Packers France Paris Mission Blog 81
Packers in Paris Blog 81
– Sept 24th – Sept 29th, 2019
THE LOWDERS – THE PROPHET’S DAUGHTER AND HER HUSBAND’S VISIT
DUCKWORTH’S HAWAII TRAVELS
A MIRACLE WORTH
SHARING
AUSTIN’S CONCERT WITH NICOLAS GIUSTI AND BISHOP CAUSSÉ
ZONE CONFERENCE – WE MUST TURN TO HIM!
JACQUES CHIRAC DIES AT AGE 86
VISIT WITH CHARLOTTE AND THE CRÈCHE FOR MAX
MIRACLES OF REACHING FOR ANGELS TO LIFT
ELLIE’S BAPTISM
WEDDING DRESS SHOPPING
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
BECCA’S DEPARTUARE AND OFF TO WEDDING PLANNING
Last Tuesday morning Steve took
Becca to the airport and back home to her dear Brian and to really begin
wedding planning. Selfishly we were so grateful to have her here, though I’m
sure she was ready to get back to her bed (ours is not ideal here), to have
time with Brian and to prepare for her next phase of life. Wedding date was set for Tuesday, November 26th,
at the Ogden Temple. They have decided not to have a reception! Life is a grand
party for them with all our families as it is! 😉
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| Becca with her dad saying goodbye! |
That same day that Becca took off we
went to the center for a planned visit with Brother and Sister Lowder, from
Salt Lake. Roland Léporé encouraged his boss, Brad Lowder to visit the center
while he and his wife were in Paris on vacation.
How blessed we were that they would
take the time to visit us. They showed such genuine care in wanting to hear our
story of how the center began, though Brother Lowder knew much about the center
through Brother Léporé, he also wanted his wife to hear the story. We tried to
briefly share our story and the blessings that this center has had to the
community, and individually to each who have registered. Their help and
instruction and support left us with a boost that has given us continued
strength.
Written by my husband. “As we were
speaking with Brother and Sister Lowder in the Family Resource Center he
mentioned that Elder Ringwood of the Seventy was now involved with the One Work
Committee that Brother Lowder is on. I
told Brother Lowder that I had read about an Elder Ringwood in the biography of
President Nelson, that was President Nelson's son-in-law. I asked if it was the
same person. Sister Lowder answered and
said, "Yes, that is my sister's husband." We talked for another minute or so before it
dawned on me that if Sister Lowder's sister's husband is President Nelson's
son-in-law, then Sister Lowder must also be a daughter of President
Nelson. I shyly stated the realization
that had so slowly come to me, and she confirmed that she is, indeed, President
Nelson's youngest daughter (of 9 daughters and 1 son). She was so friendly and delightful to talk
with and did not make any fuss at all about her being the prophet's daughter.”
One of the many things that that Brad
Lowder shared with us was to look forward to Elder Uchtdorf’s conference talk
on ministering to all! Not sure of the exact title, but this should hopefully
help remind us to focus more on ministering to all of God’s children with much
love and personal care! Looking forward to this one in particular, but each one
will be priceless!
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| Brother and Sister Lowder and Elder and Sister Packer |
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| Brother and Sister Lowder |
Camille and her family took a trip
to Hawaii this last week and posted images throughout their stay on Facebook!
My favorites are always family photos, but the others are amazing! The
Duckworth children had all worked extra hard earning money so that they could
take this anticipated trip! Such a joy to finally get to go!
We’re a slightly partial to all our
grandchildren and their parents and love getting photos of any type!
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| The Duckworth Children in Hawaii |
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| Duckworth Hawaii Trip - photo credit Camille Duckworth |
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| Duckworth Hawaii Laie Temple - photo credit Camille Duckworth |
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| Duckworth Hawaii Trip - photo credit Camille Duckworth |
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| Duckworth Hawaii Trip - photo credit Camille Duckworth |
What happens when you lose a wallet
in Paris on the metro, you pretty much give up of ever finding it! Allie, a BYU
Study Abroad student here in Paris had shared her story about her lost wallet
in our English Sacrament meeting September 15th. Afterwards she asked Steve to
give her a blessing that Sunday. The following Sunday, the 22nd, she
stood up again and shared her testimony of God’s amazing goodness! Her story is
the most bizarre miraculous story on this type here in Paris!
Over a week ago she had been on the
RER heading somewhere and sat next to a young woman and had made a sweet
connection, but that was all. Sometime later, Allie realized she had lost her
wallet.
A week later, through a bizarre
twist of circumstances, Allie just happened to be on the RER again, and
the very same young woman sees Allie and asked her if she had lost a wallet.
This young woman had found the wallet after Allie had left the train, and kept
it, not knowing how to contact her. But through a series of remarkable timing
of events of her getting on that very train with that same young woman, was
absolutely miraculous. I’m not giving the full story or near what it deserves,
but Allie was filled with so much gratitude and awe of the Lord’s love.
Last Wednesday, our cellist son,
Austin, was part of an intimate concert with Nicolas Giusti and Bishop Gerald
Caussé at BYU. The music heard that night was
arrangements by Nicolas Giusti and performed by Nicolas and Gerald Caussé.
These two amazing pianists, Nicolas Giusti and Gerald Caussé, who is the Presiding
Bishop of our church, have been lifelong friends and musicians from Paris and
have recently recorded beautiful arrangements of LDS hymns.
I was told that they recorded the
concert at BYU. We look forward to hearing their concert. Below is the program
and those who participated.
One little snip of our Zone
Conference that I’ll share with you is from President De Feo, first counselor in
the Europe West Area Presidency. He previously had shared with President
Sorensen that the Missionaries that come to this mission come through the power
of the Atonement of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Our very call is part of the
Atonement of Jesus Christ. He is here for us, but we must turn to Him.
Even though this concept isn’t new
to me, it struck me powerfully this time, knowing that the struggles and
challenges that we go through as missionaries have already been suffered by our
Savior, Jesus Christ. It is up to us, though, to make every challenge a triumph
and turn His suffering into a blessed experience for us.
I have seen this happen time and
time again, be it in our own personal lives or the lives of missionaries, ward
members, or investigators. His Atonement and mercy if for each one of us!
CONTACTING AT THE CENTER WITH ELDERS DAVID AND BROWN
I don’t post these very often
anymore, but I was so inspired by Elders David and Brown. Elder David has a
booming voice, but not disrespectful, and was able to get people’s attention to
see if they wanted to learn more about how we could help them. The competition
on our street is at times fierce and he knew how to attract the crowd in a
positive way! Elder Brown may not have followed his lead, but was grateful for
those they spoke with, because of Elder David.
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| Elders David and Brown |
Jacques Chirac, former President of
France from 1995-2007, passed away last Thursday. He served two terms as
President and prime minister twice. It was this president who took France into
the single European currency. The corruption scandals of his later years left
Chirac with a mixed legacy.
Well-wishers stood in long lines at
Les Invalides and then his casket was transferred, and services held at
Saint-Sulpice.
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| Hotel de Ville had a large jumbotron screen as I walked by |
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| The line for viewing his casket got as long as a mile and a half |
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| Funeral in Saint-Sulpice |
Friday morning, Charlotte had
requested a blessing. Many things are happening in her life and this was just
what she needed to feel peace and especially as she goes into this day for a
big job interview. Steve was able to give her a beautiful and comforting
blessing.
This same day was also Max’s first
day in crèche (an all-day free nursery for working parents). As we visited with
her, she poured her heart out about how blessed she has felt recently, as she
has begun to try much harder to draw herself closer to God. She always sees a
tremendous difference in her life and the blessings that flow, because of her
increased devotion. Her job interview went amazing and they are very willing to
have her begin with them. It seemed a bit bizarre to not see Max in her arms or
in the apartment. We were so hoping to see him.
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| Max after his first day of crèche |
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| Max after his first day of crèche |
Through a connection back home, a
friend reached out to me to tell me that she had a cousin whose friend’s
daughter was a new missionary serving in the France Paris Mission. This dear missionary
has been struggling big time and wanted to desperately go home. She asked if
there was anything I could do to reach out to this dear sister.
We know that it is vital to help and
lift right away in these types of situations. That evening I called this broken
missionary and listened to her share her concerns. She is an hour away, so I
knew that we could not go to her in person, but a discussion on the phone could possibly help. After an amazing and emotional conversation that evening, I have kept up
with her daily and what we have witnessed has been miraculous! Her heart is
healing, and she is finding joy each day. She has made a list of those things
that bring her joy and then next to that another list of ways in which she has
helped others find joy. She has felt so much love and increased happiness and
the depression is pretty much gone. She was counseled by Sister Sorensen (our
Mission President’s wife) to find angels around her to help lift her through
her dark moments, and she has done just that. I do believe we have angels among
us that can come to our aid if we call for them, and they are able and will
bring us peace and comfort! Often they are our loved ones who have gone before us, and other times, it's a senior sister missionary who loves deeply those who are hurting!
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| Angels will bear you up! |
Saturday morning, Ellie Packer, our
15th grandchild was baptized by her daddy. We spoke with her
afterwards via video chat and loved seeing her sweet and happy soul! She is
beautiful inside and out and we can’t wait to see her and each of our little
and older ones!
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| Ellie Packer's Baptism |
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| Ellie Packer's Family at her Baptism |
Since
we can’t be in person to participate in Becca trying on wedding dresses, Janine,
our middle daughter, did the next best thing and videoed each dress that was
tried on and sent it to me and Camille immediately. So, we were almost there in
person and almost live, but it brought tears to my eyes to seeing her dressed
in a bridal dress and see the beauty that shines from her countenance. The
tears were close throughout and I was just so elated when she chose the very
first one she tried on and made her purchase! Sorry no picture! 😉
SUNDAY BLESSINGS
This day was our last day with the
English-speaking Sacrament meetings. It has become one of our most choice
experiences for many reasons. We both felt a tinge of pain knowing we would not
be doing this part again.
We met couples and many whose
stories are so unique and beautiful. I have found myself reaching out and
ministering, more than finding connections, and realizing that each person has
a need to be ministered to. It is our special gift we can give to every
stranger or familiar person we meet!
Once we were in the center, two men
came in wondering when church was. They were both from Lebanon and one was a
member for 39 years and the other is his friend and an investigator of the
church. They were both remarkable people! We enjoyed getting to know them
better and their incredible stories!
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| Elder Packer conducting the English Visitor's Sacrament Meeting |
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| President and Sister Johansen (from Chandler, AZ and knows Steve's brother and wife) and Elder and Sister Packer |
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| Elder and Sister Dewey just released from their mission from the Frankfurt Office overseeing all Medical in Europe Missions |
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| Karim Assouad (member) and Nicolas Kanaan (investigating) both from Lebanon |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
We are feeling greatly blessed daily
by the opportunities that are ours and though we never feel we are doing all
that is needed, we can feel of the Lord’s sweet guidance and patience and love
for our efforts. This work here is much bigger than any of us can fully
imagine, but as Brother Léporé has recently stated to clarify to others, “…the
center is an hybrid center leveraging the resources of Family History, CES,
Welfare [which includes Self Reliance and Addiction Recovery and other
resources] and the Packers are the missionary couple assigned to coordinate and
supervise the efforts of the center under the direction of President Loisel, as
the agent Stake president where the center is located and also President
Sorensen. The two work together. I understand that it can be a little confusing
because we have nothing quite like it anywhere else in the world, but the
church is in the final phases of launching multiple similar pilots in other
areas of the world.”
Nous devons nous
tourner vers lui (We must turn to Him),
Elder et Sœur 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 Neuf75004 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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