Aug.26/2018

August 26/2019

The end of August, kids are back in school and routines have started. I know Mandy is glad about that. Summer can be a lot of fun but exhausting too. It was great to hear about all the fun times and activities that were held this summer. Boyde and Jean got up to see family and we’re hoping when Boyde retires that we will see them in June 2019. Mom and dad also got a visit from an old friend Brother Atoa, who lived down there in Lethbridge then moved to Samoa. He is a Temple worker here and we see him often. He sometimes drops into our office just to make sure we’re doing things right. I guess with the Temple closed for a month he and his wife decided a trip to Canada was in order.

Elder Cameron and I visited a couple more schools this week and had materials delivered to fix up some more schools, every school we go to is in need of something.

 We took a picture of some of the boys at one of the schools we went to, they love their pictures taken. Most kids smile and wave although the other day a little guy around 5 or 6 gave us a different hand gesture. It took us a bit by surprise but we got a good chuckle out of it.

We saw a couple men out working in a village while on our travels the other day. It was hot and I couldn’t help but notice their hats. I thought why spend a lot of money on a new hat when cardboard works just as well. Very resourceful.

We took some senior missionaries on an Island adventure Saturday afternoon. They were interested in what we do as Humanitarian Missionaries, so we loaded up a van, Elder Cameron had an itinerary which we kept too very well and showed them some of the projects that we are involved in.

 One of our stops was at Little Sisters of the Poor, Seven Sisters that dedicate their lives to looking after the elderly here in Samoa who have no family or anyone that can take care of them. They don’t really have senior housing or homes for the elderly because Samoans take care of their parents that is a huge part of their culture. Elder Cameron and I try to help with supplies and they were in need of a keyboard as theirs was in pretty rough shape. Guess what, we happen to have a brand new one in our spare room donated by UVU women’s Volleyball team that we were keeping for such a moment as this. I love it when things just work out!

 That was our first stop, we made a couple more, had lunch and then on our way back we stopped at a family that we have been wanting to give some supplies to, What a day, It started out amazing and ended up fantastic and everything in the middle was wonderful. Great friends, great weather and great service, it all makes for a great day!

A special family where we stopped to give supplies

Elder and Sister Kinghorn are leaving us and heading home after spending 2 years of service here in Samoa, We will miss them (probably as much as Larissa misses Sister Kinghorn- kindred spirits those two) but they already have a new adventure ahead of them. They will be home for only 3 months to see family and friends and will be heading to Guatemala City for their next 2 year mission. They truly understand Christ like Service. I’m going to need longer that 3 months to catch up and see my family (grandchildren). I’m pretty sure Elder Cameron feels the same way.

Mission Pres. Ho Ching, The Kinghorns

We will be starting the new Diabetes program in the next 3 weeks. We were involved in the pilot program and it was quite successful so it will be available now to all the Pacific. We have 13 stakes wanting to participate in the first go round which is a 12 week program. Hopefully the others will want to do it after Christmas.

 Rick celebrated a Birthday, we sure appreciate all Rick does at the farm and I know the kids love him. I heard Callum won a golf bag, he’s as lucky as his dad! Esther sent a great video of Mandy and Jordan playing one on one volleyball out at Wilderness last week, we have watched it several times, it doesn’t get old, Too funny. Some more great pics the Brooks Boys trying to tame the Elk river, it looks like they did a pretty good job.

Seeing the pictures of the kids at the Temple, we loved it. What a wonderful teaching moment, to talk to them about the importance of the Temple and why our families can be together forever. Those are teaching moments that we need to take advantage of. It’s also in the Temple where we can recieve the guidance, inspiration and answers we need to help raise our children and strengthen us for whatever lies ahead.. This week we think of Nathan and how blessed we were to have him for 5 short years, we know where he is and what he's doing, we are are so grateful for Eternal Families. 

I read a quote the other day by Elder Holland, it was given at a youth conference but I felt like it could be for all of us.

What a great leader, he tells us how it is and doesn’t candy coat things. It’s time to step up and be counted.

I love the gospel, I love my Savior and all he has done for me and my family. We are so blessed to see the Lord’s hand in all we do. The power of prayer is so important in our lives, we may feel alone or lonely at times but I know that our Savior and our Father in Heaven are there watching and taking care of each one of us.

May your week be filled with tender mercies, and little miracles along the way, we only need to look for them and be grateful for what we have.

Love you all,

 Be Happy and Be kind to each other,

Aug.12/2018

Aug. 12/2018

Yea, Mango season has come early! I love mangoes and am so excited to finally have them as a regular in my diet for the next 4 months. Normally the season isn’t till Oct. but because of the Cyclone it shocked the trees and mangoes are early, there’s always a silver lining to something negative even cyclones.

Last week we took some desks and chairs to a little school, no matter the size and age the kids love to help unload the truck. Isn’t she cute!

Elder Cameron and I took out building supplies to a little school that was damaged by the cyclone this past week, I was able to spend some time reading to the kids, so fun. We’re excited to go back in a few months and see the renovations that are to take place and to finish some of the books I never got to. As Humanitarian Missionaries, most times we supply the materials and the Villages, PTA or School councils provide the labor. Some schools are great and some not so driven. I think that’s how it is at home too sometimes.

We have a whole container of desks coming, hopefully this next week, I can hardly wait. All the desks are spoken for and Elder Cameron and I will deliver them to some really excited children who will no longer have to sit on the cement anymore.

Things are sure busy but good and we continue to try to search out the ones most in need and hope and pray for continued guidance as we do.

Our Temple is now closed for a month for cleaning and fixing up a few minor issues. Elder Cameron and I go every week, we are going to miss being able to go and doing the work for our ancestors. We’ve been able to do a lot of names and are so blessed to see the work move forward.

This past week as I was reading my scriptures and a book by Pres. Eyring (To Draw Closer to the Lord) I had an amazing Testimony building experience and a sure witness of Joseph Smith and The Book of Mormon. I guess it doesn’t matter how old you are, you can always learn more and strengthen your testimony. I read something else the other day that went along with my thoughts of you are never too old to learn. “You will never know enough in this life, part of enduring to the end is to never get over being teachable. It is not all to be comprehended in this life, it will be a great while after we pass through the veil before we have learned all we need to.”

Elder Cameron and I spent Saturday morning at the beach, we snorkelled, slept and snorkelled some more. It’s been a while since we’ve been to the beach and all those pictures of the Neilson clan at the beach made me feel like it was time for a little sand. It was great to go and just relax a bit. Saturday evening we went to the Circus, I know, how fun is that! I think there was 22 of us senior missionaries that went, we had front row seats, thanks to Elder Cameron who went and talked to Bruno the owner and Ring Master. We saw some great acts, tight wire, juggling (not as good as Jordan does, but pretty good), balancing acts, and there were 24 acts, really fun. I couldn’t help but think of Rowen when one guy laid on a bed of nails, just think Rowen you can get a job in the circus one day if you want! Ouch, it looked painful!

It is Father’s Day here a National holiday. Elder Cameron got to celebrate it twice, He is worth it though. I can’t let the day go by without wishing my dad again a Happy Father’s Day!

It was Aunt Joanne’s Birthday, kind of a big one, I never would have guessed your age you wear it well. I heard your party was a hit, the kids said it was sure fun. We were able to talk to Callum, Rowen, Chase and Rae, it must have been a great party they were all exhausted and ready for bed.

What a hot streak you are having back home, the weather has been a bit crazy for the 2017-2018 year so far. Winter was nuts, summer hot with some crazy storms, always unpredictable, that’s Alberta! I do see that The Neilson’s are taking advantage of this hot weather and spending a lot of time in the water, I love it. We love to see all the pictures you post and there are a lot. We are glad to see you guys enjoying the boat, your kids are definitely the biggest water kids I have seen and the bravest. You certainly are creating some wonderful memories.

Ali phoned this past week (I know you’re all surprised) asking about the air conditioner in our home????? Really, how many years have you lived there, we have never had air. Too funny Ali! Congrats to Rissa on her new church calling, you will be so good and will help to change lives. Amazing! I also heard Trav and Jordan got new callings, they sound great and I can see both of you doing a great work with the young men in the ward.

I hear there is a gathering out at Wilderness this week. I’m glad Andrew, Mandy and the kids are going.  That sounds fun, golfing, games, eating and swimming. The water slide will not be the same though without Grampa there, although Jordan you can rock it pretty good.

At one of our meetings this past week we sang “ How Great thou Art,” The first two verses touched my heart and I thought how lucky we are to live in places like Samoa, Canada, Bozeman Montana. So much beauty and so much to be thankful for. As I see many of the pictures Andrew posts and sends to us I think how amazing this world is and how thankful I am for a loving Father in Heaven who gave all this to us, How Great thou Art!"

May you all have a great week and may we strive to keep learning, growing and notice the beauty around us and be thankful for all we have.
 Love to all

New desks and the old desks

One of his hikes, doesn't he look slim and trim

Wilderness many years ago

Our family has grown!