March 11/2018

March 11/2018

Talofa Lava,

 I thought I’d start out with a few fun facts about Samoa,

Savaii has an ancient pyramid on the island called Pulemelei or Star Pyramid.

Canned tuna is Samoa’s most important manufactured export.

In Samoa it is acceptable for a family who have too many boys to raise the youngest one as a girl. He is known as a fa’afafine and given a girl’s name and wears feminine clothing.

Samoans are known throughout Polynesia as the “happy people” because of their good spirited nature.

On Tuesday Scott and I were able to deliver about 150 desks and some chairs to Malie a Primary School here in Upolu. What a wonderful experience that was. On Monday we did a site visit there, they have around 400 students half of them sat on the floor, we felt strongly that the next container of Furniture For Schools was to go there. We knew there was a container of desks but were having some difficulty getting it out of customs, we finally got the go ahead and Tuesday morning a container was delivered. It was great to see the excitement as we opened the container, the students helped unload it and were thrilled with the gift of used desks and chairs.  Every child that goes to school should have a desk and chair and that is something we are working on.

Buses here in Samoa are the main transportation, costing only around 3 talas. People stand, sit, sit on each others’ laps, switch seats regularly and try to squeeze as many people as they can onto a bus, there is no such thing as personal space. There are a few designated bus stops, but buses stop whenever someone flags them down and lets them off whenever someone asks to be let of, It can take a couple hours just to get from one village to another. It’s like a big party, the music is playing, people laughing and no one in a hurry to get anywhere. I think it’s safe to say the motto should be “Have patience, keep a smile on your face and enjoy the ride.”

Scott and I are headed to Savaii this week, we love Savaii, It’s a beautiful Island. We have several more site visits for schools and some for water tanks and a diabetes meeting to attend. I think besides every child needing a desk every family needs clean water. Something we often take for granted. So, the next time you have a glass of water or a nice, long hot shower think how lucky you are cause not everybody gets that luxury.

A few weeks back I was getting some groceries and saw Lays Potato chips, I bought a couple bags and they were so good. Then the other day I saw them again and bought some more, I also saw A&W Root beer (I don’t even drink pop) but I had to buy it, I was so excited, thought I’d died and gone to heaven. It’s funny how something like that can get you all excited. I’ve learned that if you see something like that you better stock up because you may never see it again.

It looks like a bit of a warming trend is coming your way, hopefully it will stick around for awhile. It has been a long, frosty winter for many of you. I saw a picture cousin Wayne sent, a lot of snow, it was crazy. I know Jordan made some great tobogganing hills at home for the kids. Some of my fondest memories as a child were playing in the huge snow drifts and making snow forts. Getting older has a way of not always seeing and remembering the “joy in the good ole days.”

There were so many Birthdays in March, I’m sorry if we missed them, But we wish you all a very Happy Birthday. President Monson celebrated his 90^th birthday in August, he said his ideal birthday gift would be “find someone who is having a hard time or is ill and do something for them. That’s all I would ask.” Sounds like a great idea and definitely something our Prophet would have said.

Thank you to all who send pictures and comments to Scott and me. We love to read them. George, you make us laugh and we never quite know what you’re going to say. Cousin Wayne we are so glad you are getting around more, you know the saying “you can’t keep a good man down!” Rick, what kind of fish was that, it looked amazing.  Coleman, it was great to hear from you and to know it’s not a C,y but a K,i. keep plugging away and know our thoughts and prayers are always with you.

Once again, I’m thankful for tender mercies, the power of prayer and for listening to the promptings we can all receive. I am reminded again that Our Father in Heaven loves us and watches over our family. We are so far away and sometimes It’s hard to not be there to help, but I am truly thankful the way our children and family come together when needed.   President Dallin H. Oaks said, “Perhaps the most familiar and the most important examples of unselfish service and sacrifice are performed in our own families.”

I am seeing this more and more while Scott and I serve the Lord over here in Samoa you are all helping and serving each other. We love you and are grateful for each one of you and all you do.

Stay warm, enjoy the sun when it peeks out, be kind and love one another. Remember, everything you are learning now is preparing you for something else.

Love,

Elder and Sister Cameron (Gramma and Grampa)

Bus here in Samoa

Elder Cameron with students from Malie

Our adopted family, Lionel, Aotea, Lilysanna and Raihi

Student at Malie PS

Sunny Samoa