February 25/2018

 February 25/2018

Rain Rain Go Away, they need the rain but a reprieve would be nice, just long enough to get things cleaned up and dried out.

Scott and I spent some of the week travelling around the island. We did some site visits of schools needing furniture like desks, chairs, book shelves and library supplies. We would go to one school and they would be highest priority, we would then go to another school then they were highest priority. Some schools were hit hard by the cyclone, roofs and doors blown away, so much water damage. Many or most children especially in outer lying areas and villages sit on cement floors all day, but were so happy to see us and loved to talk and find out where we were from.

A song that came to mind as I was writing this was Count YOUR Many Blessings,

“When upon life billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings; Name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”

 Sometimes it’s hard to see the blessings when we feel we’re encircled by difficulties, but we have much to be thankful for. God gives us the lessons we need most, not always the ones we think we need.

So, here’s a great visual moment for you. The other night, Scott and I were at a R.S., Elders and High Priest activity. We were put into groups and I was the only woman in my group. We were doing a Minute to Win it challenge, the first challenge was a Kleenex type box with an opening on top and 6 ping pong balls in it, we were then told to tie the box around our waist or hips (are you starting to get the picture). Being the only female in the group they assumed this would be great for me to do, I did tell them I’m not Samoan (in case they hadn’t noticed) and can’t move my hips like they do here, but they were insistent. It was sad, not only did I lose miserably they never asked me to do another challenge. OH well my cupcakes were amazing, we all have our strengths and I’ll stick to mine.

The Red Cross made a visit to our office last week and needed help with hygiene kits, the number has risen a lot and with this last rain it will probably go up again. We are glad to be able to help and look forward to our relationship with them.

Caleb loved your joke, so funny and Rowen how brave are you? That picture from the Science center laying on a bed of nails, WOW. Callum, hockey is almost over, you scored some goals this year and now it’s almost time to put on your flippers and snorkelling mask. Naters, how was your skiing this winter, did you do some crazy tricks? I’m also wondering, all those questions you asked grampa and I for school, how did that go? I hope you got a great mark. Scott and Janelle, what an active family you are, I love the pictures on Instagram, swimming, skiing, sledding and a whole lot of laughing. You guys are always on the go. Emma G, how proud we are of you and your choices, you are amazing. Soccer has started, you endured through Bball now the real fun begins. Chaser how I miss your smile and infectious laughter and baby Rae, you are growing way too fast and changing by the minute. You all make us so proud and we are thankful for each one of you.

On the weekend we went to To-Sua ocean trench, it was beautiful. A wonderful place to take family and friends when you all come to visit. The gardens and swimming were amazing. You need to look this place up, too beautiful for words. Going down the ladder to the water was an experience in itself. We did have to leave early because of rain and ended getting back to some major flooding in Apia.

Scott and I are headed to Savaii this next week to do some site visits, a diabetes meeting and some follow up visits from past projects. It is a beautiful island, we haven’t been there since the cyclone so we will see how they fared and how things are over there.

I found a great quote while reading the other day, “Real charity is not something you give away, it is something you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes planted in your heart, you are never the same again.”

I love that, and I hope one-day charity will be planted deep in my heart. How we love and miss you all, we hope and pray that each one of you are happy, healthy and staying on the course. For you my Friend Donna “Stay on the Bus.”

Love to all,

Sister Cameron(Gramma)

Shake,Shake,Shake

To-Sua look out

To-Sua Trench

February 19/2018

February 19, 2018
Hello everyone, we’ve had a busy week here in Samoa. With the cyclone Gida leaving a path of destruction it has kept us busy. Scott and I were talking a few days ago about our meetings with Elder Fata (Area Seventy) when we first arrived here in Samoa and his concern about the ER containers and the need to get those organized and ready in case there was a disaster like a cyclone. We are thankful that we followed his inspiration and guidance in getting the containers ready for such a disaster as cyclone Gida. It was a lot of challenging work and many late nights but we’re sure glad it was done as the shovels, brooms, water filters, chain saws and other necessities were needed and used. There are still parts of the island without power and water and that leaves concerns about disease and other sicknesses. Scott and I spent Monday taking water and other supplies to our young missionaries that were unable to leave their places and were in need.
 We were able to arrange with the help of Elder Fata for this band called Culture Crew who were looking for a service project while over here to give a concert to help this young family whose home was hit hard by the cyclone.  Culture Crew came in and helped to remove so much garbage and debris, it was amazing to watch them work as hard as they did with a smile on their faces and love in their hearts. Service has a way of bringing out the very best in people. After the clean up they did a couple songs and helped to bring some much needed hope into the lives of this young couple, it was great to be a part of it. Culture Crew performed at many various places on the island and really helped lift the spirits of these great people.
LDS Charities does a major wheelchair project, Scott and I were able to go into the homes of some of the recipients that have wheelchairs and visit with them, making sure the chairs are in good working order and they are comfortable and using them as best they can. The people were thrilled to have us in their homes and so happy to have a chair, their gratitude was humbling, and it was another great lesson for me.
Scott and I visited with The Red Cross this past week and thought it would be a great idea to work with them. We donated several items which they were grateful for and are looking forward to working with them in the near future. There are people and groups everywhere that do so much to help, we are making some great contacts and looking forward to doing what we can to serve those in need.
Woke up Friday morning with such an overpowering sense of gratitude and love for my Savior, for all he has done and continues to do for me and my family. My heart was so full as Scott and I said our morning prayers, my thoughts were also on how thankful I am for a husband whose commitment and love for the gospel, our Savior and the work we are doing here is truly a testimony to me. We have been blessed beyond measure and I am thankful for that.
This weekend we watched some rugby which is huge here, it was fun to mingle with the locals. We didn’t understand a lot of the yelling and tried to figure out who Lionel was because he clearly was the star according to the fans. We did enjoy the enthusiasm.  We also headed to the beach this weekend which was really nice. We did some snorkelling, yes even I did. I still need Scott there with me and to hang on to, but I saw so many colorful fish, they were all pretty small which is probably a good thing, nothing too threatening. I’m quite thrilled I went a whole week without a cockroach on my face or a gecko landing on my neck. A momentous week!
It’s so fun to get pictures from home and the picture of Callum and his medal for Science Fair was great. I think that he is the only Cameron to get a medal and maybe the only Cameron to want to enter the Science Fair. Well done. It’s always good to see the accomplishments of our kids and grandkids. You are all involved in so many things. Caleb, we are still waiting for another joke! We loved the pictures of the NCN. It looked so fun and thank you to family and friends for all you did in making the 11th annual NCN another success. I’m so proud of each one of my children, spouses, Grandchildren and extended family for what each one of you bring to our family. There is a quote by President Hinckley that I think just fits us, “In all of living have much of fun and laughter, life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.”
One of my favorite songs written by Elder Bednar and music by Paul Cardell is One by One. I listen to it often as it brings a lot of peace and strength to me and fills me with a love and thankfulness for the many blessings that Scott and I continue to receive while we are serving and a stronger testimony that each one of us is important in the eyes of our Father in Heaven and our Savior. We love and miss you all and continue to pray for each one of you.
Love you tons,
Sister Cameron (Gramma)

Matareva Beach

Crab

Red Cross visit

Pesega students singing before concert

Culture Crew

February 4/2018

Feb 4/2018

Our week started out great and ended amazing. What more can you ask for?

Scott and I are involved in a 12 week diabetes pilot program, which if successful could be used church wide. We had meetings the beginning of the week which involved 2 church stakes, one on the island of Savai’i and one here on Upolu. They are also running programs in Tonga, Fiji, Australia and New Zealand. I mentioned in my last letter that 7 of the top 10 countries in the world with a diabetes problem are in the South Pacific but along with that stat is there is an amputation related to diabetes every 12 hours in Fiji, there is an increasing number of church leaders replaced/die due to diabetes, and diabetes and clean water are the 2 biggest problems facing the South Pacific. You can see the importance of this program, we are hoping it can take hold because it can and will change lives for the better. Scott and I work with Elder Fata (area seventy), Stake President and the facilitators. We were up at 5:15 Saturday morning, at the gym where we met with around 100 people and weighed, measured, took BMI, and took height, blood test and blood pressure. After all that they then ran a very high energy Zumba class which everybody took part in.

On Thursday we were able to deliver two truckloads of desks, bookshelves and school tables to a primary school in one of our villages. A company from New Zealand sends us used school furniture that other schools don’t want and our schools over here are thrilled to have them. Our children sit on cement floors during school so if they can get an old desk and a chair they are as happy as can be. As we drove into the school yard the kids were waiting in their Fale for us and the smiles were so heart-warming, it was a humbling experience. They had a hand over ceremony where the school principal spoke, the pastor spoke and Elder Cameron spoke. The children then sang, it was so touching and then they asked Elder Cameron and me to do a Canadian Dance while the kids sang. We did a waltz, the children loved it and giggled, some of the teachers joined in doing a Samoan dance, which I am starting Samoan dance lessons this week, I can hardly wait.

Last year there were over 2,200 baptisms in the Samoa area, which is wonderful except with that kind of growth comes some difficulties. Keeping up with new members and leadership in the church. So many great people but needing the continued learning and growth that needs to happen in the gospel. It really doesn’t matter who or where you are there always needs to be learning and growing. If we are not moving forward we are going backwards.

I read a message the other day” Where are your feet taking you?” “What journey are you on?” Hopefully whatever journey or steps you’re taking it will bring you closer to our Father in Heaven and the wonderful joy that lies ahead.

Life is good and we have so much to be thankful for. I’m thankful for each one of you who have touched my life in so many ways, many of you don’t even realize the love, the help and the friendship you have given me.

Scott and I love our mission and I was thinking the other day we all can serve, you don’t need to be in a foreign country or a thousand miles away to help. President Hinckley said “There are so many who have been injured and who need a good Samaritan to bind up their wounds and help them on their way. A small kindness can bring a great blessing to someone in distress and a sweet feeling to the one who befriends them.”

We love and miss you all. We also love to hear back from you and know how you are doing and what’s going on in your busy lives.

Remember to See a Great Day! Love Elder and Sister Cameron ( Gramma and Grampa)

Video of kids singing

Children unloading tables and desks

Hand over ceremony at Vailoa