Packers in Paris Blog 74 – August 5th
– August 11th, 2019
PDAY – A BEAUTIFUL
DAY FOR A WALK IN THE GARDENS
We had a refreshing P-day last Tuesday, strolling leisurely
through the multiple and enormous gardens of Versailles. Most often when we or I
go (with family or friends) we mainly go to the Chateau and to the Marie
Antoinette village. This time was just for us, to do as we pleased.
The weather was perfect, with a very light mist,
keeping us cool! We enjoyed walking through each of the hidden little Groves or
Bosquets, as they were each so unique. What made them even more enchanting was
the classical music playing in many of the groves. At times we would come upon
water fountains synchronized with music, or another fountain with no music, but
the soft sound of the water falling back into the water was to relaxing and
beautiful. We could have easily sat there all day, enjoying the beautiful water
fountains!
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| Versailles L'Orangerie Gardens |
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| Versailles One of the Main Fountains |
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| Versailles statues and walking paths |
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| Versailles Ballroom Groves |
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| Versailles Ballroom Groves |
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| Versailles Mirror Fountain |
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| Versailles Collonade Grove |
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Versailles Apollo Fountain
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| Versailles Green Carpet |
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| Versailles Gardens reminds me of the Sacred Grove |
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| Versailles Apollo's Bath Grove |
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| Versailles Dragon Fountain |
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| Versailles Neptune Fountains |
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| Versailles Gardens by the Chateau |
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| Versailles Gardens by the Chateau |
As we were heading back to leave while still in the
gardens, the rain started to come more steadily, enough that we pulled out the umbrella.
By the time we got off the RER in Paris, it was pouring down in sheets. We were
one wet mess and loved coming back to our cozy apartment to get dry!
TRI-ZONE CONFERENCE & SPECIAL GUESTS – 8-7-2019
This is the first time that President Sorensen has
held a tri-zone conference. It was wonderful joining together with nearly 100
of us in the Saint-Merri chapel and feeding them and hearing from all of the
new and departing missionaries, almost to the point, there really wasn’t a lot
of time for the instruction, but nevertheless it happened.
What was being held as a surprise, though we had
heard this may be the case, was our special guest was the reason for the
Tri-Zone Conference, so everyone could hear Brad Wilcox speak to this
conference of missionaries.
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| Sisters Petersen and Jenkinson |
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| President and Sister Sorensen |
Brother and Sister Wilcox – our special gift
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| Brother Brad and Sister Debbie Wilcox |
For any of you who have heard of Brad Wilcox, he has
become a favorite speaker to the youth and young single adults all over. His speech, “His Grace is Sufficient” is the number one most watched BYU Devotional
speech. I’ll put a link to it if you have not heard or read it!
Near the end, we had a Q&A with him and as if by
que, he started leading into the need for loving people where they are and
helping them with the specific needs they have, listing things such as helping
them find a better job, helping them with an addiction, and so on!
Sitting as a district, we suddenly all began to look
at one another and turn back around to both of us, thinking, “How does he know
that’s exactly what we already do here?” It was a wonderful and remarkable and
a powerful help in supporting the missionaries in their endeavors to minister
to others in many forms.
After the conference I mentioned to him what we were
doing at our Family Resource Center. He then said, “You mean the very thing I
was talking about; you are doing?” We were grateful that he stopped in before
his fireside that night, to come and see the center.
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| Brother Brad Wilcox |
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| Brother Wilcox teaching a lesson about the Twelve Tribes of Israel |
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| Sister and Brother Wilcox |
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| The Wilcox and Sorensen couples |
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| The Wilcox couple and Sorensen family (the youngest Sorensen boy is not there and replaced by a visiting cousin;) |
BRAD WILCOX – SPECIAL GUEST FIRESIDE
That evening, Brother Wilcox spoke to the YSA and families
and their friends. We were grateful to attend and were thrilled for his powerful
message. It was translated into French along the way, so his main message was
shorter than desired, but fabulous. His message was a brief version of his talk,
“His Grace Is Sufficient.” It was wonderful and the young people and all who
attended were so grateful to have been there and to feel of his genuine love!
He is the kindest man and his dear wife is equally the same. They are magnificent,
and spiritual giants!
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| Brad Wilcox visiting The Family Resource Center |
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| Brad Wilcox visiting with Steve in The Family Resource Center |
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| Brad Wilcox visiting with us at The Family Resource Center |
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| Brad Wilcox being translated by Pres Boutoille, Counselor in the Mission Presidency |
OFII AND A BUSY DAY AT THE CENTER
Steve took 9 missionaries (a smaller group) this
last Thursday to OFII! He was back much earlier than planned because of the smaller
group, and I was so grateful as there was much going on in the center and his
help was timely.
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| Steve with the 9 missionaries for OFII |
MEETING WITH MOMO DJEMAI AND ALAIN KHEEROO
This last Thursday during a busy time at the center,
Momo Djemai, our Area Self-Reliance Director over several countries, met with
us with Alain Kheeroo, the Stake Self-Reliance specialist in the Paris East Stake
for a planned meeting. I didn’t know if Steve would be back in time or not, but
the meeting needed to happen. It was a chance to train Alain on what we do here
at the center and what we are in need of from him and his Stake and those
teaching Self-Reliance courses.
He was so supportive and grateful for what he saw
happening in the center and how this will help and bless their Wards. We were thankful
for him and his great support as well.
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| Mom Djemai, Alain Kheeroo and the Packers at a special training |
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| Mom Djemai and Alain Kheeroo |
SUNDAY BLESSINGS – SAYING GOODBYE TO THE BYU STUDENTS
Sunday is always just the best, but extremely busy
with both the French and then the English meetings. We were also saying goodbye
to the BYU Study Abroad students this last Sunday. They have been attending the
English Sacrament meeting and got themselves involved in serving in the meeting
each week with the music and whatever else they could help with. We’ve never
had a group so willing or who attended this particular meeting, so we were sad
to see them go. Rachel Ford, who was in our Syracuse Ward, has been such a
light and an amazing blessing. She arranged each week to make sure we were set
with music. This took a load off our shoulders on that end and then they each
helped however they could.
I’m always so grateful for Steve’s faithful
preparations he makes to preside and conduct the English Sacrament meeting each
week, now that the Bonny’s are gone. He always prepares a 3-minute message that
is heartfelt and uplifting and stirs everyone’s heart to feel of the spirit of
Jesus Christ, which is the focus of each Sacrament Meeting.
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| BYU Study Abroad Students |
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| BYU Study Abroad Students and the Call Family (Directors) |
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| Me with Rachel Ford - from our Syracuse Ward |
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| The Call Family (Brother Call was the BYU Study Abroad Director) |
PRAYERS NEEDED FOR AVARZAD AND HACHIN - Good ending...
Between the French Sacrament Meeting and Relief
Society, I happened to see the Chinese woman, Hachin and a male friend with her,
who was from India. They came to church looking for Avarzad, the Mongolian woman
we’ve worked with for many months, where there has been a huge language barrier
till Hachin came along. My heart sunk as they told me what had happened.
Hachin, who didn’t sleep in the same building as her
Mongolian friend, Avarzad, heard later what had happened. She did know though,
that Avarzad, a member of our church, was a faithful woman and prayed morning
and night at the side of her bed, with her head resting upon her scriptures.
One woman, who did not like that Avarzad prayed, got
angry at her one evening and told her that she couldn’t do this in this
facility for the homeless people. Avarzad not understanding a word, was then
hit upon by this person and in Avarzad’s defence she smote back. She was then
kicked out of the facility. Her phone had once again been stolen just previous and
she has no way of contacting anyone. Hachin is clueless where to search for
her. None of us know what to do do and have been praying feverishly for her
safety.
After she shared this with me, Hachin and her friend,
took off to continue to look for her. We exchanged numbers so that we can be in
contact with her. So far, there is no trace of her. Our hearts are saddened and
yet hopeful that she will be found, well and safe! She knows one thing, where
the church is and that is why Hachin came looking for her.
Your prayers in behalf of Avarzad and Hachin’s
plight would be a great blessing. Every person is a child of God and we care
that these women can once again be reunited, especially as Hachin is Avarzad’s
saving grace because of the language barrier. Thank you!
UPDATE! SHE
HAS JUST BEEN SAFELY FOUND !
SUNDAY TRAINING WITH OUR DISTRICT – THE MIRACLE CONTINUES
Having our district challenge themselves at our last
Zoom meeting with our Mission President, to register 20 individuals for the center
in one week, was very doable, and we were so grateful for their hard work and the
outcome. Before we told them of the combined results of their great efforts, we
first discussed several other areas.
We had previously assigned them to listen to Elder
Dieter F Uchtdorf’s talk on, “You Are My Hands” from April 2010 General Conference.
We discussed thoughts they had from their study! Their thoughts were beautiful
and right on!
Our desires are to help these missionaries learn the
true language of love and service (charity) so much so that their hearts begin
to change, and they begin to see each individual as a Child of God and how they
might be able to bless them through love and possibly the free services we
offer. It literally is changing lives because of their efforts!
We complimented them on their goodness, as they had
registered 25 individuals in 1 week and 16 of them want to know more about the
church. This is a compliment to their ability to truly serve them with their
hearts! People are so enamored with the services that are given, and then sincerely
they want to know more what our religion is all about.
We then spoke again about Brad Wilcox’s message of
the blessings of serving individuals where they are and lift them from their adversities
to help them become stronger and more resilient human beings. The meeting ended
with a strong unity of love one for another and this sweet work!
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Life is never dull when you are in the service of
God (which would include serving your family, your neighbors, the lonely, the homeless, the
poor and the sick and all others in between!) I would believe that this includes each
one of you, who are in the service of God!
La Charité ne périt jamais (Charity Never Faileth)
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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