Elder Heilmann: Adventures in Serving the Lord

Still here!  This week, Elder Heilmann shared the report that he was to stay in Wiesbaden for the next transfer.  He did get a new companion, however.  Elder Tillet was transferred to Essen... it means food  "Welcome to food!" Das Essen.  His new companion is Elder Chamberlain.   Elder Chamberlain is from South Jordan, Utah, and is very nice, calm, and in charge of his emotions.  Elder Heilmann said it feels very nice to have a "functioning adult in the house." He was the Zone Leader, and now he is the District Leader, so Elder Heilmann is now officially "District's Frau" or District's wife.  The mission has fun names, just like the Country. ;) Elder Chamberlain is responsible for the District, so Elder Heilmann said, "I am just going to sit there and look pretty."  He will get to answer some of Elder Chamberlain's texts, but mostly just be an everyday missionary on the side.   The transfer was announced on Saturday, and the ac...

Life in Germany (view of Wiesbaden from the top of Macy's) Another week down, and Elder Heilmann is reportedly "good and happy!" It's always so good to see his beautiful smile and sparkly eyes. I can tell he looks forward to seeing us as much as we look forward to seeing him. Thursday morning is my favorite, and I basically just watch my computer in total anticipation until he calls.  This morning, the Elders took a pleasant stroll to the bakery and had an exquisite breakfast. Elder Heilmann ordered a sandwich with freshly baked bread, eggs, and bacon followed by a warm, chocolate croissant. Doesn't that just sound heavenly? After breakfast, they headed to Post and went to the Commissary and PX, where, among other things, they picked up some Jet-Puffed Marshmallows for the Youth Activity with the German Ward that night.  Apparently, German marshmallows are like cardboard, so when the Elders found out about the needs of the activity, they suggested they could get A...

Life in Germany   An Art Festival in downtown Wiesbaden today was the perfect way to reflect and relax. Elder Heilmann, an artist himself, is drawn to beautiful works of art and the stories that create them. He was able to get 2 beautiful dream catchers today from a lovely woman from Mexico, of all places! She sold Elder Heilmann these two gorgeous dream catchers (which Aveline called 'pretty clocks'), one deep blue and one purple, his favorite colors. They were 2 for 17 euros. The woman accepted American dollars, so Elder Heilmann gave her a $20 bill. She gave him 6 euros back, so he ended up getting a discount! He thought that was incredibly generous.   (Screen shot of our call) I was surprised that someone from Mexico was in Wiesbaden, Germany, of all places selling dream catchers! It just seems like such a fish out of water thing to see. Elder Heilmann said that there are actually many Native American stores around too. He said that the diversity in Germany is like in...

Family Life Elder Heilmann loves to start out our Thursday calls by saying hi to his little sister, Aveline.  Sometimes his not-so-little brother, Tristan, is there too.  It's so fun to see them interact.  We all look forward to seeing him.  Elder Heilmann watched as Aveline 'play shopped' with her toys and shopping cart.  He said, "Aveline, say ich - gehe - einkaufen. [she repeated] It means you're going shopping!" She loves her big brother. They are 16 years apart, but they are the best of buddies. Life in Germany      Around 9pm on September 15th, Elders Heilmann and Tillett were doing their evening studies when they heard a strange gurgling sound in the wall of their apartment.  They thought it odd but didn't put too much stock into it as it was raining, and they just attributed it to that.  However, 30 min later, they got up to find that 3 mm of water had seeped onto the apartment floor!  It just suddenly started coming out of ...

Elder Heilmann and I had a bit of a quick chat today, but he had a surprise ready for me.  He is taking the suggestion of showing us more 'life in Germany' to heart and had coins and bills ready to share with me.  He showed me 1 cent, 2 cents, 5 cents, 20 cents, 10 cents, and 50 cent coins. He also showed me coins for 1 Euro and 2 Euros. Also a 10 Euro bill.  It is very colorful.  I didn't know this, but Euros are used all over the European Union and each country mints its own coins with National symbols on the back.  I just thought that was so cool!! Elder Heilmann also told me about his experience with the Gas Heizer or the boiler service tech. The Elders had to go open the Church for the technician.  Elder Heilmann said he was very jolly and it was a fun experience.  There are radiators all over the Church for heating.  Again, no AC. ;) The true highlight of the week was the visit from Elder Bednar.  Elder Heilmann said he is so funny and ...

MISSIONARY WORK Elder Heilmann shared that he is 1/8 done with his Mission and the Sisters that arrived at the same time as he are 1/6 done. Weird thought! The hope is that he stops keeping track, and I am sure it's just for fun as he declares that he is having a GREAT time on his Mission.   Still, nobody to teach this week, which continues to be discouraging. But his German is getting better every day, and he said he can now understand most conversations. "The Gift of Tongues is REAL!" he declared during our chat.   One of the things he is learning as he studies and practices is that the best way to introduce the Book of Mormon to people is to say, "The Bible has prophets. The Book of Mormon has prophets, too. Make the connection rather than saying 'In Mosiah in the year etc.'" It helps people understand what the book is better than any other approach he has used so far.  Speaking of approaches, he got the chance to sit down with his Mission President a...