Sister Adrienne Luymes

Salman got baptized (l-r: Sis Peck, Sis Tait, Salman, Eld Barker, me)

Oh man this week was crazy. I felt like things kept happening and I wasn't able to really comprehend everything until Tuesday when I ended up having hours to sit and think.

First things first-- SALMAN GOT BAPTIZED! We put together his baptism and had everything ready and then he called us on Friday asking if we could change the time from 4pm to 6pm. We were freaking out because we had to call everyone and tell them that it was moved. Saturday came a long and we were a MESS. We had organized a finding activity with the Elders where you write a question on a white board and ask people what they think. The problem was we forgot the two things we needed-the whiteboard and our cell phone. So, we had to go all the way to Dernsches Gelände to tell the elders that we were going home again to get our stuff. By the time we got back we had barely any time left to find. We went to fill the baptismal font and for 30 minutes the stopper wouldn't work so the water was just draining. We finally figured out how to make it stay tight enough so the font would fill. We ended up getting a hose to help.

The baptism itself was amazing! Sister Tiebing gave a talk about baptism and then Elder Barker and Sister Tait sang "Nearer My God to Thee." For whatever reason everyone came 15-20 minutes late to the baptism so they really only heard the music before Elder Barker baptized Salman. I gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and then the first counselor to the bishop welcomed Salman. Afterwards Salman kept smiling and saying that he had never felt so peaceful and so loved before. He bore his testimony in sacrament meeting and cried a little bit as he was expressing his gratitude that me and Sister Kryzanski had found him and taught him the gospel. It was one of those moments when all your hard work pays off and the stress of it all just melts away.

On Sunday after sacrament meeting we got a call from the Bishop of the American ward telling us that Marion had been released from the rehabilitation clinic, but had had a massive anxiety attack Sunday morning. He asked if there was any way possible for us to go see her at her house. One of our amazing German members drove us right after second hour all the way to a Dorf by the Frankfurt airport (yeah, our area has doubled since combining with the American military). We came and sat by her as she was lying in bed. She talked a little bit, but she just seemed so sad and scared because of what had happened. We found a guitar and sang some hymns for her so she could get something simple, but spiritual. She had heated floors and ended up laying on the ground where the heat was coming from surrounding herself with blankets and pillows. We talked to her a little and helped her feel loved and then we watched Meet the Mormons. Again, something simple and spiritual. Afterwards she was feeling a little bit better and we got to testify of the power of Christ's Atonement and God's Plan. Not fully into detail, but enough to bring some light into the darkness she was feeling.

This is a gospel of healing. These moments that I've had teaching and comforting Marion have made it so clear that God does not forget His children. He knows what it feels like to suffer from anxiety and depression and He will succor His children. He is a God of love, patience, and mercy. Christ took upon himself our sins, pains, and afflictions. When we trust Him and give Him our pain we will feel His deep love for us. I know that there are angels round about Marion and I feel so blessed and so grateful for the opportunity to take part in her healing process.

Love you all so much!

Sister Luymes