**promise to minimize all dramaticness from this email as possible**
Sometimes I know you really can't see the fruits of your labors, but I sure do love when you can. Remember our 100 Book of Mormon deal? Yes? Great. I know it is always the last anything that miracles come. But that's exactly what happened. The Last Book of Mormon. Given to a 17 year old Afganistanian (sp?) boy, Abdulle.
Sitting on the Bus. The usual contact approach. And to our surprise he asks if he could see our church. Walk him there. Tell him what time it's at, invite him and that's that. He comes. Twice. We meet with him. He reads in the Book of Mormon. Come to find out he converted to Christianity 3 years ago. And on his first day in Germany he was going to try out this persian Church he had heard about.
And on that particular day. At that exact time. We handed him our last Book of Mormon.
I love all the non coincidences of missionary work. Sadly I won't be seeing the end of this story or any of the stories that began here in Münster... (now this is where I am resisting every urge not to have another dramatic freak out similar to the one I had when I was training...) I am patching up my broken heart and heading to Schönland. whoop. whoop. Actually it's called Duisburg but I renamed it. So yes. Schönland is the best most beautiful most perfect part of the mission so I will be fine right? Right. It'll be great. It'll be great. It'll be great. If I tell myself that enough it will be.
Thy hope thy confidence let nothing shake.
xoxoxo
s. heywood
Now for a little reminiscing of just exactly why my heart is feeling a little smashed at the moment and I may or may not have bawled my eyes out from the pulpit Sunday morning.
Raphael
Oh how much you have heard about this ol chap. My very first contact in Germany. And if he was the only person I ever got to share the gospel with I think I would be satisfied with my mission. I. love. him. As far as the update from all the past stories that you can go back and read... but to make a long story short. He got 'too busy' for us. yes. I can't tell you how many times I prayed my heart out for him and always calling discussing the Book of Mormon but then always pulling the 'too busy' card and the 'maybe next week' card. BUT we had a Sister Heywood miracle and he randomly texted us this weekend. Made out an appointment. All had a little testimony sesh. Feeling the spirit. Came to church. The whole 9 yards.
Aiyana
My goodness. Someone I will forever stay friends with. FOREVER. She is way too perfect. I am in love. Someday you will all meet her and fall in love with how beautiful of a person she is and how kind and sweet she is. And maybe even make some Plan of Salvation crafts with her or something. hehe I love her.
Mireja and Victoria
The most golden people you could ever imagine. Randomly walked into our church meeting one day and introduced herself. Told us she had been baptized in Canada and was here visiting her daughter. Started teaching both of them. She knows the church is true with every fiber of her being. More so than anyone else I know. She is so deeply converted and loves the elders that found her. Perfect.
Sister Johnson
I am forever grateful for the opportunity to train. I don't think I would be without Sister Johnson... I cannot imagine being companions with anyone else. Seriously. Someday I will marry her in boy form... too far? But really. She is so service oriented and such a hard worker and I have enjoyed every laughter session, companionship study, lesson, ugly selfie, pancake failure, pillow talk, early morning run, together. I am going to miss her so much. But she is going to be the best trainer ever. Yes you heard that right the generation of baby trainers continues. She is going to be amazing. Whoever gets her is going to be the luckiest missionary that ever stepped foot in Germany... besides me of course.
Our District
Oh how I have enjoyed every moment with these people.
Damien and Ann Marie
The miracle story I told you about... Okay I know that really doesn't narrow it down.... but the fact that we found a FAMILY. GAH. Obsessed. So pumped for these people who have such a strong faith in Jesus Christ and want to help everyone learn the gospel. I can't wait to see how things end up with them.
Domo
I had to use this picture this time around just because I think it is absolutely HILARIOUS. Domo might just be my favorite old man over the age of 60.... hehe He is perfect. and The more we teach him the more I love him. He talks about how whenever he is with us he feels something warm in his heart and he can see it in our faces. THAT'S THE SPIRIT. Ah. He asked us one time if we thought it was too late for him to become mormon. what? never. 64 or 6. You can always have the blessings of the gospel in your life.
Tabea
Also someone who I just adore (and I know you are reading this right now Tabea so I will try to be nice... ;) hehe jk) She is amazing. So strong in the gospel. Such an example of doing what's right even when it is hard. She is going to be the best missionary ever and I am secretly hoping they change the rules and she gets called to Frankfurt so that we can be companions together. love ya girl. write me.
seriously. I could go on forever about all the people I love here, but I will stop so you can all go do something productive. Just know that Münster has forever changed me and I am so grateful for the opportunity to serve here. Everytime I get bummed about leaving I just have to think. well at least I have something worth missing. lots of stuff worth missing actually. and it will be great.
