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

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

End of Tansfer 1

Brothers and Sisters,

Aunts and Uncles,

Mom and Girlfriend,

Friends and all else,

I am not dead. I am definitely alive and well here in the Crownpoint, New Mexico Branch. Things are going really well all around. The work is moving at a swift rate and Elder Martin and I are finding more people than we know what to do with. The only struggle is moving them along to progress towards lasting conversion and "real growth". I pray every day that these amazing people can find for themselves the value in having a testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It answers so many questions and eases so many different pains. He is continually calling out to each of them by name and wants to help them. Please pray that they have a desire to come closer to Him.

As for myself and who I am progressing along to be, each and everyday I am becoming more and more aware of my weaknesses and shortcomings. It is becoming very present that I fall short of the work that is to be done out here. With these feelings and awareness, I am seeing the influence of the Lord more fully in my life. I truly could not do any of this without Him. It is absolutely amazing to see who He is shaping me to be. I could never fully explain the process that He goes through to shape, stretch, and mold me, while at the same time making up the difference of my weaknesses.

Keeping this short and sweet, we had a baptism last week, that was a member baptism. The family has been pretty active for the last year. The son just recently decided he wanted to be baptized, he's 9 years old, and it was an absolute honor to be a part of. At the baptism was the Branch President and his wife, the family- two little girls, the son, and mom/dad,and then my companion and I. It was a very powerful and spiritual experience. The gospel has affected this family so deeply and you can see the blessing it has been to them. The happiness and joy that they were able to experience was a sight that I will treasure forever.

I invite each of you to look at your life and see what it is that makes you happy. Really think about and ponder what brings you the greatest amount of joy. Then try and see for yourself how that happiness is connected to God and His plan for you. If you can't make the connection, maybe reconsider what true happiness is.

I love you all very much and hope all is well.

Elder Sandberg

Week 2!

It has been an adventurous week here in the Farmington New Mexico Mission. For those of you who wish to know the area a little bit better where I'm at- I am in Crownpoint New Mexico, and I live in the trailer behind the church on church road. The people here are of the Navajo Tribe, and most of them are of a Traditional belief when it comes to religion. For those of you who don't know what those beliefs or rituals consist of, look it up :) Everywhere I go there are what's called "Res Dogs", short for reservation. Just about every house out here has anywhere from 1-7 dogs. Not exaggerating. They all like to bark up a storm and look like they're tough, but for some reason if you just reach down like you're grabbing a rock or something, they run the other way. It's actually quite hilarious! The kids down here are all adorable and are a blast. Elder Martin and I have had a good time playing basketball with some of the kids down here, and has led to us teaching some families because they remember playing ball with us! The people are very very humble and I clearly have a lot to learn from them.

Miracle for the week was with a family of 4 children. They live in the housing for NTU. Two boys and two girls. The parents have been on date to be baptized for quite some time now. When we go and visit, the two little girls are normally jumping all over my companion and I while the tv is up pretty loud to keep them distracted. (doesn't really keep them distracted) The miracle was was Elder Martin and I were going to give a lesson about the Restoration of the Gospel and the importance of the Priesthood in all of that coming about. It's kind of hard to really have an impactful lesson when all of these things are going on. So Elder Martin prayed before hand that the tv would be turned off and that the kids would be reverent. Within 10 minutes of us being in there, the mom told the kids to go to bed and asked her husband to turn the tv off. It doesn't sound that big, but it was detrimental to giving this lesson we had prepared. The Spirit is a very quiet voice that can only be heard when you pay close attention. In life we tend to get caught up with all the things of the world and it can be hard to hear those subtle promptings that we are to receive. Having the tv turned off and the kids go to bed, was absolutely needed for the Spirit to testify of our message. 

Miracles happen everyday and it is a wondrous opportunity to be an instrument in the Lord's hands. Things that might not seem so big to me, are making the world of a difference to those around me. Each day I can see more and more that the Lord is preparing individuals, and already has, to receive his truth from us knuckleheaded missionaries.

The absolute greatest part about the mission is being able to be with people. This is the absolute greatest work that any man could commence on because it's being led by God. The Lord's Kingdom is being established on the earth at a very fast rate, and more each day His children are starting to see the difference between what the world would have us do and what he would have us do. This work is more than just trying to get someone to come to church. This is so much more than us trying to baptize people, or read books, or simply meet with us. This is HIs way established on the earth for us to find the absolute greatest amount of happiness and peace. It's not just the right thing to do, but it is the most intelligent thing to do. If there is a God and if he does have a truth that he has established, what greater reason do we have in life than to find what he would have us do? There is no greater reason. Because when all is said and done, wither we acknowledge Him or not, He is there.  He is continually reaching out to each of us to help and guide us along the path. Take His hand and He will take care of you....

Love you all so much!!!

Elder Sandberg

 

 

Week 1 is done!

This has been a crazy adventure and it has only been a couple of weeks. It feels like time is flying by so fast, but then again not really. The days are slow but the weeks are fast. 

So my trainers name is Elder Martin. He is from Evanston Wyoming. Really good guy. I like how he goes about things and gets stuff done. When him and I teach a lesson, it's like white on rice. Spirit flows like a river! It's amazing.

The people out here are absolutely amazing. More and more each day I am loving the Navajo people. They are so humble and observant. Every move I make I feel as if they know what it is I am doing. Right now it feels as though I am in a foreign country. I'm on the reservation on the outskirts in a city named crownpoint. It's extremely small and not a whole lot goes on. Everyday when we drive to teach and find people, we have to drive at least ten minutes and will most likely be needing to drive on a dirt road. The reservation doesn't allow any outside businesses to come sell goods or anything, so I'm basically out in the middle of nowhere. There are dogs EVERYWHERE literally every house has at least 3 dogs. It's nuts. At times it can be intimidating, but if you just lean down and look like your picking up a rock, even the scariest of dogs will run away with their tail between their legs. Haven't gotten bitten yet, but it is likely to happen. 

Every single day out here there has been a miracle in one way or another. One of them was a man by the name of Albert Brown. Doesn't say a ton, kind of shy and laid back. But we were going to meet with his brother in law Winston, but he wasn't home. We were about to leave when I asked him if we could share our message with him. We stepped inside and learned that he had been talking with a Sister from the church for quite some time who has been helping him along the way. He has been reading the Book of Mormon on and off, but just needs a little extra moral support to stick with it. This was the first time my companion and I were to meet with him, but we put him on date to be baptized. Which is really rare. My companion looked at me like I was a mad man when I gave Albert a date for him to prepare to be baptized, but he accepted. Right now we are working towards helping him through the gates January 24! Let's hope it goes well. 

Things are a little slow right now in how many appointments we have, but every single day Elder Martin and I are finding new people and answering prayers in little ways..

Something funny for you all, is we were driving along one the dirt roads (heart Butte) and it had been raining for the past few days. So we were sliding all over the place in the NIssan Frontier we were driving. But about five miles off of the main road, we found this bus that was stuck in the mud. It was the strangest thing I've ever seen. A bus, middle of nowhere, muddy trails, stuck! I'll send pics soon, but I'm having the hardest time with it I don't know why. 

Growing more and more each day in my testimony of the Gospel, but most importantly, the Atonement. It has and continues to shape and make possible the change needed in my life. Out of everything that I could learn to help these people, the one thing that sticks out the most is loving them. Charity never faileth, and I know that as I continue to focus more on those around me, the better the work will go. 

I love you all so much and appreciate the emails of support and love!!

Elder Sandberg

Called to Serve!

So I am now in my area of the Farmington New Mexico Mission. The Lord's hand truly is in this work and is guiding each and everyone of us. It's incredible to hear about all the miracles and things that are happening back home. I've figured out that homesick is only bad when it is disabling. Thinking of all of you and home is something that can be enabling. Times when I didn't even know I was down, I would read an email or letter from one of you and things would be uplifting. This opportunity is a time for me to help not only everyone out here, but each of you as well. I no longer do this mission because of what it will transform me into, what it will allow me to see, what it will do for me, but what it will do for all of you. This life is meant to be given to our God and those around us. There is a reason that it is the great commandment. With commandments, there are blessings. I'm so grateful for the people in my life that make it so easy to learn to love. Love is the essence of the Gospel. We can't and won't do anything without it. It is the driving force behind the Lord's work and it is the bridge between all of us imperfect human beings.

Meeting lots of new Elders and Sisters whom I know I will know for a life time. THey each posses things that I will always admire and strive to obtain. 

My mission president is incredible, as is his wife. I know I'm right where the Lord wants to be.

I challenge each of you this week to know how to more fully lose yourself in what it is you do. Thinking inwardly is the root of all sin. As you start to do and say things for those around you, you will see the power and happiness that comes. Christ said "my yoke is easy and my burden is light". The reason is because of his devoted love to all mankind. If someone cuts you off, it is easier to not get mad because of the burden that is going to be carried through your day. When people's imperfections and lack of common sense effect you, it is easier to know that we all have imperfections and that ultimately you have something to learn from this person. Getting frustrated and upset because someone else has a hard time with whatever it is, will only weigh you down.

Don't have a ton of time but just wanted you all to know all is well and that things are great!! 

 

Elder Brayden James Sandberg