more pictures from the break

Krista holding the crocodile Nelson caught at Ngemelis. We spotted it on Sabbath afternoon while poling around the island in a wooden canoe. Nelson went and speared/caught it on Sunday. The croc went home on the boat with us. They said it was going to be a pet, but they didn't deny it when we asked if they were going to eat it. I don't know what it's fate was...

Marianne, Dinah, Krista, and me.

Almost all of us slept in hammocks at Ngemelis, since it was cooler. It also had the added bonus of no rats scurrying around under your bed. They were a pain to set up, however, since all we had was bad rope to hang them with and you can't set them up under coconut trees (for obvious reasons).

En route to Ngemelis. It looks sunny, but it was downpouring most of the way there. So much for basking in the sun on Christmas Day.

Krista's first experience with taro.

Ice pops, my favorite Palauan dessert. Krista loved them, too.

Stephi, Krista, and I at the waterfall. We had a blast. (by the way, our attire is not Palau-approved. There was no one around, so we decided to seize the opportunity).

Sunrise at North Beach.

Krista and Marianne

Krista and I at one of the few Rock Islands with a beach.

SDA staff at the Christmas program.

School is now back in session, and my kids are the same as ever, although they look a little older and taller somehow. My kids decided last week that Mexicans eat grasshoppers and honeymoons are when you get pregnant. They certainly are creative. We did a science activity on Tuesday that involved making water fountains. I asked them what they thought we were going to use all the water for, and Jerome asked if we were going to pretend to be plants and dump it on our heads.
In other news, we are not getting any more SMs as of yet. A Palauan teacher is filling in for Daniel (Mr. Snyder) and Tanner is moving from 1st to 8th grade since Mrs. Kathleen is off of maternity leave. We are still praying for a PE teacher, since we all hate teaching our kids PE.

Yesterday we all went to Airai View, a hotel with a small waterpark, for Erinn's birthday. We all had a ton of fun, and I think it is the longest amount of time we've had together as a group since the beginning of the year. After cleaning up, we went to PPR (Palau Pacific Resort) for supper. One of the well-to-do church members offered to pay for our meal, and we also got to see Polynesian dancing. It was a wonderful day.
Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers.