BLOG 10 - DEC 12th -18th , 2022
CENTER LOCATION SEARCH IN OLD TOWN LYON
We’ve been given
permission to start searching for a possible center location in Old Town Lyon.
This was not our idea but was brought up by President Léporé to President Rubén V. Alliaud during our
mission wide conference last month. While they were walking through Old Town, President
Léporé mentioned to him how much this area could use a Community Resource Center
in Lyon, similar to the one that we had started in Paris. President Alliaud was
very keen on the idea, and asked President Léporé to write up a proposal to the
Area Office in Frankfurt. Old Town Lyon is an amazing place where hundreds gather.
It would be fabulous to have a center there.
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| Cathedral Saint Jean Square in Old Town Lyon |
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| One possibility of a center option. |
Luckily the church works
with realtors to help in this search, but we were asked to begin the process.
It may be months before anything happens with a proposal, as there are steps to
happen prior.
Now, it’s a waiting game, as we also move things along with the Lyon Stake for Sharing Church Resources without a center.
NEW APARTMENT SEARCH
President Léporé also asked
Elder and Sister Gannaway to help us begin the search for a new apartment that
might be a bit easier to get to a center and/or closer to the office. Our current
apartment also had a few functional concerns. We were told when we moved in
that if it didn’t work, we could find another apartment.
We began an online search
but is it very crazy how it all works. So different than in the states.
A realtor has been assigned us to help with the search and actually start looking. Moving isn't an easy process nor starting up fresh in a new apartment that’s not furnished, but since we still have 16 months on our mission, it would help to do it now rather than later.
WOOD SIBS ZOOM CHAT AND THE FUNNIEST STORY
Four months ago, my
siblings and I began an official monthly Zoom chat with one another. It has
been wonderful since some of us are now in different states, and we are out of
the country on our mission for the time being. We’re also not getting younger, and
this is a precious time. We all agreed that our parents are smiling down upon
us for taking the time to stay connected this way.
It fed my soul to see
each of them and to hear how they are all doing. Sometimes we may hear of difficult
challenges that happen with family, and sometimes we’ll hear the funniest stories
that cause us to laugh hysterically.
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| My dear Wood Sibs, as we call ourselves. Alan, me, Ann, Claire, Lucie and Janine |
Through our conversations, my sister, Ann, shared a most hilarious story. Please forgive me for sharing this story, shared by my sister Ann, but it was much too rib-tickling not to. She had previously written this down from a very recent experience and read it to the whole group. Our imaginations went wild with what it must’ve really looked like. We hope you enjoy this comical relief, as much as we did!
With permission from my sister Ann Harper, to share with you.
“Do you remember about the squirrel that got in my basement and died? Well, another little furry friend got in the basement through the chimney again. Teague heard something bump down there (it knocked over the table lamp by the bed). I went down and couldn’t see or hear anything. The next morning, I heard something coming from the basement door. I slowly opened the door and there was my furry friend trying to chew a hole through the door. As soon as it saw me, it ran back downstairs. Teague thought surely, he could catch it, so he went downstairs banging on things and made a lot of noise. I told him maybe it’s afraid of dogs. Try barking instead of yelling. (I was staying upstairs where it was safe). I listened to him barking for half an hour. By then I wasn’t sure he would even be able to make it upstairs. So last night I spread some almonds on the floor by the back door and propped it open for the night. When I got up this morning almost all the nuts were eaten, and the squirrel was sitting by the back door finishing the last of them. As soon as it saw me it ran back downstairs. So marvelous Marty (son-in-law) came to the rescue. He got Teague’s fishing net out of the garage and Rachael, Marty, and I proceeded to the basement. We looked all over, pulled things out, and made lots of noise. Couldn’t see my little friend. Finally, I heard a little noise coming from the bookshelf. So, we pulled things out from the bookshelf and finally got a glimpse of him behind some of the books. So, we tried to block him on one side and marvelous Marty stood valiantly on the other end with his trusty fish net. I was leaning over pushing the books slowly towards Marty. The squirrel managed to jump out, run across my back and Rachael heard it run up the stairs. The door at the top of the basement was open. We all three then went upstairs and Rachael and I chased my little friend round and round the circle [we didn’t know who was chasing who] until Marty was able to catch it in his little fishnet. He took it outside and it ran right up the pine tree in the backyard. The end."
LYON SNOW THEN AND NOW – FIRST RECORDED SNOWBALL
FIGHT – (1896)
Prior to looking outside
our window, my daughter, Becca, sent me this link about the first recorded
snowball fight happening in Lyon France in 1896. I watched it and then my
husband told me that there was snow outside. Sure enough, there was 2-3 inches
of snow, something that doesn’t happen very often. It continued to be cold all
day and it would not melt. I’ll admit, the thought of looking for that specific
place from 1896 where the snowball fight happened intrigued me, and I thought
how fun it would be to recreate it between Steve and myself! Lol
“A black-and-white film of a snowball
fight in France from 1896 has been edited to add colours to it. The film, made
France, was shot by the famous Lumière brother Louis. The original video
is one of the first films ever made. It was speed-adjusted by the YouTube
channel Nineteenth century videos after which Joaquim Campa, 42, from
Barcelona, has coloured the video using AI technology.
The original film titled Bataille de
boules de neige or Snowball fight, was a short silent film featuring
a group of men and women engaging in a snowball fight on a street in Lyon,
France.”
ELDER AND SISTER POULSON ZOOM CHAT
We met Elder and Sister Poulson
at the MTC two months ago, who were heading to the Australia Perth Mission. As
they heard what our mission was about, they were very interested to know more. They
reached out to us this week to ask us a few questions, which we were happy to
share with them. We had a lovely visit, and they know if there are further
questions, who they can reach out to at Church Headquarters (our wonderful team). We wish them the
very best. They are amazing!
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| Sister and Elder Poulsen in Perth Australia |
STAKE COMMITTEE ZOOM FOR SCR
We were so pleased to finally meet, via zoom, with the Stake committee for Sharing Church Resources. Before it began, while waiting for everyone to come in the meeting, I noticed familiar names in the meeting, of Piere and Brigitte Brenders. This dear couple showed so much love to my parents and were dear friends. Brigitte crossed stitched a beautiful gift for my mother prior to their returning home from their mission and my mother eventually gave it to me. It stated, “Garde Un Chant Dans Ton Coeur Et Tes Jour Seront Remplie De Joie," ("Keep a song in your heart and your days will be filled with joy").
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| Brother and Sister Brenders on the top left were dear friends of my parents. They are so delightful. |
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| Brother and Sister Brenders |
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| This is the cross stitch (this is only part of it) that Sister Brenders made for my mother and my mother eventually gave it to me. |
SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM IN PERSON AT MISSION
OFFICE
We have such incredible
missionaries who oversee the social media for the mission. We needed to pick
their minds for ideas and also to share thoughts and ideas we had to about how to grow the SCR in the
mission and with the stakes. They were fabulous to give us some guidance and
great support. Though they are extremely busy, there are things within their
scope they are able to do for us.
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| Our wonderful mission social media team. We shared and discussed wonderful plans we hope to accomplish. |
WEEKLY DISTRICT MEETING
As we sit and listen in with
these amazing missionaries, we are in awe of their dedication, service and the
spirit of love for those they serve. We are learning much from them and
hopefully we are able to add a few of our own impressions, if we feel so
inclined, to the meeting, but only if we feel impressed to do so.
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| Our district meeting chat with these amazing missionaries! |
President Obrecht, the second
counselor in the Stake Presidency, is so busy, yet he never seems to be
bothered with the need to meet. He is the most perfect person to be overseeing
the direction of Sharing Church Resources for the Lyon Stake. He’s highly
enthused, and also has the vision and understanding. Our main purpose of this
meeting was to be able to help explain a few more thoughts and ideas to help move
things along at a good pace, as to not lose the focus and momentum. He’s right
there with us.
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| President Obrecht - 2nd counselor in the Stake Presidency |
WARD CHRISTMAS PARTY/TALENT SHOW
We were so impressed with the organization and output of this evening. They started out with a display of food that many brought, and later with dessert for afterwards.
The mingling started at
8:00 p.m. for nearly an hour and the program started at almost 9:00 p.m. They
like things late here we found.
There was a wide variety
of talent displayed, between missionaries’ musical numbers, to the Relief
Society singing a number, to families, couples and so on.
I was asked to give a message
on a family tradition. I chose to share about our tradition of Family Home
Evening and other daily devotions we hold dear. I even sang them a primary song
in French, Family Prayer, that our family would sing as we gathered in a circle
to kneel in family prayer.
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| More of my Celestial Sugar Cookies for the Ward Christmas Party. |
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| Social food served prior to the party. |
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| This Gingerbread house was one of the Talents displayed. |
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| Ephriam is making careful watch over the goodies! |
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| Sister Diatel, Elder Voisin, and Sister Davison singing a French Christmas song. |
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| President Jubault (Stake President) and his wife and two daughters doing a spoof dance from many clips of 80's music. It was the best part of the evening. |
BIRTHDAY VIDEO CALLS
Becca wins the prize for a
video chat two days in a row for our birthdays. Her family is sick and so were
all home reposing to hopefully get better, but still she called to wish us
well, visit with their darling children and just to wish us Happy Birthday. Henry
is now talking and can call me Mémé and Steve, Papa and Happy Dayday and much
much more! Nothing makes me smile more than to see our cute grandkids (all 30
cute grandkids) interact with us. Pure heaven!
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| Becca, Brian and Mason...Henry's close by! |
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| Here's the crew (with Becca's face cut off)! |
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| Henry is very loving with Mason...He seems to not mind the attention! They are so adorable! |
BIRTHDAYS AND 45 YEARS ENGAGEMENT ANNIVERSARY
45 years ago on Saturday,
December 17th, 1977 (Steve’s birthday), and Sunday, December 18th,
(Renée’s birthday), something very sweet took place.
We had only been dating
for 1 month and I would then be leaving in 2 weeks to go to BYU Study Abroad
for 6 months in Paris, France in January 1978.
On Saturday, December 17th,
Steve’s birthday, we went out on a date in Twin Falls, Idaho, because this particular
restaurant had a dance floor. During our evening, Steve knew he loved me but in
discussion he only shared his desire to continue our relationship once I got
back from France. At this point, I bravely told him that I needed to know if it
was right between us before I left for 6 months.
At this point, since Steve
already knew he wanted to marry me, he gave me the next two weeks to pray to know
if it’s what I felt was right.
So, who asked who? After a beautiful evening together, that evening as I went to bed, I couldn’t sleep much, but during the night I knew with no doubt that my dear Steve was who I wanted to marry (during the night, the name of our first daughter also came to me, Sara Camille).
In between our two church meetings the next day, on Sunday, December 18, my birthday, I told Steve that I couldn’t wait for two weeks and that I knew it was right for us. With much delight, Steve then knelt down and asked me to marry him. It was such a beautiful moment we’ll never forget!
We were filled with so much joy, even though I would be leaving for 6 months, which seemed like an eternity, our decision to know then that we would be married once I returned home, made a sweet difference in our relationship and what we then could discuss back and forth in our letters with one another, writing 2-3 times weekly, filled with so much love and gratitude for one another. To this day, those letters are a priceless keepsake.
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| 1978 Engagement photo, taken by my brother, Alan Wood. I look 12, not 21...;) |
GINGERBREAD HOUSE - BY JENNIFER AND ASHLYN ERICKSON
I just had to post this, as I did in my Paris blogs. I love seeing each year the masterful and inspiring work of my dear friend, Jennifer Erickson and her daughter, Ashlyn. They are such a team in putting together these gorgeous gingerbread houses. This one was quite unlike others she’s done, and I loved it as much or more. It’s featuring Logan Utah’s Old Main, the Logan Temple and the Tabernacle with the Nativity in front.
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| Jennifer and Ashlyn Erickson - Master Gingerbread makers |
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| Logan Utah scenes |
FRANCE SOCCER MATCH
Back in July of 2018,
when we were serving in Paris, France experienced its miraculous win for the World
Cup Soccer Match. It was an epic win. Though we did not watch, nor did we watch
the one today, Sunday, December 18. It’s amazing to us that we are
here again in France, to think that France has gone up through the ranks to barely
lose in overtime with penalty kicks, against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup
Soccer Match.
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| Internet photo: We did not watch this match, but France was in the last final game and so close to winning for the second time the World Cup Soccer Match! |
SABBATH WORSHIP AND FINAL BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
Another sweet Sunday meeting
this day, with the opportunity to partake of the sacrament and renew all of our
covenants. We love our time to converse with members and visitors.
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| We love our birthday combos and celebrating together! |
When the primary children sang a Christmas song, my eyes welled up, thinking of our own grandchildren singing similarly.
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| This is about a 3rd of the Primary, as many were out of town on this Sabbath! |
Though we did most of our birthday celebration on Saturday, I appreciated the kind and thoughtful words of love from family, friends and those on social media.
The sweet boys in the Primary choir, on the front and their brother on the left behind, had their mother there for the first time in months, since she had been on bed rest, from complications of her pregnancy with twins. She had her twin girls on Wednesday and was at church today to see her boys sing. What a brave momma! These babies were adorable.
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| These 4-day old twins made their debut to watch their brother's sing in Sacrament meeting today. |
COME FOLLOW ME STUDY THIS WEEK
Just a few thoughts from
our study this week that has caused a great deal of reflection and gratitude as
we concluded our study of the Old Testament. What we’ve gained this year has
broadened a deeper understanding of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
- The Lord asks me for a pure offering, and this
is how I can glorify Him. He needs my best!
- We must not compare our lives with others,
but trust in God that as we follow Him, no matter what our trials or
circumstances, we will be with Him in joy and happiness for the eternities.
- Malachi’s prophecies are being fulfilled
in these latter-days and as we engage in the gathering of Israel on both sides
of the veil, we are saving ourselves and our posterity.
- Paying our tithes and offerings is a great
act of faith and confidence that the Lord will care for us in our needs, no matter
the challenges that may arise. But, more importantly we are glorifying God, as
we will always be indebted to Him.
- We have been taught repeatedly of the Two Great
Commandments, to love God and our neighbor. Our family is our neighbor and should
be the most important relationship to reflect His love for us.
- “Hesed,” or lovingkindness, is what we
must show towards others and is most reflected by the love God shows us.
- If we remember and follow Him, He will
make us into jewels.
- Be a good ancestor. How I live my life now
will help those who come after me.
- Turn our hearts to our fathers, seal and
bind.
May God be with each of you!
With all our love,
Elder et Soeur
Packer Grandpère et Mémé
801-336-6153
(Steve’s)
801-564-1332 (Renée’s)
Address: Please include the name and address as stated
Les Missionaires –
PACKERS
17 rue Philibert
Roussy
69004 Lyon FRANCE
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