December 2nd: Awkward much?

(Krefeld Hauptbahnhof- complete with floating shoe)

Daily Doings

The first thing we noticed this week was that Elder Heilmann looks like his light is back! He has been looking better every week, and this week he is shining bright! We asked him about it (Tim and I), and he said, "This week was GOOD! I had a really good week. It feels like my Mission has started! I don't know. It just feels like I finally got into a groove." YAY!  Oh, there you are, Peter!! My baby is back! 

Elder Heilmann was able to sign up in the City of Krefeld, so he is now legal and officially a missionary in the area. Each new city requires you to register, and they give you a card that you have to carry around stating that you are legit able to proselyte in the area. This city registration cost $112! The registrar liked Elder Heilmann's passport because she said she didn't see many American ones come past her desk.  

Now that he is officially official, it is time to start enjoying the Holiday Season in full swing. We bought him a Harry Potter Funko Pop Advent Calendar to get him goin'. It's his first Christmas away from home, and we definitely didn't want it to be a depressing one. He said he got a tiny Harry Potter on day 1 and a tiny Ginny Weasly on day 2 today. It's a Yule Ball calendar, so they are dressed in their finery. So cute. He is so happy and excited about it. He loves that they are super tiny, so he can easily transport them all over his mission.  

Elder Heilmann started looking at college stuff today. He is already accepted to Brigham Young University-Idaho, where his cousin, Miriam, attends. He is just on a deferment right now. His first session starts in January 2024. He is pretty sure, has been for a while, that he wants to be a materials engineer and become a rocket scientist like he mentioned last week to his cousin, Blake. He said, "It feels right to me. It's a job I've always wanted." He found out that BYU-Idaho has a mechanical engineering program, and BYU-Utah has a mechanical/aerospace program. The idea thus far is to Major in mechanical at BYU-I, then go on the do a Major in mechanical and aerospace and a Minor in materials engineering. He plans to do a Bachelors and Masters Degree. He figures if he can get exactly what he is looking for at the Church schools, he may as well get the education there since it is so much cheaper!! I am all for it!

Speaking of the future, we had such a funny conversation about upcoming marriages among his peers! I told him about a couple of his childhood friends who are now engaged to be married in a few months. It's MY high school friend's kids that are getting married. So weird! I just don't know how we got here! LOL Elder Heilmann looked thoughtful for a second and then said, "...not too far away!" We started laughing and said, "Pensieve! Pensieve! Put it away!" To which he whined, "but European girls are very good-looking. It's very difficult because they are cute!!" So we shared with him a little quip from OUR youth. "If you don't look once, you're not a man. If you look twice, you're not a missionary. He thought that was hilarious, and he said, "President! The girl I'm teaching is really cute! TAKE ME OUT!" Haha. Being a missionary is challenging on many levels! ;). 

Just being a Julian can, at times, can be a little tricky, too. Elders Jones and Heilmann went to a member family home for dinner, the Krauster's or Krauser's. Elder Heilmann started singing "Country Road" with them and was doing funny voices. Sister Krauser turned to Elder Jones and asked, "Ist er Autismust?" She asked Elder Jones if Elder Heilmann was Autistic! She didn't ask Elder Heilmann; she just looked at him and then at Elder Jones and asked right in front of him. LOL Elder Heilmann said, "No, I was homeschooled, and I grew up around it, so it's all I know. Hahaha! Thank you for the compliment, but no. I am unfortunately not as smart as someone with Autism."   

Missionary Work

This week, the Elders helped a member of the Bishopric on his farm. They helped move some things around the farm and pull lots of weeds. This brother has chickens and plans to buy a Russian fighting chicken to protect the others. Elder Heilmann said, "I can always feel the Spirit when we talk to him. He's just a good dude."

The other day, while handing out cards in town, Elder Heilmann approached a man and said, "Hi! During this Christmas Season, we are handing out these cards. It will take you to a site where you can learn about Christ." The man stopped moving and stopped blinking. He just stared at the trash can. At the end of Elder Heilmann's introduction, he said, "Hello??" to which the man replied, "Ich habe nichts" -I don't have anything- totally deadpan and walked off. "It was so strange!! It's just a weird place. I try not to make fun of it, but it's sooo easy to make fun of." Elder Heilmann said. I guess it has the nickname of Crusty Krefeld. Oh, dear.  

On Pday, the Elders have 3 hours for Missionary work after the days' events are done. They usually spend it on Facebook Finding, Elder Heilmann's least favorite event. It is so hard. He said his heart sinks when he knows he has to do it. It's literally finding people and connecting on a personal level. It's incredibly awkward. They have to wait until the person asks about their life before they can share anything about being a Missionary. Elder Heilmann said jokingly, "So like a year later, they say, 'What are you doing here?' Good question!! I work for my Church. Wanna come to Church?"

He is currently texting a girl he found that lives in Krefeld and is a part of a German Anime group on Facebook. Elder Heilmann said, "It's REALLY awkward. She was like, 'Why'd you contact me?' I am new to the area, and I love Anime. 'Oh my gosh, I love Anime, too! Where are you from? Your German is really good!' Danke schon!" Hopefully, something comes of it. We shall see. 

Quirky Germany

So the reckoning of floor levels is different in Germany. The Elders live on the 4th floor, but they actually live on 3. Stock or the 3rd floor. The 1st floor is the earth floor. So, earth floor, 1st floor, 2nd floor and so on. 

The apartment itself has cool exposed beams in it, and a hammock was put up with a note that says, "Never take down! Never transfer apartments. This stays." It was put up in 2019. Elder Heilmann sleeps in it sometimes. He LOVES hammocks. 

There is a Japanese fan and an original work of art; oil paint on canvas. The walls are white with large yellow and green stripes, making the apartment look like a Sprite can. The carpet is also Kermit the Frog color. Super gauche! Elder Heilmann will try to rearrange the apartment to expose the radiator so the air can circulate better around this lemon-lime stand!  

Elder Jones bought a copy of "The Adventures of Rin Tin Tin," but in Germany, it's just called,... Tin. He uses it to learn new German words. Elder Heilmann is thinking of buying old Duck Tale comics in German to do the same. I guess the German's love NASA, America, ...and Disney. ;) OH...and Mr. Bean. Elder Heilmann does a wicked Mister Bean face for people, and they totally "freak out in joy!"

The last Quirky German thing to share with you before we close is about the local Ward in Krefeld. The Ward used to be a Branch. It grew and became a Ward but got really tiny again, and it doesn't go back to being a Branch, so now they just have a super-duper tiny Ward. The Second Counselor in the Bishopric only speaks English and Spanish. Tricky! He's from Spain. Elder Heilmann started singing Feliz Navidad to him, and he solemnly said, "Stop.. just stop." Hilarious! I guess in Spain, they have many American Christmas songs like "Rocking Around the Christmas Tree," but they are all played as instrumentals with no lyrics. 

Well, that's a wrap for this week.  Stay tuned for more missives from an American Missionary in Germany!