March 25/2018

March 25/2018

What a week,

We were fortunate this past week to be involved in the handover ceremony of a major vision project involving medical eye equipment and technology. Scott was able to pull it all together in a very short amount of time due to his great organizational skills under pressure. The MOH, the Ophthalmologist, a rep from New Zealand and one from Salt Lake were all in attendance to hand over the equipment including a portable Fundus camera that will make it possible to help and visit many in the outlying areas and Islands to improve overall care for the people of Samoa. It was a great gift and I know it will be used a lot. It is amazing what the church is involved with and the help that they give all over the world without a lot of publicity.

In all the craziness of trying to get the handover done we forgot about an appointment with a village about water tanks, they called Thursday morning to see if we were coming, Scott rescheduled the appointment but neither one of us felt good about it, so Scott called back and asked if it wasn’t too late that he could be there in about 45 mins. They were thrilled, so Scott headed out the door and over to the Village where a group of Matai’s were waiting with a feast. The Matai’s had been up early killing chickens, preparing fish and other delicacies. It was a great experience for him as they ate together then climbed the hills to their village and Scott was able to see why they need tanks, it’s a project we are hoping to come up with very soon.

Also this past week we took some tables to a Primary School that has no tables in their library. Sometimes there are left over tables, teachers Desks and other furniture from past shipments and we happened to have some that would work perfectly for this school. The teachers and kids were so happy and it was so fun. The kids sang and danced, we laughed, we hugged and it was wonderful. We will be heading out there again when we get some desks in. After our visit there Scott and I headed to Clam Beach which just happened to be right down the road. I saw the clams this time, I snorkeled out to them! Sometimes I can’t quite believe that I’m doing that!

I’m not very good with dates but I do always remember Gramma Cameron left this world on March 14/2002. She has been in my thoughts a lot lately and I am thankful for her. She was always an example of love and unselfishness. Sometimes when Scott feels the need to invite someone over or volunteers me to make something I remember the saying “just throw another potato in the pot.” How I miss her in my life and I know our kids do too. Also in March are several birthdays and I want to wish Scotty and Andrew, two of my son in laws a very Happy Birthday, I know you did and will celebrate in style cause that’s what you both do, enjoy life to the fullest.

Conference next weekend, I’m looking forward to the words and direction that we will receive from our prophet and other leaders that will speak to us. It is amazing to me that no matter where we are we can all hear the same council and receive our own revelation. Easter is also on that weekend a perfect time to ponder and contemplate our relationship with the Savior. I am thankful for my Savior, my brother, my friend. His entire existence witnesses to me that death is not the end. He came to earth not just to provide a perfect example for each one of us but to make it possible for each one of us to be together with our families forever despite our imperfections.  Tasha's 37^th Birthday was on Friday March 23^rd we still get messages from friends that remember her and loved her. Thank you for those messages we love them and they continue to be a source of love and strength to me and a reminder of the importance of this journey we are on.

 I am hoping there will be an Easter Madden get together, a time to visit, catch up and know where everybody is and of course what everybody is doing. I know we will be thinking of you all and the great food we will be missing. MMMMM, turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, vegetables, buns and PIE. I can’t go on anymore it’s making me homesick and hungry. If you are getting together enjoy and know we love and miss you. Sheila I heard you are flying to the Island to see Nancy. I’m so glad you are doing so many fun things, stretching yourself and seeing that there is a big world out there just waiting for you. It may never be the same once you get out there but what fun it will be.

At church today our primary and youth sang, they did so good the chorus of one of the songs touched me and I want to leave it as my closing thoughts.

“God gave us families, to help us become what he wants us to be

This is how he shares his love, for the family is of God.”

I hope your week is filled with everything good and that you take the time to enjoy all you have and have been blessed with. We love you and are grateful for each one of you and what you bring to our lives. Remember to be kind to one another, you never know what may be going on in someone else’s life.

Eat lots of Turkey!    Grandkids, I love each one of you and miss you all like crazy.

Love,

Sister Cameron ( Gramma)

Books, Books and more Books

Children at the Primary School

Hand over Ceremony

Village shower and laundry

Zach and the boys!

Snorkeling at Clam Beach

March 18/2018

March 18/2018
Wow, I just had a moment (they are few and far between). I wasn't going to write a blog this week, thinking I didn't have much to say.  After reading Scott's email that he sends out I realized that there are people that read mine that don't see Scott's newsletter and there were things that happened this past week that touched our hearts and are important to share.
Scott and I went to Savai'i this past week and while doing some school site visits we went to a school that we heard needed desks. I had to fight back the tears as I saw many students sitting at desks that were in really rough shape ( I've included a picture). The principal at this Primary School and her husband out of their own pocket spend their evening and mornings before school starts making breakfast and lunches for the 200 children that attend school there so they can have a healthy meal. What an example of Love and Christ like charity.
Before Scott and I got here there was a container that came that had boxes and boxes of school books, We have been trying to go through these boxes and sorting them into ages, Primary School,  Middle School and College (High School). We have just about finished but we now have enough that when we go on site visits to schools we load the back of our truck with boxes of books and take them with us and if we see a need or feel prompted we will donate these to the different schools. The teachers and students are so happy and excited to receive these and we are happy to provide.  On one of our previous visits at a Primary School a young man mentioned he was in need of library books for the younger children so on our next visit we dropped by again and unloaded several boxes. It was rewarding to see the excitement of the children but the teacher was most thrilled.
The Diabetes Pilot Progrm is going great and we were able to spend some time with those involved in the program last week. There were a lot of kg's lost on the weigh scale and some really excited people. It is really rewarding to see these wonderful people work so hard to try and make a better life for them and their families. It can't be easy but sometimes the things worth having are not easy and that's why we appreciate them so much.
We have been blessed to meet some amazing people in our travels around the islands, and to see some heart warming things. Someone washing their hands with running water and soap, someone picking up  garbage  in the school yard, a smile, a kiss on the cheek,  these things continue to give us hope that yes, this is why we're here and to continue with the serving, teaching, guidance and love.
It doesn't matter where you are in the world, our Relief Society for The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints celebrated their  176 Birthday. It is the largest women's organization in the world, 7.1 million women and in over 188 countries. An amazing program of "Charity never Faileth."  President Hinckley once said " People wonder what we do for our women, I'll tell what we do. We get out of their way and look with wonder at what they're accomplishing."
I have been blessed to know and are friends with some great women, some who have passed on  like Gramma Cameron and many others  who consistantly display a quiet strength,  love, unselfishness,and kindness for others, you  are an example to me and am grateful for each one of you  in my life. Many of you have suffered some kind of hurt and pain, and continue to keep on moving forward with a smile on your face and the courage to keep on going. Thank you for your example.
Have a great week and remember Be Kind!
Love,
Sister Cameron( Gramma)

March 11/2018

March 11/2018

Talofa Lava,

 I thought I’d start out with a few fun facts about Samoa,

Savaii has an ancient pyramid on the island called Pulemelei or Star Pyramid.

Canned tuna is Samoa’s most important manufactured export.

In Samoa it is acceptable for a family who have too many boys to raise the youngest one as a girl. He is known as a fa’afafine and given a girl’s name and wears feminine clothing.

Samoans are known throughout Polynesia as the “happy people” because of their good spirited nature.

On Tuesday Scott and I were able to deliver about 150 desks and some chairs to Malie a Primary School here in Upolu. What a wonderful experience that was. On Monday we did a site visit there, they have around 400 students half of them sat on the floor, we felt strongly that the next container of Furniture For Schools was to go there. We knew there was a container of desks but were having some difficulty getting it out of customs, we finally got the go ahead and Tuesday morning a container was delivered. It was great to see the excitement as we opened the container, the students helped unload it and were thrilled with the gift of used desks and chairs.  Every child that goes to school should have a desk and chair and that is something we are working on.

Buses here in Samoa are the main transportation, costing only around 3 talas. People stand, sit, sit on each others’ laps, switch seats regularly and try to squeeze as many people as they can onto a bus, there is no such thing as personal space. There are a few designated bus stops, but buses stop whenever someone flags them down and lets them off whenever someone asks to be let of, It can take a couple hours just to get from one village to another. It’s like a big party, the music is playing, people laughing and no one in a hurry to get anywhere. I think it’s safe to say the motto should be “Have patience, keep a smile on your face and enjoy the ride.”

Scott and I are headed to Savaii this week, we love Savaii, It’s a beautiful Island. We have several more site visits for schools and some for water tanks and a diabetes meeting to attend. I think besides every child needing a desk every family needs clean water. Something we often take for granted. So, the next time you have a glass of water or a nice, long hot shower think how lucky you are cause not everybody gets that luxury.

A few weeks back I was getting some groceries and saw Lays Potato chips, I bought a couple bags and they were so good. Then the other day I saw them again and bought some more, I also saw A&W Root beer (I don’t even drink pop) but I had to buy it, I was so excited, thought I’d died and gone to heaven. It’s funny how something like that can get you all excited. I’ve learned that if you see something like that you better stock up because you may never see it again.

It looks like a bit of a warming trend is coming your way, hopefully it will stick around for awhile. It has been a long, frosty winter for many of you. I saw a picture cousin Wayne sent, a lot of snow, it was crazy. I know Jordan made some great tobogganing hills at home for the kids. Some of my fondest memories as a child were playing in the huge snow drifts and making snow forts. Getting older has a way of not always seeing and remembering the “joy in the good ole days.”

There were so many Birthdays in March, I’m sorry if we missed them, But we wish you all a very Happy Birthday. President Monson celebrated his 90^th birthday in August, he said his ideal birthday gift would be “find someone who is having a hard time or is ill and do something for them. That’s all I would ask.” Sounds like a great idea and definitely something our Prophet would have said.

Thank you to all who send pictures and comments to Scott and me. We love to read them. George, you make us laugh and we never quite know what you’re going to say. Cousin Wayne we are so glad you are getting around more, you know the saying “you can’t keep a good man down!” Rick, what kind of fish was that, it looked amazing.  Coleman, it was great to hear from you and to know it’s not a C,y but a K,i. keep plugging away and know our thoughts and prayers are always with you.

Once again, I’m thankful for tender mercies, the power of prayer and for listening to the promptings we can all receive. I am reminded again that Our Father in Heaven loves us and watches over our family. We are so far away and sometimes It’s hard to not be there to help, but I am truly thankful the way our children and family come together when needed.   President Dallin H. Oaks said, “Perhaps the most familiar and the most important examples of unselfish service and sacrifice are performed in our own families.”

I am seeing this more and more while Scott and I serve the Lord over here in Samoa you are all helping and serving each other. We love you and are grateful for each one of you and all you do.

Stay warm, enjoy the sun when it peeks out, be kind and love one another. Remember, everything you are learning now is preparing you for something else.

Love,

Elder and Sister Cameron (Gramma and Grampa)

Bus here in Samoa

Elder Cameron with students from Malie

Our adopted family, Lionel, Aotea, Lilysanna and Raihi

Student at Malie PS

Sunny Samoa

March 5/2018

March 4/2018

Time seems to be flying by, I mentioned to Scott that I feel like I just posted my last blog and here I am writing another.

We had a really busy week, we were in Savai’i for the first part of the week doing site visits and joined in a diabetes meeting. We listened to the member’s talk of how difficult it is to break old habits, to try eating less and drink more water but not having clean water to drink. They eat a lot of Taro here, it is easy to grow and is very available. They cook it in many ways and is like a potato, I still have not acquired a taste for it yet. Mangoes are out of season right now and pineapples will soon be, you can get them in stores still, but it is getting rare to see them on the sides of the road for sale. Fruits in season right now are lychee, pomelo, vi, sour sop, tangerines and avocados. There are bananas but many of the trees were wiped out in the storm and will take years to grow.  In the Pacific only 1 out of every 10 people are getting enough fruits and vegetables to keep them healthy and protect them from developing diabetes and heart problems. There is a lot of fruit here in Samoa, but everything has a cost. Listening to the many testimonies of how important this program is to them and their families was very inspiring to me and once again I’m reminded of how grateful I am for all I’ve been blessed with.

Scott and I visited several more schools and found once again there is necessity for desks, chairs, books and running water. The list seems to grow and grow and we’re hoping to have enough to fill many of the needs because the happy faces and thankful hearts we see each time we talk to a teacher or student is heart warming and enriches our lives over and over again.

On Friday we had the opportunity to listen to Brother Brent Buckner Director of Temporal Affairs in the Pacific Area. The message he gave was to simplify, Strengthen the church in Self Reliance, adapt to local conditions and the importance of change. We were asked to have lunch with him and had the opportunity to talk to him about what we were working on, the diabetes program and some of the humanitarian projects we are doing.

I saw a question a while back that I often think about “What can I accomplish with the Lord’s help"  My mind goes back to a large mural I saw when Scott and I were at the mission home in Provo. A beautiful picture of Queen Esther, a woman who had strength, conviction, and a love for her people. At the peril of her life she goes unto the king to try and save her people. Esther 4:14 “Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this. ” I know with the Lord’s guidance we are able to help, love and serve the people here, the tender mercies I see everywhere, the testimonies I hear and the love I see, and feel are a witness to me that the Lord loves and cares for everyone of his children. That he is in the details and a constant reminder that we are not here for us but for him.

Saturday was Zumba, at 6:00 am, that’s right you read it right. Our one Stake in Upolu involved in the diabetes project runs a Zumba class and weigh in. The gym is full, and it is amazing the energy and fun that goes on. Scott being a great morning person is up and ready to go and I’m trying to drag myself out of bed, so I can go sweat and hurt afterwards. I must admit once there it was good and a wonderful way to start the day.

Scott and I love to get the pictures, videos and all the great reminders of what we’re missing back home. Scott and Janelle, what beautiful family pictures thanks for sharing, I’ll get those up on my family wall here in Samoa, so I can brag. Nate your video was pretty good, Grampa and I got a good laugh over it. I was finally able to not only talk to my sister Madge, but I was able to see her. She is counting down the days till she and Lynnette head to Florida to spend some time with our sister Sandie in the warm sun. They are going to a pre-season Blue Jay game and I’m pretty sure there will be some trouble and a lot of laughs involved in this little get away. I’m a bit envious but excited for the time and memories that they will make. Mom and Dad, hang in there, I know it has been a long chilly winter but soon there will be signs of Spring. Just keep looking for them and enjoy them when they come.

I love you all and miss you. I hope and pray that each one of you can have the courage and patience to simply face life and do what you need to, to not only simply face life but to simply love life. Be happy, Be kind.

Love you all,

Sister Cameron(Gramma)

I added just a couple of pictures from the Island of Savaii

Bread fruit

Savaii

Savai

February 25/2018

 February 25/2018

Rain Rain Go Away, they need the rain but a reprieve would be nice, just long enough to get things cleaned up and dried out.

Scott and I spent some of the week travelling around the island. We did some site visits of schools needing furniture like desks, chairs, book shelves and library supplies. We would go to one school and they would be highest priority, we would then go to another school then they were highest priority. Some schools were hit hard by the cyclone, roofs and doors blown away, so much water damage. Many or most children especially in outer lying areas and villages sit on cement floors all day, but were so happy to see us and loved to talk and find out where we were from.

A song that came to mind as I was writing this was Count YOUR Many Blessings,

“When upon life billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost,

Count your many blessings; Name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done.”

 Sometimes it’s hard to see the blessings when we feel we’re encircled by difficulties, but we have much to be thankful for. God gives us the lessons we need most, not always the ones we think we need.

So, here’s a great visual moment for you. The other night, Scott and I were at a R.S., Elders and High Priest activity. We were put into groups and I was the only woman in my group. We were doing a Minute to Win it challenge, the first challenge was a Kleenex type box with an opening on top and 6 ping pong balls in it, we were then told to tie the box around our waist or hips (are you starting to get the picture). Being the only female in the group they assumed this would be great for me to do, I did tell them I’m not Samoan (in case they hadn’t noticed) and can’t move my hips like they do here, but they were insistent. It was sad, not only did I lose miserably they never asked me to do another challenge. OH well my cupcakes were amazing, we all have our strengths and I’ll stick to mine.

The Red Cross made a visit to our office last week and needed help with hygiene kits, the number has risen a lot and with this last rain it will probably go up again. We are glad to be able to help and look forward to our relationship with them.

Caleb loved your joke, so funny and Rowen how brave are you? That picture from the Science center laying on a bed of nails, WOW. Callum, hockey is almost over, you scored some goals this year and now it’s almost time to put on your flippers and snorkelling mask. Naters, how was your skiing this winter, did you do some crazy tricks? I’m also wondering, all those questions you asked grampa and I for school, how did that go? I hope you got a great mark. Scott and Janelle, what an active family you are, I love the pictures on Instagram, swimming, skiing, sledding and a whole lot of laughing. You guys are always on the go. Emma G, how proud we are of you and your choices, you are amazing. Soccer has started, you endured through Bball now the real fun begins. Chaser how I miss your smile and infectious laughter and baby Rae, you are growing way too fast and changing by the minute. You all make us so proud and we are thankful for each one of you.

On the weekend we went to To-Sua ocean trench, it was beautiful. A wonderful place to take family and friends when you all come to visit. The gardens and swimming were amazing. You need to look this place up, too beautiful for words. Going down the ladder to the water was an experience in itself. We did have to leave early because of rain and ended getting back to some major flooding in Apia.

Scott and I are headed to Savaii this next week to do some site visits, a diabetes meeting and some follow up visits from past projects. It is a beautiful island, we haven’t been there since the cyclone so we will see how they fared and how things are over there.

I found a great quote while reading the other day, “Real charity is not something you give away, it is something you acquire and make a part of yourself. And when the virtue of charity becomes planted in your heart, you are never the same again.”

I love that, and I hope one-day charity will be planted deep in my heart. How we love and miss you all, we hope and pray that each one of you are happy, healthy and staying on the course. For you my Friend Donna “Stay on the Bus.”

Love to all,

Sister Cameron(Gramma)

Shake,Shake,Shake

To-Sua look out

To-Sua Trench

February 19/2018

February 19, 2018
Hello everyone, we’ve had a busy week here in Samoa. With the cyclone Gida leaving a path of destruction it has kept us busy. Scott and I were talking a few days ago about our meetings with Elder Fata (Area Seventy) when we first arrived here in Samoa and his concern about the ER containers and the need to get those organized and ready in case there was a disaster like a cyclone. We are thankful that we followed his inspiration and guidance in getting the containers ready for such a disaster as cyclone Gida. It was a lot of challenging work and many late nights but we’re sure glad it was done as the shovels, brooms, water filters, chain saws and other necessities were needed and used. There are still parts of the island without power and water and that leaves concerns about disease and other sicknesses. Scott and I spent Monday taking water and other supplies to our young missionaries that were unable to leave their places and were in need.
 We were able to arrange with the help of Elder Fata for this band called Culture Crew who were looking for a service project while over here to give a concert to help this young family whose home was hit hard by the cyclone.  Culture Crew came in and helped to remove so much garbage and debris, it was amazing to watch them work as hard as they did with a smile on their faces and love in their hearts. Service has a way of bringing out the very best in people. After the clean up they did a couple songs and helped to bring some much needed hope into the lives of this young couple, it was great to be a part of it. Culture Crew performed at many various places on the island and really helped lift the spirits of these great people.
LDS Charities does a major wheelchair project, Scott and I were able to go into the homes of some of the recipients that have wheelchairs and visit with them, making sure the chairs are in good working order and they are comfortable and using them as best they can. The people were thrilled to have us in their homes and so happy to have a chair, their gratitude was humbling, and it was another great lesson for me.
Scott and I visited with The Red Cross this past week and thought it would be a great idea to work with them. We donated several items which they were grateful for and are looking forward to working with them in the near future. There are people and groups everywhere that do so much to help, we are making some great contacts and looking forward to doing what we can to serve those in need.
Woke up Friday morning with such an overpowering sense of gratitude and love for my Savior, for all he has done and continues to do for me and my family. My heart was so full as Scott and I said our morning prayers, my thoughts were also on how thankful I am for a husband whose commitment and love for the gospel, our Savior and the work we are doing here is truly a testimony to me. We have been blessed beyond measure and I am thankful for that.
This weekend we watched some rugby which is huge here, it was fun to mingle with the locals. We didn’t understand a lot of the yelling and tried to figure out who Lionel was because he clearly was the star according to the fans. We did enjoy the enthusiasm.  We also headed to the beach this weekend which was really nice. We did some snorkelling, yes even I did. I still need Scott there with me and to hang on to, but I saw so many colorful fish, they were all pretty small which is probably a good thing, nothing too threatening. I’m quite thrilled I went a whole week without a cockroach on my face or a gecko landing on my neck. A momentous week!
It’s so fun to get pictures from home and the picture of Callum and his medal for Science Fair was great. I think that he is the only Cameron to get a medal and maybe the only Cameron to want to enter the Science Fair. Well done. It’s always good to see the accomplishments of our kids and grandkids. You are all involved in so many things. Caleb, we are still waiting for another joke! We loved the pictures of the NCN. It looked so fun and thank you to family and friends for all you did in making the 11th annual NCN another success. I’m so proud of each one of my children, spouses, Grandchildren and extended family for what each one of you bring to our family. There is a quote by President Hinckley that I think just fits us, “In all of living have much of fun and laughter, life is to be enjoyed, not just endured.”
One of my favorite songs written by Elder Bednar and music by Paul Cardell is One by One. I listen to it often as it brings a lot of peace and strength to me and fills me with a love and thankfulness for the many blessings that Scott and I continue to receive while we are serving and a stronger testimony that each one of us is important in the eyes of our Father in Heaven and our Savior. We love and miss you all and continue to pray for each one of you.
Love you tons,
Sister Cameron (Gramma)

Matareva Beach

Crab

Red Cross visit

Pesega students singing before concert

Culture Crew

February 4/2018

Feb 4/2018

Our week started out great and ended amazing. What more can you ask for?

Scott and I are involved in a 12 week diabetes pilot program, which if successful could be used church wide. We had meetings the beginning of the week which involved 2 church stakes, one on the island of Savai’i and one here on Upolu. They are also running programs in Tonga, Fiji, Australia and New Zealand. I mentioned in my last letter that 7 of the top 10 countries in the world with a diabetes problem are in the South Pacific but along with that stat is there is an amputation related to diabetes every 12 hours in Fiji, there is an increasing number of church leaders replaced/die due to diabetes, and diabetes and clean water are the 2 biggest problems facing the South Pacific. You can see the importance of this program, we are hoping it can take hold because it can and will change lives for the better. Scott and I work with Elder Fata (area seventy), Stake President and the facilitators. We were up at 5:15 Saturday morning, at the gym where we met with around 100 people and weighed, measured, took BMI, and took height, blood test and blood pressure. After all that they then ran a very high energy Zumba class which everybody took part in.

On Thursday we were able to deliver two truckloads of desks, bookshelves and school tables to a primary school in one of our villages. A company from New Zealand sends us used school furniture that other schools don’t want and our schools over here are thrilled to have them. Our children sit on cement floors during school so if they can get an old desk and a chair they are as happy as can be. As we drove into the school yard the kids were waiting in their Fale for us and the smiles were so heart-warming, it was a humbling experience. They had a hand over ceremony where the school principal spoke, the pastor spoke and Elder Cameron spoke. The children then sang, it was so touching and then they asked Elder Cameron and me to do a Canadian Dance while the kids sang. We did a waltz, the children loved it and giggled, some of the teachers joined in doing a Samoan dance, which I am starting Samoan dance lessons this week, I can hardly wait.

Last year there were over 2,200 baptisms in the Samoa area, which is wonderful except with that kind of growth comes some difficulties. Keeping up with new members and leadership in the church. So many great people but needing the continued learning and growth that needs to happen in the gospel. It really doesn’t matter who or where you are there always needs to be learning and growing. If we are not moving forward we are going backwards.

I read a message the other day” Where are your feet taking you?” “What journey are you on?” Hopefully whatever journey or steps you’re taking it will bring you closer to our Father in Heaven and the wonderful joy that lies ahead.

Life is good and we have so much to be thankful for. I’m thankful for each one of you who have touched my life in so many ways, many of you don’t even realize the love, the help and the friendship you have given me.

Scott and I love our mission and I was thinking the other day we all can serve, you don’t need to be in a foreign country or a thousand miles away to help. President Hinckley said “There are so many who have been injured and who need a good Samaritan to bind up their wounds and help them on their way. A small kindness can bring a great blessing to someone in distress and a sweet feeling to the one who befriends them.”

We love and miss you all. We also love to hear back from you and know how you are doing and what’s going on in your busy lives.

Remember to See a Great Day! Love Elder and Sister Cameron ( Gramma and Grampa)

Video of kids singing

Children unloading tables and desks

Hand over ceremony at Vailoa