Frau Koch

When I left Dortmund I never would have imagined that I would have met another dear old Frau Koch. In Dortmund for 8 months, my companion and I would visit Frau Koch every Sunday night. It was amazing to see her light up every time we would come over. She would always have something prepared for us to eat, to drink, and was ready to discuss the Book of Mormon. By the time I left, she was praying, she went to church twice, and she thought more positively. She did tell us however that she would never be baptized, but told us that after she died I could be baptized for her. Her heart and my heart broke when I got transferred, and I left never thinking I'd meet anyone like her ever again. Well its funny how Heavenly Father places people in our path. When I got here to Frankfurt I heard that the sisters here were teaching a Frau Koch as well and I was super excited. My companion at the time told me that she had a stroke and that she wasn't able to see her for months. Then time rolled along and my companion got transferred and I received Sister Miller. Together we were going through people to find and try and contact. I came upon this wonderful woman, Frau Koch. I couldn't seem to get her name out of my mind. So one day, I took the phone and called her. She answered and when we asked if we could come by took no time to reply, "Oh natürlich!!!" ("Of course!!"). We trodded our way down her street not knowing who she was or what she expected, but we went in with high hopes. She opened the door and the 85 year old lady had a walker but had a huge smile behind it awaiting us. We sat down and got to chatting. She explained her remarkable history and contact that she has had with the church since she was 12 years old. Her father and stepmother were baptized here in Frankfurt/Offenbach and unfortunately died in the war in 1945. The only thing that got her through those moments of darkness and fear was her best friend. Her best friend was always making the best of situations and had a different "light" about her. She soon afterwards found out that she was LDS and since those times, Frau Koch and her have been friends ever since. Her friend lives now in Sacramento, California and they still write to each other. Frau Koch has gone over to see her, and to Salt Lake City to visit. At the end of this story I was so shocked that I didn't even hear what she said afterwards. Apparently she has been in contact with the church all her life and has shared it with her family. They all live in Switzerland they and she finally have decided to be baptized. On the 16th of June, she will enter the waters of baptism with her daughter, son in law, and her two grandchildren :) I cannot even guess what the joy and excitement her friend will experience when she finds out!! I just remember Hermana Avery's reaction after telling her that I wanted that same desire and I will never forget it... I am so grateful for meeting Frau Koch and looking at her situation and now her desire to take that next step of faith. It is never too late to begin believing. It is never too late to change. Liebe, Sister Tuschling