New Beginnings and The Death of Loved Ones

June 8th, 2015

 



Hello Everyone!

The last two weeks have been a period of growth for me. Sister Bates and I have been SO busy with Missionary Work here in Saarbrücken! We are helping one of our investigators, Stella, prepare for baptism. She comes from Ghana and she is expecting her first child in three months! Stella is so sincere and she has made so many personal sacrifices to be where she is at right now in life. Another wonderful man in our ward, Rudiger, will be baptized this Saturday. He is one of the most energetic people I know! He is in his 70's and every since I have met him, he has been serving others. Every time a family in our ward has moved, he's been there to help. And what I love the most about him is his energy and his love for life. I want to be like him when I am in my 70's!

 The next three weeks in a row, Sister Bates and I will be attending Baptisms. It is one of the most exciting times for someone. A new Beginning. I am so grateful that I will be able to take part in these people lives, and share this special day with them.

On a personal note, recently I have been confronted with sad news. There have been several deaths - whether from friends, relatives, friends of friends, or people I have met here in Germany. Let me start by saying that I have never suffered the death of a close friend or parent. I don't know what that is like. Every day I am grateful to God that I have the wonderful people in my life that I do have. They mean the world to me - and it took me coming out on a mission to realize just how fully I love my family and close friends. That being said, I want to offer my personal condolences to those who have suffered the death of a loved one recently. And I want to share something that I have learned - a miracle that I personally experienced this last week.

It is about the principle of Gratitude... Let me start off with my experience:

On Friday of last week, I was on a train with Sister Bates. We were making our way to K-Town where we meet up with our Sister Training Leaders for splits. It was on this train ride that we received a phone call. Sister Bates took the call. As she was speaking, I put two-and-two together. She was talking with the ex-daughter-in-law of Sister Lieber. Frau Rausch is her name. We have had special contact with Frau Rausch recently, because Sister Lieber's health has been declining every since we visited her in the Hospital. Frau Rausch has been taking great care of Sister Lieber. We had an appointment with them scheduled for this following Tuesday, and we had been waiting for Frau Rausch to call us back to confirm the appointment.

As soon as I heard the words "Es tut uns sehr leid" I knew what had happened. Sister Bates didn't need to explain anything to me after she finished talking to Frau Rausch. I asked her how it happened, and she responded by telling me that she passed away peacefully in her sleep just a day previously.

For about five minutes, I let myself cry. Sister Lieber has been apart of my Beginning here in Saabrücken. From week 1 - to now, I have visited her, I have talked to her, and I have learned that you don't need to speak the same perfect language to learn to love someone. She taught me that.

On that train, I crossed my arms and bowed my head. I offered a quick prayer to our Heavenly Father and I thanked him for letting me meet Sister Lieber. As I finished that prayer - I learned one of the greatest lessons I have ever learned in my life. At least up to this point. I reflected on my last few weeks. Even that very day. We had had a Street Display in Idar Oberstein and I had contacted several women who had all experienced recent deaths. I swear - EVERY person I contacted and talked to that Day... I taught them about The Plan of Salvation. So as I wiped away my tears, and I thought about what I know. What I have shared. What I believe.

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf can explain this much more eloquently than I can:

"Everyone’s situation is different, and the details of each life are unique. Nevertheless, I have learned that there is something that would take away the bitterness that may come into our lives. There is one thing we can do to make life sweeter, more joyful, even glorious.We can be grateful! It might sound contrary to the wisdom of the world to suggest that one who is burdened with sorrow should give thanks to God. But those who set aside the bottle of bitterness and lift instead the goblet of gratitude in find a purifying drink of healing, peace, and understanding.

True gratitude is an expression of hope and testimony. It comes from acknowledging that we do not always understand the trials of life but trusting that one day we will.
In any circumstance, our sense of gratitude is nourished by the many and sacred truths we do know: that our Father has given His children the great plan of happiness; that through the Atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ, we can live forever with our loved ones; that in the end, we will have glorious, perfect, and immortal bodies, unburdened by sickness or disability; and that our tears of sadness and loss will be replaced with an abundance of happiness and joy, 'good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over.'"

I read this talk a few weeks ago, and since reading it, I have reflected on it again and again. I know that there have been personal lessons that He has wanted me to learn. Lessons that I am still in the middle of learning. I want you all to know how much I love this Gospel. I know with everything I am that because of what Jesus Christ did for us - because of His Atonement - we WILL be with our loved ones again. I know that as a Truth because I have received that personal witness from the Holy Ghost this week. I know that I will see Sister Lieber again one day. But for right now, I am so grateful that I was able to apart of her story, and that she was able to be apart of mine.

All my love,

Sister Helmick

 

P.S. For anyone who would like to continue reading this Talk from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, here is the link:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/grateful-in-any-circumstances?lang=eng

Having too much fun at the YSA party.

My reaction when I eat German food that is supposedly "American".

Elder Tishner decided that I was strong enough to wheel him around during our Street Display...and he broke my bag. Elders!

Only in Heidelberg...would I bring my camera on my morning jog. Splits with Sister Shurts!

Hike with the YSA.

Hike picture.

All my companions TOGETHER!Missionary-Member Work Conference in K-Town. Yes, my Trainer is now comps with my MTC Companion. Yes, it is weird. Did I mention Sister Peterson's Trainer was Sister Bates MTC companion? Are you confused? I don't blame you. Me too. ;)

Anna Katrin and I.

Hiking!

Just a Picture!

June 1st, 2015

Only picture this week of Kristyn and her new companion Sister Bates.

New Companion, Same Adventure!

May 25th, 2015

What a week. Where to begin?

Oh I know! Saying goodbye to Sister Lyman. I may sound like a broken record, but I feel like I was a turkey being stuffed for Thanksgiving dinner this last week. We had TEN eating appointments in TWO days. TEN. That is ridiculous. But I think it is a testiment to how much the members loved and cared for Sister Lyman. Everyone wanted to meet with us to see her off to her new area. 

On Thursday morning, Sister Lyman and I rolled out of bed and sat on her overstuffed suitcases trying to get everything zipped up and together. A train later we were in Kaiserslauterern where we said our goodbyes (yes, I cried.) and I joined Sister Williams and Sister Brough on a split as I anxiously awaited for my new companion to meet us in K-Town.

Sisters WIlliams, Brough, and I headed out into K-Town for a HUGE service project! A member in their ward had recently suffered a death in the family and were out of town. While they were gone, the Husband gave us their house keys so that we could do some service. They are a family of six and the house was in really bad condition. With the stress and loss of a family member - there were mountains of dishes to clean, piles and piles of laundry to do, a hurricane of toys throughout the house, and a lawn that was in desperate need of mowing. 

With the help of 10 Missionaries - and five hours of hard work, we transformed the three story house. Sisters Williams and Brough made a hand-made card where we all signed our names. We left the house with the keys inside and then we all went back to our areas. 

Pure religion is service. 

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So here I am still in Saabrücken with a new companion! Sister Bates! She is from Utah and has been out in the field for nine months. She is very different from my last companion - which will be good for me to see what it is like to work with someone else. Sister Bates is very sweet, and she always surprises me by doing small acts of service for me. On Friday, I broke the arm of my studying chair and didn't think anything of it. I assumed it would be broken forever and I would just deal with it. On Saturday morning I went into our living room to do my studies - and then I saw that Sister Bates had taken the time to fix my chair for me during her free time! Ahhh. Sister Bates is very kind.

I want to share something I read a few weeks ago during my Personal Story. It is from Elder David A. Bednar's Talk "The Tender Mercies of the Lord":

"In a recent stake conference, the tender merices of the Lord were evident in the touching testimony of a young wife and mother of four whose husband was slain in Iraq in Decemeber of 2003. This stalwart sister recounted how, after being notified of her husband's death, she received his Christmas card and message. In the midst of the abrupt reality of a dramatically altered life came to this good sister a timely and tender reminder that indeed families can be together forever. With permission I quote from that Christmas card:

'To the best family in the world! Have a great time together and remember the true meaning of Christmas! The Lord has made it possible for us to be together forever. So even when we are apart, we will still be together as a family. 

God bless and keep y'all safe and grant this Christmas to be our gift of love from us to Him above!!! 

All my love, Daddy and your loving husband!'

Clearly, the husband's reference to being apart in his Christmas greeting referred to the separation caused by his military assignment. But to this sister, as a voice from the dust from a departed eternal companion and father, came a most needed spiritual reassurance and witness. As I indicated earlier, the Lord's tender mercies do not occur randomly or merely by coincidence. Faithfulness, obedience, and humility invite tender mercies into our lives, and it is often the Lord's timing that enables us to recognize and treasure these important blessings." 

I bear testimony that the Lord's tender mercies are all around us. So often we think of things like this that happen as "coincidences." I have learned that there are no such things as coincidences. I have seen and felt His tender merices time and time again on my Mission. Needed reassurances from the Lord. I know that He loves me and that He is proud of the work I am doing. I know that God is aware of each and every one of us. He loves us perfectly.

Liebe Grüße,

Sister Helmick

Best P-Day ever! Visiting and touring a beautiful castle!

Our last P-Day together!

Imagine waking up to that in the morning!

Incredibly old castle. Survived several wars!

Oh you know...sometimes we just have to take a picture in a meadow of flowers. :)

I miss her already.

HALT! Who art thou? Okay...so sometimes I have a little too much fun at gift shops. 

I found my knight in shining armor!

Saying Goodbye to Sister Lyman!

May 18th, 2015

Transfer Calls.... On Thursday I will be saying goodbye to my Trainer, Sister Lyman. I will be taking over my area here in Saarbrücken and meeting my new companion - Sister Bates! I have never met her before, so I am excited to see how it is to work with someone new.

Mensch. I don't know if it is just because we are Sisters and supposedly emotional or what, but Sister Lyman and I were a mess when we got the Transfer Call news. We got together with our District and all 10 of us huddled around by the phone as the Transfers were announced. When we heard the "Sister Helmick will be...joined with..." Sister Lyman freaked out and Sister Wilcox (Our Senior Couple Sister) took us into the kitchen where we all took a few minutes to cry. Then we had obnoxious Elders knock on the door to check in on us. (They are nice guys)

This is my Trainer's first area and she has been here for nearly 7 months. Our ward has about 45 people that regularly come to Church...and when you are a Missionary in a ward as small as ours, you get to know pretty much everyone. Sunday was full of a lot of tears and hugs. On Thursday this next coming week, Sister Lyman and I will be traveling to Kaiserslautern where we will say our goodbyes and I will be paired with Sister Bates. 

Between now and then we have TEN scheduled appointments with members. Everyone wants to see Sister Lyman off. I think all of the love and support they have showed to her is a testimant in itself to how wonderful she is. I am so grateful to have had her as my trainer. 

Great news: Sister Shurts (from my home ward in Oregon!) has been called to be a Sister Training Leader in Heidelberg. She will be covering my area, which means that we will possibly be able to go on splits together! That is so exciting, I am so happy for her. She will be a great example and leader. 

---

Miracle from the week:

Remember Juliane? The girl I met at my first Street Display who just happens to want to move to Oregon? Well, we lost contact with each other for about two months. I would call her about every three weeks and leave her a voicemail. We had made out an appointment and it fell out. I was feeling so sad about this, I really felt like (and still do feel like) I came to Saarbrücken because I needed to meet her. We have so much in common it is unreal. 

I called her last week and she answered! She apologized for loosing contact with me for a while. She was working through some personal concerns. She told me that she knows she needs to meet with us because she remembers how she felt that day when we met on the street. It wasn't a coincidence. So we met with her on Monday!

We taught her about The Restoration of the Gospel and we answered her many questions. I feel like I am in a trance or something. ALL of Juliane's questions and concerns were MY questions and concerns. Before I found this Church, I had so many questions, doubts and fears. It has been such a blessing for me to be able to relate to Juliane like this. After our first lesson together, Juliane hugged me - and I mean really hugged me. That is something that I love about the German culture. They are a really private people, but once you have their trust, they love you so fully and unconditionally. 

I am excited to continue meeting with Juliane and teaching her. I feel so grateful to still be here in Saarbrücken - I really can't imagine myself anywhere else right now. 

I love you all!

Sister Helmick

 

I was privileged to meet with an Investigator this week who has an extensive collection of war memorials. 

World War II Officer's Jacket.

The Escobar's Puppies!

My District got together for Transfer Predictions earlier this week. 

Saarbrucken Street Display!

Two hours for 15 minutes

May 11th, 2015



I have never been busier in my entire life than what I was this week. I am thoroughly convinced that Heavenly Father has His own plans for my day, each and every one. This week was fantastic!

A few weeks ago, Sister Lyman and I decided to start carrying pamphlets in our bags with different languages. Often times, we will contact people on the street who do not speak German. So, we have started to carry French, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, and Hungarian - all in addition to German. On Wednesday this last week, we contacted a man on the street who could not speak very good German - his mother language is Arabic. Lo-and-behold I quickly pulled out an Arabic pamphlet and gave it to him. He was quite intrigued to find two strangely dressed young woman randomly having something in his language in their purse. He gave us his contact information and a couple days later we stopped by his house. His wife answered the door and invited us in! 

She speaks decent English, so we were able to communicate (somewhat) and talk about the pamphlet that we gave them. Their entire family had read it and they had so many questions for us! They are open and ready to hear our message. I am so excited to continue teaching this family!

Another quick miracle from last week:

A member in our ward was recently admitted to the hospital. Her and her husband have been trying to become pregnant for years and she just recently tested positive! On Thursday, we got a text from her husband letting us know that something had gone wrong and then he gave us the address to the hospital. Unfortunately, our day on Friday was jam-packed-busy. So in order to make it to visit them, we had to completely bag our studies. We woke up at 6:30 and ran to the Church where we were able to get directions on the internet to the hospital. We then ran back to our apartment and had a whopping 35 minutes to shower, change and catch a train. One train and two buses later, we made it to the hospital. 

Unfortunately, there have been strikes going on all throughout Germany, and the scheduling for the buses and trains have been affected. So our total time with this family was only about 15 minutes before we had to run back to the bus stop. (Yes, we run. A lot.) What made the biggest difference to this family was the fact that we came. A total of two hours of travel time (round-trip) for 15 minutes. They were so happy that we spent all that time just for them.

 I have thought a lot about this experience since Friday... Time. It is our greatest resource. When I think of the Savior, and when I think of what he did, I realize that he gave up all of his time. So often, we look outwards - we want to spend time on ourselves, doing the things WE want to do when WE want to do it. That is not at all how the Savior lived. Everywhere he went, everything he did, changed and impacted someone personally. His life impacts us today. It impacts me everyday as I try to believe a little more, try a little harder, become a little stronger. 

I testify that Jesus Christ lives and that our loving Heavenly Father sent Him to us. I offer each of you a challenge - give your time to someone this week. Whether it is listening to a friend, helping a family member or neighbor, or writing a well-needed thank you card to someone who just needs to hear how wonderful they are. 

Love,

Sister Helmick

Post Street Display! The District.

In Trier after our Street Display.

Happy Mother's Day! Us, right after skyping the fam!

This picture sums up our relationship!

Our Elders... Don't ask.

Ludwigskirche.

 

One of the prettiest Churches in all of Germany! Protestant. :)

Saying goodbye to Sister Zenger!

 

Brooke and I at the Schwestern Essen! Every year for Mother's Day, the men in our ward host a huge dinner for all the women! It was great! (Except for the Canoodle) ;) 

I could serve my whole Mission in Saarbrücken and be happy.

May 4th, 2015

Saarbrücken... Mensch.

This week it really hit me, how much I love this city and these people. It is hard to explain what it has been like to be a Sister Missionary here. As I have said before, there have not been Sisters in Saarbrücken for over 20 years. My Trainer, Sister Lyman - and her previous companion opened the area. There has been a lot of work put into starting this area. We have met with so many members, less-active members, and previous investigators. The work that we have been able to provide has been incredibly rewarding, work that Elders just couldn't do in the same way. 

Earlier this week, Sister Lyman and I met with a young mother that we frequently visit with. She has had some personal struggles this last year, and she has felt incredibly lonely. We have been helping her clean and organize her house for about the last month. Our visit this week was something else though. We sat down with her after we had finished tackling another room, and we shared our Spiritual Thought about Trusting in God. 

The Spirit was so strong in that room. As we were talking about Trusting in God - through the good times and the bad. She opened up to us about some of her concerns. We simply listened. As she started talking about what trusting in God meant to her, tears poured down her face. She told us that she felt a new peace, that she knew God was always there, even in the moments that were the hardest. She knew that everything was going to be okay. Ah! I can't tell you how much of an answer that was to some of our prayers for her! 

---

I feel like every week since I have been serving in Saarbrücken, there have been experiences like these. As Sisters, we have been able to support some of these women who need help. Young or old, it doesn't matter. The important thing is that we are there. 

The husband of a young mother that we regularly visit approached us this last Sunday. He thanked Sister Lyman and I for our weekly visits to his wife. He told us that she has needed us and that he hopes that there will always be Sister Missionaries here in Saarbrücken. Ahhh! I feel so thankful to be here - so thankful to be able to serve these people. As I have been helping lift them up, I have felt lifted up as well. The antidote to feeling down is serving others. 

A well known verse in the Book of Mormon comes to mind, "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God" (Mosiah 2:17). 

Bottom line, I love my area. I love these people. I could serve my whole Mission in Saarbrücken and be happy... only one downside... THE FOOD. Especially this last week. We had so many food appointments! On Wednesday, we had three back-to-back meal appointments with members, and let me tell you - they are not humble with their food! I am grateful the scale in our apartment is in Kilos so I don't have to cry! Haha.

On that note, Vielen Dank for all of your support, encouragement and love!

Liebe Gruße,

Sister Helmick

Sister Klein took Sister Lyman and I between the border of France and Germany this last week. We actually went to France on accident.

Harry Potter in German?!

Sister Lyman and I were in charge of a stress relief activity during DDM... You bet we broke out the face masks and cucumbers! :)

Soo... during District Meeting, Elder Kress scared Sister Lyman. She is deathly afraid of fish. I think you can tell by the picture what happened.

Visiting the Fatherless and Widows

April 27th, 2015

This week was simply incredible. I don't know where to begin. Actually, I never really know where to begin. As a Missionary, there are so many things that happen EVERY DAY. It is seemingly impossible to write it out all down. I have seen miracle after miracle.

We had our Mission Conference on Friday! Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles visited our Mission. All of the Missionaries in the Germany Frankfurt Mission got together (all 250 of us!)...Sooo, guess what?! I saw dear old Sister Shurts from Oregon! It was so great to be able to have a little piece of Home with me, thousands of miles away. 

The Conference was simply amazing. I know that Elder David A. Bednar is truly an Apostle of the Lord. He opened our meeting by saying, "This meeting is not about Ipads." He then asked us our thoughts about His statement and everyone in the Mission had an opportunity to speak to Him, share their thoughts, and ask questions. The entire meeting was like this. Elder Bednar's entire Purpose for traveling to Germany to meet with us, was to help us better understand and fulfill our Missionary Purpose. I feel so inspired to be here in Germany as a Missionary and Representative of Jesus Christ!

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On Saturday, Sister Lyman and I visited Sister Lieber again. She is the sweet woman that we visited in the hospital last week. 

Unfortunately, her health is still not doing so well. It was very hard for me personally to see her struggling so much during our visit with her. 

When Sister Lyman and I walked into her living room, she was sitting down on a chair, obviously still not doing well. We told her that we could come down another day, that it would be no problem. We had originally planning to bake muffins together and share a Spiritual Thought. 

She responded firmly, "No. We said we were going to make Muffins. And that is what we are going to do."

We then helped her up and sat her in the kitchen. She was too weak to assist. So we made our muffins, shared our spiritual thought, and told her how much we love her. 

As we hugged her to say goodbye, she didn't want to let us go. I love this woman so much. 

As Sister Lyman and I have been reflecting on our visits with Sister Lieber, she shared this verse with me:

"Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27).

I can honestly say that I never expected my first area to be like this. We are not flooding with Investigators right now, but the work that I am doing each day with these women... I know that I am walking where the Savior wants me to walk and doing the work that He wants me to do right now. "Pure religion" is just that. To me, that is an incredible testimony to how much God cares about each of us, as individuals. That doesn't mean that this life is meant to be easy, or that everything will always work out for us. But when we have Faith, life is more than just something to be endured. It's something fulfilling. 

I highly recommend reading this article, "The Power of Faith" 

https://www.lds.org/liahona/2015/04/the-power-of-faith?cid=HP_MO_4-20-2015_dPTH_fLHNA_xLIDyL1-A_&lang=eng

I love each of you. 

Liebe Gruße, 

Sister Helmick 

My MTC reunited! Mission Conference.

Mission Conference.

Traveling to Frankfurt with our Saarbrücken Elders.

Seeing Sister Shurts in Frankfurt!!!