Packers France Paris Mission Blog 67
Packers in Paris Blog
67 – June 17th – June 23rd, 2019
CONTINUED PRAYERS FOR OUR MADDIE!
MIRACLES DO HAPPEN AND SOMETIMES
WITH A LOT OF WORK!
MOMO DEJMAI AND SELF RELIANCE
FRIDAY MORNING DISTRICT COUNCIL AND RAZZLEBERRY PIE
SOMETIMES WE CAN TAKE OUR HEALTH FOR GRANTED!
FÊTE DE LA MUSIQUE
SUNDAY MEETINGS, FAREWELLS AND JOYS OF THE GOSPEL!
Also, Melissa and Matt Brown have been here a year,
and are moving as well possibly to UT. What a remarkable family they are and
have blessed us in countless ways! Their love of the gospel is the greatest
example!
It was fun to have Charlotte with us again and
though she wasn’t feeling well, she came nevertheless with Max! During the English
meeting, a dear Au Pair friend and her sister, took Max as Charlotte had a
meeting to attend for an hour.
Joy of Learning
This last Sunday in our French ward, Anna Goreeba gave the Relief Society lesson. It was such a beautiful lesson on Feasting upon the Words of Christ! I won’t be able to give it justice, but below is the scripture and I will afterwards describe how she helped us to learn the beauty of this scripture
CONNECTIONS IN THE ENGLISH MEETING!
CHINA WILL HAVE A HOLE!
We pray that as you approach family gatherings this summer (the Steve Packer family reunion we’re missing, but so grateful they are carrying on) or other plans you may have for the summer, that you will all remember that nothing is more important than gathering with love, gathering with kindness, gathering with charity and gathering with looking outward to lift others, especially those in each of our family!
Christ et ma Lumièr Cantique # 50 (The Lord is My Light Hymn #89),
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
TRANSFERS, DEPARTURES
AND NEW MISSIONARIES!
Does it seem like transfers, departures and new missionaries
come around awfully quick?! It does for us, and here we are again saying goodbye
and hello! Steve and I honestly do love this day for the wonderful things that
happen, seeing new faces of the missionaries, young and unexperienced and yet
so eager to learn, and also knowing that the departing missionaries will soon
be with their loved ones and no doubt we will see many of them in the future (missionary
reunions will be the best)! The reason that this is so difficult and
joyous, is because of love! We spend so much time with some of these
missionaries, often on a daily basis at the center or on Sundays, that they
begin to feel like our own children! We dearly love them!
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| These some of our temple sisters! |
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| The new missionaries! |
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| Some of the departing missionaries |
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| Some of the departing missionaries! |
CONTINUED PRAYERS FOR OUR MADDIE!
Our 15-year-old dear granddaughter, Maddie had her 3rd
and supposedly final surgery last Tuesday and things didn’t go so well. There
were complications and they had to do a reverse of the operation and wait to do
it again sometime later. She’s been in a lot of pain and no doubt trying to be
brave, but she’s been through so much this past year and it’s been a challenge
for us to not want to run home and be there for the family! We are so grateful for
family and neighbors who have stepped in to help!
NEW FLYER AND THE BANNERS ARE YET TO COME
We have been needing an update flyer and the
Frankfurt office has been working with us to prepare it for us! We are grateful
that we now have an official flyer with the church logo!
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| Our new flyers! Front and back below! |
CENTER ACTIVITY THIS WEEK WITH
MISSIONARIES AND VISITORS
We were grateful to have the missionaries back and talking
and visiting with people outside of the center this last week. Every day is
different as far as who wants to stop and talk about the center and if it could
benefit them. Forgive me for not putting names with all the faces!
We also had a family come in who had served here 20 years
ago, The Robert Smith Family. Brother Smith knew the history of when our church
building had been purchased. We also found out that he served here at the same
time that our current Bishop, Scott Stonehocker, served and knew him well!
Then on Saturday President Babbin’s (former mission
President prior to our current president) son and his friend and daughter came
to visit the center! He had served here in this mission not too far back!
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| Robert Smith Family - He served here 20 years ago! |
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| Bro Babbin and friends from UTAH |
Thursday, our son Austin, and daughter in law, Emma announced
on Facebook (it was all we could do to keep the news tightly kept inside till
then) the wonderful news that their IVF procedure worked and they are expecting
their first IVF baby this next February! We were so grateful for this beautiful
blessing in their and our lives and for all those who made this possible! Their
first baby was also quite miraculous at that, and so they are very much over
the moon to be expecting again!
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| Our first adorable IVF grandbaby in the womb! |
We are so grateful to have the head of Self Reliance
for Europe coming weekly to Saint-Merri to instruct a class, only temporarily until
a replacement will be available! He’s had such a great experience with those
who have been receiving the instruction! His love and genuine care for the students
has resulted in such sweet successes!
Momo is from Tours, about 2 hours from here, but he
comes weekly to work in the temple and then comes to Saint-Merri to teach.
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| Self Reliance with Momo Dejmai |
Because of transfer day on Wednesday, our District Council
was moved to Friday morning. It was a great meeting and then instead of each
bringing part of a meal we share afterwards, each one went out to bring something
to eat.
I had wanted to do something special for them and for
some reason, making a Razzleberry Pie was it! They were still pleased and I even
made one for us that was Gluten Free! MY PIE DIDN'T turn out so good as the one below, thus no photo!
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| This was NOT mine! It's what it was supposed to look like from the internet! |
Friday, our dear Heidi Sugden, was not feeling well,
a bit shaky and unsettled. She took a
small rest and then we helped her as far as she would let us and she reassured
us that she would be able to ride the RER C from a further location just fine! It
was a bit concerning and we prayed that she would be ok going home. Steve had
given her a blessing at the center, which gave her great comfort! Resting on
the weekend and getting the nourishment helped immensely!
Heidi has become one of our greatest resources at
the center. She has a way with people that no one could do otherwise! In fact,
earlier this last Friday, when we didn’t know she wasn’t feeling well, Heidi began
to help Clotilde! Clotilde is not an easy one to visit with, because she is
often negative and talks a lot! But Heidi had a way with her that was
incredible! She was able to draw her into the rapture of Family History in such
a magnificent way. Clotilde was very engrossed, which she never has been
previously.
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| Heidi though feeling not well, seemed to still look radiantly beautiful on our way to get her home! |
June 21st, 2019 is World Music Festival
Day! At one point, there was a restaurant who was testing out their sound
system and it was louder than we’ve ever heard before. Thankfully when the
music was loud again, we were glad to be nestled into our apartment away from
the noise!
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| The only photo I could capture from behind on our way to go find a metro for Heidi |
This last Sunday we had several families and individuals
where this would be their last Sunday with us! Renee and John Hall (just
released as Bishop after having served for 7 years) are moving to DC after 19 years!
How we will sorely miss them. They will be coming back for Christmas! They have
6 children who were born here, though the parents are from the states. They
have left such a legacy here at Saint-Merri and in Paris.
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| Renee Hall & myself... The two Renee's |
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| The Matt and Melissa Brown Family |
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| Max & Charlotte |
This last Sunday in our French ward, Anna Goreeba gave the Relief Society lesson. It was such a beautiful lesson on Feasting upon the Words of Christ! I won’t be able to give it justice, but below is the scripture and I will afterwards describe how she helped us to learn the beauty of this scripture
She read from 2 Nephi 31:19 “And now, my beloved
brethren, after ye have gotten into this strait and narrow path, I would ask if
all is done? Behold, I say unto you, Nay; for ye have not come thus far save it
were by the word of Christ with unshaken faith in him, relying wholly upon the
merits of him who is mighty to save.
20 Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness
in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all
men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of
Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall
have eternal life.”
When one imagines feasting, we can only imagine preparing
our most favorite meal, perhaps Thanksgiving, going to your favorite restaurant
and then partaking of your greatest feasting joys!
As she invited us to comment on what feasting might
look like, she began to list our comments!
· Prepare your presentation
· A celebration
· Abundance and great quality
· Brings much joy
· Gather with family and friends
· Very full, satisfying
· Looks beautiful
· Moment to partake
· We might not think we like the
food and don’t partake
· If we go a long time without food,
we won’t realize how much we missed it and yet need it!
· There could be so many more…
Then as she shared the comparative blessings of that
of feasting on the words of Christ, we could see that the words of Christ, can
bring us pure revelation, identity, the love of God,
a desire to invite others to partake of the feast, etc. I testify
that feasting upon the words of Christ has become so important to me throughout
my life, a foundation of truth, and one of my greatest joys and yes, motivating
me with a greater desire to share with others to partake! The sisters were
engaged and were able to liken the scriptures personally!
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| Anna Goreeba's lesson on Feasting on the Words of Christ! |
We had another connection with people from home! Brother
and Sister Jeremy Conlin were from Layton (now living in New Mexico) and our oldest
son went to school with Jeremy and his wife (she was a Flint). Jeremy’s parents
are in Frankfurt, Germany in the Area Office, as Elder Conlin is the Executive
Secretary to the Area President.
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| The Jeremy Conlin Family - friends from Layton, UT |
This coming week, my sister, Janine will be leaving Nanjing,
China for the summer, before heading back to China in the Fall. She will have
her hands full as she visits family in various parts of the country but knows
her heart is still in China as she has grown to love these dear people! Her
blog has been remarkable as she shares her tender experiences and love for her
students and those whom she has been able to get to know and many other casual acquaintances.
China is far away, China does not have the comfort
of the US, and China is far from loved ones, but China stole her heart because
first off, she decided to love with all her heart! These students can feel it,
they love her and though these words aren’t commonly used they heard it from
her and they felt it and that is basically the answer for all
relationships! Our love for others can be so palatable, and transformative!
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| Janine with some or all of her students! They are family to her! We understand! |
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| Janine Green in China with members of the BYU Chamber Orchestra before a concert! |
We pray that as you approach family gatherings this summer (the Steve Packer family reunion we’re missing, but so grateful they are carrying on) or other plans you may have for the summer, that you will all remember that nothing is more important than gathering with love, gathering with kindness, gathering with charity and gathering with looking outward to lift others, especially those in each of our family!
Christ et ma Lumièr Cantique # 50 (The Lord is My Light Hymn #89),
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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