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