Packers France Paris Mission Blog 45
Packers in Paris Blog 45 – January 14th – January 20th, 2019
GEORGETTE
IS ON BOARD!
We are so
grateful to have Georgette Laulas helping us periodically when we are gathering
ideas and needing another head to bounce things around! She has willingly offered
to come to the Family History Center as often as she can after her own work to
brain storm on publicity efforts. The wealth of offerings in our center and the
beautiful spirit that is felt there is something we know we need to share with
as many as possible!
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| Georgette Lalaus and Sister Packer |
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| Georgette |
GATHERED INTO THE GARNERS TRAINING WITH THE BLUE
CONFERENCE
Tuesday
was so choice to meet at the Blues Conference (a conference for new missionaries
and their trainers) to share with them our Gathered into the Garners
presentation. The President has asked us to share this at each Blue Conference going
forward. We originally had presented it at each Zone Conference last summer and
found that it has been so valuable. These new missionaries are filled with such
pure and heartfelt desire to learn what they can. We love these missionaries
and their amazing zest to light up the world with their love of Jesus Christ!
The
training that the President, his wife and the Assistants to the President
always give are so motivating. We had to leave after our presentation, but secretly
wish I could sit through the whole conference.
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| Blues Conference |
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| President and Sister Sorensen and Elders Wallace and Durant |
Even
though I usually write from Monday till Sunday, last week I couldn’t help but
insert what happened with Sharon coming to Paris and then having the unique
opportunity to go to the Rome Temple this last Monday and Tuesday. Her
experiences took each of us through a little journey ourselves and we felt so
blessed seeing it through her eyes!
She then
left this last Wednesday morning to head back to Utah into the real world. She
knows that our hide-a-bed couch is here for her whenever she wants. While here
in Paris, she made so many contacts with people and has created quite a
reputation for being someone who adores being involved with humanitarian work.
On her way home, she was already planning what her next mission could be. Her wheels
never stop!
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| Sharon - our seasonal guest! :) |
EMBARASSING MOMENT – PRODUCED GRATITUDE!
Usually
it’s probably not smart to share ones embarrassing moments, but here I go. Because
of some much needed rest last Wednesday, Steve went ahead earlier in the day to
get work done, while I went back to bed. Later I went to the center.
Once
ready to leave, I went outside to start my walk to the center and noticed what
a beautiful day it was outside. The sky was a rich light blue filled with puffy
clouds, the kind I love, usually found during the warmer months. As I was
walking on the bridge of Île de la Cité, I decided I would cross the street to
take a picture from the other side of the bridge. I could see the street light
was going to turn soon, so I did a quick turn and ran across the cobble stone street
of the bridge. Bad mistake! I then took a lovely tumble onto the cobble stones.
With my ungraceful fall, my shoes flew off and I could tell I had hurt my rib
and my left knee was somewhat scuffed. I was more grateful than ever, though, when
two men came running to help lift me up. I was in pain, but more than ever
quite embarrassed. If they had not come to my aid, I’m not sure if the oncoming
cars would’ve seen me to stop. What I kept feeling afterwards though was
gratitude. Gratitude that the cars noticed the men helping me, thus stopping
the traffic from moving forward, thankful that I didn’t gravely hurt myself, and
thankful for answered prayers of protection.
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This was NOT taken on the day I fell, but this was the road I fell on, almost in the middle! ;)
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THURSDAY’S SPECIAL AND REMARKABLE GUEST – DR. JIM
DIAMOND AND THE SANDY HOOK CONNECTION
Over a
week ago we were made aware that we would have a special guest come from
Arizona to receive extra family research help in our Family History Center. His
name is Dr. Jim Diamond. We began receiving emails stating his family research needs,
and quickly realized we needed more expert help. We contacted Salt Lake and then
others locally who were more experienced. Salt Lake was fabulous with the
research they did for this man and then we were grateful for Hugh Pettitt who
came to help us out as well in the center with this man. Steve then put together all of the findings on
printed form and also on a thumb drive for this man. We were also grateful for
Bishop Aaron Sherinian (originally from CA), who is the bishop of the Le
Chesnay ward, which is also the ward that our Mission President and family
attend. We found out that Bishop Sherinian and our Mission President were best
friends growing up in CA.
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| Dr. Jim Diamond - our special guest from Arizona |
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| Hugh Pettitt - FamilySearch expert |
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| Bishop Aaron Sherinian |
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| Steve assisting and looking on with Hugh Pettitt as he also helps Dr. Diamond |
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| Hugh, Steve, Jim D, Aaron S. and Hamid (the driver) |
Dr. Jim
Diamond is a man of many gifts and notoriety. He did not come, though, with
these written on his lapel. He came for one thing only, and that was to find
help with his family records. Though he is from the US he found that he had
cousins that lived here in Paris that are still alive and in their 90’s that he
had never met. He anxiously anticipated his opportunity to meet his new-found
cousins to also help get further help to find information of his French
ancestors. His wife lives in Switzerland who also is a woman of great
notoriety. Amazing story ahead! Bishop Sherinian was gracious to have his
driver drive Dr. Diamond around where he needed to go. Dr. Diamond was very
grateful for what he found and started a FamilySearch account and then merged
his other files into FamilySearch, which has the largest data base of family history
records.
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| Driver Hamid & Bishop Sherinian |
The pat of the story you don't want to miss!
After Jim
Diamond concluded his research and everyone else left, and while waiting for the
driver, we began to visit with him about his personal life and what he did for
work and other interests. He then began to tell us that he was a criminal
lawyer and also was a professor of law. But what really struck our interest was
when he then began to tell us what turned him to begin his research to write a
book, which was the Sandy Hook elementary school mass shooting in Newtown, CT on
December 14th, 2012. His wife, who is one of the top public relations
people in the nation, was asked by our church, after that horrific ordeal, to
help with the public relations and interactions with national media for the
amazing family of Emily Parker, one of the victims of the shooting. From his
wife’s involvement with this, it began a deeper search for Dr. Diamond. The
story that came from the family of Emilie Parker is life changing and he then
started to find other similar stories from mass shootings, and what a
difference forgiveness and healing can make in the lives of those who go
through this agony, not only for the family who has been victimized, but also for
the family of the perpetrator. Story after story was linked to his study, thus
producing a remarkable book that he wrote titled, “After the Bloodbath, is
Healing Possible?” This book is in production and should be released in a few
months.
This man
and his search intrigued us in a most remarkable way. We are looking forward to
purchasing his book when it comes out in a few months. If there is a way we can
live in the smallest way the profound truths of what he wrote about, that of
forgiveness and healing, then we have accessed the most powerful tool of the
Atonement of Jesus in our lives. We will forever be grateful for meeting this
man of valor! We sent him the link to the Chris Williams story that taught
similar truths. There’s many out there! Below are links for Dr. Diamond, and
others you may appreciate.
FRIDAY & SATURDAY’S MISSIONARY HELP
We are
learning very quickly how amazing it is to have the help of our missionaries as
they stand in the cold talking to those passing by the center. The sisters are
quite amazing in their kind, thoughtful, fun and genuine approach. The Elders
are very quick to help as well in their own special way in asking people
questions such as, “Where does your family come from?” and then engaging them
in a discussion about this subject. We have shared such beautiful experiences
with them. It has been such a blessing to help others begin their path of
Family History and connecting with their ancestors. We see the Spirit of Elijah
happen daily at our center. It is real, it matters, it is powerful and those
who enter can feel something special, something that has drawn them to this
great work. We can feel that our ancestors are all around us from the other
side of the veil, inviting us not to forget who we are and who they are.
THESE NEXT TWO PHOTOS TEACHES THOSE WHO VISIT OUR FAMILY HISTORY CENTER, WHAT WE LOVE ABOUT THIS GREAT WORK!
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| Great activity in the center from friends off of the street- they loved it! |
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| Elder Kiene and Elder Ludwig engaging this woman from not interested in Family History, to loving the experience once she started and can't wait to come back! This happens often! |
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| Sister Sorensen and Sister Bell with the sign asking, "Where does your family come from?" |
SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON’S THOUGHT OF
THE CENTURY!
This quote was read last Sunday in our Sunday School
class. It was quite powerful!
The formula for seeking Christ!
President Thomas S. Monson taught:
“The formula for finding Jesus has always been and
ever will be the same--the earnest and sincere
prayer of a humble and pure heart. …
“Before we can successfully undertake a personal
search for Jesus, we must first prepare time for him in our lives and room for
him in our hearts. In these busy days there are many who have time for golf,
time for shopping, time for work, time for play--but no time for Christ.
“Lovely homes dot the land and provide rooms for
eating, rooms for sleeping, playrooms, sewing rooms, television rooms, but no
room for Christ.
“Do we get a pang of conscience as we recall his own
words: ‘The foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of
man hath not where to lay his head.’ (Matt. 8:20.) Or do we flush with
embarrassment when we remember, ‘And she brought forth her firstborn son, and
wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was
no room for them in the inn.’ (Luke 2:7.) No room. No room. No room. Ever has
it been.
“As we undertake our personal search for Jesus,
aided and guided by the principle of prayer, it is fundamental that we have a
clear concept of him whom we seek. The shepherds of old sought Jesus the child.
But we seek Jesus the Christ, our Older Brother, our Mediator with the Father,
our Redeemer, the Author of our salvation; he who was in the beginning with the
Father; he who took upon himself the sins of the world and so willingly died that
we might forever live. This is the Jesus whom we seek” (“The Search for Jesus,”
Ensign, Dec. 1990, 4–5).
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Rome Italy Temple - photo credit by Julie Pacini - Temple Matro
SUNDAY’S MIRACLE OF THE UKRAINIAN FRIEND & TWO SISTERS
FROM PARIS
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Ukraine
visitor
Just when
we thought Sunday was maybe not such a great day for people to come into the
center, we were proven wrong after our busy day this last Sunday. We first had
a man, who had been walking by the center on Friday and was invited to come
back by the sister missionaries, come in with paper and dates and a long list
of needed information to begin his search for his family ancestors. We helped
him set up an account on FamilySearch. He was so anxious to start this journey.
He is from Ukraine and his French was a bit spotty so I called a Young Single
Adult, Nicole Pettit, who we hoped was still next door at the church house, who
served her mission in Russia. She responded and came right over. The two of
them were so happy to speak in his native language that helped us better
understand his desires. Nicole had such a wonderful visit and found out that he
has a friend who is a member of our faith who is Ukrainian and that he is
interested in coming to our church to see what it’s all about. He was
delightful!
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| Nicole Pettit talking with Alexandr K. |
Two sisters
Next, our
story is about two young ladies that are sisters (in their 20's), Emma and
Leia, who walked into the center and asked if we could tell them more about
what we do to connect with ancestors. I
then began to talk with them and helped one of them set up a FamilySearch
account and put in the names of their parents, siblings, and grandparents.
These two sisters told us later that they had been walking outside and happened
to walk down our street. One of the
sisters, Leia, stopped and looked at the Family History sign that is hanging in
the window and looked through the window to see what was inside. The other sister, Emma. asked if she would
like to go in, and Leia said YES. Leia,
who stopped to look in the window, told us later that she had been feeling that
her ancestors had been reaching out to her and she had been wondering how she
could do something to connect with them.
She mentioned that they were not aware of any religion that gave great
importance to families and connecting with ancestors. I began to bear testimony
to them that indeed God does care about families and the importance of our
connecting with our ancestors. This brought them so much joy! I shared with them
that this is an extremely important principle in our church, the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. At this point, Leia was in tears. The other sister, Emma, said that her sister
is someone very close to God and often feels His Spirit. I then told them that we have a very
important message to share about families and their importance in God’s plan. I
then asked if they would like to meet missionaries to hear more. They both said,
YES! The Paris Sister Trainer Leaders
and the Zone Leaders happened to be in a Zone Planning meeting at that very
moment in our teaching room, so we asked the Sisters to come and meet these two
young ladies. They had a very positive
conversation, shared contact information, and set up a meeting for them both to
come back to the center on Wednesday afternoon for a lesson. We know that the Lord is blessing this work
here as we continue to pray for his guidance on how to help others connect with
their family here on earth and those who are deceased.
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| Emma and Leia |
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| Sister Packer, Emma, Leia and Sister Jensen and Sister Bell |
FLOWERS OF GRATITUDE
It’s not
often you receive flowers in Paris from a random flower shop, but we did this
last Sunday. I’m sure the order had been made earlier in the week, but luckily
we were open to receive this kind gift from Bishop Aaron Sherinian for our
visit with his friend, Dr. Jim Diamond.
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Flowers for the center from Bishop Aaron Sherinian from the Les Chesnay Ward
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Chérir et aimer ta famille (Cherish and love your family),
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
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