BLOG 30 - MAY 1 - MAY 7, 2023
TUESDAY ZONE CONFERENCE
Gathering together with
our zone after every transfer is such a great joy. Each transfer is every 6 weeks,
though zone conferences don’t always happen in the same order for each zone,
they do come rather often, and they are oh so needed and appreciated. Seeing
these missionaries and gathering with the other four senior couples in this
zone is a true blessing.
We were taught again by
our amazing AP’s, our Zone Leaders, STL’s and our Mission Leaders. So much
thought and prayer go into each of these conferences. The leadership skills
alone for these missionaries is a tremendous blessing for future opportunities
of leadership, be it in church leadership roles and also in the workforce. They
are amazing and grow from these experiences with more confidence in the Lord.
 |
| Lyon Zone Conference |
 |
| Elder and Sister Hardy with President and Sister Léporé |
 |
| Our District, that we dearly love! |
 |
| Elder Karlinsey with the President |
 |
| AP's, Elders Rosales (leaving for home with next transfer) and Whiting (Elder Griffitts was elsewhere) |
 |
| Such amazing sisters! |
 |
| Such strength in these Elders |
MALIYAH’S GOODBYES AND ENTERING THE MTC
Even though we were far
away from Maliyah as she was packing, saying her goodbyes to her family at the Portland,
OR airport, then flying into Salt Lake, entering the MTC the next day and so
on, my emotions were with her all the way. I couldn’t help but think of her
continually with this being our first grandchild going on a mission, joining us
on this mission-bound journey.
 |
| The photos below are a few of many from Camille's video she captured from their taking Maliyah to the airport and then her dad leaving for business with his new job. The bag on the left is her dad's. Packing for 18 months is not easy! The video left me in a puddle of tears, but tears of gratitude. |
 |
| It was super early, like 3:00 am ish they had to be at the airport. Everyone may have been a zombie, but their emotions began to reflect when the final goodbyes were made. So tender! |
 |
| Emma hugging her sister Maliyah with Savannah waiting. |
 |
| Savannah and Maliyah! |
 |
| Jayden, taller than anyone in the family, saying goodbye! |
 |
| Kyson and Maliyah are very close, as they have done everything together and will be so happy knowing they are serving together in different parts of the world. |
 |
| Sweet Austin had the hardest time saying goodbye! |
 |
| Camille, keeping her emotions in check and being strong! |
 |
| Amazing people right here! We love you! |
 |
| This is brother love! |
 |
| Portland Temple Visitor Center |
 |
| Grateful these two had a little more time together as they both awaited their flight. |
Andrea, their friend picked Maliyah up in SLC and
showered her with a wonderful pre MTC day. She was so thoughtful, taking her to
Thanksgiving Point, giving her a chance to relax and then taking her to the
MTC the next day. Thank you so much, Andrea!
 |
| Andrea treating Maliyah at a day at Thanksgiving Point and spent the night with Andrea and family. They then took her to the MTC. |
 |
| Just outside the Provo Temple Grounds, just across from the MTC. She's a bit excited! |
 |
| MTC underground parking and drop off. |
 |
| And she's off to begin 3 weeks in the MTC, with the last week for training as a Missouri historic site tour guide! |
Camille came home super exhausted, having had very little sleep the night before and now she’s in the mode of major efforts with her new call as Relief Society President, helping Kyson to leave for his mission in a couple of months and her husband starting a new job. If there is anyone who can do it, it’s Camille. Camille is my hero!
MIRACLES AND BLESSINGS WITH OUR FAMILY
As Steve and I were
contemplating this week about each and every one of our children and their
families, we were in awe how we were able to pinpoint specific blessings and amazing
miracles that have recently occurred in each family, not only blessings they have
received, but giving us comfort as well knowing the Lord is ever mindful of
each of them while we are far from them. Our hearts are so grateful.
WEDNESDAY ZOOM
We were happy to have another zoom call with the Hansen, who will be coming this July in our mission. We gave them our formal training, answered questions and we look forward to meeting them in person. There will be more training/discussions with them prior to their coming, but each time we meet with them, we see the amazing people they are.
 |
| Thayne and Laurie Hansen |
MISSION WIDE MTC TRAINING
Wednesday evening the
entire mission an incredible MTC training, on effective study helps for
language learning. There were so many great ideas. We were impressed by their
presentation.
 |
| We had a zoom training from the MTC for the entire mission. it was incredible! |
 |
| This was a little bit of the training that was given. We received an outline of what they taught. |
SERVICE MISSION PROJECT
At Zone Conference we were given a couple of garbage bags and plastic gloves and so on Thursday, we went out into the community and cleaned up an area. We decided to go to a particular corner that had a lot of garbage that never got picked up and then other garbage along the way that wasn’t horrible, but still it felt good knowing we had made a difference with our efforts. An older gentleman stopped us and asked us what we were doing and said, “Bonne courage!”
 |
| This mess had been left over from a garbage pick up earlier in the week, and it just needed to go. Most streets in Lyon are usually quite clean, but this mess had been ignored. |
 |
| Looks so much better! |
 |
| We gathered enough to fill almost two garbage bags. |
GARDEN BEAUTY WALKS – TÊTE D’OR
As each day becomes
warmer and filled with greenery everywhere, we love our morning walks, and
sometimes a second walk in the afternoon. We are in awe of its beauty. The
growth everywhere is so lush!
Within Tete d’Or is a
section called Alpine Botanical Garden, which is only open for a couple of
hours a day. We finally went through it this week and I was in awe! I love
flowers growing in rocks, rare flowers, or flowers that have several variants.
I may not know a lot about flowers, but this garden has every flower and shrub
labeled, all in French of course, but it is incredible.
 |
| Botanical garden photos below |
Date night through the entire park
Early evening, as part of
our date, we went back to the park, but this time, to go all around, which is
about a 3-mile walk. We were in awe of the beauty that we had not seen before
and loved this time together in such beautiful surroundings so near us. We may
be doing this many more times.
 |
| Photos below from our 3 mile walk around the entirety inside of the park. These are just a few of a ton more that I took. |
SATURDAY ZOOM VISITS
JustServe
This morning we met with
Brother and Sister Membré and other committee members. During the meeting, after
several topics that were discussed, they asked us if we had any thoughts from
their discussion so far. I quickly piped up and told them that their idea of
having a ward couple to oversee JustServe was a great idea, and that we would
like to combine the efforts of Sharing Church Resources together with theirs,
which really was the original plan in the first place to all work together. Everyone
agreed it was the right direction to go. We felt a sense of gratitude that we
were still very united in this work.
 |
| Brother and Sister Membré, top left head JustServe. |
Herzog couple
This evening we met with Troy
and Carol Herzog from Brigham City, who wanted to know more about our mission
and assignment, as we were put in touch with them by our mission president,
hoping they would be enticed to want to serve in this mission. Throughout the
visit with them, we were so impressed with them. They felt such a strong spirit of this work that
we shared with them and now it’s a waiting process to see if this is where the
Lord sends them.
Troy and Carol Herzog from Brigham City, UT
SUNDAY WORSHIP AND SPECIAL GUEST FROM UTAH
We enjoyed being in our ward today! But we had to leave early during Sunday School to go to the Train Station to pick up our friends.
 |
| Sisters Zumbach and Buysse |
We were so thrilled to meet our dear friend, Janine Creager, and her sweet friend, Johanne Hillam. These two are on a wild and amazing Europe travel extravaganza and we were on their stop. We picked them up and spent a lovely evening eating a fun meal, taking a walk to the park and having a lovely visit.
Johanne is a French professor at BYU, from Quebec, and loves talking to people anywhere, but especially if they have a dog. She’s just so delightful and fun to get to know. Janine has taught French in the public school system, having also served a mission in Geneva, Switzerland and loves to do community theater and a dotting grandma.
 |
| Janine Creager |
 |
| Johanne Hillam |
 |
| Visiting the park with Janine and Joanne |
 |
| These roses were stunning! |
 |
| Janine and Johanne, loving the matching background with their jackets! |
GOSPEL STUDY BRIEF THOUGHTS
Book of Mormon
- Always stand in unity with the Savior.
- God prepared an escape from the sins of this world through His son, Jesus Christ.
- I can keep a straighter path when I focus on the things that matter most.
- Be reconciled to God and His will.
- Always delight in the covenants of the Lord.
- By their fruits ye shall know them.
Come Follow Me
- I am blessed as I set my heart on those things of an eternal nature.
- It is through the challenges of life that often will bring the wandering soul back to the Lord.
- Be true at all times with what the Lord has entrusted to me, so I may be found faithful with eternal wealth and knowledge.
- The timing of Christ raising Lazarus from the dead was of greatest importance.
- There are great lessons in the Lord’s choices of parables found.
Sheep – his love was so significant to His fold, that he carried the lamb on his shoulders to return him back.
Coin – there is great joy anytime we have found something of great worth, that was once lost.
Person – He left the 99 for the one, not because He felt the others weren’t of worth, but they had one another to watch over, but the one needed tender care and love.
- The prodigal son needed to know that he was lost, before he returned to his father and was found with open arms of love and forgiveness.
- Every one of us is “lost” in some way and are in need of repentance and the grace of the Savior. It is so joyous to realize that Christ seeks to “find” and redeem each one of us as individuals.
- As we give thanks to God and glorify him, we will be “made whole” in this life and the eternities.
YOUNGER GRANDCHILDREN BRAG MOMENT
Just had to put this exciting
news for anyone who cares! We do!
Lincoln got accepted into the Discovery Program for gifted children. Lincoln has autism, and honestly, he is so brilliant. We are so happy for him.
Mason is now walking! Hooray!
Rose’s dance recital! She’s
so darling!
In conclusion:
We are more and more
seeing the immense wisdom and love of our Father in Heaven who knows,
loves, and is watching over each of us. We pray for each of you to also feel
His love for you in your joys and through your sorrows. We know He is here for
us, no matter.
With all our love,
Elder et Sœur
Packer Grandpère et Mémé
801-336-6153
(Steve’s)
801-564-1332 (Renée’s)
Address below: Please include the name and address as stated
Les Missionaires –
PACKERS
59 rue Bossuet
69006 Lyon FRANCE
Comments
Post a Comment