Hi All, we had a wonderful week. We had our P-Day on Monday. We study, learn our language, read scriptures, wash & clean our car, do laundry and grocery shopping. Then at 5:30pm we have a district council meeting. The rest of the week was filled with missionaries ill, one bit by a centipede, one we thought had an appendicitis attack, cold & flu symptoms, we took a Sister to the doctor they suspect she has an amoeba. We are getting used to the busy weeks and helping the missionaries is never a burden. We are happy to be with them and help them anyway we can. We went on Friday to a dinner at Le Sully with the mission office staff, President & Sister Tuahu. It was a pleasure to be with them. The only thing on the menu that we recognized was BBQ ribs with french fries so we split a meal. They were amazing! For Thanksgiving we had roast, potatoes, carrots & onions cooked together. It was difficult for me to be away from my children & grandchildren. I realize the holidays are a time I am drawn to family and miss them tons! I took time to count my blessings and found they were more abundant than I could list. I realize how blessed I am and how gracious the Lord has been to me in my life. It helped to concentrate on the positive experiences and not focus on what I don't have for a short 2 years. We went to the temple on Saturday. They have a beautiful display of Nativity in front of the temple. Christmas will be here before we know it. We have a short month to focus on the Love of Christ who is the greatest gift of all. We can learn from him and spread his "Light to the World."  I am grateful for each of you. I love each of you and pray the Lord's blessing be upon you and your families. Love, Sister Gresham 

Mission Experience - 20th Week

Received 11/23/25

Hi All,

This week we had a miracle. On Monday we received a text at 2:20am from our mission president's wife. She was at the hospital with a missionary who had been assaulted and taken by ambulance to the hospital. He had fallen 30 ft onto a cement slab below. We received another text 2 hrs later that they were outside the hospital, he had been scanned and was ok. It turns out we learned the elder heard some noise outside his apartment and opened the door to see what it was. He was hit in the head with a rock and pushed off a footbridge to cement 30 feet below. That is 3 stories below to the lower apartments. The sound was so loud it woke the residents below. They came out and found a stunned missionary who said he was hit on the head with a rock. Those who found him assumed it was his companion trying to kill him. The ambulance and police were called. The companion was asleep in his bed and woke to being accused of trying to kill his companion. He called the mission president wondering what to do and asking for help. The mission president came and straightened everything out. Nothing short of a miracle. No broken bones, No bleeding, No internal damage. Later in the day the same missionaries were filing a police report, moving to a different apartment and eating at McDonalds. He is our miracle elder. I testify miracles do happen! 

We sent out 26 emails today with flights for missionary transfers this week. The mission is opening 3 more new islands that have not had missionaries for a long time. In fact one of the new islands is where my grandfather John Leondard Davis was in 1916, the island is Takaroa. I hope to visit there. Picture below, he is back row left. Also pictures of our district in front of the Temple. This is the group we meet every Monday. And a picture of a baptism on Saturday of a new sister in our ward. She is a 21 yr old new convert, baptised by her uncle. It was a very spiritual experience to be there and witness. 

This is a wonderful time of year with Thanksgiving almost here. My heart is full. To all my family and friends, you are cherished more than you know. Happy Thanksgiving. May this season bring warmth to you and peace to your spirit. May you find time to relax and enjoy your loved ones and the love of Christ who is the greatest gift of all. I am grateful for each of you. I love each of you and pray the Lord's blessing be upon you and your families. Love, Sister Gresham 

Mission Experience - 19th Week

Received 11/16/25

Hi All, We have had a very busy week with health issues. We had an Elder fall through a glass door and get a massive gash in his arm. He was taken to the hospital at approximately 6:30 am and waited until 1:00 pm for the doctor to see him and stitch it up. He ended up getting 7 stitches. Another Sister was having bad headaches for about a week. She was taken to the hospital and they have not determined what is going on with her. We are still waiting for results. All these serious illnesses and the normal colds, sore throats, stomach, ingrown toenail and I don't feel good issues. Our Mission President and His wife were away in Australia for Mission Leader training. We saw them last night and today at our Stake Conference. It is wonderful to have them back, we are so grateful for their support. We went today for the Sunday session of Stake Conference, we arrived 30 minutes early thinking that would be plenty of time to get a good seat. When we arrived it was a normal sized chapel, cultural hall and stage. It was so full it was standing room only. Wow! I was a bundle of emotions when we walked into that meeting and saw all these beautiful, faithful people gathered. The music was beautiful, the talks were inspiring (what we could understand with our google translate) and it was good to be together. As much as I miss my family at this time of the year. And I do! I love that we have the support of the Lord to give us tender mercies to help us realize the blessing we can be to others and the blessing they can be to us. I am grateful for each of you. I love each of you and pray the Lord's blessing be upon you and your families. Love, Sister Gresham

Picture of Palm tree grove

Saturday Session of Stake Conference

Sunday Session of Sake Conference

Mission Experience - 18th Week

Received 11/9/25

Hi All, what a great week. We are busy arranging a Tahiti mission flu vaccine campaign. We are working with the pharmacies, missionaries and insurance to get all the missionaries (nearly 200) serving here in for an annual flu vaccination for flu season. A bit of planning, scheduling and organizing. We got this! We had a Sister with food poisoning, an Elder with rib & lung issues, the normal colds and stomach issues. We went to the temple on Saturday, and met President Sinjoux, the Tahiti Temple President. We were able to tell him about my Grandfather who served his 4 yr & 3 month mission here in Tahiti from 1913-1917. I can't help but think how happy my grandfather would be with the growth of the gospel here where he served and loved the people. In 1983 the Papeete, Tahiti temple was built, that would be 70 years after my grandfather John Leonard Davis served here as a young missionary and 28 years after he passed away in 1955. His service here would have been 112 years before Phillip and I arrived. The faithfulness, dedication and growth of the people here is humbling and inspiring. This is evidence of God's goodness, grace, mercy, and love. To provide a way for us to live our lives guided by his gospel to bring us closer to him and to help us become better disciples of Jesus Christ. We have so much to be grateful for. God loves a grateful heart! I love each of you and encourage you to reflect on the Lord's blessing in your life. Love, Sister Gresham

Mission Experience - 17th Week

Received 11/2/25

Hi All, we had an uplifting week with the Zone Conference on Wednesday. About 80 missionaries, in our zone. It is a spiritual experience to hear the missionaries teach and be with them and see and feel their strength. President Tuahu and his wife are always a joy and inspiration to be around. They have love for each of these missionaries and the example and guidance they give them is amazing. We have grown to love them and all who work here in the mission. Health concerns this week have been one missionary on a remote island has Dengue fever, a Sister with chronic back pain who we took to the doctor and for x-rays and two missionaries with cuts on the bottom of their feet that we were worried about bacteria in the sand that can cause infection. We went to the temple on Friday this week. November is a month to focus on gratitude. I feel so blessed. I continue to find joy through the gospel and through temple experiences. I want to know our Savior better and follow in his footsteps. I have a testimony that Christ guides our paths, he knows us, he loves us and He will help us to remain centered on Him. I am going to reflect this month on my blessings. I have so much to be grateful for. This is a wonderful time of the year as we move into Thanksgiving & Christmas. I love each of you and pray the Lord's blessings be upon you and your families. Love, Sister Gresham

Pictures of Holiday Nov 1st, All Saint Day, they decorate the graves with beautiful flower arrangements. All the graves here are about the ground.

They do not celebrate Halloween, but we did find a couple decorations at the store.

Found a sign on the way to the cemetery directing where to go in a Tsunami. Now I just have to interpret the French. 

Mission Experience - 16th Week

Received 10/27/25

Hi All, we have had a great week. We had a missionary with an ingrown toenail that had to have surgery. We are watching him closely to make sure no infection comes. He is recovering well. All the other missionaries that have contacted us are on the recovery lists also. It has been a relatively calm week. The highlight of the week was of course going to the temple and making contact with 2 of the Service Missionaries. We are going to work our temple attendance around their schedules so that we will be able to see them in the temple. No greater place. At our sacrament meeting today two little boys about 3 & 4 years old stood on a chair in front of the microphone and sang I am a Child of God. At one point they seemed to be nervous or forget the words so the congregation started to sing with them to help them. That is one of the most beautiful things about the French language. Listening to the music I am familiar with the music and recognize the song, even though I don't know the words in French. The spirit is powerful and can witness the truthfulness of the words and touch the heart. Everyday I see how our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us. May you be blessed to seek them, find them and appreciate them in your life. I love each of you and pray the Lord's blessings be upon you and your families. Love, Sister Gresham

Mission Experience - 15th Week

Received 10/20/25

Hi All, Another beautiful week in Tahiti. We had a busy week. Missionaries with health needs. Booking flights for missionaries doing exchanges & the normal meetings and of course the temple on Saturday. I am including pictures this week of a typical fruit stand & a fish stand. We buy the majority of our fruit from stands/tables on the side of the road, because the fruit is local and the best price. We pay $1.00 per banana, a good sized avocado or mango is $3.00 & a baking portateo is approx $3.50 each. We were tempted to buy a watermelon because they are in season, but it was $38.00 for a small one so we passed. The fish are hanging in ziplock bags with water to keep the fish fresh. Needless to say we have not bought fish from the stand, but we have purchased some fish from the grocery store. I also included a picture of our district picnic with our district. Three of the missionaries in the picture were transferred, this was our last time together. It is hard to see missionaries transfer, but it is good for everyone's growth and we hope to see them in the future. I included a picture of a school bus. No windows on the sides, no air conditioning and the front of the vehicle is a truck. Very different from what a school bus looks like in the states. We had the special experience to attend our first baptism. It was a tiny little girl who turned 8 years old. Her mother is a member of the church but her father is not. The whole baptism was in french so we only caught bits and pieces. One talk on baptism, a talk on the Holy Ghost. The baptism & confirmation were performed. Then the mother bore her testimony. It was so emotional she was almost sobbing. The little girl was crying. The spirit was so strong. When the meeting came to a close, several in attendance came forward, kissed the little girl on the head and placed a flower lei around her neck. It was so sweet, so touching to see this gift of beauty & love presented to her. I think it is a tradition that we should start at every baptism. I have included a picture of sweet little Tearaina. Everyday I see how our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us. They have a plan for us. This plan began before the world was created. I love each of you and pray the Lord's blessings be upon you and your families. Love, Sister Gresham

Mission Experience - 14th Week

Received 10/12/25

Hi All, We had another extra busy week. A lot of missionaries with health needs. We aided some of them getting to the doctor, we had meetings & trainings. We spent 2 full days at the mission home with the mission president's wife learning how to do transfers and book flights for the missionaries that need to travel. This transfer the mission is opening 4 islands that have not had missionaries for some time. We booked 37 flights for sisters & elders who are flying to different locations. It is a complicated process to make sure missionaries always have companions and that they travel together, etc. That is not all the transfers because there were several that did not need to fly but would be moved to different locations with new companionships. We are happy to help and it is such a please to rub shoulders with the mission president and his wife. They are so kind and appreciative. They have 4 children. I don't know how they juggle all the responsibilities they have. Sister Tuahu is 39 years old. They are spiritual giants and examples of service and helping these young missionaries in every aspect of their lives. I have included a picture of the mission home, it is on a street right next to the temple. We went to the temple on Saturday and a young couple coming out of the temple asked us to take their picture. We learned they are from Eagle Mountain, they were celebrating their 19th wedding anniversary. Going from Papeete to Moorea, & Bora Bora. We got a picture with them. Small world, fun to meet someone who lives 10 minutes from where we are from. I loved the general conference talks and studying them helps me to focus on Jesus Christ. Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us. I love each of you and pray the Lord's blessings upon you and your families. Love, Sister Gresham

Mission Experience - 13th Week

Received 10/5/25

Hi All,.This week was an extra busy week. We had our district meeting on Monday. The sisters & elders are making so many new friends. They have baptisms set up for October. We are excited for the opportunity to attend a baptism here. That will be a very special experience. We have been going to our ward building for several months and it wasn't until last week that we noticed there is an outdoor baptism font in the middle of the church's courtyard. I have never seen an outdoor baptism font. I think it is so funny that we have never noticed it before but have walked by it weekly. I have included two pictures below so you can see what it looks like. We had a zone conference on Tuesday. It is always such a treat to be with around 60 young elder & sister missionaries. They are amazing examples of the Savior and his teachings. They are energetic and enthusiastic and I love being around them. Hopefully they will keep us young and help us to grow to be as wonderful in spirit and testimony as they are. On Wednesday we took a young elder into the city to get a shot for his heart condition. He is from Vanuatu, and has to have an injection every 30 days. While we were driving the mission president's wife asked if we could take a young sister missionary to her doctor's appointment. So, we swapped missionaries at another zone conference and we were successful and got both missionaries to their appointments on time. We had the water heater element go out on our house water heater. We have not had hot water. Fun fact the water heater's here are just like the ones in the states however it is on the roof. It has both a solar element & an electrical element. We have had a few days of clouds and rain and so not much hot or warm water. The repair man who came to fix it told Phillip he needs to be a real Tahitian, take a cold shower then jump around after to get warm. That's not happening. On Friday we went to the temple. Saturday we went to our stake center and watched General Conference with the other elders and sisters in our area in english.{picture does not include all missionaries) We watched conference on Saturday from 6am-8am, 10am-12pm & 2pm-4pm. Then again on Sunday from 6am-8am & 10am-12pm. General Conference was wonderful. I didn't want it to end. It was so nice to feel the spirit and to receive so much light and goodness. I loved the focus on Looking to Christ. Our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love us, they are aware of us. They give so much to be grateful for and give us so many blessings and opportunities. I love each of you and pray the Lord's blessings upon you and your families. Love, Sister Gresham

Mission Experience - 12th Week

Received 9/29/25

Hi All, This week was an extra fun week with missionary work and us taking a whale watching tour. We had our regular missionary meetings and we were busy helping missionaries with health needs. We have a sister who has a herniated disc, we had a couple missionaries who we thought had dengue fever. An Elder crashed on his bike and we are still waiting for results to see if he has a broken wrist. Thankfully we were able to go back to the temple after it had been closed for 2 weeks for cleaning. I felt a somber unexpected disbelief of emotions on Saturday evening when we found on facebook that President Nelson had passed. He was 101 years old. As much as he will be missed I am sure he had a wonderful reunion with his loved ones that had gone on before him. And Sunday morning the news of the deadly incident in Michigan, with the shooting and fire at one of the church buildings of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. How sad, the world can be in chaos and yet there is peace in the gospel of Jesus Christ knowing that God is aware. We don't understand and we don't know exactly how things will turn out, or why things happen like they do, we need to remember & have faith that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are in charge, they are aware and know the beginning to the end. One of the easiest ways to identify and be a true follower of Jesus Chrst is how we treat other people. How we treat each other really matters. We can change the world one person and one interaction at a time. Be a peacemaker. I love each of you and pray the Lord's blessings upon you and your families. Love, Sister Gresham

Mission Experience - 11th Week

Received 9/21/25

Hi All,.This week we had a district council meeting with 2 sets of sisters and 1 set of brothers. They are amazing! They are such great leaders, they bring investigators to church each week and are so excellent at discussing, planning, setting goals & helping inspire each other. They are the light that is sparking our friends to have a desire to learn more & follow the Savior. They love missionary work and are examples of the strength and power that comes through living & teaching the gospel of Jesus Chrsit. We had a couple additional training sessions this week, had a picnic with another senior couple from Canada and on Saturday we were able to go to the temple. We plan our week and feel like we have some free time and then somehow the calendar fills in with other things to be done. This week I have included pictures of the oldest Notre Dame Cathedral of Papeete. Built in 1875. The Harbor of Papeete and our favorite restaurant in downtown Papeete. Our mission president has asked to visit and support young service missionaries in our mission. We will have seven service missionaries we will get to visit and get to know. Hopefully we can give them support and inspire them. It is a joy to serve, we love the missionaries that we are blessed to work with. No matter where you are in the world, the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the same and the joy that comes from doing service and helping the gospel spread is a privilege and blessing. Have a great week. I love each of you and pray the Lord's blessings upon you and your families. Love, Sister Gresham

Mission Experience - 10th Week

Received 9/14/25

Hi All, We have had another beautiful week in Tahiti. I thought I would give some details and pictures of where we live. We are in an area of Tahiti named Paea. (Pronounced Pie-a) It is about 30 minutes from downtown Papeete. We live in a humble rented home pictured below. We have a banana tree lot next to our home. Did you know a banana tree produces one group of bananas and then it does not produce anymore. The stalk gets cut down and a new stalk grows at the base and produces more bananas as it ages and grows . We are blessed to have everything we need. Our home has 2 bedrooms, a living area & kitchen area. One bedroom is where we sleep & the other is set up as an office area with a single bed, desk & storage area. We have a small bathroom with a shower, toilet & sink. A kitchen with a microwave, fridge, stove & oven. We have wi-fi, a car port and a small yard with a patio for relaxing outdoors. We have a nice car with great air conditioning. Each weekday we wake up at 6:00 am and study language for 1 hour, then we walk on the beach for 1 hour of exercise. After we study the scriptures for 1 hour and generally do additional reading from conference talks and more language study time. In between we answer calls from missionaries that we get daily with health concerns. On Mondays our p-day, we wash the car, grocery shop, do laundry and cleaning. We have meetings we attend during the week in the evenings and on Sunday of course we attend our Sunday meetings. We also have plenty of time to explore and do activities. We have a very simplistic way of life with plenty of time to enjoy each other's company, relax and enjoy life. I am learning the joy of a humble simple life. I am learning the value of things that don't have a dollar value. I am appreciative of all the things we do have and I am becoming more aware of others who do not have the conveniences that I have. My life is gaining appreciation for friendships, family and our relationship, the things that will have eternal value. I am seeing the peace and comfort that comes from developing a greater relationship with the Savior and learning more of him. I have gratitude that I can represent him and become a better disciple. I see him more in my life as I study, pray and try to become more like him and better keep his commandments. This dedication is a sacrifice and things are different, but for me it is humbling. I am seeing how he can make a difference for the better. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ, our Savior. I love to read the scriptures. I love the knowledge available to us and the many blessings available to us. Our Heavenly Father & Jesus Christ love us. I love each of you and pray the Lord's blessings upon you and your families. Love, Sister Gresham

Mission Experience - 9th Week

Received 9/7/25

Hi All, I can not believe how quickly the weeks are going. I gave Phillip a haircut the other day and he said "only 21 more haircuts and we will be home." Time seems to fly by the older I get. This last week we have been extremely busy with missionaries that have had some challenges. We had a Sister get bit by a dog, another Sister crashed on her bike, one with a toothache and several with stomach and sore throat issues. We pray for the missionaries' good health continually. Thankfully they are being looked after and nothing too serious. We are enjoying the beauty of the area. We walk on the beach each morning for exercise. We went to a beautiful garden with a waterfall and were able to walk around and enjoy the beauty of God's creations. No matter where you are, all you have to do is look around to see his handy work. It may be in the eyes or laughter of a child, the spunkiness of a teenager, the majesty of a mountain or a night sky full of stars. With all the creations he has made, his greatest masterpiece is each of us. He loves us, treasures us and cares for each of us. He wants what is best for us. He wants us to be happy and have peace & joy. He wants to be involved. Enjoy each day, look for the best in yourself & others. Have gratitude and look for him in your life and you will see he is in the details. I love each of you and pray the Lord's blessings upon you and your families. Love, Sister Gresham

Mission Experience - 8th Week

Received 8/31/25

                    France Country Side                                                                                    Paris Portrait

Tahiti Trees