On Christmas Day, we fed the Elders biscuits and gravy, scrambled eggs, orange juice and got them set up to Skype with their families. We called Elder Cameron's dear parents and siblings, took a nap (Santa came early), then, WE WENT SNORKELING! Actually, there were a lot of people with the same idea. Since winter is when the ocean on the North Shore is turbulent and only for tough surfers, we went to Turtle Bay which is for novices and gentle folk, such as we. There is a rock barrier that keeps the snorkeling area quite calm. However, that barrier also limits the type and amount of sea life that is available. Well, I had a grrrreat idea. I took one of the left over biscuits and gave those fish a Christmas feast! Word travels fast under water. Very quickly, we had a plethora of sea life to enjoy. The biscuit dissolved into a million crumbs and fed our distracted entertainment. I have since learned, from those who know, to feed the fish a whole, peeled banana. I will be checking out that suggestion with the locals. 

After our refreshing swim, we Skyped our delightful family and felt sorry for ourselves because we weren't with them. We are grateful for the technology to see one another so conveniently and clearly. 

We, then, grilled chicken and pork chops for the Elders, and enjoyed a relaxing Christmas evening reminiscing with them.

The point of all of this is: 

We went snorkeling on Christmas Day! 

What a blessed and memorable day it was for us.

We had a Christmas miracle. Let me explain.....
As you know, we live on an island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. What's more, we live on the North end of the island, which is more remote than the South end, which means not as many stores or as many items in the stores as we're used to on the mainland. Really not a problem until you want 'Butterscotch Cook and Serve Pudding' for your traditional Cameron Family Christmas Rolls. Instant won't work. And only two stores had the instant, anyway. A Walmart in Honolulu said it had some in it's store, but, the traffic there and back during the surfing season is non-negotiable, plus, the president of the free world is vacationing on this island, which adds to the chaotic madness.
We finally resigned ourselves to going without until a later time, and we didn't hardly whine at all!

In Laie is a place called " Give and Take". It has four little pods on the perimeter and in the middle is a tarp over "the stuff". When kids graduate and people and missionaries leave the island, they often have accumulated way to much stuff to fit in any suitcase, so they donate it to "Give and Take". Books, shoes, clothes, kitchen items, bedding, strollers, office supplies, toys, games, knick knacks, food and so much junk, you can hardly imagine. If you find something you want, you don't pay for it, you sign up to work a shift. No money is involved, just your shift, to organize. Missionaries don't do a shift, they get to "just shop". 

The day before Christmas Eve, after our interview with our mission president, I wanted to donate some things, plus we wanted to look for some books. We rooted around and found a book, some staples and a file folder. As we were leaving, I glanced to my left at the jewelry counter and saw this.

Who says Heavenly Father doesn't have a sense of humor?!
Cook and Serve in Laie? Never! Yet, there was one small box of just what we wanted. I remember sending the recipe to Elder "Crocker Cameron" in Florida and a box of this pudding to Anziano Cameron in Italy.  So, it stands to reason, someone sent this box to their kidlet, or someone brought it in a suitcase. Doesn't matter. It lets us know we're loved and 
cared for. That is our Christmas miracle. How cool is that.

                                                   Aloha

               

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

We wish you much joy at this Christmas season, and pray that we all may experience the peace and spirit of the Savior now and throughout the new year.

With much Aloha, from beautiful Hawaii

Elder and Sister Cameron

Traditional Tongan apron, which represents respect. This is the most feminine example we have seen.  When they lived in Tonga, these aprons were worn over their clothes when in the presence of the Island King and his family. Now, they wear them to church, also as a sign of respect. The Tongan women love Elder Cameron.

Malia Fumaki and Elder Cameron 

Elder Cameron showing his great surfing form as he gets into the local fun with Polynesian Santa.

Aloha

  

This was something to crow about, but, where was the rooster when I needed him to warn us?

There are wild pigs on the islands that wander around in the mountains and seem to come out at night. Wouldn't you know...we got an adventurous one that decided to show up in the light. Perhaps it has the same defect the rooster do and can't see! Fortunately, we have two yellow labs that live at our address and watch out for us. There was no way that pig was coming inside those gates! There are Tongan kids that like to spear and roast them. I will have their phone numbers handy for the next porcine reconnaissance.

Aloha

Peace Is Possible

Yesterday, was December 7 - seventy four years since the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Elder Cameron and I were driving to Honolulu for some training and we had two Japanese Sister missionaries with us.  As we made the journey, we talked about Christmas traditions that our families celebrate and how much we'll miss them, but, that we are happy to be where we are and do what we are doing. We love these Sisters and we each have the same goal of teaching others of Jesus Christ. In seventy four years we've gone from wanting to destroy one another to wanting to save one another. My Dad, who is 90 years old, served (Thanks, Dad) in World War II, on the islands of Tinian and Saipan, so the dichotomy of us serving side by side with Japanese nationals is not lost on me. 

Every six weeks, the missionaries on the island of Oahu, clean "Mighty Mo", also known as the USS Missouri battleship, which was the site of surrender with Japan, that ended the war. 
It is now a museum ship at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii.

Check out our group of ship cleaners.  Japanese, Filipino, Cambodian, Hawaiian, German, Tongan, Chinese and a few 

Americans. Happy looking kids, aren't they. Maybe we can learn something from the younger generations.

                                                                        Aloha

A Savior Is Born
Click on above

Tonight, we attended a Christmas program put on by the Sisters that serve at the Laie Temple Visitors Center. They sang carols and shared their testimonies about the divinity of Jesus Christ. It was a beautiful start to the Christmas Season for us. 

Aloha

Are you kidding me?

Elder Cameron is having a nap under a cover! I have no idea how he does this!

 

Check the "Real Feel" temperature. Then add rain. How. Does. He. Do. This.

Aloha

Thanksgiving Day Adventure

Dear Sunset Branch,

It could have been a tragedy as the oven broke right before Thanksgiving, but my wife and three daughters trusted in my cowboy skills using the dutch ovens to cook everything that needed to be baked. After burning almost 20 pounds of charcoal, we made an apple pie, dinner rolls, stuffing, candied yams, a green bean casserole and a ham.

On the Weber charcoal grill, we cooked the turkey.

We had fun as we solved a problem and worked together as a family. In the end we enjoyed a delicious meal with friends.

After it was all said and done, we all sat in the living room feeling full, feeling content and feeling love for one another.

Our love as a family turned a seemingly impossible predicament into a perfect Thanksgiving Day.

I love my family!

I pray you had a good day as well. 

Aloha, President Gary Pitt

Cowboy or Eagle Scout, the food was impressive and delicious. We visited for hours, did the dishes, and we even ended up with leftovers to bring home. It was a day to be grateful, and we are!

Aloha

There appears to be a genetic problem with the feral roosters that live around Sunset Beach. They are born sightless or they are permanently blinded by the glare of the sun off the ocean.....because they crow, at random, 24 hours a day! These would not make good farm roosters!

We've had a busy week with District and Zone Conferences, temple attendance and making visits. It has rained a considerable amount by Idaho hayseed standards. However, the locals aren't bothered. It means more water to swim in and surf on. Fortunately, it's a warm rain, so efforts continue.

Aloha

Baptism of Melanie Torene. The young woman by her is her 14 year old daughter, Jiana, who was baptized a year ago. Every one has a story. These four Sister missionaries are so delightful and such fun.

Sister Cameron getting in on the fun.

Aloha

Today was the Inauguration of Dr. John Tanner, the new President of BYUHawaii.  Elder Dallin H. Oakes, of the 12 apostles, conducted and President Henry B. Eyring of the first presidency, presided and issued the charge.

Three apostles have visited this island in the last 

nine days. Their mantle of being a disciple of Jesus Christ is easily recognizable. 

Aloha

Last night at YSA-FHE, we arrived at the park pavilion and a piñata was sorta hanging. It wasn't clear what "it" was.  Pretty soon a pickup drove right up onto the cement pavilion, blasting Mexican music. I thought "oh boy".

We all took some whacks at it and as candy fell out, we grabbed it and were instructed not to eat it. 
Whaatt?  Well, each piece of candy had something written 
on it...

• what is your favorite scripture and why
• a chosen scripture which you read and then   
  talked about 
• a favorite primary song or hymn which we all sang

It turned out very well and we all got to know one another 
better. I think the crepe paper box was eventually referred 
to as "The Chupacabra".  

Aloha

Sunset Beach

This is right across the road from where we live. I think Sunset Beach is a well-suited name. It is difficult to believe there are formidable waves that eventually roll in.

Aloha

We've moved to Surfers Mecca

We have settled into our new apartment, and have officially unpacked our suitcases. I can see that we brought to much "stuff" and some of it will not be returning to Idaho, ever! I wonder where the waves will take it if I toss it in the ocean!

We have been assigned to serve in the Young Single Adult Branch (ages 18-30) and the English Family Branch that are both located in Sunset Beach, on the North Shore of Oahu. The day after we arrived, the YSA Branch President called and invited us to lunch.

He said, on average, 7,000 people drive through here,      

daily. That is 2.5 million a year. When the North Shore
Bonzai Pipeline is in season, the traffic literally stalls.
The pipeline waves are known to be the highest (20 to 30 feet) in the world, so when the word spreads to the surfer community that the waves have arrived, they come en masse. 

Our first YSA activity.

Elder Cameron showing off his skills! Looks good,  
doesn't he?

 

Sister Cameron "riding the pipeline".

Truth? We've been to the beach, one time.

Today, we attended our new Branch and Ward. To quote the movie ANNIE..."I think we're gonna like it here". The YSA meets in a community center, which is having some work done on it this week.

Sooooo, we met in the backyard of a home on the top of the mountain. Slight breeze moving the palm tree fronds, with striking flowers and foliage all around. Makes one seriously consider what the Garden of Eden must have looked like.

Aloha

Isn't he cute?

This parrot is a pet from a roadside fruit stand. He was so willing to let me take his picture. I thought my grandcritters that watch Wild Kratts might recognize him. 

The trade winds have arrived which drops the temperature by 15-20° during the day, which is gratefully welcomed.

Aloha

Our First Week

We attended the Samoan, Tongan and English wards. I actually sang two songs in Tongan and did remarkably well. (It helped to be sitting by a native). You don't have to know the language to feel the love, faith and strength, these members have. They accepted us with open arms. Literally. They love, love to hug and kiss cheeks. 

We attended our first district meeting with 30 missionaries. Six Elders and twenty four Sisters. Many of the Sisters serve at the Visitors Center, which requires many languages. Japanese, Chinese, Cambodian, Korean, Filipino and German are in our district. Because of Halloween, the missionaries were counseled to be off the street by 5:00 p.m. We all gathered at the church and had games and delicious food.

We had a baptism of an 8 year old girl of member. Her father is from Emmett.

We are responsible to inspect the apartments of three sets of Elders, every six weeks. This keeps the bugs down and the morale up. All of them were exceptionally clean, especially for teenage boys.

We spent some time with the Elders as they taught the gospel to 5 children. These island children are adorable.

We topped off the week with Elder Christofferson. It doesn't get any better than that.

Aloha

Elder D. Todd Christofferson

As part of the Lei of Light 150 years celebration, we had the privilege of attending the devotional by Elder D. Todd Christofferson, one of the the 12 apostles. 
As we listened to his comments about the history of Laie and its harsh, humble beginnings, it struck me that they are the pioneers of the tropics. They had 6000 acres of barren, arid land with no water.
Through hard work, faith and miracles, things have certainly changed in the last 150 years.

Elder Christofferson

Siren Song of the Ocean

We finally made it to the ocean. I am never disappointed by my expectations. We did find a much calmer beach where we were able to enjoy the water without getting slammed by the waves. Yup, we're rookies! However, Elder Cameron tried his new snorkel gear and declared it "glorious".

The Real Deal

This is Uli Vimahi. He is a native Tongan in traditional clothing. The cream overlay was made for him as a wedding gift by his "Auntie", which is a metaphor for any woman that is close to him, and may or may not be related.

The overlay is made from a plastic seed bag. His "Auntie" took the entire bag apart, string by string, and crocheted or wove each tiny square and then stitched them together. It looks like lace. It is beautiful. It represents the unity of family and this is one man anyone would want in their family. A kind, humble, delightful man. He and his wife have two little boys, ages 5 and 7. The boys were restless and wiggly during our meeting, but, he was so patient as he calmed and encouraged them to be still.

Lei of Light ~ 150 years to celebrate

laie150.org

What a fun time to arrive on the islands. We have already been able to help with this celebration. Sister Cameron has been at BYU-H sewing costumes for the local youth that are participating. Elder Cameron has located a fan and will be setting that up in the sewing room, today, to masquerade as the trade winds.
Note that Elder D. Todd Christofferson will be the guest speaker for the Sunday devotional. We will be attending. Lucky!

🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸  🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸 🌸
To catch up...we arrived here last Saturday night. Sunday morning we were assigned to attend a Samoan Ward. What an experience! The meeting was conducted in Samoan and the talks were in English. The men sing like warriors. Magnificent! I didn't even sing, I just listened. Some of the men and young men wear suits and some the traditional lava lava. Some with shoes, flip flops or barefoot.
The women wear muu muu's and the young women dress like typical teenagers. All have assorted footwear. I'm telling you, I am a Polynesian at heart.
We've attended two Trunk or Treats. One Samoan, one Tongan. Much like what we experienced in Caldwell, Idaho.

We were visiting with a young girl, and her father, Matt, disappeared and came back with these avocados he picked for us. The lemon looking fruit don't taste like lemon. He said they're a cross breed of something and are quite bitter. He also picked a ripe quava, which was very tasty.

The avocados are much bigger than they look. When they turn brown, they're ready to eat. Mmmmm.

Hauula is home.

These two are in charge of us!

Our mission president and his wife met us at the Honolulu airport. We were very happy to see them. They greeted us with the black Kukui nut lei from the Hawaiian state tree.

They took over our suitcases, took us to dinner, handed us the keys to our car and sent us North to Hau'ula.

President and Sister Warner 

To wear a ' Kukui ano ano' or Kukui seed lei, is to wear a lei of light. Kukui were the first prayer beads for the Hawaiian people and are still used today. Kukui Leis become more beautiful over time when held in prayer and can be filled with your own Mana (spiritual energy). They can then be worn for protection.

Traveling companion

Elder  and Sister Cameron with Sister Clausen, at the LA airport.  We met her in the MTC. She is native Samoan and is the 2nd child of 17 children. No kidding. She is assigned to the Polynesian Cultural Center as a specialist in the Samoan center. She is so soft spoken and one of the kindest people I have ever met. I hope to see her occasionally. 

Hawaii Honolulu Mission Facts

73,660

Total Church Membership

1

Missions

138

Congregations

2

Temples

25

Family History Centers

Hawaii

Missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving in northern California were assigned to begin preaching in Polynesia in 1850. In February 1851, the first convert was baptized in Hawaii. By August, there were five congregations with 220 members. A meetinghouse was built in Pulehu on the island of Maui in 1852. This structure still remains today. In 1854, Lanai became the designated gathering place for members, where a colony and plantation began. 

The Church purchased land at Laie for a colony, sugar factory, and schools. The Church College of Hawaii (now BYU—Hawaii) opened in September 1955. In 1963, the Polynesian Cultural Center opened to represent the various South Pacific cultures. These structures, in addition to the temple completed in 1919, bring international attention to the Church.

Laundry must be done, so after classes on Friday, that's where we headed. See the Elder with the mop, on the left?

He had spilled his pop and was "cleaning " it up.  By the time he finished, he had spread it an extra twenty feet.

He was delightful, as you can tell by his smile!

MTC traditional "look where we're going" map.

Elder Cameron is excited to get this started. Don't you love the lime suitcases? Bet those never get lost.

Our Adventure Begins

Tyson, Breanna and their four children, delivered us to the Missionary Training Center, in Provo, Utah, on October 19th.

Elder and Sister Cameron