June 24/2018

June 24/2018

Well it has been a crazy week, Rissa met us at the airport we were coming home from Fiji and we haven’t stopped running.

Monday morning Rissa took control and organized the spare bedroom that was full from floor to ceiling with boxes of supplies, clothes, hygiene kits and computers that were all donated by UVU women’s volleyball team. She did a great job and I now can see the floor. We have handed out so many kits, water bottles, towels, shoes, clothes and cases of water this past week it’s been great.

I wanted Rissa to write a bit in my blog, so here are some of her thoughts.

Getting organized

Rissa’s Blog

Wow!! What an amazing time I’m having here in Samoa! This country is nothing that I imagined it would be; the forests are dense, the mountains are rugged, and the colours are so vibrant. I thought this country would be a little more flat, more dirt and less greenery, and I didn’t really believe that the flowers would be so incredible! Did you know the people here actually wear flowers in their hair? And not just for show, or for the tourists. That’s just what they do. I love it!!

Now, for those of you who have been thinking that Elder and Sister Cameron are on a vacation… I have some news: They aren’t!! I always thought their mission sounded more like a getaway than anything, but holy smokes. You guys. These two work hard for the church, and for the people of Samoa. They are constantly emailing, calling, texting, and talking to people in SO many different villages about water tanks, netball equipment, hygiene kits, school materials and furniture, and so, so much more!

I’ve had the pleasure of going to some handover ceremonies with them this past week, and it’s been so humbling, and so eye-opening to see what they do every day, and to see the hearts that are touched. Most of the time, it seems that the hearts that are touched the most are my own parents’ (I think I’ve cried at every ceremony though… big surprise!) It’s amazing to see the circumstances that these people live and work in, and see how happy, kind, generous, and humble they are. They are grateful for the smallest things, and give so much to those who have more than they do. Yesterday we were out at a village, talking to the Orator about helping them build a new community fale, and I mentioned to one of the lady’s that I liked the flower in her hair. Immediately, she took it out, and tucked it behind my ear, even after I protested. What beautiful people. After our conversation with the orator and members of the women’s council, we walked back to the truck, where we were met by two women holding a weaved basket full of coconuts for us to take, as a thank you!! I couldn’t believe it. How long had they worked on this basket, and how long had it taken them to collect all these coconuts?? We were able to take those coconuts to the beach that afternoon, to share with the other Senior Missionaries.

Coconuts

The people in Samoa are honestly some of the most awe-inspiring people I’ve ever met. I said to my dad the other day, ‘I think I could live here for the rest of my life, and never run out of ‘WOWs’.’ And it’s true. If it’s not the scenery, it’s the people, making me tear up, making me hold my heart, or causing me to rethink my own life, and how fortunate I am to live in a country with running water, and the freedom to live my best life. Some villages don’t allow certain religions here, and what sadness that must bring to the people in that village who just want to practice their beliefs. But the people here are strong, resilient, and they stick to their guns. It’s amazing to see. Yes, there is a lot of laziness, and a lot of laying around… But heck, if I had been up at 4am to collect coconuts, and had to carry them all on a large stick the entire way back to my village in this heat and humidity, I’d probably go collapse in an open fale for the afternoon as well!! The Samoan people just do what they do, and they don’t apologize for it. They have what they have, and they are proud of it. They know what they know, and they aren’t afraid to share it. There’s a lot we can learn from these people!

So far, this trip has been one that I don’t want to end. I’m not coming home. Okay, I will, but only because I sweat every day as much as Jessie Watson did during a basketball game in high school (that was a loooooot!!). I’m so grateful for this experience, and can’t wait to keep serving the people of Samoa, and learn more about their culture (plus, the men here are not too shabby to look at…)! End of Larissa's blog.

I wanted to share one little experience Elder Cameron and I had a couple months back. We went to a little Primary School on the very outskirts of the Island. We talked with the teachers of this poor school and they told us what they needed, there were 2 little girls watching us so Elder Cameron asked them what they wanted for the school their reply was Netball nets and a ball. So we found some that were pushed aside that another school wasn't using and asked if we could have them, they said yes, we had them fixed up and this past week we took them out along with other school furniture. Those little girls were so excited when we drove up and were smiling ear to ear. Another one of those moments that touched my heart so much.

Netball

Netball Girls

Rissa commented on the pictures don’t do it justice here. That might be true, the beauty here is breath taking. I feel though you can go anywhere in the world and find beauty. One of my most favourite drives is in Montana along Wolf Creek and Craig. It’s just a different kind of beauty! Mandy , Andrew and the kids are heading to New York and stopping at many of the early church sites along the way. They are driving in their Adventure Van, that should be quite the adventure and some great memories made.

 Elder Cameron and I just had 6 more of our projects given the ok so now we have 18 projects to date that we are working on. It certainly is keeping us busy and time is flying by. It sounds like things back home are good, the fishing is still good, Max is still alive and the grand kids are even doing well without us. I can’t imagine how they can be but they are. WE love you all and miss you and are so happy that life is good. We think of you all and you are always in our thoughts and prayers.

Love,

Gramma and Grampa 

No she can't bring him home!

Can you see Elder Cameron?

Making mats

June 17/2018

June 17, 2018

This week we were in Fiji for a Humanitarian conference with other missionaries from the South Pacific. There were missionaries there from Kiribati, Papa New Guinea, Vanuatu, Tonga, French Polynesia, Fiji,and New Zealand. It was great to talk with and see the work that everyone is doing. We were able to find some time to do some sight seeing; Scott did some snorkeling and we went to the Temple in Fiji one evening. It was a great week.

Fiji Temple

While in Fiji we meet Paul Whippy who was at our conference from Fiji. Uncle Boyd Harris would know him. Brother Whippy spoke of some of the history of the church and Uncle Boyd is part of that. Back in 1954, Uncle Boyd was one of the first missionaries in the Fiji mission. US citizens could not buy land there, so they asked a Canadian missionary by the name of Elder Harris to purchase it, so they could build a LDS chapel. The land stayed in his name for 9 years. It was very cool to meet some of these people and hear about the history and how much they love Uncle Boyde. Boyd and his family were able to travel to Fiji this past October, and people still talk of how much they loved meeting his family and how wonderful they all were.

Uncle Boyd's friends in Fiji

Today is Father’s Day and I want to say Happy Father’s Day to my dad.

Thank you, dad, for all your hard work and for providing for your family. I’m sure it was challenging at times and to pack up the family and move to Utah, to go to school must have been a worry at times but we all survived.  There were many times I know that were not easy but I’m thankful for your testimony and know how precious that is to you and how hard you’ve worked to understand the atonement in your life. I know you’re proud of your family and we are proud of you dad, I love you and will see you in 11 months time.

I also want to say Happy Father’s Day to my husband and the father of our children.

Thank you for your love of the gospel. You have been, and continue to be an example of hard work, love, kindness and charity. The countless hours spent on coaching our children in everything from life, church, and sports have helped to make them the good, kind and responsible kids they are today. You are a one of a kind grandpa who truly loves and cares for each one of his grand kids. You love to get up early and walk them to the bus, to play catch, to teach them to fish, to skate and to swim and to have sleep overs and to tell scary stories around the fire at night. You give advice about stinky boys to your daughters and grand daughters. These and many more memories will forever be with them. You are truly an example to us all and we love you.  

I saw a quote that said, “If you keep adding pebbles of kindness, compassion, listening, sacrifice, understanding and selflessness eventually a mighty pyramid will begin to grow.” I think we have a great start on that pyramid!

Elder Cameron makes another friend

It was wonderful to walk out of the airport doors and see Rissa there, to come home and see all the treasures she brought from Canada and Bozeman. Thank you, Madge, for the flip flops and T shirt, we now have Canadian flags to put up on Canada Day, how fun is that? Scott was excited to see his fishing stuff and the other treats that were sent, thank you family, the wonderful cards from grandkids. It was almost as good as Christmas.

Rissa is finally here!

I saw that Preident Nelson spoke in Southern Alberta, Calgary and Edmonton recently. How wonderful to have the prophet so close and to be able to hear his words of inspiration and love. As I read the talk by Preident Nelson and his wife at the June 3rd devotional my thoughts were of our grandchildren that are now teenagers and to the ones that will be in the near future. Listen to the prophet for he will not lead you astray. I love his final thoughts,

"Set a standard for the rest of the world! Embrace being different! The booklet entitled For the Strength of Youth should be your standard. It is the standard that the Lord expects all His youth to uphold. Now, as His humble servant, I plead with you to study this booklet again. Prayerfully read it like you’ve never read it before. Mark it up. Talk about it. Discuss the standards with your friends. Decide how you can live these standards, your standards, with even more exactness.
My beloved younger brothers and sisters, you are among the best the Lord has ever sent to this world. You have the capacity to be smarter and wiser and have more impact on the world than any previous generation!"

I see how amazing our granchildren are and the great things they will be able to accomplish if they follow the words of our dear prophet and remember to always stay close to the Lord, Stay the path.  
We love and miss you all, time just keeps marching on! Remember, Be Happy and Be Kind!

Love, 
Scott and Pam

Elder Fata with us in Fiji

Hospital in Fiji

View from our window in Fiji

Family in Fiji

June Calendar

June 4/2018

June 4/2018

Going on 7 months already, time seems to be going by so quickly. We got a letter from Daniel Blackwell and he is heading home very soon. It seems as though he just went out. Mary and Cliff, you must be excited to see him and have your family all together again.

This week was exciting, we had a family from Utah come over, Dr. and Sister Mehr are Vision specialists for Samoa they did another handover of a OCT machine (used to diagnose and monitor diabetic retinopathy and other macular degenerations) Now we got that out of the way!

 They also brought their family, their one son Stuart did an Eagle Scout project for here by gathering books, pencils, crayons and other school supplies. We took Stuart and his family to a couple schools where he delivered his supplies to children that were so happy to get these gifts, they showed their appreciation by singing which is always a treat.

 We showed Stuart around the classrooms afterwards and it is always a humbling experience to see.

Manono Primary School

 Stuart also made 85 hygiene kits to give to out, so we then went to The Red Cross and handed those to them.

Stuart with his family at The Red Cross

 It was a great day of service and the 2^nd Eagle Scout project I’ve been able to work on. My first one was with my grandson Nate in Bozeman Montana and that was pretty wonderful!

The UVU girls’ volleyball team is here and staying in the houses beside us and we do have a young couple staying with us. It’s been fun to see the team and the energy they bring. I think Elder Cameron is enjoying this as it brings him back to his coaching days.

 They come every other year and this year they  brought 2 Sea Cans of donations, clothes, canned goods, tarps, footwear, sports equipment, sewing machines just about everything you can think of. They travel the Island doing firesides and handing out much needed items to so many families and groups in need.

UVU with New Zealand Maori Poi dance team

We had our Break the Fast on Sunday and heard from 2 couples and a single Sister that will be heading home in the next couple weeks. After serving the Lord for 18-22 months they are headed back to family and friends that so generously shared them with us and the Samoan people. We heard their testimonies and every one of them mentioned how they have witnessed on a daily basis the Lord’s hand in their lives. Also how the Lord has blessed their families back home. I too have a testimony of the Lord’s hand in my life and I know that the Lord continually watches over and guides our family while we are away. It was a touching evening, we have come to know and love the senior missionaries and the many different gifts and talents each one has.

Our senior missionary group

 Seniors leaving with Mission President Elder and Sister Hannemann

 

The Samoan people have a song the sing when people are leaving or when missionaries are leaving it is called Tofa Mai Feleni ( Goodbye my Friend). I love it and when they sing it, whoever is leaving come and stand at the front and as the congregation sings members come and put leis around their neck, it is always an emotional time and it always touches my heart. If you google (Scott always says Google knows all) this song Samoan Chant on You Tube will come up. It is a great song and very traditional here in Samoa.

. Karie, loved your blog, welcome to our life of food. It’s crazy isn’t it, all the food, dancing that they do is so great, life is definitely a celebration here. I was sorry to hear about Roger not feeling well after consuming too much food, our stomachs are just not built the same! That snake in the window would have done me in, I’ll stick to geckos and cockroaches.

Saw the pictures of our Caroline girls with Nancy and one with Jana and her girls; that was I’m sure a great get together, a lot of laughs, stories and moments to remember.

 Happy Birthday Lynnette on the 4^th, have a great day, we have 2 birthdays coming up the end of the week. Mandy and Callum, celebrate as I know you both will! We Love and miss you all.

Remember to always Be kind!

Our Caroline Crew with Nancy

Elder Cameron with Alysana

Isn't she adorable, I love it!