Packers France Paris Mission Blog 89

Packers in Paris Blog 89 –Nov 19^th – Nov 24^th, 2019

LET THE PILOT BEGIN!

After our meeting on Monday with two Districts to inform, instruct, and launch an additional approved pilot to enhance the one we are doing, we were filled with amazement of how they took off running. Where before it was hard for them to know the best way to engage in longer, get to know the contact visits with those they meet, by getting to know them and be their friend and see if there are any of the resources they could use, they have been able to be more engaged in these types of conversations.

We’ve been trying for months to help and encourage our missionaries to initiate longer conversations with others, but because of the required number of invitations they were to meet daily, it just wasn’t happening. With approval of our Mission President, that number was taken away with these two districts to see how well it could work! Our reports will be well worth reading further somewhere further down in the blog!

The Paris District - this is who we are with practically daily~  

The Paris Lilas District

The Paris and Paris Lilas District - The True Dream Team

LEAVING OUR HOME TO GO BACK HOME MOMENTARILY!

Waiting two weeks to write two blogs is not easy for me, as I tend to want to still elaborate on details that could turn into a novel. So, I will start over and condense my writings to make it easier to swallow! No promises!

Because we were trying to reduce the belongings in our apartment, taking advantage of our extra trip home, we loaded up all we could, by bringing three large 50 lb bags, 2 carry-ons, packed to the hilt, and our very heavy personal bags.

If I could’ve had a video of our walking out of our apartment, down the elevator (three times) and through the courtyard, across the street, over the bridge, turn left down the street, to then enter a street elevator to the RER train, It might’ve won an award ! We almost had a heart attack because we barely made getting us and all the luggage on all at once (especially if the doors had closed when neither one of us had been on the train). A woman seeing our dilemma kept the door pried open for us! Miracles are real!!!

Airport in Paris - Charles de Gaulle 

Paris Airport

Taking off! 

     Salt Lake Airport pick up!

We were so grateful for Dixie, our amazing daughter-in-law, who came to pick us up at the airport in Salt Lake! She took us to our home so that we could pick up our car (with car insurance back active again) we then drove to my sister, Claire Prigmore’s home where we would be staying the whole time. How grateful we are for all who helped us in so many ways! I know if I start mentioning all who helped, I would certainly miss many! There are so many who have watched over, cared for, and patiently done so much for us!

Once we stopped at our home to pick up a few items, we saw some of our dear neighbors that we were thrilled to visit with! We are so blessed to have them as our neighbors, salt of the earth people. We then drove to my sister’s home! Claire is so easy going and so willing to allow us to stay with her, knowing others from the Packer clan would be periodically joining us as well! She and Steve and their children are so good to us and our family!

This sign has been on our inside garage door going into our home, for a few years from a Family Reunion. Camille made a sign for each family!

THURSDAY TRIP TO BURLEY IDAHO AND MOVING BECCA

I have personally looked forward to our day with my parents for a very long time! Knowing that my father’s health is declining, I had hoped for a chance to see them! It was such a joyous experience to spend a few hours in their home, the home I lived in for such a short time prior to my marriage, but the home they’ve been in the longest and which holds many memories.

It was especially a treat that Becca, our youngest daughter who is getting married the following week, was able to come with us to enjoy this time with them, as well as us having this time with her. Each of us loved our one-on-one time with her. We took lots of pictures to capture this precious moment.

Our last road trip with our daughter, Becca before she is married the following week! 

While visiting, I noticed my father’s memory was doing well and seemed to be in a good mental state, so I requested a father’s blessing from him, something I had desired to receive before we left on our mission, and never took the chance. My father was so gracious to say that he would be pleased to. We went into a private room, where Steve joined us. I had no expectations during this blessing, but what he did say touched me deeply, knowing that he in fact did know me, knew my heart and what we were doing in Paris. His love and kind spirit came through with such tenderness that I was enveloped with so much love and gratitude for this dear man and felt it deeply from him. I will treasure this sacred experience for the remainder of my life. Our prayers are daily for our parents and that they will be well while we are gone and that we will still have more time with them when we return. How I’ve missed them!

Picola Wood - my mother

Elden Wood - my father

Ann Harper - my oldest sister who cares for my parents! She's definitely the angel of the family! 

     Helping Becca move

When we returned to Utah we went right away to start the process of helping Becca move from the home she’s living in temporarily for the past few months to then get her all moved into her future husband’s home in North Ogden. She then stayed at my sister Claire’s home with us until her marriage on Tuesday. She will be so glad to have the daily trips to Ogden from Layton behind her. This was our first time meeting Brian and his folks and I can't believe I didn't take photos of this! Exhaustion is the excuse! 

FRIDAY MEETINGS IN SALT LAKE ALL DAY AND SALT LAKE TEMPLE BLESSINGS!

We left early Friday morning, just so I could capture a few photos of the Salt Lake Temple and grounds before it will be closed for the next 4-5 years for renovation. I could’ve stayed all day capturing every facet of this beautiful area. It was a sacred experience for me, and Steve, as always, was so patient to walk around with me, knowing how much this meant.

Salt Lake Temple

The reflection pond! They were testing the lights on Temple Square and so they were on in the morning when we first came! 

At 9:00 a.m., we entered the Church Office Building earlier than planned, just so we could have a few moments with Suzanne Stott (Steve’s sister who is a tour guide and director of the shift). It was wonderful to see her and get a small glimpse into her latest. 

Suzanne (Steve's sister) and Elder and Sister Packer

     Meeting with Roland Léporé, Jean Luc Magre, and Brother and Sister Calmels 

Shortly afterwards we were escorted to the 3^rd floor to meet up with Roland Léporé for our first meeting with the group helping us get set up for our RootsTech London rebroadcast at the Saint-Merri in Paris in January. Roland was in a previous meeting and showed up a little later. This is the same group we often meet with from Paris, which is Roland, Jean Luc Louis Magre, and Brother and Sister Calmels. It is a new experiment to see what kind of crowds we get for those who wish to hear this rebroadcast. We’re excited to hear it as well, plus the performance of Donny Osmond should be fun!

Jean Luc and Roland Léporé, we sat in with the others via Zoom

     Great news!

Once we had a moment alone to visit with Roland, he shared with us the latest news, which is that the Executive Committee (1^st Quorum of 70 members over the four departments of the Temple, Missionary, Priesthood and Family History) has approved 7 new areas throughout the world to have a center like ours in Paris. This is so amazing and huge! Because of the work going on in Paris, they can see the great value and look forward to this first phase of launching more of these centers.

     Meeting with Roland Léporé and Steve Anderson

Next, we met with Steve Anderson who is over the Temple Department. He came to Paris the beginning of August this year. While in Paris, he spent a good amount of time at our center as we got to know and love this good man. Our visit was brief, but what we shared with him and Roland Léporé, was a new update on our latest pilot neither one had yet heard. They were thrilled with our numbers so far!

Elder and Sister Packer, Roland Léporé and Steve Anderson

      Meeting with Roland Léporé, Tanner Kay and Tracy Watson

Afterwards we met with Tanner Kay and Tracy Watson, both from the Missionary Dept. Tanner Kay had also visited with us in Paris and we learned so much from him. He was always so supportive of what is happening in Paris. We also shared with them the updates of our latest pilot. It was amazing to hear them ask us questions and get our opinion of future centers going up and what our thoughts were. They are listening and learning from this new experience in Paris. While in this meeting, we learned that Tanner Kay is over the whole renovation of Temple Square! That is huge and yet he seemed so chill! Bless him! 

Tanner Kay, Roland Léporé, Tracy Watson and Elder and Sister Packer

     Lunch/meeting with Roland Léporé and Brad Lowder

Next, we were treated to lunch by Roland Léporé and we were joined by Brad Lowder at the Garden Room in the Joseph Smith Building. Brad had also come to Paris in September to meet us and see the center! Our visit was so sweet, while overlooking the Salt Lake Temple. Brother Lowder was so grateful for our updated Pilot news. The information we have been sharing has great interest to all we visit with, as they are extremely supportive of our efforts and look forward to any and all updates. 

Brad Lowder, Elder and Sister Packer and Roland Léporé

The Salt Lake Temple from the Garden Restaurant

     

     Quick visit with our dear friend David Mensah

On our way back from one meeting, we stopped in the copy center to say hello to our dear friend, David Mensah, who I’ve known personally for many years, as he’s the manager of the Document Center at the Church Office Building. As a church serve missionary, I had access to the copy center. David has helped me for many years with big and small projects and has been extremely helpful as we got ready for our mission for various things that I needed. I often think of the copy center and the wonderful people there, when I write in my journal or study in my gospel study notebook and the thankyou cards that I have had all printed there. We were so grateful for our quick hello and photo moment! 

Packers with our dear friend David Mensah at the Church Office Document Center

     Andy Rytting meeting on technology

We next met with Andy Rytting, the technology expert on the missionary referral system. They are laying down the red carpet for us and it’s exciting what they are willing to do to give us the information we need for this work in Paris! 

Andy Rytting and Roland Léporé, as we sat in and discussed our needs

     Brief visit with Elder Kevin Hamilton (overseeing Family History) and CEO of FamilySearch, Steve Rockwood

We next had a great visit as we met for the first time with Elder Kevin Hamilton and Steve Rockwood. These two men carry a lot of responsibility for the work of family history. They told us that they will visiting with us in Paris at our center in the next 1-2 weeks. We also made a connection with Elder Hamilton, that as he was a mission president in Belgium, he would possibly know Steve’s sister, Anita and Tom Herway, where Tom Herway was the Stake President for a while during that time. He told us that they are in fact dear friends and have recently stayed in the Hamilton’s home. My dear cousin, Beth and her husband Phil are great friends with Steve Rockwood, so we connected with him as well. Great people and we look forward to our visit with them here at our center in Paris. 

Steve Rockwood and Elder Kevin Hamilton

Roland Léporé, Steve Rockwood and Elder Kevin Hamilton with Elder and Sister Packer

     Meeting with only Roland Léporé

Our final meeting was with Roland Léporé, where we continued to review and discuss the needs that we have to continue moving this work forward in Paris and other areas. We knew that our time was brief and that we would continue to discuss more when we met Sunday evening in their home.  This time is priceless to have in person, and we were grateful for more time.

Elder and Sister Packer with Roland L 

SALT LAKE TEMPLE FOR THE LAST TIME BEFORE IT CLOSES & A SURPRISE MEETING

We finally entered the Salt Lake Temple and got dressed to attend an endowment session. While waiting in the chapel for the endowment session, I noticed someone who look familiar with her hair, but when her head turned it wasn’t who I thought, but instead it was my sister, Lucie! I quietly walked over to her and just stood until she looked up and then she gasped! It was such a treat for us to see each other. We embraced and certainly those around us could possibly see we hadn’t seen each other for a long time. Barry had not come in yet, and once he did, Barry and Lucie came over to sit by us. They were waiting for Barry’s sister to join them and since she was very late they were at the end of the group, but they made it.

We love this temple and look forward to entering its doors and bringing family and friends through the Open House in 4-5 years. No one will want to miss this amazing opportunity. 

BRIAN TAKING HIS FUTURE FATHER IN LAW GOLFING

Brian is so thoughtful and loves to connect and help people feel good and that he cares. He had asked if he could take Steve golfing on Saturday during our shower prep time, prior to photos. The weather was so beautiful, as golfing in cold is not Steve’s favorite, but they had a great time getting to know one another! 

SATURDAY BRIDALS AND COUPLE PHOTOS

After most of the preps for the shower were complete, I went along with Camille and Becca, for the Bridal and Couple photos with Brian. 

SATURDAY BRIDAL SHOWER PREPS AND FIESTA

Saturday morning we began our preparation for the Bridal Shower for later that evening. It turned out so adorable, thanks to Camille, Ali, Sharon and Lucie helping to supply some of the needed décor items, but especially, Camille, our eldest daughter who brought so much to pull together the most adorable fiesta party ever! She saw what it needed to look like, and so we followed her directions. She is a master at décor and it would have been very dull without her guidance and inspiration to make it what it was.

The best part, though, was the love and support of so many friends and loved ones who came to show their support. Since there would be no reception, this was in part, a reception of love, but only for women and their daughters! What can I say! 😉
It was so sweet having this time!

Décor by Camille Duckworth

Cookies by Janine Hunsaker - our 4th child

Becca visiting with Sharon Olsen, our frequent Paris visitor

Some of our grandaughteres

My dear friend, Jami Jensen

More grandchildren

Me with another dear friend, Sally Zlotnick 

Marie-Claire Parker and my sister, Lucie, who used to hold Lucie as a baby, while we lived in Belgium where Lucie was born

Nieces and Becca

Becca and Maddie 

Becca with nieces from Brian's family 

Time to open gifts

Becca with my dear friend, Robyn Luke 

Becca with the girls at the selfie wall, thanks to Lucie, my sister! 

At the conclusion we sang Happy 16^th Birthday to Maliyah, our oldest grandchild! Camille had made the dessert, reserving one large cake for her to blow 16 candles! 

Maliyah Duckworth - our oldest grandchild turning 16 this day!

SABBATH BLESSINGS WITH FAMILY

Sunday, we attended church with Jaron’s family (our third child). Just that morning, Jaron was asked to sing a duet in Sacrament meeting, which was so beautiful and a treat for us to hear him sing. Then, Vanesa was giving the Relief Society lesson which she did amazingly! It was a beautiful time with them! Every other family member found another family to go with!

Jaron and Vanesa Packer Family! 

SUNDAY CONTINUED MEETING WITH ROLAND LÉPORÉ

It had been previously arranged to continue to our visit with Roland Léporé and this time with his family. We went to their home to discuss more! His dear wife had prepared a delicious meal for us and as we visited, you could tell that Roland tells her everything, because she was completely up-to-date on everything we are doing! We had met her once before at our Open House in October of 2018. It was if we were dear friends from the first meeting at our Open House. Their darling four children were all there and Amie’s mother and stepdad (who co-own the home with Amie and Roland). There was a most sacred feeling there as we discussed the historic happenings and how excited we are to continue to help on this project once we return home, along with other assignments. The numbers of our recent pilot keep climbing extremely high. We were grateful to share that with them as well.

We also loved hearing the story of how Roland and Amie met and got engaged. It was a most extraordinary story! How the Lord blessed them during the most difficult and joyous times of their lives.

MONDAY WEDDING PREPERATIONS AND TIME WITH TWO OF OUR CHILDREN

With just a few final things we had to get done, we were feeling grateful that there wasn’t much to do other than to prepare everyone for their clothes and any last-minute things we needed. This is all due to the fact that the couple didn’t want a reception. We would’ve loved a reception, but what a blessing to not have to worry about that, and only a bridal shower! The feeling in the air was palpable and exciting.

We met with Jordan and Larissa’s family for lunch. We loved seeing them for the first time and reconnecting. Because Jordan and Larissa have tried to keep connected with and talking about us with their children, Lydia and Lincoln, knew and loved us! How we love them and each of our dear family! 

Us with the Jordan and Larissa Packer Family 

Also, we met with Austin’s family for dinner. Bowen was not much in favor to really give us the time of day, but periodically we caught a smile or willingness to let us say something to him. We sure love him and know that in time he will hopefully get more comfortable. He does much better with men than women, so we’ll give it time! It was so good to see Austin and Emma and their excitement for baby Rose the end of January to be born. 

Our time with Austin and Emma Family!

MADDIE BACK IN THE HOSPITAL!

Our oldest son’s daughter, Maddie, who has been in the hospital a bit more than she would ever like, went again Monday night, from a bad case of food poisoning. She was getting very ill from dehydration and with her health condition anyway, it was not a good mix. She’s such an amazing trooper and we just pray that all goes well.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

By this time, we still haven’t seen all family members, as it may take the actual wedding day for that to happen. It does our heart good though, one by one to see our family and see the reaction of the young children to finally see their grandma and grandpa who they haven’t seen for over 20 months. We hope that as each of you reflect on your family, that you will not take for granted that which is more precious than gold! We are feeling blessed beyond words to be with them and to feel of their love! It was a good thing we weren’t coming home half-way through our mission for a wedding, as it would’ve made it a bit harder to leave, but our time was so special!

Dans nos foyers tout est beau (Love at Home  Hymn # 294),

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