BLOG 48, SEP 4 - 10, 2023

LABOR DAY IN THE STATES AND THE WORK GOES ON IN LYON

Monday was a normal day for us, minus the fact that we took advantage of chatting with some of our family since it was Labor Day in the states…. see section below on our chats.

All throughout the week, we are working on many varied items for our mission, which honestly do not jolt any excitement on your end, but good things are happening, and we are grateful to be here and seeing the work progress.

HERBERT KLOPFER AUDIO INTERVIEW – ASTOUNDING! STORIES OF HIS FLEEING EAST GERMANY WITH HIS FAMILY, TRULY REMARKABLE!

On Labor Day, I also took the time, while working on other things, to listen to an audio interview that Ruth Todd (Utah broadcaster) had with Herbert Klopfer. I had received this recording many years ago from a friend and somehow had filed away and forgot about it. It was an audio interview from 2009.

Herbert Klopfer - the amazing!

In this interview, he shares his life in East Germany and the remarkable and heroic escape his family made to defect from East Germany and eventually land in the U.S. You’ll want to listen to this remarkable story.

Herbert Klopfer is a very dear friend that I have worked closely with since 2000 on the many Utah Regional Music Workshops (formerly Layton Utah Music Workshops) for 16 years. He attended each of them and spoke as a huge contributor of church music. He has a range of experience working with the church from being the head over the church music department, to a host of other responsibilities in the music department. He is currently working with the new hymn book at the age of 87. He is the foremost knowledgeable person on church music.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE MOST AMAZING INTERVIEW WITH HERBERT KLOPFER

CONFLUENCE & GRENOBLE SISTERS AND CHALON RENEER COUPLE CHAT THIS WEEK FOR ENGLISH CONNECT I

This week we had a zoom chat with the Confluence and Grenoble Sisters who will be teaching English Connect I and we’re so grateful and they are actually excited. We gave them some important details that we felt would be helpful to get them started and our prayers are with them. We’re so grateful for the missionaries teaching these English courses.

Sisters Blake and Watson receiving training prior to teaching English Connect I.

Sisters Stone and Paschal also receiving training prior to teaching English Connect I.

We then contacted the Reneers (senior missionary couple) in Chalon, to see if the Elders in their Branch would be willing to teach an English Connect course. They didn’t feel that they could with all that’s going on there, but Sister Reneer quickly offered to teach it. Wow! So grateful for them!

DISTRICT COUNCIL ZOOM MEETING

We attended a wonderful District Council meeting this week, and though it was the intent for our district to hold it in person this week, the President asked each zone not to hold an in-person district councils, because of the massive efforts and cost of next week’s Mission Wide Conference here in Lyon.

The awesome District Council Meeting

PERSONAL CALL WITH JARON PACKER

We always love our one-on-one chats with our kids, and it was nice to get an update on their family, but especially on a couple of important issues that need fervent prayers. Jacob, from his MPS6 condition, will need another difficult surgery which they are praying to decide if and when to do this. It would definitely help him as he continues to grow, but it’s not easy, and would take 4 months of healing with not getting his heart rate up during this recovery. He is on his bike team, doing amazing with that, and doing incredible on the HS golf team. Our prayers and fasting are with him, as they make this critical decision.

REGISTRATION FOR THE COURSES ARE MOUNTING!

We are very pleased with the number of registrations (143 at this point and growing daily) with the courses that will be starting the week of the 18th of this month. It’s been a lot of work on Steve throughout this week and for many weeks, keeping on top of this effort and sending out emails and so much more. We’re hoping that what is happening now will be the efforts needed to carry this forward once we leave. We’re grateful to see it move forward as we’ve worked with the stake and members.

Steve and I worked on finalizing the PowerPoint presentation he had put together for the facilitators to go through for training and hope that this will work for each of them to start their efforts. We are grateful for the completion of this needed presentation, which is self-directed.

CENTER PROPOSAL HAS BEEN SENT AND POSITIVE RESPONSE

The Stake President was finally able to send in the proposal for a center here in Lyon on Wednesday to the Area Presidency. All of this took longer than planned, as he had to receive endorsements from more people, but it looked great! Steve put so much work on this to help it flow well and be presentable. The very next day the Stake President heard back from President De Feo with a positive response and then it will be fully reviewed by his counselors. Our prayers are for a quick response to finalize their decision to know if this will move forward.   

WALK IN THE PARK THIS WEEK

It has been a bit warm this week, but the mornings are beautiful to still walk to the park. Here are just a few photos of beauty!

SOCIAL MEDIA ZOOM CALL WITH JOSHUA BOSWELL

We were grateful for another call with our social media team, and the AP’s and ZL’s, with Joshua Boswell. President Lepore was not able to join us. Joshua has so many ideas. If the team can implement them, it would be wonderful. A lot of the work we are doing now to prepare to share with the whole zone will end up helping for next February when the next group of courses begin, because it won’t be implemented in time for this semester of courses which start next week.

Joshua Boswell trying to enthuse the social media team!

MESSENGER VIDEO CALL WITH CHARLOTTE

I was pleased to have a video chat with Charlotte from our Paris mission. We talk periodically and I’m grateful when she calls to check in. Her sweet Max is already 4.5 years old and such a sweet boy.

Charlotte, our dear friend from Paris. I was like her second mother and grandmother to her son Max. We continue to stay in touch. 

Max is now 4.5 years old. I was there from the time his mother was pregnant, till she delivered and then a year old when we left. He's a sweet boy! 

PRESIDENT NELSON’S 99 TH BIRTHDAY ON 9-9-2023

This last Saturday the world of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, celebrated the 99th Birthday of our dear prophet, President Russell M Nelson. His birthday fell on 9-9-2023. There were many sweet social media posts, but it was obvious his desire was to be with his family and not have a big to-do! We all pray he continues to reach beyond his 100th birthday, as he has so much yet to share with the world. He’s the oldest prophet to ever live in these latter days. He’s loved and cherished by all who have ever known him, heard him speak and seen him smile and express his love to all he has the opportunity. He is truly beloved. We look forward to hearing him speak in a few weeks at General Conference.   

President Nelson's 99th birthday honoring from Strivetobe Instagram site. 

SUNDAY WORSHIP

We’re grateful for a beautiful Sabbath, with wonderful talks and a chance to continue to reflect on the blessings of the weekly renewal of our covenants.

We have a new Relief Society president, that I have never met, which is Carole Pommier, who lives in Switzerland half the time, but moving here as soon as she finds a job in the medical field. Bless her heart!

Carole Pommier, our newest Relief Society President.

Raegene always gives beautiful lessons, plus she is an amazing professional artist. 

We had a wonderful discussion with President Jubault (the stake president) about the continued succession of this great project of Sharing Church Resources. He’s thrilled to see how it’s going and grateful for the efforts we’ve been able to help him with. It’s been a joy to work with this stake and to see the Toulouse Stake moving forward as well.

CHILDREN/GRAND CHILDREN/FAMILY MOMENTS

     Becca and kids

We missed having Brian with us on our call with this family, as Brian was doing his Drivers Ed side job on Labor Day, but the kids were so adorable throwing kisses and saying hi Papa and Mémé. Becca’s busy with these darling two boys and her activity days with the Primary. Becca and Brian and Mason went on a trip to Buffalo New York and saw both the New York and Canada side of Niagara Falls and church history sites near Palmyra and then they’ll visit Toronto Canada (no photos). Henry stayed with his other grandparents. We love this dear family!

Mason, Henry and momma chat! Love and miss them all!

Henry stayed with their other grandparents, while Becca, Brian and Mason took off for a trip to Niagra Falls and much more. 

Part of their trip took them to church history sites near Palmyra. Becca's first time going there was when she was 3.5 years old. 

     Janine and Adam Hunsaker Family

We had a great visit on Monday as well with the Hunsaker's and loved seeing ALL of them and getting a little update from each of them. We’re so grateful that Adam now has a job right in Logan and is able to be so much closer to home. Hurray! Janine is back in school and doing clinicals for the most part in her Radiology degree. Adam Jr. is getting close to submitting his mission papers. Great things are happening to this family. We love all of them so much!

The awesome Hunsaker crew! Love and miss them all!

     Duckworth Family chat

It was amazing to get in on a chat with the whole Duckworth crew! Maliyah and Kyson were both on with every member of their family present. This call represented people from four parts of the world (Missouri, Brazil, France, Washington). We mainly listened to Kyson talk about his mission, as this was the time for their family call with him and the next day was their call with Maliyah. We’ll catch the Duckworths another time when we can catch up with the rest of the family. They are anxiously engaged in doing such good and worthwhile things! We sure love each of them!

Maliyah and Kyson in different parts of the world serving their missions, but all together for a brief moment!

This photo represents 4 different places in the world. Brazil, France, Missouri (soon to be California) and Washington

     Jaron and Vanesa Packer Family

We loved our visit with Jaron’s whole family. They have each of the children actively involved in sports and some of them in music. The children and their parents are so devoted, strong and committed to all good things. Life may be hectic, but somehow, they make it all work and are happy in their pursuits. We love this great family so much!

The amazing Jaron and Vanesa Packer family! We sure miss you all!

     Sister Maliyah Duckworth

“The past couple weeks I've given quite a few tours to lots of little kids!! And can I just say... I love kids. Haha. Genuinely. (anyone who knows me, knows that) They're so precious and fun and pure-hearted. They don't judge or care if you mess up or say a word wrong or look "bad". They're just curious and funny and they love you. I love giving tours to little kids because it helps me realize how simple the gospel is (or can be). They bring a special spirit. Evennnn if they're noisy at times lol. Some kids are definitely easier to give tours to than others, I will say. However, I think I'm beginning to understand now what Jesus meant when He said to bring all the little children unto Him, or to "be as a child". To be meek, humble, submissive, willing to learn, and to just love. He didn't say to be a child, but to be like a child. To believe as they believe, to have implicit faith as they do, to obey as they obey, to love as they love, to serve as they serve, to be enthusiastic as they are, and so on! There's a really really good BYU speech given by James Paramore, titled "Become as a little child" and I'll link it below because I highly recommend listening to, or reading it! I hope that I can become more alive in Christ as I strive to follow and represent Him, just as little children so often are.

Maliyah on what looks like a little shopping trip. 

Maliyah with sister Tew - luckily, they are going to CA together shortly. 

Maliyah with her amazing mission leaders, President and Sister Forsyth.

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO TALK SHE MENTIONS

     Elder Kyson Duckworth now in Brazil

“Okay, I had a pretty cool personal spiritual moment this week during personal study that I'd like to share with you about;

So I had been praying a lot to have a greater desire to want to be in Brasil and be on a mission. I already had one but I needed a further desire to be able to really enjoy the work I do and the experience and to be able to "Forget yourself and Go to Work." And while we communicate to God through prayer, one of the ways he can communicate to us is through the scriptures.

Doctrine and Covenants section 4 was one of the scriptures we had tried to memorize in the MTC but I never did. And it was a recommended scripture (along with others) in Adjusting to Missionary Life and so I figured I'd go and re-read it. If you've never read it before, GO READ IT. As a missionary, this scripture couldn't be more applicable and important for us to remember and I felt so much love and peace and excitement from God all at the same time for the mission. And for that day, it was exactly what I needed.

And it ties in perfectly with one of my favorite songs, "A Great Work: 2021 Youth Album" for the Church. Go listen to that too while you’re at it cuz it's just as good. (It's also a bomber in Portuguese, too [yes, they have most of the youth songs in various languages 〔I know, it's pretty cool〕)

Kyson shopping, I think....

Lemon pudding! 

Map of his mission.

GOSPEL STUDY REVIEW

     Book of Mormon

• Always think the best of others, especially our family and friends.
• Do all we can according to our faith with the Lord’s strength.
• Hearts can change from evil to truth. We have so many examples in the scriptures. Treat everyone with the potential that is within them.
• Be just and upright before God and observe to do good continually and keep the commandments of the Lord.
• When our desire is to have God’s power with us, the Lord will guide and bless us.
• Stand beside our leaders and defend them. This will help protect our rights, privileges, liberty, families and religion, which are all eternal blessings.
• Pride can begin to fester in the hearts of men and will begin to destroy peace.
• Fast and pray often and be more humble, giving, and faithful in Christ.

     Come Follow Me

• The Lord can give us personal direction now to bless us for the future. Pay attention to the promptings and act on them, as this is personal prophecy for us.
• The Lord honors and respects women as co-equals and partners in this life and with our families. We must all honor women and our roles as women.
• This life is so fleeting and short if we didn’t believe in the power and blessings of the resurrection. We must do all we can now to show our faith and devotion that will carry us into the next life.
• Seek for the best gifts, not for our own benefit, but to bless and edify others and the church. Look outward!
• Listen to one another and let others speak and be heard.
• Know and understand the importance and the blessings of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power of its eternal gifts.
• Add my voice and testify of Him! I know He lives, I know that He is our Redeemer!

Conclusion: CARPE DIEM – SEIZE THE DAY!

Saturday, through our private mission Facebook page, we received an inspired message from our mission president. It touched me deeply and especially as we all prepare for next week’s special mission-wide conference with our Area President, President De Feo. But what he shared was far more than our preparation for the conference. It could also help us in our preparation for General Conference, for life in general and to Carpe Diem - seize the day! Meaning, as we receive so many privileges from God, we can’t let them pass us by and waste them away. Seize the opportunity to learn and grow.

We are given so much to bless our lives, yet how can we honestly capture the blessings if we don’t make the best of each day and truly seize each moment of inspiration. We need to put aside distractions, study more intentionally, increase our faith, partake of the sacred ordinances weekly with increased purpose, and ask Heavenly Father for His help and act on it. Within this brief synopsis was a beautiful and inspired message that can be used daily in our lives. How grateful we all should be!

 

With all our love,

Elder et Sœur Packer                                                                                            Grandpère et Mémé

801-336-6153 (Steve’s)

801-564-1332 (Renée’s)