Packers France Paris Mission Blog 97

Packers in Paris Blog 97 – Jan 13^th – Jan 19^th, 2020

COUNTLESS MOMENTS OF JOY AND TENDER MEMORIES

Knowing that our time left is just around the corner, we can’t help but reflect on the countless experiences we have had these past two years. They will be etched forever in our hearts. Please forgive any sentimentality shown in our blog posts the next few weeks!

PDAY TUESDAY

We usually discuss beforehand what our plans are for our PDays, but I knew with all we had yet to do, there was no doubt it would be to carry on with our list of to dos! I was grateful when Steve, on our Pday last week, said, “Today, I would like to use this day to enjoy a couple of sites of Paris!”

Though it was cold, we set off all bundled up and ready to be slightly adventurous! Almost every day we go past Notre Dame, where they have made a wonderful exhibition on the outer protective walls of Notre Dame, sharing photos and descriptions of the renovation project underway. This time, though, we took the opportunity to read the panels and take photos and then I put together a brief video. The video below doesn’t depict everything or all in order, but hopefully it will give you a brief glimpse of what is happening! It gives us solace knowing the great efforts that are going on to bring Notre Dame back to its better self! 

CLICK HERE TO SEE A BRIEF VIEW OF THE EXHIBIT

Photo that I took showing the walls of the exhibit! 

Afterwards we took off to walk on the grounds of the Louvre Museum, down through the Tuileries Garden, and a nice walk down Champs Élysées one last time! Steve had not yet gone to Five Guys to try their famous fries, which is on Champs Élysées, and so I told him he must! After doing so, he agreed that it was worth the stop and the extra ‘?’ lbs. we may have gained! I have never had them in the states, so they may not compare there to here, but we’ll have to try!

CLICK HERE FOR A BRIEF VIEW OF OUR LITTLE ADVENTURE

This was just a small portion of what they really gave us!

SELF RELIANCE COURSES BACK IN FULL SWING

We have been trying for 7 months to get the Self-Reliance courses started at Saint-Merri and finally this last Tuesday evening, they were launched with our new facilitators. Though other areas have them, it was vital to have these much closer for all those who register.

Tuesday and Wednesday night were two different courses for, “Find a Better Job” and then “Personal Finance.”  We were grateful for the good turn out! This was so important to us prior to our leaving. We attended both classes very briefly for a special announcement and to take a photo! 

Georgette Lalaus facilitating the course for, "Find a Better Job!" She was subbing for Alain Kheeroo

CelineL, far right front facilitating the, "Personal Finance" course

PEACE THAT COMES WITHOUT EXPLANATION!

We have often found that even though we have reason to be a bit anxious about leaving our mission and turning it over to another couple, I was most grateful for the peace that I had been feeling for days prior to a long awaited decision from our President concerning our replacement. We knew that all would be well and that we could not doubt the Lord’s direction. After speaking with our Mission President, he shared some good news! I knew the Lord was blessing us with the peace we needed, even though things weren’t exactly how we had hoped, we trusted in Him and his plan and timing!

The Mission President told us that a couple would be coming in April and seemed to be a great fit! The President has since called them and we will be speaking with them Tuesday evening as well, and then will give them training once we return home! Meanwhile the Maxwells will take care of the center until then.

BLESSINGS AND SUPPORT IN SALT LAKE CONTINUE TO TAKE PLACE

Roland Léporé shared with us his informative and personal meeting with Elder Hamilton last week and the helpful support coming from him as well. Roland Léporé, Mike Madsen and David Clare left last Saturday for several assigned areas in Europe, prior to coming to Paris this coming Thursday and Friday, along with the team from Frankfurt for the filming project.

DEPARTING AND NEW MISSIONARIES AT SAINT-MERRI

We were grateful to have our last time in saying farewell to the departing missionaries and hello to all the new missionaries who come into Saint-Merri. The new missionaries always come for a joint meeting where they find out who their new companions are. We don’t attend that meeting but we help and guide them when they first arrive and make sure luggage from departing missionaries and newly arriving missionaries go in the right place. I try to always take photos of the incoming new missionaries out on the courtyard of the church.

Sister Madsen, Elders Thomas and Belka

Elders Carlson, Vincenzi, Koshiol, Monlux, McGrew

Sisster McOmber and Sister Tulieva (the one departing)

Elders Patrick and LaFrance (Assistants to the President)

THE LORD IS IN THE SMALL AND SIMPLE DETAILS OF OUR MISSION

Why would the Lord care about timing and a small package to be picked up? There was no doubt, after our brief experience, that He is so aware of our time in our day. We had a made a small order and chose a pickup location that was close on our way to the center, but the company moved it to another pick-up location. Knowing our time was important, we ventured to find the location. We had been told it had already been delivered at this location (a good 20 minutes away via metro and walking).

When we entered the retrieval place, it was a bit mind-blowing with what seemed to be a million of varied sized packages and boxes EVERYWHERE in total disarray (that’s what it appeared to us). We asked them about our package, showing them our paper with details and they looked it up and said it was not there! But, with no hesitancy she looked outside and stated, “It’s in there,” a truck unloading the next shipment into their already disorganized mess! We then saw them bring in stacks and stacks of boxes and 3 very, very large yellow clear bags of small packages.

Letting them know it was a small item (a baggage scale), they started to dump the contents of one of the very large bags and the woman picked up the first thing she saw and looked at it and saw it had our name on it! We were ALL shocked! I told them it was a miracle! Out of hundreds of small packages to go through, which would’ve taken a very long time, the Lord allowed it to be found immediately, showing us He is in the small and even the insignificant details of our lives. But, because our time is precious, we knew how much He cared! We left feeling extremely blessed over this simple and small package!

Just one little section of the hundreds and hundreds of boxes not yet put in a proper place (is there a proper place)! 

This pile on the floor, doesn't even begin to describe the mega packages in the bags and all over! 

DISTRICT COUNCIL WITH OUR NEW ZONE LEADER, ELDER DUNN

We are always so grateful how things move forward with change! It has given us trust that through all the changes, the things that matter most will be enhanced and allow us to grow. Elder Dunn filled in the empty gap from when Elder Jones left (who has been given approval to come back for the filming this week). Elder Sun was put with Elder Poulin and then Elders Farnsworth and Dunn are now Zone Leaders.

It was an inspiring District meeting and Elder Poulin continues to guide us with great thoughts to enhance our mission focus. We’ve been so proud of his growth and love for this work! Since he and Elder Sun are both Mandarin speaking Elders, we were so grateful Elder Sun was not removed from our District, though he’s been here the longest of any missionary we know of since we’ve been here (a total of 13 months). It’s because of his command of the Chinese language and French that has kept him here. His father is Chinese and so that helps, but his French is superb as well! There’s a great deal of Chinese people here and Elder Sun is very needed. But, most importantly he has become an incredible missionary for what we are doing here! He has been here at Saint-Merri from before our new Family Resource Center even started, and has seen all the changes and sees the power and inspiration of what is happening here. 

Bowen is holding his baby sister, Rose with their Dad! She's grandchild # 27! Nothing is more precious than a new born and their sibling looking with such admiration! We pray that she continues to do well!

Elders Farnsworth, Dunn, Poulin, Sun, and Sisters Lofgreen, Moon, Seversen, Allred

TRAINING ELDER DUNN WITH ELDER FARNSWORTH

We were grateful to have some time after District Council to update and train Elder Dunn on the history and direction of our center. It’s very important that the new members of our District understand and know how we are doing things differently here! He was absolutely so enthused and loved everything we shared. Just the very next day, he and Elder Farnsworth were contacting in front of the center, and brought in 4 people to register. Afterwards he said, “I LOVE this!” They are having great success!

THE SISTER MISSIONARY HEARTS ARE BLOSSOMING TOO!

Last Friday, I had a sweet visit with the Sister Training Leaders, Sisters Lofgreen and Moon. After we were finished with our meeting, both of these dear sisters began to express the great love of the new direction of the center and what a big difference it has made in them and with their work here and those they contact. They said that everyone they talk to now is a positive experience. They have helped people who would have never listened to the gospel, but later did when the approach was to help and serve them. It changes all of our hearts when that is the case! Bless these dear sisters!

BABY ROSE COMES HOME!

After 12 long days of being in the NICU, baby Rose Rebecca Packer came home, still with oxygen tubes connected, but they are so happy for all four family members to be together! She is doing quite well, other than her oxygen connection. Emma is healing from her C Section and loves having her family all home. We can’t wait to hold and love this dear little angel in our arms, and all of our littles and parents! 

SUNDAY BLESSINGS

We were so happy to see Charlotte and Max come to church! With the transportation strikes and cold weather, it’s not easy to get out with a small child. I was proud of her for coming out and giving us a chance to see one another and hopefully we’ll be able to again before we leave! Max is growing up so fast and will be turning one in a little over a week. His sweet and happy demeanor has not changed. He warms our hearts and fills the gap and longing to be with our dear grandchildren and family!

We have loved studying Preach My Gospel, with the Book of Mormon at home and in our lessons at church. The lesson Sunday was a powerful one and it really captured Charlotte’s heart! As we studied about the Tree of Life, Charlotte said that she could now relate with Lehi and the delicious fruit, and wanting his posterity to partake and taste of it’s sweetness. Since she is a mother, she too wants what is best for her son. She would like him, too, to taste of the fruit and to hold tightly to the iron rod…It’s a powerful story, and one that has such beautiful and poignant symbolism. 

Depiction of the Tree of Life taken from the study manual on line!

Me with dear Charlotte and precious Max (our honorary grandchild #27)

 MISSION SENIOR COUPLE PHOTOS

Who would brave the cold to get a final photo with the Eiffel Tower?  I guess I would, and then my dear husband is always up to pleasing his wife’s wishes.  And then our bishop’s wife, Becky Stonehocker, came to take the photos so willingly! We met up on top of the Tracadero Plaza with the Eiffel Tower in the background. The cold kept us from staying too long!

After we were done there was a couple who had asked if I could take their photo with their cell phone and then Becky offered to do it so that we could go home. What we later found out via Becky, is that the man was asking his girlfriend’s hand in marriage. Becky got to take photos of this grand event. How I wish now we would have stayed to witness this!

PHONE CALL FROM JARON AND JACOB PACKER – SWEET SURPRISES!

Sunday evening, we received an unexpected phone call (the best kind) from our son, Jaron Packer and their oldest son, Jacob. We’re so proud of Jacob (11 yeas old), who has a rare disease, called MPS6 (Mucoplysaccharidosis type VI), diagnosed at 3.5 years of age. He goes weekly to Primary Children’s Hospital in Salt Lake and will for the rest of his life, and goes through an all-night infusion procedure. Even with his disabilities he has become an amazing golfer!

When they called, he had several announcements that he wanted to share with us! One by one, he shared with us first that he went to the temple for the first time to do baptisms (as he received the Aaronic Priesthood last week), and second, he was able to pass the sacrament this past Sunday. These above are of more value to him than anything else. But here’s the last item…

Finally, due to his regular interaction with the Children's Hospital (over 500 visits and 1200 IV attempts) and his passion for golf, The Children's Miracle Network and Play Yellow have asked him to come to Orlando to help raise money for Children's Hospitals at the PGA Merchandise Show and on the Golf Channel. :) – He’ll be there for five days with his dad. He’ll be interviewed by the Golf Channel and able to golf as much as he wishes at any of the golf courses of his choice and will also spend a day at Disneyworld! He’s a bit stoked for this opportunity!

Jacob Packer with his Dad, Jaron, unveiling the big surprise! They left Monday for this great adventure! Jacob in his regular weekly set up at Primary Children's Hospital!

PHONE VISITS WITH MY PARENTS AND THINKING OF AUDREY PACKER!

Every evening, before going to bed, I call my parents. With each passing day, they have become more and more tender and very special to me. Not knowing how many days I have with them and knowing my dad’s health has been very fragile, I wanted to not lose a minute of the opportunity to hear their voices and have a brief conversation with them. My mother always puts our call on speaker phone so my father can hear my voice and then we’ll sometimes visit that way, or I will then speak just with my dad after a visit with my mother. 

No matter how my father might really be feeling, you would never know it by the sound of his voice. He is so pleasant, so sweet, and always asks me how our work here is going. He loves to make humorous remarks that make me laugh and gladden my heart!

We look forward to visiting with Steve’s mother, Audrey Packer, who is so extraordinary at her age (almost 97) and still mows her own lawn and is doing quite amazing! She just can’t hear and so we can’t call her as she won’t hear the phone ring, but Steve often writes her letters. We’ll somehow make things work once we get home to go visit her. The Packer family is throwing a 97th birthday party for her in May, as they don’t know if she could possibly make the trip where most of us are, for her 100^th, if she lives that long. This party will be at the clubhouse where we live!

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Steve and I finished the Book of Mormon again on this day, 1-21-20, the day that I'm writing and didn't want to wait till next week's blog. As we concluded reading the last page, our hearts burned within us again and again of the truthfulness of this book of scripture. Below are a few of our favorite verses from this chapter.

Book of Mormon - Chapter 10

3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

6 And whatsoever thing is good is just and true; wherefore, nothing that is good denieth the Christ, but acknowledgeth that he is.

32 Yea, come unto Christ, and be perfected in him, and deny yourselves of all ungodliness; and if ye shall deny yourselves of all ungodliness, and love God with all your might, mind and strength, then is his grace sufficient for you, that by his grace ye may be perfect in Christ; and if by the grace of God ye are perfect in Christ, ye can in nowise deny the power of God.

33 And again, if ye by the grace of God are perfect in Christ, and deny not his power, then are ye sanctified in Christ by the grace of God, through the shedding of the blood of Christ, which is in the covenant of the Father unto the remission of your sins, that ye become holy, without spot.

Oui, je crois en Christ (I Believe in Christ),

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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