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

January 28/2018

It’s been a busy week. Scott and I worked on the ER container here in Upolu, we opened it up about a month ago, looked at it closed it, knowing it was going to take a lot more time than we had at that time. Well, we got it cleaned out, organized and it looks pretty good. We still have a few more things to get and we need to label the supplies but if there was an emergency they could now find what they need. We loaded our truck with more supplies to go to Savaii, which we will took towards the end of the week.

We also had a meeting for the new Diabetes project which will be starting the first week of February. We are really looking forward to this pilot program which will be implemented through the church. 7 of the top 10 countries in the world that have a diabetes problem are here in the south Pacific.

Scott and I headed to Savaii on Thursday with our truck full of ER supplies for the sea can. We unloaded and marked all the supplies so now it is organized and ready. It was a hot, humid job but there is satisfaction in knowing that it is ready to use in case of an emergency.

We did decide to drive around the whole island of Savaii, It normally takes around 5 hours to drive it and it did take us a bit longer as we stopped at a couple of our projects. One in the village of Asau, a company here in Upolu, have started sending over water tanks, 4 of the 25-3,000-liter tanks had arrived. We met with the village mayor and he took us around to show us where the tanks were delivered. Only 21 left to be delivered, they bring 5 at time by ferry and it is quite the process. It could take months for all the tanks to be delivered. We will be over in Savaii several more times before this project can be finalized and closed.

We also went to Sili a primary school in Savaii that LDS Charities did a bathroom renovation for. We went to see if they needed some school supplies and to make sure the washroom was in good working condition.

We stayed at the Amoa in Savaii, which was nice. The Thursday evening after we finished the sea can we checked into our hotel, Scott went snorkeling, we ate dinner a fell into bed exhausted. I had just fallen asleep when I felt something on my face, I sat up quickly brushed it away and turned on my light. There was a huge cockroach scurrying up the wall. I didn’t scream, Scott was sound asleep, so I spent the night with the light on watching the cockroach. The ceiling was really high  , so I couldn’t kill  it. Scott did finally wake up and wondered why the light was on, I told him what happened and maybe I did cry just a bit. We layed there, he fell back to sleep and I kept guard with the light on for the rest of the night. The staff promised to go and take care of everything. They were good, but the next night I kept the lights on and kept guard once again. Needless to say I was a bit tired after that adventure. We checked out on Saturday, headed back to Upolu to meet the other senior missionaries at a beach. Each time we go to a beach it is my favorite but seriously Virgin Cove is now my most favorite. They filmed the TV show Survivor there. It was secluded, the sand amazing and absolutely beautiful. I even tried snorkeling, really I did. I quite liked it and will definitely do it again.

I’m very thankful for my mission companion, who is so patient with all my weird and crazy hang ups. He has caught on here so quickly and has embraced everything with a love and passion. People here are amazed at his energy and his let’s get er done attitude.  I just try to keep up and sometimes give a gentle reminder that we are in Samoa and things take time.   He is a great example to me and he makes me want to be better.  We feel so blessed to be here in this little bit of paradise, we love the people. They are a hard working, happy people. The children are adorable, they always talk to us, wave at us and always have a huge smile on their faces. We love it and can’t get enough of it.

I miss my family and friends and I’m so thankful we are able to talk and facetime. Although it only makes me miss them more. They do seem to be doing just fine without me, HMMM how does that work? I think of you all often and hope you’re doing well, taking care of each other, be patient with each other and have an understanding heart, be kind and just love each other.

Remember to see a great day and rise above and continue on your journey knowing the Lord is with you.

I love and miss you and am sending big hugs to all my adorable grand kids.

Virgin Cove Beach 

 
This is how they dry their clothes here, lay them on the hot lava rocks.

Just like Robinson Crusoe, picked the coconut, husked it, broke it open with a rock and we enjoyed eating it. So good. What a man, supplying food for his family!    

Black Sand Beach

Sauniatu

January 15/2018


Scott and I had a great and productive week. We are busy trying to wrap up some older projects and  get ready for some new ones. We had several women come into the office this past week requesting help from  LDS Charities. The villages here in Samoa have committees that are run by the women , they get together weekly to discuss the needs of the village they then meet with the village council which consists of the family Matai's who are the leaders of each family then the Matai's meet with the village chief and then they decide what the final request or need might be, the women then come to us. Often our work is through the women's committee's. It's interesting looking at the requests that come in and although you want to help everyone it's important to really listen to the promptings and feel what might be best for the villages,  to not only help the right now but will continue to be a help in the future. I can always remember the quote "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime." We want to help our Samoan friends for a lifetime.

We had the wonderful opportunity to go to a village Sauniatu, where there is a LDS church school. There is a great article in the January 1978 Liahona, if you have time it is a great read about the history, culture, faith and strength of these amazing people.  It will go into detail of what I have only touched on. Sauniatu is located about 20 miles east of Apia in a crater of an extinct volcano. Sauniatu means "a place to prepare." The early saints had a vision, in 1904 when they were establishing Sauniatu, they had been expelled from their villages, persecuted and unfairly taxed for being mormons. There are pioneers all over the world who have been persecuted and have suffered for their beliefs but  thankfully have stayed strong and have left a wonderful legacy for those who have come after. Sauniatu is definitely  one of those legacies. In 1921 Elder David O McKay visited and pronounced an apostolic blessing on Sauniatu and its inhabitants. His love for the people and the country was very evident  as he spoke about it and in his prayer.
They have a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole there that we visited on Saturday. It was a bit cold and took me a few minutes but it was wonderful. I mentioned to Scott on our way home that I've done more in these past 6 weeks to overcome some of my fears than I have in my whole life. I attribute that to the prayers and pleading I do every night, and your prayers on my behalf asking for help with my many weaknesses and imperfections. I'm thankful for a loving Father in Heaven and a Savior who listens to me and continues to help me even though I feel unworthy at times.

We are now in a bigger 3 bedroom house which is nice but a bigger house means more bugs, our small 2 bedroom place was pretty good as the bugs were relatively few. There was a lot of cleaning that needed to be done before we could move in, it was left empty for about a month so that's an invitation for unwanted visitors, and there were plenty. I think the cockroach count was 20, with a few more everyday. Scott is working to get rid of those pesky bugs and have everything under control before our visitors start to come and before I have another traumatic experience ( next letter).

I love it here in Samoa despite the bugs and truly love the people, I am in awe at this beautiful culture and how important it is to the Samoan  people We can learn so much from them if we only take the time to listen and try to help where needed.
I do miss my family and friends, the videos of our grandkids always tug at my heartstrings and every time I hear them say Gramma and Grampa I just want to hold them and never let go. Already so many changes, I can't imagine in 16 months what they will all be like.  Scott writes a great newsletter every week, if you would like to be on the list send him an email at scottcameronnrg@gmail.com.
I do know that promised blessings will come to the family as we continue to serve the Lord. I have already seen that in so many ways, there are tender blessings every day. I told one of my girls the other day that I feel so blessed to have the family I have and am grateful everyday for each one and what they bring to our family.

The funeral of President Monson was very touching and very uplifting. He was a man who lived what he believed and always set an example of love and service. I think of his reunions on the other side and the joy that everyone must feel.
Miss and love you all, and a really big Happy Birthday tomorrow to my little Chaser. I love you tons!

Love,

Sister Cameron(Gramma)

Elder David O McKay's Prayer

A Fale named after Elder McKay at Sauniatu

A Samoan Farmer

Waterfall at Sauniatu

It's a New Year

Jan. 7/2018
A New Year, I've never been one for New Year resolutions, but I do think it's good to go back and look at the 2017 year, the good, the not so good and what I can take from it and what I can learn and what I really want to forget. To look at 2018 and what I want and need to accomplish in regards to personal and spiritual growth.
Life is good, and at most times it's even great, we are so blessed to have so much and to live in a place that has so much to offer.
My heart was saddened this past week with the passing of our dear prophet Thomas S Monson, but rejoiced in the knowledge of his reunion with his eternal companion, Frances. It was quite thought provoking for me to read that not only would he be reunited with his beautiful wife but with prophets that had gone on before him. What an amazing reunion that would be.
Well, this week has been a bit quiet. Samoans start the holidays around the 22 and don't come back to work till around the second week of January. I don't mean just some, I mean all, the whole island. Children are on summer holidays, family travel to other islands, many go to New Zealand and they do not work. They enjoy their family time, eating and playing a lot of volleyball. They include all, everyone in their villages. I don't think there are any inside playing video games or watching TV.  I find it very refreshing here that people are so relaxed and so accepting. I love the flowers here they seem to grow everywhere and are large and colorful. The women always have them in their hair and can just go pick one anywhere.
I think Scott and I are ready to get going on some of our projects and finish a couple that need to be wrapped up. You know Scott, this has already been quite a lesson on patience. Everything truly on this island is hurry up and wait, no hurry up just wait. When they said this is where Island time was invented it's true. I know in a few weeks I'll be saying we need more hours in a day. We do have a water project to get finished, 25-3000 liter tanks are in the process of being shipped to Savai'i hopefully this week. It's important to get these tanks set up during the rainy season, which goes from November to April. On Tuesday we have desks and bookshelves to go to a primary school. Many of the students sit on the floor so to sit at a desk is a real luxury.
This past week we went to a beach called Return to Paradise, named after a movie that was shot here in Samoa with Roberta Haynes and Gary Cooper.  It was another beautiful beach with very few people on it.
We are enjoying our time here but miss the family, friends and GRANDKIDS. We love the pictures we get (Thank you Esther), but it does pull at the heart strings. We already see changes in them and can't imagine all the changes in 17 more months. We do know that this is where we are to be at this time and know that our family will be watched over and blessed. We love you all and are truly grateful for your support in so many ways.  Scott sends a great letter home every week and if anyone wishes to be on the list send him an email to scottcameronnrg@gmail.com
"Everything you are learning now is preparing you for something else."
Love you all,
Pam (Sister Cameron)

Pineapple from our yard

Return to Paradise beach

Happy New Year

Looking back on 2017, it was filled with so many great memories. Getting ready for our mission to Samoa, Scott's retirement, trips to Bozeman, the lake, kids moving in, kids moving out, kids moving in again, planting trees and more trees, working on our little cabin, swimming and so many family get togethers. It was a great year and 2018 will be even better, a few different kinds of activities but I'm sure memorable ones.
This past week has been busy with two trips to Savaii. We travel 1.5 hours by ferry to this beautiful island just off of Upolu the island that we live on. There is a sea-can there filled with emergency supplies that needed to be gone through, now that was hot, Scott was dripping by the time we had checked out and unpacked all the boxes. We needed to go back on Thursday to finish the job and organize the shelves. It is now done and we feel much better knowing that if there is a disaster there are some supplies to help the people. We need now to go through the one here in Upolu, and then to Pago,Pago American Samoa in the near future.
This next week we will be going through projects that people have put in requests for and trying to organize the 2018 year. There are many villages, schools, communities that need help. Although we work for the church 95% of all the work we do is for other faiths and denominations. The people are always so grateful for anything the church can do to help, Samoans are a very humble and kind people and quick to show their gratitude.
Saturday was beach day, I know "yes" again. It was great fun, we went with some other senior couples, packed a lunch and headed out for some much needed rest and relaxation.I saw some young elders walking up the road pushing their bikes, I felt a bit guilty having so much fun in the water, but the guilt only lasted for a few minutes. The water here is so warm, I'm surprised at how clear and warm it is, it helps to make my fears of the ocean so much easier. I'm even thinking of snorkeling sometime in the future, I'm not saying when but seriously entertaining the idea.
Scott and I spoke in church on Sunday (today). I mentioned it was -35 at home, their faces were in shock, probably wondering how anyone could live in that that kind of weather, we're a tough bunch up in Canada. We're just waiting and wondering what our church calling will be, maybe primary teacher, that would be great.
Well I'm always so happy to say all is well here and I hope and pray all is well with each of you. 2017 was a rough year for some of my dear friends and loved ones, I think of you often, pray for you and love you. May 2018 bring you the joy, love and peace that you're looking for and remember Proverbs 3:5,6.
We love you and Aiga tausaga fou fia fia ma uo.

Waterfall in Savai'i

Savai'i

The bluest water I've ever seen, picture doesn't do it justice. Savai'i

Scott in his Lava,Lava. Looks great!