Packers France Paris Mission Blog 68

Packers in Paris Blog 68 – June 24^th – June 30^th, 2019

MEMBER MINISTERING IS THE KEY!

So, what does member ministering mean to you? While helping the missionaries be more effective in finding those who could use the resources from the church through our Family Resource Center, we knew that there were many who could use these services, but don’t know where to find them. Last week we received clear inspired direction of the best way to find those who need these resources. As we invite members of the Saint-Merri ward to learn about these free resources/services, they may personally have a need for them, and/or most likely will have a friend who will need what is offered as well. These resources are for all members who are in need, provided as a free resource, but most likely they have friends and family members who are not from our faith, who could be blessed by the benefits of these free services.  

From this point on, our focus took on a beautiful plan to begin working with the members of our ward and then eventually to our Paris stake and later to the other 2 Paris Stakes. This way they all can participate in the blessings of sharing and serving and utilizing these many resources. There’s much more involved than what is mentioned, but it has given us comfort to know we can be a blessing to serve many more of His children here on earth this way!

We have recently been reading President Nelson’s book, titled, “Insights,” written by Sheri Dew.  Here is a quote that Roland Léporé sent us from the book. We have since purchased the Kindle version! This quote might just help you see some of the reasons this center is needed!

“Everyone has pain somewhere, and our challenge is to find out where the pain is. Usually it’s not physical pain but comes in the stress of living. The patient is the expert. This is what we try to teach our missionaries. When you meet someone, find out how we can help them. The Church literally has the capacity to help people no matter what their problem is. The gospel exists to help people.” “The … true building of relationships [begins] with a fundamental question “How can we help you?”  (Insights from a Prophet’s Life, Russell M. Nelson)

HEAT WAVE IN PARIS!

For a few days this past week we had intense and, we think, record breaking heat! We remember vividly last August similar record breaking heat, that seemed to last way too long! This was just for a few days, but because of the humidity, it makes it quite unbearable for a while! We survived, yet we know there’s more to come! Air-conditioning is a rare thing in Paris, unless you are a grocery store!

THE OTHER SAINT-MERRY

Sometimes people will get mixed up and go to this Saint-Merry cathedral instead of Saint-Merri street where our church and center are located. It may confuse a few people, but especially since they are fairly close! Our church is not a cathedral that is ornate in style, but we at Saint-Merri do welcome all who come through our doors, the same as Saint-Merry!

I took a walk inside for a few minutes and could see they were renovating parts of it! These old buildings need continual renovation to keep in good shape. The stained glass windows were beautiful, as were the ceilings!

Saint-Merry - NOT our Saint-Merri

Saint-Merry - NOT our Saint-Merri

Saint-Merry - NOT our Saint-Merri

GATHERING OF ‘YOUNGER’ FRIENDS TO SAY FAREWELL TO ONE ANOTHER

It’s quite often that we have YSA students or individuals working for a few months, or doing a little study abroad or what not, come and go and get to know friends in the ward and then they leave! We have several leaving and I felt it would help them if I hosted a gathering/brunch for them.

Last Thursday I prepared a brunch, while others brought food items as well. We had YSA’s and the sister missionaries coming together to give their farewells! They were so dear with one another and laughing and talking nonstop. It made me happy to see them have this brief final farewell! Maryn was always the one hosting this with these women and now she’s leaving!

Sisters Scofield and Mattice

Emma and her sister - Au-pairs

Sisters Tabiliran and Doughman

Maryn Tann on right with.... I have forgotten the other girls name!

175^TH YEAR COMMEMORATION OF JOSEPH SITH’S MARTYRDOM – JUNE 27^TH, 2019

25 years ago, on June 28th, 1994, (just 1 day after the 150th commemoration of the martyrdom of Joseph and Hyrum Smith), I drove from our home in Rogers, AR, to Nauvoo and Carthage, Illinois with our 8 children. Steve was needing to stay home, as he was on his last leg of work prior to our moving to Utah.

My desire to go at this time was to honor and reflect on the lives of these two great men and to visit the historical sites that have such a beautiful foundation in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. My hope was also to leave with our children a lasting memory, very sweet impressions and deep desire to return again and again, and that we did!

Our oldest, Nate (15) was the navigator and my travel buddy, while Camille (13), our second oldest, had the hardest job by keeping everyone else happy and inline and keeping our 17 month old baby girl, content! We will forever cherish this specific time and others when all or some of us have returned to relish in this historical beauty!

Hopefully you’ll enjoy this powerful video! To this day, we honor and praise, Joseph and Hyrum Smith for their great sacrifices!

 CLICK HERE TO WATCH THIS BRIEF VIDEO

CENTER CONTACTING IN THE HEAT!

The missionaries were so amazing to contact outside of the center in the blazing heat! We made sure that they came in often to drink some cold water! They are such troopers and love meeting new people on the street!

CONTINUED PRAYERS ARE GREATLY NEEDED FOR MADDIE

We would be so grateful for your continued prayers for Maddie! She is still in the hospital which means it’s been nearly two weeks. She has only gotten worse since surgery! Thank you for your love and prayers! She will be turning 15 this next week on July 7^th! We dearly love you Maddie!

ELDEN & PICOLA WOOD INTERVIEWED BY LDS CHURCH MAGAZINES

My parents were interviewed last Friday by the church magazines for an online article concerning their 7 French- speaking missions they have served and to honor them for their great contribution and example!

Richard Romney drove to Burley, Idaho from Church Headquarters with my brother, Alan, where my sister and parents were present during the interview. Richard also took pictures during the interview. My brother, Alan took photos from his cell phone to share. We were so grateful for Richard’s time and willingness to capture this sweet interview! Richard is on his second time reading the book written by Janine Green (our sister), about our parents. It’s a beautiful and inspiring read!

On their drive home, they were in the eye of a terrible car pile-up! It was as if there was a bubble all around them, as they were not touched, yet cars all around were in bad shape! There is no doubt that they were protected by angels that day!

Alan Wood Photo Credit: Elden and Picola with Richard Romney

Alan Wood Photo Credit: Richard Romney

Alan Wood Photo Credit: My parents! Either the interviewer was boring, or she was caught sleeping, or the camera caught right during a wink! 

Alan Wood Photo Credit: Richard Romney on left with Elden on right!

MEETING WITH OUR WARD MISSION LEADER – FRED TAN

This last Saturday morning we had a meeting with Fred Tan to discuss our new plan with the Family Resource Center and how he and the ward could help us and how we can help them. He is a masterful and yet a very humble leader. The plan that he had and that we presented seemed to work so well together! He was very appreciative of our efforts and our direction and feels we can make this all work together!

FAREWELLS

The Tans are moving to Malaysia and Maryn is leaving this Wednesday, first to Utah and then Fred will move at the end of July to finalize everything and then they are off to Malaysia. They have been one of the greatest assets to our Ward! They are this quiet ball of energy, filled with love and service in their hearts, and a desire to help all the ward and those in need! Fred has been our ward mission leader and we are going to milk him to the end! Maryn has been our Music Chair and amazing graphic designer for the center, amidst so many other blessings and talents.

Maryn Tan Photo Credit: Fred and Maryn Tan

Farewell to Rebecca and Lucas Mavromatis! They come from Brazil but have lived here in Paris for the last 2 years or more! They are moving to Durham, North Carolina, where Lucas will be attending Duke University for his MBA. They have been such a sweet, loving and calming presence to the ward. Lucas has been our ward clerk and Rebecca had been working with the Young Women on their Personal Progress! We will also miss their sweet daughters who are such a light and joy!

Rebecca and Lucas Mavromatis Family

I already mentioned the John and Renee Hall from last week, but I was so grateful for this photo they put on social media so that I could have it in this week’s blog! They left Sunday morning for the states! It’s hard to see people leave who have been here as long as they have (19 years). This reminds me though of my husband’s sister and her husband and family who lived in the Brussels area for 29 years! We’ve never lived anywhere that long! It must to be hard to leave after that long! It’s going to be very difficult leaving after 2 years!

Maryn Tan Photo Credit: John and Renee Hall Family

ART IS EVERYWHERE!

You can’t walk around Paris for long, and not see art in some form! Mural paintings are quite common here and was just recently finished. We enjoyed the great message that was written within!

SUNDAY BLESSINGS!

     Ward Council Presentation

This last Sunday we met with the Ward Council to present our plans for involving the ward in Member Ministering by using the resources of the center! Their reception of our presentation, comprised of a PowerPoint by Roland Léporé and discussion of our Member Ministering approach, was so positive! They were very much in favor of this plan and felt how much the ward could use these resources as well as how they can also share it with their friends and neighbors!

     Dream Teams

After our meetings, I took photos of some of those who had attended our meeting, who we are going to dub as our Dream Team! They are such a powerhouse of good! 

Our Dream Team - District for Saint-Merri

Anne, Cassandra and Aurelie - New RS Presidency - pat of our Dream Team

Sisters Tabiliran and Sister Doughman

Sisters Mattice and Sister Scofield! 

     Filled with joy!

The rest of the Sunday meetings were wonderful! Steve is the sole person conducting till we get a new couple soon! We can’t think of a Sunday we don’t feel blessed and uplifted in one way or another! We are filled with so much love as we meet with familiar faces each week, or meet new visitors coming from all around the globe! We leave these gatherings feeling so blessed to have been inspired and filled with their love for the Savior!

     We are the ones who are blessed!

Personally, we have gained so much from each of the people we meet here, if it’s for 1 Sunday at church, or for the whole time we’ve been here, or for a few months. We are drawn towards their faith, their joy through hardships and their love of the Savior.

It is our prayer that we will have touched at least one person during our mission, that will have been blessed through our love and care for them.

HAPPY 35^TH BIRTHDAY JANINE HUNSAKER

Happiest Birthday # 4^th child, # 2^nd daughter and # 1 tallest daughter, and amazing baker, beautiful voice, awesome mother and wife and daughter, etc…We love and are so grateful for all you do for so many!!!

Janine's hatchet throw evening for her Birthday!

Louange à L’homme (Praise to the Man Hymn # 27),
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