Packer's France Paris Mission Blog 7
Paris always seems beautiful to us, even as the weather changes back and forth, up and down, we've learned to always be ready with a sweater and umbrella.
 |
| Flowers in a local park |
PROJECT UPDATE
Though there is no determined outcome yet from the mission
president’s visit with the Area President (good was definitely accomplished to move it up the scale), we have certainly felt of your
prayers and know the Lord is in charge and that things will work out in His own
way. We are still hopeful and will keep you posted. PLEASE keep your prayers
coming! Thank you so much!
SACRÉ COEUR
With our friends still in town, Kristi Snapp and I took off for a
few hours on Monday afternoon to spend a little time visiting one particular
site! On our way to Sacré Coeur, we had fun getting lost in the Metro which can be a good
thing, because it forces us to really think, pray and figure things out. I now
know how to get there! 😉
We enjoyed a very delightful afternoon, in the heat of the sun, as
we first visited the beautiful interior of the chapel and then with Kristi’s venturing
spirit taking us into the backside roads of the chapel where we saw brilliant landscapes
of flowers, artists (only took videos of the artists), housing, restaurants and
shops. We have found that we don’t seem to mind all the walking, because of the
picturesque scenery at every turn.
I took some fun photos with my iPhone, but I’m sure I’ll be going back
again another time with Steve or perhaps when family come, and hope to bring my
good camera. Nevertheless, it was such a magnificent walk strolling through this
region. I hope you enjoy the plethora of photos as much as we enjoyed our brief
adventure.
 |
Sacré Coeur
Some facts about Sacré Coeur!
The
Basilica of the Sacred Heart of Paris, commonly known as Sacré-Cœur Basilica
and often simply Sacré-Cœur is a Roman Catholic church and minor basilica,
dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Paris, France. A popular landmark,
the basilica is located at the summit of the butte Montmartre, the highest
point in the city. Sacré-Cœur is a double monument, political and cultural,
both a national penance for the defeat of France in the 1870 Franco-Prussian
War and the socialist Paris Commune of 1871[1] crowning its most rebellious
neighborhood, and an embodiment of conservative moral order, publicly dedicated
to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which was an increasingly popular vision of a
loving and sympathetic Christ.
The
basilica was designed by Paul Abadie. Construction began in 1875 and was
completed in 1914. The basilica was consecrated after the end of World War I in
1919.
|
 |
A picturesque street behind Sacré Coeur |
FHE
Family night with the YSA is our chance to learn with the YSA's gospel truths, laugh with them and get to know each other much better. They need our time and accpetance.
We’ve been put in charge to teach them a new game each week and so
we chose the, “Quarter & Cup”
game this week. They loved the game and loved being able to hold hands
with the opposite gender. 😉 We also found
out that they have a friendly and healthy competitive spirit in them.
OFF DAYS-AREN’T PDAYS
 |
| FHE Quarter-Cup Game! Such Intensity! |
OFF DAYS-AREN’T PDAYS
On our off days (meaning we don’t have specific places to go), we
try to catch up with the YSA & missionary tracking and other responsibilities.
Steve has been given quite a load in tracking all of the new convert baptisms
and other follow-up needs.
Since we can’t buy groceries (super small fridge) or do laundry only once a week (because of small laundry facilities, remember), we find
ourselves snitching time throughout the week to get these things done. Food here
is not your typical Utah prices either and being in the heart of Paris definitely
brings the cost of shopping up. We are making it work!
YSA FIRESIDE
Since there wasn’t institute this week, a fireside was held for
all Paris members with a special live broadcast from Provo, Utah with John
Welch from BYU. We had a translator for all French people who didn’t understand
English. They seemed to enjoy the questions and answer time afterwards as well.
The topic was on the findings of Chiasmus
in the Book of Mormon. A Chiasmus as found in the dictionary as: a rhetorical or literary figure in which words,
grammatical constructions, or concepts are repeated in reverse order. Bro. Welch’s
story behind discovering chiasmus’ in the Book of Mormon was fascinating, going
back to his mission in the 60’s. These findings were a great testimony that the
Book of Mormon comes from Hebrew origins.
MÉMORIAL DE
LA SHOAH – Photography not allowed – Images are from Internet
On Friday afternoon we chose to visit the Mémorial de
la Shoah, which is a holocaust museum in Paris. At the beginning of WWII, Paris
had quite a large Jewish population. The museum was opened by President Jacques
Chirac, on the 27th of January of 2005, coinciding with the
International Holocaust Remembrance Day and 60th Anniversary of
Auschwitz concentration camp.
It was quite fascinating! As we first entered the outdoor
courtyard, there were several walls that carried all 76,000 names of Jews that
were deported from France. It was quite a solemn tour, as each floor captured
documentation, poignant depictions of the inhumane treatment shown to them and
the victories of those who were able to escape.
 |
| A few of the walls carrying the 76,000 names of Jews deported from France |
TEMPLE TRIP
We love every chance we have to attend the Paris temple. It becomes
a place of rejoicing with the temple experience each of us enjoy. This week
when there we saw missionaries bringing their converts to experience
baptisms for the deceased. They were so excited!
 |
| RER that we take for the Temple, after we've taken several metros |
 |
| Eiffel Tower image I captured from our ride home on the RER |
Story of Christus & Do We Have His Image In Our Countenance?
During the Open House of the Paris temple, one of the neighbors
who could look right into the garden courtyard with the Christus Statue from
his balcony mentioned how looking at the Christus each day caused him to behave
himself a little more since Christ was always looking at him.
Do each of us have some sort of print of Christ on the walls of our homes? Do we have His image in our countenances? Do we find ourselves needing to behave ourselves a little better, knowing that Christ is looking upon us? This story acted as a beautiful reminder to look up and know that Christ loves us, that Christ is ever aware of us and that Christ desires us to behave just a little bit better each day!
 |
| This is an image I shared a couple of weeks ago that I captured off of my cell phone right when blossoms were blooming! |
UN PRINTEMPS MUSICAL
SOLIDAIRE (A Springtime Musical Concert…)
Saturday night we attended a profit concert with some of the Young
Single Adults and a Missionary in the Paris South Stake performing that we wanted
to support. It was so fun to hear the talent that came from that Stake and the
great support they received.
 |
| Esther Petion - Cellist |
 |
| Elder Slighting - Incredible Concert Pianist |
 |
| Zalyka -Vocalist |
 |
| Lee - Vocalist |
SUNDAYS AT ST. MERRI
One of our favorite days of the week, are Sundays at St. Merri. This
is where we meet many new and wonderful people each week, and frequently find fun
and amazing connections.
But what we especially love about Sundays the most, are the
people and their testimonies that are shared in these meetings, be it in French
or in English. No matter where one might have come from, no matter how humble
or modern their meeting places might be throughout the world, the spirit of
Christ is always felt in great abundance. They always come filled with gratitude
for having put aside things of lesser importance for a small moment. We are
always richly blessed for having been in the presence of these faithful people.
What about the Connections?
It’s always such a sheer delight to have connections pop up out of
nowhere and be able to reminisce about our mutual relations. This seems to
happen often. Today I met a woman whose mother was my ballet teacher growing up
and my mother was her voice teacher. Her name is Michelle 'Turner' Kresge, daughter of Lila Turner. Steve
and I both met others and made connections to our family, home town or when I
grew up in Belgium, or with my dad and his mission in Paris.
One older gentleman and his wife of only 6.5 years (since his first wife had passed) had quite the history. His name is Ross Crosby. He is nearly 89 years old and spent part of his time in Belgium for his mission 66 years ago, during the same time my father was here in Paris. He was sent to Belgium in a small town, named, Namur, where there were no members of the church. In a matter of a few months, they had baptized over 30 members.
Some of those baptized were members of the family of Elder Charles Didier (a general authority emeritus, though Charles Didier was not baptized for another 10 years after his family). My parents knew the Charles Didier family while we lived in Belgium over 50 years ago.
Others like Marcel Kahn, who was baptized during Ross Crosby's time in Namur. Marcel Kahn was a Jewish convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who helped produce a more accurate and current translation of the Book of Mormon into French. Marcel Kahn was a brilliant gospel scholar interpreter and translator.
We are so grateful for each of you and feel of your prayers in our behalf. We love you and miss our family dearly, and know our family are being watched over in our absence. We are always mindful of them in our prayers.
 |
| Sienna & Michelle Kresge (Turner) |
One older gentleman and his wife of only 6.5 years (since his first wife had passed) had quite the history. His name is Ross Crosby. He is nearly 89 years old and spent part of his time in Belgium for his mission 66 years ago, during the same time my father was here in Paris. He was sent to Belgium in a small town, named, Namur, where there were no members of the church. In a matter of a few months, they had baptized over 30 members.
 |
| Bro & Sister Crosby |
Some of those baptized were members of the family of Elder Charles Didier (a general authority emeritus, though Charles Didier was not baptized for another 10 years after his family). My parents knew the Charles Didier family while we lived in Belgium over 50 years ago.
Others like Marcel Kahn, who was baptized during Ross Crosby's time in Namur. Marcel Kahn was a Jewish convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints who helped produce a more accurate and current translation of the Book of Mormon into French. Marcel Kahn was a brilliant gospel scholar interpreter and translator.
 |
| Marcel Kahn and his wife - Photo from Nancy Clark from the France Paris Mission |
We are so grateful for each of you and feel of your prayers in our behalf. We love you and miss our family dearly, and know our family are being watched over in our absence. We are always mindful of them in our prayers.
Thank you for taking the time to read our blog. It’s nothing of
earthshaking news, but your love and keeping up with us, is a way of knowing we
are not alone!
Chaleureuses salutations (Warmest regards),
Elder et Soeur Packer
Grandpère et Mémé
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 
Good ol' Marcel Kahn. Amazing man. I remember when his son was put in as Stake Pres (to replace Tom) I asked him if he ever thought he would see the day when he had to get his temple recommend signed by his son. He laughed. Said, "Never!"
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful blog! Thank you for sharing it with me. I remember Lila Turner! What a fun connection! Prayers will be with you!
ReplyDeleteLove the story and lesson of the Christus!
ReplyDelete