August 16th: Birthday Phone Call...a day later.

 August 16th

Elder Heilmann got to call me for HIS Birthday...a day later!  It was such a fun treat.  I was in Florida visiting family and my best friend, so Elder Heilmann had the pleasure of seeing my bestie while we chatted.  It was wonderful! My bestie, Karina, is like a second mom to him so he thought that was cool to see her. 

We started out our conversation with me telling him all about falling off a horse the previous morning.  It was on my mind since I was in Florida an extra day per doctors orders.  I will include the poem I wrote about the experience at the end, but first, more about Elder Heilmann.

For his Birthday, Elder Heilmann gave his first talk in German in the Germany Ward.  He had written his talk already in English and had run out of time to translate it into German.  So, sitting in Sacrament mtg., he was furiously translating his English talk into German.  Evidently, the translating went well and he gave a beautiful talk.  The Bishop was watching via Zoom and told Elder Tillett (Elder Heilmann's companion) that he liked Elder Heilmann's talk so much he wanted to invite him over for dinner.  Elder Heilmann is hoping this is a good first step into healing the Bishops heart and regaining his trust in Missionaries.  

In the German Ward, there are two old men who live together as friends and they brought a present for Elder Heilmann.  They gave him a letter and a trial pack of Ritter Sport chocolates (his favorite). He was very touched.  It had many flavors including yogurt, nougat, and marzipan. He brought it home and put it in the freezer to make it last longer. He said he has no self control when it comes to Ritter Sport chocolate. ;)  The gentleman also told him, "Ein schönes und sprachen Elder Heilmann. Dankeschön"  Translated: Pretty words or nice talk, Elder Heilmann.  Thank you.  (I am sure my German phrases are not totally accurate but I do try.  I have to listen back to Elder Heilmann's words many times to try to pick it up.). ;)

The Elders also attend the American Ward which is 30 min away from the German Ward so they have a pretty full Sabbath.  It's a very nice way to spend the day. 

On his previous Pday, he was able to celebrate his Birthday with his District.  They went to a restaurant together and he got a Sumo Burger. He said it was really delicious. It had teriyaki pork rind, peppers and lettuce. I was happy to hear that his vegetable pallet was expanding. 

When asked about his age, Elder Heilmann said that 19 feels the same as 18.  He is anticipating turning  20!  Right now he considers himself an "adult teenager" but when he turns 20 he will "just be an adult."

While the District was out dining, they met up with a 93 year old woman that they recognized from the German Ward.  He called her an urgroßmutter, or a great grandmother.  She stopped the Elder's and the Sisters for a chat. Elder Heilmann said that she smelled like his GG and he loved that so much.  She told them to meet her on Wednesday at a particular grocery store so that she could bring them some potato salad and buy them a grilled chicken (so sweet) after which she said, "Alright! Time to walk home!  It takes an hour." and she started walking away with her tiny steps.  He was so enchanted by her.  Elder Heilmann also lovingly noted that "she does her makeup really well!  Two lines where eyelashes were and two lines where eyebrows were."  I love that he picks up on little things like that and shares them with me.  It really made an impact on him. So darling. 

Elder Heilmann experienced his first Transfer in the Mission but he and Elder Tillett were not moved about.  He said that every transfer there is a 'leavers' day.  A day where some of the missionaries finish their Mission and prepare to go home.  This particular Leavers Day, 2 of the AP's left for home.  AP's are Assistants to the President.  Elder Tillett will be next to go on Leavers Day as his Mission is nearly over.  It will be an interesting day for Elder Heilmann for certain.  

Elder Heilmann expressed that his Gospel Brain has gotten so big and he is so happy to be on his mission having this amazing experience.  One missionary experience he had this week was meeting a man named Mike.  Mike was born in Colorado but was raised and still lives in Germany.  Mike is an inactive member as he has epilepsy so it's hard for him to come out to Church.  Elder Heilmann said that he felt the Spirit in Mike's home and enjoyed all his 'nerd stuff'.  He was impressed by what a great Dad Mike is too.  Mike's daughter came up to him and said, "Daddy, I want to hold something important! I want to hold something important!" Mike handed his daughter a copy of the Book of Mormon and very seriously said to her, "Don't drop it!"  Elder Heilmann was touched by this action and the way that Mike lives his life.  

Elder Heilmann left me with some fun German facts as we finished up our call.  

1. Aldi Sud and Aldi Nord.  Aldi South and Aldi North are the two variants of Aldi in Germany.  He was not sure which Aldi we had in America.  He did say that both stores are very different from each other.  When we were visiting Elder Heilmann's Aunt Richelle many years ago, Richelle's Grandma Ellie came for a visit and told us about Aldi.  According to her account there were two brothers who created Aldi and quarreled and they split the store in two.  Thus we have Aldi Sud and Aldi Nord.

2. Germany uses military time so he is getting more used to that everyday. 

3. Outside of his apartment, he tries to only speak in German which is sometimes tricky.  Many German's want to practice their English with the Elder's and they don't want to speak German.  It makes for fun chats. 

Another week in the books!

____________________________

The poem I wrote after my fall off a horse with Aveline. 

Sir Chief

I will tell you a tale of a horse named Chief

and the girls that he unseated.

The last day had come on our journey of fun.

Our trip was soon completed.

The decision was made to take to the trails

on a horse ride to round out our fun.

No idea, had we, that our slow ride would be

ending up with our horse on the run.

Our horse was assigned, Sir Chief was his name,

we looked into his eyes to connect.

Then I got a leg up and Aveline was placed

in the saddle for me to protect.

My feet, I secured, in the stirrups with care

and I gave Sir Chief a pat.

Then off with a click we followed the lead

to soon realize Sir Chief was a brat.

He thrashed and meandered and got too close

to his girlfriend who gave me a kick.

Our saddle then started to tilt and to teeter

and it started making me sick.

With a worried mind we battled with wills

and Sir Chief won out each time.

He just made it clear his time was near,

A stable sounded just fine!

The jerk then trotted and cantered about

Thrashing his head as he went.

Then with a start he started to FART!

And galloped away like Clark Kent!

Our saddle, it slipped more and more with each clip

And yelling and screaming I tugged

I grabbed my sweet girl and down we did twirl

In the most unbelievable hug.

With a thwack we landed on my right hip

My breath - completely depleted.

I lay there in shock and tried to take stock

Surely death had just been cheated.

My girl, she popped up with nary a scratch

As I lay there and wiggled my toes.

Our terrified friends gathered round to assess

To see if we had broken any bones.

To my utter shock, once my breath had returned

I was able to walk in the mud.

And since Chief and his girlfriend had galloped away

We three had to trudge through the flood.

With wincing and pain, it started to rain.

What an ending to such an ordeal

I put on a brave face as we walked at my pace

Feeling sure I was not going to heal.

One trail master had come to offer a ride

“Get back on Chief” she suggested we do

OH NO! No thanks, Not even if I could

Would I ride astride that wazoo!

Apologies and excuses were handed out

“Oh he was sweaty so his saddle slipped, you see?”

And I just smiled and grimaced inside

It was a pretty lousy plea.

Thirty minutes of trudging, we made it back,

By this time my adrenaline was spent.

The pain was intense - so to the ER we commenced

For CT scans and meds, we went.

My neck, my back, my head all scanned

Surprised at no breaks, no bleeds.

But passing out and throwing up

Kept me in my bed with more needs.

When again I was finally able to move

My doctor looked at me with chagrin.

“You will not be flying home tonight my dear,

You must stay in Florida with your kin!”

So calls were made and plans were changed

And one more day, we stayed.

Then wheelchair bound and drugged to town

We flew home on Southwest while we prayed.

Thus ends the tale of a horse named Sir Chief

And the girls that he unseated

The next horse I ride will be on a carousel astride

My pony days are happily completed.

The End

-by Olivia Heilmann