable and you meet some amazing people with all the activities we can be involved in.

Life is good in Saipan!

We have a 2.5 day work week this week because of Thanksgiving coming up. THANK GOODNESS! I know we could both really use these couple of days coming up! :) So could our students....

We will spend Thanksgiving day with our school and church family at our "parents" house - the Winkfields, as well as our Thanksgiving evening with our "grandparent's" at their house - we sure are blessed with family away from family here! :)

We wish you all a blessed and Happy Thanksgiving.

We miss you and wish we could be there to celebrate with you all - someday!

LOVE,

J & J

East Harbor where the triathlon started and ended!
Jake and I on one of the many beautiful fruit farms!
Jake and the famous, huge latte stones
This amazing secluded beach we stubbled upon on our random drive through the jungle - wow!
After we finished our 1st triathlon!!
Just finishing his run - and now complete - 17th place baby! :)

Tami and I while we wait around for Amanda to finish her run!
Jake finishing his bike
Grrr - we are ready to go! :)
Amanda, Tami and I - team 177 - all ready to go!
Getting pumped up on Friday afternoon!
Exploring the beautiful island of Rota with two amazing amazing friends: Tami and Amanda!
Walking out to our plane - we were all SOOOO EXCITED! :)

Once a Year...

2009-11-06T10:50:00.006+10:00

November has started off with birthday's. My student from last Henry has a birthday three days before mine and so on Sunday night we had our birthday party together. His Mom susan made a Chinese dinner and we opened presents, had cake and played games. It was an awesome birthday party and he is one special little boy!

The spread and guests!

Pookie and I (the birthday people)

All of us ladies at the party!

Then yesterday I had my 24th birthday - and still don't feel a day older yet! :)

The day started on Wednesday evening with a night out to dinner with some amazing girl friends. We went to the Hyatt hotel, to the Italian Restaurant Giovanni's. It was an evening filled with laughter, joy and hugs, oh and chocolate cake. What a great way to start off my birthday!

With the beautiful cake and some of the beautiful ladies!

On Thursday I was awoken with breakfast in bed from my amazing husband as well as a box from my in-laws! What a beautiful way to start the day!! :)

At school I was showered with love and gifts from both the teachers I work with and my students. We ended the day with PIC Happy Hour on the beach watching the sunset with some awesome friends: Amanda, David and Nina, Kristie and Isaac and Mark and Brittany. What a great way to relax - too bad it was Friday though! :)

Afterwards Jake and I went onto dinner at Dolphin Restaurant. It is on the 10th floor of a local hotel. Awesome views, ok food but an amazing time because I got to spend it with my handsome, romantic, loving husband!!

I have truly been blessed. I have an amazing family that loves me and makes me feel special, even while we live so far away from them. We both have amazing friends back in the States who send their love and makes us feel special even though we are so far away from them too. And then we are even more blessed by our friends and family that we have here in Saipan. This place is truly home and we are excited to say that we will be here NEXT year for sure, and hopefully many more to come!

Life is good, God is better!

Thank you all for your love and birthday wishes! :)

Love you all,

Love

Jackie (and Jake)

Fridays!

2009-10-23T13:02:00.003+10:00

Our ME family in The Love Circle where the weekend is discussed, lots of laughter is shared and of course, lots of love!!!
Our amazing and beautiful Step parents: Russ and Kanae Quinn!
Our amazing ME family!!!!

It is officially Friday afternoon, my kids are watching a Veggie Tale movie and I have only one Phonics paper to grade - so I thought, what a good time to update the blog!

Today we had a field trip to the Fire Station. 23 kids, 7 parents plus 1 baby! What a great trip. I think every fireman on Saipan was at the station today because they had their Fireman Testing which made the kids even more excited! They showed us two trucks and the ambulance. They let the kids blow the siren and climb on the stretcher. Just as we were leaving they invited us to come watch their tests. So we went to Micro Beach with them and the kids cheered on the firemen. The test consists of putting on their full gear, running on the main hose and then running on the connecting hose, running back to the air tank, getting that set up properly, getting the ax and knocking down the fake door, crawling to the dummy, and pulling the dummy out of the fire. They have to do all of this in 7 minutes or less. The kids were SO excited and cheered them on yelling: "Faster, faster" or "Hurry Up". It was so fun!

At the end they sprayed the water from the hoses towards the kids - which they thought was even better. What a great trip.

This week has been good. It's gone very fast which Jake and I both love.

The bike race on Sunday went really well for one of us. We both started out great and got about 30 minutes into it and Jake's tire broke. It was worse than a flat and so he couldn't even fix it, he was very disappointed. My goal was to finish the race in less than 3 hours and when I crossed the line I had finished the whole 50k in 2 hours and 17 minutes! How awesome and what an exciting feeling. Made me even more excited and ready for the bike part of the Rota Triathlon which we leave for in less than a month - Nov 14th!!!! :)

I guess all the working out and losing weight and being healthy really does do good! :)

Jake and I started Steeper Steps this week. Last year we did Marriage Encounters and this is an extra program coming from that. We did Steps in March and April and have finally been able to get Steeper Steps together. It's so great to be back with our Steps family again. Last night was an amazing night and Jake and I are growing so much closer in communication and forgiveness and love. We are so thankful for Rex and Clarie who are facilitating, for Russ and Kanae for their beautiful relationship and insight and house, and the Abe's and Tomokane's for their relationships and sharing. You all are a true family to us and we can't thank and love you enough!

We love ME so much that we are the next Facilities Coordinators for the Spring Weekend - we can't wait!!!

This weekend is busy again with more Marriage Encounters, watching a good friend in his paddling competition, a church picnic, our friend David's 21st birthday (and I thought we were the youngest ones out here), church and the Friends of the Arts play that Isaac ( our fellow teacher/friend) is in. It's gonna be busy but so great!

We are blessed and thankful!

Love you all!

Love

J & J

2nd Quarter

2009-10-17T21:05:00.005+10:00

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

Saturday night update

2009-10-03T23:50:00.002+10:00

Hey all,
we survived typhoon Melor without incident. the worst of it was supposed to be from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m. but things never really got that bad. we had a few gusts that were maybe over fifty miles per hour. Also it rained all day long. but nothing too serious happened.
i've heard there is a slight chance that the typhoon could turn around and come at us again, but i think thats fairly unlikely.
so yeah, i guess we made it thru.
thanks for the prayers,
love,
jake and jackie

2009-10-01T22:20:00.002+10:00

Hey Folks,
So, a little birdy told me that some of you were wondering about how we are doing in regards to recent climate catastrophes. Well, we had a ten minute tsunami warning after the quake in the Samoan islands. Nothing came of that tho.
A more serious threat is a typhoon that is scheduled get close around Friday afternoon and then pass on by Sunday morning. The projection is for it to pass by just north of Saipan. Info from www.prh.noaa.gov shows that the winds are going to be around 150 mph when the typhoon is at its closest. As of now we're under a warning for a typhoon. We're hoping and praying that this typhoon turns north to miss us or peters out by friday afternoon, like the last one did. But we'll be prepared if it doesn't. Our apartment/school building is built to withstand 150 mph winds. Plus we're house-sitting up on a nice little protected spot away from the beach. We have a generator and food and water.
Thanks for all your concern. I'll try and update this as things develop.
love,

J&J

2009-09-28T21:31:00.003+10:00

Quick update for ya from the 670.
1. We just started our 8th week of school. Only one more week till first quarter is done. Crazy how time is flying faster this year than last.
2. Jackie joined Gold's Gym and has been working out 3 to 4 days of the week.
3. Jake is in the middle of training for his first Olympic distance triathlon. The tri is in Rota on October 14. Should be fun (if he finishes).
4. Typhoon #2 of the 2009 typhoon season is now approaching. The last one blew for a little over a week but only mustered 25 m.p.h. or less wind. Pray that this next one is as unmemorable.
5. We've been house sitting for the Quinn's. Its kinda nice to commute to a house you don't have to pay electricity for in a car that you didn't have to buy or pay for gas.
6. Jake, while driving, got run off the road by an angry local who the proceeded to curse him out in front of four lanes of stopped traffic.
7. Sarah Douglas from Churchill Montana arrived on the 27th of September to student teach at Marianas High School. She's staying with us for a while till she can get an apartment and a vehicle.
8. We just had the most amazing meal at a restaurant across from school. We took Sarah out for a Japanese meal at a restaurant called Oish. We went in not expecting much, but we left absolutely blown away. Everything was delicious, from the sushi to the tempura to the fried noodle. Definitely our favorite meal in Saipan thus far.

well, thats about all i got for right now.
hope this post find you all well.
and we would love to hear from you if you get a chance.

love,
J & J

The Little Things...

2009-08-19T18:39:00.004+10:00

We are back in school - halfway through with our second week. It's already going fast and I can't believe how fast. Jake can't either. Let's start with him...his school year is going awesome already! He has two full classes for 6th and 7th grade. His 8th grade class is under 18 and I think he enjoys that! The 6th graders are more talkative and energetic than last years class as well and he spends his most time with them, so he's thrilled about that too!
He is more organized this year and determined and I am so excited to see his progress in his room. He works hard and is a good teacher and I'm proud of my husband. He is growing more every day both spiritually and mentally as a man of God.
My classroom is going well. I have 24 very energetic, demanding, talkative, questioning, loveable and little first graders. We have a small physical classroom but my classis huge with volume both laughter and talking. I get a little stressed and feel as if I am not a capable teacher when all I feel I can do is raise my voice a little louder each time to get them quiet. But they hug me constantly and tell me I'm funny and how much they like me and then all those bad moments go away and I realize I am so incredibly blessed.
Jake and I both are. We love working for Saipan Community School and believe it or not, can pictures ourselves here for a number of years! Besides school, we are both training for the triathalon in November (although Jake trains WAY more than I do), we are playing ultimate frisbee on Wednesdays and Fridays and then spending time with some amazing friends we've made. Life is good here and we hope if any of you are looking for a nice vacation spot you'll consider us...yes we are far away, but we can offer you luxury and beauty (just like Hawaii) only cheaper, less crowded and full of love! :)
We miss all our family and friends especially when events happen back home. For example, Jake's sister's are both now out of the house and going to Dordt College, so his parent's are for once and for all - empty-nesters! Wish we could be there for that!
And my cousin Vanessa was just recently married on Saturday and we wish we could have been to witness that love and celebrate God's joining of two people. Lots of prayers and love to you Vanessa & Anthony!
And then there is the every day life of your families and friends that we miss but manage to recreate here with new friends, some who have become like family! Thank you for all your prayers and love and thoughts! Keep 'em comin!

Love,
J & J

My silly class of 1st graders...

A more normal one - which took quite a while to get!

little Jose!

I wanted to say "welcome to the zoo" but didn't think that would help with behaviors!

My favorite little girl is now at our school - little miss Sedrie!!!!!

Year #2

2009-08-01T14:23:00.003+10:00

We have just officially finished our first summer vacation as teachers. We go back to school on Monday already! We are excited that it's almost time to go back but we still wish for a longer break. This past week has been the first week of not working and Jake has really enjoyed it. He has been working on our bikes, sleeping, reading and swimming. He is getting ready for a triathalon in November and he is getting ready to start training. We are both actually going to do it but Jake will be doing the whole triathalon and I will just be doing the bike. Neither of us can wait though!
This past Saturday we were both involved in a dodgeball tournament. My team was full of couples and we had a blast. It was an amazing day. We were called Dick's Dodgy Dodgers and didn't expect to get far in the tournament but we made it all the way to the finals. We lost in the end to a Japanese tourist team - but had fun doing it!
Jake was with a bunch of males on a team called Just the Tip and they made it to the semi-finals. If they had won their last game we would have played them in the finals. It was a fun day. After the tournament several of us hung out at PIC in the pool, swimming and playing basketball. It was a great day - and one of many more to come while we live here!
We also picked up Terry and Amanda this past week, as well as the two new teachers: Isaac and Kristie. We are excited to have them all back because it's made the empty and lonely apartments full and busy again! It's great to have good friends back!
So pray as the school year begins again on Monday. Pray for a blessed 2nd year of teaching, good kids, touched lives and many blessings!!!
Love
J & J

Jake dominating during a game...

Jake and I in our different outfits at the tournament

Me, Russ, Glenn, Nikki and Dick dominating in our game...

Picking up Issac and Kristie - the two new teachers - at the airport!!! Welcome to Saipan!

Our amazing team: Dick's Dodgy Dodgers!!!

June & July

2009-07-12T13:39:00.005+10:00

Henry & Anna after having tried to eat a dropey (very salty Dutch candy)

Korean dragonfruit

One of the only sunsets we have seen this summer because of all the rain!

Time is going so fast. We are already at July 12 and only have 3 weeks left until we start back at school with Teacher Work days. Our summer has been full of working at Marianas Trekking with their Eco Camp, seeing friends and making new friends in the evenings and helping out at church.

We had our VBS program two weeks ago and it went so well. It ran from 5:30pm until 8:30 and we had up to 122 kids. God really worked in our church during VBS and in my class we had 30 kids give their lives to Jesus. It was a true blessing.

During this time the Winkfield family (prinicpal and teachers at our school) lost their eldest daughter in a car accident. It was a sad time for them but they also have been able to rejoice and draw people closer to God through it all. Jake and I didn't know Audra at all, but after spending time with the Winkfields, hearing stories and looking at pictures, she was a beautiful woman of God. It has made both of us want to live our lives purely for God's glory and to live like He has called us to live: full of love and life and joy (just as they say Audra lived). We have grown so much closer with the Winkfields during this time and it makes living in Saipan just a little easier. They are an extention of family now and we are so thankful to them. They have been a blessing to our lives to watch their witness of faith and love for God during this time.

We spent our evening last night with another couple very dear to us. We had an amazing dinner and are both so comfortable to be with the Quinns. They are a beautiful couple and full of love and life for each other and others around them and they too are a huge blessing in our lives.

Even though our summer is a little lonely and quiet here at the apartments (we are the only teachers living here at the moment) we have been enjoying the summer immensely and have been blessed by our time here in Saipan this summer.

Prayers as we begin another school year soon and finish out the summer and enjoy every last minute of our time.

We love you all!

Love,

J & J

Australia!

2009-06-20T20:38:00.005+10:00

We went on a two week vacation to Cairns Australia and had the best time of our lives (so far anyways). We arrived lat eon Sunday night and spent the next two days walking around, biking around and visiting all the neat little tourist shops. It's quite a happening touristy town. We spent one day at Green Island. It was about an hour and a half boat ride and reminded us both of Managaha only a little bit bigger. (Managaha being the small island off our island here). We spent the day lazying around in the sun, relaxing, reading, snorkeling for a few minutes because the water was sooooo cold and more lounging around by the pool. It was beautiful!
The next day we took the Kurade Steamrail up to the small town of Kuranada. It was a beautiful trian ride up a mountain with two waterfalls to look at. In the small town we shopped again at all the tourist stores but spend most of our time at the Didgerdoo store. We met Jimmy who taught us about didgerdoos and how to play them and let us play for awhile and then we bought one of him. A beautiful yellow boxwood eucalyptus didgerdoo. We went back a few days later for a 2 hour lesson and learned a few other techniques to playing...hopefully the more we practice the better it'll sound. :)
We rented a car for the first weekend and learned how to drive on the other side of the road and saw alot of beautiful beaches and coast line. We loved having our own wheels and exploring. During that time we stayed at a Bed and Breakfast in a small beach town called Yorkey's Knob. It was a beautiful house run by a beautiful old lady named Gail. She had a 5 story house over-looking the ocean and made us an incredible breakfast every morning. It was a blessing and a highlight of our trip!
We took another 1.5 hour boat ride out to the Great Barrier Reefone day. The boat docked up to a pontoon where we could snorkel at our leisure, ride a glass bottom boat, sit in a submarine and see the reef that way. We also paid a few extra dollars to have the reef biologist tour us around outside the guided snorkelling area. Now we live on a reef here in Saipan but unlike the Great Barrier Reef, most of our coral is dead. The coral and fish and everything here was spectacular and we couldn't get enough of it. Too bad the water was sooooooo awfully cold. That was one of the best days of the trip.
On Wednesday, June 10 we woke up nice and early, ate some good old fashioned Aussie brekkie (toast and jam) and then rode in a van over to AJ Hackertt's Bungee Jump. We signed in, watched several others jump and then I finally got up the nerve to walk up to the top. 150 meters up above a tiny little pond. Up at the top Jake got all saddled up and ready to jump while I got to watch him go first. CRAZY!!!! He flew off the ledge like it was nothing at all.
A few people later it was my turn. I kept telling the guy that I didn't think I could do it and that he should just push me but he told me that defeats the challenge of it and that I should do it myself. So I stood on the edge and as he counted down from 5 I freaked and instead of jumping...kinda flopped off the edge - and yet it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. I cannot even describe what I felt like afterwards - we just couldn't stop laughing and shaking. What a great day! :)
We went to a crocodile farm one day and watched a croc feeding show and then a wrestling show. It was crazy to watch these massive vicious creatures leaping for food and clamping their jaws shut - scary! We spent some time at the tropical zoo feeding kangaroos, holding koalas, watching snakes crawl around and see some awesome birds flying. We loved the zoos and farms we went too - there are some awesome animals in Australia!
We spent other days driving around in tours. We went to Atherton Tablelands one day and toured all the different waterfalls and little towns. So beautiful up there and you feel like you are in a totally different country than when you are in Cairns. We also went to Cape Tribulation for a night. It is purely in the middle of the rainforest with no power lines or very many people. We stayed at a beautiful resort called the Fern Tree and spent most of the time there walking on rainforest boardwalks and lying on the beach. We also went on a Night Walk for two hours and only saw one possum and two little rat-like rodents. No snakes or iguanas or lizards or anything. It was kinda worthless but at least we walked through the rainforest late at night - that was pretty cool. It was amazing being there - there was silence and more silence and it was just eerie almost at times.
The weather was beautiful, pants and a coat every night and just perfect weather during the day. The whole trip was just beautiful. You saw so many different sights and creatures that you felt like you were in different countries at times. God's creation is majestic and so beautiful and we sure saw alot of it. We kept busy the whole time and had a wonderful vacation.
We are now back in Saipan and working at Marianas Trekking in their Eco Summer Camp as camp counsellors. I am in charge of the 7-8 year olds and Jake has the 12-13 year olds. We swim, play games, swim, play soccer and several other field games and then we usually swim some more. It's so hot here that swimming is one of the only activities that feels good! :) It'll keep us busy for the next 5 weeks while we are the only teachers here.
Follow this link to see our pictures!!!
http://picasaweb.google.com/jcqlnvndm/OurAustraliaTrip#

Love and Blessings,
Jackie and Jake

SCHOOL'S OUT FOR SUMMER!

2009-05-24T18:03:00.008+10:00

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

2009-05-16T06:43:00.004+10:00

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

2009-05-11T21:42:00.003+10:00

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

Lately...

2009-04-26T17:54:00.007+10:00

After Spring Break we entered school with Spirit Week! It was so much fun!
Tuesday - Crazy Hair Day!
Wednesday - Twin Day!
Thursday - Crazy Hat Day!
Friday - Culture Day!
The kids dressed up each day and we all had a lot of fun. It was a great week to get energy and motivation for the last 5 weeks of school! This past week we had a full regular week. It was really fast, although at the same time took a LONG time. The kids are really trying our patience and it became a tiring week because of the discipline side of teaching. We did have an art show and writer's workshop on Thursday night. The art from 1st grade to 8th grade was displayed as well as writing from each class. The school has an art teacher so I don't have to teach it to my kids and it was amazing to see how well they do. It was a joy to see the kids there and all the hard work they have been doing.
There has also been the Flame Tree Festival this past weekend and so we spent Thursday and Saturday nights there, walking around and enjoying the arts and crafts, food and live music and dance. What an awesome way to see and experience the culture of Saipan. We love it here - absolutely love it! :) Today - 4 of my 1st grade boys came over and Jake and I took them to the beach. We had sooo much fun and just having time outside of school with them, really shows you who they are and how to love them better. Life is going good. We are about 20 school days away from break and then 30 days away from Australia. We are excited to be finished with our 1st year of teaching and can't believe how fast time has flown by. We think of you all often. Two of our good friends are both pregnant and having babies and we are overjoyed for them! Our parents and families are doing well and we miss you all. Love always, J & J

Jake, Desrei and Tony

All my girl's dressed up in their culture costumes!

The Canadian representatives!!!

Me with Tony and Kelly (Koreans)

My class on Crazy Hat Day!

Esther and Ashley on Twin Day!

Amanda and I on Twin Day!

Price and I on Crazy Hair Day!

Jake and I with our crazy hair!

Spring Break '09

2009-04-14T15:20:00.005+10:00

Spring Break has come and gone and it was perfect.

Jake and I took time to not wake up to an alarm clock, have no schedule and truly relax. We spent a total of 1 day in our classrooms getting ready for this week. We spent the time at Managaha or PIC enjoying the sun and water, helped run the track meet (which will continue for the next month), swam at the Grotto and then celebrated Thai New Year, went to my 1st sunrise service on a tropical island, has Easter dinner with some good friends, painted Easter eggs for the 1st time I can remember, went Easter Egg hunting with three of my students, ate out for lunch with some new amazing friends, got manicured and pedicured with two of the most amazing and Godly women I know (Terry and Sandy - you are amazing friends), and I really enjoyed spending time with Jake - what an awesome man! :)

We are back at school this week for Spirit Week, with Crazy Hair to start off today! Tomorrow brings Twin Day (see future photos), Crazy Hat Day and then Culture Day. It should be an awesome week. It was great to start back at school. I know that we both enjoyed being back into routine and the good ol' swing of things! :)

Life is great!

I love that we have salvation and hope for our futures - thank God for sending His son and the reminder of forgiveness and grace. I made a commitment to God this Break to just let some things go and surrender them to God. You can only try so much and when there is no return you just move on and pray God will continue to shine through your love and actions. I have an Godly husband who promises to pray and keep me accountable and I really could not ask for more. Thank you God for your grace, amazing people in my life and most of all your Love!

Love,
Jackie

Emma, Yoo Jin and Henry getting ready to find Easter eggs!
Easter Sunrise Service
The Sunrise
Painting Easter Eggs at Amanda's!
Jake and Rovin

Our crazy hair for today!

Dedication...

2009-04-03T15:56:00.003+10:00

An amazing professor and good friend of ours from college passed away early this week and it's been really hard for me and us. She was an inspiration to both Jake and I. She was wise, loving, caring, witty, beautiful, true, and I could go on forever. She had been battling cancer for two years and I know being with Jesus and in no more pain or sickness is so much better for her, but I am truly missing her. I cannot wait to see her again someday and thank her for how much she helped me love teaching. For how when I am teaching and I see something right or hear something right, I think of Cella and all her stories and encouragements. For how I sat through all her classes, and other Ed. ones and kept telling myself "teach like Cella".
Her love for students and people and life was so incredible. I've never met or known anyone like I have known her. You will be in my heart forever Cella and I know that as long as I teach I will remember you. Thank you for all you have given and blessed me with God, through Cella Bosma!

Spring Break!

2009-04-03T15:30:00.005+10:00

YAH!!!! Today was the last day of school before our Spring Break...and thank goodness!

I know that I have been looking foward to this break for quite some time, and I think Jake has been too! We have been busy with SAT testing in our classrooms, Jake now coaching the Track adn Field team and Marriage Encounter.

Last weekend we helped out with the Marriage Encounter weekend, serving meals to the couples. It was quite an experience. I remember going through it and being amazing at all the people who were involved in the mission. Now being involved and working with M.E I really can be love to other couples and it was so great to do that. What's also great about it is that it's a marraige mission and so you do everything with your spouse, which means that Jake and I get to spend alot of time together - which is also awesome! :) We love Marriage Encounters. It is such a ministry. I would truly recommend it to anyone - whether you have a great marriage (or so you think) or you just married. It will change your marriage, give you new tools and just touch you...and if it anything else, you will just be able to see how many people in your area really want marraiges and God's sacrament to work!

We also had our LAST mathcourt competition last weekend - which was so great. It was fun to watch our students do math so well. Something neither Jake or I was used to back in the States - so it's a great competition to see here! Very glad it's over though! There was also a Red-Cross Walkathon last weekend, which my good friend Tami and I did together. We walked hard and got a t-shirt outta the deal. It was a great time. She is an amazing woman of God and I love spending time with her! She's the 5th grade teacher at SCS.

That's Tami with the hat. The other woman is Amanda who also in amazing friend and woman. Love them both! :)

At school we are having a Penny Drive for new lockers...and my class came in 1st place last week. They were so happy and excited! I was so proud of them, because they had been working hard to bring in money. We had a trophy to decorate for the week and then providing we were the lead again this week we would keep the trophy. They found out in Chapel this morning that 5th grade took the lead. They were very upset when they had to hand over the trophy.

Here's Henry and Jon Paul with the trophy!

Have I mentioned just how much I love teaching 1st grade. The joys I get out of it are tremendous. Like how much the kids who didn't want to or couldn't read at the beginning are now my top readers. And how much love they ALWAYS have for you - even when you are outside punishing them. They are adorable and fun and energitic (sometimes too much) and all-around amazing! I am so glad that we are here for next year doing the same grade! I know Jake is happy to stay. He really enjoys teaching middle school. Teaching both math and science definietly keep him busy but he loves it. Saipan is truly amazing and we are continually being blessed with new friends to get to know and be with, our ME family who know more about us than most people, and our church family. Thank you God for our blessings!

Love

Jackie and Jake

what's been happening....

2009-03-20T16:01:00.004+10:00

This year has been flying by. Jake and I are two weeks away from our Spring Break! The much needed break will finally be here and neither of us can wait.
The past few weeks have been filled with volleyball (both the Mariana's Cup for Beach Volleyball - which we watched not participated and the Kid's Cup the following weekend - which we coached three teams from our school in). Jake wrapped up the Science Fair at the beginning of March and that freed up alot of time for him. Then he finished up basketball which also freed up some more time. Now we are both done with huge school things that we have too much time! :)
So we are planning for Spring Break - we want to do something fun, maybe go somewhere but we're not sure yet. Any ideas?
Today we had a half day of school with the students and then the rest of the afternoon was used for planning. It felt good to just sit and get stuff done. You need those days every once in a while. Jake was also able to find a good website to stream March Madness through and that makes him just as happy. It's hard for the sports man to not have a T.V. somedays!
We keep busy with Math competitions that we help out with. Imagine that - me helping out at Math competitions - Mom and Dad you should be proud!!
Next weekend there is another Marriage Encounter weekend and we put a plug in at church last Sunday. We gave them our testimony and how it has been a huge blessing to our marriage and how we will be there to help out and support the new couples. Marriage Encounters is a big movement on the island and we are so happy to be a part of it. We moved on after our weekend and joined Steps. We were split into a group with three other couples from our weekend and have been meeting once a week to talk about these 10 Steps to help better our marriages. Our group has been amazing and has truly become our family. We have been so blessed through these meetings, steps and discussions that we continue to grow in our own marriage but friendships as well. We love them and can't wait to keep up meeting just for fun and fellowship. Thanks to Russ and Kanae for their leadership, as well as Jeff and Sonia. You are all amazing!
And so that's that. We are two weeks away with nothing too huge coming up. We have loved living in Saipan so far and know that the next two months of school will continue to bring blessings. Thank you God for this journey so far and glory to you in all we do!
We love you all and miss you.
Love
J & J

February so Far....

2009-02-20T18:03:00.003+10:00

February has flown by so fast. We already have just one week left of school and then it's March. Your prayers, love and emails continue to get us through.
February has been good. We had a long weekend last weekend and it was very busy but much needed. There was an 8th grade girls All-Nighter on Friday night that myself and two other teachers led. It was so great. It made me feel like I was in college again helping with WOP. Which made me think of all those girls and how much I miss them all. I love you all if you read this.
After trying to get some sleep on Saturday morning, we ended up babysitting for two little boys that we know so that their parents could get a date in (perfectly fell on Valentine's Day). We took them to the beach, McDonald's and watched a movie on the projector/wall. It was a great Saturday.

The two boys: Vinson and Rovin- so fun!

Sunday was alot of sleeping and baseball. Once of Jake's students plays baseball in a league here so we went and watched his games. It was alot of fun! Monday was even more sleeping, cleaning, and then Jake and I went to the Mandi Asian Spa (which we had passes for). There are 5 or 6 pools to relax in, both hot and cold, two saunas, lots of lounge chairs and an ocean-view. It was a perfect Monday off and we BOTH loved it there! So if you want to visit, we have another amazing place to take people...
:) At the Asian Spa!

Our weekend was completed once we saw the movie Taken on Tuesday night. For the past year or so God has put women who are involved and victimized from trafficking on my heart and this movie tugged it even more. I recommend this movie for sure - but be aware it will make you think and feel. I am working now on trying to find a way to work in a ministry helping those woman/children. It's amazing the things God puts on your hearts. Please keep this in your prayers for both myself but also Jake.
This past week, Brittany, Esther and I all dyed our hair. It is quite a drastic change and I'm still not 100% about it - but I guess it's too late now right? It was a great night with Amanda, our hairdresser and the other two. My students didn't know what to think the next day. Some asked if I had painted my hair and others still tell me they like my "white" hair better! :)

This is the new hair!

Jake is keeping extremely busy with Science Fair, two math competitions and the basketball team. He needs prayers so he doesn't get burned out. He's doing so well and I'm so proud of him because this is probably the most he's had to be in charge of and make work before. It'll be nice once March is over because then I will have my husband home more than 1 night a week and weekends! :)

Jake and his basketball team!

Other than all that, things are going great. We love Saipan and have decided to stay for next year for sure. After that - we will just have to see - but we absolutely love it here. We continue to meet new people and make new friends. We are involved in Marriage Encounters still, meeting once a week with four other couples. It's amazing. They are our new family here on island. We love them all and they are a huge blessing to us. Things are great. We are happy.
We miss you all and pray that your lives are continually blessed.
Love always,
J&J

Baptism

2009-02-02T20:03:00.007+10:00

This weekend one of my students: Price, and his father, were baptized in our church.
It is such a blessing to witness one of your students and their families be encouraged and blessed through this blessing of God. It is encouraging to me as a teacher - knowing that I can continue to raise him in the faith and teach him new things about his God. He is a smart boy and I was so happy on Sunday for their family. His father also was baptized - which according to him was a long time coming.
It was a blessin to witness it but also to celebrate with them. We were invited after the baptism to join them for PIC lunch (which is an amazing buffet lunch). It was awesome fellowship and a joy to share the day with them. Price's parents are wonderful people and Jake and I can't wait to get to know them more as we live here.
Praise God for more family members!!!
In fact, we are so blessed by all our brother and sisters. The ones we have back in our home towns, people from college and Iowa and now our new friends and family here.
We love you all!
Love,
J & J

Pastor praying with Price

Jeff is now baptized!

Price and I afterwards! So proud and happy for him!

New Wheels

2009-02-02T19:55:00.002+10:00

A week ago Jake happened to see a truck for sale on the side of the road. He mentioned it to me and later that evening took a drive out to see it. After checking it out for a few days, talking with Perry (the retired American who was selling it), and taking it into a shop to get it checked out, we decided to go ahead and buy it.

So we are now the proud owners of this 95' Nissan Kingcab Extended 4x4 pickup truck:

Tag??

2009-01-27T17:39:00.006+10:00

I have been tagged by my dear friend Brittany. In this little game, we are to reveal 7 "interesting" things about ourselves, that not many people may know..... so here it goes......!

1. Well first of all this is harder than it seems. I'm a friendly, people-person but one thing about me is that it is not very easy for me to tell things about myself. Opening up sometimes is a little difficult. There that's one thing! :)

2. I do like teaching 1st grade (they are adorable) but I know I would really enjoy working as a chef, after having gone to a culinary school.

3. I would love to live in France - any part - but somewhere where I could fluently speak and live in French. It's so beautiful and after having taken 13 years of French classes in school, I ashamedly admit that I cannot remember 75% of what I learned. :(

4. I check facebook and my email probably like 4 or 5 times a day. It's almost an addiction. I wanna know what other people are doing, catch up with others (especially through pictures) and see who I can catch online and chat with. Of course this does not happen when students are in the room, but when they go to recess or lunch break or even prep time...my goal is to check email once in the morning and again after school - no more in school. Good goal right? :)

5. I crave chocolate just about everyday. If I could just eat chocolate of some sort for the rest of my life - I probably would - providing it had no affect on the body. It's so delicious and nutrious (as one of my kid's said the other day while eating some chocolate my Dad gave him) and it's yummy and well that's about that - and yes, I've had my chocolate of the day!

6. I love watching One Tree Hill and the new 90210. Yes I'm 23 and still enjoy those shows but what can I say? It's addicting and it's become a weekly night that Brit and I get together for (at least OTH).

7. Living in Saipan is an amazing experience. This is my 2nd farthest place away from my family and it never gets any easier. Some have asked if it's easy because I continue to move farther and farther away - but it really isn't. It's really hard - hard to stay in contact and even in touch. I miss my siblings and parents and family back home more than I ever and I hope that they know that no matter how far away I choose at the moment to live - I will always love, care and appreciate them - and I am always here for any of them - even if you just need someone to talk to!

And that's that! So now I get to tag someone else....and I will tag.....Lisa! Have fun!!! :)

More Visitors!

2009-01-27T15:36:00.005+10:00

This past week Jake and I were visited by my parents: Tom and Barb Miedema.
It was a fast week but an amazing, relaxing and fun week! Mom and Dad were on vacation and so we spent quite a bit of time in the sun relaxing and swimming. Jake and I still had work but we both worked half days and then took off doing something in the afternoons.
They came to our classrooms for two of the 4 workdays and handed out candy, read stories and played games with them. My kids really loved Mr and Mrs. M. :)
On Monday we took them to Managaha Island with Mark and Brit. It was a great, warm day. We all came home sunburned - yes even us locals! :)
Mom and Dad spent time in the mornings driving around the island or visiting our classrooms and we spent the afternoons at beaches, swimming or relaxing.
It was so good to have more family here. We love being able to share our new home with family and hopefully friends some day (hint, hint)
Thank you again Mom and Dad for flying out and spending a week with us. We were blessed to have you be here with us and experience what we get to.
We love you!
We love you all. Blessings,
J & J

The next morning after they arrived!
Mom and I eating lunch at the 360 Restuarant

Dad reading to two of my boys!

Mom playing memory game with the rest of them! :)

Our mode of transporation for the week! Thanks Russ and Kanae! :)

Japan!

2009-01-11T21:31:00.014+10:00

On January 1st at 4:00am, Jake and I flew off from Saipan on a direct flight to Osaka, Japan. We could not wait to land in Japan and get off island for a few days. Plus neither of us have ever been anywhere on this side of the world, besides here: saipan! So needless to say we were excited to get outta here!

Our flight to Osaka went smoothly - we were both tired enough that we slept pretty much the whole way. We landed at 6:30 AM Japan time. Ready for a full day of sight-seeing and travling. We bought a 3 day Kansai pass - which we could use on any subway or train or bus system in 5 different cities.
This is us on the first subway ride.

Once we got into Osaka, we walked around our Hostel's area until we finally found the hostel tucked back down two side streets. We checked in around 9AM, settled into our tiny room that was literally like 3feet by 10feet with a tiny t.v. and a tatami mat + blanket for sleeping.

We dropped off our bags and headed out. We wandered around looking for temples and shrines, food every once in a while (like Mc D's where we ate our first breakfast). We found tons of temples and shrines, parks with statues and benches (which were always nice for our tired feet), and the shopping district with more people than I ever seen in my life.

( Here I am standing at one of the entrances)

Jake at one of the many temple entrances - which were also packed with people. We happened to be in Japan over one of their main holidays! So nobody was working and they were all celebrating the "firsts" of their year. Like first temple visit (hence all the people), and first shopping sale/day (hence all the people there too).

Later that evening, Jake and I went to this Japanese curry restaurant for dinner and then found our way to the Floating Garden Observatory. We took the ladder and escalator up to the 177th floor where we had this amazing view of Osaka.

Day 2:
We meet up with Pastor Greg (our Pastor at SCS) and Joel (the P.E. teacher) at the Osaka Castle. We did the Castle tour inside and outside. It was great to meet up with people we knew and who spoke English! It was a beautiful castle too - one of my favorite sights we saw.

Joel, Pastor and Jake walking out of the Castle!!!

Me and the gorgeous castle!!!

Afterwards, we sayed goodbye, and then Jake and I took off for Kyoto, which was about a 40 min. train ride.

(women dressed in old-style kimonos and Japanese clothing - sleeping)

Once in Kyoto we walked around finding gorgeous and busy temples. We found the Grand Orange Temple and several others. The temples are so beautifully built and set up, but always makes me wonder things about faiths - like Buddhism. (That's a different blog though...)The Grand Orange Temple (one of the buildings)

We spent the rest of the day in the Gion district which used to be the old Geisha part of town. The buildings were beautiful, old and all I could imagine was the history. I had heard that you could pay and dress up in a kimono and get the Geisha make-up - but we couldn't find it anywhere.

This is me in the Gion district.

It was also Jake's 23rd birthday on Friday Jan. 2nd - and so we ate at this Japanese noodle restuarant. Great food - and you can tell Jake was happy it was his birthday!!

Jake and I spent the night at a nice hotel in Kyoto - because we walked around for 2 hours looking for a hostel and every time we found one, they were full. So we found this nice hotel and got a room there, which also gave you a nice kimono robe for later....

The next day we were up early again with a goal of finding the Golden Temple and the Bamboo forest. We eventually found both along with other temples and palaces.

Here is the Imperial Palace wall - which felt like we were walking miles around.

A garden at another palace we found. So peaceful and serene. I told Jake once we own a house - he will have to build me one of these in the backyard! :)

We finally found the Golden Temple. It was majestic and an amazing site.

After the temple we made it out to the Bamboo Forest and mountainous area, where we rented bikes and biked all around that part of the city. It was by far our favorite part of the city with beautiful houses and temples, stores full of amazing Japanese dishes and souvenirs and great food. There was also the Oih River running right through this part of the town. It was just beautiful!!

The Oih River, one of our bikes and Jake and I!!!

The only snow we saw - at the tip of that mountain!

We took the train back to Osaka later that night and headed back to Hotel Toyo - the hostel we stayed at the 1st night. Our last day was filled up with the Aquarium, IMAX movie, food and shopping at the harbor mall.

Jake and the Aquarium!

One of the world's tallest Ferris Wheels

We headed back to the airport, sad but ready to leave. We had 4 full and long days and saw some amazing sights. We are so blessed by God to be living on this side of the world and able to travel and see different cultures and peoples that He has created.

What a great trip! We can't wait to do it again!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-10T15:37:00.003+10:00

2008 ended with a great vacation and time with Jake's family.

We were blessed to have family here with us. To show our favorite spots and things to do on the island, to explore new ones and new things, to show our stores and local things to buy and especially to meet our new family here. They were able to almost meet all the people we have to come to love and be with here and that was also a blessing.

Jake and I had a great time with his family! They were safely blessed with their travels to and from here.

The Van Dam's after church and a full week of fun and sun!!!

We then celebrated our New Years with dinner for two at Taste of India, a bonfire on the beach with the Sawyers, packing for our Japan trip, and a nap/movie, fireworks greeted in the New Year on the front balcony and here we are.

Ready for 2009.

We pray that all you reading this will be blessed this coming year. Know that Jake and I love you, miss each of you that we don't see,and pray for you as well.

We love you all!

Love,

J & J

p.s. Look for the next post and pictures of our Japan trip!

Boxing Day...

2008-12-26T22:15:00.004+10:00

Today's Boxing Day consisted of rest, relaxing, sun, snorkeling and boat rides. We spent the day at Managaha, the island just west of Saipan. Mr. Camacho, a father of one of my students offered to take us there with his boat. We met him at the Palms and off we went! So much better and faster than the ferry!

Once on the island we found a shelter spot, lathered up sunscreen and headed to the busy side of the beach to snorkel. We saw some awesome fish, schools of them. After the first session of snorkeling we headed in for lunch and napping and then more snorkeling. Some of us napped in hammocks and on the beach while others collected more seashells. During the last snorkeling session Beth was lucky enough to see an octopus crawling along the ocean floor. Her scream woke me up from my nap! ;)

It was a great day at the island, but didn't end there. Once we showered up back here, we followed Pastor and Sandy over to Wolf and Tokie Mojica's house. They had invited the staff and some church members over for a day-after Christmas dinner. It was incredible food, an even more incredible house and some great conversations. I think the family really enjoyed meeting and talking with all the people we have come to love and call family here! :)

And now here we are, watching Jake's new Christmas present: The Dark Knight!

We are so blessed to have family here with us. We are all really enjoying our time and loving showing them our island and new home! We can't wait to have more come and visit...

:)
Hope you all had a very Merry Christmas. We spent Christmas day at church, opening gifts, eating a chicken dinner from a bakery on the back deck, snorkeling behind us at Sugar Dock, driving around Garapan, drinks at the Hyatt happy hour and dinner at Tasty's Restaurant! Such a great day and filled with laughter and love with some great awesome people. I love Tim, Jana, Jake, Beth and Becca and love that I am a part of their family! Thank you for coming here and helping make our first Christmas away an incredible Christmas so far.

Enjoying planning your New Year and relaxing for the rest of your vacations!

Love,

J & J

The whole family at the Hyatt Beach!

Enjoying Hyatt's Happy Hour Smoothies
waiting for our boat at the Palms!relaxing at Managaha!

After an awesome dinner, Beth, Becca and Mom VD standing in front of Wolf & Tokie's house!

Christmas Day!

2008-12-25T07:30:00.002+10:00

Today is Christmas and Jake and I want to first wish you all, family and friends, a very Merry Christmas. May you enjoy this time with those around you and remember us as we remember and miss the snow and you all, but will be celebrating our Christmas on a beach. :)
The second thing we want to share is that we were blessed with the greatest Christmas gift this year, Jake's whole family coming out to visit us.

They arrived on Tuesday night around 9. We took them home, walked around our campus, hung out on the beach so they could put their feet in, and got them settled in for the night. Yesterday was filled with a Winchell's coffee/donut walk, beach cruising (we hit up Obyan Beach, Ladder Beach, Lau Lau, Forbidden Lookout, and Tanke Beach) We swam at Obyan together for awhile and it really hit me that we have family here and it's Christmas and we are swimming in the water. WOW! We are truly blessed.

After all our swimming we came home, showered and relaxed for awhile and then drove around Garapan and the rest of Beach Road so they could see all the places we go. We ate dinner, walked around, came back home and played German Uno, while making them stay up until a proper bed-time. Something Jake had to do to me when we first got here too! :)

It was a good night...and today is Christmas. It doesn't even feel like Christmas today, especially because we'll go to church (normal), open presents (normal), except that we plan to open them down on the beach (not normal), pick up a Christmas dinner from the local bakery (not normal), go snorkeling afterwards and then head to PIC for sunset smoothies (another not normal activity for Christmas Day). We are excited though and wish you all a wonderful and blessed Christmas Day today.
We love you all!
Love,
J & J

Holidays!!

2008-12-18T16:07:00.004+10:00

The Holidays are here and Jake and I want to wish you all a very Merry Christmas! :)

We have a half day of school left and then we are done for the Christmas Break...and it couldn't have come any sooner.

Jake's Parents and sisters (beth and becca) will be arriving in Saipan on the evening of the 23rd and neither of us can wait. It's going to be great to have family here to share and show the island and our life for the past 6 months!!! We plan to relax and enjoy the beaches and ocean, as well as explore and hike as much as we can too.

Our break will go fast though, with family here til the 31st and then Jake and I are flying out on the 1st to Osaka, Japan. We will be going on a mini 4-day vacation to Osaka and Kyoto Japan and that is also something that neither of us can wait for!!!!

Saipan brings such great opportunities and it's so awesome that we are! :)

Thanks for all your prayers, thoughts and Christmas cards so far!!! Keep 'em coming!!!

We love you and are thinking of you all in this season.

Love,
J & J

Jake and I at the Street Market!!!!!!

Thankfulness...

2008-11-30T18:24:00.002+10:00

This weekend we were blessed to enjoy Thanksgiving and time off from work. :)
We had an awesome long weekend. It started off with some of us girls (Terry, Sandy, Brit and I) going to Pure Spa to get pedicures. Soooo good. My pedicure turned into a massage as well, which was even better. After an evening of that I came home well rested and ready to begin my next two days off! On Thursday we slept in, went for a run, made food for our Thanksgiving Party at Pastor and Sandy's house. We headed there around 2pm. There were about 20 people, with tons of food, even more laughter from conversations and games. It was both of our 1st Thanksgiving's away from home, but it sure felt like we were with family! Thank God for the new people we have in our lives here who are becoming more and more like family.
We spent the evening playing games and then a small crew of us stayed even later to watch Christmas movies. It was a great Thanksgiving day!
On Friday we spent the day with our good friends David and Nina, working out for free at Gold's Gym, then swimming at Micro Beach, eating out at Tasty's Chinese - which was very tasty!
The evening was spent here at the apartment relaxing and then around 8:30, four of us ladies went dancing. It was so fun. We went to Rose's Karaoke Bar - where you paid $2 to ballroom dance with one of the 5 instructors there. Terry, Tami and Debbie and I went and we all had such a ball! (wow - full of puns tonight)
On Saturday we went Christmas shopping with Terry, Sandy and Joel. We started off at the 4th Annual Artists Christmas Sale. Then we headed down to Garapan for some other stores. It was a great morning spent with some really great people - plus most of the Christmas shopping got done...besides Ken - what do you want brother?
Once we got back, Jake and I packed and drove down to the Palms Resort. We spent the afternoon lounging and swimming in the pools, then had some great drinks at Pau Pau Bar's Happy Hour. After that we took the DFS Tour Bus from our hotel into Garapan to the DFS Galleria where we ate our meal at the Hard Rock Cafe. It was a great meal and a great evening. We relaxed back in our room for the night, slept in this morning, ate an amazing free breakfast and then spent the rest of the morning and afternoon at the pool relaxing again.
All in all it was a very relaxing, resting and enjoyable weekend. We were both blessed to spend time with such quality friends that we have here. We were also blessed to spend some good quality time with just each other - at a very nice hotel! God continues to bless us every day. Even though we don't get paid the most at this school, and have other expenses, He continues to provide us with opportunities to enjoy His creation, our new friendships and relationships and life. He is a great God and we are full of thankfulness to Him.
Hope you all had great Thanksgiving meals and days spent with your family and friends. We thought about you all and miss you all tons!
Love always,
J & J

Sand Castles

2008-11-25T06:43:00.005+10:00

This past Saturday we spend the day relaxing but also watching out Junior High kid's compete in a sand castle contest. Here are some pictures from it! :)

P.S. Anyone know any good tips for catching and killing a rat????

James, Justin, Anna and Isa's Sand Castle...
the sea monster and a mermaid, plus other sea creatures (clams, starfish, etc)

The professional Sand Castle maker's castle (front and back) - from Australia...he was incredible to watch...

as the day turns...

2008-11-23T15:22:00.004+10:00

We finished another week, with progress grades and everything. Jake just agreed to be the Jn. High Boy's Basketball Coach - so we'll keep nice and busy again soon with tutoring and coaching - but it's good for us to be involved. We love the school. It keeps us both busy but it's good!

This weekend was good too - Saturday we spend most of the day down the road at PIC's waterpark. We were in the lazy river, down the slide and Jake hung out at the Wave thingy for awhile. It was so relaxing and refreshing. We also went down the other way, to the Hyatt to check out the Sand Castle competition that our Jn. High was in. It was amazing - plus they had a professional builder from Australia there creating one as well - which was even more amazing than the kids. Our kids did so well though - they even won 1st place! :)
Later that evening we went out to Korean BBQ with David and Nina. It was so awesome. The food was amazing and delicious and the company was even better. David and Nina have become some amazing friends and God has truly blessed us with them. Afterwards we came back to our place and played games and hung out more. It has been a great weekend.

With Thanksgiving coming up, I know Jake and I are both thinking and missing family and friends. You know you are how and how much we love and miss you all. We cannot thank God enough this coming week for all your love, support and prayers. Thank you all. We love you!
Love,

J & J

Hae Ga the Korean BBQ restaurant!

Nina, David and I with our amazing Korean food!

An ME Weekend...

2008-11-17T21:04:00.002+10:00

Jake and I can truly say we have just had one of the best weekends of our lives together. :)
We had the blessing of attending a Marriage Encounter Weekend. It was right next door at the Saipan Grand Hotel and we got to stay in Room 956. I thought our view from our apartment was nice, but from the 9th floor of a hotel - even more amazing!!
The weekend was full of laughter, tears, shared feelings, new loves and joys about each other, smiles that filled the room from each couple there, tons of food and some amazing surprises I will never forget. I know marriage can be hard work but this weekend we realized that every aspect of marriage needs to always be considered as hard work to make it better and more of what God has called ut to be. I love Jake and I know he loves me and we rediscovered that love in each other this weekend. We were truly blessed by all the sharings this weekend, the new couples we met and the new and exciting things we learned about each other and us as a couple.
If you are reading this and are married - YOU MUST FIND OUT WHERE THE CLOSEST MARRIED ENCOUNTERS WEEKEND IS - AND DO IT!!! no excuses. It only cost us $50 and that included: workbooks, hotel, amazing food, snacks and drinks, the time to sit and communicate just with Jake and rekindle and revive our relationship. It was so worth it. Even if you have been married for 20 or more years - there was a couple there this weekend that have been married for 44 and it was amazing to see how God worked in them this weekend. Or even if you've been married for a year or two and don't think you have had enough struggles or trials to go through - still please go because you can learn so much..
Jake and I pray that you can be blessed and touched in your marriage in the Marriage Encounter way. Ha - now I sound like one of the "love nazis" as we called them as we called them all weekend ! :) But it's so true and it was sooo incredibly worth our $50 and whole weekend.
We also wanted to say thank you to all our friends and family who do read this and who do pray for us and love us. We love you all so much and are so blessed by all of you. We miss you.
Love always
J & J

Coffee Time

2008-11-12T18:03:00.003+10:00

So I'm sitting in Jave Joe's with Brittany. We are both supposed to be grading but instead we are working on updating and improving our blogs! :)

This week is going fast. We had school on Monday and then yesterday off. It was a good day off. In the morning about 6 of us went to Forbidden Island for a hike. We hiked down, spend a good hour or so swimming and snorkeling, then hiked some more into the cold water cave. Then we took the good hike straight up. Once we got back home, we showered and went over to another teacher on the island's house for a BBQ. There was probably 30 people there. We were all, mostly, white people and teachers! :) There was food and sports. Most people were watching Monday Night Football when we got there...on a Tuesday afternoon...gotta love the time change!

We spend the evening watching Apocolypto with Mark and Brittany and then off to bed for a school day, after what felt like a Saturday.

At least there are only two more days left this week. Then we have one week left until Thanksgiving Break!!! I still can't believe how time goes so fast here.

This weekend is what Jake and I are looking forward to. For $50 we signed up for the Marriage Encounters weekend. We get to stay at the Saipan Grand Hotel for the whole weekend and eat and swim there all for $50. I CAN'T WAIT!!!

Things aren't much different here. Just working on keeping kids working hard and engaged before another break - which I know all of us teachers here can't wait for! :)

Hope all of you back home are enjoying the lovely cold and snowy weather we've seen and heard you've all been having. Just remember us over here, without any of you, in our nice warm 85 degree weather. ( A picture just to show you again where we live :)

We love you all!!!
Prayers and Blessings,

Love
J & J

the Cruise...and other pictures!

2008-11-06T21:23:00.006+10:00

Me on the boat. The best birthday present ever! My husband is an amazing man!

Jake and I at the top of the boat!

My little Korean girl who danced with me on the cruise. Jake and I will be bringing home a Korean girl that we will be adopting...especially if she looks like this adorable little girl.

Some crazy Korean tourist man and I dancing!!

the local Chamarro dancers

my little girl and I dancing to "I'm Your's" - Jason Mraz

Jake and I with one of the dancers

After opening all the presents from all the family, friends and students. Thank you all so much. I felt truly blessed yesterday and still do today. I love you all! THANK YOU!

Our Saturday away at Managaha, the view of Saipan from our retreat! :)

Jake's retreat!

another adorable little Korean girl - dressed up for Halloween!

Jake and Ms. Amanda, leading the Halloween chapel on Friday mornings, with the 6th graders!

On a recent hike to the blowholes.

Jake and I at Cowtown Beach!

So two weeks ago we went to the 2nd Annual Saipan Tatu and Arts Festival, and well, you can't leave without a souviner, so here it is! :)

after the tattoo!

Where does the time go? SERIOUSLY????

2008-11-06T20:38:00.004+10:00

I'm not sure exactly what it is, but something must accelerate the rate at which time passes here on Saipan. Its like we go to church on Sunday, focus on relaxing in preparation for the week, and then all of the sudden its Thursday night. One thing that might cause this phenomenon is the constant weather. I think that the temperature has varied about ten degrees since we've been here. No leaves are changing color. No crops have been harvested. Unless you look at the calendar, you could swear its the middle of summer.
Anyway, a couple of big things have happened since the last post. First of all, Mark and Brittany and Jackie and I went to Managaha (a 7 to 10 acre island about a mile off the north west coast of Saipan) for a little island relaxation last Saturday. The ferry ride to Managaha is about fifteen minutes long, and its free for locals; two very good reasons to take advantage. We hung out on the beach and in the water for a couple of hours. We were all fairly tired, but it was just a great day to relax and take a nap (which Jackie and I both did in our hammock). The excitement of the day, for me, was snorkeling with a couple of black tipped reef sharks. They were maybe two to three feet long, and I came within fifteen or so feet of them. Not really a close encounter, but boy was my heart racing, especially when one of them turned around and headed toward me.
Jackie's birthday was the other exciting happening of late. Jackie and I took off for Garapan on Wednesday after work and tutoring. We stopped to do a little shopping before heading to the public docks to board a boat for Jackie's birthday present, a little dinner cruise. The boat held maybe 30 to 40 people (mostly Asian tourists).We headed west from Saipan toward the setting sun. We took some sweet pictures (which will soon be posted) and then headed in for a buffet style dinner. The food was really good, but the best part of the night had to be the entertainment. A Filipino man with a synthesizer was at the front of the boat and kept the cheesy love songs blasting for about half the night. Listening to "my heart will go on," and similarly corny songs from a man with a heavy accent was pretty entertaining to say the least. Then the show picked up a notch when three traditional island dancers came forward and performed for a couple of songs. Finally, to cap the night, the crew invited the crowd to come forward and join the dancing. Now first of all, dancing is difficult enough for me when I'm on solid ground and with people that I know. I was totally thrown off by the tourists and the rocking of the boat. None the less, Jackie got me to come out for a couple of dances. And, don't tell her, but I had a pretty great time. Jackie was definitely into it. So into it that she ended up dancing with some crazy tourist man and an adorable 3 year old Korean girl. Jackie was really going at it, even getting applause from the tourists and the crew of the boat. In fact, one of the servers said that Jackie was the "star of the show." Very true, and very very entertaining. The cruise only lasted about an hour and a half, but it felt like longer, in a good way, and was definitely worth it. Now just in case it takes us a bit to get the next blog out there, let me give you a rundown of what the next week or two holds for us. First, this weekend we have a couple of math competitions to supervise. Then, later on Saturday night, we and the Sawyers have been invited to the house of a couple from church. Sunday will no doubt include some sort of venture in to the jungle; one last chance to tire our selves out before the week. Then next weekend we have a weekend get-a-way with an organization that emphasizes bringing couples closer together. Should be fun.
Well, unless I'm forgetting something, I think that's all for now.
I'm gonna sign off and leave the photo-adding to Jackie, she's better at that stuff than I am.
We both hope that you all are doing well.
Thanks for checking up on us (and please keep us in your prayers)
Love,
J and J

pictures...

2008-10-22T18:26:00.004+10:00

Jake and David trying on some sweet hats!
Some of Jake's 8th graders
Pastor Dickerman talking to my class.
Climbing into the ambulane on our Fire Station Field Trip!
My 1st graders!!! :)

Sandy and I - the Canadian Thanksgiving cooks :)
Jake and I :)
Terry (fellow teacher and awesome amazing woman) excited that we were playing Apples to Apples!
making sure it's sharp!
Out to dinner, amazing dinner, with David and Nina - also amazing people. :)

New Things...

2008-10-22T17:41:00.002+10:00

This past week and a half has been very busy. We've had long weekends and long days and these next two days are report cards and parent-teachers. Volleyball keeps me busy everyday til 5 and Jake has tutoring plus helping with volleyball and his new sport: ultimate.
Last Friday we had a Canadian Thanksgiving dinner with our bible study group. It was so great! Pastor and Sandy and I cooked the whole meal minus a few extras provided from others. We laughed, gave thanks, worshipped our Good God, ate, and played a game. It was nice fellowship. I am really thankful for the church group we have here. It's a great community of believers who genuinely want to help and love you.
This week has been busy getting report cards and grades ready. Tomorrow theh Parent-Teachers start. I'm a little nervous - because they are my first ones. Most of my kids are all doing great. I have a few Korean students who need to work a little harder and perhaps tutoring will help. Pray that God works through the languages and what needs to be said will be said and also understood. :)
I've been a little homesick this week as well, especially the amazing friends we basically lived with last year. I miss you all so much - we both miss you. I was able to talk with Katie Jansen, one of my closest friends, early yesterday morning, before school and that was such a blessing. God really provides what you need, when you need it.
Today, the 1st graders went on a Field Trip. My first one! :o
We went to the Fire Station. It was alot of fun. They let the kids climb into the truck, all go into the back of the ambulance, climb on the truck and take lots of pictures. We then went beside the fire station to the park and I just let them run around for about 30 minutes. I had some awesome Mom's with me - who were very helpful and watchful and fun! :)
Besides all that we had a double-header in volleyball tonight and games yesterday as well. They played awesome yesterday but tonight not so well. I was discouraged tonight and found it hard to get into the game myself, so I can imagine what the poor students felt like. We have one more week and it is almost over, so keep me in your prayers for perserverance for the last week.
Keep us both in your prayers for Parent-Teachers tomorrow and Friday and also as we head into a 2nd quarter, with new exciting things to hopefully happen - like American Thanksgiving break. ha :)
love always,
J & J (but mainly the first J - jackie)

Blessed

2008-10-09T17:44:00.003+10:00

This week I was reminded of how God has blessed us since we've been here.
Our new friends and family here.

Sandy, the Kindergarten teacher and amazing woman gave me a little care package. I couldn't have needed anything better that day. SHe's perfect and it was just what I needed. So I thank God for her!

And on Tuesday we had Mark and Brittany over for dinner, as well as David and Nina. Nina is a local Saipan lady and David is her boyfriend. David happens to be Canadian :)

I love them both to death - they are amazing people. As are Mark and Brit and Jake and I are so blessed to have amazing friends like them. So we had dinner and played some games and talked and had a great time. Amanda came over after her tutoring and she is also another blessing in our lives. She is happy and cheerful and always knows what to say. Plus we think alike and it's been so awesome getting to know and love her as well. So thank you Lord for these people in our lives. We are truly blessed.

And one more blessing: Tomorrow is Friday AND we have Monday off! Thank you for that as well God!

a picture of the Sawyers and us.

Time Flies

2008-10-05T19:50:00.003+10:00

This past week went pretty fast, as did the weekend. Jake is keeping busy with Math Courts. It's a math competition the school is involved in. He is the head proctor for the junior high, so he has to make up schedules to practice with the kids as well as all the review sheets for them. I'll be helping him at the meets, as well as the elementary kids are their meets. It's been good for him - to learn to be organized so all the kids know what's happening and what to do. He kept busy with that this weekend as well.

Yesterday we meet an older couple from church, Beverly and Dean Brubacker, as well as another man David Creel, for some snorkeling at Pau Pau Beach. It was pretty awesome. You could walk far out towards the reef and snorkel around. We saw tons of awesome, colorful fish. After swimming there we went up to the Far East Broadcasting base where they live/work. We had hamburgers and salad for dinner and blueberry pie for dessert. It was so great! After eating and good conversation we played PIT. Then Jake and I took the 35 minute scooter ride back. haha! Some of the awesome fish we saw (not our pictures):

the black and white zebra fish - they are so cute!!!

Today we had church, then a cheap lunch with David and Nina, Pastor Greg and Sandy, four amazing people. After lunch we went to the Grotto. We swam there. It was so clear today that you could see the underwater caves. We snorkeled and jumped and swam there for a few hours and then came back here to Sugar Dock and swam around and talked here. Then a yummy $1 Taco Dinner at Oleai's - the only restaurant with a patio on the beach. A great but fast weekend.
Here comes another week...and then only one more week until Report Cards. I can't believe how fast it's gone!
How are you all doing? Keeping busy with life? Any new things going on that you could let us knwo about??? We'd love to hear how things are going for all of you that read this. We miss you all tons!
Keep praying for us as we continue to learn how to live and teach in the Asian culture but also as we continue to live and learn from each other. We value your prayers. Thank you!
Love always!
Love,
J&J

Chinese Food and more life...

2008-09-28T18:18:00.003+10:00

Susan, the Mom of my Chinese student Henry
Tami and I at Ladies' Night!!!
Me in my new $3 high heels!!
Marissa and I!!!
Some of the ladies and their neat hats!

At Henry's house - Henry jumping from the piano to the bed.
Henry and I
Shirley with all the Chinese food!
Henry jumping again...
The Qian children, Anna (2nd grade), Shirley (4th) and adorable, crazy, never runs out of energy Henry - in my class! :)

almost October...

2008-09-28T16:53:00.002+10:00

Things here in Saipan have been moving along. The month of September is almost over and we will soon be into October and then Report Cards. I can't believe how fast things have gone. It's crazy. School is getting better for the 1st graders and I. I've started praying aloud in my classroom, for my classroom and students every day. I can also feel your prayers are working and I ask that you keep praying for me as I teach them and grow in my patience for them.
Jake is doing well. Pray for him as Math Courts (the math competition he's in charge of) picks up soon, as well as Science Fair, which he is also in charge of. It's the organization things that he needs the help for! :)
Other than that, things are going great for us. We keep busy with work, volleyball, hanging out with friends both staff and island people we've met, each other and living life here on a tropical island. It's still interesting and there are always new exciting thinsg to find, learn and see.
Just this weekend in fact, my Chinese student Henry invited me and two other teachers over for some authentic Chinese cooking - at least we thought we were goin to learn how to cook it. But once we got there - all the food was prepared and on the table waiting for us to eat it. So there are plenty of times where we are lost in translation here but over all - it's been great getting to know so many different types of people. We do really love it here.
Thanks so much for all your prayers. Keep them coming as we continue to learn knew ways to teach to the culture here and discover new things about ourselves, our marriage and our friendships. Thank God for all the blessings still though! :)
Love you all!!
Love
J & J

in pictures...

2008-09-21T19:31:00.003+10:00

We witnessed baptisms this morning after church. These two girls were adopted from China. Abby and Emma. Emma is in my 1st grade class. They are adorable, smart and loving girls. It was a blessing to watch them. It was also neat just to see a baptism in the ocean. :) What a great God!
That's their Dad in the blue shorts taking pictures. Pastor Abe in the yellow shirt and the lead pastor, Pastor Greg next to Emma.
Emma and I after she was baptised!! So proud of her! :)

Jake and I on the beach after church

random Saturday afternoon
how tired we were after our 2 hour hike/run/walk through the jungle on a trail that Wesley Horlings created. It was awesome!!!
Some of my students in art class. This is Ken and Ye Lee.
Jon Paul (or J.P, as I'm allowed to call him) and I. And yes, he has tons of silver teeth!!

Here's my class being silly. If you look carefully at the girl in the pink shorts, she is bowing at the camera. Ohhhh Yoo Jin!!!
Ms. Winkfield and I and our volleyball team. 6th, 7th and 8th graders!!!! SO fun! :)

In action. The first game we won! :)

Life is so good here. Thank you God!!!

Start of Week 7

2008-09-21T19:02:00.002+10:00

So another week and weekend has come and gone.
It's been a busy week, with volleyball every night of the week, meetings after school, Ultimate Frisbee for Jake and grading and planning. Teaching is going really well for Jake. He loves the middle school age children and is really enjoying planning and teaching them Math and Science. He is in charge of the Math Counts and Math Courts competitions that the Junior High does and so that is starting up now and will keep him somewhat busy. He is very involved in Ultimate Frisbee which meets on Wednesday and Fridays. It's his new lacrosse since he can't play that! :)
Teaching for me is alright. I'm not sure how much I really enjoy it. I'm having a hard time wanting to wake up in the morning to go teach them. I was reminded the other night that we are in a ministry here and need to work for the ministry of God. But it is still hard. The kid's don't listen very well and I feel like I'm not doing enough to help them learn because I spent so much time trying to discipline and get them to listen. So besides the fact that they are the most adorable little children and I love them, it's really hard to teach here. So keep me in your prayers and I continue to learn and grow in how to become and be a better teacher.

Besides teaching, Jake and I are doing good. We are making new friends and growing in those relationships as well. Sometimes I have a hard time opening up to people when I know things will change in a year and people will be gone - so pray that the Lord will continue to work in both Jake and I in our new relationships here.
I have this new friend, Nina. She is a local Philippino woman and I love her to death. We go swimming every Tuesday and Thursday for about 45 minutes and this past Saturday we did Yoga together. She is a wonderful woman of Christ and a great friend and I'm so thankful to God for the fun times we can enjoy and the conversations we can share.

As for what's new...we are in the rainy season and so it continues to just rain and rain here. And will probably do so until November or December.
We are starting our 7th week of school already!! Can't believe how fast the time flies by. We are really enjoying the island, the church we are a part of and the people we continue to meet. We are truly blessed and highly favored, like our Pastor says. We thank God for Pastor Greg and his wife Sandy. They are two amazing people and are becoming mentors to Jake and I both in our faith but also in our marriage. God knew that we needed some people like them when we came here and here they are!
So many blessings - we are very happy. Thanks for all yoru prayers and love!!! We appreciate knowing we are in your thoughts. Continue to pray for us in teaching, but also as we learn to adjust to the culture and better yet, understand living in this culture.
We miss you all!!
Love, J & J

P.S. If you ever want to send a postcard or package or cards or anything here is our address:
Jake and Jackie Van Dam
500069 Beach Rd.
Saipan, MP
96950
- We LOVE getting mail!

Sick in Saipan

2008-09-10T21:09:00.002+10:00

One of Jake's beautiful flower pictures to share!

Hello! This week is progress report week. That means we are half way through our 1st quarter. Yikes!! It's also been a really busy week with volleyball. For those of you that don't know - I am the asst. coach of the school's volleyball team. Ms. Winkfield, the 5th grade teacher and I are coaching the 6, 7, 8th grade co-ed volleyball. So glad I don't teach junior-high - although sometimes 1st grade isn't that enjoyable either.

Anyhow we lost our first volleyball games today but I was so proud of the kids. They did so much better than I have seen any of them do in practice. It was awesome. I'm really enjoying coaching volleyball. It's a fun sport and the kids really get into it.

Besides being busy this week, Jake and I are doing. He is getting over cold #1 here in Saipan and I am just beginning cold #1. It sucks. We live on a hot, humid island and I have a runny nose and sore throat. Silly little kids - start covering your mouths and washing your hands. Oh well - life of a teacher I guess - busy, busy, busy, sick, lost patience, love for the adorable needy little kids, enjoyment of hanging out with them after school, and more grades.

Please keep us in your prayers, so that this cold/sickness will pass by quickly; that patience will grow alot faster and hang on longer during the day, and that God will give me especially, what I need everyday to teach these 1st graders.

Thanks for your prayers and love. Send us emails: jcqlnvndm@gmail.com or jkvndm@gmail.com to let us know how you are doing and how we can remember you and pray for you. We miss you all!

Love always,

J & J

2008-09-06T18:15:00.002+10:00

On the Ferry....

The Sawyer, Mark and Brittany and us on the ferry!

The view of the island Managaha from the ferry.

just getting on the island
The whole group after intense volleyball... haha
view from the spot we picked on the beach. That's Saipan in the background.
Another view of Saipan

Catch up!

2008-09-06T15:30:00.003+10:00

Life moves faster here than I thought it would. We have now finished the fourth week of school and our progress reports (mid-terms) are due this coming Friday!!! Thanks so much for all your prayers and thoughts as we've continued to adjust to life here, to our new jobs of teaching, to a new set of friends and even more to each other.
We've been blessed even more since last time. We had last Monday off of school and we were able to spend the weekend enjoying more sights on the island and off the island. We hiked to Forbidden Island. It's quite the hike but it was worth the refreshing swim in the cold ocean water. Then on Monday we went with the youth group from church, the Sawyers and Joel the PE teacher to Managaha Island. That was incredibly beautiful. Just the blues in the water, the fish you could see while snorkeling and the weather. It made me think again about how we are living here and not just on vacation. I'll post some pictures once we get the chance.
We are blessed. School continues to go well. It has it's days where I wonder why I'm doing this, but for the most part - Jake and I both love teaching, our classes and the school!
The friends we've made and continue to make are incredible. The really do become your family when you have none nearby. God has blessed us with some incredibly, caring and loving people and we couldn't thank Him enough for the Sawyers, Joel, Amanda, Sandy and soon her husband, Terry and the Winkfields. We love you all so much!
Well Jake and I are off to take a ballroom dancing class! :)
Hope you are all doing good. We love you all and miss you all tons!
Love J & J

A little over a month...

2008-08-25T19:40:00.002+10:00

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...

2008-08-12T22:10:00.005+10:00

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...

2008-08-08T23:26:00.005+10:00

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

Another Week.

2008-07-30T17:50:00.000+10:00

It's been a whole week again. Crazy how fast the time goes out here. We are loving it more and more each day. :)

This past week has been filled with time spend in our classrooms. Jake's been looking through all his science and math that he has to teach and I've been looking through all my subjects. Getting good grips on what exactly we'll be teaching will help us alot next week once we officially start with all our orientation. We'll finally meet all the other teachers then as well. Brittany and Mark, the other married couple comes early Saturday morning and we can't wait for them to get here!

This past week it's been Jake, me and Joel, the PE teacher, hanging out.

We spent some time touring the island see some more sights on the North side with Wesley this weekend again. It was incredible. All the pictures are up on Picasso our web album but here's a few for ya:

Jeffrey's Beach
and again. The waves are so strong here, you really can't swim.
Jake and an old WWII gun, by the Last Command Post from WWII as well.
View of the ocean...so beautiful!
CowTown Beach - again not a swimming one, just one for the waves

Overall we've been having a very good time adjusting and learning to live here. The weather is slowly starting to become normal...that is living in an apartment that's an average of 85 degrees. We're enjoying meeting more people from the church as well as locals around the island. We decided we are going to enjoy the next few days without being in our classrooms too much, because we start on Monday.

I hope that for all who read this that things are going well for you and what you are doing. We pray for people back home and want you all to know how much we do miss you. We love you all and until next time...

Weekend #1

2008-07-22T20:11:00.000+10:00

This past weekend was great! On Saturday we had Wesley Horlings, a guy living here on the island, from my hometown, Holland Marsh, take us around the island. He picked us up in his 4 wheel drive Jeep and off we went. The first stop was at an old lighthouse. From there we could see the west side of the island. Then we drove up to Mt. Tapochao, the highest point on the island, which was a great overlook to see the whole island.

View from the lighthouse - you can see all the light blue water which includes the coral reef. Also that little island is called Managaha Island - where you get the nicest beach and nicest swimming and snorkeling area. Can't wait to go!

View of Garapan, the tourist part of the city, from Mt. Tapochao
South side of the island.

After all of the spectacular views from up top, more of which you can see at: http://picasaweb.google.com/jcqlnvndm, we travled down into the jungle to some cliff edges and beautiful beaches. Some of the beaches are too dangerous to swim at because of rocks and currents. Others are just gorgeous.

View of Obyan Beach on the south end from Naftan Point

Cliff edges, places where you dont' want to swim.

Lau Lau Beach, Wesley's favorite beach to go to and you can see why!

Among all these beautiful sights we saw some neat birds and banana and papaya trees as well. It's a pretty impressive area so far! :)
On Sunday we went to the 10 o'clock church service. We were introduced in front of the church and met some people who invited us out for lunch. We went to a great Chinese restaurant in Garapan where we shared all the individual courses that we had each ordered. It was something that we had never done back in the states (or in Canada for that matter). On Sunday afternoon we lazed around in the ocean behind the school. If you walk a block or so south of the school you come to a clear, less sea weedy area. So Jake and I swam and lounged around there for awhile. We got caught in a rainstorm so we waited the cold rain out in the warm water. It was alot of fun!

So far this week we've been starting to look through stuff in our classrooms and get our minds ready for the school year. Prayers for us as we begin to get ready, meet new teachers, students and parents are greatly needed and appreciated. It's exciting but kinda overwhelming at times too!

Until next time...enjoy those pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/jcqlnvndm!

Love,
Jake and Jackie

Saipan in Pictures

2008-07-18T15:34:00.000+10:00

View from our bedroom window!
Our bedroom, double bed and all!
the junior high classrooms on the bottom, and apartments on top
panoramic view of the campus, notice the open-air church behind Jackie
the sign on the road for our school!

The ktichen and living room and bedroom number 2 off to the right...

More pictures to come!!!

SAIPAN!!!

2008-07-17T19:46:00.000+10:00

We made it!
It was 1a.m thursday, local time, and we had been traveling for traveling for 29 straight hours, but we finally made it. It was a good thing too because I don't think that Jackie and I could have handled even one more flight.
After going through customs and picking up our baggage, we went outside and were greeted by 3 people from SCS. Mr. Winkfield (the principal), his wife, and daughter, plus a big banner and two beautiful flower headbands.
The car ride to the school wasn't exciting as it was dark and so we didn't get to see much of the island last night. We unloaded all our luggage and brought up stairs on top of the middle school building to our apartment. I'll compare our new apartment to our old apartment for those of you who have visited us in Sioux Center. The layout of the apartment is basically the same, except we have two bedrooms instead of one. We'll try to get pictures of the apt. posted once we're all moved in.
After getting our luggage in, we turned the AC on and crashed. We both slept very well too. I don't really think that we'll feel too much jet-lag because we both felt fairly well rested today.
Most of today was spent running around the village with Mr. Winkfield. We did a little shopping, got drivers liscenses, and set up a bank account. Setting up the bank account took well over an hour. I guess thats just an example of the slower pace that the island runs on.
Thanks so much to all of you who have been praying for us. Our trip here couldn't have gone better. Thanks be to God.
Love,
J and J

TOKYO!!!

2008-07-16T17:32:00.000+10:00

Well, we made it through the 11 hour flight! Thank goodness that one is over. We left LAX at 1:10 p.m. on tuesday, and we arrived at 4 p.m. local time, on Wednesday. Its kinda like we lost a whole day of our lives. Hopefully we get it back someday.
Anyway, the flight was really long. Three movies were shown, and an episode of a tv show, so that helped quite a bit. Jackie and I also managed to catch a little sleep. Oh, before I forget, I should mention that we have now been on the move for 23 hours, with eight hours still to go before we get to Saipan.
I have no doubt that we will sleep very well when we get to our new school/home, both because of exhaustion and because of sleeping pills. I can't wait.
Anyway, I have no idea when the internet service is going to run out, being as I didn't have to pay for it. So, before I get cut off, I'd better sign off.
Thanks for the prayers,
Love,
J and J

Airport Number 1 - LA

2008-07-16T03:37:00.001+10:00

Jake and I are waiting in the Los Angeles airport, by gate 28 for our 1:20 flight to Toyko. We have about 2 more hours! We flew here this morning and won't finish all the flying until Thursday. We are soooo excited though. This morning we were a little nervous but now we are feeling much more excited and ready for this. I personally am so thrilled that I get to do this amazing adventure with someone I love and call my best friend. It's so wonderful that we can share this together and I can't wait to grow closer with him.
We'll hopefully send an email or something once we get to Toyko so everyone knows we've made it safe so far.
Thanks again for everyone's prayers and support thus far. It sure is exciting and sure is far away but we know we have some amazing family and friends that will always be there for us no matter where we are. Thanks so much!
Love J & J

2008-07-08T05:36:00.000+10:00

Hello all, Jake here...
Jackie and I can not begin to count the number of people who have personally told us that they were going to check on our blog regularly. We kind of thought that maybe just our families would check the blog. We were very wrong. People who we didn't even know had computers have told us that they would keep an electronic eye on us. So to those of you who have spoken to us about the blog, and to those of you who will keep tabs on us, thank you. It means so much to us to know that you care about us and how we are doing.

Alright, enough sappy stuff.

Jackie and I are still in Sioux Center. We just got back from a little vacation with my family in the Black Hills, and are busy organizing, packing, shipping, and storing the stuff we've accumulated in the past 13 months. We need to be completely out of our apartment by Wednesday night because on Thursday we leave for a wedding in Des Moines. We'll return from that wedding on Sunday afternoon, and then on Monday, the 14th, we will leave for Minneapolis. We'll be staying over night with a couple of friends and then flying out of the cities bright and early on Tuesday morning.
So keep us in your prayers as these next couple days already are a bit overwhelming and new to us. Also as we say "see you later's" to good friends and family and especially as we fly for 24+ hours to our final destination...Saipan.
How exciting!
So until then...

the test run

2008-06-04T11:36:00.000+10:00

So, we're sitting in Butler's, in Iowa of course, cause we don't leave for Saipan for another month.
July 15th!! We had been planning on setting up a blog so that all the people we know, and proly some that we don't, can keep updated on our experiences on the tiny tropical island of Saipan. And tonight, since we had nothing to do, and have packed up as much as we can without living in an empty apartment for another month, we thought that it would be the perfect time to start blogging. :) So, unfortunately there is nothing exciting or exotic for us to report. However, soon after July fifteen, there should be plenty to see and read.
Later on...