Packers France Paris Mission Blog 18

July 17, 2018

Packers France Paris Mission Blog 18

Packers in Paris Blog 18 – July 9^th –July 15^th, of 2018

PROJECT PLANNING (more photos of updates at end of blog) & FHE WITH YSA

Project plans…

This last Monday we spent a good amount of time designing our operational plans for our Family History center. We had already discussed much of our desires and Steve had put these and other thoughts already on paper. At this point though, we began working on the finer points of what we want it to feel like, what we’ll exactly be doing in each section, and all the details of what still needs to be done! This is quite a journey for inexperienced people, doing something that literally takes pure inspiration from above. We both can attest that this is not our work, but the Lord’s and we feel His direction in our behalf. More project photos at the end!

Some of the wall paper and marble floors being removed!

FHE with Jeunes Adultes (Young Adults)

Family Home Evening this last Monday was a quiet evening with the YSA’s playing Tenzies after a great lesson. This kind of play really feeds their thirst to laugh and enjoy being together!

VISITORS FROM MOROCCO & BELIGUM & THE WORLD CUP SEMI FINALS – FRANCE WINS! (Final World Cup Info near end)

Ro and Glo from Morocco (Elder and Sister Johnson) & Elder and Sister Newberry

This afternoon we enjoyed meeting new and familiar friends. Through a series of interesting connections, coming from several directions, we planned a fun afternoon with the Johnsons currently serving in Morocco and the Newberry’s from Liege (both of them friends). We had such a delightful visit with them and found many fun connections (of course). After a lovely visit here in our apartment, we went out to eat. We learned some beautiful lessons about Family History that I believe will be wonderful information we can utilize in our center. Blessings!

Elder and Sister Newberry from Liege, Belgium (a former missionary during our time in Charleroi!)

Elder & Sister Johnson from Morocco, renewing their legalities.

World Cup Semi Finals for the Win!

Once we got home, the eruption for the World Cup Semi Finals began all around France, but especially, right here in our very neighborhood. Since we live right in the heart of Paris, the parties with their large screen tv’s were at every street corner. Once they won, the noise level amplified dramatically, with fireworks, horns honking, screaming and never-ending celebration. This lasted for a very long time. Thank goodness for ear plugs!

Click here for World Cup Semi Finals celebration chez nous!

VISITORS FROM UTAH

We were so happy to go and pick up our friends, Sharon and Ali (new friend who came with Sharon) at the airport. Sharon is staying here with us for a few days. As before, Sharon brought 2 luggage bags of items for us, since she gets free luggage check. It was like Christmas of needed items that are very hard to get here, or extremely expensive. Thankfully Steve was able to help with the heavy luggage to get us back to our apartment. The three of us girls then took an adventurous RER ride and cool walk to find Ali’s Airbnb apartment.

Packers, Sharon and Ali!

Once we found Ali’s Airbnb, I had a chance to meet her landlord, Gabriela. What an intriguing and fun woman she is. She speaks 5 languages, owns her own business from home and runs an Airbnb. Once I told her what we were doing here, she was so excited and asked if she could come to our Family History center once it is completed. She lives across the street from an amazing cathedral, which looks as authentically old as Notre Dame, but it was built in the 19^th century and the title is Basilique Saint Clotilde, located on the Rue Las Casses in Paris. From her front balcony you can see the cathedral and the Eiffel tower in the distance. By the end of the day, these two women were quite exhausted! Benefits: Friendships, Gabriela, my new friend and Christmas in July!

Gabriela

Built in the 19^th century and the title is Basilique Saint Clotilde, located on the Rue Las Casses in Paris

INSTITUTE COOKING FOR THE NEXT 5 WEEKS!

We were given total charge to cook the meals every Thursday night for the next 5 weeks after Institute. Cooking doesn’t scare me as I’ve been cooking for a large crowd for many years, it’s just adding it to our already busy agenda and in the heat. As we know though, it always works out. Grateful Steve did the shopping for me! He’s much faster than if we were together.

Our first night went well and we love how helpful the YSA’s are with clean up when they come. We put a little American kick to our dishes and they seemed to eat them with delight! One down, 4 more to go! Sorry no photos! Just plain forgot!

TEMPLE BLESSINGS – TUILERIES WALK IN THE PARK – DINNER PAR SHARON

There are days that the peace of the temple and the blessings by attending seem to wash over you like a refreshing pool of cool water, washing away all of your worries and spiritual ailments. This is how we felt today and actually each time we attend! We both came away so renewed, and ready to carry on with faith and determination.

Side note: The temple is also a place for revelatory experiences. To those who may not understand, you can read from this message and scriptures below from a summary taken from a seminar for Mission Presidents by Elder Bednar.

“Defined most simply, revelation is communication from God to His children on the earth and is one of the great blessings associated with the gift and constant companionship of the Holy Ghost, taught Elder Bednar.

‘God uses a variety of patterns to convey His revelations to His sons and daughters, such as thoughts to the mind and feelings to the heart, dreams, visions, conversations with heavenly messengers, and inspiration,” he said. “Some revelations are received immediately and intensely; some are recognized gradually and subtly.’”

Doctrine and Covenants 8:2 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.

3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.

Friends at the temple

We can’t help but go to the temple and always see friends or make new friends. As we came out of the temple, we met with President Hitoto and most of his family. He is a stake presidency member from the Paris South Stake. He has 5 boys and 1 girl (not pictured) and a most lovely wife. We loved seeing elders and sister there as well.

President Hitoto and Family!

The Sisters and the Elders!

Tuileries walk in the park & carnival (a mini Lagoon)

This last Friday we took a leisurely walk through the Tuileries gardens. After walking around we found a quiet place to sit and just enjoy the shade and peaceful beauty! We also discussed and added to our bucket list, many of the places we wish to visit while on our mission.

We also were amazed at the mini Lagoon type carnival that we saw! We just walked passed seeing the happy faces of children and the hordes of sweets!

Charles Perrault - a French author and member of the Académie Française. He laid the foundations for a new literary genre, the fairy tale, with his works derived from earlier folk tales. 1628-1703 Paris, France.

Carnival

Dinner par (by) Sharon!

Our dear friend Sharon was at our apartment already fixing dinner for us when we returned from our brief outing, while she could’ve been out visiting Paris attractions. Bless her, it was wonderful and such a treat for us! We enjoyed our quiet visit with her that evening!

HAPPY BASTILLE DAY – COMPARED TO OUR 4^TH OF JULY CELEBLRATION

Today was a huge affair here in France. People celebrate all day clear into the evening, just as we do on the 4^th of July. We were asked by our President to stay indoors from 8 p.m. on. It’s all for safety precautions. We had much to get done here! Here’s a little summary of why the French celebrate Bastille Day! The photo below is taken from Renee Hall, who is our Bishop's wife!

The French National Day is the anniversary of Storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789, a turning point of the French Revolution, as well as the Fête de la Fédération which celebrated the unity of the French people on 14 July 1790. Celebrations are held throughout France. Wikipedia

Bishop Halls family and some of our YSA!

CHURCH AT SAINT MERRI – FAREWELL TO ELDERS – WORLD CUP FINALS! BRAVO LES BLUE!

Church at Saint Merri

How can our Sunday’s get any better than this! We had the most delightful visits with people we have never met, yet felt that we could’ve been lifelong friends. As we hold a special testimony meeting each Sunday, we love the random people from all over the world who stand up and share the most incredible stories. One such story was from a young girl named, Hadley from Kaysville, UT! She must’ve been 10 years old and had me melting at the maturity she possessed in her words and spirit. One of the things she shared with us, was while their family was traveling abroad and hearing all the varied languages, it hit her so hard that she realized that God could hear each and every prayer no matter what language we speak.

I testify that God does hear and answer our prayers and hears our pleas in all languages, no matter where we live, no matter our wealth or poverty, no matter how high or low we live, no matter how well known or not we are. He is always there for us! Our part is to then seek Him daily!

Hadley - a wise and tender young girl

We met a mother and daughter, whose husband had to leave France early to get back to work. Tanya and her husband are preparing to serve a mission in a few years and are contemplating serving here. What delightful and pleasant people they were to talk with.

Tanya Skeen and her daughter and Renée

Farewell to the Elders

Today we hosted 4 elders for dinner to give us a chance to say goodbye to two Elders who are leaving to go home at the end of their mission on July 18th. Elder Mackay was our awesome district leader and Elder Ho is one of the most humble missionaries we will ever meet. The other two elders, Elder Burgoyne and Elder Durant, could possibly be transferred. We hope they enjoyed our American meal.

Elders are from left to right - Elder Burgoyne, Elder Ho, Elder Mackay and Elder Durant

Elder Ho and Elder Mackay - will be leaving to go home!

Elder Durant and Elder Burgoyne

Bravo Les Blues! World Cup Finals Win

How could we not mention this grand experience. In one week, we experienced the World Cup Semi Finals Win here in France and then the Finals win. The games weren’t here, but the people were, and did they ever come out of the woodwork. To be here at this time has been incredibly fun! We were once again asked to stay in our apartment. If we had lost, there could be rioting and even with the win, there are concerns with so many people. So, we didn’t get many pictures, just a few outside of our apartment. The real excitement was at the Arc de Triumph!

FINAL WIN! Images and the score would periodically pop up on our computer to keep us updated!

Excitement outside our apartment door!

PROJECT UPDATE! IT'S REALLY HAPPENING!

To see such movement finally happening at our center is so thrilling! No one is more excited than we are. Below are progressive pictures! Though it’s a mess, we can see what the end result will be and know that it will be magnificent, even with the parameters we’ve been given.