Week 4, here we go!

Well, it has been another exciting week in the Cronwpoint New Mexico Branch. Navajo's really know how to cook. Not only that, but when they like you, they feed you. A TON! I'm pretty sure I might have gained weight, but I have no idea. There have been several days where we get invited to three different dinners. Then of course they ask if we want more, and we politely accept. The most dominating thought throughout all of this is what my companion explained to me about the blessing that these people get by feeding the missionaries. He basically said that if we deny their food, we are denying them blessings! So eat away I do! 

With it being the Christmas time of the year, this email is going to be more along the lines of the Spirit that can be felt by those who listen. 

This Christmas for me is one full of emotions. For various reason, I have been feeling the ups and downs of this time of the year. This Christmas, I have never been more grateful to Heavenly Father for His son than I have right now. He truly is the absolute greatest gift we have received. 

Let's take it back five years in the life of Elder Sandberg. I was going nowhere. Not only that, but I felt as if I was nowhere. Felt completely lost, alone, scared, and broken. Didn't know where to go. I truly had hit rock bottom. If it were left up to my ability alone, I would still be there. Honestly, I probably would have been dead. As I type each of these words, I can't truly express the intensity of emotion and heartache that was swallowing my life up. Amidst all the darkness in my life, there was a light at the end of the tunnel for me. This light was warm, loving, inviting, and continually calling out to me by name. As I came closer to the light, I still resisted. As the light continued to call out to me, I stumbled, I doubted, and I wandered. Each and everyday was one that I either grew closer, or farther away from this light. But I now knew that it was there. After all the hardships and trials and blindness, I now knew it was there. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn't deny it's existence. 

Throughout this entire process, I have thought to myself that I knew what this light was. Each of you are thinking and have an idea about what this light is. This light is Jesus Christ, and although I knew He was the reason for me finding my way, I have never truly known Him. Not sure if in this life that I will ever truly be able to comprehend the purity and power of His existence. The reason for such a gratitude in my heart this time of year, is that I have never known like I do now who He is. Him as an individual, as a friend, a mentor, a brother, and a God. 

The absolute greatest thing that someone can have in this life is a relationship and knowledge of Jesus Christ. Take away all the presents, the roof over your head, your job, clothes, car, phone, computer, even your very life, and He is what's going to still be there. Even if we get caught up in our lives and forget about him, or get distracted, busy, or whatever it is, He is still there. The longer that we resist to acknowledge and accept His existence more and more fully into our lives, will be the greatest reason for frustration and heartache. If you are having a hard time wherever you may be, it may be because we need to reevaluate and look more fully to Him. I love each of you very much and hope at this time of the year, that you can more fully see Him in your lives. Never settle and get comfortable, because this life, and the reason for His, is for us to grow! 

Love elder san