July 29/2018
Another month come and gone. The last couple weeks have been
busy with deliveries, paper work and site visits.
We received a Sea can from FFS of desks, chairs band instruments
and lots and lots of school books. We unloaded it with the help of the Elders,
but now who are the lucky recipients? Elder Cameron has made a spread sheet(surprise,
surprise) that prioritizes schools in need and what they need, we’ve been able
to cross several schools off the list but the list is long and we’ve not been
able to visit half the schools here on the Islands. I feel we are making a
small dent and continue in our efforts to help who we can when we can.
Chairs,Desks,Books, Books,and more Books
The NUS (National University of Samoa) Healthy Eating and
Cooking Competition was held this past week. It was 2 days here in Upolu and 1
day in Savai’i and involved 19 colleges (High Schools). They cooked some great
food and I was really impressed with how well they used their local food and cooked
it in a healthy way. It was a success, I’m glad it’s finished, a lot of
planning, organizing and work. We were able to meet some great people and it’s
a project that I hope will continue to grow and improve over the years.
Grilling Fish
Moe, NUS foods instructor and friend
A little story I wanted to share, Last week Elder Cameron
and I were driving home from the far side of the Island when we came upon a
Grampa and his granddaughter walking along the side of the road. Elder Cameron
felt like we should pick them up as it was getting late, would be dark soon and
it was a long walk to town. We gave them a lift to a little convenience store
where they were meeting someone and we headed home. The next day we needed to
head back that way and saw some children playing in a yard by the road, we
decided to stop and give them a couple hygiene kits as they looked like they
could use a little help. It just
happened to be the little girl and her Grampa that lived there with her parents
and 12 kids in the family. They gratefully accepted the kits, climbed into a
broken down car which I think some of the kids sleep in.
We’ve had so many opportunities to serve and help others,
sometimes in a small way like a smile, a hug, a kind word and sometimes in a
large way like 25 water tanks to a village or a new community center, but whether
it’s small or large it truly blesses the loves of those you serve and it comes
back to bless ours in so many ways. I read once “Real charity is not something
you give away, it is something that you acquire and make a part of yourself,
and when the virtue of charity becomes implanted in your heart, you are never
the same.”
Sometimes I think we
are so busy trying to help and be of service that we forget to take the time to
really love and enjoy the moments. For the next 10 months, I’m going to work at
loving and enjoying the moments more.
We had a umu (Traditional Samoan cooking) here yesterday, A
couple from our office are leaving in a few weeks and Elder Fata, our area 70
and area welfare manager wanted to have a party for them. There was a lot of
true Samoan food and Elder Cameron ate my share and his. Sister Fata did a
Samoan dance which was so good and very touching. Elder Fata asked when we leave and then asked
if we could extend, I very politely told him I already miss my grandkids and
family way too much.
Sister Fata Dancing
Umu Food
Elder Cameron and I have the chance often to look at the
stars here, it is usually clear and I’ve never really taken the time to look at
the stars. He has an app on his phone that tells you the planet or
constellation you are looking at. They are beautiful and from here you can see
some of the planets. It is truly something magnificent and makes me feel closer
to those who I know keep a watchful eye on us. When they say “worlds without
ends” I believe that as I stare up at that vast universe and marvel at its
beauty.
This is what we were looking at Saturn, The Moon and Mars
When we are so busily engaged
and consumed that our minds are clogged, preoccupied and distracted in our
thoughts, with no time to ponder or think, we may see the evidence of God’s
hand but forget our creator.
I’m thankful for each one of you and all you bring into my
life, may your week be full of little miracles and may you recognize them.
Love you all,
Senior Moments
Our truck is used as a school bus sometimes
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