May 27/2018

May 27, 2018
We’ve had a very busy and uplifting week with the New Zealand team over. We wanted to give them a glimpse of what Elder Cameron and I get to do every day here in Samoa.
We started out picking them up Monday evening.

New Zealand Team

Tuesday morning, we went to the Church garden which is located right beside our house. We watched as they made a keyhole garden, something I’m going to try when we get home. We had a wonderful brunch of Koko Samoa, fruit, Koko Araisa, Vaisalo or Samoan Oatmeal and chicken cooked in the traditional Umu. It was all pretty good, and we loved learning about the gardens. We then spent time looking and meeting people around Pesega (the church school) and touring the campus.

Garden Brunch

Keyhole Garden

Keyhole Garden

The next day we went to one of the schools that was damaged in the Cyclone. We toured it and will now be getting a proposal ready to do some renovations. We then headed to MDS (Mobility Device Services) and toured their facility. We have a major project there for wheelchairs and they are kept very busy. They also do prosthetics and unfortunately that is really on the rise because of diabetes.
From there we headed to Saoluafata to our Handover Ceremony. We helped with a community center for their village. After a wonderful ceremony, the cutting of the ribbon they brought out trays and trays of food and drink and if that wasn’t enough they sent us home with over 7 large baskets of food, which included about 6 fish, 6 chickens, taro, palusami and a roasted pig. We gave some food away on our way home and then invited the senior missionaries over for what was left.

Our Handover Feast

Handover Ceremony

Roasted Pig

Elder Cameron enjoying the Feast

After the handover we went to the Village of Fusi to show them the water tank project that they gave the ok to do. It is up in the hills so they had a bit of a hike to see where we are wanting to put 3-10,000 liter water tanks to help store water from a fresh water spring that will help this village because as it is now they are unable to store water.
Our final activity for the day was our Apia Diabetes graduation. Another great evening, we heard from different speakers including Elder Cameron who also spoke at the Handover earlier in the day. He is killing these speaking assignments and the people just love him.

Diabetes Graduation

Diabetes Graduation

Diabetes Grads

Well we fell into bed exhausted but happy, another wonderful day in Samoa!
 The next day we were off to Sauniatu for a farming and cattle demonstration which Elder Cameron spoke at as well. We had lunch, looked around some went swimming at the falls and then we headed home for an evening at the Temple.
Friday morning, we took the team to deliver some furniture to a school, always a highlight for me. The students helped unload the truck, then they entertained us by singing, it was wonderful! I told Sister Bills (from New Zealand) that this is where my heart is, with the children, they are so amazing, and you may have already noticed that by all the pictures I take of them. They have the most beautiful eyes and the eyes often say it all.

 School Singers

We showed our guests around downtown Apia, the fresh fish market, the open-air market and a few other interesting places. They flew home Saturday evening exhausted but in love with our little island.
What a fun week of being able to share a part of what we do everyday, they mentioned several times that it was like paradise here, and I thought we never even got to a beach! It truly is beautiful here and just think Rissa you get to see it in only 20 sleeps. YEA!
I see the family is getting the pool ready, Rowen called this morning and said they had a hot dog roast and we’re cleaning the pool, sounds like fun! Jordan tried to ease my brief moment of home sickness by adding “don’t worry mom you’ll be doing this in a year.”  So true Jordan, Thanks.
My dad’s birthday is on the 31st so Happy Birthday dad! I’m so glad you are able to get out and work in your garden and enjoy the sunshine. I will miss your tomatoes this summer, they are always so sweet and delicious. Nothing like a tomato from the garden. Eat a few for me and I’ll eat a fresh picked banana and pineapple for you. I do think when I get home it will be hard to eat a banana or pineapple from Costco, they just will not taste the same as the fresh fruit here right of the tree. They have a little banana here called Misiluki, they are sooo good!
Speaking of gardens, I think of my good friend Donna, Are you not busy enough! With all you do you now have Turkeys, you are crazy my friend, but I love it!
The senior missionaries sang at the mission home this evening, it was good, and I will send you the Facebook page when I get it. The very ending of the program we sing Army of Helamen and all the missionaries come and join with us in singing the 2nd verse. It was pretty powerful and another great experience. How can there be so many amazing experiences in one week? It is a testimony of what we are doing, it is the Lord’s work and anytime you can be of service or help another it  is a blessing not only to those you serve but to whoever is giving the service.
 Elder Holland gave a great talk in the June Liahona and stated “when you strive to lighten another’s burden, you are truly angels of mercy in the most literal sense. May you receive back a hundred-fold all that you try to give.”
 I have always liked quotes on hope and I found one the other day in the same talk by Elder Holland, Hope is not the magic wand that makes a problem disappear. Hope is the lifeline that can keep you from being overwhelmed by the storms of life.
We may not always be able to alter the journey of someone, but we can help to try to make it easier for them.
Everyone have a most wonderful week and remember, Life is far to short to not see the good in everything around you. We love and miss you all and love all the updates we get.
Love,
Pam

A Peaceful Moment

Tapioca Plant

Elder Schwenke with the Pig Head. He took it home to boil and eat!

May 13/2018

May 13, 2018

Happy Mother’s Day, there are many women out there that have influenced me in so many ways but I would like to at this time especially to thank my mom for her commitment, dedication, love and selflessness. Thank you for your example of Love for the Savior and your family. Your road has not always been easy, but you’ve handled it with strength and promise. Elder Holland says, “Thank you. Thank you for giving birth, for shaping souls, for forming character, and for demonstrating the pure love of Christ.”      So, to my mother I say………

Mother's Day Breakfast

Fun Breakfast

Cooking up the Bacon

Our thoughts and prayers are with Trevor Spooner and family today as they are dealing with an accident that happened over the weekend. We were sorry to hear about it and hope that things will turn out the best they can for you.

We had a week of handovers, site visits, getting projects ready to submit and once again some great moments when we saw the Lord’s hand in our lives.

On Tuesday we travelled to Savai’i , the 25 Water Tank project was coming to an end for us as we officially along with Elder Fata our Area Seventy handed over the tanks to the Village of Asau. After a couple speeches, pictures taken, lunch was served, there was so much food. We were given a #2 pig that was stuffed and roasted and 2 big cans of corn beef, we gave these to the Public Affairs person that was there with us. Our lunch consisted of  a fish, chicken, a hot dog, pork, taro, vegetables, we couldn’t begin to eat it all so we took it with us and while traveling the roads we came across a little house back in the bush without power or water we stopped the truck, a woman came out to meet us and we offered her the food and drink. She was pretty happy about it and we were pleased to be able to help. We got about 50 meters down the road and turned around to go back to give this woman a solar light as well.

Fresh Water

Asau Handover

High Chief of Asau

After the Asau Handover we headed to The Diabetes Pilot Program Graduation, it was a fun evening of celebrating the achievements of those involved. Here in Samoa, if you are able to graduate from a program and receive a certificate that is quite an honor and something they see as very important and a great reason to celebrate. So that’s what we did. The Stake President spoke, Elder Fata spoke, we then handed out the certificates, did some Zumba, the grads each supplied a healthy snack, Elder Cameron and I made smoothies for all which were a huge hit, it was a great evening!

Competition Winners

Savai'i Grads

Elder Cameron Speaking at Grad

A neat thing happened on our site visit Wed. morning, we were to meet with the Village Orator (who have the power and authority to officiate in all community and village functions, they pass laws and regulations and they decide on all public matters which concern the welfare of the village) unfortunately he wasn’t home but as we were getting ready to leave a young man came up to us and asked what we needed. After explaining why we were there, and we had some questions about the water in their village this young man took us on a little trip up the side of a hill to see what we needed to see, he was able to answer our questions and we found out he was the one who helped lay the pipes and water lines and was the orators son. There are no coincidences.

We were able to get 4 more possible projects in this week and we’re hoping to get them approved. Presently we have 10 projects going so far for this year, and 5 from 2017 that we are working on closing or just closed. Some of the projects we are doing range from school desks, emergency aid, vision, wheelchairs, water tanks, sewing machines and healthy cooking. It’s amazing what the LDS Charities is involved with.

“ LDS Charities is the humanitarian arm of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Our purpose is to relieve suffering, foster self-reliance and provide opportunities for service. Sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, LDS Charities follows the admonition of Jesus Christ to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, take in the stranger, clothe the naked and visit the sick and afflicted. We sponsor relief and development projects in 189 countries and give assistance without regard to race, religious affiliation, or nationality.”

It really is quite impressive, all the work they do for millions of people all over the world.

Life is never dull, and time is moving on so quickly, we continue to work hard but miss you all. Rissa will be here in about 32 sleeps, but who’s counting! Thank you for the package, dad loved his hats and t shirts, the book we received this past week, the  messages, videos, cards,. The picture of Lily the birthday girl was wonderful, the video of Chase with his tape measure and screw driver was so cute. The picture of Jordan and Esther's kids and their new hobby of miniature horses, like you guys are not busy enough already. Callum’s hand-written letter was great, the book and messages from the Brooks was so touching and all the Mother Day messages from family was wonderful. Nancy it was great to hear from you, Thank you. We are so blessed to have you all in our lives, the love and support we feel is overwhelming and I know I couldn’t be here so far away from you all without your love and support.

So many birthdays this month, Ali’s is coming up on the 16^th, she is presently celebrating in Disneyworld, Jim Fenton, my Mom, Caleb, Boyde, Cousin Wayne, my Dad, so many reasons to celebrate. Life is good, and we are so richly blessed. We love and miss you all. Have a wonderful week and remember,

To Be Happy and To Be Kind!

Love you all,

Pam

Love Fresh Fruit! Pineapples 5 Tala

Eating Oranges

 Gift of Food and Light

May 6/2018

May 6, 2018

I love springtime and am so glad you are finally enjoying it.

Scott and I spent a lot of time this past week around the Island and in the back country. We found a lot of families without power and water, we handed out hygiene kits and tarps for families still hurting from the cyclone. We also took some solar lights to a couple families that have no power. It gets really dark here around 6:30 so a light would really be a help for families with little ones or just to be able to get some things done, or to find an outhouse would be nice. I’m usually ready to head back home around 4:30 – 5:00 o’clock cause I’m exhausted, but Elder Cameron is a work horse and knows that there is just one more family out there that we need to see.

Solar lights

Giving out tarps with the Bishop

Well this is ironic; the humanitarian missionaries have no water. Our water came to a halt on Saturday morning, the only couple in our area to be without. I hate to complain but really! Just a small glimpse of what many people must face everyday, and we are fortunate cause we do have the big water jugs that we use for the bathroom, we boil our water for dishes, our neighbors left last week we have their key, so we showered there. So, you see it’s really not too bad. Hopefully someone can come tomorrow, and it will be fixed in a couple days.

We have two projects to wrap up this week over in Savai’i, a big water tank one and the Diabetes pilot project. Looking forward to that and hoping they will pick up the pilot program and continue it here in Samoa and the other Pacific Islands.

May is a busy month for Birthdays, Dixie just had hers and Lily’s is coming up on the 12^th. And of course, Ali’s on the 16^th, she has already started her month-long celebration. I’m so glad to see and hear the weather has improved. Sounds like a lot of work is going on in the yards, getting ready for planting, swimming, and BBQ’s. Rissa called several times in one day which is a record for Rissa asking all sorts of questions about starting the quad, picking up leaves and getting the yard cleaned up. A quick call to Rick as he was already at the farm and it was Rick to the Rescue! Thanks! We sure appreciate all the help given, I think the kids maybe are starting to realize that there is a lot involved with keeping a house, yard, pool, pond and farm maintained and looking nice.

Soccer season is in full swing and I’m going to miss going to some of Miss Emma G’s games and cheering her on and the other kids in baseball, football, soccer and Tball. Esther always sends the best Video and pics of the kids. We did get a couple great ones this past week but had to promise they wouldn’t show up in the blog, I had to comply if I want to continue to get pictures, but I was tempted to share.

I found a great Quote from Katherine Hepburn, “Kindness is one of the greatest gifts you can bestow upon another. If someone is in need, lend them a helping hand. Do not wait for a thank you. True kindness lies within the act of giving without the expectation of something in return.”

I’m finding that true kindness is not so easy, to be reaching out way past myself is sometimes a difficult thing to do. It is something that I continue to wrestle with and a weakness that I have. Hopefully through this mission and the things I’m able to see and do for others I can be humble enough to continue learning and see what the Lord is trying to teach me.

Elder Bednar says, “If today you are a little bit better than you were yesterday, then that’s enough. And, if tomorrow you are a little bit better than you were today, then that’s enough.”

I saw where Sister Bingham Relief Society President for the church gave a prayer at The White House in Washington DC on Thursday. She was with many other leaders from all religions and denominations. 

Sister Bingham in Washington DC

I loved her prayer, it doesn’t matter what faith you are what matters most is how we treat and take care of one another. Here is a part of her prayer.

“Heavenly Father, many are in need, and we pray for all who are working unselfishly to improve lives. May we become a land of ‘good Samaritans,’ laboring in love to lift the hands of the downtrodden, the oppressed, and the afflicted,” she said.

Sister Bingham continued: “Please strengthen homes and families which provide loving guidance in building capable and compassionate citizens. … Help us to find ways to understand and value one another, to work together in cooperation and selflessness, rather than seek for personal gain, to satisfy vain ambitions, or to gratify pride.”

Well, I do hope you all have a great week, and life is full of some wonderful surprises. Remember, Be Happy and Be Kind!

Love you all,

Pam

Wide eyed

Chickens in the house!

Now those are some serious Tats

her kitchen

who can resist?