Goodbye Crownpoint, Hello Monticello!

Well! This week has hit me like a freight train. Typing this sentence has literally taken me several tries because I have no idea where to start. 

I love these people. Truly I have never gained such a gift in my life such as this. It is the gift of charity, and it has made this experience here in Crownpoint the most rewarding experience in my life thus far. It has also made this news one of the most heartbreaking things to deal with. The thing that makes it so hard is the fact that my entire existence for the next two years is dedicated to helping these people receive the one thing that will do more good for them than anything in existence. It brings a whole new level of concern and love for their well being. I am beyond grateful and honored to have known the people here that I have. These words on this page could never truly do the justice of giving them what they deserve. 

These people that I have come to love, some of them are not yet to the point of the pathway to discipleship. Some of them need a little bit more time and effort and I know without a doubt that they will become faithful Latter Day Saints. The hardest thing is knowing that I am leaving them and moving forward. Despite my absence and my efforts that I could put forth, I know it is in the Lord's hands and always has been. It is just hard to know that I won't get to see some of them take those big steps in the Gospel.

The mission and conference mixed together have manifested a testimony within me that has grown to become very sacred and meaningful. It is the knowledge of the divine roles of mothers and fathers, and the significant and absolute importance of family units. My goal and aim with being out here has been to prepare myself for such a role. For those of you who truly know me, know that I am a forward thinker when it comes to things I will be doing in the future. This new mindset and testimony is not me getting ahead of myself, it is me realizing the magnitude of such a calling. A calling that one is never released from. A calling that will impact more lives that I could ever comprehend. A calling that I have never truly seen firsthand in my life. 

The one role that I have been able to see take shape and place in my life is the divine role of a mother. All that my mom has done and continues to do is the one key contributor to who I am as a man. Despite everything we have been through as a family, it has been her moral force as a woman that has kept us all together. My mom in my eyes has grown to be something far greater than I've ever seen before. It makes me really regret and feel bad for all the trouble I have given her through out the years. She is my hero. I would not be who I am without her and I would not be becoming the father and husband I am to be without her. Her impact on my life will continue throughout all the generations. 

Branched from my mom, has also been her sisters, brothers, and all else I have come in contact with. There are so many that I am indebted to for the example that has been shown to me. 

This journey will be one that I treasure forever and hopefully I might be able to take all I can from it.

Thank you all for your support!!

If I don't respond to some of you, it is because today is going to be a crazy day of goodbyes, packing, eating, and everything in between. 

Love Always!

Elder Brayden James Sandberg

Quick One!

Not much to write today! MAinly because there is no time left!

Something fun- dug a five foot hole for an outhouse this week! That was fun!

Something spiritual- my very first investigator is getting baptized on Thursday with his daughter, by me! Wahoo! Normally it's good to have a member of the church or family do it, but for some reason they wanted this goofball (Elder Sandberg) to do it! I am absolutely honored and excited. Please keep them in your prayers that it goes through. 

That is all for now! Here are some fun pics.. :D

Sheep head, back bone, various other parts of the sheep!

Here Comes The Sun

Yatehee,

It has been an amazing week here in Crownpoint. Despite how amazing it is, and how good I like everything to sound with these emails, there are still a lot of times where things are very difficult. For those of you who have served a mission, you will understand when I say that the mission is a roller coaster and will take you all over the place. For those of you who haven't and are just getting bits and pieces here and there, here is another piece of a day in the life of a missionary. Every single day holds a brand new mindset, emotion, and spirit. I'm sure most of you know somewhat how it goes with the actual work, but the most mysterious part of missionary work is what goes on inside our hearts, minds, and spirit. 

Coming out into a new area to serve, I meet and find new people everyday. As I sit and meet with them to get to know them, I receive an added perspective to this life and the children here upon the earth. I hear all the time about the trials and challenges that people face, and wonder to myself how in the world I personally would handle the situation. We come to love these people very very much and find great joy in their successes, and great sorrow when Sunday comes around and they don't show. It is a tear jerking journey when you put your entire heart into helping these people who need something you have and they just aren't getting it. You wake up, you pray for them, study for them, eat food so you can use your body to help them, plan out the day for them, drive to them, sleep for them, give all you absolutely can to help these people see an everlasting truth. Sometimes our efforts pay off, other times it doesn't seem so, and amidst it all, we are giving every thought, feeling, and desire for them. 

THis work is the most demanding on the planet, because it is the most important on the earth. So why wouldn't it demand so much of us? Why wouldn't we give our absolute all and be completely drained for such a cause that will solve every problem in the world. How can I make such a claim about EVERY problem in the world being solved and not have people come running for it? Of course I know, there are reasons, but logically, it is the absolute smartest thing to do.

Don't have very much time, but I know this work is true, and is the absolute greatest thing I could possibly be doing. I hope it is helping some of you, because mission is not the end of my service. Nor will by existence on this earth be.

Love you all!

Elder Sandberg

3rd Week of Transfer 3

Hello all,

It has been a roller coaster of emotions this week and I am absolutely drained. Any of you ever hear or know about the feeling? Yupp, this week it has hit harder than ever before. It's in moments such as these that we are refined and strengthened if we allow it too. It is our choice to allow it to break and destroy us, or to make something beautiful. 

Out here in the Crownpoint New Mexico Branch we have had a lot of success this past week. The successes have not been measurable by the numbers that we are expected to give each week- baptisms, confirmations, total lessons, member lessons, etc. etc. The success that I have felt this week has come purely from service and time given to those who are in need. Tuesday, we went to go see a man by the name of Brother Martinez. Brother Martinez has become a good friend who has been less active and is doing an amazing job at giving himself to the Lord and coming back to the fold. When we stopped by he was standing on his porch talking to us and letting us know that no one else was home. With the heightened perspective that he was given, he was able to see his sheep pen about a hundred yards away. He suddenly ran down the stairs and started running toward the sheep. We naturally started to run behind him and see what was wrong. When we got close enough to really see what was going on, we saw two of his sheep lying dead on the ground. After getting closer to seeing the full pen for the sheep, we could see four dogs tearing at the last sheep. This poor sheep was hanging on by a thread and these dogs were relentlessly tearing at this defenseless animal. 

I'll save the details and not horrify each of you with the details of the scene, but it is sufficient to say it was a difficult thing to see. After chasing the dogs away and making a few phone calls, Winston looked at us and asked us if we would help him clean the animals up. It was an anticipated request, because butchering sheep by yourself can be a difficult task, let alone three of them, so we decided to help. It was a very neat experience learning what needed to be done to take a live animal out in the yard to food on a plate. I can now say I know how to butcher a sheep and a rabbit. We ended up spending the rest of the day helping Brother Martinez with all of this and it was a very rewarding experience.

The next big thing this week was a baptism that the other Elders had in our area. Her name is Sister Lee, and she has been very diligent in her efforts to learn of the Lord. Baptisms are a big event and opportunity for those we are teaching and helping to be baptized. After helping them set up and get everything ready for the baptism, we ended up having one of the greatest turn outs for the baptism. THe room we were in was almost full and if any more would have come, we would have had to find a bigger room! It was a wonderful feeling to see so many of the people we were teaching there and the spirit that attended us was a very special and unique one.

Friday was another service packed day! It started off with hearing about a member who was in the hospital and was undergoing surgery. We immediately sped over to the hospital to go and see if there was anything we could do for them, and then found out they were at a hospital in Gallup, almost an hour away. While we were there though, we found some other members whose baby was in the hospital suffering RSV ( not sure if that is the proper name). We stopped and visited with them for a little while, gave a blessing to the baby, and then asked if there was anything we could do for this sister who was here with her baby. She said that her kids hadn't had any hot bread for a while, and her husband had only been making hamburger helper for them. After hearing about this I volunteered making some tortillas for them. So when we were done talking with her, we found another person there we knew who had their daughter suffering from the same thing. Did our thing and helped out with them as well, gave a blessing, and then left after asking if there was anything we could do. On our way out the door to go make some tortillas, we were stopped by Dorothy, who has been like a mother to me out here, and asked if we could grab her some bottled waters. So we zoomed back to the house, threw together some tortillas, grabbed some waters, then dropped them off and went to our next appointment. 

Our entire week has consisted of small occurrences such as this, and all though we haven't really gotten the greatest of "numbers" we are doing exactly as the Lord would have us do- to feed his sheep. (also to feed the people sheep) 

 With all this and more going on out here in the field, there is always more that is heaped up on the load. After hearing some devastating news back home, I have finally broken down and let it all out. I've been holding in for quite some time everything that has happened with my sweet sweet grandmother and my dear uncle Brad. For some reason, this news was the breaking point and I have not cried like this for quite some time. This mission already has been the means of doing so much good and bringing so much change into my life. It is times like this where I recgonize and see that the Lord has a greater plan and purpose for each and everyone of us. You could very well look at this situation and allow it to break you, but given the testimony and witness that I have received through already much trial and tribulation, everything now is but another opportunity to trust in Him and lose myself. 

I know without a doubt that my Savior Jesus Christ lives. He gave his life so that I might be able to live again after this life, as well as feel alive again after much spiritual anguish. His sacrifice is one that does not only benefit us when we die. It is a never ending process while on this earth that we are able to learn, grow, and develop. If this were not so, I would not be here. I would not be the person I am today. Each of you who know the boy I once was, and see me for who I am today, can know for yourselves that it is only through His grace and mercy towards me that has brought me this far. My strength alone would have took me even further down the path of destruction. If you do not have a testimony of this gospel, of this church, the priesthood, and of our Savior Jesus Christ, I ask you to look at me and see what He has done. It is only through such a powerful being that I could have come this far. The Atonement is real, and it will forever be available to those who have faith, repent, are baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. This is my testimony and witness of this work.

Elder Sandberg

Two weeks 'til training is over!

Hello,

It has been an eventful couple weeks here in the hot desert of Crownpoint, New Mexico. Well, it hasn't been hot, but it has been really nice weather the past couple days. The stars out here are by far my favorite part of the landscape. Still to this day, every time I look up, I can feel the spirit so peacefully. I've realized that before I truly knew what the spirit was, I felt it when I would go camping and look up at the stars. There would always be a swelling within my heart that told me the future was going to be bright. 

Today, I saw a rabbit get skinned and gutted for the first time. Last night Elder Martin and I were driving along the dirt roads in the middle of nowhere, and there were two little bunnies sitting on the road. We were going about 45 miles per hour and they looked like rocks from a distance, but nope. They were definitely living animals probably talking about how it was mating season, and then BOOM! Off to bunny heaven one of them goes! I've never hit anything in a car before, I can now cross that off my bucket list! We picked it up, threw it into the back of the truck, and fed it to the dogs!

On a more serious note, this particular email goes out to my family- Mom, Liv, Brian, Aunts, Uncles, Cousins, Grandpa's, Grandma, and everything in between. The experience I am about to describe has been a difficult one and has opened my eyes to the responsibility and opportunity I have had amongst those whom I love most on this planet. 

While being out here on the mission we meet lot's of people who are all in very different circumstance. They all are very diverse in their lifestyles, upbringings, and points of view with the world. Everyday My companion and I are continually trying to bring them to the one thing that will apply to their life no matter what. 

Elder Martin and I had the opportunity to be led to a man who was going through some very difficult trials. Through the guidance of the Lord, we were able to do some things that softened the heart of this man. In the process of his heart being softened, he was able to receive the teachings of the Gospel, and to gain a deeper relationship with his Heavenly Father and Savior. Being a part of this is one of the surest ways to develop a deep love for someone. Serving him and helping him has been an honor. He had progressed and moved along really nicely as to being able to see the light and truth that has been revealed.

Due to a recent experience, past feelings and emotions brought back a whole new side that my companion and I had not yet seen. It was just another appointment where we were going to teach, and soon found out the change of heart he had received. It was a hardened one. It was one that I felt completely powerless to help and guide with the spirit. We left there feeling very saddened by everything that took place, but we had hope that a little time would help him along his way. 

One week, two weeks, three weeks pass by and each week we stop by to see how he is doing. Each time someone else comes to the door and says he is busy. Last Friday, we remained intelligent and went to see him once more. As we knocked, and the door was answered, there he was- our brother, a son of God, one whom we have come to love and appreciate very much. But it was not the same man we have come to love. Something had replaced that light and had a very deep hold on his countenance. He told us he no longer wanted to meet with us and that he would call us if he needed anything. It wasn't just the words that were so devastating, but the feeling and emotion behind them. Elder Martin and I left there with absolutely no words to say. 

This life and experience in this life is a full out war. It is only until you are at the forefronts of batttle that you see the enemy working against you and what you stand for. It is only in the face of evil that you recognize and feel the power of goodness and light at your back. Each and everyday we are fighting to gain some territory and ground within the hearts of the children of God. Each day we are losing ground and our dear brothers and sisters are falling into despair. There is and never will be a time that we are not responsible for building the Lord's kingdom upon the earth. 

The reason that this email is for my family is because I urge and plead with each of you to gain that ground within your heart. To gain for yourself a knowledge and testimony of the Savior and his restored truth upon the earth. Some of you may very well be doing a good job at such a task, and I am truly grateful to hear of your progress towards such a cause. But I feel weighed down at this time because I know there are some who are having a hard time in life because of such a battle. Families are the absolute greatest blessing we can receive while upon the earth. I feel bad because my first responsibility in serving and teaching should be those with whom I have been tied to in this life. I've been slacking, and I hope that this experience can be of some use to each of you whom I love so very much. 

I just close in sharing that I know without a doubt that this work I have commenced on is the Lord's work upon the earth. No matter where you are at along the path, fight to gain that territory of good and truth. Help those who stand in need, and continually strive to have a relationship with Him. 

I love you all so very much, and hope I don't sound like a lunatic!!

With much love

Elder Brayden Sandberg

A letter to Anika Ferguson

The mission is absolutely insane.  I am having a complete blast down here and I'm learning several new things every day.  Time on the mission is like a car - you could be flying down the highway one minute and the next be stopped at a stoplight.  It has been flying by for the most part though.

Things have been pretty amazing down here.  I haven't sent out a mass email, so only a few people know what is going on.  I'm really hoping to focus on the people here and eventually I'll take a little bit more time to respond to everyone.  There are lots of people who need help down here.  

One of the people is Brother P.  He is an investigator that's been going through some tough stuff.  He has lost 3 family members all within 6 months of each other this year.  He's the youngest of 8, and all of his brothers and sisters despise him because of how he's doing.  he has a house of his own, married, has kids, and overall a good head on his shoulders.  His siblings are struggling and are pretty envious of Orson, so he feels the weight of it pretty heavily.  When his dad died, Orson had to pay all expenses and pick up the debt his siblings had racked up.  Because of this, he wasn't able to provide a Christmas for his kids. Was barely able to provide a tree.

As Brother P was telling us all of this you could tell he didn't normally talk to others like this.  He was the kind of guy to push people away and not let anyone in.  He let us in and we shared our testimonies with him that he needed to pray.  It had been a while since he prayed, so it was going to be difficult.

We left him with a commitment to pray and as we were leaving, he asked if we had any coloring books or something that we could give the kids for Christmas.  We told him we would look around.  Keep in mind though, this man was not the type to ask for stuff, and the first few interactions he had lots of questions and doubts.

My companion and I left there and decided to go to the store that night.  We picked up some toys for his little boy and girl, wrapped them at our house, grabbed a lot of the candy that was sent to us for Christmas, and headed back to his house.  We pulled up and I jumped out with the stuff.  My companion was waiting a ways down the road for me to run to.  I went up to the door and set up the teddy bears so they were holding the gifts and candy.  I knocked pretty hard and booked it as fast as I could.  Jumped in the truck, drove around the block, and checked to make sure they got it.

Elder Martin and I had scheduled an appointment exactly one week later to meet with Orson. When we saw him again, his family was there and they were all getting ready to leave.  I soon could sense that Brother P was giving off a very different  vibe this time around.  He truly had been humbled.

After I knocked on the door, Brother P explained to us he looked out the window and could see me running (Dang). With me banging pretty loud, his wife was worried and he immediately looked out and saw me.  He then saw what was on the front porch and told the kids to answer the door.  Both of them were excited and were looking up at the sky exclaiming with joy "thank you, Santa!"

Brother P was hit pretty hard by this simple gesture and immediately fell on his knees to offer up a long awaited prayer.  In his prayer he asked that his family could more fully come together. and after six days, they were all together eating, the night we arrived.  

When we were at his house the first time, there was a bookshelf full of alcohol, there was a sense of heaviness, and questions that were in abundance.  The second time we were there - the alcohol was gone; the spirit of peace was present, and a heart that had been truly humbled was ready to receive the word of God without any question.

The Lord works in mysterious ways and is truly guiding this work.  I'm so grateful to be out here and to be an instrument in His hands.

Love,  Elder Sandberg

A Letter To President Batt

The following is a weekly update to Brayden's Mission President. He hasn't had time to write newsletters lately so he forwarded this on to me:

President Batt,

It has been another eventful and exciting week here in Crownpoint! Last Thursday we had our scripture study class. We normally get about three to four people who show up. It goes pretty well each time, but last Thursday we had nineteen people show up. It was an extremely powerful and spiritual experience for myself and all those who were present. There was a moment where it reminded me of when I first had my own personal conversion experience. The spirit that was there reminded me of the feeling I had when I first knew the church was true. The feeling has been the driving force behind me sharing the gospel with others. It was an amazing opportunity to see that I was helping others have that same experience. 

For the past couple weeks I have gotten a lot better about waking up and getting into the routine of missionary life. I have been waking up right on the dot and getting into the workout to start my day. The days are still pretty exhausting and more often than not, I'm pretty tired from everything. But everything is continuing to look up for the progress of my body.

This past Sunday, where you and Sister Batt attended, was a tough one because of the families that haven't been showing up. Elder Martin and I have been working so hard to help these people see the importance of church attendance and partaking of the sacrament, but they just aren't seeing it. It has been a little emotionally trying to see these people that I love and care about missing out on the absolute greatest thing on the planet that can bless their lives. Truly this is probably how Heavenly Father has felt with mine own personal progress. Kinda funny how that works. 

The refiners fire is a very real thing and I can feel it in bits and pieces every single day. The baptism of fire of the Holy Ghost is a very vital and important part of the path to discipleship. The only really hard part is deciphering between the challenges of the Lord vs the challenges I put on myself. It's hard to distinguish between the Lord guiding me, and myself just getting down. Either way though, I know in whom I put my trust and complete confidence. This path is one that I will never stop striving to follow. The joys and happiness of the fullness of the gospel are far too immense to walk away from. I'm so grateful for my knowledge and testimony that all these things are to be for my benefit and good. It's this kind of knowledge that continues to carry me through even the hardest of times.