Packers France Paris Mission Blog 93

Packers in Paris Blog 93 – Dec 16^th – Dec 22^nd, 2019

ELDER AND SISTER KEVIN HAMILTON VISIT

Last Tuesday we had a welcomed visit from Elder and Sister Hamilton, from Salt Lake City. When we saw Elder Hamilton last November at the church office building, he mentioned that he would be touring the Lyon, France Mission and would like to make a special trip to Paris to see our center. Elder Hamilton is in the 1^st Quorum of Seventy and over Family History in the church, under Elder David A Bednar,

We were grateful for his visit and the three hours they spent with us in the center. Though it was closed to the public, as it was our Pday, it gave us ample time to discuss the direction of the center and what we have learned and are grateful to see this concept take hold, as it’s been very positive. We were also grateful for their wonderful ideas they shared about Family History and the great tool it is in every aspect.

Elder and Sister Hamilton and the Packers

Sister and Elder Hamilton visiting the church house at Saint-Merri!

STEVE & RENÉE’S ‘TWIN’ BIRTHDAYS

Having birthdays a day apart is quite convenient, though it may have its drawbacks too. We’ve had a fun time through the years celebrating together. We wouldn’t have it any other way!

Tuesday, December 17^th was Steve’s birthday and mine was the next day on the 18^th. These two days are when we became engaged as well. On Tuesday we had the visit with the Hamilton’s and then the next day on the 18^th, we had a special Zoom Conference with a group in Salt Lake, and then dinner in the evening with our bishop and his wife.

After our visit with Elder and Sister Hamilton, we came home and I grabbed my new camera, (needing to still break it in) and went outside to find someone to take a photo of both of us, not using a cell phone this time! 😉 If I could’ve only been on the other end of the camera, I would have fixed the things I didn’t like! Oh well!

The problem is who to ask to take the photo? You don’t turn your camera, or cell phone for that matter, to just anyone walking by, or it could be the last time you see it!

As I was checking out a place to have someone take our photo, a young adult woman looked at me like I should’ve known her. I went up to her and began to speak with her and found out that she is a member of our church. She’s from Uruguay, and her name is Lucia Martinez. She was such a delightful young woman and it made her happy to see missionaries in Paris. We were grateful for this sweet tender mercy! I gave her a 30 second explanation of how and where to focus and shoot several pictures. We were grateful to have a moment to get to know her and then she was in a hurry to get back to her group. She was here on vacation with her college friends.

We enjoyed a lovely evening together and felt it was important to slow down on this day for just a moment to honor and celebrate 42 years since our engagement!

ZOOM CONFERENCE FOR SPECIAL VIDEO FILMING IN JANUARY

Last Wednesday, we had a zoom conference with Roland Léporé (the man who knows how to work miracles like none other), and Mike Madsen who is an Instructional Designer/Senior Product Manager at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who manages the filming of the Face to Face events and other media for the church. We discussed the plans for their trip to Paris in January from Salt Lake City, and with a Frankfurt video team, to film training videos for future centers like ours.

There will be several individuals and couples interviewed (local church leaders and our mission president and his wife), including our missionaries and others who have benefited from the center.

We have our work cut out to make sure everyone is ready with their personal interview as it will be extremely helpful for the blessing of this work!

Mike Madsen and Roland Léporé (our miracle worker) 

DINNER WITH SCOTT AND BECKY STONEHOCKER & THEIR APARTMENT BREAK-IN

Scott Stonehocker is our new bishop and he and his wife, Becky, invited us earlier to come to dinner on December 18^th at their home. On the evening of the 17^th their apartment was broken into and several precious items had been stolen, one of which was a set of priceless pearl earrings that had been given to them by Scott’s mother who just passed away a few months ago, to be given to their first-born daughter.

Their hearts were sickened by it and decided getting out of their rummaged apartment from those who broke in, would be best and to just go out to eat. We insisted that they didn’t have to take us out and not to worry. They insisted even more that they wanted to take us out and get their minds off of their misfortune.

We enjoyed a beautiful and heartwarming visit that night. One beautiful thing about French restaurants is they encourage you to visit and spend all the time you want. They never make you feel rushed.

This gave us a beautiful opportunity to discuss with them about how they can help us in a special way by participating in the filming next month. They were more than happy to participate! They are remarkable people and they have quite a responsibility in Paris as Scott serves as Bishop. 

The Stonehockers treated us to dinner for our birthdays, though it wasn't originally meant for that since they didn't know, but they were excited to make it special for us! 

Packers with Becky and Scott Stonehocker

TENDER PHONE VISIT WITH MY PARENTS

It’s hard to see your parents get older while you are away! I knew they would, of course, I knew that it wouldn’t be easy to be gone knowing that one of them could pass or fall very ill, or not remember who we are when we return, but we knew what the Lord wished us to do!

Calling my parents nearly every night now has been most tender. As my father is nearing his time, his voice has always been tender to me, as has my mother’s, but knowing that my time with my father is diminishing I cherish every moment that I can hear his loving voice and converse with him. Often I will speak French with him and he will perk right up and amaze me with his love and command of this beautiful language.

The love that my father shares as we speak is with such tenderness that my heart is filled with so much gratitude for him. My mother cares so sweetly for him, taking care of all of his personal and physical needs, though they have started this past week on hospice care for my father, as it is getting harder and harder to care for him and all his needs. He may be slowly regressing but his love and warmth gives me so much joy while speaking with him as much as possible.

I am continually grateful for my mother and her care for my dad, and also for my sister, Ann, who is there multiple times a day, and for my brother Alan who goes a couple of times a month. It takes a special human being (I will call angelic) to care for every needful thing and your own needs of your family, with aged parents, and this is what Ann has been doing for them!

Elden and Picola Wood - taken in November 2019 in Burley, Idaho

Elden Wood - my father! I took this while we were in Utah for the wedding in November, but took a day to visit them in Idaho!

Picola Wood - my dear mother! 

STEVE’S MOTHER IS NEARLY 97 AND STILL DOING CONSIDERABLY WELL

Steve, on the other hand, is not able to call his mother because her hearing is pretty much gone and she doesn’t hear the phone when it rings, and has a hard time hearing any conversation. We were told to not worry until we return, but he writes beautiful letters to his mother. She is so grateful for the incredible and honorable man he is and for his posterity. We love her and pray her health stays strong as long as possible. We look forward to seeing her when we return, as we didn’t see her during Becca’s wedding festivities. She lives in Farmington, New Mexico.

Steve's mother, Audrey Packer (middle), with her youngest son, Scott on the left, then next Anita Herway, then on the right of her is our daughter, Camille and on the far right, Suzanne Stott, the oldest daughter! They were attending the wedding of Sheridan Packer, Scott's youngest daughter. 

Alyssa Packer (Scott Packer's daughter) standing next to her Grandma Audrey Packer

CAROLING AND MAKE A MARK ON THE MAP

Last Friday, I joined our district for a little bit to carol with them in front of the center. Not too far into the singing, a family from Utah stopped and listened to us.

Our awesome district!

Utah tourists who stopped to listen to us sing Christmas Carols!

     Trying a new idea!

This week we began a new idea we’ve been planning for some time, and finally got the map and board to put it on. The missionaries invited those going own the street to tell them where their family’s origin is from. It was amazing how many people liked this and would stop and put their pin on the map and discuss their story and then some even wanted to know what our center was about and would register for some of it’s courses! The missionaries loved it as well.

Elders Kimball and Niederhauser contacting outside the center with the map to find your family's origin!

People would mark on the map where their family originated from

Elders Nelson and Brown helping two friends who came in to register in the center!

MENTAL HOSPITAL VISIT TO SEE A YOUNG SINGLE ADULT

We didn’t know what to expect when we were asked to bring two big bags to one of the Young Single Adults we know well, who is now in a mental hospital. It took us quite a bit of time to get there through the craziness of the transportation strike, but we made it. Our hearts were broken as we spoke with her, to see the change that has come over her. There is no other interaction with her, except by the nurses who only say, “All you have to do is take your medication!” She needs so much more but doesn’t even know it or expect it!

We weren’t allowed to stay long, but our hearts were broken to see her decline so much in such a short amount of time. Her mind isn’t at all what it has been in the past! She has lost so much hope and peace of whom to rely on, that being our Savior, Jesus Christ! Our prayers will continue to be with her!

This was the front of the Mental Hospital, but we had to go through a dark path to find her building! 

ECLAIREZ LE MONDE MUSICAL EVENING & BUFFET

After our visit to the hospital, we headed to an event far away in another direction, a fundraiser for SDJ SOLIDARITÉ! This community volunteer group is run by members of our church who are accomplishing so much good through helping refugees. Our dear friend, Georgette, is one of the members of the advisory board and puts this event on every year. It’s a big deal and by the time we made it she was concerned that fewer would be attending, because of the strike. By the time it was halfway through her seats were all filled and it was a great success! We were amazed at the sheer amount of work to pull this event off. Georgette is remarkable to say the least!

During the event, I was able to talk to several key people for the upcoming filming that we needed a personal visit with to explain what they needed to be preparing for. It was extremely helpful.

Arc de Triomphe and Champs Elysées, on our way to the event!

Sister and Brother Cruz - on the board of the SDJ

Georgette and her two little friends! 

Johnathan Tomasini - one of the performers, playing the guitar and singing! He was at the end and we had to leave early! 

SABBATH BLESSINGS AND VENEZ ET VOYEZ – LESSON NOT TO FORGET

Today, being the Sunday before Christmas, was just one-hour church, but also Venez et Voyez (Come and See) for those not of our faith. We had a beautiful program that filled the room with the reason for the celebration of Christmas where we honor our Savior, Jesus Christ and hopefully throughout the year!

Our District singing! 

The Britton Family!

Rosemary, Max and Charlotte! 

     Lesson not to forget

Near the end the bishop stood up and shared the lessons he learned from their recent loss and intrusion into their apartment. He said that he could’ve so easily felt anger with whoever had done this to them, constantly looking and perhaps even blaming every person he saw, thinking it could’ve been them. He instead chose to let it go, feel the spirit of the love of the Savior and His atonement and allow it to heal their hearts. What better message could have been given at a time and in a place where much is stolen, and we have to choose to change hearts for better or worse. If we can only remember to choose a better road because the Savior made it possible!

FRIENDS FROM UTAH CHURCH AND SUNDAY DINNER

Our dear friends, Jackie and Jonny Ward and their four children arrived in Paris earlier last week and came to church on Sunday and then over to our apartment for dinner afterwards. I had prepared everything the day before so that it was an easy warm-up. Their family was so dear after walking an hour to church in the rain this morning and yet got there on time! That speaks so highly of them!

Jonny and Jackie Ward Family from Layton, UT

Jackie and Jonny are very musically talented, and their children are so fun and easy to get along with. We have always appreciated how generously Jackie and Johnny give of their time and talents, literally! We were thrilled to have this time with them.

On our way over to the apartment, I took them through the Christmas Market at the plaza of Hotel de Ville where there are two free Merry-Go-Rounds and other fun things to look at! I just had to take a few snaps that would be memorable for them. We loved getting to know their great children and the fun things that await them!

 

Visiting our Center after church! I held them captive to hear what we do! 

Jackie and myself!

SPECIAL INSERT PHOTO BELOW

Sunday evening was a fireside that none of us could attend, because of the transportation strike! Bishop Gérald Caussé (second from the right) is standing with former Stake Presidents and the current one, President Loisel.

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

As Steve and I spend our last Christmas here in Paris, we look back at how much the Lord has blessed and watched over us and our family. He has been a part of our mission in every breath we take and in every step we walk. We may have failed Him at times, if we have not done things quite the way we should have, but He has been there to gently guide us back to a better way, the way that brings more light to the purpose of our work here and our lives in general and what the Lord expects of us at all times This is the pattern of our lives! We find joy in this journey, no matter what pain or sorrow anyone may encounter, we choose and we decide how we will react, how to bring joy to others instead of waiting for joy to come to us. This is what brings us joy in this journey of life, whether it’s in Paris, or in Utah or wherever we live.

We testify that the Lord knows us personally and His greatest wish is that we turn to Him, turn to receive His direction and light in our lives so that we may one day return to Him and be in His presence. We wish each of you a very Merry and Joyous Christmas and a New Year that will reflect your desires to always turn to Him.  

Premier Noël (The First Noel),

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
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