Where's Vero?

So what have i been up to since my last post in January? Well lots, hence my lack of posting lol. I'm very sorry about it, but i will be posting a couple of blogs in the upcoming days about my highlights of the month. I am doing well. My kids are doing great, and best of all, they are ALL READING! i'm so happy that they are. Yesterday, my last little boy that wasn't reading, read an entire story for the first time. This is the same little boy that walked into my class barely knowing how to hold a pencil, let alone write his name! Its amazing how fast time passes, but even more amazing how great G-d is in giving me the abilities to actually teach this child. He's come a long ways, and i can't help but thank G-d for that wonderful miracle. I know that it was only through Him that i was able to help my student reach this far. I leave you with a picture of our fieldtrip to the Saipan Botanical Gardens. I hope to blog more in these upcoming months! Thanks for staying in touch

My roomies...my friends!

They say that when you live with someone, you get to know ALL of them. The good, the bad, the ugly...well...for the past four months, i've lived with 3 wonderful ladies. There has been bad times, there have been ugly times, but most importantly, there have been good times. Like most relationships, we have been through some rough patches, and i'm sure that there will be more to come. But even through those moments, I knew that the girls i was living with, were girls with values and a love for G-d. So now we've been living together for about 5 months and we're a little past the halfway point, and i think i can honestly say, that i'm quite happy being here with them. They are all unique in their own ways. So here's a blog dedicated to the 3 wonderful ladies that i live with:

Mai - She's our veteran. She was here since last year and sort of has a history with the Island. She loves teaching and...she's.... CANADIAN! (and very proud of it!) My favorite thing about Mai is when she laughs from the inside or at herself. She just looks like a little girl again, and i can't help but smile or join in the laughter.

Jessica - She's the one i've known the longest since we met in Hawaii. She's really cool and is just so random at lots of things. She can always say something silly or well random to make you laugh. She's from Loma Linda and despite contrary belief (or what she may say lol) she really does love her ESL students...and they love her just the same! My favorite thing about Jess, is when she says something random, especially if its during a patch of silence.

Judith - She's the baby of the group (took my place lol) but she definately doesn't act it. She runs those high schoolers like a little army. She's loved by her students very much and is doing a great job. She's from Boise, Idaho and attending Walla Walla College. My favorite thing about Judith is how passionate she can get about something.

There you have it, the girls i live with! Like most families, we have had our ups and downs, but in the end, they each have a special part in my heart and always will. I thank G-d for them daily and know that we were each hand picked to be here and live together for some reason that only the good Lord knows. I ask you to pray for us, in our daily lives, and for our little home! Its not easy, but always possible when the Lord is guiding.

L-R: Me, Judtih, Mai, & Jessica eating banana pancakes

Love you girls!

Saipan Holidays

My December started out pretty good. As soon as it rolled around, the festivities began. On the first day of December, we had our talent show and celebrated Eva's birthday.

Eva has been one of my closest friends here on island. I'm truly glad to have her in my life and thank the Lord daily for her. I call her my Island Angel because she has helped me through some of the tough times. So Happy Birthday to you. Te Quiero Amiga!

Eva and Me

After that, my first order of business was to decorate my room and make it more "Christmasy". Thanks to my elfs in Miami (aunts), my room was able to have the Christmas spirit. It truly allowed me to feel the spirit a little more.My Christmas Corner

Our School this year was involved in a competition with all the schools in the area where we had to make Christmas ornaments out of recycled items. It was lots of fun to do, but also a lot of work. Since Eva and I have the young ones, we spent a couple of sleepless nights working on it, but it was quite worth it. Our "Recycled" Christmas Tree

About mid December, we had our staff Christmas party. Instead of giving each other gifts, we bought presents for the children at the hospital. Then we went (with a couple of students) and sang Christmas carols. It was a GREAT way to spread the holiday cheer!

Our Staff and some students at the hospital

After the staff party, all our efforts went into the school Christmas program. This year we had a Mission Impossible theme. It was truly a GREAT play and the students did an AMAZING job! My kiddos were the sheep and also were little spies as part of the K-4 choir. We spent probably the entire week practicing with a dress rehearsal the morning of the program. The students (and teachers lol) worked really hard and the turnout was an amazing performance with a really great message behind it.

My sheep waiting patiently at the dress rehearsal

My personal spies!

Our staff....at the half-way point!

The next day was the last day of school. We had our class Christmas party. It was a REALLY crazy day, because our pizza order could not be made so I had to go out and buy some frozen pizza's and returned at around 11:00 and school was being dismissed at 12:30. Eva and I combined our parties and although it was a crazy day, it all worked out really great!

My kiddos with their antlers

Our class in front of our Christmas tree just before they ripped through their presents

Just as they started ripping through their presents.

In case I haven't mentioned it before, I do have the most AMAZING parents in my class. Thanks to one of them, I was able to have all these great pictures with my kids! Thank you Lord for my parents!

The following sunday (day before Christmas Eve) I spent the entire day baking cookies and wrapping presents for the kids of the island. As I had mentioned before the Lord allowed me to collect gifts for the children here who otherwise may not have had a Christmas. It was a lot of fun both preparing and actually handing them out. I baked about 20 dozen cookies and wrapped about 30 something gifts. I truly felt like an elf! lol Then on Christmas Eve day, we went out and distributed the gifts and cookies. That night we went to the Paez's house and had some yummy food and games.

Christmas cookies for all

Some of the kids with their gifts.

(The cards are specially made by Kindergarteners in GA. Thanx Allison!)

Tali Paez with her sparkler (cool pic huh?)

Christmas day started to feel a little hard since I was alone for the beginning of it. Then the Lord gave me an AMAZING gift. I was able to spend about 3 hours on the webcam with my family back home while they were having their Christmas Eve dinner. It was a true blessing. Later that evening, I went to the church for our Annual Christmas Party. I was in charge of games for the little ones and we played 2 games one of which was called a Rudolph Relay Race. Later we had a gift exchange among the adults where we played the game "White Elephant". It was fun to see the adults become kids again while they "stole" each other's gifts.

Our church kiddos with their red noses!

During this time, our school hosts a winter school where students from Korea come down to learn english for about 2 months. I decided to start tutoring them during their time here. I have 3 boys in my current group right now and they are a blast to be around. I really enjoy spending time with them and helping them learn english.My three boys after our last class

Finally, as we all tend to culminate our holiday season, we come to the end of the year. This year I spent New Year's Eve with the Maycocks and Riki's parents. First, we went to The Garlic Restaurant. It was really yummy food and we all shared plates so we could try everything. Later, we went to the Mandi Spa and just relaxed around lazily talking and getting to know each other better. It was awesome to be there at night and was just a great time. Finally, we welcomed the new year at the top of Mt Topochau. After a very fun and rough ride to the top, we met up with Virle, Joeie, Girle, and Antonee. From this point, we could see the entire island. It was really cool because we could also see all the firework shows being displayed throughout Saipan. At around 11:50 p.m. Sean brought out some glasses and bubbly cider and we welcomed 2008!

Happy New Year to all!

So as look back at this year, I thank the Lord for His many blessings that He's poured down on me this year. Whether I've counted them blessings at the time or not, I know that everything has worked perfectly for His will. As I sit here in my living room floor on my little island in the Pacific, I pray that the Lord pour down His many blessings on you and your family this upcoming year. Whether you're a close friend or just an acquaintance, I thank the Lord for you because in someway, you impacted my life this year. Thank you for your prayers and support. I love you all and many blessings in 2008!

I LOVE my job!

Not many people can say that they truly enjoy their job. Yes, like many people, I have my rough days. However, when my day is at its roughest, just the smile, hug, kiss, or look from one of my kids puts my life back on track. So here's a little something from my kiddos that might just touch your heart as much as its touched mine.

Well, on Monday morning, we're getting started with our morning activity, when one of the boys comes to my desk and asks me to sharpen his pencil. While doing so, Alannah (one of my little girls) comes up to me with her pencil. So I ask her "Let me guess, you need your pencil sharpened?" She looks at me and replies "No, I just need a kiss!" This just made my day. I thought it was WAY too cute!

There's this Korean boy that I tutor 4 times a week. He's 10 years old and basically here alone. Here's a background on most Korean students: They usually come here alone to learn english for a year. They stay at a dorm type house with a guardian. Most guardians run this EXACTLY like a business. So on top of being in a brand new country without knowing the language, they don't quite get the TLC that we all need from our parents and families. Well, back to the story. His name is Joon Seo and he's really compassionate. He's definately brought out some of my gray hair, but he's AMAZING! Well, today, he had a bad day at school. We're both hovering over the internet translator, trying to understand what the other is saying. After sort of talking about his day and why he was upset, we realize that my ride is here. So I get up, but notice him still frustrated. So I type in the translator "I care for you". He read it, and said a simple, but heartfelt, "Thank you". This opened up my floodgates! He drives me crazy, but I love that little boy and i'm just so thankful that the Lord finally allowed me to tell him that I do care.

Ok so, now for some cheering up: My mom has always had this special phrase with us where she'd say "Mommy loves you..." and we'd respond "No matter what". One day this year, I remembered the phrase while explaining to my kids that Jesus loves them in that same way and that I do too. So I changed around the phrase, and well here ya go!

I want to say thank you to all of you who pray for me and I ask you to pray for these kids as well. Pray that they may get to know Jesus, and that the Lord can use me to minister to them as well! Love you all!

Tooth Wisdom

Yesterday, I went to the Dentist to get my wisdom teeth extracted. After Dr. Pierson explained what the procedure would consist of, I laid in the seat filled with anxiety. My wisdom teeth had been bugging me for a while. Then, when i finally had made the decision to get them extracted, I didn't have the money for it. G-d provided and it was D-Day! They gave me these cool "futuristic" glasses where i could watch a movie while they did the procedure. I apparently was the first patient to try it. YAY ME! lol =) Well, the first shot of anesthesia went in and it hurt a little. Felt more like someone was putting a rod in my gums that just didn't fit. Of course that description sounds so much worse, but that's what i imagined. After all my gums were injected, i sat there for a while, trying to control my tongue which felt bigger than my mouth. By the time i was all numbed up, i felt like Will Smith in the movie "Hitch". Thankfully, i looked pretty normal. Then he started with the first tooth. I mentally prepared myself...but before i could even think of the word "ouch:", the tooth was out. I was pleased...but it was only 1/4 of the way. Then came the second one. I felt some pain...and it got worse. Then Dr. Pierson noticed and asked me if it was hurting. I said yes. He then put some more anesthesia. He let it kick in and then when he came back, he said something that stuck in my head for a while. "You don't have to be a hero, let me know if it hurts, that's what the anesthesia is here for". You may think that this is pretty normal to hear, but immediately, all i could think about was G-d. So many times he tells us the same thing "You don't have to be a hero, give me your load, that's what I'm here for! The Lord has many ways of speaking to us, yes, even in the middle of an extraction, while sitting in the dentist's chair. I'm glad the Lord spoke to me that day. I know he speaks to us at all times, we just got to listen.

Well, here are some words from the "less-wiser"! =) lol

Love you all!
G-d's Island Girl

My four wisdom teeth. The one on the right (the painful one) has some bone attached.

Thanksgiving Break!

On Tuesday, my kiddos and also the 1st and 2nd graders joined together to tell the "ABC's of The First Thanksgiving" to all our parents. Afterwards, it was chow time. So many parents...so many kids...SO MUCH FOOD! It was a wonderful time for all of us. When everything was finally done, I went and did some much needed laundry. The next day, I woke up early to go scuba diving. It was absolutely AMAZING! It was my first open water dive and I honestly can't wait for the rest. However, I was EXHAUSTED! When I got home (around 3:00 p.m.) I decided to take a "nap". So I laid down and went off to sleepy land. When I finally opened my eyes again, it was roughly around 4:00 a.m....the next day! It was definitely some much needed rest! I couldn't go back to sleep, so I got up, and was able to "web cam" with my cousins back home. It was really great to do so! I missed seeing their faces so. Then around 8:00 a.m., I realized that it was Thanksgiving Day. So I got up, picked up Eva from her house and we started cooking. We later were on our way to do run some errands, and then maybe lay out by the beach for a while. Then we decided, hmmm...we have our bathing suits and practically the whole day ahead of us...so lets go to the MANDI! The Mandi is this AHHHMAZING spa and since we're locals, it only costs $15 to spend the day there. So we went and had a blast.

Later that night, we went to the Maycock's for Thanksgiving Dinner. I remember starting to feel the knot in my stomach at the thought of spending Thanksgiving without my family. I kept telling myself "It's only a dinner...JUST A DINNER". When we arrived, everything was perfectly set. From name tags to fancy cups....it was just perfect. I found myself that night looking around the table, and thinking, "These people here ARE my family and I'm sure I'm going to miss them even more, when my year here is finished." It was truly a perfect night!

So here's my list of only five of the things I'm thankful for this year:

1 - My G-d

2 - Family (including Saipan Family)

3 - My kids and their wonderful, comforting words, hugs and smiles

4 - My church Family (back home and here in Saipan)

5 - For the privilege to serve G-d

G-d's Plans for My Christmas

"While i'm in Saipan, i'm going to travel to as many places as I can. I love traveling and everything is just so close and cheap" I remember these words coming out of my mouth throughout the entire summer. These were MY plans for every break that I would have while here. Philippines...Thailand...Bali...Japan...Australia...New Zealand...my plans kept changing. Nothing seemed to be working out. When I would finally decide on one place and it seemed like it would work....WOOSH something would happen and those plans would get demolished. Time was running out, and I was getting frustrated. Then one night, while talking to my mom about my frustrations, she said "Just Pray"...I had done so, so many times, but I always prayed for the Lord to allow this trip to work out, or for that trip to work out, and so on. But that night, I prayed a very heartfelt prayer about something as simple as Christmas plans. I awoke the next day with the thought "It'll be okay if I stay here in Saipan" (I didn't want to because I knew I would miss my family too much over the holidays) I felt a peace in my heart, and the words just started rambling in my head. "If I stay here, I can show everyone how we celebrate it back home" Then that thought led to another... "What if I can give a Christmas to those children who wouldn't otherwise have one?" Immediately, I started planning it out in my head. The peace I felt for staying here is how I knew that it was an answer from G-d. So my Christmas Plans? To continue the work that I believe G-d is doing here (and hopefully through me). I will be collecting Toys, Clothes, and Cards for those kids here. I have some people from the States that will be sending some of these items. If you are one of those that is interested, please let me know. Starting December, my house will look like Santa's Workshop as I will be baking cookies, wrapping presents, and hopefully bringing some Christmas joy to some less fortunate children. Please continue praying for me and all my....no...I mean...G-d's plans for me here on Saipan!

Till my next post,

G-d's Island Girl =)