20 Years

It was 20 years ago that I first stepped off the plane and felt the humidity of paradise slap me in the face. 

I remember seeing the airport (the picture above) for the first time.  (However, I landed in the dark so it wasn't as bright as this.)  Never in my wildest imagination that a journey twenty years ago would have brought to not only return to the island, but to live.  I just keep coming back, and I am oh so grateful that I have been blessed with the opportunity to serve in paradise.

Paradise.  It took me less than 3 hours to find my way to this view after landing in Saipan. 

What I found most special is that God blessed me on this 20th Anniversary year with one of my favorite island views that I don't get every trip--a full moon.  I love driving down the hill to Kagman and seeing the moon reflect on the water. Or driving on to Tank Beach and seeing the reflection.  (Though maybe driving there late at night...by myself...late at night...down a boonie road...late at night might not have been the smartest move on my list of adventures.  What's even worse, I considered that it wasn't smart and did it anyway because it's my favorite.  I did pray that God would protect me in my stupidity.  However, I'm pretty sure that is not how prayer is intended. But I am grateful that no one kidnapped me nor did my car didn't break down!)

Micronesia District Assembly New & Old Friends

I really enjoyed getting to be in-person at our District Assembly for the first time since 2008.  (I wonder if the school would let me do this every year? 😂 You're right...it's too soon.)

Over the assembly days, I consumed at least 4 million calories per day eating 3 large meals.  (I knew this would happen, so I prepared myself by practicing the word "NO!"  But when it was island food of red rice...spam fried rice...lumpia...I just didn't have it it me to say anything but "Seconds?"  

The three days were full of meetings, but also we had an amazing church service which included the installation of the new Guam pastor.  Before the service started, these three younger boys saw me. Their face lit up and they ran over and me and enveloped me in a giant bear hug. I thought they were happy to see me.  But then they said, "Miss! It's already time for VBS!?"  (They had a rude awakening the next day when they had to go to school and not VBS.) I love the picture of the worship team.  Almost ever single one of them I have known since they were little kids.  I love seeing how they have grown up and serve the Lord!

Sunday night was a fancy meal at a restaurant (and another group picture).  

Monday, everyone got to experience a good Guam tourist beach after a nice hearty Wendy's breakfast.  (If you have been a reader for years, I refer to this beach as Ben's Beach.  I've logged many of ocean minutes in that water and on that sand.)

On Monday evening, we met one of the first Bible college students in Baguio (Philippines).  She is 91 years old and took us to dinner!  Her husband was martyred in the Philippines.   She is such a sweet lady. 

I'm sad the meetings and time of fellowship has ended, but that means one thing...SAIPAN!

Here's a drop of random pictures from the three days in Guam with my new and old friends.

Inarajan Pools

In south Guam, there's a natural swimming pool in the town of Inarajan (pronounced: in-a-raw-hawn).  I haven't been swimming here since the remodel.  The "pool" has been there for years as has the diving platform. But a few years ago, they added stairs in and out (YES!), a railing around it, and painted everything to look nice.  

There is a hiking trail to the top of one of the rock cliffs.  It has a great view of the pool as well as a great view at the ocean!

And the brave lady jumping is the new pastor in Saipan's daughter. She is very brave!

None of us adults got to swim as we were headed for a fancy dinner.  But I tell myself each year that I'm going to go swimming there now that it is remodeled.  Maybe this is the year!

Talofofo Falls--most random place on island

 From the sounds of my title, you are probably thinking, "why is a waterfall random on a tropical island."  You see--it's not just a waterfall.  Here's what Talofofo Falls has to offer besides the most beautiful  waterfall in the middle of the island.

• It offers a cable car to take you to the falls--the only one in Micronesia.
  
  
  
  
  
  
• There's Shoichi Yokoi's cave--the Japanese soldier that missed the memo that WWII ended and hid in the Guam jungle for 29ish years. 
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The ghost house--a haunted house--year round--underneath the cable car entrance. (If you could see behind Perry, I'm sure there is something creepy. I would like to add, I did not like.)
  
  
  
• Loveland Garden--I didn't take this trail. It's "adults only."  But it appears it's full of white naked statues. (Sorry, no naked statue pics.)
• A small carnival--bumper cars, teacups, swing, and a train that didn't work.  

There are several different levels of the falls.  Here are a couple of pics of Perry and I as well as a video of the cable car ride. (Video credit goes to Saipan teen--I'm not that good.)

Here's a link to the last time I went to Talofofo Falls in 2012.  

Talofofo Falls 2012

Momentum Matters

On Saturday night, we had a joint youth even with the Guam and Saipan teens.  Even though there were only two visiting teens from Saipan, it was still lots of fun (and I hope meaningful).  

We played games, had prayer and reflection stations, sang songs, and had a message about gaining spiritual momentum through prayer, reading the Bible, and community 

And of course, I made time for getting my hair braided!

Why am I here?

I know what you're thinking....why is Laura and Perry on the islands in the middle of the school year? So.....

The Church of the Nazarene has annual meetings each year for each District.  When I lived on the islands regularly, I attended for 4 years.  Then for the last few years, I have attended again--via Zoom.  Even on the years I didn't attend, I was still required to give a report which someone else has to present.

There are several reasons why I wanted to come this year. But in the end, I was asked to fill a need at assembly...AND...I got a half-off miles special on Cyber Monday. :)  So Perry and I have a very full schedule of church activities, beach, and I will be working with two bands on Saipan!

I got off the plane at 7pm on Friday.  I went to work at 5am on Saturday morning.  My role for District Assembly was to be the District Secretary. So not only did I have to go to meetings--I had to pay attention! After a couple hours of preparation, I joined the group at 8am for breakfast. THERE WAS SPAM FRIED RICE! I was so happy. :)  We kicked off with meetings, worship, and workshops at 9am and I ended at 9pm.  (These meetings went until 3:30pm. Then I had a youth event that started at 4:30pm.)

In the end, I remained awake and alert.  Every time I was asked to read back a motion with amendments, I could do so.  (However, in a few days when I go back to the minutes, they may all be in Pig Latin!)

Note: There is a really good group picture of those attending the meetings that I don't yet have. When I get it, I will be posting as well. 

(PS. Perry did not attend the meetings. He got to sleep in all day.  Lazy bum.) 

Halfway to Hawaii

I forgot to share the best part of my travel!

United Airlines has a little game they have been playing for 10ish years called Halfway to Hawaii. Once airborne, you are given the time you departed, miles between Houston and Honolulu, your speed, and the speed of headwind/tailwind.  Then you are to try to determine the exact moment (hour--minutes--seconds) that you will reach the halfway point to Hawaii.   (Now it is a little tricky because you don't always keep the exact speed...and headwind/tailwinds can change...so it's a bit of a guessing game.)

For the second time, I won!  I'm not even sure if I have played since I won the last time.  My prize--one of the Polaris (Business Class) gel pillows.  I actually love these pillows and had already lamented flying in the back meant I didn't get a good pillow.  (After I won, I learned that flying in the front would haven't helped either. They don't have them on the Hawaii legs in business class. But guess who has one in the back...ME! Or by the looks of this picture...Perry.)

Here's a link to my win 10 years ago. :)

Halfway to Hawaii 2013