It's a New Year

Jan. 7/2018
A New Year, I've never been one for New Year resolutions, but I do think it's good to go back and look at the 2017 year, the good, the not so good and what I can take from it and what I can learn and what I really want to forget. To look at 2018 and what I want and need to accomplish in regards to personal and spiritual growth.
Life is good, and at most times it's even great, we are so blessed to have so much and to live in a place that has so much to offer.
My heart was saddened this past week with the passing of our dear prophet Thomas S Monson, but rejoiced in the knowledge of his reunion with his eternal companion, Frances. It was quite thought provoking for me to read that not only would he be reunited with his beautiful wife but with prophets that had gone on before him. What an amazing reunion that would be.
Well, this week has been a bit quiet. Samoans start the holidays around the 22 and don't come back to work till around the second week of January. I don't mean just some, I mean all, the whole island. Children are on summer holidays, family travel to other islands, many go to New Zealand and they do not work. They enjoy their family time, eating and playing a lot of volleyball. They include all, everyone in their villages. I don't think there are any inside playing video games or watching TV.  I find it very refreshing here that people are so relaxed and so accepting. I love the flowers here they seem to grow everywhere and are large and colorful. The women always have them in their hair and can just go pick one anywhere.
I think Scott and I are ready to get going on some of our projects and finish a couple that need to be wrapped up. You know Scott, this has already been quite a lesson on patience. Everything truly on this island is hurry up and wait, no hurry up just wait. When they said this is where Island time was invented it's true. I know in a few weeks I'll be saying we need more hours in a day. We do have a water project to get finished, 25-3000 liter tanks are in the process of being shipped to Savai'i hopefully this week. It's important to get these tanks set up during the rainy season, which goes from November to April. On Tuesday we have desks and bookshelves to go to a primary school. Many of the students sit on the floor so to sit at a desk is a real luxury.
This past week we went to a beach called Return to Paradise, named after a movie that was shot here in Samoa with Roberta Haynes and Gary Cooper.  It was another beautiful beach with very few people on it.
We are enjoying our time here but miss the family, friends and GRANDKIDS. We love the pictures we get (Thank you Esther), but it does pull at the heart strings. We already see changes in them and can't imagine all the changes in 17 more months. We do know that this is where we are to be at this time and know that our family will be watched over and blessed. We love you all and are truly grateful for your support in so many ways.  Scott sends a great letter home every week and if anyone wishes to be on the list send him an email to scottcameronnrg@gmail.com
"Everything you are learning now is preparing you for something else."
Love you all,
Pam (Sister Cameron)

Pineapple from our yard

Return to Paradise beach