We had a short but perfect chat with Elder Heilmann today. He had a pretty epic week. So epic that Pday got moved to Friday instead of the regular Thursday Pday. It all started out with a gathering of Elders in Elders Heilmann and Chamberlains' apartment for the week. What would you call a gathering of Elders? A Testament? That works. A Testament of Elders gathered in preparation for another Mission Conference in Frankfurt. This is really something because some Missions don't get to have General Authority visits at all, and the Frankfurt Mission has had TWO!
The Mission was visited by Elder Alliaud, a member of the General Authority 70. Elder Heilmann was genuinely delighted by his visit. He told us that Elder Alliaud is very fun, funny, and energetic! "It was just him running around with a mic." He talked to the missionaries about setting proper goals and expectations for the people they teach. He said to teach with the end goal in mind. It really helped. Elder Heilmann said he wrote so much down, everything is a blur! He also noted that Sister Alliaud spoke to them, but her English was not great, so some of the things she said came out a little funny, and it was endearing. He loved how hard she tried.
(Elder Heilmann's apartment is at the bottom of this beautiful building)
The lack of sleep came from catching multiple trains to gather other Elders from areas that are farther from Frankfurt. So it was a 'fall asleep late and wake up early' situation that left him feeling energy depleted. Also, some of the trouble and delays came from one of the car Elders (most missionaries in the area just walk/bus/trains, but some have cars) miscalculated the distance between his car and another and ended up scratching another car. They all had to wait for an hour for the police to come. It made for a long day. But it all ended well with the fantastic conference.
It also left him feeling very ready for a new area. He said, "I'm done. I don't want to stay more than 1/4th of my Mission in Wiesbaden. I want to be transferred...I hope I get transferred!" He loves Wiesbaden, and it has been the best place for him to start his Mission. His first companion, Elder Tillett, did all his schooling in the area (K-12) because his dad worked for the Army. So, having someone who could go on Post with him, was American, and who knew Germany fairly well was amazing!!! Also, Elder Tillet's family had moved to Virginia, of all places, a year or so before Elder Tillet's Mission, so it was really, REALLY a great match. I think he is just ready now, and that's ok.
Elder Heilmann is adjusting but is definitely taking time. He is a creature of habit, and change is tough for him. I could tell he was feeling down and tired, so I took some time to share loads of news and fun things from home, and I could visibly see him start to relax and have genuine smiles. It was good to see. I definitely will be connecting with him daily with little quips and pics from home. I can tell he needs it.
In all of our sharing, I mentioned Thanksgiving and asked about what his plans might be. He said that if he was in an American area, he might be abducted...probably multiple times...to have a traditional meal with an American family. But, if he ends up getting transferred, he plans to have a meal with whomever he can gather. He does love to cook. I asked if he wanted Thanksgiving decorations in the box I was sending, and he said no, so NATURALLY, I bought some to put in his box. The one and ONLY box...maybe...that we will send to Germany! WOW! Pricey, but totally worth it. I will definitely be using the German Amazon a LOT!
On the 29th, the day we talked, he said he would meet Kevanch at 1830 to talk to him about getting baptized. I am looking forward to hearing how that goes. I am excited and nervous for Kevanch. It's a big step, but I know it is what the Lord wants for him.
After Kevanch, they plan on meeting Nofuu. Nofuu has been sending them strange things, and Elder Heilmann is developing a growing concern about their relationship. Nofuu sent them a video and said, "Watch this. It will open your mind!" It was something from Celine Dion. Really weird. Elder Heilmann said it "feels like he is trying to teach us!" They did end up writing the Plan of Salvation in his Revelations journal, and they hoped that would help, but he ended up saying that he wanted to come to Sacrament meeting and teach everybody there. Um...no... Elder Heilmann said that next, they are going to help him understand the structure of the Church. He said, "Just because you CAN teach doesn't mean you are supposed to. Everyone has a place and a duty." It is starting to feel like a dead-end, maybe. They are not sure. Elder Heilmann said, "We taught him the first lesson in 5 minutes, and Nofuu said, 'The Spirit tells me this is true.' Great! Let's move on." But when they needed to go home, he kept trying to keep them. Nofuu did say, 'OK' when they explained to him that they had rules to follow. It's just going...differently.
The Elders spent some more time with Mike this week. They ended up taking him to Popeyes on Post. Mike was almost in tears as he ate the macaroni and cheese. "This is so tasty!" German macaroni and cheese is just gross and watery, and it has this weird BBQ sauce and whole herbs. Definitely not the same artery-clogging, butter and cheese magic we are used to in America. Mike said he felt more at home on Post than he had his entire life in Germany. Colorado can do that to ya. He was born there, and I guess that feeling just stuck.
In between teaching and finding friends, he is really enjoying reading the scriptures and other Mission-approved materials. He said, "I can't tell you how many times I have watched 'Meet the Mormons'." He has listened to 'Of Lions, Dragons, and Turkish Delights' on repeat and has enjoyed the Gospel Topics podcast. However, some suggestions of BYU talks or other related suggestions sent his way would be great! I am confident he would love some new recreational reading material.
At the end of our time together, instead of a silly German word, he left us with something really profound. He said, "I learned the power of the Book of Mormon this week. Pray, and then be willing to change your life. If you find out it's true, you need to change something." How beautiful and true is that.
I was raised in the Gospel, but just like everyone else, I, too, had to come to an understanding of the Gospel and the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. When I was young, young enough to have a full-length poster of The New Kids on the Block on my door and a bunk bed, I remember reading in the Book of Mormon and praying to know if it was true. At that point, I had come to accept it as a book of true history. I have always loved Archaeology and understood the significance of the book as it pertained to science and discovery of ancient civilizations. Still, at that point, I had not asked God if it was His word. I clearly remember sitting on the top bunk and asking, and I CLEARLY remember asking if Moroni was a Prophet of God and receiving a resounding yes! From then on, I knew. I no longer followed the commandments because it was my parents' expectation. I did it for me. Not perfectly, by any means. But I tried and still try.
I am so grateful for Elder Heilmann, my Julian, for being willing to take these 2 years out of his life to help others have this life-changing experience. Not only life-changing but eternal path-altering. He is where he needs to be. I couldn't be more proud.
"I'm saving souls, grandma!" -Elder Heilmann
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