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

Christmas time is here!

It is the Christmas season and I am beyond excited. Not sure if any of you have seen these videos on here but you ought to go check this website out-

christmas.mormon.org

It has super powerful messages that give credit to this time of the year and I highly recommend all of you check it out. No matter where you are at as to your beliefs, I think it is easy to agree that all of us are going to be celebrating Christmas. 

Just want to briefly share that I know of the power of the little things. Both good and evil, it is the little things that make a huge difference. To a young Elder Sandberg in the beginning of his high school career, it was not that big of a deal to ditch school here and there. It was a very simple thing that started out with one day at a time, and then turned into missing school for months on end. Started with one period, then two, then three, then eventually, like I said, I was not in school for the longest time. 

It was the little justifications or rationalizations that led to the destruction of my life. It was the little things that eventually led to me hurting and damaging the relationships with those I love the most. It is all about the little things. I don't know of a single individual who just wakes up one day and decides to be some crazy maniac out on the streets doing absurd things. I know that because you cannot honestly say that you can look at a baby and think that they are going to grow up and do bad things. Those babies don't turn into monsters overnight. It is a process of here a little and there a little. 

On the flip side, no one ever wakes up one day and decides to go on a mission. There is not a single person who is able to make 100% of a decision all in one single moment. Every thing we are and do is a collection of everything we have seen, heard, felt, experienced, lost, gained and been through. 

I am here right now on a mission because of the little things that I have done to get out here. They are the same little things that we invite people to do on a regular basis. It is the simple act of praying, reading, and going to church. The enemy of all that is good, has limitless and innumerable ways to pull us down a path of destruction.. It is very complex and confusing. 

On the other side, our Heavenly Father has presented one of the easiest way for us to more fully cling to that which would enable us to return to His presence. It is the process of study and communication. Prayer and scripture study are one of the easiest ways to feel His presence in an ever increasing dark world. I have seen day in and day out that these two things are what sustain me along this journey. It is these two things that have brought me from the delinquent, troubled child I was, to the missionary and representative of Jesus Christ that I now am. 

It is all possible because of Jesus Christ. That is why there is such a sweet spirit in the air this time of the year. It is that feeling that is from God, that is telling you this is an important time. It's an important time because this is when He sent His Son off to do the most difficult and liberating things that this earth's existence has ever seen. 

I invite each of you to learn why more fully we celebrate Christmas. Don't just settle for the basic answers that I could get from any 5 year old. Dig for an answer in the places that will yield the most correct answer. Try it and you will see for yourself. 

I love all of you!

If any of you want a Christmas Card, please email me your mailing address ASAP

Elder Brayden James Sandberg

Warning: You Know Who You Are!

You won't know when, you won't know how, and you may not know where it will lead. It is inevitable and going to happen. It's as sure as the rising and setting of the sun. It will either be accepted or rejected. It will either change your life forever, or not. You can be certain it will happen and it will come. 

Prepare yourself now and know I am coming. I am coming for all of you. I am coming back a new individual, with a vigor and determination to continue on the path way I am on. Yes, I will still be the goofy, obnoxious, and fun person, but there is much more to it all now. The time is ticking away, the countdown has begun, and I will be home soon. 

I will be free to leave my area and to spend as much time as I want with each of you. I will call you in the middle of the night and show up on your door randomly. I will be the little annoyance that you either love or hate. Either way, I am coming back as a witness of the truthfulness of the message that we missionaries share. Once again, you might not know when it will happen, but the time will come where I will ask you about your relationship with God. In the most loving and caring way possible that I know, I will listen and see how I might be able to help. 

I do this, not out of being preachy, self righteous, or whatever you want to call it. But I do it because when you have something good in life, you share it with others in the hope that they to will take the steps necessary to discover what you have found. You see it everyday when you get on facebook, pinterest, twitter, and whatever other social media sites there are. People are constantly sharing what it is they have. As great and amazing as I think it is to go on a cruise, to eat certain foods, to try different workouts, to watch the latest video of people "whipping and naying",  to do whatever else there is in the world, the only thing that has any worth at all, is what is found in this church. 

As I said in this email earlier, you can either accept or deny it! It's up to you! I will STILL love you regardless, but know that it is purely because I genuinely feel I have something that I know will change your life. I love you all so much!!! 

More to come next week! Super awesome miracle. One of those rare golden moments you only hear about in the movies! Pray for them! Joe and Britani Baca 

Love you all once again!!! Until then...

Elder Brayden James Sandberg

Happy Thanksgiving from Tuba City!

Hello family, friends, and everything inbetween!

Any of you had the experience where you had something for the longest time that made you feel alive, then it went away for a little while, then came back? That's probably the best way I can describe what's happened this week.

To clarify for those of you who don't know, the tragic event I was referring to that happend a year ago, was the loss of my grandmother. She passed away unexpectedly, the day I reported to the MTC. This last week was a lot easier than would have been expected.. The reality of it hit me far before the date ever happened because I tend to think forward quite a bit.

The great part about last week was what I described in my opening comments. I feel as though I have just awakened. With all the many factors that have contributed to me being in a "slump", I have had many different factors that have contributed to me getting out of a slump!

Saturday morning, was praying for studies, and in the studies I prayed intently that I would know where to go. It was much more heartfelt than normal, and as I continued to pray, the phone started to ring before I could finish. I excused myself from my prayer, and it was the long lost ward mission leader asking us to go out with him to go meet some new people. We have never gone out with him, and it truly was a miracle.. That day led to lot's of new connections and opportunities for work.

This was just one small thing among many that have left me absolutely overflowed with happiness, drive, ambition, and love.. I'm so ready to go out and get the work done. Miracles are happening and I am so excited!

We received a letter from our mission president today, and I wish to share an excerpt from it with each of you:


Gratitude is expressed in prayer and thanksgiving; but more so in living lives of honor and integrity, of kindness and compassion, in awareness of others and their needs, and an honest expression of gratitude for all those who bless and affect our lives for good. Thanksgiving is best expressed in thanks-living of goodness and obedience and love and service.

This specific quote and the principles highlighted in it, go out to a couple people and groups right now.

First- my mother. I wouldn't be on this earth and where I am at right now if I did not have her as a driving force for me to improve and become better.

Second- the rest of my family- Brother, Sister, Grandparents, Uncles, Aunts, Cousins, and Nieces and Nephews.. (Just kidding mom :D) My family is extremely close and we have all been through so much together. Despite any challenges that have come our way, we have somehow managed to overcome them. It is my family that has seen the absolute worst of me, and yet, they are my biggest support.

Third- my absolute bestfriend and her family. The moral support and encouragement cannot be measured with the impact they have made.

Fourth- the leaders and youth of the Trenton Branch, in Canada. If it were not for their shining testimony and example, I would not be where I am at right now.

Fifth- my home ward. If it were not for the financial sacrifices and support that they have made to allow me to be out here, I would still be home.

Sixth- the students, and administrators of  Mountain High School. This school helped me to turn everything around so I could go on to get graduated and be prepared to go into the world.

Seventh- the Return Missionaries from summer sales. Living with these guys and the care they put into helping me prepare for a mission, gave me a HUGE leg up with coming out here.

Eighth- my friends. Having friends with common goals and aspirations makes it easy to accomplish them.

Ninth- The people of Crownpoint, New Mexico. These people set the tone for my mission and melted me heart with very little ease. Forever a cowboy because of here.

Tenth- The people of Monticello (Monticello, La Sal, and Paradox). My heart will forever be left here in this area. If any of them think they have gotten rid of me, they are wrong! 4 hours away!

Eleventh- The people of Tuba City. If it were not for the people here and the relationships I am building with them, it would make life very difficult as a missionary!

It is easy to see that I have way too many people to be grateful for. The only single source that I could attribute my life and what makes it what it is, is my Heavenly Father. I am grateful to Him for all of you. The purpose of us coming here is to go back to the presence of our Father. We need to change in order to be in His presence. One of the ways He helps us to change, is by putting the people in our lives that we specifically need.

Each of you broadly, collectively and specifically have contributed to the person that I am today. If I were given absolutely nothing after this life, save it be one thing, it would be my connection with each of you. I'm grateful to know that that is exactly what I will be given.

So, with the quote that was given by my amazing mission president, President Adams, I wish to close with this- my true gratitude at this time, and forevermore, will be expressed in the way that I carry myself. Expressed in the way I treat others, in the way I endure challenges, in the way I view life and what's happening, and more importantly, in the way that I strive to give myself to our Father in Heaven. It is all a continuous cycle and I thank each of you for being a part of it.

Love always and forever,

Elder Brayden James Sandberg

ps If any of you know someone whom this might not reach, that is mentioned here, I would greatly appreciate you forwarding it to them.

One Year in the Mission Field!

I just have to start out by saying how much I love the fact that when I do a mass email, I can look at every name and just feel so much love and appreciation for the soul that is behind the name.. Thank you so much for being a part of my life and making it what it is.  

So, this week marks my one year mark. To be honest, I'm not sure what to say about that exactly. In all reality, it was hitting me more last month than it is right now. Things have been especially tough though, because my companion and I have been cooped up in the house because of various sicknesses. It has been driving me absolutely INSANE! When you are locked up in a place like that for extended periods of time, your thoughts start to drift. These thoughts have been my downfall because I've been worrying about things that need not worried about, I've feared over things that are already taken care of, and I've ached for people that I already know I'm going to see again someday. 

The great part about all of this is, I know I can rely on the Lord for help to get through this. The message of today is, "what holds your attention holds you". It comes from a book called, Putting on the Armor of God by Steven A Kramer. With any trial or event that we have in life, more often than not, it is our thought process that effects so greatly how we actually feel. We could be having the craziest of things going on in our life, but if we are focused and determined in a good cause, nothing will bring us down. 

I am experiencing this right now as I type this. With this one year mark of being out in the field, it also marks a year for one of the greatest losses that I have experienced.  I've not thought about this until I got on here and people have talked about it. They talk about what is correlated with this year mark, and it pulls my thoughts towards the devastating aspect of this time of year for me. It creates frustration and heartache as I dwell on it. As I allow my attention to be held on such a topic, the reality of the event sinks in and makes it more difficult. 

I'm not focusing on that anymore. My focus and attention is on the people and the Lord. More and more each day the Lord is burning through my heart and what's in there. At times it feels as if there is nothing in there because He doesn't want anything there at that time. It is when I resist and focus on the things that I need not, that the Lord is unable to mold me into the individual He needs me to be. It is the law of consecration and I am trying my absolute best every single day to give that to Him. It's what I'm supposed to do. It's what I covenanted to do.

Thank you for all of your support, prayers, and love..

Elder Sandberg

Miracle of the Week

Yah tee!

Went over to visit Dominic this past week, he was the one who got stepped on by a bull, and it is completely shocking to see his face. He looks like practically nothing happened. The doctors said that less severe cases that are like this, normally take at least three months of being in the hospital. He was out within five days. I want to thank all of you who prayed that he would heal and be alright. It is truly amazing to see how good he looks considering his face got broken. The power of prayer is real!

Another thing that is real, and that just happens to be the theme for this email, is the power of the priesthood. What an amazing and powerful thing. Hands down, the most powerful experiences I have had thus far on the mission, have been when administering through the priesthood. There is nothing in the entire world like placing my hands upon someone's head, and then having the Lord take control of what is coming out of my mouth, to give individuals promised blessings. 

When we went to the hospital to give Dominick a blessing, I felt strongly inclined to give it. Something about this kid, even when I saw him right before he got on the bull, was drawing me to him. When my companions and I laid our hands on his head, the words came that he would be healed. Even more powerful than the words, was the impression I received towards the close of the blessing. It was the impression that the Dr's were going to be extremely surprised and just baffled at how fast he was recovering and healing. 

The power of God is real. It has been restored through the prophet Joseph Smith. It has, is and will continue to bless countless lives. By their fruits ye shall know them. The biggest thing keeping me doing this work for this specific church, is the fact that I know that the priesthood is here. It is the only thing that sets a church of man apart from the church of God. The ordinances through the priesthood are real. You can and will be cleansed from sin as you are baptized. You will receive the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost. The endowment will bless you with greater power from on high than anything else. It is the sealing ordinance that promises that you will live forever with your family and spouse for all time and eternity. 

Each of these ordinances are only truly ordained of God, when they are done after the manner of His holy priesthood. These things produce the one thing that everyone wants in life- happiness. True happiness is only achieved on gospel principles and gospel principles are only maintained by virtue of the priesthood of God.

I know this work is of God. It just has to be. It makes so much sense and I am so incredibly grateful for that.

Thank you all for the love and support. 

Until we meet again,

Elder Sandberg