The first week

As I write this I am exhausted but what an amazing week we have had! We entered the Missionary Training Center on Saturday, June 24th and left Wednesday evening, June 28th. "Those were days never to be forgotten," to quote Oliver Cowdrey. We received counsel and instruction from most of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles and First Presidency of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We felt their love and support for each and everyone of us (and I don't mean just those of us at the MTC). We have a lot of information and thoughts to digest. It was a spiritual feast for sure!

The next day we had to say goodbye to our children and grandchildren 😭 and left Utah for Tahiti. We arrived in Tahiti at 11pm (3am Utah time) and were greeted by 30-40 people...many with leis for us. What a welcome from such warm and loving people!

After sleeping a bit, we were shown our home for the next three years and the mission office, and were given a lot of information...much in French! (Our French is coming back, especially Steven's.)

We have already had two meetings with the APs (assistants to the president) and been out teaching with them. It is wonderful to see how humble and teachable the people are here.

Tonight we attended a missionary concert, "Le Christ Vivant" (the Living Christ). The choir was beautiful! The solos amazing! and the Spirit was so strong. I am so grateful we were here to hear these missionaries share their testimonies of Christ through song. We were again warmly welcomed by all who attended.

It took a couple of days just to unpack our suitcases and put our clothes in the closet. But we are now moved in, for the most part, and have begun to get to know the area...at least the grocery stores 😊 It is amazing how many people in the stores, or on the plane even, stop and talk to us because we are wearing our missionary tags. Have I mentioned enough times how warm and friendly they are here? 😊

It is difficult to imagine that we will actually be here for three years, it seems long from this vantage point, but we know this is where we are supposed to be right now. We feel blessed to be in a place where we are so warmly welcomed.

Know that we love and miss you all.

Debbie

P.S. Pictures to come soon.