Serving in Samoa: 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