Packers France Paris Mission Blog 58

April 22, 2019

Packers France Paris Mission Blog 58

Packers in Paris Blog 58 – April 15^th – April 20^th, 2019

NOTRE DAME – MORE TO THE STORY AND REFLECTIONS – A SOLEMN REVERENCE IS FELT THROUGHOUT

In the wake of so many disasters in the world, it would be easy to focus on just the one we’re near and affected by! I may be sentimental, but I’m hoping to turn the feelings of loss to the blessings that are gained from these tragedies, wherever they may be throughout the world!

Prior to our seeing the blessings, what we feared the most when waking up Tuesday morning was that the landscape would be drastically mangled, with the towers fallen and so much more! After hearing the news on the internet Tuesday morning, the major fears were alleviated! But we still needed to go see it for ourselves!

Steve and I walked the streets around outskirts of Notre Dame the day after with our new friends, John and Renée Pew, who we had just met two days before at church. We were in awe of several things! First, there was a quiet, reverent tone throughout! The boat tours had been cancelled for several days. Thousands came to pay homage, respect and to see the devastation with their own eyes! The reverence and somber mood was so deeply touching! We were all still in shock and disbelief! I don’t know when that feeling will go away! Will it? I believe it will as we turn the spiritual Ashes to Beauty in our own lives and by lifting and blessing others around us!

We have never seen so many tourists around the Island of Notre Dame as we have this past week. Even in the heaviest summer tourist season (Notre Dame is the most visited site in all of Paris with13 million a year, more than the Eiffel Tower)!

The streets right around Notre Dame were gated off with police officers everywhere protecting its entrance to only those who lived right by the cathedral and to authorized personnel! We are one of those who have to go through the gates and show our ID and a form of address with our name to get into our street. We actually don’t miss the throngs of people that normally go up and down our street, but for a reason that we wish was not!

I took some pictures on Tuesday, but what I really longed for was a beautiful, uplifting, blue sky to take a photo to compare it with the one I had taken just a week prior.

On Wednesday, two days after the fire, after finishing at the center and seeing the blue skies, I told Steve I wanted to walk around and take a few more photos! Well, an hour later I returned and was so grateful that I did!

BEFORE AND AFTER

I took this photo exactly 1 week prior to the fire on Monday, April 8th, 2019

I took this photo 2 days after the fire on Wednesday, April 17th, 2019

The blessings have and will yet come!

So, what are the blessings? The blessings are that when difficulties arise, we turn to a higher source of love, often God! We turn outward to lift even when we’re down. We see the plight of others more than our own. We come together as a family, as a church, as a community, within the world, uniting instead of dividing, and to bring peace and joy back into existence! As we do so, Ashes will turn to Beauty when we see the Lord’s hand guiding us through the rough patches of our lives!

Steve shared his testimony in the English Sacrament meeting and this is one of the quotes he gave!

From the Church Director of Public Affairs in France and Belgium (Frederic Babin):

“With the image of the cathedral Notre Dame ravaged by the flames, we share the sadness of our Catholic brothers and sisters, even that of the whole Christian world and even more of all who see in this magnificent building the greatness of God and what is best in the hearts and hands of all who believe in Him and in His Son Jesus Christ.

What a symbol to see the week before Easter, for this cathedral "to die" and to know that it will be renewed thanks to the gifts of all people of good will. But what a blessing to know that by the greatest gift that was made by the Son of God, who accepted to die and take upon himself the sins of the world, and through his resurrection each of God's children, who we all are, will also be able to be resurrected.

May this tragic event be for each of us an opportunity to reflect on the profound significance of the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ and to see in the more or less tragic occasions of our lives an opportunity to renew and to turn to the one who gave us life, and even the promise of eternal life. We testify of the resurrection of Christ, He lives and through Him death is conquered, we pray that the world will be filled with this hope."

To put into perspective how old this 850 year building really is, look at the beginning of this video from the early 1900’s that my friend, Teresa Dix sent me!

CLICK HERE FOR PARIS IN THE LATE 1800'S

MONDAY MORNING INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT SORENSEN

Early Monday morning, Steve and I headed to the mission office for our interview with President Sorensen! He was thrilled by the progress of the center and how effective the online sign-in has been!

We were grateful to see Elder and Sister Smith while at the office, who were recently transferred from Nancy to be the new office couple, replacing what was the new office couple who had to unexpectedly return home due to health concerns. The Smiths are also faced with the struggle of difficulties back home that they trying to cope with! Their tasks are incredible and challenging, more than one can ever imagine, unless if you’ve been in their shoes! Yet, they are moving onward with their new assignment!

AP's with Elder Smith

On our walk back to the RER, I noticed the beautiful tulips and had to pull out my cell phone and snap these happy flowers! Little did I know how these would bring me joy later!

TUESDAY PDAY WITH JOHN AND RENÉE PEW

As we arose Tuesday morning, having had a late night, the Pews called us to get directions to Notre Dame and how to get around the closures! We told them we would be happy to direct them and that we would also enjoy meeting up with them. Once we met, we took them through a beautiful area to more easily view the cathedral from the Seine River and where fewer people go. We were grateful for this quiet time!

Our apartment is on the left side

I took this photo the next day after the fire on 4-16-19

John and Renée Pew on the left

This was a common thing everywhere around the Seine and Notre Dame

Though there were many things we could and should otherwise be doing for the center, our minds were not able to focus on our tasks, and we felt the best thing we could do is take an actual PDay! We were grateful to walk and talk with the Pews. They were so kind to take us out to lunch before we all headed off to our next adventure. Our next stop was to see the Cathedral (Sacré Coeur)! We showed them around the beautiful winding streets and shops filled! I showed Renée one of my favorite ceramic shops, from which I’ve still not bought from yet, but will before we leave. The history behind this store is inspiring!

Sacré Coeur

What do men do when women shop?

Renée and store owner - she bought a beautiful tea pot!

In one day, we were so blessed to get to know the Pews and the dear people they are! Renée and I enjoyed one another immensely! As we walked side by side talking constantly, our spouses did the same with one another! Renée is such an amazing person and a pure delight! John Pew is a man of many talents. It was fun seeing how they each would tell about one another about each other! John is the director of the Timpanogos Symphonic Orchestra (88+members). We were so impressed by what we heard. I’ll put a link for their website! It is all volunteer and have amazing talent! They have a concert on May 3^rd! Check it out! Thanks to John and Renée for elevating our spirits!

CLICK HERE TO SEE HOW AMAZING THEY ARE

THE PASSING OF DEBBIE LANG

Our oldest son, Nathan, is married to Dixie Lang, whose mother passed away on April 16th, the day after the fire of Notre Dame. Debbie was in her early 60’s and much too young to leave all of her loved ones! Our hearts were saddened by this, and though we knew it was coming because of her declining health from cancer it happened much sooner than expected. Our thoughts and prayers will continue to be with them for their great loss! Debbie was a most devoted wife, mother, grandmother and friend! She was always gracious in helping wherever she could. We can easily see that some of the sweet qualities that Dixie possesses, has come from her dear mother!

The Lang Family singing, "My Heavenly Father Loves Me" - Photos by Janine Hunsaker

Our family went in on a group gift as well as some making special personal gifts! Becca painted this drawing below of Debbie and her family, with Christ next to them as their comforter! We appreciate everyone’s wonderful contributions of love!

Portrait for Dixie and Nate's family by Becca Packer

SILVANO SAPIA, THE OPERA MAN COMES TO SAINT-MERRI

Today we had our first class with Silvano Sapia! We may have been a sore sight for what he might have wished was a room full of glorious potentials, but nevertheless he is as magnificent in his kindness and grace as he is with his voice. Because he is so busy, he may only come once in a while! Wow, not sure what we’ll do, but we may form a choir and practice what he teaches! The class was so enchanted with his voice, but even more so with his spirit of love and gentle teaching. He brought with him not only experience, but such basic yet elevated techniques that inspired everyone there!

CONTACTING AT THE CENTER

We had some great contacting outside in front of the center this week, and some not so great, but it all depends on the time of the day, or how hot or how cold or what big event is going on, if people want to stop or not! Nevertheless, it is so awesome to have the center busy and bustling with people! Our online registration is a big hit and we’re finding nearly 50 % of those who register are also interested in wanting to know more about our church because of it!

MING NEEDED A MOTHER’S LOVE

Last Friday, a young single adult woman from China stopped outside the center and began to weep furiously. The sisters quickly told the Elders they were going to go with her in the courtyard to comfort her. After she calmed down, I went to her to listen to her and give her a mother’s love! It was amazing what love will do! She felt a deep connection with me, and it must’ve been because she needed a mother’s voice of comfort! She has no family here in China and feels very alone! We are now in contact and are planning on meeting this next week to get to know one another better!

Ming

EASTER SABBATH WORSHIP

This last Sunday we enjoyed a beautiful meeting in the French ward and the English-speaking Sacrament meeting! Charlotte was so amazing by bringing a friend with her to church! I got to hold Max all during Sunday School! My grandma muscle memory skills were still intact! How I love holding him!

During the English-speaking meeting, our numbers were few again in attendance, as the change has still not been made to make it clear what time we start (so about 40 visitors showed up for the French speaking ward). Once again, it was amazing though! The beautiful testimonies that were shared were priceless from the several who shared!

Some of our English speaking Sacrament meeting visitors! The Hawes, Hopkins and Bel Starnes and her fiancé Victor

DINNER WITH THE MISSIONARIES HELD AT THE INSTITUE BUILDING

We were looking forward to having the four sets of companions who attend the Paris Ward at St. Merri over for an Easter dinner. Since we are still not allowed to have anyone go through the gates we had to take our dinner to the Institute Building. It was an interesting experience, but nevertheless we made it! It was so nice to have a festive affair with them and show our love and gratitude for all they do for us and the ward in Paris!

Elders Jones, Sun, Ballard, and Kiene and Sisters Tabiliran, Jensen, Matise and Schofield

CONNECTING WITH FAMILY OVER THE EASTER WEEKEND!

There’s something about being away from family during the holidays that makes you miss them more than ever! We were able to speak with almost everyone (will get the last one this week)! Hearing their voices and seeing some of their cute faces is just what each one of us needed! They bring us so much joy! With all the varied health challenges that are going on in our family, and with Debbie’s passing, we are most grateful for the unity that our children are showing to one another!

As we close this week, we are most thankful for the Lord’s tender mercies for each and everyone of us! He has given us hope for eternal life through His saving grace of the atonement!

Je sens l’amour de mon Sauveur (I Feel my Savior’s Love),

Elder et Soeur Packer

AN EXTRA BONUS FOR WHOEVER DARES!

REFLECTIONS FROM NOTRE DAME FROM TWO WEEKS AGO AND 11 YEARS AGO

When our daughter Janine was here with us two weeks ago, and she and I visited Notre Dame on Sunday, April 7^th, just 8 days before the fire, we were amazed so grateful for the snippet recordings we both made of the bells and children’s choir, the processional and more! It is a lasting memory for us to savor! I will post a couple videos from that time and photos!

CLICK HERE FOR THE ORGAN 4-7-19

CLICK HERE FOR THE CHILDREN'S CHOIR 4-7-19

PHOTOS FROM 2008

In 2008 when Steve and I were celebrating our 30^th Anniversary, we took the youngest two kids with us to Europe for a trip of a life time for all of us! While in Paris, as I went back to our cloud photos, I realized the photos I took the most of, were of Notre Dame, especially upstairs and inside! I may be brave and post some of these!