Sister Packer is HOME!! (And Homecoming Talk) (SP)

Sister Nicole Packer returned home December 5, 2014 happy and safe!  We are so excited to have her home and she is excited to be home (and still misses Germany!).  But we are adjusting as a family and having a wonderful time!

Nicole will be speaking in church on Sunday, December 14, 2014, at 1:00 pm at the Lindon 16th Ward building (approximately 100 S 600 W, Lindon).  We will all be attending our 3 hour church block, but feel free to visit her after church at 4:00 pm and have some snacks (sorry, the chocolate she brought home from Germany is NOT part of the snacks and is locked away safely for her dear family, so don't ask!! muawhaa haaaa haaaaaa!!!).  Our home address is: 645 W 250 N, Lindon--2 blocks directly West of the Los Hermanos Restaurant on State Street and 400 N in Lindon.

On to new adventures...as a RM!!

The last email of my mission... (SP)

Well, here goes nothing, the last email of my mission.  What a weird thought.  But hey, they gotta end sometime.

I'm not really sure what to say except that I'm so grateful to have been a missionary.  I read a talk today from last conference that gave me all the peace I needed to know that what I've felt and learned here won't stop when I take the nametag off.  What a relief!  So grateful!

I know this work is true.  I know Christ lives.  I know He is loving God who expects great things of us because we ARE indeed great.  I know that all things are possible through the merits and grace of the Atonement.  I know that prayer works!  I know that God's love is always there for us.  I know this work has turned me and others into the person I truly WANT to be, which I could not have become on my own, in any sort of measure, or world.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen!

Sister Packer

Alpine German-speaking Mission

July 2013 - December 2014

Gratitude Attitude. (SP)

Sooooo, our email time got smashed into a fourth of the time so this'll be quick.  But I wanted to briefly share my experience with it all.

I was pretty upset because I was excited to bring you all to my mission this week.  So many miracles happened and I was excited to let you hear all about it.  We're sharing a computer and while Sister Smith was writing, I wrote down a list of alllll the things I'm grateful for despite my frustration in not getting a lot of time.  I'd like to share that list with you today.

I am (''going to be'' is *crossed out*) grateful today because...

• the sun is shining
• I'm still a missionary :)
• I have a family who loves me and is excited to see me
• I have a stellar companion who supports me and is patient with me
• we have a LOT of cake at home :) and mac n cheese!
• we have more than enough food at home
• Gorceries today: berries, milk, cheese, yogurt, and lightbulbs....good for the week :)
• (we have a LOT of eating appointments this week...)
• + Thanksgiving
• Got a recipe for Arepas!  Columbian food
• Christmans markets are opening up
• We had two, count 'em, TWO appointments with Sebastian this week
• Natalie is progressing beautifully.  She reads, prays, comes to church and is excited to prepare herself for the Temple (thanks gpa Packer for the temple pamphlet!) She can't do her own family names (doesn't have permission from her family), but is excited to help other members with theirs.  She's excited for the goals we've set to getting her to the temple.  TRUE CONVERSION!

Kori! Pumped for your call!!  Mom, Dad, loves to you and thank you so much for your help!

Til next week!

Sister Packer

Spoke at Stake Conference this week. (SP)

Holy Moley.

Well, spoke at Stake Conference this week.  It was so fun!  I never imagined the work it takes to WRITE a talk first in English and then in German... But the Lord provided miracles and merciful members to help me out.  I'd prayed it would really help people  come closer to Christ by the words I said.  The Lord answered that prayer and people had expressed gratitude for thoughts I'd shared.  SO grateful to be in that place to help others receive the answers they need and at the same time learn LOADS.  :)

My dear mother, nieces, and sisters Natalie, Courtney, Lydia, Kori, Jessie, Danielle, and BreAnne.  A MAJOR slumber party is in order when I get home.  Probably my first or second night.  Calender it :).

Dad and brothers Josh and Christian, MAJOR missionary talk when I get home.

This week we taught Tina again.  We've been sending her scriptures via text every morning and she's loved it.  She reads as she takes the subway to and from work and says it fills her with peace.  Woo!  Her member husband has done beautifully explaining to her the purpose of the gospel.  Because their relationship is built on love and trust it's transistioned flawlessly!

We had an exchange this week.  HOLY MIRACLES.  Met 2 people that had met with missionaries before.  Met a 15 year old girl who wants to learn more about the Plan of Salvation.  Using the Restoration pamphlets has been a break through!

Was met with anti-mormonism and they also didn't appreciate Grandpa Packer, blaming him for a lot of the past few years of church history.  The conversation was very open and respectful.  The next morning I just BAWLED.  And was filled with knowledge that he is called of God.  I know the apostles and prophets are called of God.  It only makes sense.  Being a member and being in this church is the only place where I truly feel peaceful, loved, loving, and useful in life.

​Mom, I don't know on flight plans.  We'll find out :).

Yes we had training and interviews with President yesterday and so P day was today.  SORRY forgot to give you a heads up!

I know the church of Jesus Christ is the only true church on the earth, and I am proud to wear His name on my chest alongside my Packer name.  I'm proud to be related and representing both.  I know what President Packer has said is truth and according to God's laws and commandments.  In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Sister Packer​

Formula for Success! (SP)

Friends and Family,

This week was so cool.  Number wise we weren't doing so hot, but we took some serious time to pray and fast about what this area needs at this time.  Sister Smith is a rockstar and I couldn't have picked a better companion to end my mission with.  We started a fast one night, ate late which is not advised, but just whipped up some rice and spices, prayed, and went to bed.  SO AWESOME.  Sometimes you just need help and you scrape together a fast, a prayer and do your best.  (I woke up at 4 am DYING of thirst.  He understands those moments too.  I had a small cup of water and went back to bed.  I'm so grateful for a loving Father who's practical and REAL.)  

We had two less active lessons this week with members there with us.  SO POWERFUL.  We basically were the excuse to talk more about the church for one of the appointments and it was just awesome.  I've grown to love them so much.  I now know what visiting teaching is and WHY WE DO IT as President Uchtdorf has talked about.  I'm SO grateful!  Happier life fulfilling that calling at home!  And so much more joy in being obedient!

We received the impression to go to the area book this so we'll see what the Lord has in store for us there.  Working with members is SO amazing.  They blow my mind.  I've never been with so many first or second generation converts and felt like I was with someone famous!  Ah man it's so amazing!

We've had some AMAZING studies.  I've made it once again a goal to read from the Book of Mormon, Preach My Gospel, and conference talks every day.  HOLY MOLEY.  It's incredible, especially the times of companionship study when Sister Smith shares her wise insights and Sister Packer scribbles as fast as she can the wisdom that's poured out.  I wanted to share one insight that she gave this morning.

Formula to a Successful... missionary, Mom, Dad, sister, brother, husband, wife, grandma, grandpa, boss, colleague, in-law, bishop, visiting teacher, Program passer-outer, ANYTHING)

Obedience + Righeous Living + Doing your best to help others live the gospel

=

Successful (blankety-blank) 

(I think she means "fill in the blank" : ))

**Baptisms.....organized house, clean kitchen, perfect reports for whatever, nice car, perfectly organized chore chart, organized basement, fixed lights/doors/toilets (all the things men so wonderfully fix and build), perfect grades, a million dates, a million friends on facebook, the perfect job...ETC. ETC.SOLD SEPARATELY** 

I looooove you all :).

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sister Packer

Sis Smith is a Rockstar!!

Slow is Smooth and Smooth is Fast (SP)

Freunde der Kirche!  (friends of the church!)

Sister Harman went home this week and Sister Smith and I hit the cobble stone together!  We'll miss Sister Harman.  She's a BEAST in missionary work and will convert her home town!  It's been so wonderful to work with Sister Smith.  She's just a chill bug and keeps us focused and working hard!  We've already had some fun adventures from running to catch trains to recieving random calls from strangers or members asking for visits and help.  It's awesome!  Sister Smith isn't a big fan of running as a hobby but she told me the other day, ''You know, I know I don't like running, but when we're running so that we can help more people, it's like I'm in an action movie and I actually enjoy it.''  The Work of Salvation = more satisfying than the bread, cheese, milk, and EVEN the chocolate here.

We had a miracle story happen the other day.  We had some lag time in between appointments and going home and I thought, hey let's contact.  We began talking with man from Nigeria.  He was really open.  Sister Smith started and said to the effect of, ''We're missionaries of our church and we help people find relief from feelings of guilt and shame through Jesus Christ.  Do you have a belief in God and Jesus Christ?''  HOLY NOT GOLDEN OF MY LIFE.  She's a rockstar!  We had a great conversation with him about communicating with God.  He was leaving back to Nigeria within a week, but Sister Smith then went and asked him if he knew anyone that would be interested in learning about our message.  He paused.  And thought.  He pulled out his phone and for a good two to three minutes just scrolled through his contacts.  He ended up giving us 3 different contacts!!  We called one right there and they were interested in hearing about our message and agreed to come to church!  The next day we called the second and invited them to church.  They said yes!  The third one I called Saturdaynight.  I said ''Hi, I'm a missionary from my church and we teach people about God.  Would you be interested in hearing a message about God and Jesus Christ?''  He replied, ''Um, wait what church are you from?''  

''The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.''

He laughs on the other end.  I'm thinking what?  He says, ''I'm a member of the Church of Christ.''

''....wait what?''

''I've been baptized.''

I said, ''Wait, so you're Mormon?''

''Yes, I was baptized in 2012.''

It was crazy!  We talked for a bit and shared Helaman 5:12 with him and prayed with him over the phone.  He was so great and sounded like he needed a boost and call from a friend.  I bore my testimony to him that I knew God loved him and knew where he was.  It was really really neat.

​We went as a joint teach to an old investigators home (she's technically not in our ward, but it was allowed to go as a joint teach because I know her from my time before).  She cooked us Rouladen with Knoodl and sauce.  Rouladen is meat, usually beef laid flat and spread with bacon, onions, spices all sorts of things, rolled up, tied with string and cooked for hours in a sauce.  Knoodl is like mashed potatoes but boiled in a pot of water in balls about the size of baseballs.  You eat the meat and knoodl together with the sauce and......aaaaahahhahahahahahahfj sdioa ruwe89uv4523..... no words to describe how delicious.....  The meat just falls apart and melts in your mouth..... I'm already salivating...  A-hem, besides the food, we had a REALLY awesome lesson about coming to church.  It was so powerful and so neat to see the progress that's been made since I was here last.  I came away with a renewed desire to be committed to the tripod of church, scripture study, and daily prayer.  Key to happiness!

Sister Smith and I ALMOST got sick this week.  Almost.  And then we downed a load of vitamin C, took it easy, a nap for us both and we climbed out of it.  It's so important to go slow when the red flags come up!  ''Slow is smooth and smooth is fast.''  Got that from President Kohler.  He's truly an amazing and inspired man.

Thank you for your letters and prayers!  I feel them daily.  That's an interesting feeling.  It's like a, ''I shouldn't normally feel so pumped and energetic...yet I am.''  So so blessed.  Thank you!

Love you all!  Have a wonderful week!

Sister Packer

Smelling the Roses (SP)

Familie and Freunde (family and friends)!

So transfer calls!  Sister Harman goes home to Meeker, CO and I stay here with Sister Smith.  Starting and ending my mission with a Sister Smith in the Munich 3rd ward.  Hoooooow ironic :).  

We taught an investigator, Tina, who is married to a member.  She's so prepared!  I'm so excited to keep meeting with her.  She's ready to find an answer.  Pray for her.  Mom, your prayers have been felt in SPADES.  I've literally never seen on my mission the windows of heaven open so freely to us in this work.  Working with members has never gone to smoothly and with so much energy.  Thank you so much for your prayers!  They're blessing us daily!  Thank you to all the other prayers that have been sent our way!

I want to say a special thanks to the Lindon 16th Ward.  I received a letter yesterday and it brought joy to my heart knowing and feeling the support of ward members who love and encouragement to keep going!  Thank you so much! 

Now for the best news: Natalie was baptized!  Woot woot!!  We'd pushed her date back one week (before I got here, she'd actually wanted to get baptized the same week of her second appointment), but it all came together perfectly.  When I say perfectly, I mean perfectly.  It was all handed on a silver platter.  About 50 people came when we didn't know if many would show.  Many members brought food and gifts for her to congratulate her.  Some came up to her crying expressing congratulations.  Members came up to us afterwards and asked if there was any way they could help her feel more established in the ward.  WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE??  At her baptism she bore a powerful testimony.  She was so happy and couldn't contain it.  It felt unreal to watch and listen to.  As soon as she started expressing her thanks to us three sisters, the water works exploded.  Ah, man.  It's happened three times now on my mission when I jumped into a new area, someone was prepared for baptism, and I got to help them in the final steps towards baptism.  I may not have seen hundreds of people get baptized but I've talked to hundreds.  Hopefully planted some seeds!  Sometimes the Lord also calls us to plant those seeds!  

I feel like sharing a few other things I've learned :).

The Lord's taught me that I don't need to SEE all the work to feel satisfied and trust in Him enough to keep going and doing it anyway, no matter how many times people say no.  I've learned how to handle rejection (aka respecting people's agency with love and lovingly invite everyone).  I've felt the sweet tender love of God as He places one prepared person in our midst after a long day of hearing no, EVEN if it was said nicely. :) 

I've learned not to fear.  I don't fear to talk to people on the street, in buses, on trains, in stores, shops, or restaurants.  It's my favorite game :).  I know now how to play.  I know now what to look for.  I know now what it takes to help someone to learn more about the gospel.  It takes humility, trust, and obedience.  I know now that NO heights, depths, accomplishments, achievements of my own could ever measure up to the joy that I've felt in doing this work.  Nothing.  I know that this work is absolutely NOT an ''only full-time missionary'' thing!  Anyone and everyone can feel that joy no matter where they are, who they are, or what they're doing.  I can from experience say, that nothing has given me more satisfaction as thinking of the person next to me, writing them notes, washing their dishes, folding their laundry, telling them what they've done well today even when they felt like they failed.  I know that of ALL the souls I could have served with, all 14 of them, were given to me so that I may obtain salvation.  I love them all! 

I know that had I not come on a mission, people in this land would have suffered without knowledge of the gospel.  I would have been accountable before the Lord to tell Him that I'd felt the urge but hadn't acted.  I know that we will all be accountable at that great and last day to confess to the Lord all our acts, whether we served those next to us, most importantly our families, or not.  If we cannot love those the Lord gives us, our families, friends, strangers, neighbors in this life, how will we in the eternities.  I know that if we are capable to serve those around us and don't, we will be accountable before the Lord. 

I love this work so much!  I leave my testimony that God lives and loves us.  Pray to know how He communicates with you!  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love you all!  

Sister Packer

Knowledge feeds Charity and Charity feeds Knowledge (SP)

Hello Family and Friends,

We're teaching Natalie and she's getting baptized this Saturday!  I'm so excited!  She's so so so ready.  She's the elect.  They really are out there.  We're working with Sebastian still​ and he's making progress.  This ward is AMAZING.  They are so excited for missionary work and they say hello to any visitors we have.  New people have moved in, and they strengthen each other.  It feels so good to be here.  For whatever reason I'm meant to come back here, the Lord will reveal it!

For the month of October, I started out by studying Patience as my Christlike attribute.  A few days into the month however, I felt that I should study something different.  Knowledge and Charity came to mind (Knowledge being probably my favorite attribute next to Obedience).  I was feeling a drag in my studies, in motivation (yes it happens even on a mission) and prayed to Father in Heaven for His help to find the spark again.  I realized I needed to find out again who I was.  Yes I know I'm a member to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I believe in Christ, I'm a missionary, I'm a daughter...etc.  I began by finding out things I like.  I like the color fuscia.  LOVE it.  I also love wearing my hair down.  I like eating healthy because 1. I feel better 2. I'm more receptive to the Spirit (the latter being of course most important). :).  I wrote down all the things I like to wear, what my style is.  I wrote down the foods I like, the sports I like.  I felt like I was getting closer.  Then we had Zone Conference.  

Presdient Kohler is an amazing man.  He has a vision and energy and drive about the work that is astounding.  He taught us about ''noble birthright'' and the ''gathering of Israel.''  He talked about Spiritually, who we are, what our role is, the blessings we receive.  Did you know we, who are members of the church receive a ''double portion'' of the blessings?  Double portions meaning both spiritually and temporally.  This double portion comes from the tradition in the family, paticularly the family of Jacob.  Every son recieved a piece of his inheritance, but the first born son received what's called a double portion.  He had the reponsibility to take care of his mother and sisters and the household with his double portion.  I don't know so much about this (I get to study up on it more), but it got me thinking.  I want and get to be more grateful.  Sister Packer did you know that people die every day from hunger?  You've never a DAY in your life gone without enough food.  Not one.  We are SO blessed as the people of Christ.  We have enough to eat, to drink, we have freedom, (for me, I speak fluent English one of the worldwide used languages and now German), I'm serving the Lord, I can go to a university, my family has the gospel, I can read THE BOOK OF MORMON.  I actually KNOW about that book and READ it with a hunger and thirst every day.  I LOVE THAT BOOK.

The Lord taught me about charity.  I realized for a few days that something was really missing.  Really really missing.  I couldn't put my finger on it.  And then I remembered about serving constantly.  I made some goals and started.  I found the reality of the scripture found in Matthew 10:39, 

''He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it.''

I really felt that this week.  And then I read in Alma 32:35-36.

''O then, is not this real?''

That scripture struck me.  Yes it's real.  It is real when we think about others and really concentrate on them and their needs.  It sounds super cliché coming out.  But it's just real!  And it's so cool!

''O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible [meaning you gain understanding and it makes you happy!], therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect?

''Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith, for ye have only exercised your faithto plant the seed that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good.''

I testify that it IS good: knowledge and chartiy.  Christ is our perfect example and our Savior.  Oh how sweet the surrender when we go to him and ask for forgiveness.  I pray we may all do just that and taste of the joy, daily.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sister Packer

München 3rd ward

Alpine German-speaking Mission

Fall is here! (SP)

Fall is here!

I was here exactly at this time last year as I already said, but it's just so beautiful.  I love this area.  There's just something about Munich that steals my heart.

We're currently teaching 2 investigators that are progressing well, Natalie and Sebastian.  Natalie is preparing for baptism on the 25th.  She's AWESOME.  She's so so SO ready.  Sebastian is 17 and reads and is learning so much very quickly.  It's really neat.  I know that everyone at home has a lot to pray for.  If you feel inclined to pray for little München 3 ward, pray for Natalie to feel prepared and ready and to be baptized at the right time.  Pray that Sebastian can feel the power of what we're teaching him.  I also realize you don't know them and that's important in sending heartfelt prayers for them.  We appreciate whatever is sent our way.

The work here is flourshing.  About 2 years ago our ward went through a rough patch, but through the faith of these members who are ROCKS, progress has been made and I've been able to meet the new converts that were only investigators when I was here.  It's so neat to see the glow and spark in their eye.  There's nothing better.  They were so ready before it's almost as if it was always there.  SO SO neat.

Sister Harman goes home in about 2 weeks ending her mission here.  If I stay with Sister Smith, I will have started and ended my mission in Munich 3 with a Sister Smith as my companion.  Oh, the irony. :)

I loved LOVED conference!  We watched some more last night.  I loved President Uchtdorf's talk ''Lord, is it I?''  I've really loved remembering that and looking first at ME to know where the problem and need for repentance lies.  SO grateful.  I love repentance and am so grateful we get to every day!  Have you ever thought about days?  We get new days ALL the time.  What a GENIUS part of the plan!  We get to take a whack at life for just a few hours, sleep, get up, and try again.  OVER and over again.  I'm really really grateful for that :).  I'm grateful for all the emotions available to us to feel every day.  They all have a purpose and place.  We have feelings for a REASON every time they happen, whether we understand them or not.  I think sometimes I think ''I shouldn't feel this way'' because I don't understand my feelings about something, not necessarily because they're wrong.  I actually think feelings are NEVER wrong.  They're just there.  They're there to teach us and be used as tools to communicate with our Father in Heaven.  I'm so grateful for them!

Love you all dearly!

Sister Packer

HEY, long time no update (SP)

HEY, long time no update.

So.  

Sister Bawden flew home Wednesday honorably and with a heart for the work.  We went to Munich Tuesday and spent that evening with the president Kohler and his family and slept that night in the mission home.  We sent her off the next day on her plane.  It was SO FUN to be there with them and filled me with peace.  They feel exaclty like my family.  Mom, seriously, Sister Kohler and you are the SAME person.  I LOVE her so much.  She is a perfect mom for our mission and brings reality and energy to us as missionaries.  They all called Sister Bawden often to make sure she's ok and also me to see how I'm doing as well.  They've been the perfect parents when mine are miles away in Lindon.  

Sooo emergency transfer for yours truly.  And (drum roll.....) I'm back in München 3!  I gave president all the ideas I had for where I could go, as far as apartment space, and he felt München 3rd ward was right.  Woot!  It's been really interesting coming back to an old area after a ...ahem a YEAR  ....Where has time gone?  It's been exciting and so wonderful to come back and talk with all the members again!  We've been able to go by less actives and have seen miracles in helping them and having once known them.

My companions are Sister Krissi Harmon and Sister Brooke Smith!  I love them so much.  They've taken me right in and we've dived right into the work here.  The Lord knows I prayed hard for the people in Lahr.  The Lord knew this would happen and that the sisters area would remain closed for a transfer.  So yep, I'll be here at least until the end of October.  We'll see if I go back to Lahr for my last transfer or stay here... Or train again.... or open a new area... or receive an extension... (you never know....) ;). 

October fest just passed.  It was just as it was last year.  A little weird to be here again during that time....  But it's so neat to be back here as a new missionary with many new skills under my belt!  

I love the work and know that God has a plan for us all!  His way is the BEST way no matter what!  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love,

Sister Nicole Packer

München 3 (round 2)  

My companions are Sister Krissi Harmon and Sister Brooke Smith!

Everything happens for a reason (SP)

Hey!

This wekk ....hehe was crazy.

My companion is flying home Wednesday.  She found out she has anxiety and it's been such a sacred experience to work with her.  Gem of gems.  The Lord just has PLANS for these girls.

I apologize for the lack of details.  We get to coordinate with President on her flights.  Love you all dearly!

I know there's a Plan for everyone on this earth.  I. KNOW. IT.  Everything happens for a reason. Christ's atonement has power enough to save and keep saving.  I know that angels are real and support us daily.  I know that obedience brings peace.  As does humility and daily prayer.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sister Packer

Golden Miracles (SP)

Dear Family and Friends,

The Lord has taught me some incredible things this week. It's been amazing!  I love the relationship we get to have with Him, no matter how busy He may be, He always has time for us and our concerns.  

This week Sister Bawden experienced one of the hardest days on my mission, work wise, and also some of the most incredible miracles of my mission.  Thursday, all three of our appointments fell out.  Our backup plans were tested and we were out on the street all day.  It was challenging for me personally, but!  I learned that I had held unrealistic expectations on myself and others.  It was good to learn!  At the end of the day, we'd given away 5 Books of Mormon found 2 potentials, set an appointmen with one of them, and had 7 good conversations (7 meaning conversations that lead to a discussion about God and/or Christ).  We definitely talked to more than 7 people.  It was a lot of work.  But so worth it and the miracles were ever more sweet :).  

Here, in case no one has seen it before, the buildings are full of appartments and at the front door, There is a panel of names on buttons that connect to people's doorbells called clingals.  When we door, we pray, clingal a name, talk with them over the little speaker phone, and hope to be ''buzzed'' in, or that the door will electronically be unlocked.  This opening is indicated by a buzzing sound.  I didn't think to explain to Sister Bawden, having not remembering my first contact with a clingal, that when you hear the buzzing sound you quickly push or pull on the door to open it before the buzzing stops and the door is locked again.   After clingaling one name, the door surprizingly started buzzing, and me, seeing her not react, and due to my own surprise, started quickly saying anything that came to mind in German or English that would help her to realize to ''push'' the door open.  The panic I created caused her to be alarmed combined with the buzz of the door, which escaladed into a scene any citizen would burst into giggles over.  I yelled, she screamed, I yelled ''push!'' she panicked and finally pushed with another scream.  It was dark and we muffled our laughter the best we could as we walked up the stairs to find the door that had buzzed us in.  Too good.

Sunday we had an open house from 11am-6pm.  Church was only just over an hour of Sacrament Meeting due to this open house.  Our meetinghouse is the third floor of a office rent building full of other offices and practices.  The whole complex was doing an open house and so we participated as well.  It was so exciting!  I love open houses.  One German man who lives in Ghana came.  He's here for six weeks, met the church two months ago in Ghana and wants to be taught.  Miracle.  

The second miracle was a woman who came to this same open house. During our shift to stand by our sign on the bottom floor, we met this woman who was just looking around at the other companies' offices of our building. Sister Bawden stikes up conversation with her being the faithful Golden she is! She told me later she'd mustered up all her courage and asked her the 3 questions in German that she knew (I know she knows more). Conversation continued and we ended up giving her a tour, teaching her a lesson, hearing out her emotional story of her search for something more and having not yet found it, taking a Book of Mormon, and feeling lighter for the first time in a long time just BEING at our church. It was definitley a tender mercy from our Heavenly Father. His children are prepared and ready!

I know this work is true!  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Sister Nicole Packer

Hello from.....Lahr! (SP)

Hello from.....Lahr!

It's been a great week.  Sent off a wonderful Swiss Canadian companion, and received a wonderful, humble, South Jordanite named Sister Bawden!  She is 19 and incredibly sweet and humble.  She trusts and follows contently with a great big smile on her face.  She speaks German more often than I do!  She's amazing and learning so fast.  It's going to be a great 2 transfers!

Sister Bawden said something to me our first day together that really touched me.  She said, ''Ich hoffe dass du weiß, du bist meine Beispiel.''  Translated she said, ''I hope you know that you are my example.''  It was said so sweet, and I wonder if she meant, I hope you know I'm grateful for you as my example or something like that, but however meant, it struck me with great significance.  I am her example.  My example determines the culture that develops here in this mission.  It determines the influence of future companions of hers as well.  It starts with the trainers.  It's been so humbling and entirely rewarding to be able to show her the where abouts of this little city of Lahr.  I thought I was spoiled the last two training rounds with companions who could already speak German!  It was a blessing to learn German then, and now with Sister Bawden, a truly a humble, tender Spirit, we're ready to love and serve these wonderful Germans!  (And Iranians, Russians, Turkans, Romanians, Nigerians, Cameroonians...etc)  

We've officially dropped our last investigator two days before Sister Bawden came.  We, like Elder Packer in Westcotes, England, will be focusing on finding and encouraging the members with their family mission plans so they can find they're friends who are ready!

I've learned this week more than anything about trusting in the Lord, and also in the attributes of Christ.  I encourage you, reader, to go and study today in Preach My Gospel chapter 6.  I love this chapter so much.  I'm studying Obedience this month.  The section on obedience is so powerful:

''As a [member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints], you are expected to keep the commandments willingly, to obey...and to follow the counsel of your leaders. Obedience is the first law of heaven. It is an act of faith. You may sometimes be required to do things you do not completely understand. As you obey, you increase in faith, knowledge, wisdom, testimony, protection, and freedom. Strive to be obedient to the Lord, [and] the living prophet...''  (emphasis added)

I know that obedience is the first law of heaven.  I know that all things work out, and we have peace when we willingly obey.  I'm....I'm so grateful that the Lord was patient and waited....waited until I could understand this principle.  It's brought be more peace than any other aspect of the work here.  I testify that God loves us.  His love means dicsipline, with patience; chastisement with wisdom and an increased love.  In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Love Sister Packer

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Sister Hemmi, on the way to the Train station.

Sister Appel coming with us on our last JT with Reiner....not ready yet....but later!​

Part of our Distrikt (Me, Sister Hemmi, Sister Bignall, Elder Bignall, Elder Samuelson, Elder Jensen)​

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Us at Mission Leadership Council with the Zone Leaders Elder Allen and Elder Mickelson

Sister Bawden and I!

I added a picture of Nicole's niece Eden.  Nicole's reply:

Awwwww little baldy!!  LIke Josh!
Awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww SO CUTE I'M GONNA DIE!!!

I also sent a small video of her niece Andelyn squinting her nose.  Again, classic Nicole reply:
OH MY GANDI.  That was the CUTEST thing of my LIIIIFFFFEEEE.  I watched it about 10 times in a row.  I'll watch it again.  Cutie little...rrr.. I just wanna eat her!!!

I'm about to become a new mother as well :) (SP)

Hello family and friends!

THIS has been an interesting last couple of weeks.  I realized in my last emails I say almost nothing about the people we're teaching.  I'll get to that today.

First news.  With her permission to share more details, Sister Hemmi is heading home and won't be coming back out.  A few weeks ago, she had a distinct feeling that she should go home.  I've experienced that once in my mission (you don't know this mom) and realized that the feelings I had were ones of confusion and panic, not the Spirit.  As Sister Hemmi and I talked, I could sense that she felt so peaceful about it and after we fasted, she knew, and I could feel it too, that it was right.  Then after her decision was made, her back problems from previous injuries got worse.  Definitely the right decision.  It's been so wonderful and blessed of a an experience.  She leaves Thursday for the mission home and flies Friday.  I've had more fun with her than almost any companion I've had.  It's hard to have a favorite, but it's just been awesome.  I've learned some Swiss German during our time together too :).

Since she's leaving, someone will need to stay in the area.  I'm staying and recieving another Golden!  I'll most likely finish up here in Lahr training.  I couldn't feel more peaceful about it.  I'm so excited to show another companion yet again all the first joys and experiences a mission can bring!

It's interesting that my first Golden went into another mission and my second going home after 3 months.  They are both so amazing.  Hopefully this next one will be able to stay and help our mission out!

We're teaching Reiner and trying to help him identify his answer.  Pray that we can teach with the Spirit so that he may feel for the message we're sharing!

'Til next week!

Love, 

Sister Packer

pics:

me and Gabi Benz from the ward who's in the US on the foreign exchange program!

Sister Hemmi and I. The cutie.

Why I'm here (SP)

Weeeeeeeelll,

It's been a weird week seeing best friends go home from their missions, NOT gonna lie, but!  It's been a good motivation for me to make a greater effort to focus these next couple transfers.

I really took time this week to figure out again why I'm here and the efforts I'm making to be here.  I've listed some of the doubts that Satan would have me believe about not being totally satisfied with where I am right now.  I've done a lot of thinking about it and have learned a ton.

If there's one thing the world that feeling of ''missing out'' on something.  We all hate that feeling.  We all want to be a part of it, to expereince what looks so cool, so exciting.  We want it so much that even if, while sitting on a bus, you look somewhere intently and with sincere interest out a window, if you look interested, the people around you will look.  We all know what I'm talking about.  It's always in effect!  If you sit and talk with someone, if you stare off at something in the middle of either person's sentences, the other person looks back to see what you're looking at.  If it's more interesting than whatever you were saying, they want to see too!  SO funny.  Haha this is coming even as I'm writing this.

I thought about what that has to do with me and missionary work.  OBviously it's applied in all aspects of life.  But when we go out and talk with people, if we're so thoroghly convinced that what we have is a lot more fun than what anyone else has, people will listen.  It's the FUNNIEST thing.  Suddenly you start getting potentials and contacts.  And all it is is you being yourself, realizing that all we'd EVER want is sitting right in front of us in the scriptures, in prayer, and in serving others.  People want a taste!  And then you say, ok, sweet, we'll give it to you.  Read this book.

What I've realized more for myself than anything though is when I myself do that.  This week in fact, I applied this.  Suddenly, a calm came over me and I realized....anything else ANYone has, is nothing.  It means nothing.  Nothing!  None of it is important!  It's so freeing it's hilarious!  We get so caught up in thinking that anything anyone else has is better than what we have.  It's not!  We have our Heavenly Father to communicate with!  And he listens better, more often, more frequently, and with more love than ANY of our friends who we think might have better lives than us!  It's seriously hilarious!

I know from hearing from friends that being on a mission is different than normal life.  I can't say I get that yet, but I do know and recognize that some of the feelings I've had here, I ALSO had before I came out, just peppered here and there and in smaller quantities maybe.  I didn't realize what it really was ormeant until being submerged in ONLY that.  It's really neat.  It's really neat to look back and see that THAT is still there no matter where I'll be in life, maybe in different concentrations, or settings, or with different people, but the love of God is simply always there, as we heard from President Monson and Elder Holland two conferences ago.

I just know that deferring my mission, for whatever reason, is already blessing me.  I can see how perfect the Lord's timing is.  He loves us.  He really just....loves us.  He wants us to be happy and feel of that love.  And I know it's in living the gospel.  Not even perfect.  Isn't that crazy relief?  We don't even have to do it perfectly.  YES with all our effort.  No excuses.  But we're allowed room to make mistakes.  And I know God doesn't hold on to the little dumb things we do.  He forgets it, I feel, even before we realize it happened, meaning His love is unconditional and ready to heal us.  I know that's true with all my heart.  I know God lives and that His Son Jesus Christ lives.  I know the Church is true and that through Joseph Smith it was restored.  In the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I love the work.  And I love you all!  You're all in my prayers.

Love,

Sister Packer 

Trust in Him 8-25-14 (SP)

Familie und Freunde!

Where to start?  Well, I guess I'll start with THIS IS THE WEEK.  Sister Hemmi and I are shooting for 21 lessons again.  Wish us faith and the Lord's blessings.  We're really pumped.  It's about as exciting as making a game plan on P-day how we can finish cleaning, grocery shopping before we go out and see something.  I'll tell you about that.  We created a plan, detailed, who would get what, and planned the route in the store that would take us the fastest to all the items we wanted.  We even timed it.  We walked into the store at 00:07:20 minutes and stepped in line at 00:12:07.  We were out of the store at 00:17:24.  And we walked into our apartment at 00:27:30.  That was all withwalking there which takes about 7-8 minutes.  Obviously, we smashed any record made.  I thought about that afterwords and thought, do I have the same excitement and motivation to create a game plan for our area here and the people we're teaching?  It was such a wonderful example to use of what we're really capable of when we plan, prepare, believe, and stand still doing it cheerfully, all things that lie in our power as we wait for the hand of the Lord to be revealed (D&C 123:16-17).  Never had so much fun cleaning and shopping before.

Ya, missionary work is so amazingly fun.  If it's not, somethings wrong because the Lord's ''WORK and glory are to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man,'' which to me means, you're happy doing it.  It means choosing to be happy doing it and willing to do it.  It's a lot easier allowing someone to help you or even request it rather than someone coming in and telling you all the things you need help with.  God won't do that, but the blessings are withheld and consequences are in place.  I just love agency.  I love having the power to do something and meet challenges willingly.  It's like a big game.  I love games.

I learned about experiences this week.  Sister Hemmi and I have had incredible conversations, truly inspired and this came up the other day.  I learned that experiences are required for us to acutally appreciate the Book of Mormon.  Without having first experienced something similar to whatever is happening in the book, it's just a book full of neat stories and wars.  I didn't ever read the Book of Mormon and, after reading ''and they murmured'' ten zillion times and then think a second longer about it afterwords.  But it was when I realized that, ya I've complained in my life and it made things harder and the people around me didn't like to be with me, which was also lame.  Then is when I realized Nephi put up with TONS of crap and still loved them.  THAT'S hard. Then I try complaining less.  Then I'm happier.  I know that when I've actually identified how my life relates, it comes alive. 

That's how movies work as we know.  We can relate to the emotions and people in the story.  So, because experiences are necessary, then opposition is necessary or else we won't know between good and evil.  And if we don't know between good and evil, we'll never understand what will make us happy or sad or if anything is worth learning or progressing for.  And if we don't understand, we can't be edified by the Spirit who testifies of truth.  And if we're not edified by truth, then we cannot feel of God's love which is manifest to us through the Spirit.  And if we don't feel of His love, grace and mercy, we won't have the motivation to live for anything that will bring lasting peace, joy, and happiness. 

Our job as members is to help people relate their life stories to those in the Book of Mormon and Bible so that they can begin tounderstand what they mean and how they apply and be nourished by the good word of God.  And when they understand, they'll feel the Spirit, and in essence God's love, ''which is the it is the most desirable above all things.'' (1 Nephi 11:22)

I feel like I finally have been opened up to truths that I've always heard about, yet now I know that they are true and what they mean.  I love the gospel and know it's true and am grateful for the tests that come because they bring me closer to our Father in Heaven who loves me.  I leave my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

We did some exchanges and we went by on a less active that we'd never met or heard from.  After 3 clingals which I hardly do, she let us in, and instead of being yelled at, she let us in and we talked with her for an hour in her dark apartment drinking mineral water.  So neat :).

Love you all!

God's blessings and have a wonderful week!

Sister Packer

"This is His work, not ours..." (SP)

Family and Friendlies!

I don't remember what I've said about an investigator that we passed to the Freiburg Sisters, but there's an update from this week.  Her name is Lea and we found her on a train.  She was so sweet and asked us tons of questions about why we're here and what we do here.  It truly was a testimony to me that the Lord get's past our weaknesses because I didn't even ask her if she'd like to learn more, but Sister Hemmi felt that she was so open to it!  We met with her once in Freiburg and as we ran to catch the train, I had the thought to give her the Book of Mormon we'd brought for her.  The lesson wasn't that great, so I thought, didn't begin or end with a prayer, but we'd explained a little more about what we do here.  But I didn't give her the book because I always like to explain it so they know what they're taking.  (I don't even comprehend the greatness of it..).  Later we texted her and I'd forgotten we hadn't given her the book and asked if she'd been reading in the Book of Mormon.  She replied, that no she hadn't because she didn't have one, but asked where she could buy one.  How much did they cost?  HOLY cow, elect.  Then after passing her off to the Freiburg sisters, which she was way cool with (that's a sign whether people are ready if they really are only interested in the message not just being friends etc.).  The next thing we heard from the Freiburg sisters is that she'd looked up the Book of Mormon online herself, and read til 2 Nephi.  I was blown.  My mind is just blown at how the Lord sends His prepared children RIGHT in front of our faces, but that when we're doing our best, it works out.  And I know that the Lord works through our weaknesses, which strengthens my testimony even more that this is His work, not ours because sometimes Sister Packer doesn't see the obvious :).

Next, Miguel.  He left for Berlin and with permission, we called him to see how he was doing.  He'd gone to Mormon.org, referred himself, and was contacted by the missionaries in his area.  Turns out one of the elders he's meeting with was my Zone Leader in the MTC.  HOLY COW.  Even if they don't all stay in Lahr, at least they're SOMEwhere.  So neat!

David did not get baptized.  Complications and I don't know when things will clear up.  But he has so much faith and I know there's a plan for him!  

Business.

First, Mom, I went to Zürich for a stake meeting and we slept over with some sisters that live close by.  They had TONS of clothes and shoes left over from other sisters.  I found a black pair of Danskos that are AMAZING.  I love the black ones we bought....but a little bulky and I find I don't wear them a ton because of it....but now I have these babies!  I also found some wintery things that I lost in my suitcases and two other pairs of flats.  Second, the ward responded with overwhelming love to my need for suitcases!  I've looked at one so far, but our members just jumped on it and are offering old things they have.  They're so wonderful!

My passport arrived and I'm legal again :).  I'm keeping it and other documents IN our apartment from now on. 

I got sick this week.  Prayed my guts out it wouldn't go into my lungs.  It didn't.  I recovered SO fast.  Feeling great.

Love you all!

Sister Packer