Packer's France Paris Mission Blog 11

Packers in Paris Blog 11 – May 21st – May 27th of 2018

VISITORS FROM UTAH

After a long weekend in Belgium, we barely had time to jump into getting ready for visits from my brother, Alan Wood and his friend, Sharon Olson from Utah for this past week.

Though we have not been gone away from our Utah home for that long, seeing family and friends warmed our hearts. It was enjoyable to have time with Alan and Sharon (a great family friend) and actually forcing us to take the time to enjoy the sites.

     Airport Pick Up & caught in the RER train door – Monday, May 21, 2018

We decided it would be much easier for us to take the RER train to the airport and pick them up, than to explain how to get here AND also expect them to bring their luggage (a large suitcase just for us) and safely get them here to our apartment.

Trying to maneuver all the pieces of luggage for two people certainly helped to have four of us, to get in and out of the RER trains. What happened during one of our stops to get out, was a bit scary though. Alan was trying to get himself and a large suitcase out after a herd of people and us had already come out, when suddenly the doors began to close on Alan. He and his large bag were caught in the door. People outside and inside started to pull the door open as he quickly came out. There was a panic for a moment and knew he had been watched over. Luckily the train must have a safety mechanism in place to not depart till all doors are properly closed. 



     Unveiling of Blessings of Duty and Love

Once we got to our apartment, they took a small breather as we chatted. It is encouraged to not sleep before bed time, as it could mess up your whole trip. So, we kept them awake for the most part.

First thing Alan pulled out of “our” suitcase was the book, our sister, Janine Green had written of our parents, Blessings of Duty and Love. It is a priceless treasure and I’ve been anxiously waiting to get my copy. I encourage all our posterity to read this book, as it will give you a small glimpse into the amazing lives of their grandparents, my parents. Everyone who has read the book is in awe of the profound lives of service they have given throughout their lives and how beautifully it’s been written.


MONDAY AFTERNOON OUT ON THE TOWN

Helping these two stay awake, we went out to eat and enjoyed walking throughout the streets of Paris. We visited for the first time, Zero Point (0.), which is the very center of Paris. It’s on the property of Notre Dame, just down the end of the street from our apartment. We made sure not to miss having Gelato at our favorite place, Amorino! That evening ended in a horrific rain storm that soaked us all! We weren’t prepared for that one!

First order of business, is to EAT!

Point Zero - Center of Paris, just a few min walk from our apartment
Next, dessert - Gelato! 
Monday night storm, got us soaked! We met some musicians staying dry
TUESDAY P-DAY     
Tuesday was our first full P-day to see sites. Just around the corner of our apartment is the famous, Sainte Chapelle. It’s interior stained-glass architecture is incredible and majestic. We’ve been dying to see the inside since we’ve been here.






   Sacré Coeur

After having a picnic lunch, we took the metro to Sacré Coeur. I love this cathedral. The walk up may be exhausting, but it was fun going this time with Steve, my brother and Sharon.
Sacré Coeur
Before we left this morning, Steve said he would bring umbrellas for insurance sake, though the forecast looked perfect. By the time we began to leave Sacré Coeur, it started to rain and then later thunder so heavily that by the time we got to the exits from the metro people were standing inside to wait it out. This was a big one for Paris, so we were glad we waited. We went inside and changed directions and got home with umbrellas open and pretty dry considering. 

DISTRIC MEETING, CRȆPES

     After a wonderful district meeting, everyone brought their items for lunch! I had been asked to bring dessert, so I made homemade crêpes. They love crêpes and were so grateful to not have to pay for them. We included a few toppings. Anyone who comes to visit, we will make you all the crêpes your heart desires. 😊

MEETING WITH PRESIDENT LÉPORÉ


Later that day Steve and I had a meeting with President Léporé, in preparation for the big meeting tomorrow he would have with the Director of Temporal Affairs for Europe. President Léporé has been our direct link to this project. He has seen the vision for St. Merri for several years and we’ve been in hopes to make this happen sooner than later, but as time got closer, we feared that it might not happen at all.

President Léporé and Steve 




THE MIRACLE FROM THE MEETING PROJECT UPDATE

The deciding meeting was for President Sorensen (Mission President), President Léporé (Stake President in Lyon, France and with Family Search), Brother Maynes (Director of Temporal Affair for Europe), Brother Antoine (FM Director), Brother Vienne (FM Director taking over Brother Antoine’s place).

Prior to the big meeting today, Steve went to the center to unlock the doors and so was able to meet with Brother Maynes. He pretty much summed up that we were to expect from this meeting that they would only be able to do bare minimum and that was all! 

     Patience in the waiting room

While the meeting took place, we were waiting in the church house taking inventory of all the Book of Mormons we have in 75 of 85 languages the Book of Mormon has been translated into.

When the meeting was over, we went out to the courtyard to greet and thank them, but no update was given as they all had to get to their next appointment or to the train station. Not that we were expecting any report immediately, but we were somewhat on pins and needles.

     Miracle report

About an hour later we got a phone call from President Léporé with a brief update. The news was much better than we were expecting! One key point is that this center has never been officially recognized as a Visitor Center by the church missionary department, and that it is simply a part of the meetinghouse. As such, the usage and decorating of this center needs to be in keeping with regular meetinghouse standards. With that said, President Lepore said that a miracle certainly took place during the meeting. As possibilities were discussed, Brother Maynes started to agree that the purpose and function of the center could include the family history and family connection activities that we had proposed. He actually approved the full amount of money that we had requested for remodeling! His only stipulation was that we could only start with 2 family history computers in the Family History room, and that we could only have one large touch screen and one research/discovery station in the main room. The rest of the space was to be used for teaching space. We are elated! Even though we won’t be able to decorate the main room the way we had designed, and can’t have as much technology as we had hoped, we will have a beautiful building with a structure that can support future enhancements as they are approved. We see the Lord’s hand directing this, and realize that this must be done in small steps. This first step is huge, and we hope it can be completed by September or October. Then, as we see results perhaps more can be done in the future. Our vision of this center’s purpose is beginning to unfold and we knew that a tender mercies had just taken place.

Brother Antoine - Our FM miracle worker! We couldn't do this without him
FINAL NIGHT WITH ALAN & SHARON & FAREWELL

Thursday evening was our last night with my brother Alan and Sharon before they left the next morning, so we had dinner with them and then went to Institute. We hated to see them go yet look forward to their further trip into Belgium. We are so grateful for their spirit of love they brought, not to mention a large suitcase of needed items! 


GRANDMA AUDREY PACKER 95th BIRTHDAY 5-26-18

Steve’s mother turned 95 today! What an amazing woman she is and that she is still going strong, with some hearing problems, but we’re grateful for her devoted and dedicated life to God, family and her community!

TEMPLE TRIP AND MEETING WITH FRIENDS

We started our day by going early to the temple, which we made it in about 1 hour, as we hit the trains just right!

We were most excited to meet up with our friends/neighbors from Syracuse, Leo and Tricia Jacobs, who are serving a Military Mission in Germany. They had made a specific trip to the Paris temple with some of their friends from the mission and we all thought we should try to meet up. We were pleased when we found out that the friends they came with were friends of ours from our East Layton ward, Kyle and Jana Cherrington, who have lived in Germany for 13 years. It was so delightful to meet up with both couples and go out to eat afterwards to have more time to catch up.


Kyle and Jana Cherrington

Elder Leo and Sister Tricia Jacobs
On our way walking back to the temple to retrieve all our belongings we met two men from Pakistan, who were coming to Paris for the temple and church on Sunday. They are amazing men who are true pioneers in the gospel. You could see the light of the Christ in their countenance. 

Our Pakistan Friends
MOTHER’S DAY IN FRANCE Sunday, May 27, 2018

Mother’s Day in France was this last Sunday, which is two weeks later than in the US. It was a lovely day for many reasons, but mostly for all the visitors who came. Our Pakistan friends came to church, after having gotten lost, but finally made it. We met many amazing friends who blessed our presence and the spirit of the meetings. We feel so blessed to be a part of these incredible meetings each Sunday.

Cordialement (sincerely),

Elder et Soeur Packer                                                                                                  
Grandpère et Mémé Packer (Please use our last name on any mail, so they don’t return it)
Our Address:

4 quai du Marché Neuf

75004 PARIS 
FRANCE
You may still text or FaceTime Renée at 801-564-1332
We are 8 hours ahead of Mountain Standard Time

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