Monday, June 22, 2015

There could be worse surprises (EP)



Hey so I am a noob because I didn't even make that poem rhyme. Sorry Danielle😔 I am ashamed. Just wanted to get that out there. I wasn't totally ignorant of my non-poetic performance, just rushed.

Now for the miracles.

Joey was baptised and confirmed this weekend. He has joined the fold!
We called Joey on Monday Night and asked him what he thought about moving his Date to this weekend the 26th of June. He liked the idea, but he asked what else he would need to do. We ran through the
requirements with him over the phone. He had some concerns with a couple of them. Naturally. I would be blown away if he didn't have any concerns.

The whole week turned into a battle with Satan! Every day Satan had something to throw at us, and something to throw at Joey. We had lessons, cry sessions, a couple of blessings to be given. Tons of stuff. I had a little thing in my mind that would say, it would just be easier to move his baptism to the 4th so it would relieve some stress on us and the members who we were rallying to help us. Than I would have a counter thought. Do you have the faith to make this happen? President Rasmussen sent us this challenge by revelation, "From the pool of investigators in your area, prayerfully identify one who will appropriately complete all events that lead to baptism and confirmation as listed in the daily planner and invite them to adjust their date and prepare to be baptised at a baptismal service held on June 19, 20, 21, 26, 27 or 28th."

He knows that we can do this. The Lord knows that we can do this.

Holy smokes. Elder Boshard and I looked at each other on Monday night after planning. "Do you think we could move Joey to this weekend?" Elder Boshard asked me. I was daunted even thinking about it. "Yeah, it is possible. He's been to church twice already." Trying to have a faithful outlook. "I'm going to call him!". We took note of concerns he had and began praying immediately that Joey would stay with us. Not falling away from the path of investigating.

I questioned myself every day this week saying "Do I have the Faith needed to do this?" I should. I know that God can do anything. I tell that to my investigators a lot! Than I would keep going forward. Trying to make everything work out in the best way for a baptism.

We ended up miraculously having a ward activity on Saturday night which had been announced on Sunday. We decided that it was the best way to get as many members as possible at the baptism. Bishop Baker agreed and lent us his full support to have the baptismal service right after the activity. It worked out well. Up to the very last
moments there were struggles and temptations. My biggest temptation was to give up. I'll be honest.

Elder Boshard performed the baptism. We had a great turn out and the ward is so great here. Some were a little surprised by a baptism but hey, there are worse surprises out there.

I honestly have never had a greater test of faith in my whole mission.

Hey Padre! Happy Fathers Day!! There is no day that goes by that I don't think of something you have taught me. So, well done on the practical side of parenting. I'm applying it and surviving. Also, I know that you love me so well done on the nurturing side. Ya Done Good. Ya done good.I love you Dad.

Last week, due to my poor time usage I neglected to tell yall about our meeting with Elder Jeffrey R. Holland! This is probably old news if you've read elder Boshard's emails, but Elder Holland visited our mission and we were all able to shake his hand. He told me that he was supposed to give me a hug (from Grandpa Packer) when he saw me. I didn't ever have a chance to get that hug, but it is the thought that counts. Thanks Grandpa! Happy (Grand)fathers' Day to you!

The conference was awesome though. It was super sad because of the group that will be leaving this transfer. around 30 missionaries gave a 1 minute power testimony. They are my good friends. I'll be so sad to see them go. The next sad thing is that President Rasmussen and Sister Rasmussen gave us their departing testimonies. We're getting a new mission president. weird. 

Love,

Elder Packer
(Burton on Trent)

Monday, June 15, 2015

Elder Holland and Sister Dalton! (SH)

Hey!! 

i don't have a whole lot of time! not any actually but i wanted to say that I love ya so much! thanks for your email! I'm glad that the meds are doing a lot better! Keep that hope! I'm praying for you! Tell bre and all of them that I love them!! 

IM SO STOKED FOR LYDIA I CAN'T EVEN CONTAIN MYSELF I WANT A VIDEO AND PICTURES AND EVERYTHING GOOD THAT COMES FROM MISSION CALLS AND I MIGHT CRY BUT ITS OKAY BECAUSE THEY ARE TEARS OF JOY AND IM SO PROUD!!

totally improper sentence.. oh well.

Oh so we met Elder Holland and Sister Dalton! Didn't know who she was but it was cool! 

spiritual weeks, lots of finding! New ward mission leader and things have already been amazing! This transfer is going to be a good one! Oh and I got a new companion her name is Sister Lammintaus and she is from Finland!!




HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANIELLE!! (EP)

A BIRTHDAY POEM TO DANIELLE:

I have a sister named Danielle,
she has two hundred things to tell
She is thirteen, a ripe young age
I was much older at that stage

She has a bajillion friends
And so much to do
She can count the people to love
and she loves them all

She cannot count something so real
despite her new maturity
which is the love for her I feel!

Love, 

Elder Jake Packer

Hope you  had a good Birthday Danielle!

This week has been a good one. Joey our investigator is doing amazing. That guy went finding with us. Haha, he is a legend. Please pray for our man Joey. He would appreciate it I'm sure. He is aiming for the4th of July to be baptised.

My companion is a stud. I love him a lot. Well done Boshard crew for bringing him up right.

Love,

Elder Packer

p.s. please feel the sincerity in this email. I know it is short, but I mean every word.

Monday, June 8, 2015

Double Rainbow! (SH)

Mom! Double rainbow! Does it count for 2 years then? Also learning to
sight read! When you have to sing at a fireside you learn quick!



What happened?! (EP)

Dear family and friends,

Greetings from Burton upon Trent!

Here we go. We had some awesome contact with some less-active and part member families this week. Particularly this couple that live about a 30min cycle from us. The first contact we had with them was through a member who asked us to assist in giving a blessing to the wife of the family. She is a member but hasn't been to church for many years. Her husband is hilarious. We gave the blessing, and saw that they were doing some work on their back deck. We offered to help with it, they didn't think we were serious, but when it comes to giving service we are pretty adventurous so we agreed to help before we even knew what we're going to do.

We ended up staining their newly cleaned deck. We did one coat on Thursday but ran out of stain so we went back on Friday morning to finish up. These were probably the warmest days I've had here in England. My arms and neck got sunburnt. My hands have colour!

We need to get a picture with them. We will go back to teach them.
They said we're welcome anytime.

Our good friend Joey has been doing well. He is legendary, we had an awesome lesson with him on Saturday night.  We read Mosiah 27 with him. It taught me a lot to read it with him. We took a lot of thought in planning that lesson and I'm confident that we did what Heavenly Father wanted us to do for that lesson.

- Elder Packer

Sent from my iPad (Note from Mom:  They just got iPads in their mission 2 weeks ago--technology is changing the way missionary work is tracked and can assist in teaching lessons as needed.  Very exciting!!  Also, these pictures count as June 1st letter--I think there might have been a letter that was supposed to come with it as it was entitled "Pictures First"...but you never know with these busy missionaries!)
Obviously a missionary meeting : )
Elder Packer and Elder Boshard working hard!
I believe this is the deck that they stained.

Monday, June 1, 2015

I love you! (SH)

Thank you so much for your email last week. It was a rough week and that was so good to read wow, talk about mother daughter connection haha!! 
I guess here are some pics from the week... Also went to the dentist hahah oh that sucked!! Also on the way to the dentist got lost and realised that we were in London... Us looking guilty driving in London haha! 
(The driving picture unfortunately didn't get sent--it would have been a good one!)

Dentisit visit in London--fun!


Sister Hansen showing the little tikes around the London Temple Visitor Center

Monday, May 25, 2015

pictures:) (EP)

Dear everyone,

I have some good pictures. I really want to share some experiences/thoughts I've had but I don't have much time right now. Thank you everyone for your emails!

We got our iPads this week too. It finally happened.

Elder JONES is back and is in my district!

Just know that the church is true. Following the Spirit is the best. The Lord will never send you the cheap way, always the best way.

Love,

Elder Packer
Elder Jones, Elder Boshard, and ?
In back, Elder Boshard, ?, ?, Elder Jones.  In front, ?, Elder Packer : ) Burton-Upon-Trent

Monday, May 18, 2015

Another week in Burton!


To start, here is a nice tree with the rain drizzling down.

We have had an OK week. Lots of learning curves, and lots of traveling. We traveled outside of our area on five different days for doctors appointments, district meetings and exchanges.

I went on exchange to Rugeley, it is part of Cannock ward. I was with Elder Balzen from Boise, Idaho.

Rugeley is a nice little town. It is beautiful, there aren't tons of people, but it is nice.

We played football with Jordi on Friday, that was good fun. We also started doing an English class. Jordi was the only one that came. Next week will be better. I improved in my English for sure. 

We aren't teaching the English class, Sister Rooney is, she is a senior sister missionary.

Welp, we're going to go eat lunch! Have a great week everyone! 

-Elder Packer


Monday, May 11, 2015

That felt good:) (EP)

Dear People,

It was a good skype session. Of course I wish I could have spoken to you all individually a little longer, especially Courtney and BreAnne... Eden tried. I love you all. I feel like I can keep going. I'm focused! It is worth it being a missionary!

Claire and John Wright took pictures of us yesterday at church. Most of you saw those anyway.

Pictures:
The other one is the first day with Elder Boshard.

The awesome guy that is darker than myself... a lot darker is Jordi! The girl is Rebekah, she is a great member.


Monday, May 4, 2015

Skype Time! (EP)

Final Decision! 

Skype at 7pm works great. We'll do it at the Berry's home. 7pm Burton on Trent time!

Love,

Elder Packer and Elder Boshard:)

Monday, April 27, 2015

3 minutes of silence... (SH)

Hey everyone! So last week I was gonna write an email and well.. I didn't but it was really good but its also really long! So I'll write it next week! But this week has been really good, we have been doing a ton of knocking I like it. I don't enjoy getting yelled at but the one person who lets us into their house is worth the whole street of rejection. 

The week has been good though, we had two investigators Tracy and Amarah come to church last Sunday and they said they loved it and were coming every week! That was amazing! We wen't on exchanges and a investigator that Sister Fleuren and I had in the MTC got baptized in Illinois so we got to call her and we got a less active to meet with us after years of rejecting missionaries! so great!

So this week we have been doing a lot of knocking and on Tuesday we had been knocking for 2 hours and everyone was so mean for most of the time.. all but one door! The one door was worth it all! BUT my companion hah, we were walking back to our car and shes all "Hey lets go knock that door" and I was trying to tell her that, that was the last door we knocked last time but she wrote the door before that down in her planner as the last door we knocked the day before. I kept telling her that I remembered knocking that door but shes like its fine, I remember the last door being blue so I told her that she could contact in then. She got to the door and knocked super loud and the guy comes to the door and is like "yes" and she didn't say anything at first so I went to say something when all of the sudden she starts looking at pointing at his door and is like "OH, which house number is this ohhh ohh oh, does Ashley live here?" I was so confused... We don't know an Ashley. Me and the guy were staring at her like she was crazy.. Hes like nah there is no Ashley that lives here and shes like oh okay sorry about that and starts walking away.. I had no idea what was going on so I just started walking back to the car and there was like 3 minutes of silence when I looked at her and was like Ashley huh.. She started freaking out and was like I panicked okay, he looked like he was gonna kill me! SO funny! I guess when my companion panics she asks for people she doesn't even know. I was dying! 

Moral of the story is that the Lord has humor and.. to be persistent. We are going back to his door today to knock and see if he will be baptized!

Love you all, have a great week!
-Sister Hansen 

ELDER BOSHARD IS MY NEW COMPANION/HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM! (EP)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA! I can't even adequately describe it here, I am planning on sending you a card:) Just know that I thought of you yesterday and yelled "Happy Birthday Mom!" 

ELDER BOSHARD IS MY NEW COMPANION! He is from Draper UT. Turns out he lives close to the Gabrielsons:) Small world. 

Yep. That is the biggest news of the week:) He is a beast. We are already getting work done. He's got the faith and he's fearless. 

Oh and we got Jordi on a baptismal date for the 30th of May!!!!!! He came to church yesterday and loved it. He's working on understanding the English but it was a great experience. He will do it, the only concern he has so far is that he won't know what to say to his friends if they ask him about his new religion. Pray for Jordi por favor!

Oh how I wish I had my camera. I would send some pictures, but alas, I must send them next week.

My week long exchange with Elder Hern was one of the best things of my mission. I loved it. We basically consider ourselves companions now.

The other miracle is a sweet lady named Liva walked into church. She is so nice, we are meeting her tonight and hopefully we can teach her family as well. I'm so excited for her.

Thanks everyone for your prayers. Keep them coming, the Lord is working miracles here in Burton on Trent!

-Elder Packer 

Burton on Trent
with Elder Boomer Boshard

P.S. KORI, I read this scripture and thought of you:) 1 Peter 2:18. Go ahead, look it up. (Lydia and Jessie, this may apply to you as well) If you need a hint, let me know.

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Weirdo Transfer Schedule! Holiday in Wolves! (EP)

I'm here in Wolverhampton with Elder Hern. I'm on a 4 night exchange with the guy. He's an English Bloke from Newcastle in the North of England. I'll explain why this has happened.
Because our mission will be getting iPads, President Rasmussen has been called to a meeting in Germany to get appropriate training and instruction. The meeting he is going to is happening on Wednesday, so our transfer schedule was thrown off. We had transfers yesterday.
The weird bit is that the new group of missionaries don't come in until Friday. I'm training a new missionary by the way. Elder Huff transferred to Rhiwbina (to my beloved Cardiff zone!) yesterday. Naturally I needed a companion until Friday. Elder Hern is also training so we were paired together for a few days. We'll travel to the mission office on Friday and pick up the new missionaries.
For now we're just getting each other psyched out for training! We've only been with each other for about... 20 hours and we've already done some weird stuff together.

Elder Packer and Elder Hern

I just barely took this picture her in the library. He's a funny dude. The English humor and wit are highly entertaining. We work well together. 

He had this work out DVD called getting the perfect bum or something... We tried it. I reckon I'll give it a few more tries to see if it really works.
I'll let you know about the new companion next p-day. I'm excited! Keep praying for Jordi and the Polish family!
-Elder Packer and Elder Hern.

Monday, April 20, 2015

You said Naaahhh! Made my day! (Letter to Daddy Packer) (SH)

So first comment! You said Naaahhh! Made my day! I can't even get over it. I am glad to hear that Grandpa and Grandma are doing well. I am glad that you were able to share that experience. I know that by being obedient even when it seems a little weird we will be immensely blessed. It's crazy to think that something like that could have such a huge impact on the way families are raised. 

I remember when mom was talking to me about Joseph Smith because I didn't know if he was a true prophet but I knew the Book of Mormon was true. Which that post is so true because I had to humble myself and ask instead of just saying that it doesn't make sense and thats just the way it is and that I'm not capable of knowing it for myself. Dang shes good. That is good insight as well. We actually had a really interesting contacting experience on Tuesday. I will send it to you later because we have half our emailing time now and half later so I'll send it then but we learned the lesson of not being able to save everyone. But it goes with this because when we first met the guy (Roger) we could have easily just turned away because he was rude to us at first. 

I like that you pointed out that its often the result of one specific circumstance or event. Its so weird to think how one persons bad experience will affect how they think about that thing forever. If they choose that. We had someone online we were chatting with, his name is Keith. At the end of the chat he gave us his emails and things but before he got off he thanked us for being nice to him. He said that he had a bad experience with Mormons and that he had thought of all of them being that way ever since. But he said that he felt really comfortable talking to us and that we didn't make him feel like we were just trying to get him baptized. It was really nice. Its crazy how we are so quick to judge at first but then when we see the full picture it is actually something quite nice. 

Kinda like the plan for us here on earth. We look at it and judge it all the time. We ask God why when really we should be asking him How. How and What. What is it that you want me to do and How is it that you would like me to do it. When we have that mentality about how God works He works miracles. 

I hope you have a great week! I think I emailed mom back but it may have been to her old email. I also sent her a mothers day package. So hopefully she gets it before mothers day but if she doesn't will you let her know to be watching for it. Let her know I did respond hah but Ill send it to her other new email. 

I love you,
Kori

Monday, April 13, 2015

Soo.. I am really bad at writing weekly emails it turns out.. (SH)

Soo.. I am really bad at writing weekly emails it turns out.. But I'm going to work at it.. We have 2 hours and I can't seem to write them ehe oh well.. 

Family and friends! How are you all doing? This week has been kinda crazy! So first off we are teaching like no one but its cool because it gives us more opportunities to go contacting and it gives us time to do companionship and 12 week studies! We have been missing those and oh man! Talk about feeling unprepared for everything! The busiest day in the visitors center so far has been about 300 people and out of all the hours straight we probably spent 6 to 7 hours straight talking without any breaks being there from 9 to 9. With doing 6 to 7 hours of teaching we can not rely on half of our companionship study or personal or 12 week! There is a reason we have 3 hours of studies! But as we strive to do all of those which we have really done this past week, we continue to see miracles! One of them is Luis!

Luis is an awesome guy hes about 20 and he was with his friend when we went up to talk to him and my companion asked me if I wanted to talk to them and I was like not really but we were almost going to pass them so I was like "Oh hey! We were asking people around what brings them the most happiness in life, so what brings happiness" and he said that it was friends and family. We asked him why and he said that its because those are the people we have the most amazing memories with. We started talking about the Plan of Salvation and then after a while into it he told us that he is really interested because his brother just recently died. He doesn't really believe in a God but he knows that his brother is somewhere because he said he can feel him and he was interested about our teaching of a plan for him and his brother. Woah. Wait rewind.. Right before we had gone contacting we prayed and specifically to meet 1 person who needed our message and not only did we meet that one person but it was someone who had needed the exact lesson that we had prepared. So neat and such a testimony builder for me. The Lord knows exactly what we need and what THEY need and when they need it. We haven't had the best success but seriously as soon as we really made it a part of our plan to do 12 week and comp study things completely changed and we met Luis!

Funny though because as soon as we start seeing success in the area something comes up. So our showers! We have 4 sisters in our flat and 2 showers but we still have to shower one at a time otherwise the water is freezing! So we have been trying to figure that out..4 sister who have to shower 1 at a time and all in the same hour. Fun stuff. But the other night we woke up and our bathroom was flooded! But we can't find the leak.. But still so now this is day 3 of having a flooded bathroom any time we leave it for more than 5 hours at a time! So now we are down to 1 bathroom and now our water heater is broken hah. So 1 shower 4 girls and cold water. Makes for lovely mornings! 

Also my companion tends to stop breathing at night! She didn't tell me until it happened the other night. She got up and ran away! What the heck! Her last companion ran after her and I was confused about what was going on and so the other sister and I got up and went in the other room and shes like choking on the floor. It took her like 15 minutes to calm down and to start breathing normally! Holy scary! She didn't tell me that she actually always needs an inhaler..thats usually something you tell someone. She is alive though so thats good. That same night the power went off and so we woke up like 2 hours later and we were walking around trying to find out what happened again and someone knocked on our door and it scared me so i sorta jumped and started walking to the door and my companion comes out of nowhere and we head butted I'm pretty sure that I bounced off of the hallway wall. She completely floored me!! I'm still feeling that one. 

Anyways I love you all! Have a great week! 

Love, 
Sister Hansen

FDhfad;jf;dsjfadjs;f (EP)

Hey everyone!

Hey so Mom, I felt the same way about General Conference.

I wasn't tired, I just soaked it in. I tried a new method of taking notes. I didn't write down quotes or words from the talks. I just wrote down things that I felt the Holy Spirit was telling me. My general Conference Notes have never been so simple and easy to read before. They also were pretty random, but MOST IMPORTANTLY THEY WERE RELEVANT TO MY MISSIONARY WORK AND MY INVESTIGATORS.  It wasn't the usual list of cool thoughts and scripture references. It was actual revelation for my current situation that I could apply immediately.

We taught my man Jordi! He is from Spain. He is so awesome. Spanish class has come to the rescue once again! He felt the spirit strongly in our lesson. He can't come to church until the 26th because of work. I'm so excited for him though.

We also taught an awesome Polish family. They are hilarious, they are working on learning English. I'm working on learning Polish. I tried to read the Polish Book of Mormon out loud to them and they were laughing so hard. Whatever it takes to get them open to it:) They have two kids, one who is 8 years and one who is 18 months.

On other news, we are at the Lichfield chapel right now. We are going to play sports for district p-day. 

I went on exchange with Elder Sorenson this week. We had a good time.

Oh and I met an Elder that was in the Fishers landing ward in Vancouver WA! His name is Elder Jarvis.


-Elder Packer




Before hair cut...

After hair cut.  I don't know why I look so sad.

Elder Sorenson and Elder Page at District meeting. Yes that is an energy drink. It describes our district meetings perfectly.

Elder Jarvis from Vancouver, WA and Elder Packer (who used to be from Vancouver, WA)

Elder Sorensen in the middle with the glasses

Saturday, April 11, 2015

Introducing President Mark A. J. and Jane P. Leppard (EP)

Dear Elders and Sisters,

We are pleased to announce and introduce to you President Mark A. J. and Jane P. Leppard.  Effective 1 July 2015, they begin their service as the new mission president and wife of the England Birmingham Mission.  President and Sister Leppard are from Tadworth, Surrey, England.  Attached to this message are their brief biographical sketches and pictures to help you become better acquainted. 
President Mark A. J. and Sister Jane P. Leppard


President Mark Leppard is a Fellow of the Institute of Sales and Marketing Management and employed as the Director of Sales for Ascom UK Limited. Sealed in the London Temple to Jane Patricia Thurlow.  Served as a Counselor on Stake Presidencies, as a Bishop and Ward Mission Leader. Former missionary in the Canada Toronto Mission.

His wife Sister Jane Leppard, a Higher Level Teaching Assistant and formerly a qualified State Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife. Served as Ward Relief Society President, Counselor on Young Women's and Primary Presidencies, Gospel Doctrine Teacher and Stake Representative for LDS Family Services.
They are blessed with 4 children and a growing number of grand children."

I'm alive! (EP)

Hey, sorry I didn't email you on Monday. I'm alive, the computer I was using just died so I couldn't send one off. President told me to send out a quick email letting you know that I'm all good:) 

Have a great day everybody! I'll email you on Monday!

-Elder Packer

Tuesday, April 7, 2015

I'm glad I'm in England (Letter to Mama Packer) (SH)

So your email will be one for the books...book i just started.. Thank you so much! Groombridge place is so pretty! hah yeah the trees are huge, can't see over them but thats okay.

Thats cool that Elder Holland visited Josh's mission as well! So i have talked to the couple over the visitors center and they said that if our two missions go at the same time then i can go find him.. its gonna happen...hopefully!  

Totally with you on the WHOLE conference thing! A lot of it I was like ohhh that woulda been nice a long time ago or dang yesterdays advice today. But it was so good. I didn't get tired either! We watched one session on Saturday and two on Sunday and then the last one on Monday.. kinda spaced out, made it feel long. But i really enjoyed it! I'm glad that Sister Flueren is here to because so much has happened and I KNOW (see what I did there hah) that it is a tender mercy from the Lord. But yes conference was POWERFUL I have never been annoyed when someone else moved or did anything during conference haha but i was so into it and my companion kept moving and i was dying! aahahhh!

Easter was good this year, ya know being a missionary it was probably the best Easter I have had so far. So many powerful lessons happened and a random couple basically just walked in during conference and was like so we are coming to church on Sunday and wanna be baptized....WHAT?!!!!! So my companion and I went and got their information and told them that we would save a spot for them on Sunday and we are going to start teaching them. It was so good especially because we have 1 investigator who we are pretty sure we are dropping so the Lord is totally aware of where we are, our efforts, and what we need!

HA!! I'm dying! Tell Danielle that she is BOMB! hahaha I can't even. And then Lydia's classic line! Sounds like a typical day! Oh and no no I think Lydia was the one keeping me under control cause now I'm here and I'm tryna figure out what is going on with my anger haha.... its fine. Talk about life being fuzzy...

Ah I'm so glad to hear that you are all doing good! I'm glad I'm in England too. It's a little different but its getting better.

Love you so much, thank you for everything you have done and continue to do. Thanks for the prayers, there have been nights already that I know were manageable because of those. I'm proud of you and am grateful and honored to have you in my life. Thanks for not letting go of me (: Conference << It got me thinkin! 

What is your address? (: I only have half memorized.. 

I love you, Kori