Nov. 11/2018

Nov.11/2018

It has been awhile!

Scott and I have been busy delivering school furniture, water tanks, we had a handover for a community fale and lots of planning for the busy week to come.

We had a few great experiences this past week and times when we followed the promptings and were able to help some people in need.

 One of those times was when Scott had been trying for about 3 months to reach a Sister who was left alone with 5 children from ages 18-7, we couldn’t reach her so we kind of gave up hope. Scott had this feeling to try her again a couple weeks ago and was able to finally talk to her. She had moved back to her parents and was living in this very small fale with no water or power. She came in and spoke with us, we decided to take her home and see where she was living and if possible to provide her with a tank. It just about broke our hearts to see what she was living in. We had a tank delivered the beginning of the week. The ward she is in is hopefully going to do a service project there, LDS Charities will provide the materials for some help with her roof and her church family will provide the manual labor. I mentioned to Scott that we do some large projects that effect hundreds of people and some large villages but what touches my heart the most has been the small individual families that we help. To me that is what ministering is all about. Searching out that one person or family that is need.

Imele and daughter

We had the opportunity to finally take some school desks, chairs and a couple teacher desks over to Sili Primary School and another school at Saleaula PS. WE have been waiting since we first came on our mission  and saw the great need for desks at these schools. It is very expensive to try and get school furniture over to the Island of Savai’i so they don’t have the opportunity to receive as much as Upolu. The teachers, students and parents were so excited to see the big container arrive and threw quite a party. After celebrating at Sili we loaded up a truck and headed for the other school and made a drop off there where they served us fresh pineapple, the kids sang, Scott spoke again ( he is getting so good at speaking at all these events). We then took off to catch the ferry home. All in a day’s work!

Old desks at Sili

We also had a handover ceremony at Tafatafa this week. A community Fale, once again LDS Charities supplied the materials and the village supplied the labor. They were great to work with and the handover was so much fun. I cut the ribbon, their Pastor and the LDS Bishop in that area all spoke and Scott gave his words of wisdom which were great. We then ate, danced, laughed and danced some more. It was really enjoyable. I think some of the women took a shine to Scott, a custom is to come over and bow which means they want to dance, it was only a couple women at first then the dancing really started and a couple younger ones with some great moves started dancing with or to him. It was so funny.

Elder Cameron showing his moves!

 We picked up a couple from Utah this week that will be doing some training with the Wheelchair project that the church has here. A container of over 300 chairs arrived last week, which is great because there is a large waiting list here with many amputees on it caused by diabetes; the need is great for chairs, we work with the hospital and chairs are given to anyone in need but the list is longer than we have chairs for.

There is a great video on the Church Website, Scott put it on his email. As we watched it the other day, it helped reinforce the importance of ministering, not just within the church but everywhere. To some this comes easy, I think of many I know and admire like Uncle Don Leavitt that love unconditionally and would do anything for someone in need. I think that is a wonderful gift and one I am continually trying to improve on. I do think that when we leave this life we may be accountable for what we did and who we ministered to and how we treated others. I think if we can slow down just a little and take the time to look around we will see many ways to offer help to others. Whether it’s a smile, a hug or something bigger it doesn’t matter, what matters is that you care.

I was excited and envious that Esther’s parents Wes and Dian are now home from their mission in Toronto enjoying the grandkids and a couple from our ward in Olds, Rosanne and Lavar Adams are heading to Toronto on a 6 month mission. They will love it and will be amazing. I think it is pretty remarkable that senior missionary couples can now serve for 6, 9, 12, 18 or even 23 months if they choose. It is an incredible experience to feel a part of moving this great work forward.

My sister Sande and Mark has finally sold their house in Florida and bought one in St. George Utah, so now a bit closer to home and to mom and dad. I sure loved all the Halloween pictures but Nate’s was the funniest. Scott and I were in American Samoa last week and turned the TV on and there was Dwight from the Office, too funny, Nate you were the perfect Dwight right down to the brief case and glasses.

The fruit and vegetables are plentiful right now and so colourful.  Mangos, pineapple. Bananas, vegetables are yummy and are on every corner. We need to enjoy them as the season is short and we will not be here for the next mango and pineapple season. And there is nothing like a fresh mango just off the tree.

I can’t believe how quickly time is flying by and how much there is to do. It was a busy but wonderful week and the next few weeks will be just as busy and then things will start to slow down as kids finish school and families go away for Christmas and often till the end of Jan. We have many projects we will be able to wrap up here in the next few months and some more we will open. It is a great feeling to see a project through from start to finish and see how it can bless so many lives.  While things do slowdown that is a good thing for us to get caught up and finish some of the paper work and other things that get pushed aside till we have time.

Life is great and we have so much to be thankful for and I’m thankful for each one of you. Have a good week and remember to look around and see who you can help today!

Remember, Be Kind and Be Happy!

Love,

Pam

October 14/2018

Oct. 14/2018

We’ve had a great week, busy with delivering computers, donated by UVU Women’s Volleyball team, books to colleges and Primary Schools from FFS.

Elder Cameron and I did several visits to families in need of water tanks, tarps, and other materials for their fales. We did site visits to several schools in need of toilets, wiring, and other building materials to do what we can to maybe be of some help and support.

We attended an Eat Healthy and Be Active meeting and participated in a Zumba class in Upolu, which was fantastic.

We then flew over to American Samoa to attend another Eat Healthy class. This program is such an inspired program for here in the Pacific. Listening to the testimonies in class is very touching, for many of these people who are steadfast to their culture and traditions it is a very difficult life style change that requires much commitment and determination. I appreciate the honesty that the people have in expressing the feelings and frustrations they have, One sister in the program just lost her 45 year old husband recently to Diabetes, it’s sad because  Type 2 Diabetes can be controlled in many cases.

We met with 3 Stake Presidents while there and saw some of the needs in AS and we will be spending more time over there. We met some great people, talked with some adorable children and were able to do plenty of service. I’d say that was a great week. We will be writing up several proposals and hopefully they’ll all get the thumbs up!

Wasn’t Conference amazing! I can’t really say that I have a favourite talk, I loved them all. I really did enjoy the Women’s Broadcast, all those talks were so good and to hear the first presidency all speak was great. It just reaffirms my feeling on just how important women are in the church.

When President Nelson said

“My dear sisters, we need you! We ‘need your strength, your conversion, your conviction, your ability to lead, your wisdom, and your voices,’” said President Nelson. “We simply cannot gather Israel without you.” He went on to say, “Of the important work of women, President Nelson said: “My dear sisters, you have spiritual gifts and propensities. … I urge you, with all the hope of my heart, to pray to understand your spiritual gifts—to cultivate, use, and expand them, even more than you ever have. You will change the world as you do.”

I love it and feel that we as women have a great work to do, The Church is moving ahead so quickly and so many great and inspiring things are happening. I love being involved and knowing that each one of us can make a difference in moving the work along, whether it’s at home, in the community, at work or with friends. It’s all important!

Friends and family I can hardly believe Scott and I have been out going on 11 months. We’ve been able to do so much and help so many but there is still much to do and many to help. We love each of you and marvel at how much the Lord has blessed us and our families. I know and have a testimony of his love and concern for each one of us. I know he answers my prayers and guides us to those in need. As Elder Cameron says, “there are no coincidences.”

Happy Birthday to Nate today, 14 years and going to his first church dance, Watch out girls, he’s been working on his pick-up lines and there are some good ones. I’m so proud of each one of my grandkids and am thankful for the great kids they are.

 There is a new primary song out called “I Will Be What I Believe” The 1^st verse says,

I hope that we all will have the strength and desire to  Be What We Believe, Have a fantastic week and Remember Be Kind and Be Happy!

Love you all,

American Samoa

Students raking grass at school

Some great women at one of our projects! 

Sept.30 2018

Sept.30/2018

October is here, that means Conference, family Birthdays, Fall Colors and Halloween. How exciting is all of that?

I’m looking forward to conference to hear the words, advice and direction from our church leaders. When you hear them speak you can feel the concern, warmth and love that they have for each one of us and you know that what they have to say is inspired and comes from Our Heavenly Father and Elder Brother Jesus Christ.

This week has been a bit slower, which is probably a blessing as Scott was quite sick and is now just starting to feel human again. We are really involved in the Diabetes program and that seems to have taken a front seat right now although we have a container sitting and waiting to be opened that is full of desks which we are wanting to take over to Savai’i as soon as we can arrange it. I’m really looking forward to the children there, we have been waiting for a full container of desks for a while now as this little Primary School has been a top priority since we got here. Scott and I just love the kids and it is always such a joy to see them and see the happiness and gratitude they feel when they are given something.

We have Elders often at our home during the week either doing their laundry or having breakfast or stopping by to enjoy the air conditioning before they head to their next appointment. The other day I came home from the office to a dark house with Elder Cameron on the couch, two other Elders, one on the floor and one in the corner all sick, I nearly turned around and went back to the office where there were no germs. Scott has developed such a great relationship with these young men and they look to him for help and advice and maybe a lesson or two on how to play basketball. I often here them say “I Love You Elder Cameron.” And I know they do, he's a great example for them.

A couple of Senior Missionary couples are heading home to excited families. We had a farwell dinner and visit last week. We will sure miss them and I think a visit after our mission will be in order. Elder and Sister Rees live in Livingston ID, I hear the fiy fishing is great  and The Little’s live in Seattle, a great city for so much including baseball. Each couple bore their testimony of the love and growth they have developed while being on their mission. I have seen and heard from many missionaries as they are getting ready to go home that they come out ready to “change the world” and the biggest change was in themselves. I can truly testify that, my testimony of service, The Book of Mormon, temple work and The Savior has grown so much over these past 10 months. I’m grateful for the many senior couples who I’ve been blessed to know that have been such an example to me of Christ like service.

Elder and Sister Rees and Elder and Sister Little

We also had the opportunity that same evening to hear the testimony from Becca, A young women who was here with her parents and comes about every 2-3 years and helps in schools for special needs children. Becca bore a very special testimony of how she knew that this was the time and place for her to be here and how thankful she was for the priesthood and the Temple and how they have been the biggest influence on her life. She also spoke of angels that help her and take care of her. She is definitely one of our Father in Heaven's choicest spirits.

Becca Winegar

I saw this quote by Elder Uchtdorf and thought how true, often when people ask “how do you know, or what proof do you have, or you don’t believe in Christ, or at times when we are struggling in our own lives and it just seems easier to walk away than go to church or live the gospel. It is that deep down feeling, that trust and faith that you know it’s true it’s what keeps you going. It’s a love for our Savior and what he did for each one of us.

We have Birthdays this month, my sister Sandie, my really good looking grandson Nate, 14 years old, how did that happen? And of course the always smooth talking Cole man. We are wishing you all and of course any that I missed a most amazing Birthday. We love you all and want everything great for each one of you.

I knew leaving my family and friends for 18 months would be hard but the blessings we’ve received have far outweighed the home sickness that comes every once in a while. Knowing that we can and are making someone’s life just a little bit better makes it so much easier, so does Skype, Email and Magic Jack!

I saw this quote the other day, it is from one of my most favorite talks by President Eyring “Fear not to do Good,” If you have time look it up Oct. 2017 Conference. It has been a help and a great strength to me many times.

 Scott and I continue to keep busy and are loving our time here. We are already wondering how we are going to get all our projects done before it’s time to go home. We have over 15 projects on the go now and that's not counting the smaller projects that we take out of  Emergency aid, Diabetes or Furniture for Schools.   Have a great week filled with love, kindness and most important service for others. We love you and pray for you always.

Remember BE Happy and Be Kind!

Sept.16/2018

I have been a bit slack but I'm back and so much to tell. Elder Cameron and I celebrated our 40th anniversary in Samoa, what better place and to be with my forever partner, serving the lord in paradise. What a wonderful, full experience we had and continue to have.

We had a couple of handover ceremonies this past week, one was a water tank to a school and one was rubbish shelves to a village. LDS Charities supplied the materials and the village supplied the man power. As is the custom, there were speeches,many grateful people and one little piggy did not live to see another day along with a chicken, a duck and a lobster. It is always interesting to me to watch the order of High Chiefs, Orators and the Matai's at these ceremonies. They all have special seats in the fales and certain orders that they speak. There are many customs and signs of respect that must be followed and shown. I'm always a bit concerned that one of these days I'm going to say or do something that could be taken wrong. They always just smile, shake our hands and kiss us on our cheeks and tell us over and over how grateful they are for the help they recieve from LDS Charities for thier village.

We had a crazy busy week but it was great. We have officially kicked off the Eat Healthy and Be Active program. After being involved in the Pilot program here it is now being offered to all stakes in the Pacific. We had 8 stakes want to start now for the 12 week program and hopefully the rest after Christmas. 3 were introduced  in Upolu, we did 3 in Savai'i on Thursday and then we flew to American Samoa and did 2 Stakes there. We really enjoyed American Samoa. I have a little secret to share, we heard they have a Carls Jr. (hamburger place) there and that the burgers and fries were really good. They were so yummy, we ate so much, and then we went and taught the Eat Healthy and Be Active program. Too funny, but did we ever enjoy that indulgence.
We were invited to the West Stake Cultural Celebration in American Samoa. What a party that was!It was so much fun, the R.S. sisters from all the wards sang and danced in their culture dress it was amazing and such a great experience. I loved it. We were fed, there was so much food and so much variety, what a great morning, I love, love love the sisters here. This has given me an idea or two for a Relief Society party back home.

We met a couple the other night at the temple, they were palangi so we had an idea they were visiting. As it turned out they were from Canada, so I asked where they said Alberta ( now we're getting somewhere) They are from Magrath, yes! It was so good to talk to someone who knows family, they know Scott and Janelle, Cliff and Mary. They had great things to say about all as I knew they would. It is always great to hear wonderful things about family and touch base with fellow Canadians.

We saw pictures this week of kids starting school, Chase learing to ride a bike, Emma's homecoming,She looked beautful in her red dress and Congrats to Nate on another win in biking,WOW! My grandkids make me so proud. Winnie the Pooh seems to be big right now and I saw a quote and loved it. It made me think of my grandkids and I thought that this is some good advice.

More and more I see how important the gospel is in our lives, the stability and strength we can get from following the Savior. We have so many blessings in our lives and so many miracles like making it home from Pago, American Samoa on their little 16 seater plane.

I'm so grateful for the gospel and the many people that have helped and influenced me and the many that continue to do so at home and here on our mission. To be able to serve Our heavenly Father and Elder Brother is truly one of our greatest blessings. I love my Savior and all he has done for me. Elder Cameron and I continue to pray for guidance in doing his work and in helping those in need here in Samoa.

May you find joy in your journey and may you have the courage and the commitment to get to know the Lord and may feel of his blessings in your life.
We love and miss you,
Remember Be Happy and Be Kind!

September 7th

Sorry, no blog this week as I’m celebrating my 40th Anniversary with my eternal companion, but here are a couple pictures of where we’re staying.

Love you all.