Saipan Community Church

I really love our church, Saipan Community. I feel like Brian and I are part of a family there, and it makes me look forward to going each week.  The pastors at SCS are so genuine, and really care about each person in the congregation.  Also, I love to stand and worship while the ocean breeze is coming in through the sides of the church.  

Yesterday, we sang my very favorite song in church and I wanted to share the words here:

The Name of Jesus

by Chris Tomlin

The name of Jesus is a refuge
A shelter from the storm, a help to those who call
The name of Jesus is a fortress
A saving place to run, a hope unshakeable

When we fall You are the Savior, when we call You are the answer
There is power in Your name, there is power in Your name

In the name of Jesus
There is life and healing
Chains are broken in Your name
Every knee will bow down and our heats will cry out
Songs of freedom in Your name, oh, in Your name

Bring salvation, bring Your Kingdom
Let all that You have made bring glory to Your name
When we fall you are the Savior, when we call You are the answer
There is power in Your name, there is power in Your name

birthday!

My man turned 30 this month!  Here's the whole day in pictures.

Brian's birthday started off at church on Sunday morning, when Bobby Winkfield, the principal of Saipan Community School, had the whole congregation sing happy birthday to Brian during the opening announcements!

Here's the cutest-baby-ever James Van Dam, with my friend Kara on the left and his momma Jackie on the right.

After church, hanging out with Nate, Will, and Jake, who just came back from an early morning spear-fishing trip.

... and onto birthday lunch!  Brian chose Spicy Thai, and we invited a bunch of our friends to come along.  Above is panang curry yum yum yum.

It was such a fun bday lunch- great food and great friends!

Next, I took Brian and Sam to Pau Pau beach for the afternoon.

Sammie's favorite thing in the entire world is her frisbee. Obsessed.

Cracking up from the large amount of sand Sam was shaking from her tongue.

These two love the beach!

Later we went home and I made Brian's favorite dinner: Chicken Parmesan Bundles from Kraft Foods.

I made this meal for him a looong time ago in Oklahoma City when we were engaged and it's been his very favorite ever since.

Sitting outside and enjoying the beautiful Saipan sunset.

I love keeping birthday secrets from Brian and surprising him and spoiling him.  I'm happy to be in Saipan with my love.

God is my strength and comfort

My heart trusts in Him and I am helped. -Psalm 28:7

I've been reading through the book of Isaiah lately and have underlined or put big stars by these ones:

"In the Lord alone are righteousness and strength". -Isaiah 45:24  

This verse is so simple but strong, and reminds me that I can only find perfect peace and contentment in God.  When I spend my time seeking God, I'm spending it in the very best way.

"Even in your old age and gray hairs, I am he, I am he who will sustain you.  I have made you and I will carry you.  I will sustain you and I will rescue you." -Isaiah 46:4
This is a promise from my God who is good, and who is kind and loving.  I want to spend the rest of my days seeking Him and learning about His love.

What I'm learning

I've been reading a devotional lately that that been teaching me a lot about the character of Jesus.

It takes a passage of Scripture each day and guides you through reading the passage (usually more than once), journaling about it, meditating on it while you pray, and sometimes even picturing yourself in the story to get a new perspective on it.

Part of yesterday's passage was:

"A man with leprosy came and knelt before him and said, 'Lord, if you are willing, you can make me clean.'

Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' he said. 'Be clean!'"

(Matthew 8:1-3)

Jesus' character is willing to help me when I ask him. Jesus' character is loving and giving.

In my life right now, I am asking God for peace because I feel like there are so many unknowns coming up in the near future. I am asking to be closer to Him. I'm asking Him to be the solid, safe place that I can go to when everything else is up in the air, stressful, or unknown. This passage reminds me that he is willing help me when I ask Him.

Best little pup pup

Flame trees up at Saipan's Suicide Cliff War Memorial