Naiomi Graduates 8th Grade!

Our eldest Chimichanga (Granddaughter) Naiomi graduated eighth grade last night. She was very beautiful and mature beyond her years as she came out in her cap and gown. Grandpa was very proud of her and got all teary-eyed.

We had a great Church service today, continuing our study in Genesis at chapters 20-21. Next week, we will be looking at Genesis 22, Abraham's final test. This chapter also presents the gospel...this surpises many who have never noticed (including me, at one point). More comments on that next week!

It was a busy time for Naiomi but she somehow found time to pose. Note her leis. There are many different types of leis and Annie created one with flowers and candy, and one with money (bills woven into creative flower-like shapes).

Naiomi and her Dad Jun and Mom Jackie, after the ceremony.

Saipan is the front door to Asia and there are people from many countries here, including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, the Philippines and China. Naiomi's class honored this rich heritage by presenting the flags of several of these countries. Here, she is carrying the flag of Japan. A student behind her can be seen carrying the Korean flag.

Naiomi and my beloved wife Annie (Nomi's Grandma) got a quick photo before the ceremony started.

May 21, 2006 Meeting. WELCOME RAYVAN!

Today, we welcomed the newest member of our group, Rayvan. Our cradle roll now numbers four.

Our area of study was Genesis 19 and we concluded the account of Lot. There are many important things taught in Genesis, sin and its effects being one of them. Although Lot was a righteous man, he allowed sin to compromise him when he moved to Sodom. Most Christians follow pretty much the same pattern that Lot did when we get into trouble with sin. Another important thing we see in Genesis is the love, faith and long-suffering of God. We see how He personally encouraged Cain not to sin. We see how long He strove with men before having to destroy them with the great flood. We see His unfailing faithfulness toward Abraham and his great mercy toward Lot and his family, in removing them from Sodom before its destruction.

Next Sunday: The child of promise is born! Genesis 20-21.

Rayvan brought his parents to Ray and Ann Margaret to Church today.

Where would this posting be without a photo of the weekly fun from our Saturday night Youth Fellowship? Our kids work hard to get everything ready and Lina found the night stand more convenient than a ladder, for cleaning. Dunno how she managed to squeeze into that teeny little space!

My sermons continue to keep 'em on the edge of their seats. Bob was especially attentive today.

May 15, 2006 Meeting Of The Saipan Outpost

We had a nice service today and presented gifts to all the Mothers in our congregation. The younger kids wanted to have a youth fellowship of their own, so we had them over last night. They wanted to make something to surprise their Mothers, so Annie brought out her considerable stash of stamping stuff and they made Mother's Day cards. I tried to get photos of all of them presenting their Moms with their special cards and got all the Moms but not all the kids.

They were so intense at stamping that they couldn't be bothered to look up and smile for pesky would-be photographers.

Rita gave her Mom Sally a big kiss, with her presentation.

.....so did William.

....as did Tysha and Joaquisha.

....yup, they all did. The shot of Devan kissing his Mom didn't turn out but this one was better anyways! Is he a ham or what?

Saipan Outpost Girls Camp-Out

Last week, Bea invited the girls of our youth fellowship over to her house for a backyard camp-out. They had a blast!

Someone got an artsy night shot of my youngest Chimichanga Kayla roasting marshmallows.

Bea before the "what was I thinking?" phase hit.

My wife Annie. Something isn't perfect in this tent and she aims to fix it.

May 8, 2006 Meeting of the Saipan Outpost

We had a great Church service today. 15 adults and 18 kids attended. We are using a chronological teaching of the Bible approach and have covered quite a bit of material since our first meeting.

Today's sermon covered God's appearance to Abraham and Sarah to announce that Isaac's birth would occur soon and Abraham's intercession for the the small number of righteous people of Sodom, as found in the 18th and 19th chapters of Genesis. The subject of intercessory prayer resulted in some discussion of prayer and I promised the congregation to bring a message about it soon.

All of our congregation now have Bibles and study the material at home. Several are reading ahead and Tisha shared with us today that she was very moved when she read the account of Abraham being willing to obey God by sacrificing Isaac, part of God's test found in Genesis 22.

After our fellowship meal, we had a beach outting.

The intervening time between the end of Sunday School and the serving of our fellowship meal is "go bonkers" time for the kids. Liberty used some of this time to get a ride on her brother R.J.'s back. She didn't even use a saddle!

Today is our oldest son's Birthday. After Church, Annie, Bea and the girls made a really nice Birthday dinner for Jun. Bea had enough self control not to eat the crab as it came out of the pot. Can't say as much for some of the other Cooks.

Our Nephew Evan and Niece Christine supplied the yummy spanner crabs that we all love so much. Thanks, guys!