Packers France Paris Mission Blog 36

Packers in Paris Blog 36 – November 12^th – 18^th of 2018

WALKS TO REMEMBER

As mundane as walks might seem for some, taking walks in Paris will definitely be walks to remember! As we stop and take time to look around, we tend to slow down once in a while to capture a photo or notice something spectacular. While doing so, it brings a simple sense of pleasure and captured memories we will hold dear! 

Place du Panthéon

College de France

Les Halles next to the Seine

Seine next to our apartment

CHRISTIAN EUVRARD – NEW DIRECTOR OF ROME, ITALY TEMPLE VISITOR CENTER

This last week we met Christian Euvrard, who has worked for the church throughout his life with CES (Church Education System) and will be retiring in March. He has been involved also with many translations of vital church documents into French. His wife has also been instrumental in the translating of the hymns for the church into French. He and his wife look forward to their new call as Directors for the Rome, Italy Temple Visitor Center. He once served as a Mission President in Italy many years ago.

My parents and Brother and Sister Euvrard knew each other while my parents served on their mission in Lyon, France. My parents always spoke so highly of the Euvrards.

It was such a pleasure for us to finally meet him as he stopped by the center, after having just finished teaching Institute for the BYU Study Abroad students at the church here at Saint-Merri.

Christian Euvrard - He and his wife will be the new directors of the Visitor Center for the Rome Italy Temple

LAST DISTRICT COUNCIL

This was our last District Council meeting prior to transfers. We have LOVED this district and have engaged in some beautiful conversations and lessons. How we will miss any who may will be changed!

Elder and Sister Bonny and us with our dearest District

FIRST DISCUSSION WITH PIERELUIGI

Steve and I have sat through many discussions with the missionaries before, but today marked the first time we have done so with a new contact from the center, and hearing the story of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was such a powerful and stirring discussion. Piereluigi’s story is lengthy, but his heart is golden and he has such pure faith and incredible sensitivity. He has gone through many trials in his life, which has taught him so much compassion, humility, faith in God, and so much more, and he was ready to hear the beautiful message from the missionaries. We loved being a part of this first discussion with him. His simple and beautiful faith coupled with his knowledge of God was quite powerful.

Elder Packer, Elder Ludwig, Piereluigi, and Elder Durant

The next day he told us that he could not sleep through the night and was filled with joyful tears all night long. He wondered why I was so tearful during the first discussion and now he understands what these type joyful tears are all about. We look forward to our continued meetings with him and introducing the joy of Family Search.

THE TALE OF NURIA’S MOVE,  HUNGER, AND OUR TIMELY VISITORS

What do these three have in common? We have witnessed many times over in our life that the Lord can set several events perfectly together, if necessary, and create an amazing symphony of miracles. We witnessed His hand in this process this last Thursday.

The STL (Sister Training Leaders) had been working with Nuria all day long to help her pack to move. After a desperate search, we were unable to find a vehicle to help us move some of her belongings. (Sorry no picture of Nuria and Caroline)

No such luck and so it was up to us with the sisters, and a set of Elders to make the long trek via walking, metro and walking. We knew the Lord had lightened our heavy load in this, what seemed to be, a very lengthy trek. Before heading back to the center, we needed to grab a bite to eat, as we had worked up quite an appetite, as it was nearing 9 p.m. Remember that timing is everything! 

By the time we returned to the center, cleaned up and ready to leave we saw two visitors outside looking at our sign. They are from Algeria and are living here in Paris. One of them, Syfax, asked my husband if he had a Book of Mormon in French. We welcomed them in and we just happened to be out of French copies of the Book of Mormon. I quickly ran over to the back room at the church and found another box and brought it over. Soon, we found out they would also love the book in their Arabic language. We happened to have two Arabic Books of Mormon to share with them.

In our center, we have the Book of Mormon in 76 languages in the center. They were stunned we had copies in their language. He then began to read to us from the Arabic book. It is such a beautiful and inspiring language. He also said that he fluently spoke and wrote in Berber. The Book of Mormon has not yet been translated into Berber. He told us that he could translate it for us and post it on the Internet. We had to kindly tell him that there are copyright laws and it would require permission from the churh before anything like that could take place.

He has a good understanding of some of our doctrine and appreciates the truths taught. He loved that we worship a living Christ, not one on a cross. He was so intrigued that we had a temple here in Paris. I then asked him if he would like to learn more from the missionaries. He was very excited to do so and we told him they would get ahold of him the next day. 

Syfax reading from the Arabic Book of Mormon

The timing could not have been more beautiful for us to have come when we did on that night because it was well after our closing hours, but it was His timing, not ours!

Elder Durant called Syfax the next day and they will be meeting on Saturday, the 24^th at the Paris Temple to see the visitor’s center. If you ever hear about the Book of Mormon in the Berber language, maybe Syfax may have had something to do with it! 😊Someday!

ANGEL GIFT FROM MINNEAPOLIS & FRIENDS

Last Friday morning, Steve met up with Stacy Schneider to pick up my laptop that she so graciously bought (we paid her back 😉) and brought from the states for us. She lives right across the street from Best Buy and was able to bring it right to Paris for us as an airline stewardess We are every thankful for her great efforts.

Stacy also later came by to visit our center with three of her colleagues. Of all the places they could’ve gone to visit in Paris, they came to see us! We felt honored!

Delta Flight Crew to Paris - took time to come and visit us! 

DISCOVERY WITH THE SORENSEN CHILDREN

This last Saturday the three youngest children of our Mission President stopped in to spend a little time in the center. They were in awe of how much fun it was for them to experiment with all of the family history discovery experiences.

Three youngest Sorensen children enjoying our center

President and Sister Sorensen and his family

MUCH NEEDED BLESSINGS

Saturday evening as I was finishing up a phone call our new-found friends, Megan and Colin Wood, stopped by prior to their going back home to Bahrain the next day. My husband asked Colin if he would help him give me a blessing, as I had been having a lot of pain in my mouth for weeks. Colin then asked Steve if he too would like a blessing. My husband accepted his kind offer.

Once it was quiet, we went back to the office area where Colin assisted my husband with a much need blessing. I felt such peace, comfort and a lot of hope form his inspired blessing.

Afterwards, Colin pronounced a powerful blessing on Steve that left us all feeling such love and assurance in the Lord’s work for us here in Paris. How grateful we are for the power of the priesthood in our lives.

SUNDAY FEAST – CHOIR - MISSIONARY FEAST CHEZ NOUS! - THE CALL OF AP!

     Sunday Feast

Every third Sunday of the month is the Ward’s linger longer potluck lunch after church!

     First Ward Choir

After the potluck, we held our first and very brief ward choir practice with 6 in attendance. I have been asked to direct the choir for Christmas. More have promised to come in future weeks. We have sensed that it’s very hard to find those who enjoy singing, or are able to commit to more time away from home. We are keeping it very simple and have great hopes that we’ll have a great experience.

     Missionary Dinner chez nous!

After church and some hours in the center, I went home to finish preparations for our dinner with 4 Elders and 2 sister missionaries. It’s been quite a while since I have been able to cook a full meal. It was a thrill to prepare a meal for more than two!

Farewell dinner to our STL's and ZL - never knowing who will be transfered

     The call of AP (Assistant to the President) and singing Christmas hymns

At the close of our brief evening with the missionaries, Elder Durant had received two missed phone calls from the Mission President. He quickly went back in the kitchen to try to call him. He came back with a face that you knew something was up. He then let us know under secrecy that he had just been called as an AP (Assistant to the President). We have grown to love these missionaries so dearly! They have become like our own children!

Elder Durant - newly called face as Assistant to the President

Before they departed, we gathered together to hear the four elders (who are all musical) sing a Christmas quartet and then we all joined together in singing a Christmas hymn. The Christmas spirit was felt so powerful that night!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

With the Thanksgiving holiday this week, we wish all of you a warm spread of love and gratitude to fill your festive plates and your cheerful hearts, and that you will always know of our abiding love for you!

Avec un Coeur reconaisssant et heureux (With grateful and glad hearts),

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