Packers France Paris Mission Blog 32

Packers in Paris Blog 32 – October 15^th – October 21^st, of 2018

FIRST DAY AT THE FAMILY HISTORY CENTER

How we wish we could say that our first day opened was perfectly prepared with every event planned, and that we understand everything we need to know or do, and that the lines to enter were waiting down a block away!

No, it wasn’t, but it was still a glorious and amazing day! The thing about this center is that it is filled with light, a beauty not known to the regular shops around, meaning it’s not appealing to the contemporary eye, but everyone who walks through our doors, are in awe of its beauty, of a feeling they can’t explain when they enter. They don’t want to leave, they want to experience and they want to learn. We couldn’t ask for anything more. All of the rest will come in time and we’ll get it to where it needs to be the best that we can, but for now we are grateful our doors are open and that it has been well received.

This week was filled with three separate Paris Zone Conferences and so we invited all the missionaries, at different times, to enter our doors and to feel of what was just mentioned above.

This last Monday we had the Paris East Zone Conference. It was so much fun to have them at scattered times throughout the day to come and see the center! They were enthralled by all the discovery experiences available and the opportunities they could have to bring their friends in to learn more about their ancestors and get signed up for Family Search. They were hooked!

 

Sister Packard & Sister Johnson 

Sister missionaries from Paris East

     Gabriel our Family History friend

We have already found that there are those who have begun to come on a regular basis and Gabriel is one who wants to come regularly. Today he spent about 4 hours on the computer doing major research. He is not a member of our faith and was so grateful for the access of the records that he couldn’t get anywhere else, without paying for them. There is a sense of gratitude when he comes to do his research. He’s a young single adult.

TUESDAY’S MARATHON AND BOUQUINISTES

Gabriel met us at the door on Tuesday, waiting for us to open. He ended up staying for 7 hours straight, saying that he would eat a large dinner that night. He was glued to the computer and never took a break till the very end.

 

Gabriel is on the far left! He had a 7 hour marathon in one sitting with Family Search! 

All while Gabriel worked diligently, the Paris Zone Conference missionaries began to come during lunch time and after their conference, checking out the center. He didn’t seem to mind the barrage of noise and excitement that filled the center. He was not detoured. If we could only be that way with all things in our lives. If I could only remember his example, his diligence and desire and be much better in that and many other areas.

Another part of our marathon day was helping Emad Seddik find the names of his family to take to the temple. Emad is a new convert and has been looking forward to taking family names and doing saving ordinances in the temple. Once we were able to get into his file we were still having issues. We called the help desk in Salt Lake City and found out that because he is from Egypt, the government has made it hard for people to move forward with Family Search. It ended up being a late night at the Family History Center.

Later in the week, we got an email from the help center who told us that all is well. Emad was elated and was able to print temple cards for his family.

     Bouquinistes of Paris is going down the Seine (hopefully not)!

One of our friends, Peter G. from New York sent us a newspaper article concerning the decline of reading here in Paris. Bouquinistes (second-hand booksellers) have been around for centuries but have been declining because of the lack of tourist’s interest in books. These second-hand booksellers began to appear around the 16^th century as market peddlers. They were reinstated in 1859. The problem is that because of the decline of reading, the only way they can survive is by selling trinkets at their bookstands to make any profit.

Bouquinistes of Paris off of the Seine River

PRESIDENT & SISTER SORENSEN AND HER PARENT’S VISIT

It was such a pleasant surprise to have our mission president and his wife and her parents, the Huff’s, come to the center during lunch break of the Paris Zone Conference. The Huff's were so enthralled by what they saw, as they also work in a Family History center in their area in California. This photos was all that we got of them as they were rushing out to meet their Uber cab.

 

The Huffs saying goodbye!

WEDNESDAY’S FRIEND – A DISCIPLE OF CHRIST

We were so touched today when an elderly man walked in, a bit disheveled, seeing that his means were scarce. Yet, I was in awe when we heard where he came from and how hard it must’ve been to get here, hoping he would be able to obtain copies of the Book of Mormon to give to his friends. He asked if we had 2 French, 2 English and 1 Italian copy of the Book of Mormon and whatever pamphlets we had so he could give them to his friends. He was the most tender, kind and humble man, and so grateful for this gift we could give him. He carefully packed them in his bag and I then reached over and grabbed some candy to give to him for his ride back. Disciples of Christ may come dressed in Sunday clothing with a name tag, maybe jeans, perhaps even rags, but always wear a smile! It doesn’t matter what we are wearing, how little or how much we have, we can always be ready to share the message of Christ with others.

THURSDAY’S WONDER OF WONDERS

A wonder happened last Thursday, while walking to the center and passing through Hotel de Ville. Suddenly we heard a voice call out Steve’s name! Who would be calling out his first name in Paris? As we approached to the people calling his name, it was no one else, but Steve’s cousins Jeri H. and Gina & husband, from Farmington, New Mexico. What a pleasant surprise and treat to visit with them.

 

Gina & Jeri at Hotel de Ville

Another beautiful wonder of this day was helping Joël S. (a recent convert) to find names and print cards for his parents and grandfather to take to the temple. He too had been looking forward to taking family names to do saving ordinances for his family. When he first came in we thought it would be a piece of cake, but his login and password weren’t working. We were about ready to start all over by creating a new account, when suddenly he found his information in his scriptures (what a great place to save this information)! Once we got in and helped him maneuver Family Search to print off temple names, he could hardly contain his joy! We were all so grateful for this sweet miracle!

 

Joël S. looking over his first temple cards

FRIDAY’S PARIS SOUTH ZONE CONFERENCE & BRO MAYNES

We were saddened we could only stay 1 hour for our beloved zone conference, but we loved when our zone missionaries came to visit us. What we did hear for that 1 hour was incredible, as always, and a welcomed bit of extra sunshine by hearing from the new blues.

We received a wonderful surprise visit from Bro. Maynes from Frankfurt, Director of Temporal Affairs (DTA) over Europe. He wanted to see how things were looking with our building and see if there was any problems or concerns he or we might have. He was very helpful and supportive. 

The Packers with Brother Maynes (DTA over Europe)

FRIDAY’S MIRACLE FROM BRAZIL

We’ve enjoyed getting to know those who have begun to come more regularly to do research here at the Family History Center. We may never really know their stories, but their faces of gratitude for this center is all we need.

This last Friday we had a young man from Brazil we had met the Friday before, prior to the opening of the center, who said he would return. He is not a member of our faith. He came Thursday and then again this last Friday.  It was on Friday that his miracle happened. After spending hours and hours two days in a row, searching for the records of his mother who still lives in Brazil, he could not believe his eyes when he finally found what he was looking for (her birth records). He’s been searching for at least a year, spending lots of money to find these records. Knowing that he could have free access to vital records at this Family History Center here, he was very grateful.

At one point, he asked me if he could use his thumb drive to copy some important records. I was so pleased to tell him that he could. At this point, he told me that he had just experienced a miracle. He could hardly contain his emotions and his hands were shaking from the joy and jubilation he felt. He was overcome! He told me that he has been searching for over a year for this information and that finally now his mother could come to live with him in Paris, something he’s been trying to enable for some time. He kept thanking me for this center.

I told him to be sure and come back and he told me he would with his mother! What a sweet reunion that will be!

MR. GROSSET

There is so much history in the building complex that the church and the Family History Center is at, that we love getting glimpses of the past and present from those who live here. Mr. Grosset has been here for 40 years, yet his history of this building goes back much further to his great grandfather.

We were amazed to hear how his great grandfather developed and owned the first copy machine here in the 1890’s and were all manufactured in this building. They also purchased buildings throughout, instead of stocks and bonds, which made them millions in the process.

Mr. Grosset is such a great friend of the church and speaks highly of the members and their purpose here in France. We’re grateful for him and his great support and kindness.

Mr. Crosset - the man with history coming out of his ears!

WEEKEND’S GRATEFUL HOT WATER!

So, we’ve had a broken water heater for nearly 3 weeks now and our proprietor told us that he would offer us two free hotel nights for all the bother of our taking cold showers. It’ll finally be repaired this coming Tuesday morning. We have never been so grateful for a hot, instead of cold, shower, ever!!! It has taken us about 25 minutes to get to the hotel from the Family History Center, but the hot water was worth the time!

SABBATH DAY BLESSINGS

The Volnet’s spoke in church today. They will be moving back to Germany, having lived here for 12 years. What a blessing they have been to all who have known them. They are tender and loving people, with a desire to serve those around them. Sister Volnet has been a Family History consultant for some time and the timing of the Family History Center opening now, just when they are leaving, was a sad thing for all of us.  How we will love and miss them and are grateful to have had 7 months in our mission to learn from them.

They taught us today of the importance of positive and loving relationships, always thinking positively of one another and the importance of keeping our covenants with God.

The Packers and Volnets

Bro & Sister Volnet - devoted and beloved disciples

END OF THE FIRST WEEK THOUGHTS FROM THE FAMILY HISTORY CENTER

As we look back at our first week here in this new center, we are feeling very blessed, still knowing we have so much work and planning yet to do! We are still at the beginning, with much to learn, yet absolutely loving that we are learning it together!

One of the many things we have learned thus far is that doing very hard things isn’t so hard when we have our Savior à côté de nous (next to us)!

~~~~~~~

We send our love and sincere appreciation for each of you, our dear family and friends.  We are feeling extremely blessed in spite of cold showers and our many inabilities, knowing that we have loved ones praying in our behalf. You are in our thoughts and prayers as well.

Peut-il toujours être à vos côtés (May He always be beside you),

                                                

Elder et Soeur Packer                                                                                                  

Grandpère et Mémé Packer (Please be sure and also use last name on any mail, or it will get returned)

Our Address:

4 quai du Marché Neuf

75004 PARIS 

FRANCE

Email address:                                                                                                                                       Renée: srpacker10@gmail.com                                                                                                        Steve: wf-packer@hotmail.com

You may still text or FaceTime Renée at 801-564-1332

We are 8 hours ahead of Mountain Standard Time