BLOG 33 - MAY 22 - MAY 28, 2023

MORNING WALKS THIS WEEK, MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN EVER!

It finally happened! Our weather has upped its temperature enough to not have to wear a jacket or sweater of any kind (most) of this week, as we walked in the park or at the mall later on, or a stroll outside later in the day. The skies have been blue, the green, greener, and the flowers more vibrant. We are loving it!

There is beauty all around, especially when you are in love with each other! The weather has been perfect!

We loved a few other walks around our apartment that was fun too!

Paroisse Catholique du Saint-Nom-De Jésus

This is the Paroisse Catholique du Saint-Nom-De Jésus, around the corner from our apartment. 

DISTRICT COUNCIL

Transfer after transfer we meet a new set of missionaries (about half each time are transferred out) that are making yet another change, with new areas, new companions, new ward/branch, new city, new transport and so on. But, no matter, each time, they are remarkable and outstanding missionaries. We are so grateful to get to know each of these missionaries and to be working with and learning from them.

Elders (3) & Senior Reneer couple all from Chalon, the rest of us are from the Val de Saône Ward

SCR COUNCIL MEETING

Wednesday afternoon we met with President Paul Obrecht and Johann and Betty Chupin for looking ahead on next steps to further help and encourage members and missionaries to work together on sharing the resources with the community, all while participating themselves.

Betty & Johann Chupin and Paul Obrecht.

GRANDMA PACKER’S 100^TH BIRTHDAY

Thursday, May 25^th, marks the 100^th birthday of Audrey Packer, Steve’s mother who passed nearly 2 years ago. I pray she can feel of our sincere and tender love for her and be able to honor her by the way we live our lives. She was always a beacon of light to all who knew her, and she continues to be. We love you Grandma Audrey! 

Audrey Taylor Packer - May 25th, 2023, marks her 100th birthday for this incredible woman. 

CHURCH MUSIC NEW HYMN BOOK REVIEW FIRESIDE

Since we had planned all along to attend a fireside Wednesday evening in our Ward building for a special introduction to a few new hymns and translation from the French translation team here in France and from Salt Lake, I reached out to our son, Jaron. He is working for the church on the project for the new hymn book, and we asked him more about what this fireside was about. He was aware that his friend from work would be coming to France, and then reached out to her, Donna Scordari, where she would be, and if it was in fact Lyon. She did respond to him and said that it was in fact Lyon where she would be presenting, and in our very building. He told her that we would meet up with her. Earlier she had given a fireside in Paris, all while giving training in Paris to the French translation team and then giving firesides in Lyon and next in Geneva.

Donna, accompanied by her Roberto Scordari, has been doing a massive translation training with the French translation team, specific for translating hymns into French. The church is only working on a selected number of hymns at this point, as they don’t have them all chosen, but there is specific training that goes into translating hymns.

Donna served her mission in Geneva, lived in Lyon and works for the Church in Salt Lake City. Her husband is from Italy, served his mission in Paris and they now live in Orem, Utah. Their story is pretty incredible.

We enjoyed the fireside, as Donna briefly explained the process of translation and then allowed everyone to sing hymns that had previously only been in English. But, during the fireside she was also seeking for the opinions of native French members on some of the hymns that had been translated so far. Those in attendance who wished to participate listened to the song that had been translated, then accessed a survey specific for that hymn through a QR code and submitted their feedback.

Donna Scordari - French Translation lead.

Roberto and Donna Scordari

Thursday morning, Donna texted me to see if they could come over to our apartment to cook up breakfast and other foods for the rest of their trip this week. We enjoyed a lovely visit asking them more about Donna’s job with the church hymn book and their story, and so on. They are both remarkable people.

EFFECTIVE SOCIAL MEDIA ZOOM MEETING FOR SCR

This past Thursday afternoon we had a wonderful meeting with President and Sister Léporé and our good friend, Joshua Boswell, who discussed how to effectively use Social Media to help further the blessings of Sharing Church Resources.

Joshua’s profession is in marketing, and he has a lot of experience with social media. We were grateful to have finally introduced him to Léporé’s for them to finally see why Joshua’s insights could be so valuable.

President and Sister Léporé and Joshua Boswell for Social Media help with our efforts on SCR.

FOLLOW-UP MEETING WITH JOSHUA BOSWELL

President Léporé asked that Joshua and we meet together to come up with a strategy plan to move forward, to then present it to the president before presenting it to the Zone in Lyon. After our 45-minute discussion and finalizing our 1^st plan on moving forward, we were pleased with the direction that we would be able to present in a zoom meeting for the entire Lyon Zone in the next couple of weeks, once the President approves.

Joshua Boswell in following meeting. 

Afterwards, I then asked Joshua to express the tender miracles he went through with the loss of their 2^nd grandchild recently, with the funeral earlier this week. I am dear friends with the mother of his daughter in law. I have been so inspired by the spirit and tender strength shown by both families as they lost this precious baby girl. I will not go into any details, but what he shared with us raised my sights and spiritual intents to a much higher level. I wish I could share more, but it was very sacred for all of us. Our continued prayers are with these two families.

SATURDAY DINNER WITH VAL DE SAÔNE MISSIONARIES 

Preparation for our dinner Saturday night, no matter what I fix, always seems to take a good portion of the day. Steve’s help with so many varied parts, from cleaning the apartment, running errands to helping with cleaning up afterwards is always such a beautiful help for me. We are a great team!

We so enjoyed our evening with them, always followed up with a beautiful message/discussion afterwards that always elevates us.

Elders Lauener and Pugmire, Sisters Emery and Buysse coming for dinner.

Burnt Artichoke Dip...

Sisters Buysse and Emery

Elders Lauener and Pugmire

SUNDAY WORKSHIP – A TIME NEVER TO BE FORGOTTEN

We left Sunday morning at 8:00 am for Valence France (1 ½ hours away), to give our talks on Love, Share and Invite. Thankfully, it’s all the same talk each week, but each week it’s a new and different experience and we love each Ward uniquely. We loved our time with them and always our opportunity to renew our covenants by partaking of the sacrament. We were so grateful to be able to stay for the 2^nd hour where we met more lovely people.

Prior to the meeting starting, we were greeted by Pierre and Brigitte Brenders, dear friends of my parents from their mission in Lyon, that I have spoken about before. We had never met them in person, only via zoom. I reminded them that my parents thought the world of them, but then they followed with the same feelings for my parents. Little did I know how much so, till later in the day. These are amazing people, and it was evident in their countenances. Pierre was the first Stake President in Lyon, and then over 7 years ago, they were in the temple Presidency, and then Temple President and Matron in the Bern, Switzerland temple.

Us with Brigitte and Pierre Brenders

Kathy and Patrice (her husband) Tavella

Elder Edgson and Pierre Brenders

Elders Tupea and Edgson and Pierre Brenders

The have a great love and respect for the Brenders family for their down-to-earth goodness and faithfulness to the Lord. We have already met their son, Alma-Pierre, who lives in Meridian Idaho and two of their daughters, Joa-May Issartel, who lives in their same ward and another daughter, Caroline Brenders, in Toulouse.

After Sacrament meeting, Brigitte invited us to go to their home after church to eat with them, along with Joa-May, her husband, Anthony and two daughters, Lucie and Madeline, would be joining us.

We followed Joa-May’s family to Pierre and Brigitte’s home, about 30 minutes away through the most beautiful countryside, up a lovely winding hill overlooking the valley. They raised their family in Lyon, where my parents met them and became dear friends. The home we drove to was Brigitte’s parent’s home and they bought it once her parents passed, which ended up being right before they were called to serve in the presidency of the Bern Switzerland Temple.

After a lovely lunch, we went into the TV room, where we sat to watch home videos that included a ton of videos of my parents.

I had no idea what to expect, but what they shared with us brought me to tears as we watched these videos. My parents were with them during their Christmas Eve celebration, where they would sing all evening, with my mom at the piano and my dad sharing a French Christmas story. Then, another time with my mom putting together a talent show, where she would help and accompany all of the musical numbers, with of course a variety of Sound of Music pieces by the Brenders family. The sweetest surprise of all was my father singing a beautiful French solo, that really brought the flood gates of tears (he mentioned how my mom had to bend his arm backwards to do it). He was 74 years old at that time, singing like an angel (he and my mother both sang Opera in their earlier years and kept their skills beautifully). This continued with many more recordings that Pierre had lovingly taken the time to record event after event. Finally, at their son Alma’s mission farewell, my father spoke and then directed a YSA choir, which Pierre amazingly video recorded all of this (I guess back then that’s what they allowed to happen). To watch my mother play her piano like she could do it with her eyes closed and the two of them always busy helping in so many ways, was a small example of a lifetime of their service.

I was in tears almost the rest of the day. I will be receiving all of these recordings. These hours of video recordings are priceless treasures that will touch the lives of all of their posterity for generations to come. We do not have a collection like this from any of their other missions, no more than maybe but a few, that I know of.  We hope to share some of these soon, tidbits anyway.

Flowers on the porch of the Brenders.

This is the view from the patio.

Lucie and Madeline with their little doll babies. The baby with the white dress is the blessing dress of Pierre Brender's father. 

This window!!! The piano is the very one my mother played often!

These images are screenshots of a few of many, many videos that Pierre Brenders took of my parents during their 2 years of their mission. 

My father reading a Christmas story in the Family Christmas gathering for the Brenders.

Picola Wood's hands were always playing or lifting others. 

Elden Wood singing like an angel!

This time they were helping to provide a fun MTC experience for the Primary Children in the Stake. 

My mom playing the very same piano in the building they attended, which is the same we attend, but before it was renovated. This time was for the farewell for Alma-Pierre Brender, and my mother accompanied for the musical number that my dad directed.

My dad speaking at Alma-Pierre Brender's farewell. It was the most remarkable message. I have been in tears ever since all these videos. 

I am indebted to the Brenders for the love and tender care we felt from them this day and the love they deeply had for my parents. I now know why, more than ever, my parents connected with them and they with my parents. We have also made some very dear friends in them. Sadly they don’t live close, but we do hope to have more time with them before our mission is over.

Brigitte and Pierre Brenders, with Joa-May, Lucie, Madeline and Anthony Issartel!

GRAND CHILDREN MOMENTS

We’re so proud of our next two graduates and sweet Sister Maliyah Duckworth who finally made it to Missouri. 

Adam Jr Hunsaker - graduate

Kyson Duckworth Graduate

Maliyah Duckworth- now in the Missouri Historical Sites Mission for 4 months.

GOSPEL STUDY REVIEW

     Book of Mormon

• If the Lord set the straightness of the path and the narrowness of the way, how can I straighten and make my path narrower?
• Understand and live fully the Doctrine of Christ.
• Always speak by the power of the Holy Ghost, so that it will carry it into the hearts of men.
• Labor diligently to bring others to come unto Christ, by first showing them genuine love.
• Pray with exceeding faith.
• If even a few of the things I write can benefit my posterity, it will have been worth it.

     Come Follow Me

• We must carry within our own peace to help others during their calamities.
• Live my life so that others will find peace in my presence.
• Use my gifts wisely for His benefits.
• The story of the widow's mite continues to teach us timely truths 2,000 years afterwards.
• Listen to honest, benevolent and good people, and be that person!
• Think of the physical, spiritual and temporal way I am preparing for when the Lord comes again! Am I wise or foolish in how I use my time, my talents and everything the Lord has given me.

I have always loved this verse in the Book of Mormon, but reading it with your name inserted, might help you to know that there are many praying for you, just as the Lord is mindful of you always!  

Moroni 8: 3 I am mindful of [insert your name] always in my prayers, continually praying unto God the Father in the name of his Holy Child, Jesus, that he, through his infinite goodness and grace, will keep [insert your name] through the endurance of faith on his name to the end.

We too are mindful of each of you [insert your name] in our prayers. May you always feel of His love for you, His grace for you, and His mercy for you and for each of us.

This has been a remarkable week and we are forever grateful for your prayers and sweet support in our behalf.

 

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