"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you" (John 14:18).

April 20th, 2015

 



A less-active Member in our Ward, Sister Lieber, had been sick for a few weeks and she was in the Hospital. Sister Lieber is a super sweet lady who we helped get back to Church for the first time in 50 years. She is someone we consistently meet with.

Last week, she was released from the Hospital and we called her and set up an appointment to meet with her. She sounded fine on the phone and we were excited to see her again. We made it to her house and klinged her door, only to have no answer. We called her and again there was no answer.

Sister Lieber NEVER cancels on us, so Sister Lyman and I thought that she may be back in the Hospital. We called the Bishopric and no one had any idea who to call to check in our her. Her family lives far away and they are not very close. She has a daughter-in-law who lives a few floors beneath her, but we did not have her number.

On Wednesday, during our Abendessen, I had a random thought to call Sister Lieber. I acted on that thought and the phone kept on ringing and ringing. Sister Lyman told me just to hang up because there was no answer. I stayed on the line and on the last ring someone answered. It was Sister Lieber's daughter-in-law! 

From her we were able to get the directions to the Hospital that Sister Lieber is staying in. The next day, we traveled to Sulzbach and found her Hospital room.

As I walked into her room and she saw my face and then Sister Lyman's - she looked so incredibly shocked. I went to shake her hand and she pulled me down and hugged me. As I put my arms around her I truly felt like I was filling the role of our Savior. 

She has no one close to her in her life right now. She is widowed, she lives alone, and she is very lonely. We were her only visitors, other than her daughter-in-law that came to see her. She started to cry and she asked us how we found her. She had no phone and no way to get in contact with us. 

When we told her about the thought I had to call her randomly and how her daughter-in-law just happened to be in her house and that exact moment, Sister Lyman and I testified to her that God had not forgotten her. He sent us to her. 

The Elders came over and gave her a Priesthood Blessing. She has Lungenentzündung, which is an Amonia in English. 

It is experiences like this that motivate me to wake up every morning and do the work that I do. Heavenly Father is aware of each of us, He knows our struggles and our concerns. He has lifted me up when I have struggled here. His promise is true - "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you" (John 14:18). 

Liebe Grüße,

Sister Helmick

Heidelberg Castle.

I went on a split to Heidelberg! One of the most admired castles.

Heidelberg is beautiful!

The view from Sister Lieber's hospital room in Sulzbach.

Selfie!

First picture with my trainer, mission president and his wife.

Zone Training Picture!

Ahh! This week was such a great week!

April 13th, 2015

 



Ahh! This week was such a great week! I don't know where to start...

Okay, maybe with the not-so-god stuff. On Monday and Tuesday my sickness took a sharp turn. For about the last 6 weeks, I have had a pretty bad head cold that just wouldn't go away. Sinus pain, tightness in my temple, ear pain, eye pain, everything. I was in contact with the Mission Nurse, Sister Casselton, for a while. She had me try different over-the-counter medicines but my body just wouldn't get over it! So I ended up meeting with a German doctor. 

He performed an ultrasound on my face. That was different! Haha. Turns out I have a pretty bad case of sinusitis. The doctor prescribed me some antibiotics. The Elders also gave me a Priesthood Blessing - and I feel SO much better. 

Now...to the good stuff:

On the way home from an appointment with one of our investigators, Ellen, we unfortunately were separated on a bus. Normally, we try to sit together - but this bus was super crowded. So we ended up sitting with different people. Randomly, a woman say my name tag and she started speaking to me in English. She asked me if I was from America. Turns out her brother lives in California. I started to chat with this lady - in an awkward English-German dance. Or Danglish. She wanted to practice her English, and I tried to respond in German. 

When I mentioned to her that I am serving as a Missionary, here in Saarbrücken, she immediately interrupted me and told me that she is an Atheist... We started to talk about her past experiences. She had a sister who tragically died, and she came from an incredible hard up-bringing. She said that these experiences made it hard for her to believe and hope for a Savior. As I was listening to her talk, I was praying silently for help. I was sitting across from her at the front of the bus stop - facing everyone else on the bus. During our conversation, I felt the eyes of the neighboring men and women. They were listening in and seeing how I would respond. So many people here mock religion or do not believe in God.

As I silently prayed, 1 Nephi 11:17 came to mind. When Nephi was asked if he understood the condescension of God. He responded by saying, 

"I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things."

I began to testify to her - and to the people who were watching me, that I know that God lives. And I know that He loves us. The woman's eyes filled with tears. I have never felt the Spirit so strongly, as I did when I was testifying on that bus. 

In the end, she declined my invitation for us to meet with her. She said it would be too emotionally hard for her. But she thanked me - she thanked me for listening to her and for my kindness. 

Second quick story:

We have a new investigator! Her name is Cindy and she is from Jamaica. Oh meine güte, Cindy is so wonderful! I love her already. She is about 45 years old, and she comes from a Christian background. She hasn't attended a Christian Church since 2013 though, she had several bad experiences in the past. We ended up giving her a Church Tour and then had a lesson in the Chapel. We taught her about the Restoration of the Gospel. Everything made sense to her - she had too wondered why there are so many different Churches, so many different translations of the Bible. She wants to know which Church is Christ's Church. 

Again with testimonies...There is something incredibly powerful that happens to us - as Missionaries - when we open our mouths and testify. The Holy Ghost bears truth to us - and to feel that Spirit working through you..and seeing it touch someone else - is a feeling I cannot explain. I am so grateful to be a part of this great work. 

"And ye shall go forth in the power of my Spirit, preaching my gospel, two by two, in my name, lifting up your voices as with the sound of a trump, declaring my word like unto angels of God" (D&C 42:6).

Liebe Grüße,

Sister Helmick

My lovely District.

Sister Dehdari's daughter, Gwen, wanted to wear our nametags.

Elder Taylor's last meal with us. Transfers!

THIS IS THE REAL LIFE OF A SISTER MISSIONARY: Lots of walking and running to catch trains.

Pizza eating contest... I failed.
 

Subway in Germany?! Yes please!

SAARBRÜCKEN!

Easter Week!

Another week! I feel like this week went by so fast! I cannot believe it. This week has been incredible. I feel so excited to be a Missionary, doing this great work.

Here are a few highlights from my week:

We had a Zone Training this week. A Zone Training is where all the Missionaries in several Districts gather together to be taught ways to better fulfill our Purpose as Missionaries. It was great to see a few of the Elders that were in my original MTC Group. 

On Tuesday, we met with a new investigator - Ellen. She has previously been taught by Missionaries but she has several concerns that we are working through with her. 

Sister Lyman and I also met with die Familie Franz for a dinner appointment. They were inactive for years and years, and they recently starting coming back to Church. Sister Franz hosts "Käse Abend" parties. Tons and tons of Cheese from Germany and France, with assorted meats and breads to try. She gave us our own feast for dinner. 

My first Transfer Call! Every six weeks, all the missionaries throughout the Mission "call in" to a joint group calling where we hear from our Mission President and his wife. We are then told if we are staying in our areas for another transfer or if we are being moved. Trainers and the new goldens (or incoming missionaries) are also announced. Surprise, surprise. I am staying with Sister Lyman in Saarbrücken for another six weeks. I am also HALFWAY through my training as a Golden...which means that in six more weeks I could possibly be called to become a trainer and/or take over my area. That is a crazy thought. 

During our transfer calls we were given some pretty exciting news...We're going digital! IPADS! Online proselyting! All of this will begin later this month and into next month. Elder David A. Bednar will be visiting the Germany Frankfurt Mission and will be introducing these new tools we are being given to hasten the work. 

This week was also General Conference. Twice a year, we have the priviledge of hearing from our beloved Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, and from his Counselors and Apostles. We also hear from chosen leaders from Church Women organizations as well as Elders from the quorum of the 70. They all seek inspiration and revelation and address us with Talks, or sermons, that are relevant for our day. 

As I watched these sessions from General Conference, I felt the strongest peace radiate through my chest. I know that these men are called of God. There were talks given that were exactly what I needed to hear. 

As most of you already know, this past weekend was Easter weekend. As I have reflected on the Savior, Jesus Christ... As I have thought and studied about His Infinite Atonement... My heart and my soul have been filled with a peace that I never knew was possible to experience. I want to leave you all with my witness and testimony- Jesus is the Christ. He lived a perfect life, He committed no sin. He suffered our pains, our afflictions, our temptations, and every other human experience that would ever be felt - in the Garden of Gethsemane. He was betrayed and he was crucified. He rose on the third day. He Lives. 

 "Wherever He walked, Wherever He taught, Wherever He healed, He changed everything. Then everything changed. The man they called Master, Messiah, Friend, was gone. But the greatest miracle was yet to come. He is not here. He is risen. He Lives! And because he lives, if you reach out, call out, cry out, He is here. Then, now, always, He is here. During the good, the bad, the in-between, He is here. No matter who you are, who you were, He is here. No exceptions, no lost causes, at all times, in all places, He is here. He rose on the third day. He lives today. Find Him. #BecauseHeLives"

I love and miss you all. I know I often thank you for your support of me through emails and letters and prayers...but please know how grateful I am for you! 

Liebe große

Sister Helmick

This happens far too often in Saarbrücken.

Our personal Käse Abend!

Sister Franz - the Käse Queen.

As we were street contacting we saw this local band rocking out.

Elder Kress pretending to lick Elder Cole's food while he prays. Missionaries have fun too!

Easter sweets with Sister Güsgen!