Even on rainy days where your wallet is missing, your money is stolen, and your socks are wet, God loves you and blesses you.

August 17th, 2015



Family and Friends,

I am behind on email time today. And it has not been the best day ever - Sister Taylor read me the update she typed up and I asked her to send it to me because I don't know if I am capable of coherently gathering my thoughts and providing an update from this last week. So here is an update from Sister Taylor:

(P.S. Please forgive the English grammar and spelling mistakes. German computers seem to have no ABC check! And I speak in German 9am-9pm each day... German is becoming easier... But I feel awkwardly in the middle between the two langauges when it comes to writing...)

Lieber everyone,

Well to be honest, today is not my favorite pday. This morning we cleaned the appartment, which is really nice but I still haven't moped yet. After studies today we were getting our things together to go grocery shopping when sister helmick realized she didn't have have her wallet, ugh. What a bummer, she realized she had left it on the bus the night before. She was up for groceries this week but I will actually be paying for the both of us for the rest of the month for food.she is about to see how cheap I can be. I won't lie, we saw miracles this morning, we were able to travel to the bus bus head quarters where her wallet had been returned. All of her money was stolen but her id and all of her cards were still there, wonderful. The Internet at the cafe wasn't working for her so we left.she is just not having the best of p days. We were sitting on the porch of the church where it was cold and wet when a member showed up and unlocked the door for us because in all the panick this morning sister helmick took her keys out.... Poor kiddo. I won't lie, it is stressful but everything will be okay. So in the midst of of terrible p day the lord still gave us tremendous blessings.

This week has been full of miracles though. When sister helmick came to the area we made the goal to find everyday which we have done so far.

Later in the week, we were going by an investigator and I forgot her specific address, awkward so we decided to just door in the area. There was a beautiful angel voice we went to first and the. We realized we needed to check the bus too because we had an appointment soon. As we were leaving the area, I told sister helmick that's wanted to door a certain house. I told her I didn't know if it was inspiration but if it was and I didn't do anything that would be what we call, bad. As we were walking there, we saw a man carrying things to his appartment and sister helmick asked if we should help him. We decided he would say no and went to the house. As he came back out of e building I had a golem moment where I argued with myself outloud. I told sister helmick that I thought we should offer but it was his choice to say no, entscheidungs freiheit, you know what I'm saying. Well he didn't want our help, I think Germans think girls in skirts aren't strong and are danty. Well we rang one of the klingels and we were let in, they said they didn't have time but sister helmick offered to help them. We spent the next hour an a half with the family rolling some sort of grape leaf and fleisch thing. We talked to the. About God and we made an appoitnment to come back. It really was a miracle. Sister helmick and I are ready to see a lot of miracles. We love it here, we are ready and the lord is showering us with blessings and we are soaked ( you decide if that last part is figurative, cough cough we are literally soaked, it is raining). 

I hope you all have a great week, I am sorry if I don't get to all of you this week, I am sure you see we have very limited time. I love you and I think you are swell. I also want to tell you that even on rainy days where your wallet is missing, your money is stolen, and your socks are wet, God loves you and blesses you.

Also I had a really awkward exit interview on Sunday with the mission president.... More next week.

Liebe Grüße,

Sister Katie taylor

------

As you can tell, My companion is fabulous. I told her after reading her update to me that she made me sound super grumpy and depressed. She told me, "oh no! I just felt bad for you!" Haha... Don't worry though! Tonight, we are having a Family Home Evening with our Ward. Zumba night! I will dance my bad day away. Til next week!

Love,

Sister Helmick

Sister Taylor found Bigfoot (she is a strong believer that he exists...).

THE FOUND WALLET! Right after we got on a bus after we received my wallet.

Mission Conference Picture. I was asked to act as an investigator of the Church... Someone I know "really well" for role plays. I chose myself! Haha. Great day- I always love getting together with my zone.

Oregon in the Midst of Germany!

 

August 10th, 2015

 

I feel betrayed. EVERYONE told me that Herne was ugly, industrialized (did I spell that correctly?), and that I was going to the worst part of the Mission. When I stepped off the bus into Herne, I looked at the other Missionaries there and almost cried. I feel like I found my place! Oregon in the midst of Germany! It is SO green here. There is so much nature all around me and it just smells like Oregon! I am seriously staring outside the window right now as I am typing this email and I am in shock.

I cannot even begin to describe how perfect this area feels to me. My companion, Sister Taylor is an....drum roll please...OREGONIAN! The first time I met her was actually on the phone. She had already heard that I am from Oregon so the first question she asked me was, "So, are you a Duck or a Beaver?" She comes from Roseburg, Oregon. She is 23 years old, she went to school in Oregon for a couple years before coming out on a Mission. She is super out-going, funny, hard-working, oh mensch, I could brag about her on and on. I just love her to pieces. We work incredibly well together...And, she is going home next Transfer. That means that in 6 weeks I will be taking over Herne.

On Friday, we had a Street Display at the Shopping Plaza in Herne. Our District got together as well as 5 or 6 members! I have never had members participate before in a Street Display and it was so inspiring and simply fantastic. Two of the people we met at the Street Display came to Church for the first time yesterday. And you know who the first person to greet them and sit by them were? It was the members! That is how it should be. I am so impressed with the involvement of the people in my Gemeinde in Herne. I get along with them so well already, I feel like my personality and experiences fit in perfectly. I just can't get over it. I hope that I stay here for another 6 months like I did in Saarbrücken.

Sister Taylor and I sat down on Saturday and made goals for our next Transfer. I have made a Mission Revolution, so to say. And the result will be that this transfer is going to be the best six weeks - because I refuse to send Sister Taylor home on a less-than-spectacular-note. A positive attitude makes the BIGGEST difference. The other day, Sister Taylor and I did 3 hours of doors. I have done doors in the past, and they have not always been my favorite finding activity. But oh meine güte! Those were some of the best 3 hours I have ever had with finding!

My theme for this transfer is, "Where is your faith?" Every time that I have a doubt or a thought come into my head that would prevent me from doing what Heavenly Father needs me to do, I ask myself (and my comp) "Where is your faith?" And then I just do it. Nike knows where it's at.

I have grown so much this week. Leaving Saarbrücken was really, really hard. It was not easy saying goodbye to the people, Sister Bates, and even my apartment! But once I stepped into Herne, I just felt that peace again. I know that I am where I am supposed to be.

Have a wonderful week my friends! And ask yourself, "Where is your faith?"

Liebe Grüße,

Sister Helmick

My umbrella broke again as we were grocery shopping.

Dirndl!

Trying them on.

I need it!!

Herne!

I live in paradise! Our walk to Church.

The Best and Worst Week

August 3rd, 2015

 

 

I have been praying about Transfers all week. It started last week when Stella told me that she would be praying for me to stay each day. That little comment made me realize just how hard leaving would be. So, everyday of last week I prayed again and again for Peace. Peace with our Transfer call, no matter if I go or if I stay. I have been in Saarbrücken for over 5 months now, and that is around the time a Missionary is transferred (at least in our Mission.) So I had a feeling it may be coming. On Saturday, our District got together and we made breakfast and anxiously awaited our Mission-wide call at 9:00am.

As the AP's were going through the Different Zones announcing each individual Missionary's name and area, I intently listened. As soon as I heard "In Herne, Sister Taylor will be joined with...Sister Helmick" I felt a WHOOSH of peace. Seriously, that is the only way I can describe it. It was as if my head to my toes were being filled with peace. I felt excited, happy, and grateful that the Lord had answered my many prayers. And then - after a minute or so, I realized that Herne is the same area that Sister Shurts served in for 5 transfers! (Sister Shurts - most energetic and happy person I know, we are from the same Gemeinde and she is currently my STL in Heidelberg). Every Sunday we have something called "Call-ins" where our District Leader and then our STLs call us and we talk about our week. Yesterday during Call-Ins, Sister Shurts filled me in on who I need to talk to, who I will be teaching and just how much I will love Herne. Sister Shurts - you just became a lifelong friend!

I am holding onto that peace that I felt - and still do feel. I know that the Lord needs me in Herne and that I need the people there too. I titled this entry "the best and worst week" because leaving is the most bittersweet experience. Saying goodbye yesterday at Church was so hard for me. It is not like serving a Mission in your own Country, because you can cheerfully say, "Until next time - I'll visit." With Saarbrücken, I don't know if I will ever be able to come and see these people again. And some of them (I love my older ladies!) may not be around in the late future. This makes saying goodbye harder than anything because I know it really is Goodbye. Gott sei mit euch bis aufs wiedersehen takes an incredibly personal meaning.

Well, that is where I am at right now. Still sad. I have tonight and all of Tuesday and Wednesday full of appointments with people I love. Then on Thursday I have an hour Bahn ride to look forward to, then a 3.5 hour bus ride followed by another Bahn ride before I finally make it into Herne. And then - I will fall in love with all of the people there to. As Sister Bates and I were talking about my last Sunday she told me, "Hurting about leaving just means that you were the kind of Missionary that the Lord needed you to be for these people. I would much rather have all the pain of leaving than never having loved them at all." I am going to miss Sister Bates too.

----

Okay, I am done being sad (at least in this email update). Here is the miracle story from this week:

About a month ago, our Gemeinde changed it's sacramant time to 9:30am instead of 11am. Unfortunately, the Church Website was not yet updated with the change in Sacrament time, so during our Sunday School a visitor walked in thinking that she was on time for Sacrament but she had just missed it. She came and pulled a chair into our circle for English Class. (For English investigators and the several American members that we have). As she sat down, I had the strange feeling that I knew her from somewhere. She just looked familiar to me but I was certain it was just a coincidence because I could not think of where I knew her from.

At the end of the class, I asked her for her name and then asked her to say the closing prayer. "Anna" she said. Hmmm. We then sat together during Relief Society, Sister Bates and Anna started talking about where they were from. Sister Bates is from Salt Lake City, Utah - so I have gotten used to conversations with visitors from the US. There are a lot of Mormons in Utah! All of a sudden I heard, "no way! Your Dallas's Sister! My roommate dated your brother!" And then Sister Bates and Anna were going on about that connection. After they chatted a little about Utah, Anna turned to me and said, "And you just look really familiar to me!"

Wow. I told her the same. After she asked me where I am from, I saw her face light up and she said, "What part of Oregon?! I'm from Oregon!" Eventually we found out that we went to the same middle school together! Evergreen Middle School. Anna then said, "We were even friends! We talked and had some of the same friends." We then started listing off the friends we both had in common - namely Taylor Doxey, Whitney Braithwaite, CasiDee Clement, Maddie Richards, etc. etc. At the time that Anna knew me, I was not a member of the Church. 

So I told Anna a little bit about my conversion story and how I joined the Church in November of 2013. Wow.

The real miracle of this story was when Anna asked us if we could somehow arrange for her to have the sacrament. She had been traveling for some time - in Saarbrücken of all places too for her music. She plays the Violin. Due to her travels she hadn't had the oppurtunity to take the Sacrament or attend Church in 5 weeks. After talking to our Elders and then to our Bishop, we held a private Sacrament meeting just for Anna Galura. Anna chose two hymns to sing (in English! First time in 6 months that I have sung in English!) and the Elders blessed and gave her the Bread and Water - representing the Body and Blood of Christ and His Atonement for us. As we sat there during those significant prayers for the blessing of the Sacrament, and as I heard and felt the gratitude Anna had for it, I was filled with love. Love for this girl - who had traveled so far from home. Love for her from Heavenly Father. As we closed Anna's personal Sacrament Meeting in a prayer, I told her, "Anna. I don't think it was a coincidence that you came here today and had this weird connection with both Sister Bates and I. Heavenly Father loves you so much and He wants you to know that."

It was a sacred moment, one that I am grateful that I was able to be a part of. Family and Friends - Jesus Christ is real. I have gotten to know him through my reading of the scriptures. I have felt Him as I have been out on a Mission. He is more than a name of a page to me as I read about the life that He lived. I know that He came to this Earth to fullfill His Mission. He did everything that His Father needed Him to do - for us. All for us. The strength, love and peace I feel everytime I partake of the Sacrament always reminds me of why I am.

I love you all,

Liebe Grüße, 

Sister Helmick

The Franz's.

 

These people have become like Grandparents to me. Sister Franz cried when I said goodbye... Mensch. I love her so much.

My Heather and Mike.

Benji pulling my hair.

Our relationship in a nutshell.

Rüdiger!

Anna Galura, Sister Bates and I. :)

Sister Kras.

District car ride.

 

Volleyball P-Day.

Call 911! Wait, what is 911 in Germany?!

July 27th, 2015

 

 

Prepare yourselves for the most detailed email I have ever sent.

On Friday morning as Sister Bates and I were walking to our Street Display, I pulled out our cell phone really quick to call the Bitburg Elders about setting up. The second I pulled out our cell phone, Stella's name popped up. I answered cheerfully with a "Hey Stella, how are you doing?" only to hear muffled breathing. Immediately, I stopped and walked into the shade, pulling Sister Bates alongside me.

"Sister Helmick, do you have time right now?" I quickly assured her that we always have time for her. She then explained to me (taking a long time between breaths) that she was on her way to a doctor's appointment and had a bit of an accident. She was taking a bus and ended up getting off early because it was just too hot.

I immediately asked her which Haltestelle she was at and assured her that we were on our way to help her. After telling me the name of the Haltestelle she whispered, "Sister Helmick, please hurry. Please help me."

People, this phone call scared the heck out of me. As soon as I hung up the phone, I started sprinting to the bus stop - yelling at my companion that "Stella's in trouble - she needs us!" After talking to Sister Bates later, she told me that she was nearly 100% positive that Stella was having her baby and we were going to help! Haha...lack of communication in time of a crisis.

As we were running up the hill to the bus stop (there is ALWAYS a hill, I swear!), I called the Bitburg Elders and told them to carry on with the Street Display without us and explained that our new convert was in trouble. They had a pair of Elders go with us.

Luckily, the bus we needed to take was right there the moment we all ran up to it. As we stood there on the bus - I finally explained the situation with Stella to the Elders and Sister Bates. I think everyone thought I was being a crazy person and overreacting until we saw Stella laying on the steps.

I rushed over to one side of her as Sister Bates ran to her other. The Elders stood in front of us all - and I asked about her symptoms and when the last time was that she had eaten and dranken (is that correct English grammar? Ugh. It is going out the window the more I speak German). She tried to explain that everytime she tries to drink and eat she feels like throwing up. I think that all of us around her overwhelmed her. All of a sudden, she grabbed my hand and literally fell into my lap.

We happened to be right next to a Hospital - so I had the Elders go call a nurse out to look at Stella. In the meantime, Sister Bates fanned Stella with her planner as I patted her back and held her hand. She whispered that she felt like her head wouldn't stop spinning.

The nurse came out with a pitcher of water and tried to get Stella to drink. She refused to. After the nurse walked back inside the hospital - I looked at my companion and the Elders feeling so helpless. Sister Bates and I looked at each other and then agreed.

We told the Elders, "Call 911 and get an ambulance! Wait, what is 911 in Germany?" (Shoutout to the Shurts Family. Michaela never actually emailed us the number in her emergency experience! It is 112 for anyone who ever happens to need it in the future.)

The Elders then went back and talked with the nurse - who then called an ambulance. After assuring the Elders that we were okay, they returned to the Street Display. When the Ambulance finally arrived, they looked to us to translate for Stella. I quickly became aware of my lack of vocabulary for explaining medical symptoms...so we said what we could and then used hand motions to explain the rest.

As we were helping Stella up and walking her into the ambulance, I asked the woman if we could come along with her. She then told us that only one of us could come along. "Nein - das geht nicht!" I explained to her that we are kind of a package deal and that we were all that Stella has for today. So, she consented and let us all cram in.

Let me explain how I am in emergency situations...I am already naturally worry-prone and anxious - so you put me in an ambulance with a good friend of mine - who just happens to be 7 1/2 months pregnant (that is like amplifying the worry by 1.5!) and then I pray like nonstop. I was definitely on edge, but was feeling better with a sense of control. Sister Bates on the other hand was a happy camper! She was sitting there telling Stella stories and trying to make her laugh and was so upbeat as I was holding Stella's hand trying to relax.

To save this story from being ridiculously long - I will summarize the rest: We made it to the hospital and the nurses hooked Stella up to a bunch of machines. Her blood pressure had dropped dangerousily low - which is what caused her nearly fainting in my lap and feeling dizzy. After we got some food into her and liquids she started to feel better. We then stayed with her for approximately 4 hours as she recovered. We also helped her fill out a ton of paperwork in German.

After realizing that we needed some help with the translations - we called our Hungarian Gemeinde Mission Leader who rushed over to help us. After spending the Ewigkeit in the Hospital, we were all ready to get out of there. Stella is doing fine, she just needs to be especially careful in this heat, and the doctor's have forbidden her from ridding buses (ohne AC, it is like being in a sauna) without someone with her.

----

We have our transfer calls this coming Saturday.. Later, after Stella thanked us for all we did for her, she said, "I am going to be praying everyday that you don't get transfered." Ahh!
My heart has grown three sizes for this woman. I am so grateful that we were able to be there for her when she needed us.

This week was full of great appointments, language barriers, hard days, good days, emotional days...everything. Including a trip to the ER. But through it all, I have felt an overwhelming amount of the Lord's love for me, for my investigators and for the members here in Saarbrücken. I know without a question that this is where I am supposed to be.

Thank you for supporting me and loving me while I'm out here in Germany.

Liebe Grüße,

Sister Helmick

P.S. Yes, the day on Friday ended with us all having a good time. Our GML put a basketball in his shirt to poorly mimic Stella's pregnancy. Laughing is really the best medicine sometimes!

 

 

Notice the resemblence? Elder Lee and a modern day caveman. Pictures from our Zoo Pday last week.

He didn't actually hug me. Just being a dork! Possibly my last Gemieko with Peter! (Ward Mission Meeting - He is our WML.)

Splits with Sister W!

Settlers of Catan in German! (It is actually a German Game) Young Single Adult activity on Friday.

Beautiful Heidelberg

Saarbrücken is on Fire!

July 20th, 2015

 

Soo, I received some feedback on my general email from my annoyingly good friend Justin (Mom - burst-into-flames-boy). He said, "How about some funny story emails, ditch the generic hallmark card ones and lets hear the whole story! Less ideas and concepts, more details and plot!" I will humbly try and oblige ;). 

Saarbrücken is on fire! On my goodness, I don't feel like I understood the word "tired" until this week. We found FIVE new investigators. FIVE. And two of them are families! I have never been on more of a spiritual rollarcoaster than what I am on now. This week I have learned that my personal Faith, determination and obedience have SO MUCH POWER in drawing upon the powers of heaven to bring about external results. No, I can't control another person's agency. No, I can't make people accept this Message. But oh my goodness, there is wisdom in making challenging goals - and exercising the Faith to reach them. 

Let's start with Desire: We met with him and a rock-solid older member - we call her Oma Shroeder. (Oma = Grandma in German). We walked into this lesson not really knowing what to expect. First lessons with Investigators are always exciting, a little nerve-racking (especially with Members) and always entertaining...because they never seem to go the way we planned! Haha. Desire has a sincere desire to find truth. He asked many questions and he talked a lot. I was so grateful for Oma Shroeder! She is a powerhouse of a woman. Every time Desire spoke up and got distracted or on some sort of tangent - Oma Shroeder would talk over him and bring him back to the lesson. He is such an energetic man, even in his old age. He also specifically requested that we bring him an English, German, and French copy of the Book of Mormon. French is his mother-language, his German is perfect, and he wants to learn English. We call him daily and give him "English word of the day" assignments. 

Wasaam and Rene: They are pretty much the nicest people you will ever meet. Their first language is Arabic - but their German is very good. The only problem is that most of the Gospel Words that we use to teach are foreign to them. So, thank goodness for Ipads and Wifi access. Google translate to the rescue! 

Rene is about to have their third child (Sister Bates thinks that we apartently have a skill for finding and teaching pregnant women). They are a very humble family, full of love for Jesus Christ. They moved to Germany in search for religious freedom to live a Christian lifestyle. We have another appointment with them on Tuesday - but our appointments may be paused for a time as Rene will be in the hospital expecting her new baby soon. 

Jozef: This has had to have been one of the most awe-strucking moments that I have seen on my Mission. We met with Jozef and his family for the first time on Thursday of this last week. As soon as Sister Bates and I entered the home, we were bomboarded with a flood of people. Jozef has 6 children, and we just happened to stop by during a big family reuinion. Grandparents, uncles, and even neighbors were over! Annnnd, they all stopped to hear our message. There was a little bit of a language barrier - they speak Hungarian and a little German. (Yes, as I have said before, Germany is truly the melting pot of the world.) But the neighbor speaks perfect German and translated for us. 

Sister Bates pulled out her Ipad and shared the video, Because He Lives - in Hungarian. I stood on the side and watched as this crowd of people huddled around Sister Bates so that everyone could pay attention to this 2 minute video about the Atonement of Christ. Wow. That was powerful. We will be meeting with Jozef again on Saturday - and luckily our Ward Mission Leader is Hungarian. Member dabei! Yes! 

Nina: We met Nina on the street a few weeks ago and talked to her a little bit about the Book of Mormon and how God continues to speak to us and reach out to us, just as in times of old. Nina is looking for truth, just as Desire is. It was such a priviledge to be able to meet with her yesterday. She grew up in Germany but she is half Italian and half Indian. Her mother was Christian and her father was Hindu, but she never grew up with a solid upbringing in either Faith. She wants to learn more about Jesus Christ and how a Faith can help her each day. 

The first half of our appointment was all over the place. Nina was interupted by neighbors knocking on the door, Sister Bates and I were really nervous for some reason, and the conversation was just awkward in the beginning. As Nina got up to answer the door, I turned to Sister Bates and told her that I was about to throw our lesson plan out the window. She nodded her head and we agreed to follow the Spirit. What a difference. As we taught and testified about the Message of the Restoration and about the Prophet Joseph Smith, the Spirit filled the room. She looked at us intentently, almost as if she were grasping onto every word we said. She told us that she wants this in her life. Ahhh! Someone, please pinch me. 

As far as funny stories go... There are little things that happen everyday on a Mission. It is impossible to summarize a week in a General Email. But I have attached a silly picture of me and my favorite skirt. I was walking around in it last week when I caught a look of myself in the mirror and noticed the 12 inch hole in the back...needless to say, I won't be wearing that again. 

Liebe Familie und Freunde, I want you to all know how happy I am. I will say it again and again - the way to find true happiness is to keep turning outwards. I love these people - I love the Germans, the Hungarians, the Africans, the Indians, the Italians. It is amazing to see what the Lord has been able to do with me. I have so many flaws and weaknesses - I still am far from a professional in the German language, and I embarrass myself - at least daily. But I have seen Him use my personality, my strengths and my weaknesses to move this work forward. It is so fulfilling. 

I love each of you! Have a wonderful week.

-Sister Helmick 

 

Brooke and I! Dirndl dress. I may need to buy one before I go home. :)

Ripped my favorite skirt.

Preparing for the Street Display early in the morning! Chalking Plan of Salvation...yes, in a skirt.

Are you kidding me?!

Selfie.

Me telling Sister Bates,"look like you like me!" during pictures. We have a unique relationship. ;) 

Overcast weather?! Ja danke!

Happy Elders!

I'm Okay Not Being Perfect.

July 13th, 2015

This week was one of those weeks were SO MUCH HAPPENED, I am tired just thinking about it. It was a great week! Here are the tiny details that come to mind:

--   Sister Bates and I have been doing a ton of finding lately. It has been hard, exhausting work, especially with the weather being as hot as it has been! But the Lord has been helping us, that I am certain of.

     We have found 2 new investigators this week, as well as 5 potential investigators. Yesterday, one of our new investigators came to Church for the first time! His name is Desire. He is an older man, about 70 or so, but mensch - let me tell you, that man is a firecracker! He has become friends with basically everyone in our ward, and only in his visit! Desire is very out-going, talkative, and he can make anyone laugh. (side-tangent: I LOVE it when I can understand German jokes. They are so much funnier in another language!) Desire is definitely an interesting guy, I am super excited to continue working with him.

--   Update on Stella: I love this woman. I seriously didn't know it was possible to feel so much love for people until I came here! Stella teaches me by her humble example every time I meet with her. Right now she is VERY pregnant - it has been especially hard for her during this heat. In addition to that, she has been having some personal trials that are simply hard. As her "Missionaries" of simply friends, it has been hard for me to see her struggling and knowing that there really isn't much I can personally do to help.

     As I was expressing these feelings to her yesterday, she looked at me incredulously and said, "Of course you can help me! You can pray for me everyday." Wow. Her faith strengthens mine.

--   Last detail from this week that comes to mind... On Friday evening, Rüdiger had Sister Bates and the Elders and I over for a Family Home Evening (great program of the Church! Once a week, usually includes a spiritual thought, food, and activity) and we taught the Plan of Salvation as a part of his post-baptism lessons. I experienced a powerful and personal lesson as I was teaching Rüdiger about the Atonement of Christ. The Spirit was there - and it was teaching me too.

     Rüdiger was struggling with the concept of Grace. As we were discussing Christ's Atonement and what it means, Rüdiger kept on bringing up what he has to do. He said, "Well, I have to read my scriptures, I have to pray and I have to go to Church, etc. etc." As we were talking about the need for Grace, a scripture immediately came to mind that I opened up and shared with him:

In D&C 45:3-5, Christ is pleading with the Father for us. "Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him
Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased;
behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified.
Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life."

     As I shared this, I felt impressed to tell Rüdiger the following, "These verses don't say, 'Behold - the works of Sister Helmick, all of the perfect good that she did' - because I'm not perfect. None of us are and that is the very reason why we need a Savior." Sister Bates then explained the importance of living the Gospel and obeying the Commandments. But in the end we know "that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do" (2 Nephi 25:23).

    As we were talking about the Atonement and helping Rüdiger understand it, I reflected on the words I had just spoken. None of us are perfect and that is why we need a Savior... Being on a Mission has made me painfully aware of my innate perfectionist tendencies. It has been hard for me at times as I tend to be very hard on myself when I make mistakes. Sister Bates once told me that being on a Mission doesn't just magnify your strengths, but your weaknesses too. It is like the Refiner's Fire, put under intense heat, the inpurities or weaknesses float to the top and the Refiner can scrap them away.

     So it's okay where I am at right now. I'm okay not being perfect, because I know that each day is an opportunity to be a little better. That's why we have a Savior. Through Him, there are always second chances.

I love you all!

Sister Helmick

P.S. Merry Christmas in July!

In my little town of BELGIUM CHOCOLATE! It makes German chocolate taste bad. ;)

There is caramel inside. :D

Yum!

Merry Christmas in July!

Fun German fact of the day: German blankets have this big fluffy insert inside of them - I think it must be duck feathers. Well, it is SUFFOCATING in this heat. So Sister Bates and I took them out. Currently we sleep with just our sheets and our fan in our bedroom.

Service? We're down.

James thought they should call the Elders...But Sisters can use tools too! Haha. Assembling cabinets.

Our relationship in a picture.

St. Wendel.

Sister Bates and I.

Sunburns. ;(