Baptism of a Dear Friend and Former Student

Last Sunday, September 21st my good friend, Hozumi Redd was baptized in the ocean. It wasn't planned, but it was inspired. Two sisters, Abby and Emma Martinsen, decided to be baptized together. Their decision inspired Hozumi to take that step of faith. She wasn't sure if she should go ahead with it right then or wait until next week. But moments like this come to us and we must seize them or lose them. Hozumi did not want to waste another moment, so with Pastor Dickerman on her left and Pastor Abe on her right, they led her into the water where she was able to let go of the old life and emerge clean with a new one. We both know that situations in her life are still there and she needs to deal with them. But this step of faith is heading in the right direction. For all who read this I ask this from my heart....please lift up Hozumi and her husband, Bryan in prayer to God. He will hear the prayers of many and He will be their source of strength.

The Frustrations and Joys of Teaching and Learning

I love teaching 4th grade at Saipan Community School. I enjoy living in and working among so many different cultures. One of my biggest challenges, though, is trying to ensure that all of my students are learning. Several of them do not speak my language very well, so communication is difficult. SuYoung Kim in this photo is a good example of the frustrations some of my students must cope with on a daily basis. Before he can answer any questions on the Social Studies test, he must first translate the English words into his own language. I do not mind that some of my students use this in the classroom, but I do stress to them to read and write in English as much as possible. Since hearing and speaking English come easier than reading and writing English, I sometimes let them tell me verbally what they know about a concept. If they can explain to me verbally what something is or means, then I trust that knowledge is taking place.



The frustrations, however, melt away when
I look into the faces of my students and see their eagerness to learn.
Shirley Qian is one of my ESL students from China. Her spoken English is not too good at the moment, but she can understand me quite well. She is quick with a smile and a hug and I am so thankful to be her teacher.

Homeless Dogs In Need of a Home

A soccer buddy of mine asked me to pass some information along about some puppies on island that are in need of a good home. If you are interested in adopting a puppy or know of someone who is, then please contact PAWS for more information. I am sorry, but I do not know the phone number.

Hi. This is my very first blog. I have been wanting to try this for a while, but never got around to it until now. And now that I'm finally here, I don't know what to say. For a long time I have just been sitting at my computer staring at a blank screen wondering what to write. What are you supposed to write about in your first blog? I don't really know, so I just write what is coming into my head at this moment. It may be random....it may even make some sense from time to time, but it is "my world" and this is who I am.

I am many things, among them I am a daughter of Ruth and Alvin, a sister of Becky and Alvie, an aunt to Lisa, Michael, Hannah, and Oliva, a friend to many, and a believer in Jesus Christ as Savior.

My world at the moment is teaching 4th grade at Saipan Community School on the island of Saipan. I love my job and my school! The picture you see is of me wearing a mawr mawr on my head. It is a traditional head piece that is given to you upon your first arrival to Saipan. Usually the mawr mawr's are made of local fresh flowers, such as plumeria and hibiscus, but the one you see me wearing was made from various palm leaves and dried flowers. I think it is pretty....the mawr mawr that is. What do you think?