April 8/2018

April 8/2018

This week has been a rollercoaster of feelings and emotions, from sadness, heart break to feelings of gratitude, joy for the miracle of life and thankfulness for the messages we heard at conference.

Scott and I did some travelling around the island this past week and went back into areas not travelled much. We saw a need to help and those feelings were multiplied after listening to many conference talks on ministering to the one, looking to help and ease the burdens of our Heavenly Fathers children. We had made up several hygiene kits last Monday as we felt we needed to take them with us when we travel. They contain some basic items like toilet paper, soap, toothpaste and other personal items. We were able to give many away and hope that this will help in some small way.

Often we are led to a person or family and that was the case this past week. We met with a family who live in an open Fale about 10 X 16. They are a very humble family, they sleep on the floor and when I say floor it is lava rocks, there are no mats just rocks and the room is 6X8 for all five of them. There is no running water, only what they can catch off the roof into a barrel; there’s no electricity and in a corner of the fale is the kitchen where they cook over an open fire. They have a small table and 1 chair in their kitchen and a couple plates, a pan for cooking and a bowl for mixing. After visiting with this family they gave us a bag of cucumbers, all they had.  It is so difficult to accept these gifts when you know it is all they have and they may go without food because they are so grateful that you came to visit and to try and help them. My heart was overcome with humility and love that I wanted to just fix everything but I also know it is a step by step process for them and for us that involves hard work, commitment, time, money, a desire to want something better. They have saved up and are able to get enough cement for the 6x8 bedroom area and will continue to save and do it all in stages. Scott and I are hoping to be able to help with a water tank and with a bathroom area so they no longer have to go in the bush. I feel a deep gratitude that the Lord leads us to people, sometimes through others and sometimes as we are travelling. To be an instrument in the Lords hand is a humbling experience. We pray together every morning to be led to those in need and when we find a family like this we know our prayers are answered and he is guiding our way.

This past week a good friend of mine had another granddaughter come into this world. There are many heart breaking and heart-warming stories leading up to this precious little miracle making an entrance into this world. Thank you Cheryl for sharing something so personal and wonderful. It helped to lift my spirits and remind me in some of the difficult moments this past week that our Father in Heaven loves each one of us and cares deeply what we feel and what is happening in our lives.

Now on the lighter side, I ordered a snorkel mask and it came on Thursday! Well we tried it out this weekend, it works great, no water got in and I survived. It is one that fits over the whole face, I have a picture of it. I look a little or a lot scary but it works for me. I still get a bit anxious especially if we are over a lot of corral and I can’t stand up or we go through a channel and I can’t be out for really long stretches. Scott stays pretty close which is a good thing cause it helps to calm me especially in those anxious moments. The fish are beautiful and it is an amazing world below the water, I don’t know what I’ll do when I come across an eel, a turtle, or something a bit more threatening than a small bright coloured fish.

Things seem to be going great at home, at least that’s what I hear. I can’t imagine they can get along so well without me there! Rowen’s Birthday tomorrow! I saw a great picture of The Sauve grandkids, I can’t believe how big they’re getting and how old I must be getting. Good looking kids, there must be some great genes mixed in there somewhere. Mom and Dad, I need you to send me a picture of you two to put up on my family wall. I keep telling you guys to hang in there, Spring is around the corner, then I hear there’s another snow storm so I’ll quit saying that and see if that helps. Time is going quickly and it won’t be long till Rissa is here and staying for a month-one of the perks for working in the school system. We are looking forward to the visit. Andrew we hope you are up and around soon, back to your busy, hectic but very exciting life. I think you can still sit in a boat and fly fish with your leg elevated can’t you? A gentle reminder family if you were unable to watch all of conference please take the time to watch it or read it. It was wonderful and I promise you it will help to increase your testimony and give you answers to the questions that you may have. We love you and are grateful for each one of you.

 I love the changes in Visiting and Home Teaching, I want to share something Sister Bingham said “And what better way to prepare to meet Him than to strive to become Like Him through lovingly ministering to one another!”

Have a great week, Be Happy, Be Kind!

Love,

Pam, Sister Cameron, Gramma (I answer to all)

Who wouldn't love looking at this while sitting in church? Chapel on the East Coast.

East Coast Shore Line

The 10x16 Fale

I love fresh Coconut, did you know it is high in calories, Why are all the things I love to eat high in calories?

A little family we met on our island travels.

Here it is, my snorkel mask, crazy huh! And no I'm not going to model it for you!