The Highlights

Just when I think things can't get any crazier, life accepts my challenge. I'll start with last Sunday. We were all excited for our expected visitors. The Guam-Micronesia Mission is now under the North American Division instead of the Asia Pacific Division. Because of the change delegates from the NAD were going through the islands to see how things were going. We were lucky to have the group of leaders come to Yap. The NAD President and the VPs in several areas, including education, came with Pastor Jose Rojas. It was really exciting to have visitors! Until now I didn't realize how nice it is to see new people when you are on a little island with the same people for months, even though they are great people :). We had a potluck for them and lots of meetings. They were really helpful and encouraging. The communications director came and interviewed all of us student missionaries. My favorite part was on Monday; Pastor Jose Rojas spoke for the high school chapel. He was here a couple years ago, and the students just love him. He is a really good speaker. I have never seen all the students so focused on anything in my entire time here. They were more focused listening to him then they are watching movies! It was really cool to see them so interested and attentive to a sermon. The NAD stayed until Tuesday night. We found out that day that Pam had to leave. She has been sick again for the last couple weeks and, not surprisingly, the hospital has no idea what the problem is. After all she went through and all the problems she had last time the NAD said she needed better medical help. So once again we all loaded up in the van and headed to the airport after midnight. The whole thing felt like dejavu. We pretended she would be back, that she was just going to Guam to get better and then she would be back; but I knew it wouldn't work that way. Yesterday we found out that she is going all the way back to Canada for good, again. We've prayed so much and she has worked so hard it is really hard to understand why this keeps happening to her. Through it all I've seen her grow stronger though and I know that even though it doesn't make sense, God has a purpose for her and for those of us still here.

The rest of the week sailed by and I was so thankful to finally make it to Sabbath. It was one of those weeks I think I would have lost it if it wasn't for Sabbath! We went to church as usual, lead Sabbath school, piano, and all the usual. Afterwards was potluck! I love Yap potlucks; partially because I get a break from cooking; but mostly because the food is amazing. It's a mix of Filipino and local food and whatever American dish we bring. I have become known as "the cookie girl". I brought peanut butter cookies a few times and they were a HUGE hit. After potluck we took a nap at the church and then headed for a hike with church family. At the end of the hike we loaded into the back of a flatbed truck and headed into a village to have sundown worship by the water. When we got there George, a church member, climbed a coconut tree with nothing but his machete and knocked down coconuts for us to drink. We sat and drank our coconuts and watched the kids skip rocks on the water before our sundown worship. On the drive back I sat in the back of the truck and just stared at the clear sky full of stars. I couldn't think of a better ending to a crazy week.

Sunday the craziness started all over again! It was the day of the Junior Senior Banquet. We had to plan quickly and then head into town to set up. JSB was run a lot different than I am used to, but we went along with it. It was fun to see the students get all dressed up. As the senior homeroom I had to act as one of the judges. I now know that I really do not like being a judge; it's just too hard of a decision to make about my own students! The students performed songs they prepared, Mr. Alex and I sang "the Prayer" together and we all enjoyed a wonderful dinner at one of the nicest hotels in Yap. It went pretty well, and I saw the students smiling even though they tried to pretend it was boring :).

This week is just as busy. I had a sophomore girl collapse in tears in front of me from a rumor someone passed about her on Monday and spend half of the class outside with her. I had 3 students in my classroom for an hour after school for tutoring and Sabrina and I were up until midnight preparing progress reports for the students. I've stopped waiting for things to slow down! Life here is crazy, and I love it. I don't love all the things that happen but God hasn't let us down yet and I know he won't. No matter what is thrown our way He gets us through. I apologize for any sentences that don't make sense or cluttered thought in this blog, but I am in a hurry and I must get back to work. Only one school day left and then we have a four day weekend for the biggest holiday on the island; the "Yap Days" celebration! Thank you for your prayers and support, I hope all is well at home. :)