Hi All, A beautiful Sabbath Day. We attended the temple yesterday and today our Sunday meetings. It is good to worship with the ward. The choir performed a musical number. They had about maybe 8 choir members. The men were dressed in white shirts, white pants and white tie, the women had on all white dresses with matching long colorful scarves wrapped around their neck. It was truly a performance. They sang a song I did not recognize but it was beautiful, and they sounded so good with such a limited number of choir members. A brother spoke about I think families. and a sister spoke, I am not sure what she spoke about, but I did understand every time she used the words Jesus-Christ, which was a lot. Our French is still in its infancy, but I love going to sacrament meetings to partake of the sacrament to renew my covenants and recommit each week to doing better at keeping the commandments, taking Christ's name upon me, serving others and enduring to the end. 

This week I have included pictures of beautiful flowers that are here in the middle of winter. The creation of our world, us and everything in it is such a miracle. It was planned, the plan of salvation, the plan of happiness, the plan of redemption, the plan of restoration, the plan of mercy, the plan of deliverance, and the everlasting gospel. This is His work and His glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man. (Moses 1:39) Only 48 days until the next general conference. I love each of you and pray the Lord's blessings upon you and your families. Love, Sister Gresham

Mission Experience - 5th Week

Received 8/10/25

Hi All, Another week in Paradise. We met with the mission president and he has asked us to be the Health coordinators over the 140 missionaries here in our mission. We expect to have another 25 more missionaries coming in September & another 25 coming in August. It will be up to almost 200 missionaries. He also asked us to help with a program called English connect & to find out the needs of our local ward and see what we can do to help in our ward. This is exciting and will keep us busy as we learn our responsibilities and how to best help in each area. 

We attended our meeting today. I have attached a picture of our church building. We are in the Orofero Ward here in Paea. The building is an open air style with rooms, chapel & offices in the main building and open covered walkways to get from place to place. 

It is very humbling to be on a mission and represent the Lord. There has not been a time that we have gone out that someone hasn't stopped and talked to us about being missionaries. Even if they don't speak English, they are kind and willing to talk as best we can. The missionary badge says a lot & I love that the spirit can make up the difference in understanding without being able to speak each other's language. 

I love taking the time to learn more of the Savior, read his word and pray more often. I feel the love and comfort of the Savior in my life and appreciate the opportunity to grow closer to him. The Savior loves us and is aware of the details of our lives. This is his work. I love each of you and pray the Lord's blessings upon you and your families. Love, Sister Gresham

Mission Experience - 4th Week

Received 8/3/25

Hi All, We flew out of SLC on Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 9:15 am. It was a hard time before saying goodbye to everyone. We said we were not going to say goodbye but instead see you later. Four of our children dropped us off at the airport. I was a bundle of mixed emotions including "I want to go", "I don't want to leave", "I am scared to go," "What am I doing?", "What am I thinking?", "Yes, I do want to go". I was saved by the good examples of young missionaries who were also going through security. They were all alone, brave, excited, happy, good examples. My thoughts turned to them and our Savior for strength to step forward. 

At our connecting flight in San Francisco we met Sister Wirthlin, she is the great granddaughter of the Apostle Joseph B Wirthlin. (Read his funny talk "Come What May and Love It.  It is one of my all time favorite talks) We arrived in Tahiti at 7:00 pm which is 11:00 pm Utah time. We were greeted by the Mission President, his wife and some office staff. We were brought to our home about 30 minutes from the airport. It is very comfortable and I am adjusting to the unexpected differences. The scenery is amazingly breathtaking. We have arrived in Paradise. Friday we went shopping for groceries. We went to the temple on Saturday and today church in our new ward.  It was a challenge to only understand a few words, but the spirit is strong and can witness the truth of testimonies even if you don't understand what they are saying. We have gone on several exploring adventures to discover the island. We have an appointment to meet with the mission president tomorrow at 10:00 am to find out what our assignment will be. We are happy to help in any way that we can. We are excited to be here and serve. 

I have been humbled and realized how spoiled and blessed we are in the United States. It is good to express gratitude to the Lord, He appreciates a grateful heart.  Be grateful for the small and simple things. We should be thankful for the wonderful blessings that are ours. We can be thankful for our parents, family, friends and teachers. Thank him for his goodness to us by acknowledging His hand in all things, thanking Him for all that He gives us. We can thank him by keeping His commandments and serving others. We should especially thank Him for HIs Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, for the Savior's example, and for His infinite Atonement. The Savior loves us and is aware of the details of our lives. This is his work. I love each of you and pray the Lord's blessings upon you and your families. Love, Sister Gresham   

Mission Experience - 2nd & 3rd Week

Received 7/28/25

Hi All, 

It is crazy how fast the weeks can go by. After our week at the MTC we were temporarily assigned to serve with the Utah Saratoga Springs Mission, while we wait for our visas. From 7/14/2025-7/28/2025, we have been assigned to the Polynesian  Stake in our mission. It is a large mission. The mission goes from Eagle Mountain to Delta Utah. It has 11 Polynesian wards. We have received wonderful training from going to the Jr missionaries Zone Councils. There are 24 young missionaries in our zone. They are so impressive in the training they have for each other and for us. They are amazingly spiritual far beyond their years and inspire us to be and do better. We have also had additional training from our Sr Zone leaders. There are about 12 couples with more coming shortly. We have received amazing training on how to best help the Jr missionaries with the new converts who need after baptism lessons, fellowshipping and contact. This has been just what we need to grasp how organized and important the wards, missionary huddles and ward members can be in wrapping their arms around these new friends to help them get the perfect start to a life in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We have been living in our own home, it has been a blessing to spend additional time with family when not doing missionary work. 

Our visas came last Wednesday 7/23/2025. We are scheduled to fly out this Thursday, 7/31/2024. We are thrilled to be going to Tahiti. The Savior is aware of us and knows what we need. I have been grateful to grow in Faith and trust the Lord and his plan for us. The Savior loves us and is aware of the details of our lives. This is his work. I love each of you and pray the Lord's blessings upon you and your families. Love, Sister Gresham

Mission Experience - 1st Week

Received 7/13/2025

Hi All, 

It has been an amazing spiritually uplifting experience to be at the MTC for the week from 7/7/2025-7/11/2025. The teachers, devotional, classes & other missionaries have all been an inspiration for me to be & do better. We have not received our visas so we are temporarily assigned to the Saratoga Springs Utah Mission. We meet with the Mission president tomorrow at 11:30am to get our assignment. We are instructed to contact the travel department once we receive our visas. I know the Lord is aware of us and I have faith in his perfect timing. I know as I learn & practice patience things will work out as he has planned. The gospel is a glorious blessing, the Savior loves us and is aware of the simple details of our lives. This is his work. I love each of you and pray the Lord's blessings upon you and your families. Love, Sister Gresham