Packers in Paris Blog 92
– Dec 10th – Dec 15th, 2019
PARIS
STRIKES AND MANIFESTATIONS
I haven’t stated much about the Paris
transportation strikes and protests. It becomes a part of our routine, maybe
annoying at that, but everyone tries to accept and move on. It’s hard to watch
what’s going on and politically not be invested, but it is still hard to see
what comes from these strikes and destructive protests.
When
we do have to travel, what could be a brief 30-45 minute train ride is taking
much longer, and every train and bus is packed literally like sardine cans. We
feel we hardly have breathing room, but we only try to make the best of it and
smile so that perhaps others will see we will not be affected by it! There’s a
lot of anger and frustration by everyone!
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| Here's the contrast of when they lock off the road when preparing for protesting! |
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| Here's what it looks like when protesting! |
WEDNESDAY MEETING
WITH THE PARIS LILAS DISTRICT
Traveling
to Paris Lilas was one of those times where the bus was extremely crowded,
making it hard to move or get on and off. It took us twice as long to get
there, and even more so coming back. We were grateful though when we finally
made it and got back to the Center in good time.
Our
meeting went well, though brief, as we were just giving them a little boost in
the arm and further training from our visit with the President just a couple of
days earlier.
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| Paris Lilas District |
CHARLOTTE’S
VISIT
While
we were traveling back and forth for the district council, we were going past
where Charlotte and Max live. How I wish we could’ve stop to see her! As we
returned to the center, it wasn’t but a short while, and in walks in Charlotte!
She
and I had the most tender conversation in a private room, where she poured her
heart out about her gratitude and joy for the blessings that are coming into
her life at this point. We cried together and thought of how much we will miss
each other when we leave. She has truly become like a daughter to us and sweet
Max, our grandchild.
She
then asked Steve to give her a blessing. His blessing was one filled with the
Lord’s love and strength in this time of her life. His words were a great
comfort to her to sustain her!
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| Me with Charlotte! |
FAMILYSEARCH
STORIES WITH HEIDI
We
often wonder what those walking past every day on the street and staring in our
windows, think of what we do. Sometimes, people are curious and walk right in.
Others, after weeks or months of walking past, decide to stop by and check out what
our center is all about. They are always intrigued and often want to learn
more. This is what happened with Sylvie.
Sylvie Angele Aubriot
Last
Thursday, a woman who has walked past many times for months or longer, finally
stopped by and saw the missionaries outside and asked if she could come in to
learn more. Sylvie is a beautiful and refined woman in her late 70’s. The
missionaries turned her over to me to give her a tour of our facility and then
she wanted to see the church house afterwards. I would have been willing to do
it in French, but I was most grateful when she let me know she would be happy
to speak English and her English was beautiful and perfect, making it easier to
communicate all my thoughts.
As
we began to talk about the center, most of all she became enamored by Family
History, telling me how much she has felt the presence of some of her loved ones
who had passed on, and wasn’t sure what it all meant. I showed her the big
screen and my own FamilySearch account and other items it can do, plus the Family
Tree App and we inserted a name of her grandmother in the Search for an
Ancestor and found many areas her last name was from. It caught her curiosity
and loved what these applications could do, and also loved what my family tree
looked like.
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| This was the first page of the Family Tree App for Sylvie! There was much more! She would not let me take her photo! |
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| This is the Family Tree App |
Luckily,
Heidi was present and anxious to help her. The two of them sat together at the
computer for quite some time, and once Sylvie had to leave, (we would have to
do the church building tour later), these two women made sure they were
connected so that Heidi could continue to help Sylvie with research. Sylvie was
most thankful for this time with Heidi.
Heidi’s ability to connect
Heidi’s
winding down scene is ending. What will we do without her! Our Center’s Family
History has been brought to life because of Heidi and her ability to help in
small and immense ways.
Every
day we have regular patrons who come to use our facilities. They are hooked,
you might say, because of their love for their ancestors but also because Heidi
has been there to assist them when needed, and has been their friend and has
given them encouragement. She is this way with everyone who enters our door,
especially for Family History. Her expertise in Family History, especially French
family research, has been such a remarkable blessing and she will be sorely
missed!
FRIDAY’S PARIS
DISTRICT COUNCIL
We
love going to our District Council when we’re able to, and this day was no
exception. At some point, Elder Poulin turned the time over to Steve and me to
share updates from our recent interview with the President and then updates on other
exciting upcoming events. We then asked if they had any thoughts or ideas how
to improve our latest pilot experiment, which has been going tremendously well.
Elder Sun then raised his hand and began to share some impressions he had been
having with those they speak with and register for the center. His words were
like gold coming out of his mouth. He was truly inspired! His comments spurred
a most amazing conversation on how to move forward with these great ideas. Our
minds became unleashed and we were ecstatic!
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| Our wonderful Paris District! |
HEIDI
HELPING THE ITALIANS
Heidi
did her magic again with helping Pierluigi this last Friday as he came into the
center, knowing it was one of his last chances to get her help in person. He
was absolutely amazed at how she was able to help him with his Italian research.
He left feeling so blessed by her that day! What will this place do without her
(have I mentioned that before?)!
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| Heidi and PierLuigi |
FRIDAY NIGHT
RELIEF SOCIETY GATHERING
With
all the transportation strikes and the Ward Christmas party the next night,
there were not very many people in attendance at the Ward Relief Society Christmas
party. It was a lovely evening and I was sad not many were able to come. The
women in this ward are so energetic and conscious of helping and lifting. I left
early as it was getting late!
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| Relief Society Sisters |
SATURDAY ‘SANTA
CLAUS’ BUS RUN & MORE CELEBRATIONS!
Long
story, so I’ll keep it short, but after many efforts to find someone to take Sister
Uboldi’s Christmas packages to her, which we had brought from Utah, our plans
were not working. Steve was so gracious to take 6 hours of his day to play
Santa Claus (minus the costume, but pretty much the same thing otherwise) and
travel to Orléans to give the packages to Sister Uboldi (she and her companion
met him there). The only way to really make it work and at a good price, was to
take a commercial bus. It was comfortable, not overcrowded, and gave him quiet
conference listening time (just like Santa would have done, I’m sure) and when he
arrived, he gave Sister Uboldi her Christmas gifts and then turned right back
around! Bless you Santa!
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| Santa Claus drop off at the Bus Station to Sisters Uboldi and Popoca |
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| Sister Uboldi in her apartment with her Christmas gifts that were brought to her! |
While
Steve was being Santa Claus, I continued going through more of our apartment to
ready ourselves for when it’s time to pack. It’ll make it much easier at the
end when there is much to do and not much time to pack.
Chinese Christmas Lunch
While
Steve was still gone, I quickly ran over to the church for a lunch time
Christmas Chinese gathering for all the missionaries, always put on by our Chinese
members and friends. What generous people they are, and the missionaries are
always in heaven being fed their oriental dishes.
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| Chinese Dinner for the Paris Ward Missionaries |
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| Those who attended the Chinese Dinner |
FAREWELL TO
HEIDI!
Knowing
that we’ll see Heidi again soon, made saying goodbye a bit easier! We will miss
her terribly and the immense help she has been to us. This woman is a quiet,
very unassuming person, but has brought new life to Family History at the
Family Resource Center, not only with her knowledge, but also with her ability
to help with love and joy! The patrons love her and the immense resource she
has been, but her gentle and warm personality made everyone feel so welcome! Goodbye,
au revoir, auf wiedersehen and addio (just a few of the several languages she
speaks)!
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| Heidi Sugden - our Family History Specialist and dear friend |
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| Elder and Sister Maxwell with Heidi |
SHARON, KATIA
AND CRYSTAL
Sharon
Olsen is back in town accompanied by a friend, Katia, who also met a young
woman, Crystal, who was traveling to Paris on the same flight and was all
alone. They befriended her and felt it was a bit safer being in a threesome! She
was glad they brought her in! Friday, they stopped in the center for a visit!
Friday was Katia’s 50th birthday!
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| Crystal, Katia, Renée and Sharon |
PARIS WARD
CHRISTMAS PARTY SUCCESS!
Things
don’t always start on time, excepting church, but that’s ok, because it gives
us time to mingle! The decoration committee for the Ward Christmas Party did a
masterful job, giving it such a beautiful atmosphere for the evening. There was
plenty of food, many in attendance and a good group of visitors, mostly from our
missionaries who had contacted them through the center in one way or another.
Also, Kévin Gauthier invited his Japanese friend, Nozomi.
I
was able to connect with all the visitors and take some photos. We loved seeing
how the ward enveloped the visitors with love and genuine kindness! It was as
it should always be! They felt very welcomed and enjoyed the whole evening,
from the food, to the children’s program, Santa Claus, to the ward members from
various countries dancing their native dances, etc. We and the young missionaries
had to leave early and missed Santa, the dancers and other performances, but
what we saw, we enjoyed. Not many photos when it was so dark inside!
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| Décor that set a very festive mood! Too dark to take many photos! |
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| Some of the visitors who attended tonight's party, with Renée |
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| Max with his babysitter Rosemany |
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| This was NOT the Santa at the party, but close enough! He was at Hotel de Ville near the church! So cute though! |
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| Another festive photo of the street walking towards Notre Dame in the background! |
PRAYERS FOR RENÉE’S
FATHER
My
dad has been suffering with shingles in the past month and has also been very weak.
Saturday, we had a bit of a scare, but he’s doing much better, but still not
strong on his feet! We pray daily throughout the day for his health and comfort
and to feel the best that he can at his age! How grateful I am for my parents
and for my sister Ann who cares for them with genuine love and concern.
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| Elden Wood - my dear father! Thank you for your prayers! |
SUNDAY
BLESSINGS, BAPTISM AND DINNER GUESTS
Every
Sunday is filled with a myriad of blessings, but most of all, we are always most
grateful for the blessings of partaking of the Sacrament each week to renew our
covenants with the Lord. We love seeing how visitors who are members of our
church, count it as such an important part of their time on vacation that they
wouldn’t miss finding a church somewhere to partake of the Sacrament. This is
true devotion!
We
loved seeing our old Bishop, John Hall, who is here early, and his whole family
will come on the weekend for the whole school break. Also visiting was the Hall’s
Stake President and wife visiting from Washington DC. This is a photo Renee
Hall sent me of President and Sister Stansel.
Baptism of Frère Adismael Souza
Sunday
was Frère Adismael Souza’s baptism. We were unable
to attend his baptism, but those who did were filled with such love and support
for this good man.
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| Baptism of Frère Adismael Souza |
Dinner at the Packers
Sharon
and her friends joined us for dinner Sunday evening. It was nice to get to know
Katia and Crystal better. Paris is not a place you want to travel alone if you don’t
have to!
FREQUENT
CALLS BACK TO MY PARENTS
Because
of my father having struggled a little more this week, I have tried to call more
often to see how he’s doing. My mother’s gentle and very loving care for him,
as been so sweet for my sister and brother to witness. There is not doubt of the immense love they have for one another!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
At
this time of year, we often long for the things that bring us closer to one
another and to our Savior, Jesus Christ. Yet, why would Christmas time be the time
we focus more on this need to draw nearer to loved ones and our Savior, when
these are the two most important relationships that we need more than ever all
year long. What might each of us do to strengthen our relationships with each other,
our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ all year long? Our gifts to Him and our
loved ones might be more of a silent determination to look into our own hearts
to see Him more often in our lives by how we learn of Him, learn to be like Him,
and then all other relationships that are most near and dear will blossom, will
flourish, as we have put Him in the right place.
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| Photos from November's Mission Wide Conference with Elder De Feo - Three Paris Zones |
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| Photos from November's Mission Wide Conference with Elder De Feo - All other Zones |
Douce nuit! Saint
nuit! (Silent Night, Holy Night),
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
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