Packers in Paris Blog
66 – June 6th – June 16th, 2019
FATHER’S
TRIBUTES, OFFICIAL VISITORS AND FRIENDS FROM UTAH AND MUCH MORE!
We are feeling extremely blessed this week for many
reasons, but especially for Fathers, Family and Friends! Though my heart
is aching to write about the dear men in my life first, I will follow suit (usually)
and write in order of this week’s happenings or perhaps topical, and I’m sure
you will be grateful that I am leaving out the boring parts.
TUESDAY – THURSDAY’S BOOK OF MORMON EXPERIMENT!
The missionaries and YSA really enjoyed how things
went with the Book of Mormon Experience! When you take one of every page of the
Book of Mormon in French (we also had pages in Spanish, Portuguese, English and
Chinese), and ask random people to read one page and mark any reference of God and
Jesus Christ on that page, it is incredible to see the reactions of those who
read and then made remarks about their experience. As we were being trained
over a week ago on this project, it was quite extraordinary the responses
people would make from just reading one page trying to find any of these
references.
Clearly, they felt it was quite an amazing success
of how many people stopped and then wanted to know more. There are many who
have heard of the Book of Mormon, but few who know much about it, have read it
and realize the contents and beautiful truths that are included on every page.
I’ll share a couple of story images of what it’s
about! It is pretty amazing, as the Book of Mormon IS amazing!
“It was one of the first pages of scripture I
have ever read And I think that a book like this one can help people find
answers in their life when they feel like they are in darkness. I'm so grateful
to have been part of this experiment. I've been in the dark and needed a little
more light in my life.”
Kate,
Australian, Non-religious
-
page 184
FAMILY HISTORY AT THE CENTER THROUGH THE WEEK!
We have had a busy week at the center with many patrons
filling the computers in the front room of the center either working on their own
or with Heidi Sugden’s help. We are seeing greater involvement from our church
members with using Heidi as a resource, as well as walk-ins from the street! We
love it!
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| Gabriel is originally from Spain, studying in Paris for the last 4 years and plans on finishing his PHD and could travel to the States to work or stay in Paris! He is a regular patron and this day he was extremely happy as he had found a treasure of names! |
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| Heidi, Flora helping Charlotte with her Family History |
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| Heidi Sugden doing what she does best, helping those in our center find their relatives! |
GERMAN STUDENTS AND CROISSANTS!
Our friend, Sharon Olson had a friend, Michaela, who
is a teacher in Germany and was bringing 35 students along with 13 adults to
Paris for the day! They packed in so much in one day, but one item on their
agenda was to see Notre Dame. She asked me if I could surprise the students
with fresh Paris croissants. Steve went early in the morning last Saturday, to
pick up 50 croissants and I delivered them around 1:15. They were so happy to
have a true croissant from Paris, that were delicious, fresh and beautiful! It
was fun to meet Michaela and the students! Michaela will be traveling to Utah this
next Spring! She has many friends in Utah and I’m sure I’ll be able to meet her
again. It was a pleasure to do this for them.
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| Renee and Michaela - first time meeting her and her students! We had a lovely visit! She's a wonderful, kind and generous woman! |
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| Their treat was fresh Paris Croissants - Michaela asked if we could purchase these for them! Steve went early to make sure he could find enough (total 50) |
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| Students from Germany that Michaela and other leaders brought to Paris for 1 day! |
While waiting, I met some members
of our church who are visiting. I can’t remember their name, but one or two
couples were from Gilbert, AZ.
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| While waiting, met these people from Gilbert, AZ and Utah! |
HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY NATE – A SPECIAL FATHER’S DAY
40 YEARS AGO!
Last Friday evening, friends and family gathered at
a nearby park, where they surprised our son, Nathan, to honor him (actual
birthday was Saturday 6-15-19)! We are so grateful for those who took the time
to let him know he is loved and admired!
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| The Nate Packer Family - The big 40th for Nate! |
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| Cake Credit - Janine Hunsaker (Nate's sister) - Almond Joy Cake |
The oldest child can often carry a heavy load in taking
care of needs for family matters, and especially as his parents are on a
mission. He has willingly stepped up to
help us out on a regular basis to take care for our needs back home. He’s a
wonderful husband and father and son and we are so grateful for his goodness
and tremendous love! Happy Birthday Nate!
When Nate was born 40 years ago on June 15th,
1979, in San Diego, CA, Steve brought me home from the hospital on a Sunday,
Father’s Day! He had been assigned many weeks prior to speak in Sacrament
Meeting for Father’s Day. On this day, his heart and emotions and gratitude
were much more profound. I stayed home with our new little son and was so
grateful that he could speak on this special day!
HALL’S FAREWELL PARTY PARIS STYLE!
John (recently released bishop of our ward here in
Paris) and Renee Hall have lived in Paris for 19 years and all their 6 children
have been born here and are now moving back to the states to Washington DC. We
will miss them immensely!
They knew that there was only one way to celebrate and
that was taking the party throughout Paris by renting an open-top Paris bus to
travel from one place to another and taking group photos at each location,
ending with a picnic and photos at the Eiffel Tower. The berets were part of the
requirement and to have lots of fun!
Unfortunately, we did not make it and as much as
this simple party girl (moi) looked forward to it, we’re so happy for them and so
grateful to have known them these past 15 months. They have become such dear
friends!
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| The Sherinians and Halls |
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| John Hall - doing what he's always dreamed of doing! Running his own bus! |
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| Hope-On- Hope Off Bus - Rented jus for Halls Farewell Party |
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| Renee Hall and Hugo |
BLESSINGS OF THE SABBATH ON FATHER’S DAY!
This particular section may seem lengthy, but hopefully
you can enjoy some of the highlights and also some of the few supernal truths we
were taught.
Utah dignitaries
and old and new friends at church
As we entered church for the French meeting and sat
down, right there in front and behind us were our friends from Layton, UT.
Jerry (Utah Senator) and Sue Stevenson were here with many others for the Utah Trade
Mission (trade with international businesses). The ones sitting behind us were
friends from our East Layton area, Utah Senator, Stuart Adams and his wife,
Susan. Also sitting next to the Adams was Jen Hart from our old 37th
ward, who is also involved in this event. Governor Gary Herbert was also in
Paris with this group, but he ended up attending a different ward building.
Along with those mentioned, we also had others who
had joined us at church from the same group. One of them is Miles Hansen who is
the CEO of the World Trade Center Utah and oversees this event. They were each wonderful
to visit with and take photos afterwards. They will then head on to Rome,
Italy!
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| Renee, Sue and Utah Senator Jerry Stevenson |
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| Jerry and Sue Stevenson, In the back, Jen Hart, the Edwards, the Adams, the Grows, Josh Harding (Chief of Staff), Miles Hansen (CEO World Trade Center Utah) |
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| Jen Hart from our old 37th Ward and with the Trade Missions group! |
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| Meg and Cooper Harris - Meg was the event planner for the Trade Mission |
Mellissa Dalton-Bradford – a legend
Mellissa has lived in Paris in the past, here in
this ward and still has many dear friends in this ward, especially the Halls. She
and her husband come frequently, and though I am friends with her on Facebook,
I had not formally met her! I won’t take the time to share the wonderful legacy
this woman is trailing behind her, but her ability to help refugees and lift
the humanity throughout the world is remarkable!
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| Me and Mellissa Dalton Bradford! |
What are you focusing on? The snake
story!
In our English church meeting, a man stood up and shared
a story of his wife (that I will call Mary) who had recently gone on a hike/jog
on a trail near their home in AZ. He mentioned how much Mary dislikes snakes, and
that while on her solo jog she kept her eye on the ground, watching carefully
for any snakes along the way. It seemed that everything appeared to be a snake,
be it a twig, holes in the ground, you name it, it probably in her mind was a
snake! But at last, there were no snakes
to be found by the end of her jog.
Later she was visiting with her friend who had gone
on that same trail that same day, and spoke of the beauty of her hike and how enriching
it was! Mary then realized that she had been focusing so much on snakes that
she missed out on the beauty of the experience.
Then, Mary’s husband spoke of his very first few
moments in Paris. He had the displeasure of having his wallet stolen and was so
disheartened by this experience, that he said that he spent the next several
days focusing on the “snakes!” He then realized that he was missing out on the
beauty of Paris and realized he too had been focusing on the wrong thing. He
had to quickly put the snakes behind him and look for the beauty. It was such a
beautiful story that can apply to so many areas in our lives!
Circling the Rome temple analogy!
Another man stood up and shared this amazing story! He
and his family had been in Rome this past week planning on attending the Rome
Temple to do ordinance work. From looking at the map it appeared that it would be
easy to find while driving the roads with their rented car.
Once they got near, they kept taking the wrong road
and yet could still always see the temple not too far in the distance. As they
continued, it appeared that they had actually circled the outskirts of the
temple, not able to figure out how to get on the right road that led to the
temple.
Finally, they were able to access the correct road, which
took them to the temple, but not without some rerouting and patience along the way
and learning a beautiful lesson. He stated that similarly each of us can see
the beautiful and inspiring temples as we drive past them, bringing us
temporary joy, but only from a distance. Until we make the effort to really do
what it takes to enter the temple for eternal saving ordinances, and reroute and
prepare to enter the temple, we will never really enjoy the eternal blessings
from entering it’s doors.
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| Photo credit: Julie Pacini - Temple Matron |
HAPPY FATHER’S DAY TO THE AMAZING MEN IN OUR LIFE!
Calls for Father’s
Day
I am eternally grateful for my loving father here on
earth, who is still with us, and gratefully we can still visit with him on the
phone on this day via Facetime! I love talking with him! I love you dad with
all my heart!
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| Elden L Wood - Renee's father - July 2015 |
I am so grateful for the father of our children, my
dear husband, the man that blesses me in every season, the man who lifts me, literally
when I fall, and is always present and caring and thoughtful and humble, and
always shows his love of the Savior!
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| Photo Credit: Alan Wood - The first family photo with all 8 children! Steve loves his family! |
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| Grandpa Packer is the best, even as a pioneer! |
I am so proud of our sons and sons-in-law, my
brother, and the father of my husband who passed 44 years ago!
I am grateful most of all for our Father in Heaven
who will never give up on us, who knows our heartaches and joys, and who will
always be ready to open the door when we knock with outstretched arms.
One by one, each of our dear children called to
video-chat with their dad to wish him a Happy Father’s Day! It was a joyous
day! We love each of them with all our hearts!
FATHER’S DAY DINNER WITH THE MISSIONARIES!
On this day to celebrate Father’s Day, we also
invited the 8 missionaries in our District and Ward. It’s like having our kids
over for dinner, we love them that much! We have learned to squish 10 of us
around our little table and loved every minute! Other than a small fire in the
kitchen, burning the top of the rolls while reheating them, all went well!
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| Notice the burnt top of the rolls (a fire broke out in our oven) |
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| Elders Nelson, Jones, Sun and Ballard, Sisters, Scofield, Doughman, Tabiliran, Mattice and Packers |
PRAYERS FOR MADDIE!
This coming Tuesday, our second oldest grandchild,
is having her 3rd of 3 surgeries to finish procedures she’s
had over the past year. This has been a long and difficult road, but one that she
has courageously taken on with her parents with a very brave heart! Your
prayers in her behalf would be so appreciated! We love you Maddie!
We love our mission, we love the people here, and we
love our family and friends dearly! We pray each of you feel of that love we
have for you and from our Father in Heaven!
Heureux sommes nous… (Happy are we…),
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
Later she was visiting with her friend who had gone
on that same trail that same day, and spoke of the beauty of her hike and how enriching
it was! Mary then realized that she had been focusing so much on snakes that
she missed out on the beauty of the experience.
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