Exposed

Imagine living in a bubble where the majority of people you knew were just like you. You went to the same church every Saturday morning. You attended the same private school and university for all of your life. The majority of your family and friends were of the same faith. You believed and hoped in the same things. You think the way you are and the way you live is the norm or the standard. Most of all, you think that the way you live your life is the only right way to live. This bubble is all I have ever known.

Leaving the Seventh-day Adventist bubble back home and coming out to Saipan has been a real eye opening experience for me. Exposure to the many different cultures and religions is making me realize how REALLY different I am. I had the chance to share my faith with other people of different beliefs throughout this past year. I'm embarassed to admit that I was judgemental. . . I thought the things they believed in were crazy and wrong. But then I realized that they probably think that I am crazy in the things I believe in as well. I can be so foolish sometimes. I'm starting to realize that Christianity has been getting a bad wrap. It's fascinating though to hear perspectives about life and God from a Buddhist, Atheist, Catholic, Latter-day Saint, Muslim and others.

My spiritual experience out here has been mind blowing and humbling. I feel my beliefs evolving and growing into something greater than I ever imagined. Living abroad is teaching me to embrace and love the differences I have with others.

Welcome Saipan SDA School Teachers!

One of the things I love about being a Seventh-day Adventist is knowing that we have church "families" all over the world. So no matter what country you travel and work at there is always someone there to welcome you and to take you in as their own.



Perhaps one of the hardest things I have had to endure living here in Saipan is being away from my family. The members of the church and school have stepped in my life and have been my family away from home. Its a great feeling being loved and supported by so many.



Its that time of the year again to welcome the new batch of Saipan SDA school teachers. There are a total of five school teachers: Ricci, Eva, Veronica, Jessica, and Amy. We are still needing someone to teach our fifth graders and are hoping to find one soon since school starts in a week!



We welcomed them at the airport. Some of the places they have come from are California, Washington, Texas, and even Spain. Their a sweet and energetic bunch and I'm looking forward to another great year with them.



I have to say that it was weird sitting across from them earlier tonight. It felt weird that Grant, Layla, Brit, and Missy were missing. I miss them!

Sweet Melodies and Saipan's Sunsets

Saturdays have been really busy for me. The Women’s Ministry is leading out on weekly hospital visits with patients at CHC after church. We had to write an official letter to the hospital administration to ask permission to be there. Finally we secured a time frame to visit with patients on Saturday afternoons.

A small group of us sang and prayed for several patients this past Sabbath. We visited my coworker’s mom who has been in the hospital for almost a month now. While singing to her suddenly a burst of tears was streaming down her face and she let out a faint cry. It made my heart skip a beat. I can only imagine the burden of pain she has been carrying. Her daughter, Auntie Mary, was there wiping her tears away and holding her hand. I'm happy that we were able to spend some time with her even if it was only for a little while.

The family unit for the Chamorro's is smiliar to the Filipinos. We've got alot of extended family. Everyone seems to be your "aunt" or "uncle". I love how we value family and are there when we really need each other. At least that is what my family is like.

I took a breather . . . and watched the sunset behind the Aquarius Hotel to close out the Sabbath.



The sunsets are my best part of my everyday and are reminders that God wants me to be happy no matter what I decide about . . .

Tuesday Round up

This is my lazy version of blogging bullets style! Sorry for the lack of posts but I've been busy!

• I’ve moved! This past weekend Rosana helped me move my stuff to my new apartment. I won’t say exactly where it is because that wouldn’t be safe. I’ll just say that it is close enough for me to go running in the morning on Beach Road and its close to work =) I’m excited that I’ve got a washer/dryer in my apartment so that means no more laundry drop off for me. The bonus is that I have an oven! I moved the majority of my stuff over but I am still living out of two apartments. I should be settled at the end of this month. I’ll post pictures of my cute, cozy place later.

• We tried to dive Wing Beach this past Sunday but the waves were massive. I think the window of opportunity has closed. Boo who! So instead we dove Objyan East with the Piersons and the James on Sunday morning. Visibility was poor and water kept leaking into my new mask. I was clearing my mask all morning and messing with my hair making sure nothing was caught in my mask. My eyes were stinging from the salt water. I just wasn’t feeling it on Sunday. I didn’t even see a turtle but Crystal did.

• On Sabbath four small groups of church members headed out to Kagman for our weekly outreach. The SDA Church is getting ready for our evangelistic series in October. Two ladies, sister Betty and sister Hatsuko, attended the Bible Worker Seminar in Guam this past June and are here to help with the groundwork. We walked the streets Sabbath afternoon of Kagman visiting with the locals to offer prayers and bible study. For the most part the residents were receptive to what we had to say and said that they would come. Now I know what it feels like to be a Mormon or Jehovanah’s witness that goes door to door. Probably the worst things about going door to door are the stray dogs that chase you. Praying for our outreach ministry here in Saipan.

• News on soccer. So our team “Guns and Roses” or “Taya Talent” – nothing talent is undefeated! We haven’t lost yet NOR have we even really won! Ha! We tied both games so far! I played middle right back for the first time today and actually liked running up and down the field instead of just defending. I think I’ll take soccer a little more seriously and who knows . . . if I’m good I’ll try and join the women’s soccer league.

Photo Credit: Bree Reynolds

• Still waiting for my new camera (sigh)

• My best friend ,Michelle , is engaged and is in the process of picking out our bridesmaid dresses. I’ll post a couple of pictures of some dress choices for us to wear and you could help me chose which one would look best. The Wedding is in May 08. Congrats Miche! xoxo


• EJ and I are planning a trip to Australia and New Zealand in January!

Phew, I think I caught up.