BLOG 25 - MAR 27 - APR 2, 2023

 DINNER WITH VAL DE SAÔNE MISSIONARIES

It’s time for transfers again in a week, and so finding the only time we could have the Vale de Saône missionaries over, was last Monday evening, after their Pday! It was a sweet and special evening with them. We grow to love these missionaries more and more each time we are with them. I think they literally become our adopted grandchildren, where we desire to lift and strengthen them, but they do as well for us. We are one in our efforts no matter our age. We know that two of these missionaries will be transferred and we will start again with new missionaries and will love them as well.

Because I love to cook and bake, most of what I make, I can’t eat, but nevertheless, I knew it would bring joy to these missionaries. One of the things I made was our favorite Vietnamese Nems, where I was taught how to make them by Soeur Ding in Paris Ward several years ago.

As a dessert, I also made the missionaries, Gateau aux Carrotte Bundt cake, but I didn’t have a Bundt pan this time. Each time I share this cake for the first time, I always have to share the story that goes with it. A recipe story seems to always bring a sweeter taste to the recipe. Please respond to this email, if you wish to the recipe, but you have to read the story first. It’s pretty sweet! 

Our beloved Vale de Saône missionaries! Elders Keiser, Loisel, Sisters Connors and Zumbach

Nems wrapped in special lettuce and mint leaves dipped in special Nuoc Mam sauce!

Gateau aux Carrotte - should be in Bundt pan!

The frosting is incredible!

We have loved these missionaries and our prayers are for Elder Loisel and Sister Connors who are being transferred. 

MISSION WIDE FAREWELL AND TRAINING

We joined with the whole mission to attend a brief training and then farewell to those missionaries who are returning home after a successful and honorable mission. We heard remarkable testimonies, that showed us how incredible these missionaries are. Two of them touched me so deeply, but Elder Samuel Hernández had actually had his special testimony typed up. I’ll share it at the end of this blog. 

There are 4 times this many, but this is the only section I snapped a photo of. 

FAMILY TRAVELERS TO FRANCE

Our daughter Camille and her oldest son, Kyson, who received his mission call last week, arrived in France for a Senior trip for which Kyson has been saving long and hard. Kyson knew that his mom would need to come, so Camille had to really save up her pennies as well to join him. They were doing this trip on a dime, as they used frequent flyer miles, and have close friends in France who have offered to let them stay with them and even drive them around for varied sites. They actually were treated like royalty by their friends. It makes me so happy.

Their first week was in the Northern France area, going to different areas on the coast and two different days in Paris before heading to Lyon this next Tuesday.

The day that they were in Paris, they went to the Family Resource Center at Saint-Merri where we served. We had a video call for a brief moment while they were in the center. We look forward for our time with them next week.

Camille and Kyson in the Family Resource Center in Paris. Two days before we got there.

FIRST CAR WASH IN FRANCE

We finally took the time to take our car into an automatic car wash and to vacuum it as well. It was a new adventure. They advised you to not stay in the car during the automatic wash. We found out why once it began.

A French car wash!

Price options - we stayed on the cheaper end.

STAKE COUNCIL HOME VISITS THIS WEEK

Our first visit on Tuesday was at the home of Toky (pronounced Tooky) Raoilison. He is a 40-year-old single man, doctor, pianist and a remarkable person. He is also the High Councilor over the Clermont-Ferrand Ward. Even though he knew well the effort of Sharing Church Resources, he was able to get a more intimate vision of its purpose. His comments were inspiring as he felt that this work is inspired and is very needed these the latter days.

Toky Raoilison

     Betty and Johann Chupin

On Wednesday night we met at the home of Betty and Johann Chupin. Johann is a High Councilor and the two of them are over Self Reliance in the Stake. They shared their personal growing experiences that changed their attitude towards this amazing work. They were very engaged in this presentation and know what they need to do to move this along and help us in our efforts.

 Betty and Johann Chupin

 After our training we had a zoom meeting with President Paul Obrecht.

President Obrecht

STEVE AND THE SISTER’S WEDNESDAY HAIR CUTS

After cutting Steve’s hair, I offered to trim the sister missionaries’ hair. I was grateful to help them in this way. I’ve been cutting hair for over 45 years, not as a profession, but it’s something I know how to do. I made sure I didn’t cut any more off than they wanted.  A free haircut is a huge blessing here, as the cost for a haircut here is insane. 

Darling happy sisters after getting their hair cut.

DISTRICT COUNCIL

We had our last council meeting with our awesome district, prior to transfers next week. 

 Four of these missionaries will be exchanged.

FINAL TOUCHES ON TALKS FOR SACRAMENT MEETINGS

This was our last day to finalize our talks to then send to an interpreter in our ward to help us get ready for when we start talking in each ward of the Stake. It’s a bit daunting, but luckily each talk we share will be the same on Love, Share and Invite, with the perspective of Sharing Church Resources, which is what it’s all about.

We then finished getting ready for our exciting trip this week to Paris. You heard right! 

PARIS TWO DAY TRIP HERE WE COME!!!

I have not given any hints in the blog, that I know of, about our going to Paris for two short days, and one night. Paris is out of our mission boundary and needs approval from the Area Presidency.

We were invited by Georgette Lalaus and Heirani Tiaihau to attend a special ordinance in the Paris temple, for Heirani’s deceased son, Enzo, who died 1 year ago, on March 31, 2022, in a tragic death. We are very close to these two women and their families.

I made  a special request via President Léporé, who knows our sweet relationship with these women, as he knows them very well also. He then sent in a request to the Area. He then wrote back a week later to let us know that we got approved to travel to Paris for 2 days and 1 night.

We were beyond grateful for this amazing opportunity to go to the temple and be with Heirani. She was overcome to know that we could be there. More on this story in a little bit.

We left early Friday morning, March 31^st, via UBER to get to the train station and headed to Paris for a lovely and peaceful 2-hour train ride. We then took off to the temple, to unpack our belongings in the Temple Patron Housing. It’s such a lovely facility, very private, with a beautiful view of the temple from our window and an amazing massive local kitchen in this facility and for all temple workers to use. 

 On our way to Paris!

Arrived in Paris train station!

This building is in Paris, close to the train station. We had never seen this building before. 

As we were waiting for our next RER train to go to Versailles, one of our former missionaries spotted us. Hannah Marteeny Vincenzi. She married a French missionary that we also worked with. They live in one of the Paris Stakes. We had a wonderful visit all the way to Versailles, as she was accompanying her Aunt and Uncle to Versailles.

One of my most favorite times of the year at the Paris temple. I love the blossoms framing Jesus Christ. 

Once we left all our belongings in our room, we left to go to Versailles Gardens to mainly see the Mary Antoinette village. 

A very quick trip to the gardens into Versailles. The wind was crazy, the rain periodic, but still memorable. 

On our way to the Mari-Antoinette Village

Hope that spring is here! 

A bored Marie Antoinette ordered the village to be built as a place for her to relax and play away from the palace. She made peasants dress up as farmers to act in the background and filled the village with farm animals such as chickens and sheep. (The wanderburg.com)

Once we needed to get back to the temple, we found the back way through the garden and the walk to the temple and that was our life saver! It only took us 20 minutes to walk back in the rain. We made it in time to fix our dinner, and our dear friend, Cassandra Piket, met us in the kitchen. We had an amazing visit. She is an interior designer for LDS temples and works with her colleague in designing the interior of the Burley, Idaho temple, where I grew up. She has shared some remarkable things through the process of the latest designs for this beautiful temple. Her home is in Salt Lake, but since her green card is being processed, the company felt it was easier to work from Paris for now till it’s all complete. She loves her work so much. She was a member of our Paris ward, and we became very dear friends. Her story is so incredible.

Cassandra Piket - a dear friend, who also is one of the Temple Interior Designers for the Burley, Idaho Temple. She has shared some incredible insight in its design. She was able to recently choose the marble, with her colleague in Rome, Italy.

We then attended the 5:45 endowment session prior to attending the baptism for Heirani’s deceased son, at 8:00 p.m. It has been 6 months since being on our mission where we’ve been able to attend a temple. It was remarkable to say the least. We love the temple, we love the Paris temple and the peace we feel is undeniable.

As we walked into the baptistry to be with dear friends, to witness Enzo and his father’s baptism ordinances, we were so grateful to show our love and devotion to these dear friends. They are faithful people who have gone through so much and have been valiant in their efforts.

There was a tender and emotional feeling in this baptismal session. Steve and I at one point acted as witnesses, as there were many baptisms that took place, not just for Heirani’s son.

There was a quiet and undeniable feeling that Enzo was present for this amazing time for him to receive his work in the temple. The rest of the ordinances will be done next week. We were so grateful to be in attendance.

Those who attended the baptism for Enzo. Sandy Newman, Packers, Phillipe Lalaus, Heirani, Alexis Lalaus, Bishop Touroux, Heirani's brother and Stevine

Heirani feeling loved by all her many friends!

Georgette Lalaus on the far right, is the angel in everyone's life. She stayed in the waiting room, to be with Heirani's son, Joakim, who needed to have someone so that he would not be alone. He never showed up. Georgette will be there next week for all the other ordinances.

Heirani - the mother of Enzo, who passed away a year ago, but has now gained him back!

On Saturday morning, we attended another endowment session, that fed us with so much joy and peace. We can’t deny what is felt, what is taught, what is promised, what is sanctified, what is glorified, and what we’ve learned.

After this session, we took more photos, went to visit the Temple Visitor Center, and loved our visit with Elder and Sister Cadin, the directors of the Visitor Center. The grounds, the Christus, the flowers, the blossoms, and most of all, the Spirit, all fed our souls deeply.

The baptistry side of the temple was outside our bedroom window.

Help from the YSA to plant more flowers.

Sister Cadin giving us a vision for the Paris Visitor Center. We hope that we can be of value for her amazing vision, on our Webpage. She was thrilled!

Elder and Sister Cadin - Paris Temple Visitor Center Directors.

This window was designed and made by one of the Tom Holdman's artist. 

Front of the Paris Temple

We finally left, went back to Paris, to our beloved Family Resource Center at Saint-Merri. We were told that there was a special event going on there around 2:00 p.m. by Sister Ding, who we just saw the day before at the temple. We pretty much figured out what it was. Yes, she had prepared a large luncheon for anyone and everyone who showed up. We saw several of our dear friends (mostly Chinese), took photos and then left to take a brief 2 hour walk around our special memory places, Hotel de Ville, Notre Dame, our old apartment, straight down from Notre Dame, then to Luxembourg gardens, then to our favorite restaurant, which is a 1-minute walk from the center.

BHV Department store. This was on our way to the Center from our apartment in Paris.

The street that the church and center is on!

Saint-Merri Family Resource Center

This door sign is the only door sign we were allowed to have, but it has been a blessing to have ever since we had it created.

Opening to the courtyard of the church building.

Sister Wan Yen Ding's Nem creation for the large dinner she had prepared for everyone who was at the church or center. They were getting ready for the Chinese session of General Conference at the Center. 

Sweet Gena (Fei Yin) who was baptized when we were on our mission in Paris and has since married and has this darling boy! She is so faithful! 

Fei Yin, and her darling family! She has married a wonderful man!

These two elders are the Chinese Elders and are so faithful!

A ward member (forgot her name), but who was such a strong and faithful member, temple worker and a church FM employer.

The most angelic person we know. Sister Wen Yen Ding is who feeds the whole world with her love, lots of food, especially her famous Nems and her gentle kindness. We love her dearly!

These dear women always help Sister Ding when she's got a lot to cook. 

Hotel de Ville, a 5-minute walk from the center, or 10 minutes from our old apartment. 

It was 4 years ago this month when we witnessed the horrific fire of Notre Dame. We lived just a minute walk from it. A projected partial reopening is for December of 2024. 

The doors to the entrance to our Paris apartment. 

Christophe Lagain - who is the owner of the shop right next to the Paris apartment. We had become good friends with him, and he asked why I didn't bring him my sugar cookies, which he dearly loved. They are quite unforgettable! ;)

We love this view as you can see the green door of our Paris apartment and Notre Dame.

This is the famous spot to take photos of Notre Dame and be in it. We have a few of these shots! ;)

The was the first and the last restaurant we ate at in Paris. It wasn't our favorite, but we are a bit sentimental.

In the Luxembourg Gardens is beautiful large water pond, where young children, and adults play with boats. This day especially was a perfect day because of the wind.

This is where you rent the boats. 

S

Pantheon

On our walk back to the center, we had to take note of this street, as right on this walkway, I was knocked down hard by an electric scooter and sent to the hospital. This occurred 4 years ago on June 1st, 2019.

The Pompidou Center

Paris Beaubourg - our favorite restaurant, a 2-minute walk from the center!

Our favorite waiter from our years in Paris. He remembered us! We don't remember his name though.

We got back in time to say hello to our dear friend, Sister Amanda Scheuermann (she and her husband are running the center). This was actually our first time to meet her in person, as we've spoken via Zoom multiples times. Her husband was out at the time we were there. It was all so fast, but very tender to be there, kind of like a dream.

Our visit in the Family Resource Center was so sweet for us!

Sister Amanda Scheuermann, her husband was not present at the time, but they are doing amazing in the center.

Elders Eggett and Park

The Chinese members are getting ready for General Conference

Patrons working on their family history.

The weather had been sunny while walking around, and then as soon as we started to leave, the rain started again. We quickly got down to the metro and to the Garde de Lyon where we took the train back to Lyon. It might’ve been a late night, but it was all worth a very quick and memorable trip to Paris, cold, rain and all!

Since we were traveling on Saturday, we are watching all of General Conference on Sunday. It’s been amazing!

COME FOLLOW ME

We’ve loved our study this week, but because of how long this post is, I’ll post next week.

 SUNDAY WORSHIP CONFERENCE

We have loved watching two days of General Conference on this day, where we are taught so tenderly and beautifully. This day is also Palm Sunday, a day of which we honor the last days of Jesus, his trial and crucifixion. There is so much to be thankful for in these latter days!

President Russell M Nelson at the Sunday morning session of General Conference! The most amazing message, one for everyone, no matter your religion or your beliefs!

The choir and General Authorities

President Russell M. Nelson and his dear wife, Wendy.

We pray you are all grateful and happy and know that you are loved, God loves you and He knows your needs. But, we must go to Him. I love that, we must act! It’s much like raising a family. I often knew what our children needed, but how much better for them, when they are old enough, to come to me and ask me/us, and confide in us, which will help them be more independent and experiencing the same with our Father in Heaven, and also helping to bridge a wonderful bond of trust and love.

ADDITIONAL STORY BY ELDER HERNÁNDEZ

"Today, something very spiritual happened. I'm going to tell a story. The name of the story is "Walking with Them"

I was coming back home with Elder Seegmiller, and we saw a woman with a severe crooked back. It was so serious, that her face was facing directly towards the ground. We both felt that we needed to go help her. She was about to go downhill when we asked her if we could help her. She said yes. So, Elder Seegmiller held her hand, and we started going down. But something happened. The woman was walking very very slow, so much so, that she would only take 1 step and would then stop. But of course, we continued to help her. Some time had passed, and we hadn't advanced a lot. We had to make it to a pharmacy that was at the end of the street. While we walked with her, a lot of people came to tell us that what we were doing was great. But that doesn't matter. This woman is called Marie Françoise, and she changed my life forever. When I had the chance to hold her hand, my life changed. At the beginning, I selfishly thought that we were never going to make it. That was until Marie said to me: "Thank you so much." In that moment, I understood something very important. When I was next to her holding her hand, taking step by step, I finally realized what it means to be a representative of Jesus Christ. I realized what it means to be motivated by love. I realized what Christ did, does, and will do for us. For a moment, I looked at Marie, and then at the sun at the end of the street, and I learned that we do not give up on people that are trying to do their best. Even if it takes them years and years, we will keep holding their hand, taking step by step. I pictured Christ taking all the time needed to help Marie Françoise. We must be willing to walk with God's children until the pharmacy, where the sun shines bright. I also learned from this experience that Jesus Christ does the same for each of us. He is there for every step that I take. And even if I take very long, he doesn't abandon me. Rather he stays. With every person that that you teach, don't forget that they are progressing step by step. If they don't move there is not a lot, you can do. Except still be there for them. But if they are moving forward, as a representative of the Master, you have to be there in every single step. When Marie reached the pharmacy, she told us: "Thanks a lot, and goodbye." Never in my life have I felt a greater joy than when I heard those words. Step by step, we get closer to the presence of God, and Christ is there in every step. He will never leave us. And what a great blessing it is to carry Christ's name over my heart and be his representative. There is nothing better than that. We are all going down a downhill that seems infinitely long, seeming as if we will never make it. But we can have the hope, that perhaps, we will one day feel the brightness of the sun in our countenance. This hope comes with him that walked the path that we must walk, and him that will once again walk it with us. Him whom we call Jesus Christ, the Son of God. With him, we can all make it back to the pharmacy."

With all our love,

Elder et Sœur Packer                                                                                            Grandpère et Mémé

801-336-6153 (Steve’s)

801-564-1332 (Renée’s)

New Address below: Please include the name and address as stated

Les Missionaires – PACKERS

59 rue Bossuet

69006 Lyon FRANCE