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!