Packers France Paris Mission Blog 94

Packers in Paris Blog 94 – Dec 23^rd – Dec 29^th, 2019

QUICK INTERVIEW WITH PRESIDENT SORENSEN

With much to do prior to our departure, some of these items needed to be discussed with our Mission President. He was at Saint Merri on Monday doing interviews with his missionaries. We were able to sneak 15 important minutes with him. He’s always so kind and willing to listen when you can catch him. Our prayers are with him as he makes crucial decisions for the mission and still run the show as if no pressure rests upon his back! His smile and genuine love is the key!

It was fun to see the Bourges District, with Sisters Uboldi and Popoca, and catch up with them. They were excited to have Christmas morning from the packages that Steve brought to them from Sister Uboldi's family we brought back with us.

The Bourges District at  Saint Merri for interviews

Packers right after meeting with President Sorensen at Saint Merri

PDAY RUSH, DINNER AT THE HALLS & CHRISTMAS EVE

We used much of our Pday for catching up on needed items. Steve did some cleaning and grocery shopping, while I accomplished necessary items in the apartment and then made our appetizer for the John and Renee Hall gathering this night. We divided and conquered and by the time we needed to leave for the Halls we were ready to enjoy the evening with them.

Though the Halls had moved to Washington DC in June of this last year, they have kept their home in Paris and we had been made aware they were coming back during the holidays. They were so generous to follow their tradition of having missionaries over for Christmas Eve.

It was like old times going to their home and to the loving embrace of dear friends. They are remarkable people who have been through some difficult challenges lately and have come up stronger and more resilient. They had lived here in Paris for nearly 20 years and moving back to the States has not been easy for many reasons. They are adjusting. We loved knowing that our last Christmas Eve in Paris was with our dear missionaries and the Halls. 

The beloved sisters from the Paris District! 

The awesome Elders from the Paris District! 

Home made fudge from Renee Hall's mother's prized recipe! 

A bit of mayhem, but the show must go on! Beautiful night with the Christmas story and singing hymns!

Our district in costume!

Our wonderful Paris District!

John and Renee Hall with the Packers and Hugo!

Arc de Triomphe and Eiffel Tower by the Hall's home!

CHRISTMAS DAY – A TIME TO SEE TRUE RELIGION

It was lovely sleeping in on Christmas morning. After getting ready we prepared our traditional breakfast (as close as we could get here in Paris), then we then set out to accomplish one of our goals for that day. Every day we see countless homeless individuals in the freezing cold. We can’t judge their circumstance, as we have no idea what has brought them there, but our showing and expressing love to them through kindness and small help is always valuable!

We had put together some fruit bags and coins to take around to some of these homeless people we see daily. What we loved seeing were the acts of charity that was all around us. This isn’t the only time we see this either, but it was quite beautiful on this cold Christmas day!

One dear woman that we had donated something to, reached out with so much love in her eyes and grabbed my hand to thank me. I pray she felt of our love for her and that we can more often fill our hearts with extra love through a genuine smile, caring actions and in our offerings. There are many who are in great need, and there are many ways we can help. 

This is the same woman who reached out to hold my hand ! 

The thoughts of pure religion struck me as we walked around witnessing Christlike love and heartwarming service from every religion, every organization and from amazing people throughout! This is what pure religion is: James 1:27 "Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. "

I then wondered if we could only truly comprehend how blessed each of us are to be able to share His light all year long?

Manger Nativity scenes from Bethlehem!

We bought this sweet little manger scene instead of the expensive larger ones that we would not have had room for anyway! 

One of my favorite art pieces, Innocence by William-Adope Bouguereau

PHONE/VIDEO VISITS WITH FAMILY

If there is ever great anticipation as a mother of a missionary out in the field, or parents as senior missionaries, it is to video chat with your family. This is what made Christmas for us!!! No gifts can compensate for these special times with family!

We had scheduled everyone’s time to call. Camille had to make last minute changes as to when she was calling and we put her on the end of the list (will explain shortly).

It was as joyous as always, except for the fact, it wasn’t long enough. We only have so many hours in the day that everyone is up and awake before we go to bed. They each loved to tell us what they got for Christmas and show us how it works. There was joyful glee with every call and somehow we wished we could’ve jumped through the phone to give everyone a big hug.

It was wonderful to visit with my parents as well. They are always such a joy to talk to, with their love and sweet demeanor!

CHRISTMAS DAY LOSS – WE LOVE & HONOR STEVE DUCKWORTH

The time came for us to call Camille and she quickly had us take it off the video. I could see for a split moment they were driving. I asked her if everything was ok, and she then began to tell me what had happened that morning on Christmas. Our hearts were sickened as she related the sad tale.

Camille’s husband, Duck’s (Brandon) father had a stroke and had quickly called out for help. Linda, Duck’s mom, quickly went in to find him not very responsive. She quickly called 911. He passed away at the hospital shortly thereafter. Camille and her family all got ready, putting aside all plans for Christmas day and took the 12-hour drive to Utah, where they had just been a month earlier for the wedding.

Our hearts were saddened, as we think of this wonderful and good man, at the age of 70, gone and leaving a big hole in his family and Linda’s daily life and heart. Steve was an active man, even though his health was not good, he loved his family, loved scouting, loved sports and fishing. We are so grateful for the remarkable man Steve was, that doubly spilled over to the amazing son in law, Duck, who is married to our daughter, Camille!

There is no doubt though that Steve is enjoying being with his parents, his son who had died over 9 years ago and that he is now free of pain, and he has his leg back! For all of these, we can rejoice because of our Savior, Jesus Christ, who overcame all so that we may still live! 

Steve and Linda

Steve and Linda with Duck on the left and Gavin on the right

Steve and Linda with all their grandchildren

MAPPING OUT OUR NEXT 6 WEEKS BEFORE RETURNING HOME

Though we have had long lists of all that needs to be done before we leave, we sat down last Thursday to put it all in two lists (one personal and the other for our mission) and categorized them and mark their importance with an A, B and C, also marking each with one of our names next to a task assignment. There is a lot to cram into the next 6 weeks, but we are grateful for the guided plan! We have no doubt that even with disruptions it will all work out. We do believe in miracles!

CONTACTING INFRONT OF THE CENTER

Today was a day I had so much to do at the apartment with our work, that I stayed home instead and Steve went to the center. It was able to get a lot done and grateful for Steve’s help.

During this time, we had Elde Von Niederhauser, who will be finishing his mission next week and has served so faithfully throughout his mission. We have seen his cheerful and amazing countenance bless the lives of so many. He will be missed. We only see him at different conferences and when he comes to contact in front of the center for us.

Elders Parkinson and Rangassamy contacting infront of the center with a map, asking people where their origins are from and then they would place a pin in their place of origin. The missinoaries have loved this experience!

Elder Packer with Elders Von Niederhauser and Kimball

Elder Packer with Elder Von Niederhauser

FUNERAL FOR STEVE DUCKWORTH AND THE GIFTS OF KINDNESS

Once our children heard the sad news, they rallied together and put together the most thoughtful handmake gifts and funds in a matter of just two days to help lift the spirits of the Duckworth family. Our hearts were filled with so much gratitude for these sweet offerings and for those who were able to attend the viewing or the funeral to show their support at a difficult time. Since we were not able to attend, my sister, Lucie and her husband, Barry attended the viewing knowing how much we would’ve liked to have been there. We were grateful also that Nathan and Dixie also attended the viewing and then other of our children attended the funeral. Our thoughts and prayers will continue with the entire Duckworth family! 

Steve and Linda Duckworth

We love this family of ours! 5 of our 8 children were there and another came at the viewing and two were unable to attend.

Becca Packer Lattin, Janine Packer Hunsaker, Shalamar and Brent Packer, Emma and Austin Packer, Camille Packer Duckworth (Duck was off helping, no doubt)

Pall bearers at the Internment

Cutting board by Brent Packer of Steve and Linda Duckworth

Art work by Becca Packer Lattin (Christ with Steve and Darrin)

SABBATH BLESSINGS AND A SABBATH MIRACLE

Sunday was a beautiful, spirit filled day! There was a wonderful feeling of camaraderie one with another and we witnessed others reaching out to those who are new or who need a friendly hand/hug. This is how it needs to be in all neighborhoods, in all church’s and organizations, to just feel like you belong, the first or hundredth time!

We began to gather names of those in the ward who were signing up for the upcoming Self-Reliance courses starting mid-January and were thrilled to see the interest. One is for helping the person to find better employment, and the other is to help with personal finance. These free courses are for anyone, no matter! They have proven to be extremely beneficial.

     A sabbath day miracle

As I came over to the center after gathering the signed papers, we began to start on some of our tasks and then about 2:30 we had a visitor come inside the center. It was our friend, whom we had just visited just over a week ago at the Mental Hospital. This 29-year-old woman had escaped and walked a very long distance in the cold to come towards Paris. Her mother and family are in the States and the only place she could come to was our center, where she hoped it would be open. Though we were closing in an hour, we ended up sitting with her for 3 hours, doing all we could to convince her to go back.

Our obligation was to help get her back, and especially since she had no money, no ID, nothing but the clothes on her back. I had been speaking on the phone with members of the RS presidency and Bishopric, all of them encouraging us to guide her back to the hospital. We did everything we could to encourage her to let us take her back, to call the hospital and have them pick her up, but nothing was working.

Finally, our dear friend, Marie-Line came over by chance seeing that we were still inside and tried everything she could to convince her. She still did not want to go back, but something finally snapped with her when my husband offered for us to pay for a taxi to take her back without us. She actually finally agreed to that, knowing full well, she could be dropped off at any point and run away again. We knew it was a long shot, but with a blessing my husband had given her earlier after she came in and all of our prayers in her behalf, we had to give it our best prayer. We had her promise to give us a call from the hospital when she arrived nearly an hour later.

Sure enough, seeing the number of the hospital, she called us to let us know she made it back and then called the next day to assure us she was still there. We were relieved and knew that a miracle had occurred. There are many more needed miracles in her life, as she has a long way to go, but being out in the streets of Paris during the cold winter, with nothing to help you and not be in contact with anyone, was not the way to go, no matter what age you are. We are certain that the Lord loves her and has confidence in her healing at some point and that angels were are with her!

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

Through these past nearly 22 months, we have become acquainted with many people along the way, as we walk to the center, or to varied restaurants or other places of frequency. We have no doubt that they feel of our genuine love for them and that they feel they can trust us and desire a sweet friendship. We will miss them, we will hope to find ways of staying in contact, through Facebook or other ways. It is one small connection of someone that they can feel a sense of hope in something that is of good worth.

We pray that what we have experienced here can be something that we will continue to do more of than ever before and begin to notice more and more th faces that may think they have no worth and help them to know differently. These faces and human beings are everywhere, and everyone needs a welcoming and loving smile, a hello or a real conversation. Our religious name tag does not scare people, it actually gives others hope that Jesus Christ is loving and generous through OUR actions. Isn’t this something we can all do with everyone, at any time? These individuals have given us hope that we can reach out to all humans with more confidence as we approach them with love and with genuineness!

He is ever mindful of you and prays for you! 3 Nephi 17:17 "...no one can conceive of the joy which filled our souls at the time we heard him (Jesus) pray for us unto the Father."

Our name tags can actually give peace to other and a testimony of Jesus Christ, if we wear it with love and comforting actions towards others! 

Ecoutez le chant des anges (Hark the Herald Angels),

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