Packers in Paris Blog 86
– Oct 28th, – Nov 3rd, 2019
HOW IMPORTANT
ARE FOUNDATIONS, TRUSSES AND BEAMS?
Periodically as we walk around the
exterior of Notre Dame, we see a lot of effort going on from the outside view,
but nothing from what must be going on inside. Little by little, though, their
efforts will bring about a magnificent structure, stronger than ever before,
knowing it’s being worked on diligently every day! We’ve gained a lot of beautiful
lessons as we witness these efforts.
Foundation, trusses and beams are
crucial in any construction, especially as they are the key structure supporting
outside and inside walls. If they are compromised in any way, the whole
structure becomes unstable. It is also true in our personal lives. When we know
or sense that our structure, be it with our foundation (a foundation in Jesus
Christ), or our beams and trusses (mental, physical and spiritual mindset) are
unstable, we will not be able to withstand the storms, fires and instabilities
that come.
The reconstruction of Notre Dame is
a perfect example and reminder, that each of us can be affected by
instabilities in our lives and each of us at some time or another may need a
bit of reconstruction or some preventative measures made. As we continually progress
and engage ourselves in worthwhile daily devotions to God we are reinforcing and
aligning ourselves with God and looking towards how we might do the same for
others in need, so that we may all more easily withstand the spiritual and even physical storms
that come our way.
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| Notre Dame - the face of strengthening and supporting |
SOUVENIR
SHOPPING BLESSINGS
Souvenir
shopping isn’t on the top of our list of fun things to do in Paris, but there
is NO shortage of souvenir shops to choose from. In fact they seem to be around
every corner, especially here in Paris.
Needing
to finish up a little more shopping prior to coming home for our daughter Becca’s
wedding this last PDay Tuesday, I strolled down a street I had not been down before
for souvenir shopping and decided to try a new store!
I
can assure you we have not scoured many, but this time this store kept my
interest, not so much for its better content, but more because of my
conversation with Olga! Olga is a store employee and was so gracious in helping
me, but something clicked between the two of us and we began talking about
family, home life, where we are both from and so on. We connected and by the
end of our visit, I came back with Steve shortly afterwards with a gift for her
24th birthday that very day, and then to have Steve help with
deciding on our purchases. She was leaving the very next day to go home to Greece
to become engaged and returning in a month. I look forward to visiting with her
again once we both return. She was a woman of integrity and genuine love!
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| With my new friend, Olga! |
TUESDAY
PDAY STROLL ON THE END OF THE ISLAND
If
you think we’ve been to every inch of Île de la Cité (Island of the Seine), we
have not by a long shot, but we’ve wanted to walk around the west edge of the
Island where ferries and boats take off. For us, we just wanted to stroll to
the end, finishing the end of a busy Pday! It was such a beautiful and peaceful
walk.
Pont
Neuf is the oldest bridge in Paris and is the bridge that the end of the Island
sits under.
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| Dinner cruises - not been on one yet, not sure if we will! |
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| Ponto Neuf - oldest bridge in Paris |
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| The western edge of the Island of Notre Dame |
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| Overlooking the western edge |
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| Pont Neuf is lined with these heads where each one is different and a bit mean... |
‘MAKE A WISH’
FOR BRIGHAM HUNSAKER AND FAMILY
This
year, our sweet Brigham was awarded from the ‘Make a Wish’ Foundation, something
of his choice. He was a bit young to decide, but the family chose Orlando, Florida,
going to Disney World. They went two weeks ago, but just now getting photos to share!
This
was the second family in our Packer Clan who has had this sweet experience of being
accepted by the Make a Wish Foundation, having both chosen to go to Disney
World. We are so grateful for the miracles and improvements both, Jacob and
Brigham have made with their prognosis and recovery. It’s a lifelong road for
Jacob, but he’s such a trooper. Brigham is also doing well, and pray his
condition of the OMA will disappear, just as his cancer has. It’s been a little
over 2 years since he was first diagnosed with cancer. The Hunsaker family had
a wonderful experience enjoying their time together!
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| Brigham, top right! |
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| No doubt, the Adam and Janine Hunsaker family had a wonderful time! |
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| We love you Brigham! |
FINALLY, DR JIM
DIAMOND’S BOOK IS OUT! – A BOOK TO CHANGE HEARTS
Last
January 17th, 2019 we welcomed a special guest, Dr. James D Diamond,
from Arizona, to the center here in Paris. We had been given prior notice of
his coming, as he was wanting to receive special help in Paris for some French
Family History.
I
will put a link to blog week 45, sharing the whole story with him! It’s all
about forgiveness and healing! Read the small print on the over of his book.
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| READ THE SMALL PRINT IN THE TITLE - "Diamond ultimately leads the reader to a positive road forward focusing on insightful steps people can take after a rampage shooting to help their wounded communities heal." |
FAMILY VISITORS
FROM HOME AND A SPECIAL BRIEF CONCERT!
Thank
you to Beth (my first cousin) and her husband, Phil Hogan, from West Jordan,
UT, who came by last Wednesday for a special visit while on vacation here in Europe.
We loved every moment of our time with them and for their love and kindness. They
were so generous to take us out to eat as well. I’ve always had a special relationship/friendship
with Beth since I was young and she taught me not only how to ride a horse, but
how to saddle one as well.
The
first time that I felt confident to go saddle up the horse all by myself, I
told Beth I would be fine and went out on my own. After saddling up, and
thinking I had the strength to cinch the saddle hard enough, I took off riding.
Little by little as I was trotting on the horse, I began to slide to the side,
nearly falling off, as the saddle was not rightly cinched! I’ll admit I never
saddled up again after that experience. I have always loved horses though!
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| Phil and Beth (Renee's cousin) Hogan - Steve & Renee |
Special 30 second concert from Frère Shimin
Deng!
Whenever
Shimin Deng visits the Center, we often will request that he play for us. With
Beth and Phil present, he couldn’t say no. He is also our Ward pianist and
brings a powerful and beautiful spirit in each of our meetings.
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| Frère Shimin
Deng on the piano |
HALLOWEEN
BACK HOME – SORRY FOR THE PHOTO BRAGS
While
raising our family, we didn’t go crazy with Halloween as far as costumes, trick
or treat and so on, BUT, we did always have a family party, where we would have
homemade pizza, homemade root beer, homemade doughnuts and trick or treat a
small area of a few homes. We then would come back to a special movie night,
and all of us sleeping on the floor in the family room. As the kids and adults
got older, we changed slightly, and some of the home made things turned into
store bought, and eventually the sleeping in the Family Room stopped, but the
parties continued well after our children left home and started their own family
traditions. The Packer Halloween Party continued until we left on our mission.
No, we do not stay the night, but we still LOVE getting together.
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| Nate and Dixie Packer's 4 children |
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| Savannah and Austin Duckworth - I shard this photo, as this Lion costume I made for our kids some 37-38 years ago. So sweet it is still being used! |
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| The Duckworth Family - Narnia theme |
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| Jaron and Vanesa Packer five children |
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| Austin and Emma Packer Family |
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| Brent and Shal Packer Family |
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| Lydia Packer - Jordan and Larissa's oldest daughter |
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| Lincoln Packer - Jordan and Larissa's youngest son |
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| Janine and Adam Hunsaker Family 4 of the 5 children |
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| My favorite costume yet! Awesome Cooper ! |
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| Becca Packer (soon to be Lattin) on the right! Yes that's her lizard and she had us guess from what movie! HOLES! |
FAMILY
HISTORY BRINGS US CLOSE TO OUR FAMILY
While
Elders Niederhauser and Kimball were contacting for us last Friday, they also
brought a man in later that they had been working with to get to him started on
his family history. It was pretty sweet to see him find joy in this work and
the purposes of doing family history for his father who he was very close to.
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| Allusine with Elders Niederhauser and Kimball - This man is from Sierra Leone and his story is absolutely remarkable! Perhaps for another post! |
HOW
TO SQUEEZE EVERYTHING IN BEFORE COMPANY COMES!
With
all the company we’ve had and with our oldest daughter coming this next week with
her oldest daughter, we have used every moment in between to get things done for
the center, and for personal items, especially as we get ready to depart for
the wedding. There’s always a ton to do and I feel scattered with a million
different things to focus on, but it’s coming together.
Last
Friday I had my personal hairdresser come to the apartment (believe it or not, it’s
cheaper this way) to do a color weave and trim. It still is not cheap, but it
always feels good to have done! I gave Steve his haircut the next morning!
Last
Saturday we also started to pack up suitcases with things that can be taken
home early, and Sharon will be bringing one of them back with her! We will
bring more home with us as well so that our finally trip home in February will
hopefully not be extra bags! 😉
CONTACTING WITH
ELDERS SUN AND FARNSWORTH – WITH MUSIC
Bring Elder Sun a piano, guitar and
who knows what other musical instrument and he’s happy and especially if it’s
with people on the street.
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| Elder Sun on the guitar, with Elder Farnsworth keeping an eye on the dog...stay doggy..stay... |
SHARON’S
VISIT TO THE CENTER
Sharon, our friend and adopted
sister, stopped in to see us at the center. She’s here for her 6th
time in Paris since we arrived. She’s also made some great friends here and
really knows how to navigate not only the bus, metro and RER system, but also the
car rental and traveling in Paris and off and about. She and Dior Martin (and Dior’s
two young children) went to Mont Saint Michel last weekend.
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| Sharon has this town figured out and gets around better than I do! |
SUNDAY
BLESSINGS, BAPTISM AND MORE TRAINING
It
was great to have Sharon at church with us today! She came with Dior Martin and
Dior’s two children! We met several newer people today whose stories are always
so fascinating to me. There’s so much we can learn and gain from everyone we
meet, new or not so new.
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| Sunday after church with Sharon |
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| Dan Jones with his mother! Dan is here working for several months. He speaks fluently as he served in Madagascar! |
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| The sweet Jessica Garrett Family is living here for 1-2 years with work! |
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| Heidi and I got a kick how we happened to think alot alike this last Sunday on clothing! ;) |
ANGIE
DUHARD’S BAPTISM
We
try as often as we can to attend convert baptisms. It is a thrill to see the tremendous
support given, and then lovely nature of the person being baptized. Today Angie
Duhard was baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
What a special woman she is, whose testimony at the end was so tender, filled
with so much faith, that we were all in awe of her journey to accept to become
baptized.
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| Sister Lofgreen, Angie and Sister Mattice |
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| Angie always looking up to Christ - getting ready for her baptism! |
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| Bishop and Becky Stonehocker with Angie - the Bishop performed the baptism! |
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| Angie shared a heartfelt testimony that was very touching! |
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| Those who came to show support! Angie and her two children are in the front |
FAMILY
RESOURCE CENTER ADVISORY COMMITTEE TRAINING
We
had our second week of training this Sunday, for those who could not attend
last week. Visually seeing what we are asking them to do, by ministering with
love and genuineness, having a desire to share with them the blessings of the Center
Resources, works so much better. Much more will be shared at a later time, but
there was some very supportive enthusiasm. I forgot again to take a photo of our committee members, but afterwards I grabbed these!
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| Kevin - 2nd Counselor in the bishopric and FLora - YSA representative - These two are a powerhouse of amazing good! |
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| Elders Farnsworth and Sun - pat of our training today! |
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| Bishop Cruz from the Paris Lilas Ward, Mehdi and helper as they head out each Sunday to serve the homeless and refugees. They are part of the SDJ Humanitarian team that we send people to when others want to serve! |
FROM
PARIS TO SHANGHAI!
I
was in hopes somehow that our friend, Chen Li, from our Paris ward, who was
traveling to Shanghai to be with family a couple of weeks ago would be able to
meet up with my sister Janine somehow in Nanjing. Amazingly they did, as they
both were in Shanghai at the same District Conference, where my sister, Janine
was one of the speakers. Both are amazing and stalwart people! I LOVE sweet connections!
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| Chen Li and my sister, Janine Green while in Shanghai (Janine spoke at the District Conference on this Sunday, the 3rd) |
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Recently I wrote this message to a friend who
has blessed me with her genuine and kind heart, but as I was writing I felt the
spirit teach me more specifically who I can become so to better see people in all their
different hearts!
“…everyone has hearts, soft hearts,
harder hearts, moldable hearts, shy hearts, vulnerable hearts and sensitive and
caring hearts and that we grow those hearts by looking outward to lift and love
and strengthen relationships! If each day we could pray to know who and how to
really connect more genuinely and deeply with such dear friends like you, then our
hearts would also be joyous and Christ like hearts filled with more empathy and
compassion and love!”
Quels fondements
fermes (How Firm a Foundation),
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 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
Quels fondements
fermes (How Firm a Foundation),
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