Week 342

Good day!

Things are going so well.. The Lord is good and very very real.. Trials and challenges are wonderful, but only when accompanied with the Spirit.. Things make a lot more sense when you have His guidance..

Before getting to the message of the week, I wish to share a brief experience.. Elder Ah Chee and I were at the church for a funeral. When the services were done we walked out side to wait for everyone to leave.. While we were waiting outside this very friendly, short, white older man with glasses walks up to us and starts talking to us.. He tells us about his business, which I'm not even sure what it was, and hands us a card.. It was probably evident that Elder Ah Chee and I didn't know what to think of the guy, and he probably picked up on that.. Then abruptly ended the conversation by walking closer toward me and said, " I'm no queer! Give me a hug!" :D 

His overall personality couldn't help put a smile on my face and I did indeed give him a hug. :D

For some of you that might be funny.. Others not so much and I appologize..

Anyways!

Lesson of the week is one that is so simple, yet means a whole lot more to me.. There are many other moving pieces and contributing factors, but this is one of the lessons that I can pinpoint with my limited ability to communicate.. 

The lesson is that every single thing we are to be developing is like a muscle.. Like waking up in the morning, studying, memorizing scriptures, even going to work, doing homework, anything and everything that requires effort.. For some people it seems like a breeze to do certain things that are otherwise impossible for us.. We often wonder why someone else is so blessed to do things that look like they take no effort, and we ourselves are just dying! The fact of it all is that no one wakes up one day and just has it down.. It is a matter of getting stronger and stronger each day.. It's not that the task gets easier, but our ability to do so is greatly increased. 

This lesson has applied in so many ways and has ultimately led me to have a better understanding of the Atonement.. What a wonderful thing that is to know.. But, like I said, there are so many other moving pieces that are taking place, it would take too long to write them down.. The Lord is revealing great and marvelous things that are molding me into who I need to be..

The work is going great here.. We have 3 families that will hopefully get married soon.. I'm seeing a method for helping people get hitched.. We will see how it goes so they can move on to bigger and better things! Yaya!

I love you all and just hope things are going good! Keep me posted! 

I'm no queer! Give me a hug!
:D

Elder Sandberg

Just Another Day in the Life

Hello lovely people,

It's amazing how all over the place the mission can be.. Someone once told me that the mission is full of the "highest of highs and the lowest of lows". I add my witness to what has been stated. 

I've come to realize that just about all of my emails have been about the change and the growth that occurs while you are out on the mission.. The biggest reason why that is such a big part of my testimony and what I share, is because that is what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about- change. 

I hope and pray that I might continue to change..

I love you and I'm grateful to have you a part of my life..

Things are going great here and Elder Ah Chee and I will be here for another transfer together! That's three together, longest companion, and it will be my longest time in an area! 

Funny story- Elder Ah Chee and I went to go drop off a Bible for someone who requested it (they weren't really interested) and in the process we met a new friend! Well, I've met him before and I remember exactly who he was.. When we started talking to him, it was clear to see he was intoxicated. We were just being friendly with him and he asked where we were from. 

I told him where I was from then pointed to my comp and said, "He's from Samoa! He's pretty big! Don't ya think?" 

He looked at him and quickly replied that he didn't think he was that big.. We continued along the conversation and this friend of ours made his way to give Elder Ah Chee a hug.. As he wrapped his arms around him, he started to attempt to pick up my 235.5 lb companion.. 

After what seemed like an extremely awkward amount of time, he stopped, realizing Elder Ah Chee WAS pretty big. My companion remained grounded.. :D Gotta love em 

That is all for now!

Elder Sandberg

A few thoughts on the Atonement

Lately, my understanding of the Atonement has increased dramatically.. The past couple days have been full of revelations and understandings of it's influence in our lives.. I feel as if the Atonement is not something that increases in its effect as time goes.  Rather, I believe the Atonement is continually strengthening us and helping us to grow, and the thing that really does increase, is our understanding of how it is helping us.. It's a matter of learning more fully the impact that such an event has on us, and with that increased vision, comes an increased commitment, strength, desire, hope, and all else that is good.. It's been said that, "the resurrection from death is unconditional because we all chose to keep our first estate. The spiritual redemption from spiritual death, however, is conditional." Or something to that effect. 

What I have learned more deeply recently, just adds more to what I gave my farewell talk about.. The idea that the Atonement is taking place right now in everyone's life. Despite where they are at with the church, their own personal relationship with God, whatever it is. The Atonement is applying in each of our lives, every single day of every single waking moment because of this- The natural man is an enemy to God. Because Adam and Eve partook of the fruit, we are all in a fallen state. Which means, that we are subject to the very appetites, passions, and desires of the flesh. All things that are not good or are seemingly ungodly. Every single sin comes back to the weakness of the flesh. Each time that we have a desire or see an opportunity to choose good over evil, we are experiencing the effects of that marvelous sacrifice for us. Each time that we have an urge to yell at our kids, (your kids or any kids) if you have a moment however brief it might be where you feel to remain calm and to not act on that impulse, you are experiencing the atonement. We of ourselves cannot stop ourselves from the natural crazy person within. Yet, we can choose. We can choose and DO choose because of Him

I hope this all makes sense.. To be honest, this is the first time I have gotten it out into words. AS you could imagine, these words have such a deeper meaning than I could ever fully express.. Not only that, but it has taken so much time to get to this point, there is more that I've been learning about all this but it will come later!

Elder Sandberg

I'm Still Alive!

I love the mission.. Every single day, whether it be tough or easy, I love it..

Lot's has been happening.. Lot's of little things that I really need to get better at writing down and remembering..

On Sunday we had some guy come up in the middle of sacrament meeting and was bowing himself down in front of the pulpit. Not sure what he was doing, but it was interesting!

Had a great birthday! Turned 21 and I'm just ready to take on the world!

We have a baptism this Saturday for these 3 kids we've been working with for a while..

Couple people have fallen off the map, but we will find them!

Gone on LOTS of exchanges to different areas. I've barely been in my own area for the past 2 weeks. Had a drunk guy wish that he had an AK so he could line up all the people who wronged them, and just yeah...

Went to a Hopi dance on Saturday! Can't take pictures, but if you look up Hopi Cachinas (not sure if that is how it's spelled) something should come up! It was great.. There are some Cachinas that will come up and hump you, others will cut your hair, whip you, and others give you gifts! You just have to know who to look out for :D

Got lot's of people in the works for baptism, but rarely if ever do we have things go smoothly when it comes to making the biggest and greatest decision of your life.

Spiritual message would have to be from a talk about a Catholic Priest who became a Mormon. Towards the end of his talk he said, "friendship is the greatest means to share the gospel". This phrase when I read it, brought a great power and feeling into my heart.. I think I've lost a little of that fire to just talk to everybody. For whatever reasons I've done that, I have a renewed dedication to talk to everyone, regardless of how it turns out..

Figured I would say hello! I am okay and things are going great! Thank you all for the support and love you have given me..

Elder Brayden James Sandberg

Week Full of Miracles!

Hello all! I will keep this as brief as I possibly can. Mainly because I am pretty exhausted right now.. I have been more tired than I ever have for a longer period of time than ever before experienced! I think that means I'm doing something right!

First miracle was a referral that we contacted that came from church headquarters that actually had no name at all as to whom referred them.. We met with a woman on Monday and it's been hit and miss to actually get in with her, but upon finally meeting with her, we discovered some pretty spectacular things.. 

About three weeks ago, this sister was praying and just crying to the Lord for help with the situation she was in. Literally as soon as she said amen, a certain Elder Sandberg was on the other end asking if we could come over! We tried setting up an appointment and it just continued to fall through. So this sister just said a prayer and said, "Lord, if they are supposed to come, just please bring them to me." Later that day, we felt inspired to go by and visit with her! Miracle! 

Next miracle was probably a younger couple we are working with. The father is a member who is recently returning, and the mother is an investigator who had a powerful experience receiving a blessing from us and our bishop while she was in the hospital about two and a half months ago.. Ever since we have gone over there, she has just been eating everything up.. I look up to her and love her very deeply because of her willingness to take the gospel into her life and just give everything else up. She is the definition of Golden. 

She's normally a little bit more reserved, but we extended a challenge to be teaching us the next time we come by. Teachers tend to get a little bit more out of the teaching than the students, so that's why we invited her to do so! When she started, and used the scriptures and everything else, it was just super powerful.. It was amazing especially with the little amount of time that she has met with us. She has such a pure testimony and it was marvelous to see that manifestation through that lesson. 

Another miracle, I could keep going for a while, was when Elder Ah Chee and I were going around knocking doors hoping to contact referrals.. We weren't having much luck and so we decided to head back to the truck to try a different area.. Right as we were about to get to the truck, a young man comes out of his house and just starts talking to us. HE approaches us and starts talking to see how we are doing.. It was funny because he just kept asking, "how are you doing?" We kept answering and eventually it got to a point that he just said for us to come inside his house. He's only 17 years old, and yet we later found out that when he saw us, he felt something inside of him telling him to talk to us. We found that out last night when we asked him why he decided to start talking to us! He has two little brothers and a sister with a mother who are all not yet members.. I hope and pray that their hearts will continue to be prepared and softened to receive the gospel. We are meeting with them again tonight! Pray it goes well!

Last thing because this is getting longer than I thought it would. There are TONS more miracles but the last story is kinda funny for me, probably scary for my mom :D 

My comp and I were on some business for our bishop and were going to contact some of the members in the ward. We rolled up to one of the members and as we got out, I was taking the lead to talk to this member. I could see as I was walking up that there were two individuals, whom I did not know, talking on the front porch. When I got close enough to talk to them and not have it be weird, I could hear one of the individuals who was clearly not of this residence, cussing out the one who I was sure did. He was a shorter man with a hipster hair cut, baggy shirt, all black, and clearly doped up on something.. He wasn't yelling but I could hear him repetitively using the choice F word. 

After taking this all in and standing there, he turns around and points at me and says, "&%*4 you!" I almost laughed, but didn't.. He continued to harrass who ever this guy was, and it was apparent that he didn't want anything to do with this guy.. It sounded like it was about a girl or something, I don't know! After standing there for a while I just interupted and said,"Hey! We are here to see Brother ........" 

The plastered guy turns around and starts walking towards me. He lifts up his fist as if he were about to do something, and I just gave him a look that apparently had the effect to make him back down and turn around! After turning around, he continued to say some great elaborate words of intellect, and walked off. 

It was a great experience because through out it all, I felt as cool as a cucumber! Honestly, I didn't feel like the dude was a threat whatsoever. If things really came down to it, my comp, who is a 230 lb Samoan who knows nothing but brawling, could have very well ended badly for that man.. Luckily, it didn't! 

The work is real, the Spirit is present, and NOTHING will prevent this work from going forward.. No, not even a drunk man. 

Love you all! Have a great week! 

Elder Sandberg

Zone conference photos

Hello Everyone!

Elder Sandberg is a super busy missionary with a time limit on his internet time.  So I didn't get a newsletter this week, but if YOU get anything you think you could share with the group get it to me and I will post it to his blog!  Here are some recent pictures.  At the last zone conference he and his companion received an award for the cleanest car in the zone or on the rez!  Yay for them!  And here is a picture of their zone too.

New Year, New Start, New Life!!!

Good day!

Truly, words cannot describe the joy and happiness that have been felt these past couple weeks.. I was sitting and reflecting on the Christmas season and all that it represents. This Christmas season is supposed to be one of the absolute best because of the mission and all the miracles that occur.. In the moment, and leading up to the Christmas day, it did not feel like too many miracles were happening this year.. Last year there were some amazing things that my trainer and I were able to partake in. This year, not as many heartwarming stories that blow your mind occurred..

Now, before I get to the reality of what's been happening in this area, the miracle that I am most grateful for has been the transformation that has happened within my heart and soul.. For those of you who really pay attention to these emails and who I am as a person, it is easy to see that my driving motivation in life is to change.. To leave my old life behind and become a new person. I've never really known what that would encompass, but all I knew was that I've seen things in my life that I never want to see again.. It was a fire lit underneath me that has driven me to do so many things within the past 5 years.. 

Up until Christmas day, I was struggling with all kinds of inner battles of figuring out what I'm doing, who I am, where I stand and where I am going... There were times leading up to Christmas that it felt as if I could only see an inch in front of me. Just taking it a day at a time, and just hoping that the Lord is guiding me.. It is a hard thing to go through considering the work I have undertaken and the calling that exists with me.. I can never really describe the feeling unless you have gone through it.. 

Little did I know, that our Heavenly Father would lead me to something that would turn my life upside down. Just a couple days before talking to my family on Christmas, I was feeling a little sick and was laying down to sleep it off. I woke up, jumped in the shower, and had one of the most sobering thoughts come into my mind. It was the thought that had more feeling than words with it, "what's it going to look like when you get to this destination of 'change' that you are looking for?" "And when you do get there, what's next?"

This thought really hit me to the core and in all reality, turned my world upside down. It turned my world upside down because I realized I haven't been aligning my life with what He wanted as much as I could. I realized that everything that has been driving me, is not going to last very long.. It really shook me up because in all honestly I have been selfish with my desire to change.. My priority with it was to change myself and then change the world around me.. I had good intentions, but my priorities were not where they should be.. 

This change of heart and mindset has brought with it a very sobering and humbling truth that I don't know how to have the fire of looking to change others lives as much as I have had to change my own. 

Luckily, the Lord provides a way for me to embrace this new life and mindset He has for me.. It is this mindset that is ultimately going to lead me to the best kind of change because it is a principle that our Savior illuminated and magnified with His life. The principle of looking outward.. 

Christmas this year is the one I will cherish most, because it is the year that I realized He is leading me to far greater heights than I could imagine.. Truly it is a miracle to change a wretch such as I. The greatest part about it all, was being able to talk to my big brother and the Spirit that was felt there.. To spare the details, because he might not appreciate it, that call on the phone kicked off the blind that was preventing me from seeing where the Lord is taking me.. 

Because he hasn't emailed me, I will continue.. That call truly meant the entire world to me because I love my brother with my entire heart.. I have looked to him my entire life for the guidance and support that I have needed. It has always been a fear to say anything to him because I am his younger brother, but this call was full of love and I know he and I both came away better than when we could have imagined... He doesn't know this, but that call brought greater peace and clarity than I could have found on my own. The Lord used him as an instrument to once again lead his little brother along the path of life to find something greater.

I apologize this is getting so long. This is what happens when the internet goes down in Tuba City and you're too busy to get to emailing for the rest of the week, but I figure, if you have read this far, that you're actually interested to hear more... Otherwise, your trash bin sure looks nice :D

Now, that my eyes are opened and I feel a great feeling carrying me forward, I see. I see that the areas of responsibility that I have been given, are taking off beautifully- my companion whom I've been assigned to train, the zone I've been called to serve, and the Tuba City 2nd ward that I have come to love and adore! 

My companion is continually learning more and more each day and has been teaching me more than I could probably teach him.. The zone is at an all time high of unity, obedience, and brotherly love. We are all coming together in true lasting principles that are going to be the means of creating friendships that will last a life time.. The Tuba City 2nd ward has 8 individuals who are well on their way to entering the waters of baptism and confirmation.. It is going to be a battle to make sure they get there, but that is a number on the smaller end of what's actually going to happen. There are at least five families that are well connected within the ward that are also progressing towards lasting conversion and discipleship. These families all have individuals who are of age to make a covenant with the Lord. The number 8 is so much more than that, there are names, faces, experiences, testimonies, and so much more behind that.. Things are taking off here in this area and I can feel our Heavenly Father's love so bountifully here right now.. 

Truly my eyes have been opened.. I hope to continue to see growth in the people we are working with here because I love them so much... Pray with me that the roadblocks will be removed so they move forward with ease.. 

The church is true, the Book of Mormon is the word of God, the priesthood has been restored, and I have been called of Him to declare His truth...

Love you all!!! Make a decision to make changes this year and every day in it.. Don't just need a new year for resolutions. Everyday is a new opportunity!!

Elder Brayden James Sandberg