Blondie in Berlin

July 14, 2014

Heidi wasn't feeling well enough to write a family email so I am posting an excerpt from her email she wrote to her mission president. 

Dear President,

Miracle of the week! So, G*** is going to be moving to France at the end of this month. Up until this week he hasn't known where exactly he would go. When we met with him this week he told us that he would be moving to Bayonne, France. He seemed so sure about this, and when we asked him about it, he just responded that he had been praying about it and that it was where he felt God wanted him to go. Lately in our lessons he has really been opening up about his feelings about the church and about all that we have been teaching him. He has felt such love in the church, from us, from the ward members, even just sitting in the church. We have born our testimony of the restoration and the truthfulness of this church, and also that he can find the same church and the same blessings in France. We looked on mormon.org and there is a ward right in Bayonne! G*** was so happy! I know that he has really had fear of leaving Germany, especially since he is so young and on his own, but at least now he has a little bit of hope for a new beginning. …

With S*** this week we planned to talk about the ten commandments and help him understand that when he lives this way he is acting on faith in God, Jesus Christ, and in prophets. I really feel like we prayerfully prepared for this lesson, and everything that S*** said or asked went along perfectly with what we had planned for. I am so grateful for these powerful teaching opportunities that Sister Nilson and I have together.

Sister Nilson and I have grown so much together these past several weeks. One of our greatest strengths is that we always recognize and acknowledge the centrality of Jesus Christ in all that we do. There is so much power in understanding the WHY behind our actions and also in knowing our motivation. I really know that it was a part of God's plan to send me here to Cottbus. I have wondered and pondered about why I must be so weak at this time. Why in such a high point when I am with such an incredible Sister? And I can't really explain why. All I know is that through my pain and suffering I have learned so much. I know that I have learned a lot with my companions. But it has also really humbled me and really showed me my dependency on God. I have come to know God and Jesus Christ that much more. And even though at times it has really taken all that I have to sit through lessons and talk to people, I have meant every word of what I have said. Because I really do know for myself. Yesterday Sister Nilson and I read a talk by Elder Holland about Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail. I am coming to realize that much of life can be labeled as unfair, cruel, or just tragic. But everything is for our experience. I know I will always cherish the hard times of my mission because looking back they are the most beautiful times....

Love,

Sister Shelley