BLOG 37 - JUN 19 - JUN 25, 2023
DISTRICT COUNCIL
Tuesday we held our last
District Council with our current District. There will be many changes where we
will lose elders being in the Val de Soâne Ward, only keeping the sisters, and
then the Chalons missionaries won’t be in our district anymore. Many others are
being transferred and we’ll meet our new District next week. We’re getting used
to the ongoing and quick turnaround.
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| Sisters Emery and Buysse, Packers, Elders Johnson, Gillespie, and Roberts, Elder and Sister Reneer, Elders Lauener and Pugmire, Elders Johnson and Candland. This was our farewell to this wonderful district. |
DEPARTING MISSIONARIES' DEVOTIONAL
Just following our
council meeting, the entire mission joined in for the departing missionary
devotional. We had perhaps 10 missionaries share their testimonies, some of
them we had worked with and knew better. These devotionals are always so
beautiful and tender. President Léporé concludes with such a powerful and
loving message to each of us, but especially for these dear missionaries.
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| Elder Johnson departing testimony. |
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| Elder Griffitts departing testimony (on left). |
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| Elder Gibby departing testimony (on left). |
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| President and Sister Léporé |
TÊTE D’OR PARK FESTIVITIES AND MAJOR CONCERT
Whenever there are big events or activities being held in our beloved Park Tête d’Or, we see it daily throughout our neighborhood, since we are so near park Tête d’Or. The streets lined with flags and colorful publicity awareness. Walking through the park we daily witness the preparations they are making for these big events that will take place this Friday and Saturday.
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| Rue Tête d'Or is filled with flags for the Music Festival this week. |
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| Banners announcing the festivities. They do not lack in their awareness campaign. |
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| This was our favorite! |
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| These next two were outside of the botanical garden area of the park. |
After our morning walk in the park, we went to the Wednesday Marché. We mainly enjoy just walking through and seeing their display of fruits, vegies, meats, cheeses, nuts and flowers. I did buy some goat cheese to try, before buying more next time (lots of venders selling cheese). I’ve always liked goat cheese, but next time I’ll need to try the more aged cheese.
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| I told the owners of this fruit section how impressed I was of their display. They told us that it gives them so much pleasure doing it this way, that it takes the hard out of their efforts. I loved their attitude and answer, something to think about in so many instances. |
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| This was my first attempt buying goat cheese at the market. I loved it, but next time I'm going for more aged goat cheese. |
THURSDAY’S WALK IN THE RAIN
Thursday early evening we
just needed to get out of the apartment, and we decided to take a walk to Les
Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse. We didn’t realize that it was raining, though Steve
brought one umbrella, as he know that it might rain. Once we got out, he turned
right back to grab another, as it was raining much harder than we expected. It
was a refreshing walk, in nice weather, but since we didn’t have any place
important to go, or drag heavy suitcases around, we just enjoyed the leisure
walk to Les Halles. We walked inside, walked all around as we normally do.
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| Nothing like a leisurely stroll in a lovely warm rain fall. |
PACKER FAMILY REUNION THIS WEEK
It has been pure bliss to
see our family gather for our immediate bi-annual Packer Family Reunion, and
yet at the same time, hard to be far away. We are so grateful they are together
this week, gathering in Colorado, where our son, Jordan and Larissa have been
the hosts and creator of the event this year. We were able to join them
remotely Friday evening and looked forward to all the videos and images from
their gathering. We love that they come together, no matter if we are there or
not, they see the value of these reunions bringing together siblings and
cousins. As our family continues to expand further throughout the states, we
love that they are together. One of the family members could not attend and plus
our granddaughter missionary in Missouri, but we know their hearts are with the
family.
It all worked so well,
with activities each day for families to join as they wish and then each
evening they gathered for dinner and more activities.
Each family found their
own lodging, some joining forces in a larger Airbnb, and then they brought
their own food. It has become the norm in the last several reunions and has
worked well.
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| Friday morning hike! |
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| The photos that could be in this category are so many, so here's just a little taste. |
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| The lake was a hit! |
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| The adults got together for a special night out and then played games, praying that the few littles were behaving for the teenagers in another apartment. |
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| 7 of the 8 families who were able to join, and the others were deeply missed (hopefully that includes us too) 😉! |
We loved the opportunity
to join in Friday afternoon, and our late evening, for a phone video chat with
many of them. Then later that next morning, very early still, we joined in a
scheduled zoom call with Sister Maliyah Duckworth (our granddaughter
missionary), who is serving in the Missouri Historic Sites Mission for four
months. Since the visitor center was closed and her days are super full of
scheduled tours, she was able to give us the virtual tour with images and
videos on her phone and took those of us who joined on an amazing tour. It was
so wonderful to see her so naturally and freely speak of Liberty Jail, and of
course there are other tour sites she rotates through as well. There are
thousands of tourists who come through daily, and we loved that we got to hear
and see her. She was so incredible. We’re so proud of all she’s learning,
sharing and her vibrant spirit she does it with! We love you Maliyah!
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| During the reunion, we were so proud of Maliyah's virtual tour of Liberty Jail that she gave us. She also gives tours at the Independence Visitor Center every other day! |
We had been hearing for
weeks about the concert in the park for the Fête de Musique. We knew there
would be thousands attend, and certainly there were. We went only 45 minutes
early, knowing we would not be able to stay late. They had a large area that
stretched far and wide, where people came with their blankets, sitting closer
and closer to each other to squeeze in. The first number was a children’s
choral/orchestral group, which I loved. We didn’t stay long as we had an early
morning Sunday.
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| The park was bombarded with people as far as the eye could see in so many directions as they came together in a large and spacious grassy field to hear the concert. This photo was taken on the outskirts, but most areas were crammed in much tighter. |
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| This was the outskirts of the grassy field, where they couldn't see the concert, but could hear it. |
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| The first number was an orchestral/children's choir number. It was celebratory Israeli type music with song and dance. |
SUNDAY WORKSHIP
This Sunday we drove an
hour to attend the St Étienne ward to give our talks for the last time. We’re
ok with the fact that our talks are finished (though we’ve been so blessed in
the process), but our visits in each ward have been so enjoyable that we’ll miss
our interaction with every ward member we had a chance to meet and visit with.
We quickly learn to love them. This ward was extra special. We were amazed at
the spirit of the members, their strength, their love for on another and their
knowledge and commitment. It was a tender experience being there. We loved the
lessons during the 2nd hour, as a YW of 16 gave the lesson and
created an amazing spirit of sisters making tons of comments that shared much
about their ward and their desire to lift and listen and share. There was so much
strength.
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| Elders Mueller and Smith |
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| The sweetest Setchfeld children from our ward in Lyon, where the whole family was visiting St Étienne this Sunday. Sister Setchfeld is the Stake YW President and was there to show support as a YW was moving into RS. These 3 of their four children are amazing. They speak English with an English accent, like their parents, but all of them speak fluent French. |
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| We loved getting to know this new companionship today. They are such a dynamite duo. |
Everyone brought food to
share. We loved getting to know many of them. They come from diverse
backgrounds, most are converts in their twenties or later years. They love the
gospel, and they love to serve.
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| Some of the dearest people as a whole that we've met in a ward. Their hearts were so filled with love, and they also appreciated that we were there to listen and hear their amazing stories. |
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| BBQ Team! They helped Brother Professo. |
GOSPEL STUDY REVIEW
Book of Mormon
- What are the graven images and idols that I’m bowing down to? What am I doing to reflect the Savior’s countenance and actions in my life at all times?
- We can only be redeemed through Christ.
- Christ was the only one who was qualified to atone for the sins of the world.
- We have a responsibility to publish the peace of Christ.
- Be a light of Jesus Christ each day.
- We must believe the words of our prophets.
- Am I mourning with those that mourn, comforting others, and standing as a witness of God?
Come Follow Me
- The Lord’s willingness to do all the hard and difficult things in our behalf, did so with love, no judgment, allowing himself to be scourged, smitten and spit upon, atoning for our sins, dying on the cross, willingly allowing all of this to accomplish God’s will, for all of us.
- We must, like the Centurion, testify of Christ.
- Christ allowed the suffering to take place in order for His mission to be fulfilled.
- Can we, like Simon, help carry the cross as we live our lives with honor?
- When the temple was rent in twain, it signified the intense agony Christ had accomplished.
1.
I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully He
proffers me.
I
tremble to know that for me He was crucified,
That
for me, a sinner, He suffered, He bled and died.
[Chorus]
Oh, it is wonderful that He should
care for me
Enough
to die for me!
Oh,
it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
2.
I marvel that He would descend from His throne
divine
To
rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That He
should extend His great love unto such as I,
Sufficient
to own, to redeem, and to justify.
3.
I think of His hands pierced and bleeding to pay the
debt!
Such
mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No,
no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until
at the glorified throne I kneel at His feet.
We are so grateful for
the sweet opportunities that we have had this week and in so many varied
experiences throughout our mission. We know that our efforts at this time are
vital to accomplish our purposes while we are here. We’re thankful for the
Lord, for our family, for President and Sister Léporé and all the awesome
missionaries. We love you all and are grateful for all the support we feel from
our family and friends.
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
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