January 20/2019

Jan.20/2019

Wow, time is moving so quickly and so much to do. I feel strongly that as we prepare over these next few months to return home that I want to leave Samoa better than we found this beautiful country and  hopefully we've touched some lives along the way. . I know I feel stronger more confident in the gospel and in myself and a deeper understanding of what is truly important for me and my family. Elder Cameron and I have been richly blessed in many ways.

Our wonderful Chaser turned 4 on the 15 of January, Have you ever seen a picture with so much joy and excitement in such a small body. It melts my heart!

 While Chase celebrated his party our oldest granddaughter is celebrating, braces coming off, a drivers licence and a car to run all her many important errands and a new part time job! Life just keeps getting better and better!

 It has been really great to actually watch from afar as all our grandkids have grown and changed and become involved in so many new and challenging activities like 4-H, skiing, skating, school, new classes at church, new friendships and along with that comes the difficult times to which often include some of the above. We just need to make sure that our homes are always a safe and loving place to gather from the storms of life. Speaking of loving homes Gramma Cameron’s Birthday was on January 19^th, she would have been 98. Still miss her every day.

We have been able to travel the Island a bit over these last few weeks as people are just getting back from vacations and kids will start school in another week or two. We’ve been able to hand out coloring books, hygiene kits, school supplies, balls, Frisbees to kids along the way. I love their smiles and how happy they are.

 We have two big containers of desks and chairs coming, they should be here by months end. I’m soooo excited about that and can hardly wait to hand them out. Pretty exciting stuff huh!

Elder Cameron and I will be starting up the Eat Healthy and Be Active program again starting the end of January. The interest has been great and it is so good to see that they see a need for it here in Samoa in their lives and the lives of their families. Elder Cameron and I have worked hard to be healthy while in Samoa, watching what we eat and continuing to work out regularly. Couples have told us since we arrived that senior missionaries always gain weight 30-40 lbs, we have seen it, and it’s true. There is so much fresh bread every day, coconut crème in everything, taro, deep fried food, and ramen noodles are a staple and servings are huge. There is also so much wonderful fresh fruit here, it’s all about choices!

 “The course of our lives is not determined by great, awesome decisions. Our direction is set by the little day-to-day choices which chart the track on which we run.”—President Gordon B. Hinckley,

Family and friends,

 Have a great week! Love life and love each other, remember to be Happy and Be Kind and look to see who you can help this week.

They are getting signs in Samoa now

Love the children!

Adorable

We found this raft while doing some searching on an Island, pretty neat find!

Turtle by Namua Island

Another Beautiful Beach

Jan.2/2019

Jan.2/2019

This is a bit of a different blog but I felt I really wanted to let you all know how thankful I am for you, life and the gospel.

Well we rang in a New Year. Looking back on 2017 and 2018, it was a year of firsts, sacrifice, adventure and growth. Leaving home, family and friends for eighteen months was a decision Scott and I made together with the lord and we knew it was what we needed and wanted to do. We have learned so much and have grown together stronger and more unified in the gospel and as eternal companions. Faith points to the future and I look forward to what lies ahead for Scott and I. I think of the words Grow old with me, the best is yet to be!

I am thankful for family, good friends, each one of our children, and grandchildren and the support and love you have given us along the way. I have seen blessing showered down on you and are grateful for the loving arms that have been around you and kept you safe while we were away. Another testament to me that prayers are answered.

I have seen the lord’s hand many times in helping us to help others and my testimony has been strengthened of a loving Savior who knows me personally and cares deeply about what I feel and how I’m feeling. I love the Book of Mormon and the testimonies that are on those pages. Each time I read from this great book I learn more and more and I know of its truthfulness, it has been a strength to me many times and has helped me through some difficult moments while here in the mission field.

This New Year is a great time for me to remember that the past is to be learned from and not lived in,

 Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away they may be, live to see the miracles and tender mercies that lie ahead and remember to be grateful for all you have.

I love and appreciate each one of you and who you are. May 2019 be good to you and may we all strive to be better today than we were yesterday and even better tomorrow.

Love,

Pam, mom, Gramma

This Picture was taken on our way home from Namua Island. We pasted  this sweet women playing a ukulele and just had to stop and listen to her sing and talk with her. We gave her a couple hygiene kits, it was wonderful,these are the moments that we will always remember.