2 Quarters = 1 Semester

Similar to my journaling habits, my blogging commitments fall through sometimes! As of today, we finished the first semester at Palau Seventh-day Adventist Elementary School. I taught P.E to 1st-4th graders for one quarter and was an 8th grade homeroom and 7th and 8th grade reading teacher for the second.

Before I signed up for a job in Palau, I was sure that I did not want to "deal with" 7th and 8th graders—"They're dramatic pre-teens who think they know it all." But wow was I wrong! I have never loved kids so much, never connected with them like this. Because of the culture and experiences they have grown up with, their maturity level is much higher than an average 13- or 14-year-old.

My kids joke around with me, wrestle with me, cry to me, ask me for advice and one's even begging to join me in the States next year and attend high school in Lincoln, Nebraska. They are so curious about celebrities, right and wrong, boys/girls and most importantly, they have a huge curiosity about God, Heaven, Satan and how to be who they should be. I know why I am here, but I still feel so ill-equipped for the position. I am responsible for showing these young people what Jesus would do. I am responsible for showing them His love! And I find myself falling short daily.

Please remember me in your prayers. Remember my kids in your prayers! Pray that God will fill me with the knowledge to show and tell them who He is and how much He loves them. Pray that they listen!

Whipped cream fight with all the 8th graders.

7th graders did a project on s'mores.

Samples were a must.

Friday lunch out with our girls.

A Washington pathfinder group donated hundreds of dollars worth of new

sports equipment to the high school.

Us SMs took advantage of it one Saturday night.

{I'm in red, on the right side.}

7th grader in a box.

Why? I don't know...

I made them all Christmas hats.

They actually enjoy my retarded ideas sometimes!

8th grade bake sale fundraiser at the Christmas program.

Jordan's mum sent us all Christmas hats so we had a photoshoot

on the roof of the tallest building in Palau.

{Notice we got to wear TANK TOPS 'cause no one could see us!}

{I'm in red in the front.}

18/24 of the 8th graders!

Playing bippity-bippity-bop with my babies.

Gangsta with my kiddos.

{From left: Kira, Adrie and Balang}

Before my class' white elephant gift exchange.

{Notice the awesome tree I made in the background!}

My girls came to my apartment with very personalized Christmas presents!

Meant SO much to me! :-)

I was very blessed to be able to travel over Christmas break. I spent six days in Manila, Philippines then flew on to Bangkok, Thailand for eight days. It was an incredible experience! Here are some photos of that too.

At Enchanted Kingdom, an amusement park outside of Manila.

{Cedric Johnson, Jordan Timothy and myself}

At a Buddhist temple in Bankok, Thailand.

{Jacob Davis, Jordan Timothy, myself and Cedric Johnson}

Temple of the Dawn.

BEST part of the trip!

Got to pet, feed, play with and get bit by a 4-month-old tiger!

At temple ruins.