Its been an adventure

Graduation weekend and my time in Chuuk seems like such a long time ago now, but there is one final chapter from this story that I still have to write, so ergo - here we go!
One thing that is incredible about Chuuk SDA School is now the teachers can come together and make things happen. At the beginning of the year I was absolutely terrified when I learned that I would be the one to plan the entire graduation for my high school seniors. I thought to myself: This is too much! I don't know how to plan something this big! And, more than once: I have NO idea what I'm doing. But over time, as I continued to try to figure out exactly what to do, I was blown away by the support system that I had - the teachers that I had been learning to work with.
They knew what to do, who to talk to, and how to make a program that would go smoothly. And though I was still overly stressed and worried way too much, their confidence and knowledge inspired me to get things done. The initial 8th grade adviser and I had decided to combine the 8th grade and 12th grade graduation as an experiment this year, and so I had the opportunity to have somebody else to work with and shoulder the weight.
So here's to you, my fellow SDA teachers and SM's: You all are the best - I couldn't have done it without you! Thanks for being a constant inspiration for me!

A few 8th graders

My seniors <3

Graduation went well. There were the expected hiccups and ultra-late arrivals, but everybody got diplomas and random awards, and so I'd say it was a roaring success. We were able to come up with some of our own awards, and so I gave out quite a few, including a Gentleman's Award and a Miss Congeniality Award. Fun stuff, that! One thing that was great about planning a graduation was that I finally figured out how to correctly spell and pronounce Baccalaureate!
The small successes, haha!

Anyways, the teachers, my seniors, some church members, and the local workers all came together to give the church a new coat of paint, weave ferns and make flower decorations, and finalize speeches. Public speaking isn't many people's good friend, and I'm proud of the many students who gave their speeches during graduation - thanks for making eye contact! :) Soon enough, the graduates had moved their tassels, the reception was finished, and I was free to spend the last few hours of my birthday in bliss.

Last view of Chuuk

The next week was spent cleaning and organizing my teaching materials, heading to Lei-Side for a last hurrah, and packing up to go HOME! On May 29 I headed over to Kosrae for a few last days of island life, and then on June 1 we said our final goodbyes and were on our way home - back to dry heat, Wal-mart, and an endless supply of vegetables.
There was a part of me that thought that I might get some sleep during the 24 hour trip home, but that wasn't to be the case! As the island hopper made its way from Pohnpei to Honolulu, more and more SM's climbed aboard, and it was great to be able to start exchanging stories. We reached Hawaii, and my layover was spent going through customs, collecting my luggage, and checking everything back in again. On the flight from Honolulu though, we ran into a tiny hiccup. About an hour into the flight a voice came over the speakers asking if there was a paramedic or doctor on-board, and if they could identify themselves. A middle-aged gentleman seemed to be having difficulty breathing, and we ended up turning the plane around and heading back to Hawaii. We taxied to the gate, and after another 45 minutes or so we were back in the air. Most of the SM's I talked to during that time also took it in stride - the "it's chill" attitude was still very present. Thankfully, I wasn't met with any difficulties with catching my flight, and was even able to grab a bite to eat before climbing aboard the tiny plane on my last leg to home.

And... It's so GOOD to be home! A few close friends from WWU and my church had come to meet me at the airport, and that was so exciting. :) In Kosrae the girls and some local ladies had made some breadfruit chips, so I was able to share those with everybody and get some great reactions, haha!
The last few weeks I've spent catching up with friends and family, and doing so many of the things that I had so missed! Being jet lagged lasted for a bit over a week and I'm still getting cold in air conditioning... but I've had VEGETABLES and more salads in these two weeks than I had in the 10 months that I was gone.
Though my time in Chuuk was challenging, it was so rewarding as well! I'm glad that I went, and I pray that many more students are inspired to go to the islands next year - since they are in desperate need of teachers. (hint, hint.)

So here I am, at the end of my journey - and it's been an adventure. I am so thankful for all who have supported me throughout this past year in your prayers, or by sending me packages or words of encouragement.

There's only one thing left to say: Kinisou chapur. Thank-you very much to the islands that gave me a new perspective, taught me so much about life and how to be strong, gave me the courage to depend on others, and gave me the faith to put my trust in the God that never fails me.

Dancing down the homestretch

Seniors: Annette, Sharlyn, and Minako

Although my days as a student missionary in Chuuk are winding down, these last few days have felt like anything but that. The list of details for graduation that Russell (the 8^th grade advisor) and I have to make sure are in place keeps getting longer, and every other hour my emotions swing from being confident that this graduation will go off without a hitch, to the other extreme – that one too many things will go wrong and I’ll just end up being embarrassed. There are certificates to be printed, gowns to be ironed, and reception tickets to be finalized by the parents. Communication in Chuuk has something to be desired; when I call a student’s house I rarely get an answer, and I wonder if a few of the parents have even received one letter that I've sent home this year. Ergo, my frazzled emotions… recently I've felt like I’m not good enough for the job – and that I’m not doing enough.

His power is made perfect in weakness – 2 Corinthians 12:9

I have that verse written in the front of my Bible, a constant reminder that I’m just a prayer away from Someone who can work through my weaknesses and shortcomings. I’m a firm believer that God has his hand in everything we do, and so many times He has worked despite my lack of qualifications; He’s helped a program or class run smoothly, brought a surprising answer to a prayer, and given me strength to face each new day.

There've been times this year when things have been bleak. I've been lonely, frustrated, and more lost then I’d like to admit. But He’s been there, helping me along the way and exposing me to the flaws in my character. From that, I've been able to grow in my faith, make ‘adjustments as needed,’ and learned to trust in His plans.

More and more my thoughts are turning to home. Excited doesn't even begin to cover how I feel about being back in Washington again in a couple weeks! I can’t wait to…

be reunited with friends and family

I'll miss seeing neat ocean critters,
like this cute puffer fish

eat fresh raspberries, cherries, and strawberries

exchange stories late into the night

have a destination when I go running

hear my favorite pastors preach

drive on smooth roads

eat pie at midnight at Sheri’s

have movie nights

take hot showers

smell sagebrush and pine trees

eat vegetables. lots of veggies

be back on the other side of the desk

go on dates

hear new music

go backpacking

Chuuk has been… in a word, different. An adventure for sure – this island’s culture and this school are vastly unlike anything else I've experienced, and so many times we have just had to glance at each other and say: “This is Chuuk.” I know that this year has shaped me, and though many times I've questioned the wisdom of God calling me from Kosrae to Chuuk, I know that I've been blessed by taking that leap of faith and trusting Him to catch me.

The days on the calendar are being crossed off and as our commencement ceremony on May 26^th gets closer and closer, I’m looking forward to calling out my senior’s names as they walk across the stage and receive their diplomas, and I just hope that I’ll be able to keep my emotions in check. They just look so good in their caps and gowns! I’m proud of my seniors for the things that they have accomplished in the last 12 years, and for the goals and dreams that I pray they’ll achieve. My time with these ten teenagers and the rest of the students here has been brief, but I know I’ll soon miss them and their diverse personalities: Minako's steadiness, Defitson's quirky humor, and Sheila’s loyalty.

Defitson, Jake, Madision, Alberton,
Praise, and Motoky

The people I've met here are lovely, and I’m going to miss…

the giving nature of the Chuukese

island sunsets

my sweet Filipino roommates

having a beach right down the street

the fourth graders

massages with my roommate

fresh coconuts

the hormonal weather

hearing “What’s happeninggg? What are you doinggg?”

I won’t miss those huge brown spiders. They’re scary. And fast. That’s a terrible combination.

Through all the good days, and despite the exhausting days, spending a year as an SM was one of the best decisions I've made, and I’d encourage those of you who are thinking about it to just do it! Go!

It’s going to be a shock to jump back into my busy American life, but I’ll be bringing home my ukulele, probably some stowaway cockroaches and ants, and a lifetimes worth of stories and memories from these ten short months to tide me over. I know that when things get hectic and I long for the slow lifestyle of these islands, I’ll be able to close my eyes and smell the salt of the ocean, feel the sand between my toes, hear my students singing, and recall my time in the tropics as the chorus of my mind sings “You did it, well done.”

I'll treasure every memory I have
with these wonderful girls!

I had three spiders that lived inches away
from my head as I slept for most of the
year, but this guy freaks me out...

Making pyramids
during Bible Retreat.

Little extra protein

When I first got to Kosrae, I had an unfortunate experience with finding bugs in my oatmeal. Tiny brown things, barely noticeable, but enough to make me just toss the meal away and look for other options.
My how things have changed.
A couple days ago I decided to have oatmeal for breakfast, and after pouring some into a bowl I realized that once again I had company. The little bugs ran around my oats, only halfheartedly looking for a place to hid and doubting that I would proceed with my meal... but they should have known better. Because things like that don't bother me anymore, and what's a little extra protein?

Think I might have oatmeal again today.

A storm with a name

4/3/15

Typhoon!!! I've always wondered what it would be like to experience a storm so big it deserved a name, and now I can say that I have. Chuuk had been experiencing a bit of a dry spell when the principal came to our door late Saturday night and told us that there had been a typhoon warning put out. With a growing tropical storm headed my way, I began to feel a bit nervous… images of the destruction caused by different typhoons and hurricanes filled my mind as I tried to get to sleep.

During the night the winds of Typhoon Maysak grew stronger and stronger, buffeting the windows and howling through the trees, and sleep didn't come easily. A gray sunrise welcomed in the next morning, and it felt like the morning of doomsday – there was that feeling of the peace before the storm in the eerie wind. Kind of creepy! The power was out, along with the internet, and so we pulled out the propane stoves for breakfast as the winds grew ever stronger. 

It was about 11 o’clock when the main force of the typhoon arrived, and for a bit it was exciting. Some of us gathered up on the porch of our apartment to document the adventure. Before the internet went out, I had read online that the winds of Maysak were expected to reach speeds of 74 MPH, and I didn't doubt that possibility. The winds threw the raindrops into our eyes, and bits of broken leaves and coconut fronds flew through the air. The rain fell in torrents, and quickly overcame the draining system. Parts of the school property were soon flooded and filthy water poured into the lower classrooms. Some of our neighbors came over to wait out the storm in one of the classrooms, since their home wasn't very storm-worthy, which is the case with most of the homes here. Mecha and I headed over to the high school building to get a different view, and before she made the dash up the stairs to join me there was the sound of crashing and scraping and a couple screams as she narrowly dodged a flying piece of roofing as long as a middle school student. These typhoon winds were no joke! The storm became a little less exciting then. At the corner of the building is where the full force of the winds could be felt, and so I was only there for a little bit, but it was SO strong! My voice was futile against the winds, and my clothes were plastered to my skin. Coconut trees bent almost in half, rooftops were torn from houses, and the waves were all white-capped. I noticed that the Odyssey, a luxury diving ship, had be moved from Blue Lagoon in hopes to protect it but was being tossed like a toy boat in the waves. Later I learned that it and four other large ships had been wrecked during the typhoon. I could see the gusts of wind, and quickly headed back to the guy’s apartment where all the teachers were joining together for songs and prayer.

The worst of the typhoon lasted until around 6 o’clock that night, and we worried for our neighbors, Yap, and the Philippines as Typhoon Maysak continued on its way there, pulling up more water and gaining strength. But the storm wasn't over, and rain and fierce winds continued to buffet Chuuk for the next couple days. There were five fatalities, and the destruction was awful. I made it to town on Thursday, and it was still a mess – many houses were roofless, some even completely demolished, and trash was everywhere. On Paata, one of the outer islands, there was only one house that remained standing. The power lines and poles that the construction workers had been putting in were floored, and we still don’t have internet or power on this side of the island, so we've been using a generator to for a couple hours at mealtime. Which sort of fulfills my curiosity about what it’d be like to experience a long power outage; except for we have a generator so this doesn't really count. These last couple days we haven’t been doing a lot after cleaning up the school campus, and we ended up having a week-long spring break (though it would have been nicer to have a break without so much heartache and destruction).

4/6/2015

We had our first day back today, and with no surprise many of the students didn't show up. Many of their homes have suffered a lot of damage, and they stayed behind to help rebuild or watch younger siblings. A couple days after Maysak went through principal told us that there was a tsunami warning that had been put out, but that warning was retracted (Actually the exact wording he received was that the tsunami had been 'canceled,' which I didn't know was a thing, haha)... and the another typhoon they were saying might come hasn't, so we're thankful for that! 

So anyways, that’s just a little bit of what Typhoon Maysak was like, and I’d like to ask for your continued prayers for all the people affected by the storm. And hey, now I can say that I have gone through a typhoon, and survived!!

3.14

To make today wonderful (and to celebrate pi day), we had pumpkin pie for breakfast.

Win. 

Now you know, so make your day awesome and go get some pie. :)

Unwelcome shower buddy

There are a lot of random critters that I'm learning to tolerate living with while in Chuuk... like rats, cockroaches, termites, and a couple armies of ants. The termites burrow around and leave their little "turdlets" in the corners and all over the floor, which then stick to our shoes and get carried around the apartment. The potential colony queens come in mad rushes and fill the air and cover the counters with their annoying little bodies. They flock in droves to the light bulbs in the bathroom, and if they hit the light they are stunned and drop down onto you - and dive bombing termites isn't a pleasant experience. Also, they are very delicate and weak (their wings seem to fall off if you just look at them), and if they get caught in a drop of water they instantly are stuck and will give up all hope.

you chose this path

The cockroaches are like that too... we've found that the most effective roach trap is to just leave a dish out to soak and those suicidal little fiends will just jump right in!

Rats live in our walls and in the roof, and we can hear them running around there and through our dishes at night. We removed the disgusting couch that was in our apartment and found inside that a rat had gone through our trash and taken the nastiest stuff back to his nest. Eww! And there's also a nice family of rat living in the high school building. I wish they would leave. They ate my  chemistry class's paper mache models of the cell and I'm still bitter.

But the most recent critter that I've come in contact with was one of the worst. For me at least. I was minding my own business in the cold shower when a centipede decided to come join me, and it was more than half way up my leg when I finally felt its grabby little appendages. EEP! I did a jump-twist and flung the offender onto the floor. It was as long as my pinky and its black body twisted and contorted in the water as it tried to climb the wall... I stayed as far as I could in our tiny shower. I really don't like centipedes. Maybe it's the multitude of tiny legs that throws me off, or the freaky way they walk though dirt, or their unnerving butt antennae, whatever it is, ICK I don't like those things, and eww nasty GROSS it was on me. Anyways, I didn't want to squish him and get all those leg pieces all over, so I turned on the water and pushed him over to the drain with a soap dish (sorry Mecha!!), and it committed suicide all by itself. Ha. But I did spend the rest of my shower worrying that he would somehow crawl back up the drain and exact revenge. I don't feel bad. Not in the very least. Mawahaha!

Light

I had to stop teaching 4th grade science a couple weeks ago.

And it's sad, and partially my fault. I wanted to teach fewer science classes so I could concentrate more on the remaining classes, so the principal gave that class to one of the new teachers and gave me an English class. But I wasn't expecting to lose that class. I love those kids! They keep coming up to me, asking when I'm going to come back and why I had to leave - and it's breaking my heart. Sometimes I'll wander into their classroom at random times of the day, and other times when I walk by I have to look the other way because I miss them all so much. One thing that never failed to brighten my day was that class after lunch - these 4th graders have a thirst for knowledge that wakes me up, and that I hope stays with them all through the rest of their schooling.
I miss walking into their classroom to find that they've arranged themselves into a pyramid, which is threatening to collapse because of their body-shaking laughter.
I miss when they beg for me to sing the Star-spangled Banner, and tell me to just close my eyes and pretend that I'm in CenturyLink Field. Like that makes singing in front of people any easier.
I miss when they try to convince me that Gina is absent when really she's hiding in a cupboard again - or under a blanket on the filing cabinet... the twinkle in their eyes always gives them away.
It's amazing how much space in my heart this class has taken.

My days are missing a bit of light.