Packers France Paris Mission Blog 35
Packers in Paris Blog 35 – November 5th – 11th of 2018
November 5th is always a sweet reminder of the day that Steve and I met in Burley, Idaho. I will always treasure the day that I first laid eyes on him, which prompted me to see him again the next day at a Fireside he was giving with Bonny Beck (Jones) (one of my best friends from Burley, ID), and his dance partner, to share some of their experiences from the Folk-Dance tour in Europe. I would soon be leaving for Paris, France to attend BYU Study Abroad for 6 months and thought the fireside would be intriguing.
The rest is history, though I still went to Paris, engaged and longing to have him by my side the whole time, we wouldn’t have done it any other way! Voila, my dreams did come true and he is by my side in Paris for nearly 2 years.
FALL WEATHER IN PARIS HAS BEEN AMAZING!
I’m in love with Fall weather in Paris! The rustling trees, the large fallen leaves on the ground, the cool breeze, the colors in the trees, the warmth of the sun, blue skies, grey skies, misty rain, the need for a coat in the morning and evening, but not during the day, and the kind of weather that is a bit brisk at times, but all of it quite welcoming!
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| Fall in Paris makes me happy! |
EARLY MORNING WALKS IN PARIS
Prior to our center opening, we did a lot of walking and it seemed we were always in a hurry as we were going about all of our efforts to get things ready. We only would slow down if it was our chance to take a breather and enjoy the scenery. I long for those days!
This week we began a walking schedule in our routine to make sure we are moving more than what the center is allowing us. Yes, we are still walking fast!
This week we chose to walk each day to one of my favorite parks, Jardin de Luxembourg. This is where I lived over 40 years ago, on the other end and across the street. I had never seen the park though in the fall and absolutely love the colors, the serenity, and beauty while walking throughout!
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| Photos also below of our walk through Jardin Luxembourg! |
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| Just as we were about to turn the corner to our apartment, we saw this sunrise above Notre Dame! |
HELPING MARIE WITH HER FAMILY HISTORY – THE FERVOR WITHIN
Helping someone dig deeper into Family History in French is not familiar to me (Steve is much more comfortable with Family Search than I am) and Marie had a lot of questions. After she spent 2.5 hours uncovering answers to many of her questions, she left pleased, and anxious to come back. All while she was needing help, I kept shaking my inward self, thinking, “How am I ever going to learn this?” I was concerned she would be displeased, but instead, she wanted to make friends with me on Facebook and stay in touch and return for more research.
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| Marie |
There is a great fervor here with the French and family history. Our goal is to get the word out that we are here, ready to help how best we can. We are grateful the people feel such a longing to be and feel connected with their family, so they are grateful for such a place that allows free access to vital records and a place that is so inviting and accessible.
LOOKS CAN BE DECEIVING, OR DON’T JUDGE A BOOK BY IT’S COVER
This experience has been quite revealing to us. After the incident of my Surface Pro tablet being stolen right under our nose on October 30th, it’s made us a bit more cautious.
Looks can be deceiving
On Wednesday, three young men in their mid-20’s, came past the center wondering what we were about and came in to learn more. I will admit that my radar was on high alert, because of what had previously happened to us. It was dark outside and nearly 7:00 p.m. With all our high-end technology at the center in plain view, we could easily be a target. I will admit that while Steve was helping them each sign up for Family Search, I was texting our other Senior Couple who were on the floor above, to see if someone could come down to be with us, just in case. I didn’t get a response until they were about ready to go. At this point, I then did the brave thing! I invited them to go up to institute! They were interested when they found out there was food. I had my husband escort them upstairs and it was at this point that Elder Bonny showed up and a beautiful YSA woman had just come to the door to enter as well, and all assisted them. They not only stayed the whole time, but also sang Christmas hymns, and sat through a religious class (which I did tell them about) and then stayed for the meal afterward.
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| Look at these men really getting into Family Search! |
THEN, they came the following Thursday to Institute and brought a friend. Lesson learned!
Don’t judge a book by its cover
Just after the incident of the stolen laptop the week before, I had quickly run across the small one-way street to the Tattoo shop, to talk with the owner to see if his outside security camera would’ve captured anything from across the street. It did not! Until this point, I will admit, this Tattoo owner scared me, as he just looked scary! As I spoke with him, he was very kind and warned me how careful we all need to be.
This past week, the day after the three young men's story, the Tattoo store owner from across the street came over to check on us about our stolen item! He was so genuine and thoughtful, and we reacted with the same sincere appreciation. Just as he was about ready to leave, he turned to us and said, “I’m coming back soon to have you help me work on my family history.” Not wanting to act shocked, I smiled a warm and loving smile and told him we would love to help him get started. We shook hands and he walked back across the street. We have a new friend! More lessons learned!
This doesn’t mean we shouldn’t continue to be cautious and concerned about those who enter, always keeping our eyes open in the back of our heads, but we must also treat every person with a sense of hope, friendship and be ready to help them with this exciting work of Family History.
ALAIN, THE APOTHECARY MAN CONNECTIONS – THANKS TO GEORGETTE LALAUS
My dear friend in Paris, Georgette Lalaus, is one of the greatest networking people I know! She is incredible, always trying to bring people together, through activities, concerts, you name it, but always thinking of how she can help you to connect to bring good about. She has varied Facebook groups to help keep everyone involved and connected!
This last Thursday she came over to the Center to see how she could be of help, by calling people that could possibly help us in the center, and then to discuss putting together a musical program in this area around Christmas time. I can’t keep up with her energy, but I sure love her!
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| Georgette Lalaus |
Alain Robert
Georgette also told me about a man who owns an Apothecary shop around the corner from the center, that she would like me to meet. She had already asked him if he would come and teach a Relief Society lesson on health. I walked over with her to meet him to see what he does. We had a great visit and I was quite impressed with his store and his kindness and genuine nature. His English is awesome! He also owns a home in Florida that he travels to 3-5 times a year! This sparked my interest since I have friends in the Orlando area, which is where his home is.
I told him about my friends from St. Cloud and that he would enjoy meeting them. I later asked the Clarks and Howes if they would be ok if I gave him their contact info to meet up with him to become friends in Florida! They were both very gracious and he was thrilled! He and his wife are amazing people, intelligent, kind and love to learn about health and wellness.
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| Alain Robert - Apothecary store owner |
The rest of this fun story…
The next day we met another couple that came to the FHC, Colin and Amber Wood, currently living in Bahrain. Colin served his mission here 7 years ago and wanted to bring his wife where he served. Colin is originally from Utah and Amber from Hawaii and reside in Bahrain while in the military.
As we visited with them, we found out that Amber is going into the very same field that Alain is doing right now. In fact, they will be moving to the Orlando area next year for her to go to medical school, though she wants to go into the natural end of things. She’ll be attending UCF for her studies. This is where Alain goes and teaches periodically.
I told them about Alain and my experience the day before. They were excited to go and meet him. We made a quick walk down the street to meet Alain! It was as if they had known one another for years. They were definitely on the same page. They are now connected and will meet him again in Orlando next year sometime. Amber also plans on interviewing him soon for a podcast interview.
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| Colin and Megan Wood and Alain Robert |
SATURDAY CONCERT – WITHOUT STEVE
We were invited to attend a concert this last Saturday of two Chinese students, playing the piano and flute. I didn’t think I should leave again, but my dear friend, Georgette, had reserved me free tickets and was in great hopes I would attend. I accepted Steve’s prodding to go. It was close to the Luxembourg Garden, so I knew it would be close.
These two musicians were amazing and very enjoyable to listen to. There were several there that I knew that Georgette had secured tickets for. Georgette has also secured the flute player for a concert in our church building in December.
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| Kuan-Che HUANG and Yueh-Tzu LIN |
FEED MY SHEEP – ONE OF MY FAVORITE
For many years, my sister, Janine Green and I have sung this song together, or separately as a musical number for various programs or at church. It has always been one of my favorites for reasons of its beautiful and significant message, and how the music touches my soul.
The words and music have been on my mind this past week for several reasons while thinking of loved ones who are going through heartaches, major illnesses and with our aging parents, and for all those who are reaching out to lift and help.
As we left home to serve our mission, and as many of our family or friends have, or even those who haven’t left home per se, but have left the comforts of a life of ease to serve others, we find ourselves filled with earnest prayers for each of our loved ones, being filled with the purposes God intends for them, all while having a desire to serve.
This is what our Savior has done for us! Though he had to leave to continue His mission to serve and save all of God’s children, all He asks is to for us to love and keep one another.
As I witness our families loving and serving one another and others all around them, all while going through their own challenges, I am amazed at how blessed they have been and how miracles are occurring in their lives.
We have been filled by each of your examples as you care for, love and nurture neighbors, family, and friends around you. Know that you are enacting the very powers of God to come down to bless your posterity in their challenges, no matter the cost! This very power doesn’t come from being part of any particular religion, or serving a mission in foreign lands, but only by feeding His sheep, which comes from your selfless love.
Just as the Savior knew that leaving us would be difficult, He knew that his absence would bring down the powers of God to help lift and empower us to do greater things we could not have accomplished otherwise. As we turn our hearts to feed His sheep, we too will be nourished!
Our prayer is that our posterity learns these vital truths!
I am going away, if you love me please do what I say.
Every man is your brother. Love and keep one another.
Feed my sheep, feed my sheep.
I am going away, if you love me please do what I say.
Lose no soul to the cold night, use your deep love to hold tight.
Feed my sheep, feed my sheep.
Follow me where I go, follow me and you’ll know
How to give, how to grow, how to love others so.
I am going away, if you love me please do what I say.
Lose no soul to the cold night, use your deep love to hold tight.
Feed my sheep, now go and feed my sheep.
Feed my sheep, my children, feed my sheep.
ARMISTICE 100 YEARS CELEBRATION HERE IN PARIS, FRANCE – 11-11-2018
Nearly 70 leaders from all over the world were here in Paris, France on Sunday, 11-11-2018 to celebrate 100 years since the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I, in a ceremony on the Champs-Élysées! What a grand event this was, as witnessed by photos found on POLITICO and other news reports. At 11 a.m. the bells at Notre Dame tolled as well, which marked the time it was signed.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THIS PRESENTATION - go to 58:42 minutes
The Music and the Spoken Word begins at 58:42 minutes into the Youtube Life Stream which was on November 11, 2018
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| In front of Arc de Triomphe - photo from POLITICO |
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| Photo by Ludovic Marin/AFB via Getty Images |
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| A bugler in period costume in the clearing of Rethondes in Compiegne, where the armistice was signed 100 years ago - Christopher Furlong/Getty Images |
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| French President Emmanuel Macros pays his respects by the Tomb of the Unkonw soldier during the ceremony at the Arc de Triomphe/ Ludovic Marin/AFB via Getty Images |
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| President Macron re-lights the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - Poll photo by Benoit Tessier via EPA |
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| Photo by Ludovic Marin/AFP via Getty Images |
FAMILY HISTORY CENTER BLESSINGS – JUST A SPRINKLE
This last week, Elder Durant found his great, great, great grandfather Durant’s name whose work had not yet been done. It was quite a surprise, but he was so stoked to take this name to the temple!
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| Elder Ludwig and Durant |
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| Elder Durant happy to have found his GGGGrandpa Durant |
Sister Marie Boulard printed off the name of her deceased daughter, to finally be able to take to the temple. The feeling that prevails in this center is beautiful and very tender.
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| Sister Marie Boulard |
Maryn Tan also found quite a few names of her ancestors that she plans on taking to the temple soon! She's our amazing go-to woman from anything music, to graphic design, and to give a helping hand. Her husband, Freddie is no less in his own ways. We sure love them! Here's a photo from their Facebook page! I should've captured one! Sorry Maryn!
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| Freddie and Maryn Tan - such a fun and cute couple! - Photo credit, Maryn Tan |
We love our Brazilian ‘sons’ who also came this last week! They always brighten up the spirit of the center when they come with their genuine kindness! They are very familiar with LDS missionaries from when they lived in Brazil, so we are a very friendly face to them. We plan on having them over for dinner soon!
Laissez la paix sonner fort (Let peace ring loud and clear),
Elder et Soeur Packer
Grandpère et Mémé Packer (Please be sure and use the 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
As always, job well done! Enjoyed your post! Great stories about what is going on at the Center. Love your early morning walks....oh my goodness, your pictures are not good for me to see. Makes me homesick.
ReplyDeleteLooove the pictures! How I would love to be able to see Paris in the spring AND fall!
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