Packers in Paris Blog 78
– Sept 2nd – Sept 8th, 2019
BABY OH
BABY! GARY ANDREW GIBBONS
Labor
Day is certainly an appropriate day to have a baby, but when they come this
cute, it’s extra special. My nephew and his dear wife, Grant and Gabrielle
Gibbons, welcomed their first child on this day. Grant and Gabrielle are dear to
us for many reasons, and so this was a special day for them and for us! Congratulations
to this sweet family!
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| Grant and Gabrielle Gibbons with Baby Gary Andrew |
AVARZED –
THE WARRIOR!
This
woman is truly a warrior! The more everyone gets to know Avarzed, the more she
has touched everyone’s heart and they want the very best for her. Though
communication is always hard, we have found our ways around it.
We
were able to take her to an Airbnb for a week while we work out what the next
steps are. Meanwhile, she is coming to the church several times a week and
cleaning and trying to not be a burden. She is a hard worker and takes great pride
in cleaning.
This
last week we had a long discussion with her and her Mongolian bishopric through
messenger video chat and found out a bit more of what her desires are. She decided
she will continue to stay in Paris until she can get on her feet and have a way
to take care of herself. She only had this
past week left in the Airbnb and checked out today, as she really doesn’t like
taking advantage of the church and their funds. So she is now on her own again,
and we’re not sure what that means for her.
We
hope to be able to make a difference in her life as she searches for the best
way to take care of herself. She is truly a warrior!
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| Avarzed on her first day of a week at an Airbnb - feeling grateful! |
PDAY – DATE DAY!
MONET’S GARDENS – WOW!
When
we choose to spend the whole day sightseeing, it becomes not only our PDay, but
a wonderful and much needed date day! We had scheduled a while ago to travel to
Giverny to visit Monet’s Gardens. We knew very little about Monet’s Gardens, but
had heard it was a must see.
There
is always so much to do here in Paris for our mission that would keep us from taking
time to sightsee, but how grateful we are to be able to take the time once and
a while to recoup and fill our lives with beauty, history and time together!
Our
time and experience in Giverny to experience Monet’s Gardens was such an
incredibly inspiring day. Reliving its history, culture and inspiring nature was
more than we could ever have imagined. It was as if we were walking in a
massive Garden of Eden or a Celestial garden.
There
are two large gardens, the main one near Monet’s home and then the Lilly Pond
area/garden which is so exquisite, just a little walk over. The best time to go
is in the spring, but it did not disappoint even in the late summer. I will do
my best to not post all the hundreds of photos I took of what we captured, even
if it was only with my cell phone.
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| Claude Monet's Home |
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| Part of his garden |
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| A portion of his home |
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| His art room |
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| Sitting area in one of the bedrooms |
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| His dining area! |
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| Kitchen |
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| Famous Lilly Pond Monet had painted |
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| Lilly Pond |
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| Lilly Pond |
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| More flowers in his gardens |
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| More flowers and large bee just in the front of his home |
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| More flowers in his gardens |
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| The grave of Claude Monet and family |
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| His birth and death dates on his stone |
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| His family |
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| The church by where he and his family were buried |
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| Inside the church |
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| Part of Monet Street |
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| Store on Monet Street |
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| Two men visiting on Monet Street |
WEDNESDAY’S
VISITOR FROM SALT LAKE – TANNER KAY
We
looked forward to our visit with Brother Tanner Kay from the church Missionary
Department with Visitor Centers. He had business in Frankfurt but made a
special trip to Paris to see our center and learn more of what we are doing
here and our efforts.
Our
visit was so delightful! He was not only very supportive of the direction of
our center, but also shared with us great ideas of how we might improve our
experiences in the direction we are heading. His visit boosted our spirits and
allowed us extra and continued support from Salt Lake and the Missionary
Department!
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| Brother Tanner Kay and Packers after our meeting |
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| Brother Tanner Kay - Missionar Department with Visitor Centers |
MEETING WITH
BROTHER ALAIN KHEEROO
After
our visit with Brother Kay we met with Brother Alain Kheeroo to discuss what
all we needed to do at the BYU Management Workshop this next Saturday. We’ve
been asked to give a workshop on Self Reliance at the conference. Alain is
someone we have asked to help us in the center and be able to use his expertise
as the Stake Self Reliance specialist in his Paris East Stake. We do not have
the experience he has, but through the preparations we will be able to learn
more and share with others.
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| Brother Alain Kheeroo - Stake Self Reliance Director and ovesreeing the BYU Management Conference |
ZOOM
CONFERENCE WITH MAXWELLS AND BROTHER LÉPORÉ
Right
after our meeting with Alain K. we then held a Zoom Conference with Elder and
Sister Maxwell (who now work in our center for the early afternoon shift) and
Brother Léporé. We were anxious to have the Maxwells meet Roland Léporé and introduce
his PowerPoint presentation about the center that he’s been sharing with those
in the One Work Committee and others at church headquarters, which is getting a
lot of attention. So much so, that we are grateful for the support and help
that it’s giving us.
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| Sister and Elder Maxwell - Our wonderful center couple |
~~~ FAMILY TIMES ~~~
SWAN LAKES
CLOSING & OUR JACOB, THE PRO GOLFER
Our
dear friend, Sheryl Starkey closed her doors for Swan Lakes Golf Course last
Wednesday. After 25 years she has decided it was time to retire this landmark golf
course. The men in our family have special memories of Swan Lakes and we are so
grateful for the remarkable woman who ran it.
Jacob
Packer (our 10-year old grandson) played one last game on Wednesday and Jaron
recorded a special tribute. The first part is at another course, but it all
ended at Swan Lakes where this “pro golfer” had a 3 under par! He is 6th
in the state for his age group.
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| Jacob Packer - playing on the last day of Swan Lakes |
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| Jacob Packer |
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| Jacob Packer - loves riding his cart down the hill! |
AUSTIN – CELLIST
Austin
played for the Bonneville Chamber Music Festival and also with Dan Jonas, master
trumpeter at this festival! He will also be playing on September 25th
(7:30-9:30 p.m.) for a special concert at BYU with Nicolas Giusti and Gérald
Caussé and a small ensemble. It is a free concert and will not disappoint. Let
me know if you are interested and I can give you Austin’s contact information.
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| Austin Packer - melts his mother's heart when he plays! |
JOYS OF FAMILY
THROUGH A MAGAZINE
How
we enjoy getting our Oregon Ducks magazine every month as Camille, our oldest daughter
and second child, has a monthly magazine of their family’s happenings and road
trips, our family reunion, and so on that she sends to us. They are such a joy
to receive every month. Thanks Camille! Each of our children have their unique
gifts that they contribute to bring the family together. This just happens to
be one of hers.
We
continue to love how our family continue to plan get-togethers to see one
another, at least those who are in Utah that are able more easily.
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| Camille's magazines she produces jus for us and her family! It's her way of writing us monthly with photos and happenings and personal letters for us! |
RACES
IN THE PACKER FAMILY
How
is it that our children enjoy athletic activities when their parents are not at
all athletic? Not sure, but, it’s been so rewarding to see many of them get
involved in activities that build strength, stamina and the euphoria of
improving and strengthening their abilities, be it through triathlons, 5k races,
bike or mountain climbing, golf, gymnastics, baseball, dancing, soccer and so
on. It is inspiring to us to see their achievements and skills inspire one
another. We hope to pick up at least biking when we get home.
PHONE
CONFERENCE WITH BROTHER VIRGINIO BAPTISTA
Friday
morning, we had a wonderful phone meeting with Brother Virginio Baptista, who
is the new area Family History Consultant for Europe, taking Roland Léporé’s
place from last November. We had a great visit with him as he requested to hear
more about what we do here. It was clear that he already knew quite a bit but
was interested to hear more from our end. He has requested that we assist in
sharing our journey and direction with another Family History Center/Temple
Visitor Center to begin utilizing similar tools!
DISTRICT
DINNER CHEZ PACKERS
Knowing
that Transfers were coming this next week, we held our usual transfer dinner at
our apartment for our district. We were pretty sure that there would be some changes,
and felt a gathering is always a way to thank them for their amazing efforts in
behalf of the Center and our district. They’ve been an amazing and constantly
improving Dream Team!
I
wanted to make this a unique meal, so we did special Taco Fridays, with seasoned
pulled roast and the works in a gluten-free tortillas shell and then French
home-made pastries. Apricot tarts are one of my favorites from when I was a
little girl living in Belgium. I loved recreating it for them and grateful they
devoured them!
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| Appetizers were simply home made salsa and tortilla chips and oranges - to wet their appetite! |
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| Belgium Apricot Tarts |
HAPPY 95th
BIRTHDAY PRESIDENT RUSSELL M. NELSON
Last
Thursday the church celebrated President Russell M Nelson’s 95th birthday.
His actual birthday is on September 9th. The church held a thrilling
extravaganza concert in his honor and we were able to watch it finally on Saturday
night. Below is a couple of links of events honoring him. It was remarkable to
see the talent of musicians, the honor of him as a renowned heart surgeon, and
tender stories and life of this great man. We love you President Nelson!
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| President Russell M. Nelson - Turns 95 on September 9, 2019 |
BLESSINGS OF
BABIES JOSEPH MUNIER AND CLÈV KALEL ALINGCASTRE
Sunday,
we had two baby blessings. Joseph Meunier, son of Ophelie and Jacque (goes by another last name) and Clèv
Kalel, son of Adrian and Ann Alingcastre. It was such a special occasion for
both families. The Munier’s had invited 40 people to come to the sacrament
meeting, most of them not members of our faith and what a treat it was to see
them experience what we do on a regular basis. Ophelie was filled with such
emotions of joy having her father give such a powerful and faith filled
blessing and to witness so many of her family there who are not part of our
faith, but could feel the love and sweet feelings of that moment. Steve felt very honored to have been asked by Ophelie if he would stand in the blessing circle. I didn't get a photo of the parents together after the meeting.
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Grandparents of Joseph - Sister and Elder Meunier - just about to finish their mission in the Paris Temple Visitor Center - Elder Meunier gave the blessing
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| Joseph Meunier |
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| Clèv
Kalel, son of Adrian and Ann Alingcastre |
SUNDAY
BAPTISM X TWO
We
were grateful to attend the baptisms of Gina and Faudji. These two were the 4th
and 5th baptisms resulting from contacting done at our center. Those
who seek to receive help through the free courses at our center have gained a
greater blessing to want to learn more about our church. These two have been a
joy to watch go through this process and witness the joy and blessing that have
come into their lives as they find this new-found religion and the joy that
comes with the blessings. They are so grateful for the love they feel and the
knowledge of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. We look forward to continuing
our friendship with them in the ward.
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| Faudji and Elders Sun and Nelson |
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| Elders Jones and Poulin with Gina |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GRATITUDE
With gratitude for another week of
serving our mission, we are amazed that 18 months with 5 months left to serve
on this mission, has gone past so swiftly. We are in awe of the emotions we
begin to feel as we think of this mission winding down. We miss each of you,
especially our family and yet can sense the sadness as we think of leaving such
dear friends through this experience. They will always be near and dear to us.
We have come to love this work more than ever and
have learned that this sacred opportunity is ongoing, that we are never meant
to forget or stop or diminish our efforts for Him. As we serve others through our
genuine love, to our family, our friends, neighbors and those we meet every single
day, we are making a powerful difference, in small yet significant ways through
Christ like love. As we do so we will begin to draw closer to Him and those of
our loved ones and strangers along the way! No work will bring us greater joy
and eternal satisfaction!
Comme je vous ai aimé,
aimez-vous les uns les autres (As I Have Loved You, Love One Another),
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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