Packers in Paris Blog 47 – January 28th
– February 4th, 2019
LEGALITY AND INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT SORENSEN
On a 2-year mission, you are required to get
legalized two different times. We already had OFII behind us and now it was
time to go to another office for the 2nd year legality. We headed
off early in the morning to Saint-Germain-en-Laye, about an hour away. It
turned out to be a simple and non-eventful experience, but grateful to have it
behind us.
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| Saint-Germain-en-Laye for our 2nd legalities |
Interview
with President and Sister Sorensen
We then headed back, just one stop on the RER and
walked to the Mission Office for our interview with President and Sister
Sorensen. We had requested to have Sister Sorensen with us, as we have a big
project ahead that needed her input as well. They were wonderful to visit with
and were thrilled with our plans and hope that once it’s revealed, we will then
share our good news. We were most grateful for their support and could see the
value of these plans.
This project has come because of discussion from our
visit with Brother Léporé, who is now on a committee with FamilySearch and the
Missionary Department. We’re so grateful for his support and great direction.
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| Assistants to the President - Elder Durant and Elder Wallace at the Mission Home |
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| I love moss in Europe! |
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| WHAT IS THIS? - On our walk back from our interview |
TWOUSINS BORN ON 1-29-12
We have the cutest twousins in our family (2 cousins born on the
same day) that were born 6 years ago on January 29, 2012, just 45
minutes apart in different hospitals. We had the chance to talk to them each this
last Monday!
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| Adelaide Hunsaker - oldest of the twousins by 45 minutes - Such a sweet and happy girl! |
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| Blake Packer - 2nd oldest of the twousins - Such a busy and fun boy! |
BABY OH BABY!
This last Wednesday, Charlotte had her baby! She was
a champ of all champs! I got there when I was able in the morning and waited
much longer than we thought it would be, but after Steve took me to the
hospital, he left and it wasn’t until 5:30 p.m before I was allowed to go and
see her. Things are so different here. Two nurses ended up delivering the baby!
No other options were even available. I had a couple of hours in her room and
then Steve picked me up again. The baby’s name is Max! They came home last
Saturday. She has been so grateful for all the gifts that have blessed her and
Max and has helped her through this journey.
Sister Bell and Sister Jensen had the opportunity to
meet her at the hospital to help her get packed up to back to her apartment and
take a ride on an Uber and go to her apartment and get her all settled. They
also went to the store and bought her food, with some money that was left over
from the gift money. These two missionary sisters were beaming when they told
us all about it!
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| Photos credit - Charlotte! Little Max surrounded by a few of the gifts from the shower! |
OFII THURSDAY
Steve was back at OFII again with only 10 missionaries
this time! The workers in OFII are so good to work with and love when the
missionaries come. The missionaries are treat so respectfully. I am always so
grateful that he’s the one taking them, though we loved going together, someone
has to watch the center. He knows the route so much better!
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| OFII Missionaries |
HENNINGER VISITORS
Last Friday we had visitors from Utah come and stay
with us for three nights. They are the parents, sister and her husband and
their 1-year old baby of our daughter’s boyfriend. We had a delightful time
with them. This was our first time meeting them.
VERSAILLES
TOUR GUIDE – IT WASN’T ME!
I promised the Henninger’s that I would go to
Versailles with them on Saturday, to show them all around. We got there a
little later than planned, but it’s a good thing, because what tickets they
thought got, weren’t really, “skip the line tickets.” They had purchased a
guided tour ticket for a 10:30 time, which didn’t really start till 11:00 am.
It was quite cray how it all turned out. I had my free pass with one other
person for free. My pass would not accommodate a free guided tour though. They
were also counting on my extra free person entrance which wouldn’t accommodate
the guided tour either.
Finally the tour guide, told us to go through the
other door and to meet us inside and she would try to accommodate us. Bless her
heart to give us the guided tour. I don’t think I would normally want to have a
guided tour, but it was quite interesting. You can also get a self-guided tour
for a few dollars that is helpful. FYI!
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| Brent, Tammy Henninger, Brooke, Lila and Dawson Burrup - our guests for 3 days |
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| Tour Guide - such a generous woman! |
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| Actual desk from the signing of the Versailles Treaty - most important peace treaty that brought WWI to an end! |
SUNDAY’S
NEW SCHEDULE & CURRICULM – A SUPPORT TO THE FAMILY
We’ve been so grateful for this two-hour meeting
schedule. It’s not really because of the shortened time, but because of the focus
on the Come Follow Me curriculum and gathering families around the discussion
and learning table or their couch, floor or even bed. It’s something the church
has always encouraged through weekly Family Home Evening, but now it’s so much
more. Steve and I have been enjoying our study and follow up together with this
new curriculum.
SPECIAL VISITOR IN
THE CENTER
Anyone who walks through our Family History Center
is a special visitor, but there are those who come with such a purpose and a
desire to make something good happen, that we are so ecstatic to help them.
This last Sunday we had a delightful woman, named
Jessica, come in the center, asking if we could help her with her Family
History. She came very prepared with names of her ancestors.
Once we got her signed up for FamilySearch and showed
her how to begin the process, in a couple of hours she had completed 4
generations. She’s anxious to continue this path and felt grateful for the help
she received. She was such a bright star in our already great day!
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| Jessica our new friend with Steve guiding her |
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| Maryn and Freddie Tan - our Graphic Designer and Ward Mission Leader |
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| Sister Bell and Sister Jensen - our truest angels! |
On my walk home early from
the center to come back to prepare dinner for our guests, I couldn’t help but
capture a few photos of the magnificent day. The weather was amazing, not necessarily
warm, but the sky was gorgeous! Couldn’t help but share the beauty!
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| Hotel de Ville |
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| Rue de Rivoli |
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| Government building by Saint Chapel on the Island of Notre Dame |
MONDAY DEPATURE OF
OUR HENNINGER GUESTS
The Henningers filled up their schedule to the brim
these last few days, right till the minute they had to leave! They made the
very best of cold weather and little Lila was a doll! She was such a trooper to
go outside in the cold day after day seemingly taking it all in like it was
expected to hang out with all adults every day in the cold!!!
Once they finished their tour of Notre Dame this morning, which is just
down the street from us, they were ready to go to the airport and fligh to London
for a few days.
They were fun to get to know and we had a blast on
our game night with them! We tried not to poison them with our home cooked
meals and breakfasts. They are still alive the last we heard!
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| Photo in our courtyard with the baby! |
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| Farewell photo with Notre Dame |
Nous nous sentons bénis
de vous connaître (We feel blessed to know 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)
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
FYI, that ball of growth in the tree? that is mistletoe!!! I promise! I know, it surprised me as well. And I love the moss too.
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