BLOG 41, JUL 17-23, 2023

H.A.R.D – ACRONYM

I found this recently that caught my attention because it is so true. Can anyone relate? I believe it was all part of the plan.

NEW & OLD PATHS IN THE PARK THIS WEEK

This week, one of the days we took another path that Steve had previously tried and I loved it! It was as if we were going through a hiking trail in the mountains, very lush and winding streams throughout. The park is filled with countless paths we have not yet tried, but each are unique and breathtaking. It would take us hours to find them all.

We may miss this park more than most things here in Lyon!

From a little distance, I thought for sure these were tennis balls.

Until I found them in the tree. ;)

Osage orange (I know they aren't orange), also called bowwood, in French bois d'arc. 

One of the only type of trees left that still have a bright, vibrant color of pink.

OUR GRANDCHILDREN MISSIONARY MOMENTS

     Sister Maliyah Duckworth – her words

“The past couple weeks we have had an insane amount of bus tours!!! Plus a ton of walk-ins. July and August are known as the busiest months for the church historic sites, so we're just getting started haha! For example, yesterday we had 700 people come into Liberty Jail alone!! Although it's incredibly draining- physically, mentally and emotionally, it's also so cool that I get the opportunity to testify to literally thousands of people each week about the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and the joy that it can bring into our lives! I love it. Even when I don't haha. I cherish this time and my testimony has grown so much!”

Maliyah in front of the Historic Liberty Jail, where she loves serving at the most. 

She has met Hank Smith several times now and finally enjoyed getting a photo with him. He's always bringing tours through!

Chris Ashby, from Duckworth's ward in Kalmath Falls, OR, who happened to stop by. Her daughter is Camille's best friend, who lives in North Carolina. 

This is the whole family (Maliyah was there in present time). So tender! 

     Elder Kyson Duckworth

Kyson entered the MTC this last Wednesday, leaving the day before from the Portland airport with his family bidding him farewell, as well as Maliyah on the phone from her mission. He’s on his way to Provo, UT MTC for 6 weeks, prior to his going to the Brazil, Curitiba South Mission. Sweet and tender emotions were shared in their farewells with him. We’re so proud of Kyson and his desire to serve the Lord. There will be more updates soon.

All Kyson wanted the night before they left, was to get a milkshake. 

He was organized and ready to go on time!

Jayden and Kyson had a tender long hug! They've been roommates as brothers all their lives. 

Sweet Austin had the toughest time! He is one tender boy!

Kyson's mom is such a rock, but also an emotional and sweet farewell!

Since Duck was flying out as well, the two of them took off to their gates for one last farewell. 

This Elder is who helped Kyson at the MTC.

This boy, Louis, is the Duckworth's exchange student for 3 weeks. He's from Annecy, where Camille, Kyson and Steve and I visited back in April when they were here. This boy's family lives only 1.5 hours away from here. We'll be paying a fun visit with this family when Louis returns home.

NAUVOO REMINISCINGS  

It’s been a year since we were in Nauvoo and our hearts can’t help but long to be there again as we see videos and photos posted on Facebook. If you ever want a life changing opportunity, go for a few days, and see two consecutive nights of the pageants and other incredible sites in and around Nauvoo, or better yet participate. It’s heartwarming that my sister Janine now lives in Nauvoo and basking in the humid, hot, but incredible spirit of Nauvoo and the pageants during this time of year. There is an undeniable spirit present in Nauvoo throughout the year, as angels (on earth and in heaven) testify of its very sacred nature. You can’t deny it!

Nothing brings me to tears of joy more than watching the pageants in Nauvoo. These pageants run till the beginning of August this year. Still not too late to go to Nauvoo. 

AUSTIN AND EMMA NEARING THE MOVE TO FLORIDA

Monday night, Becca, our youngest, threw a farewell for Austin and his wife, Emma Packer and children, with those of our children who live in Utah. It was such a sweet gathering of our Utah children and families. We love how they know how to love one another! We will miss them being so near us when we return. I think we’ll be heading to Florida at least once a year.

Becca on the right, capturing memories with Austin and Emma's family.  So grateful for these families. Becca and Austin were also so close! 

This is most of the crew from Utah, though a few of them could not be there. 

Brian holding down the fort in the shade of those littles needing an otter pop!

Maddie Packer with Becca, Austin, Rose and Leo. 

This week we had a video chat with Austin and Emma and kids, grabbing one more opportunity to talk with them prior to their leaving for Florida. We know we’ll keep in touch with them throughout. Your prayers for them that all goes well would be so appreciative. They have a lot on their plate and they are moving forward with a lot of faith!

Austin and Emma in the last two weeks of so much work and so we appreciated them taking the time to visit with us. They've been such a joy to have in Utah by us. 

Bowen, Leo and Rose

ZOOM MEETING WITH PRESIDENT JUBAULT AND CHUPIN COUPLE SCR COORDINATORS

We had our meeting Tuesday with President Jubault and the Johann and Betty Chupin to finalize the Center Proposal. Everything looked good, just missing Johann’s part and then we’re good to go finalize. 

Johann Chupin, Packers, President Jubault, and Betty Chupin

IN PERSON DISTRICT COUNCIL

We enjoyed a wonderful, in person, District Council in Lyon today. We loved getting to meet some of the new missionaries we have only met online. The comments, questions, discussions, were all very energizing. They are doing amazing, as usual!

This is the whole District!

Firehose shot - they are so on fire with their work, that they need to be hosed down! 

I'm so grateful we have each other, no transfers, etc. It's the best!

ROLL UP BANNERS HAVE ARRIVED

We were thrilled that our banners finally arrived this week. They look fabulous and we are anxious to have the missionaries begin to use them. We have seen other areas who have used similar type banners with great success. Our experience in Paris was wonderful as well.

The stand-up banner for all the resources! 

The stand-up banner for English Connect, though it's also included with all the other resources, but we find people really want to learn English. And it's all free!

ED AND VICKIE AUSTIN SURPRISE CALL

Receiving an unexpected FaceTime phone call from Ed and Vickie Austin from the Area, but stationed in Paris, was so fun. Steve knows this couple well from his Folk Dance years at BYU and we met with them shortly before we left for our Lyon mission, knowing they too would be coming to Paris. On this particular call on Saturday, they had several questions for us, but then we turned to them to see if they would be willing to come our way for a fun YSA activity with their fun dance activities. They have been doing this for many YSA activities throughout the Area. They have tons of energy, and we loved our chat.

Vickie and Ed Austin - great friends, doing amazing work throughout the Area. We hope to be working with them in the fall for an event here in Lyon for the YSA's. 

GUIDEBOOK DRAFT COMPLETE

We are so happy that the Guidebook draft is ready for review. It has taken us a while to get to this point, but we are grateful for the Lord’s help in its completion this far.

SISTER PATRICIA HOLLAND PASSES AWAY PEACEFULLY

Sister Patricia Holland, wife of Elder Jeffrey R Holland, passed away peacefully this last Friday, the 20^th, at the age of 81. She and her husband both suffered for a while from a recent bout of covid. She was a most remarkable woman, who lived a life reflecting the love of the Savior in every thought and action. We pray for peace and comfort to be with Elder Holland and their family at this very difficult time of loss.

Sister Patricia Holland with her husband, Elder Jeffrey R Holland. She will be greatly missed in the church and community!

CENTER PROPOSAL COMPLETE

Saturday, we finalized the Resource Center proposal for President Jubault (stake president) to send to the Area, once President and Sister Léporé write their thoughts.

SABBATH WORSHIP

We had a wonderful Sabbath and are so grateful for ongoing lessons we are taught by the Spirit.

A dear friend, Alma Pierre Brenders and his daughter (currently living in Meridian, ID) came to visit our ward with his parents, Brigitte and Pierre Brenders from our Lyon Stake in Bren, France, though they used to all live in our ward here in Lyon. It was Brigitte and Pierre’s 50^th Wedding Anniversary celebration with their family.

We’ve known Alma Pierre for over 3 years because Roland Léporé asked us to give a special, in person, training to his Stake in Idaho (these two have always been best friends). We now know and love the whole Brenders family. Alma Pierre left on his mission while my parents served here and my father spoke at his farewell and directed a YSA choir, and my mother played the piano. Also, while my parents were serving in Bern, Switzerland Temple, Alma and his wife, Natalia were sealed in that temple with my parents there being able to attend. I’ve been told I will be getting a photo of that event.    

During Priesthood Meeting, Steve recounted with me an amazing miracle that happened. As the instructor was talking about their ministering visits, they also began to discuss the importance of missionary work and how they could do better. Steve in his brave French, spoke up and shared with them, the best he could, about Sharing Church Resources again, as an amazing way to serve, minister and bless people's lives, and some of them may want to join the church (I’m so proud of him).

This began an amazing discussion! From then on, from Alma-Pierre, Presidents Simonet and Jubault, there was a tremendous enthusiasm that erupted with such joy and great discussion on this topic. President Simonet asked President Jubault to share his vision he had over 2 years ago, and everyone was so grateful, even though they’ve been hearing all about SCR, it helped to have all these men share their testimony and see their excitement. This truly was a miracle to have all these men share so powerfully.

Oldest daughter of the Alma-Pierre Brenders (his wife stayed home in Idaho with the 5 children). 

Alma-Pierre, Pierre and Brigitte Brenders on the right, with us and Alma-Pierre's oldest daughter. They were all here to celebrate their parent's 50 years of marriage. We love the sweet connections of the past to the present that keep bringing us back together. 

Michelle and Brigitte, dear friends, who are my dear friends, that I love. This was right before Relief Society beginning. 

The ritual spot for Sunday photo. It's all about lighting! ;)

Alma-Pierre and Pierrer Brenders (son and father)

ZOOM CHATS WITH HANSENS AND PARIS TEMPLE VISITOR CENTER

This evening we had a zoom chat with Elder and Sister Hansen in Toulouse. They are on the ball working with President Silberman.

We also attended a zoom Paris Temple Visitor Center Tour with Elder and Sister Cadin and their missionaries for our Lyon mission only. After they were finished and asking questions, it gave us an opportunity to let Paris know that we have put a link in our Webpage about this very temple visitor center tour, allowing missionaries and members to make a scheduled virtual tour. They were thrilled that we in fact followed through as we said we would on March 31^st when we met with them.

Thayne and Laurie Hansen - we are so grateful for all they are doing. They hit the road running when got to Toulouse. 

President and Sister Léporé, with Lyon Mission, in a fireside of the Paris Temple Visitor Center couple (Cadin)

Elder Michel and Sister Neia Cadin. They are vibrant and amazing directors for the Paris Temple Visitor Center.

CHILDREN AND GRAND CHILDREN MOMENTS

Water fun, photos and more raspberries

Becca bravely took her two little toddlers to the swim pool on her own and said that all went well. It’s not easy when they are so young, but she handled like a champ, as she always does (water is a different story though). And she’s always luring us to come home with her raspberries that she picks daily and posts photos on social media. These really entice me, as they are original plants from the ones my dad started in Idaho, that Becca transplanted and has been diligent to help them thrive!

Becca loving her time with her boys! This was not the photo or the time she went swimming alone with them. 

These raspberries are to die for, I'm sure of it! 

Brian, Becca, Henry and Mason Lattin Family - Our oldest daughter, Camille Duckworth, took these photos of Becca's family. Her photography is remarkable and so fun to watch her capture the joy in their faces!

     Brent Packer Family –Puppies, photos, roof and friends

Brent and Shal had puppies, 8 of them to be exact. This was their first experience having puppies, and Allen googled what they needed to know to be prepared. Such a cool experience.

Brent has been working on the roof for home (former barn) and it is coming along, and even further along than this photo shows.

Also, Brent and Shal have stayed in touch with their awesome HS friends all these years and met up once again. These friends are the best!

Here's Luna's 8 puppies, hopefully not getting suffocated! 

The left side is all done, and I believe the right side is almost finished as well, but this was the best I had. What a monstrous job building a home inside this barn, but it's so close to being finished. Brent has been amazing with his skills, and his family is pretty awesome! 

Brent and Shal's amazing HS friends, who have been together all these years meeting on a regular basis. They are missing a couple more. We love all these people!

Brent, Shal, Ayden, Olivia and Allen Packer - Thanks to Camille again! It tugs are my heart strings seeing these. 

GOSPEL STUDY REVIEW

     Book of Mormon

• Our righteous prayers have great power in helping others through their trials.
• Questions about doctrine help us to learn truths.
• The plan of redemption is our greatest gift.
• Be humble, call on God, pray continually, be meek, submissive, patient, full of love, long suffering.
• Never stop living the principles of the Doctrine of Christ.
• Forsake the world and follow Jesus Christ.
• The Lord can prepare the hearts of people to receive the word.

     Come Follow Me

• Our hearts are softened to love everyone more.
• Learn how the Lord speaks to you, as these promptings are of great worth.
• God’s kingdom on earth is led by prophets that receive continuing revelation in our day.
• Recognize the similarities with others and let your light so shine with Christlike love, in all our differences.
• Embrace the mission you’ve been given, unlike Jonah, who ran the other way!
• God is no respecter of persons, nor should we.
• Make requests with the Lord, not demands, and then ask how we can help rather than a ‘customer service mentality.’
• Tribulations are the way the Lord allows growth to prepare us to enter into the Kingdom of God.

Summary:

If each of us could choose one thing that we could improve on, what would it be for you? What brought you to this conclusion and what driving force could help you make that improvement? Each day, I learn personal lessons that warrant change, that come through inspiration, often during my daily study with the Lord, which I have been very grateful for. Knowing full well I can’t make these changes all at once or without Him, I can receive an impression from the Lord how I might move forward with my plans of improvement. I know I am weak, I know I have far to go, I know that the Lord loves me, is patient with me, but He knows I am trying! I hope you can all know He loves you, He knows you are trying, and we are all on the same path!

 

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