Packers France Paris Mission Blog 44

January 15, 2019

Packers France Paris Mission Blog 44

Packers in Paris Blog 44 – January 7^th – January 15^th, 2019

CHARLOTTE’S LIGHT IS SHINING!

This past month or so has been so humbling to see the generosity of love and help that has been given to help Charlotte. To this we are most grateful! There is something quite incredible when you witness the return of someone to their religious values after having left them for a long time, to see the power of love, repentance and the light of the gospel has on someone. She knows her recent past was not a pretty one in all areas, not one she would want to brag about, but she also possessed traits of incredible value! It was apparent from the moment we met her.

This woman has gravitated towards the light, for many reasons, but it was most apparent with the love that has been shown her by so many people who have not judged her. She has been in absolute awe of how it has made her feel. It has caused her to do all that she can to bring herself back into the light and has found strength to feast upon the Word of God and obedience to those things that she is just beginning to remember what she once knew as a younger girl.

Charlotte's brief story in part

Forgive me for taking this time to share a little more of her story. For several years, Charlotte was dipping her toes into returning back to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, but still struggled coming back fully. Then, when Charlotte found out that she was expecting, she had several choices. Her friends and the baby’s father (her boyfriend) told her to abort, but she knew she could never have an abortion, as she had already seen the devastation of that from her friends. She quickly realized that this baby was her gift from God to find herself and to love someone so much, that this child could help her find herself and put her life back in order. She knew that she didn’t want the life she had before. This is not an easy path to return to live in such a way and quit all that had pulled her away in the first place. She was not happy before and has never felt so much love of God and from others around her as she does now, and she is so grateful for God’s mercy and for the peace she feels in her life.

As she chose to still come back, knowing her situation was not easy, it was at this point that she felt so much acceptance of her circumstances and unconditional love. It was not our role to tell her what she should do, but just to help her and show Christ like love! She responded like no one I’ve ever seen. She thrived on the spirit of the Lord as she engaged in daily scripture study, daily prayer, and accepting the love of ward members.

She not only is thriving, but now Charlotte’s light is shining towards her friends. They are seeing something different, something that they want, and they are talking about it and curious why she is so much happier, why her situation of expecting a child, hasn’t put over the edge. They are now asking questions how they can learn more.

Charlotte and baby Max

PRAYER IS OUR WAY OF SHOWING HOPE AND FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST - PRAYERS FOR PETER, JENNIFER, EMMA AND AUSTIN AND MANY MORE

It seems that there is always a reason to pray for someone we know and love. We know the power of prayer, we know that our petitions matter to Him and we know the importance of specific prayers, and though they may not always be answered the way we want or when we want, we have found, as I recently told a friend in New York, that I believe in prayer. It's not because they always come to pass the way we want, and not without trials, but we are tested, we learn patience, and are refined more! I love the plan, I just may not always enjoy the process!

We’ve been praying specifically for our friend Peter and his daughter, Jennifer (who has cancer), in New York and they are seeing the blessings of prayer in their life. Though you may not know them, I'm sure they would appreciate continued prayers in their behalf

We’ve also been praying specifically for our son and his wife, Emma, who are going through IUI treatments and considering now after many failed attempts to do the more aggressive and costly IVF treatments. We are always praying for those in our family who continue to overcome the varied conditions they are dealing with, that are not easy, and always have our best concern.

We know that these refining moments will teach us so much more than we could if life went our way. We are grateful for all those we are praying for, for their faith and hope!

UTAH VISITOR BACK - WELCOME HOME SHARON!

We have been overly blessed more than we ever deserve, to have Sharon Olson return for a 4^th time in 8 months to visit us here in Paris. Each time she comes, she loads up as much as she can to bring us whatever we need. Yes, we are spoiled, undeservedly. We love and appreciate her visits here, with no need to spoil us, and are grateful for the little space we have to offer her while she is here!

Sharon - bringing us more than we ever deserve!

Sharon asked me to take some photos with my cell phone in front of the blue door right across from our center! She wears blue beautifully and pink!

Kim and Chris Smith and family with Sharon

DISTRICT COUNCIL ALL IN FRENCH

This last week our District had an English fast, where for a whole week we could only speak French. They did awesome, we tried for most of one day, which wasn’t too bad. I was actually very proud of Steve for his efforts and his willingness, though he may not have enjoyed it, he was a great sport! I personally noticed that there is real power in helping our French when we do this. Those missionaries who are quite fluent agreed that it was hard for them, as it’s exhausting, but it helps. It was a great meeting at that!

SKYPE MEETING WITH BRO LÉPORÉ

Almost daily we visit with Brother Léporé via text or email, but try to visit weekly through a Skype visit to keep updated on help we need and a follow up on his end. These have been extremely helpful and energizing to say the least. We feel so inadequate to do what we are doing, but we can see the Lord’s hand and His direction of this new project through the Family History Center. As Brother Léporé meets with the Missionary Department and FamilySearch, they are excited by some of the results that our experiments with the missionaries are producing at the center.

PARIS GAS LEAK DEVISTATION TEMPERED THE YELLOW VESTS RIOTS

We were so saddened to hear of the sad loss of life and major catastrophe in downtown Paris this last Saturday morning from a gas leak at a bakery near L'Opera Garnier. Two firemen loss their life, as well as a Spanish tourist, and over 47 were injured with 10 of them critically. This horrific scene caused a ripple of sadness throughout and actually helped to temper the riots by the yellow vests!

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR FURTHER INFORMATION AND IMAGES

Photo credit from link above

Photo credit from link above

VIDEO CHAT WITH MY PARENTS

I LOVE visiting with my parents especially when it’s through a video chat. Their sweet nature and love for one another and humor is so dear to me! I’m so grateful for their continued health though they are getting up there in years, they are such a bright ray of sunshine in my life!

Picola Wood - my mother, during my video chat

Elden Wood, my father, during my video chat

CHARLOTTE’S SATURDAY BABY SHOWER! – NOT EVEN THE YELLOW VESTS WOULD STOP THESE WOMEN FROM ATTENDING!

If I ever had a forté it would not be throwing baby showers, but we went for it and with Sharon’s help Friday night and Saturday morning we were able to put together a beautiful shower to honor Charlotte. Not even the yellow vests could stop these women from attending! We decided women need some women time once and a while!

From all the generous donations from family and friends, we were able to completely prepare her for her precious baby boy due in 2-4 weeks. We believe that all of our Amazon gifts came in the mail and with the sweet gifts that Sharon and the others brought as well, Charlotte was overwhelmed. I had invited about 18 women, and almost everyone came. We were in number 20 women in total and one teenager boy who came with his mother all fitting in our apartment with not nearly enough seats. This is common here! We had fun games, a lovely lunch and then gifts to open. These women needed this time together and when the shower was over, they didn’t want to leave. Charlotte didn’t know many of the women who came but felt so much love from each of them and now has many more friends. These women LOVED Charlotte and Sharon! These two women spent some quality time together this past week, as well as after the shower!

Sharon Olson brought a suitcase full for Charlotte with much needed items, diaper backpack, funds, blankets, and all sorts of needed baby items! Charlottes was overwhelmed!

Sharon requested we play this game where everyone blew up a balloon and had to pretend if they were pregnant how would they tie up their shoes or reach down or hug or waddle...They laughed the very hardest on this game!

Sister Bonny getting into the fun with the balloon game! She sported it quite well!

Renee Hall playing the balloon game! She has this one down pat with her 6 children!

Just a portion of the sweet group of friends who came to support Charlotte!

SATURDAY AT THE FAMILY HISTORY CENTER WAS AMAZING

While Sharon and I were preparing a baby shower, Steve was at the center with two missionaries having a most fulfilling experience. We had so many visitors thanks to Elders Hill and Ovard. They were contacting many people off the street by asking a question such as, “Where’s Your Family From?” People stopped and began to discuss their answers. They were able to bring many into the center and engage in great Family History discussions and at least 7 people signed up for FamilySearch accounts. Because I wasn’t there to take lots of pictures, there’s not much to show. I came at the tail end of the day and only took the Elders photos and Steve took a couple of photos. We always treasure what the photos represent.

Elders Ovard and Hill working diligently with a smile on Saturday

The Elders helping 3 different patrons with signing up for new account

The Elders helping a family sign up for a new account

SUNDAY’S INSANE BUT FULFILLING SABBATH!

We love peaceful sabbaths, but this was not one of them! Between church, Steve serving in the Family History Center, and visitors at church we loved meeting, and my getting ready for our guests for dinner, and having two Chinese women helping Sharon and I learn how to make Nems (Fried Vietnamese Spring Rolls with Rice Paper) and then preparing the Thai dish, it was not a peaceful Sabbath, but it was so enjoyable. We were grateful though for the visitors we had that night, of Kim and Chris Jensen, their daughter and friends from Germany (Bruno and Andrea), Sharon and Charlotte. It was such a delightful evening. The dinner was one of our favorites!

Visitors - the couple in the middle are from California and own a luxury apartment/home here in Paris - their friends are on each side

Elder and Sister Davis from Idaho Falls returning from their mission (can't remember where)

Sister Ding Wen Yan (second on the left), and her friend is on the far right with Sharon

Family of Sharon's (the couple on the far left are Bruno and Andrea from Germany - they all joined us for dinner

Green Curry Coconut Chicken dish - one of our favorite with friend spring rolls

The rolls are always the favorite! These are a family recipe we've had for a very long time!

SHARON’S ROME TEMPLE VISIT

Sunday evening after the visitors left and while Sharon was still here, her dear friends, Julie and Craig Pacini from Utah who are now the new Rome Temple President and Matron, texted her while at our apartment and invited her to come to Rome to stay with them for a night (she would be leaving this Wednesday morning to fly back home) and have a tour of the new temple. She had to act quickly. It was all I could do not to take the offer myself. She struggled whether she should or not, and I told her she would be insane not go right now. She finally booked her flight and it was more than she ever dreamed her experience would be. She sent me photos to update her experience. After the news conference Sister Julie Pacini had with Elder Bednar, Carole Makita and others, Sharon was treated by Sister Pacini to a tour of some of the sites in Rome. The following day she had a tour of the temple and was blown away (this was a pre-tour prior to the actual Open House). Below is a video the church put out and then photos from Sharon, the church and others. We plan on visiting the Rome temple on our way home from our mission. If there is anyone within the sound of this blog that could possibly go to Rome during the Open House, that would not otherwise be able to go inside, I would not hesitate to purchase tickets and go now! The video is one thing to see, but to actually be there to witness, feel and testify, is worth it! The Open House dates are January 28^th, - February 16^th.

CLICK HERE TO WATCH A BEAUTIFUL VIDEO ON THE NEW ROME ITALY TEMPLE

Sharon Olson and Sister Julie Pacini

This photo comes from a post on Facebook from Elder Bednar

Sharon with Gayle and Tom Holdman from Lehi, Utah - Tom is the designer of the stained glass windows and the photographer of much of the art work I'll post below

SHARON’S ROME TEMPLE TOUR EXPERIENCE

Tuesday morning, Sharon was privileged to be able to attend the first tour for the preopen house at 10:00 a.m. with Elder & Susan Bednar, President and Sister Pacini, and a few religious leaders, totaling about 15 people. Throughout the day, there would be other groups who would attend, such as news media, religious leaders, Georgetown professors, contractors and so on. She was able to also visit with Elder and Sister Bednar and Carole Makita.

Elder David A Bednar’s shares a Parable

Sharon shared with us, a beautiful parable that Elder Bednar shared in the temple to the small first group going through the temple first, which she was part of. Elder Bednar had shared a beautiful parable, originally shared by Boyd K. Packer, with Elder Bednar sharing it in his book, Act in Doctrine. Here is a portion taken from his book. Priceless!

“A merchant man seeking precious jewels found at last the perfect pearl. He had the finest craftsman carve a superb jewel box and line it with blue velvet. He put his pearl of great price on display so others could share his treasure. He watched as people came to see it. Soon he turned away in sorrow. It was the box they admired, not the pearl.”

As we are learning to live the principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ, looking ‘beyond the mark’ (Jacob 4:14) can cause us to focus incorrectly on the jewel box instead of the precious pearl of great price.

… The physical structure and grounds of a temple are majestic and beautifully maintained. Indeed, the Church goes to great lengths to create a physical environment in and around a temple that appropriately invites the Spirit of the Lord. However, we should remember that the ordinances and covenants we receive in the house of the Lord are the pearl of great price. The attractive physical setting is the jewel box.

~~~~~~~~~~~

Reconnaissant pour vous tous (Grateful for all of you).

Elder et Soeur Packer

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

EXTRA PHOTOS FROM VARIED TIMES AND JUST WANTED TO SHARE!