We could only speak for about 5 min as he had lots of things to do to get ready for Christmas Day. We were lucky enough to be able to hear from him again then, so we didn't worry too much.
For this next transfer, Elder Jones is going to Ansbach in Byern in the middle of nowhere. His new companion will be Elder Shasha, whom everybody loves. He is a big Polynesian kid with a fabulous accent and is known as the 'sweetheart of the mission.' Elder Heilmann will receive Elder Wright and stay in Krefeld for another 6 weeks. Elder Wright is 5'5", looks like he's 12, and is also a "very, very nice boy." Elder Wright will finish his missionary service in Krefeld with Elder Heilmann as his last companion.
Elder Heilmann mentioned that it was funny to notice how different he is from other missionaries. He thinks it's because he was homeschooled, and he grew up with an Autistic brother. I just think it's because he is thoughtful, intelligent, and curious. He said, "I am apparently a little socially awkward. I am just different from other missionaries. I describe things in detail that they don't really think about, and they look at me like, 'Why do you know this?' 'Why not? Doesn't this interest you?'"
Quirky Germany
- The Krefeld Chapel is so tiny, and it has chairs instead of pews. It's pretty quaint and beautiful. Elder Heilmann said that only 30 people come to church each Sunday. The congregation was originally a Branch but was made into a Ward. It's now the size of a Branch again, but it stays a Ward once it's made into a Ward, so it's a super tiny congregation.
- Their Albanian family friends, the Touchies, don't know how to use their phones very well. Sister Touchie was trying type out her talk for Sunday, and Elder Heilmann did it for her, and she was shocked! "WHAT?? So fast!"
- In Germany, Sponge Bob Square Pants in called Sponge Bob Sponge Head. LOL
- There is a statement of shock that is my new favorite exclamation! "Holla die waldfee" pronounced...as phonetically as I can spell it... "Hall-a dee, VALD fay," which means, "Oh my gosh! Fairies are coming out of the forest!" If there are clear skies and it suddenly starts raining, you say this! It is used as an expression of shock at a sudden change. BRILLIANT!
Christmas Day Call
All smiles and happiness!!!
We had so much fun talking to Elder Heilmann, and the kids loved showing him all the things they got for Christmas. Tim, Nana, and I loved to share with him too. It was just so fun to see his joy and curiosity. It was perfection personified.
We showed Elder Heilmann Daddy's Christmas jammies. They say, "Sleep Appreciation Club" Elder Heilmann got such a kick out of that and exclaimed, "I am a member of that club! I am the CHAIRMAN of that club... and the secretary...and the guy who sleeps in the back." LOL Being a missionary is hard work!
As we were smiling, laughing, and settling into our much anticipated Christmas chat, Nana came to the computer to say hi. I love and cherish what she said to Elder Heilmann upon seeing him.
"I love your smile and your light. It comes from inside you in your soul...and I can see it."
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The First Christmas away from home turned out to be a huge success! YAY. I have to say, I was super worried. But Elder Heilmann is such a sweetie; he just soaked it all in and brought a little piece of home with him. On Christmas Eve, he made pralines for sharing. He cooked them just a few seconds too long, so they crystalized a little, but they tasted the same. He also shared his Pirolines with Brother Krauster, who LOVED them even though they were way too rich for everyone else.
"Wait a second! It's Christmas!"
He immediately went back to his bedroom, put a blanket on his head, and enthusiastically ran out of his room and stood next to his companion. Elder Jones was SO confused and said, "What are you doing?" To which Elder Heilmann exclaimed, "It's Christmas!! What do you mean, 'what am I doing?' Doesn't everybody do this? It's tradition!" He then started to sing our traditional family Christmas song:
Merry, Merry Christmas. Merry, Merry Christmas. Deedle, deedle, deedle!
Merry, Merry Christmas. Merry, Merry Christmas. Deedle, deedle, deedle!
Elder Jones just stood there and stared at Elder Heilmann blankly. Oh, to have seen that! SO FUNNY! After that, during Elder Heilmann's shower, he got a knock on the door with an excited and muffled voice declaring that it was SNOWING!!!! WHITE CHRISTMAS!
Elder Heilmann showed us what he got for Christmas and we laughed and laughed at all the fun and joy. Some gifts weren't yet delivered via the German Amazon even though they said they were, so some investigation is forthcoming, but it was all good.
He then shared with us how they spent their Christmas Eve and Christmas Day celebrations. They spent time at the Church, with the Touchi family, the Krauster family, and a third family, an older couple who live by themselves. The elderly sister said to Elder Heilmann, "Is this your first Christmas away? I will be your mom for Christmas." So sweet.
- They watched "17 Miracles" and "Best Two Years" at the church building.
- Attended a Ward Christmas party where the Bishops family (all 12 of them) played Christmas carols on their stringed instruments. It was a glorious concert.
- Watched a shadow puppet theater at the church.
- Ate heartily at the Krausters house: sauerbraten and another dish he described as gummy stuffing balls cut into pieces that you eat with gravy and red stewed cabbage. Yum.
- Listened to Brother Krauster play heavy metal guitar solos, including some ACDC songs.
- Was gifted lebkuchen, his favorite!
- Ate lots of bread and fruits, a few pork dishes, and some traditional Albanian food
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