Sister Gresham in Richland - June 16 2014

HELLO EVERYONE!!!!
This week has been a week of miracles!! Well, every week is but especially this week! haha
June 9th/Last P-day:
Me, Siss Pugh, Sis Peatross and Sis Mulllins went to Uptown and went to a bunch of antique store! Its so cute there and I felt like I was back in the 50's! SO FUN!
Then we went tracting and got TWO return appts. in a row! One didnt pan out so well but more on that later lol
We also have recent convert fam who thinks me and Sis Pugh should be their marriage counselors. Its sooo hard cuz we want to help them, but we are clearly not qualified for that lol

June 10:
We met with a less active, Frank and his nonmember (soon to be) wife, Angela and they are golden! she wants to get baptized really bad! They just need to get married first. She is soooo prepared! We were talking at one point about the FLDS people and how we do not do polygamy and she said "YEA! It was Joseph and Mary! Not Joseph and Mary and Karen and..." LOL I jsut about died! lol.

June 11
We were teaching our wonderful investigator Bay and she said something about her Jesus Sandals and I was like "whaaaa?" and she explained that one day she was wearing gladiators that looked just like some that Christ was wearing in a picture. Then Sis Pugh was all "we look at the picture and say that they were the same! Speak of the Devil" then there was awkward silence when she realized she just said "speak of the Devil" when talking about Jesus. She was soooooooo embarrassed! lol
 but it was fine and we taught an awesome lesson and Bay decided to get BAPTIZED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! On Wednesday!!! SO THIS WEDNESDAY!!! BAHHH!!! MIRACLE!!!!! <3 She is sooooo ready and prepared!! :D
She loveeees to pray and read the scriptures!!!! She married a menanite guy and has a really interesting past. She has 2 adorable kids and we just love them!!! :D

After, we were on cloud 9 and went to go dinner, which was insane. It wasnt ready, kids were screaming everywhere the mom was in pain, so we ended up cooking dinner, which was fine, but halfway thru, me and Sis Pugh are alone in the kitchen, dont know were anyone went and were like "ummm....soooo....should we eat?" LOL then people reappeared and I spent a while comforting one of their daughters who was crying. It was sad, but nice to know that we could be there to comfort them and share a message <3
after that we went to go to our return appt from tracting, the guy wasnt there but his wife was,a nd she screamed at us and slammed the door. I almost cried, it was hard. Like its hard feeling rejected and like people hate you, but its also sooo sad to see people with such hard hearts. JUST LET US LOVE YOU!!!! LOL
But then we got to go to that one member family and help them thry some hard stuff. I spent most the time with the kids teaching them that they can pray by themselves everyday and about how we need to help each other. One of the daughters is autistic and I think, truly an Angel and huge blessing to ther Family. They are stuggling a lot financially and with the moms oldest kids being with their dad and lots of hard stuff, so the kids are acting out a lot, but that sweet girl is always a good example :D

June 12
we met with a young mother, she wants to keep meeting w/ us but her husband doesnt want her too, and she just crashed her car while high on shrooms then tried to hit and run and has to go to court. so its a sticky situation. Lots of people keep saying we should drop her, including my comp, but I just cant, she wants to change, she realized she messed up and is trying to be better, especially for her 3 yr old daughter. We just cant abandon them. The Gospel is a message of hope and progression! The Atonement heals and changes heart. Please pray for them <3

June 13
So since I've been in the field my sleeping has gone all sorts of whack. I like half walk up and lay in bed thinking I'm in a lesson pretty much every night. This particular night, I slept walk to Sis Pughs closest and tried to do an OYM (open your mouth/door contact) LOL she said I ended up walking in the closet and said "Do you think shes in here?" LOL AH SO WEIRD!!! then she said, and I kinda remember this, I went to my bed and said "I think I'm hallucinating" LOL ahhh. Thats how you know my mind is really on the work!
June 14
Zone meeting! It was awesome! I recieved a lot of answers and strength! Also, my District leader is named Elder Tubbs (LOL, makes me think of a fat kid running) and he looks like Adam Levine. Someone please tell Raquel, Nayannah & Cristina! But it was sooo great! It was reminded that I'm here for a purpose, and that I have a responsibility to the Lord for those in my area and that He knows His children best. We are taught to give a soft baptismal invitiation on the first lesson ("when you come to know these things will you...") and that scares me sooo much! They also want new missionaries to do it asap! and I was freaking out cuz I was supposed to do that later that day with our other return appt. I was freaking out!  But I was reminded that its an act of faith and we are blessed when we act in faith, adn that really if thats what Hes asked us to do, its for a purpose.
So we went for His lesson, his name is Philip. Super nice guy, hes catholic and a wildlife biologist and just really wants to be a good person. We went thru the first lesson and it was good, the spirit was there but I was still nervous and kept praying in my head, then, the moment of truth, I said it and he accepted!!!! WHAAAAA!!!!! :D It was amazing!!!!!! Even if he had said no tho, I know that it still would have been good, cuz God knows best :D

Yesterday, June 15
Church! Bay, Angela and Frank all came to church! YAY! Then Bay passed her baptismal interview and I jumped on her in excitement! lol and Sis Pugh accidently hit a kid with her watch! LOL she was fine haha
then after dinner qot 22 OYMs!!!! The average is 10! We set a goal for 15, all said no, until the 15th guy! Miracle! Also, it was raining, so that was cool. haha

All is well here in Richland! So many miracles!!! I love being a missionary! Feeling God use me as a tool to help His children is the best feeling ever! This is the most important work there is and I feel so blessed to be a part of it! To witness the miracles and how the Atonement changes people! Go out there and do your part! Smile, compliment people, try to do 5 small (or big) acts of service every day! I promise it will change and improve your life. Members, PLEASE fellowship people!! Its soooooo essential! Always introduce yourself to people, ask the missionaries how you can help them. I promise they need it. This is a team effort.
Everyone go read Mosiah 14:5. Everyone should know that and reap the blessings. Christ atoned for EVERYONE!. It is our job to help them know that.

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH!!!!!
until next week!

Sister Gresham

ps. everyone keeps asking what I want for my bday, well no one feel like they need to get me anytihng, but if your feeling generous, Church talks! and if your feeling another kind of generous, Walmart gift cards! ahh I'm almost 21!

Me and the Sisters in my Zone at Dennys. Sister Camplese (also a convert from CA!) Sister Pugh, my comp, yours truly, Sister Peatross, Sister Mullins (the one mitch knows) and Sister Toomer :D

First email from the mission field - June 9 2014

So, I'm in the field!!!! BAH! I have sooo much to say! lol
so last friday we had infield orientation in the MTC and one of the teachers is Elder Christiansen from The District! I was star stuck! LOL
We left the MTC on tuesday, as we were walking to the travel office with out suitcases to other missionaries were all congratulating us on getting out! LOL like we were in jail or something! haha it was funny. I love the mtc but it was nice to see the outside world again. they took us on a mus to a train, then from the train we got on a bart thing to the airport, it was insane with all our suitcases. but we felt like celebrities walking around SLC with our badges! haha
Then we got on the tiniest plane ever and i was freaking out on the inside lol, when we got there we met President & Sister Ware then went to the mission home from dinner and a devotional. The sisters got to sleep there and then wqe had interviews with Pres. I LOVE HIM!!! He is sooooo stinking sweet and gave me some unusual council to not work too hard...hahaha he said he doesnt say that much be he can feel how much I care and doesnt want me to get too worn out lol. He does this cute thing were he lifts his shoulder and does an old man giggle lol i love it.
the next day we had training, it was great! then him and the assistants went and made our assignments. It felt like waiting for my mission call over again!! lol
I'm assigned in the Richland Zone, Columbia Ward with my trainer Sister Pugh.. It a walking area which makes my feet angry lol but I'm pushing thru and often recite the saying "Father proceeds miracles" when i'm having a hard time. Faith is trusting in him and acting, so I'm working hard to see the miracles that I know will come. She also has a hurt knee, so we are quite the pair! haha
Our area is very poor, with a few exceptions, and everyone, i mean everyone has custody drama, legal issues and/or drug issues. Its intense and hard to see. I have lots of work to do! I love the people so much!
The houses here are call "A" and "B" houses and they were built during WWII while they were doing all that nuclear stuff over here and everything looks really old. I often feel like I've transported back to the 40's/50's until ya know. I see the meth heads and what not. Kinda kills it. lol.
On my second day I was having a really hard time and feel pretty trunky, but while we were doing our planning before bed 2 sisters from the ward brought us gift baskets! so sweet and helped so much! A little tender mercy!
We also had a super cool training with our area 70 and the 2nd counselor in the YM's General Presidency about real intent and going forward in faith
There is a couple in our Ward, an RM Sister and her new membr husband....they are interesting and sister pugh was telling me about the,...heres all you really need to know
Sis. P: "So yea...they met on bigbeautifulwomen.com

"
so yeahh LOL
Next door to us are a cute member family, the Craigos, they are 30ish and have a 2 yr old son and I love them soooo much!!!! They always drop stuff of for us and are just sooo sweet! and sister craigo gave me some reeeeally good arch support shoes! love them
Yesterday at church we had 2 investigators who were supposed to come, one came with ehr mom after months of saying they would. The mom is an inactive member who stopped going after her bishop some unhelpful things to her after her daughter was murdered in mexico 12 yrs ago. But she came! She felt the spirit really strong. She ended us needing to leave in the middle of sacrament. we went and found her and she was sobbing. It was so sad. That wound is still gapping and she kept saying how she has demons in her and it was terrible. I just felt so overwhelmed with love for her and testified how prayer will help her. I know that thru the Atonement despair can turn to hope. She left feeling better and said she'll come next week. we are also teaching Bay(Gabby, switched at birth!) she wants to get baptized but is having trouble being consistent and we think she might have some word of wisdom issues.
Please pray for both of them! and my feet!

So being a convert missionary makes everyone love you, like way more, haha its funny. The members do not believe in fellowshipping, like no joke, only 5 people in the ward do. So I've been testifying a lot about member missionary work and how I was converted thru members, not the full time missionaries. I think a big thing I need to do here is help the members with that. The ward is struggling a lot. With people and their many issues but also with incorrect teachings and lots of stuff. Bah! Its a lot but I'm happy to be here!
I pray that I can always be guided by the spirit and do the things Heavenly Father wants me to do.
His work really is hastening! go out and serve! love your friends and family. AND strangers! Smile often. Say kind words. Be patient with people, for everyone is fighting a battle, look with your heart
"Christ-like love can change the world" - Elder Holland
I love being a missionary! I love feeling the spirit testify thru me and seeing the change come to people as they feel it and understand. I know that faith proceeds miracles. I know that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love everyone and that we are all truly sons and daughters of God, and brothers and sisters. I feel so much love for the people here in the Columbia Ward. Its super hot, my feet/ankles are killing me, but I keep going forward because the Gospel matters, people need it, they need to know that God loves them and that the Atonement is real.
I love you all!!!! Thanks for your prayers, love and support!!! Keep writing!!! Preferably more on dearelder.com

and thru regular mail. But emails are great too! But Its hard reading thru 45 emails every week! haha
I LOVE YOU ALL!!!!

-Sister Gresham

First Email from the MTC - June 3 2014

HI EVERYONE!!!!
I'm here at the MTC and its GREAT! I love it! I ave sooo much to say and not enouhgt time! bahhh! So i kinda freaked out the night before but It all worked out! Getting dropped off wasnt too hard, seeing Britt made me cry even more! but happy tears! haha :D

getting my name tag on was such an amaaaazing feeling!!

My comps are Sister Allred & Sister Marcom! I love them!! Go stalk them on my fb! we become friends before we came here! lol when me and sis A saw each other we freaked out and hugged! haha.
Day 1 we had an orientation and we sang "Amry of Helaman" but sang "We are now the lords missionaries" and just sobbed! it was amazing! haha and one of the ladies who talked said how we cant call each other "guys" cuz "guys are the people at home dating your girlfriends!" LOL scanzieees! but then she said that they'll marry the return missionary tho! haha

Thank you stanfords and kingdons for the packages!! I loved them!!! <3

we did this on investigator exercie on the first day and they played this vid that had a swear word and all of us gasped awkwardly! lol

Everyone go watch the mormon message "Lifting Burdens" its soooo good <3

I love my teachers! Bro. Mills & Sis. Howell! She served w/ Becky Rohner at Temple Square & he knows all the Rohners and his sis was one of Beckys bridesmaids! haha small world! I LOVE THEM! and my other teacher Bro. Weekes looks like the guy in Forever strond and plays the new cop guy on PLL (ya know, the one hanna kissed) yeahh haha so thats weird.

on of the Elders in my district is mix of Paki Porter and Bro. Gustafson! haha like, for real!

On the 3rd day we did role playing lessons and the teacher said my and my comps did some of the best teaching hes ever seen in the MTC! umm whaaaa? haha it was nice but really, I know im not the real teacher, the spirit is, i just have to study, have faith, open my mouth and trust Him <3

Elder Cordon, in my district told me a story about an elder i chile who kept getting robbed so he made home made numchucks! hahaha

Also, I'm writing mormon versions to frozen songs, currently working on "Love is an open door" ya know, like the empty tomb...open door...hehe and "we dont have to feel it anymore" Like the sting of death! haha...its still a work in process lol

we have this alarm thing that goes off to tell us lights out and it sounds like the noise in the Hunger Games when its starting...so yea, kinda weird. I kinda freak out everytime haha

on Sunday we had Relief Society and the spoken word and it was AMAZING!!! it was about sacrafice, focusing on our soldiers. I was feeling the spirit reeeally strong wheh they showed a pic of the pearl harbor memorial while play "God be with you til we meet again" and it made me think of my Grandpa Ray, and i was just sooo overwhelmed by the feeling that he and my grandma Deon love me and are happy with my choice to serve and spirit testified to my heart that I will indeed see them again <3 it was such a special moment. I am grateful for Christ ultimate sacrafice that made that possible <3

We also had  devotional that was awesome!!!

We sang "True to the faith" and i felt sooo overwhelmed by the feeling of love for my future children and that I want them to know that I do cherish this Gospel!! I know that Heavenly Father is refining me to be a better Wife and Mother some day <3 I love my kids already!! <3

on Tuesday we played vball for gym and i dominated, to everyones surprise hahaha it was awesome! THEN we had a devotional with....

i'm building anticipation.....

can you feel it??

ELDER NELSON!!! Yes, the apostle!!!!! BAH! it was amazing!! and we were 5th row center!! The moment he walked in the spirit became 20 times stronger and i just started to cry!! Then we sang "Called to serve" and it was so emotional, singing that song, with an Apostle of the Lord as a full-time missionary and representative of Jesus Christ and thye church was soooooo incredible and powerful <3
he taught sooo many amazing things that cant all fit but heres a few faves.

"repentance is conversion, and conversion is repentance"

"have character, dont be one"

and my fav "missionaries turn hurt to hope" <3<3<3<3

I cant believe ive been here a week! it feels sooo much longer but I LOVE IT!!! the spirit is sooo strong here and my testimony has like tripled since I've been here!! and i still have like 74 weeks to go! yay! I'm gonna be soo much cooler when I come home!! lol jk, kinda...haha

Me and Sis Allred realized something the other day...

"the spirit is so strong and drains us, thats why we need to eat...all the time"

I love it here sooooooooooooo much!!!!!

here are some of my fave scriptures right now, go read them!!
Alma 7:11-12

Jeremiah 31:3

2 Nephi 2:2

1 Nephi 1:15

Proverbs 31:9

I know that Christ lives and that he atoned for us! I know that he is carrying the burdens of homesickness and sadness for me and is helping me thru this. I can feel Him constant;y guiding me. I see miracles and tender mercies EVERY DAY! <3

The Book of Mormon is TRUE and WILL change your life if you read it with an open mind and a prayer in your heart. 

I am sooo grateful for this time that I have to be a fulll time missionary and wear His name over my my heart everyday <3

I leave for WA on tuesday!!!

I love you all!!! Be strong! Pray every day! It will change your life! Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father love you all! I KNOW it <3

and I love you too! Please send more handwritten/mailed letters <3

but remember i leave tuesday for WA haha

I LOVE YOU ALLL!!!!!!

-Sister Gresham