Let the fire begin! - July 20, 2015

Ya' at eeh! (this is the correct spelling, Momika)

This week has been a crazy productive and amazing week.

First off, I just found out my companion got his visa to Brazil and will most likely get transferred within the next couple weeks or so. We will see. This will mean that I will have had four companions in one area if I stay. Kind of a rare occasion. Even more rare if he gets transferred after this one because that will mean the only person I have had longer than a single transfer is my trainer. Guess these elders can't put up with me more for longer than six weeks! :D

Miracle of the week that I wish to be particular highlight on is Latawnya and Richard. Truly they are the definition of being prepared by the hand of the Lord to receive the gospel. These two have been in Monticello for the past week or so. The reason they are here is because Richard did some time and got put in the Monticello jail. Being in jail was a humbling experience and found a great desire to grow a deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. He's never been baptized into any church, but Latawnya ( his wife) was baptized at eight and because of this, they were both inclined to the LDS church.

When Richard got out just the other day, they were walking around town looking for a phone to make some calls to someone. They just happened to run into a family we have been working with, our golden less actives- the Hallidays, and they let Richard use their phone to make some calls. They ended up talking and found out that they both have had similar obstacles in life and ended up clicking together quite well. The thing that is so amazing about this is that we challenged the Halliday's to be more social and open with the people around them. Not sure why we felt inspired to do so, but we did.

The Halliday's offered a place to stay in one of their apartments until Latawnya and Richard could get back on their feet. One of the conditions with staying there is that they had to meet with their favorite missionaries, us! We met with them, had an amazing lesson, and Richard has agreed to be baptized! They truly have been humbled by the Lord and are prepared to receive the fullness of the Gospel. They both showed up to sacrament meeting on Sunday and with the little time that they had, Richard has already read the homework that we left him with the Book of Mormon.

There have been so many little things that cannot be contributed to a "mere coincidence". It is the Lord's hand guiding this work and it is incredible!

Something that is interesting about this mission is the fact that every investigator has to come four out of six Sundays before they are baptized, and the last two have to be in a row leading up to their baptism. This requirement has made it difficult for some people, but proves to be very beneficial with creating long term success and conversion. I hope and pray that Richard and Latawnya can continue to come and progress! Prayers are appreciated!

These two are only the beginning of the success that is starting to occur. This area is seriously starting to blow up as to those we are finding and the involvement of the wards and branches. A lot of the members are surprised to hear about how many people are actually receiving the word, and it is all attributed to having high expectations for the people and the area. It's amazing how far a little positive thinking can go.

Love you all!!

Pray for the cause and pray for the courage to take part in it.

Elder Sandberg

Look OUTWARD!

Good day!

Hopefully, I am not bugging any of you with these emails each week. 

Elder Sandberg has hit a new level of experience with the mission this week. I have started training, and honestly it feels like I'm starting all over again. 

With all these changes and an added level of responsibility comes challenges and frustrations, but despite the weight that is being placed upon my shoulders, I have come to learn a very very valuable lesson. It is a principle that Christ Himself emulated and defined His very character. It is the act of looking outward towards our heavenly family and concerning ourselves more with their state than our own. 

Every single day in the life of a civilian we are caught up in the constant bustle and rush of getting here or there. An agenda is continually begging for our attention and time. Different responsibilities and opportunities attract our attention and pull us in. Using myself as an example when I get home there will be countless things that need to be addressed and taken care of- Where will I work, where will I go to school, who will I marry, where do I live, and countless other things that will demand my attention. Every single one of those things and others as well are all focused on one thing- me. I will be looking inward. 

The sole reason that a missionary comes home a completely different person is because they are looking outward to serve others and their Heavenly Father for 18 to 24 months. It is a conundrum of thinking that when we help other people, we are only improving ourselves. It can be one of the most difficult things when weaknesses and shortcomings in oneself are so prevalent, and the answer to it all is to help other people.  

Lately more and more I am able to see a common thread that is preventing individuals from coming closer to Christ. The bi-product tends to have the appearance of depression, addictions, idleness, criminal misconduct, and many many other things. The root of it all is a festering and lingering feeling of looking inward. It is the natural man. It is the act of thinking more of the situation that one is going through, and getting caught up in oneself, that prevents them from moving forward. It is dwelling on the task at hand that is bringing pain, frustration, limitations, and everything else that prevents the powers of the Atonement to take place and relieve the heavy burdens placed upon us. 

Christ was the perfect example of looking outward. It is ingrained into His character. It is my testimony and witness that the only reason He was able to perform that infinite and eternal sacrifice for all of mankind, was because as He suffered He did not think of Himself. I think that if Christ were to think even for a split second about Himself and not what the Father wanted, that that split second would be more unbearable than the entire time He suffered in Gethsemane and died on the cross. 

Looking inward will always outweigh the weight of the world when looking outward. In all that you do, with all the demands you face, recognize and allow your true motivation to be for those you love. 

No matter the challenge you are facing, look to God, look to the Savior, and trust that He will not lead you astray. Trust that He will take better care of you than you can.

I love you all

Elder Sandberg

Hello,

Monticello is by far one of my favorite places on the entire planet. I love the people here and the relationships that are being built will last a life time. With my current companion, he is reaching the end of his mission. Actually, I am taking him to Farmington tonight and picking up my brand new companion tomorrow morning. Not sure what his name is, but he's from the MTC! Anyways,
people have often asked Elder Anderson what his favorite thing and take away from the mission was and he said the relationships that he has built. There couldn't be anything more true than this. I've only been out 7 months, and already I can see that the friendships that are built while out here is what makes the work worth it. One of the most rewarding aspects is when we are able to help the people we have made the relationships with to come closer to  Christ. Whether it be member, investigator, less active, whatever they are. It doesn't matter. They are all children of God and need to come closer to His Son. 

Lately the most rewarding family to work with has been the Hallidays. I'm not sure if I have talked about them in the mass email or not because I talk about them to everyone. They are incredible and never cease to amaze me. I write this with the full confidence with knowing that they would be okay with it. Adam and Kim have both had to overcome some addictions in their life. After much travail and due diligence, they have been able to clean up their lives and be sober for the past 27 months. They have both grown up in the church, but have fallen away. The timing must have been perfect because they have never ever let the missionaries in their house before. Something that was said, I'm not sure what, when we first met them led Kim to allow us to come over. 

Ever since meeting with them they have shone with the Light of Christ and have "felt to sing the song of redeeming love". They have "tasted as I have tasted and have seen eye to eye as I have seen". They know of the power of the Atonement and know what it means to apply the Saviors atoning sacrifice in their lives. I think every single one of us can learn something from them. No matter where you're at. Be it a Bishop, a deacon, a beehive, everyday student, it doesn't matter. The principle of recognizing our weaknesses and taking it to the Lord is something we should all continually be doing. 

Kim and Adam have been progressing like no one I've seen before. Every time we leave them a commitment, they keep it. Every time we invite them to step outside of their comfort zone just a little bit, they accept with a willing heart. Being able to help them grow has developed a very very deep love for them and their daughter. Someday, and maybe someday soon, they will go to the temple. A family who has been through the ringer, and have stained their clothes, but have been washed clean. What an amazing family they are.

I love you all so much and hope you can all continue to look for your weaknesses and recognize "your own nothingness, and the greatness of God". I promise as you do happiness and mysteries to your life will unfold before your eyes.

Elder Sandberg

Super Sandberg - with humility, of course

I want to make a point of telling you that Elder Sandberg shared this story with a few out of humility.  But upon reading it we feel it needs to be shared.  We can learn from his example of following the promptings of the spirit.

Hello family,

I didn't want to send this to absolutely everyone because I do not want to allow the "praises of the world" to ring in my ears. So, I am just going to share it with each of you.

Miracle of the week-

Not sure how many of you know, but our area right now if you were to drive from one end to the other, would take about an hour and a half. The town I cover is more that just Monticello, it is also La Sal, and Paradox Colorado. We only go out to La Sal one day and Paradox one day because that's what seems to make sense to distribute our time. (four wards in Monticello, two branches, only sixish days to work)

Last week while we were out in La Sal the rain was coming down like never before. Utah doesn't typically get a lot of rain and when it does what happens is a flash flood. We just got done with an appointment and were driving to find someone else to teach when we drove across a flood of water going across the road. It wasn't too deep to drive over, so I decided to drive through it and get the truck clean. 

When we got on the other side we could see that the water was following a path towards a home just right off the road. There was a fence outside the house that had some kind of barrier that was redirecting the water, but was still flooding in around the sides of their house. This barrier that the fence had was creating at least a couple feet of water all around the fence. Which made it nearly impossible to get in without getting wet. We stopped and got out to see if they were in need of help at all. After standing on the edge of the water and seeing that there was no way to get in without opening the gate and letting all the water in, I took a step back and gave my best effort to clear the water and the four foot fence. I landed on the fence and took a solid leap off to the other side. 

My companion was having a tough time getting over, so I just went ahead to see if they needed help. I made my way to the back of the house to knock on the door and see if anyone was home. After I knocked curiously wondering if anyone was home, and after not receiving an answer, I started to yell and call out to see if anyone would hear me. A voice came from behind a tree that was blocking my view, but I could see that there was a garden on the other side. As I moved around the tree to get a better view, I could start to see a huge garden that had been the place where the water was gathering. The depth and expanse of water and mud that existed was intimidating. In the mud I first saw an older woman who was reaching out to her husband who must have been at least seventy years old. Her husband was on one knee with the other stuck, and was using a very flimsy plastic green chair to keep himself up out of the very deep mud. It was obvious that he had been struggling for a while to get himself out. 

After taking all of this in within an instant I started to take steps towards the mud that awaited to suck me in. The wife immediately exclaimed, "No! Your clothes are so nice, it's okay!" After looking down at myself and then looking at this older man, I shrugged it off and made my way to help him. As I took a step into the mud, it must have gone up to at least mid calf. Even for a young guy like myself, this was a sticky situation to be in. I reached out and we clasped right hands and I put my left hand under his right armpit to start pulling him up. He was able to gain his footing with care, but was losing one of his boots in the process. I continued to hold him up and reached down to pull his boot more securely on. We then made our way out the mess of about eight feet wide of this deep mud. As we were getting out and onto solid ground, my companion made his way to us and helped keep him sturdy as we sat him down on his porch. He then asked his wife to run and grab his oxygen because he was out of breathe and normally needed it to even survive. 

I don't know exactly what could have happened to this man if we didn't come. Maybe he would have gotten out, maybe he wouldn't have, but I do know that that mans heart was softened. Moments before I arrived he was cursing and swearing up a storm, and then as he started to realize his struggle and what could potentially become of him, he started to pray that the Lord would forgive him and help him out. Literally right after his prayer, I showed up. 

This experience was truly humbling to know that I could have helped someone like that. I'm not the greatest missionary in the world, but I'm grateful to know that the Lord allows me little opportunities like this to help someone in need. I hope and pray that all of you might be able to look for those around you who are "stuck" and reach out to them. In a very real sense, their life is at stake. Our own lives are at stake, and the only way to save them is to lose them. 

I love you all! Sorry this was so long!! The work is going great!

Elder Sandberg

What a Wonderful World!

Monticello Utah, is absolutely gorgeous this time of year. For those of you who have never been here, I highly recommend checking it out, after I leave. The people are amazing and the work is going even better. Words cannot describe the joy that fills my heart each and everyday while out here. 

So for those of you who don't know, I can be a bit of a goober some times. I feel absolutely horrible when I tell this story, but I hope some of you might be able to get some enjoyment out of it. Elder Anderson and I were on splits with a young man and saw some of our investigators walking down the road. We decided to stop and chat with them for a minute and see how they were doing. One of them, who was the father, has suffered severe injuries from different things and has lost his teeth due to his addiction to tobacco. He was with his son and they were walking to the gas station to grab some cigarettes. When we pulled up, we started some friendly conversation and asked how they were doing. The father expressed that he was a dollar short for cigarettes and was implying that we would help him out. As much as I would have loved to help him out, I didn't have a dollar for such a purpose, but recently just bought some sunflower seeds that I like to use so I don't fall asleep at the wheel. After letting him know I couldn't give him a dollar I countered by asking if he wanted some sun flower seeds. There was a bit of an awkward pause, and he laughlingly asked me how he was supposed to eat sunflower seeds without any teeth. I defintitely felt a little dumb and quickly offered his son some who excitedly accepted and took some... What a day... 

Another fun thing happening has been getting to know some of the active members. One of them just returned from his mission serving in Samoa. They had a homecoming party yesterday and it was islander style. We were able to watch PJ shoot a pig, gut it out, and prepare it to be cooked over night. Of course, whenever their is an animal being butchered, I've got to take a picture with it. 

That's all for now! Love the people and the work is going great!!

Elder Sandberg

The Power Of The Atonement

Brothers and Sisters, 

And everything in between,

This week has continued to be an uplifting and inspiring week. Now more than ever in my life am I able to see and understand the power of the Atonement. The changes that have taken place in my life and those around me can only be attributed to a higher power. For those of you who are going to see me on the other side of this mission, and knew me before, the thing that you will be able to notice is when you look in my eyes, there is a burning fire of testimony and commitment to the Gospel. 

These things that I speak of can be applied no matter where it is your living. I hope that we all might be able to come away with a better understanding of our role and responsibility while upon this earth. The goal I am aiming for today is that of missionary work regardless of where you live. 

While being out here in the mission field, there are lot's of high's and low's. Everyday is a new challenge and new thing to be learned. What I have been able to experience is something along the lines of seeing myself in a brighter light. Even to the point of elevating myself and thinking that I am the Bee's Knee's. There have been moments where my teaching and ability to testify by the Spirit are just at an all time high, and with my handicapped perspective, I think that it is as high as I am able to go. I wonder to myself and think, "well, with everything going so well, what can I possibly improve on?", and with such a thought comes the pride with thinking I am okay with where I am at and the rate at which I am moving. The principle that I wish to highlight here is that of complacency. Thinking that where we are currently at the absolute highest degree of potential within every aspect of our lives. Whether it be with Christ like attributes, testimony of certain principles, understanding of the world around us, and everything inbetween. 

The moment that we start to believe that we are no longer in need of change and have an attitude of doing so, is the moment that we are deceived by the adversary. 

The cure can be found in Ether 12:27. Going to him, finding those weaknesses, and then trusting in Him to make them strong. It is found in Mosiah 4:11, recognizing the greatness of God and our own NOTHINGNESS.  It is found in Alma 5:26 where we are asked if we can feel his redeeming love in our lives at this very moment. 

The reason that we are not able to feel the power of the Atonement in our lives, is because our hearts are not prepared to do so. Complacency is just one of the branches of the root thereof, and is one of the snares that I hope we can more fully be aware of. 

So I ask you, how can you apply this to the work that needs to be done in your surrounding area? In your schools, at work, at sports, walking down the street, wherever it is you are. We we are baptized we are making a promise to stand as witnesses of God at ALL times. Mosiah 18:9

I'm out of time, but I hope each of you can see this for what it truly is and act upon the promptings that you receive.

Love always,

Elder Sandberg

Hello, Monticello!

Hope you're all ready for some open brutal honesty from a missionary that you all know here in the Monticello, Utah area.

Right now, I am about 5 hours away from my family, home, girlfriend, friends, and the valley that I grew up knowing. There is a sign that I pass every other day that says "Salt Lake City   293 miles". Almost everyday there is a good chance that I have a common acquaintance with someone back home. I've actually already met one, and I'm sure I will meet another whom I have grown up around as a child.

Almost every person who is preparing to serve the Lord secretly hopes to go to some unique place as their residence for the next one and a half to two years. For some strange odd reason, there has been an idea of our "value" as an individual contributing to where it is we are going. I know this because I myself have fallen subject to such a mindset of thinking. When I first opened my call( and I mean the actual first time. When I steamed it open and read it by myself) I was severely shocked and a little disappointed. I literally asked myself out loud several times, "what in the world is in New Mexico?" After opening my call and trying to wrap my head around the reality of the destination of my service, I was dismayed with knowing that I would not be in some foreign, exotic, impoverish, deprived, and unique place. I found myself thinking that I did something wrong to get sent here. 

Now, after 3 months of waiting for my departure, and 5 months of serving in the field, I have been able to gain a fresh perspective that will shape the rest of my life. Asking myself, "what in the world is in New Mexico?", has brought a very very different image. So, when I ask myself this question, I now start to think of the reservation. I start to think of all the dogs that would try to bite and eat us around every corner. I think of the fry bread and the tortillas that would be served at nearly every meal. I think of the Native American Church and some of it's beliefs. I think of the "traditions of our fathers" and how it has a completely different meaning. I think of the plateaus and half finished mountains. I think of the bumpy roads. I think about the people. About how much I love them and have come to care about them. How I have come to appreciate the individuals and culture that they hold. To have them care about me and give me a promise that I am always welcome into their home. I think about the little miracles that occurred right before our eyes almost every single day. 

And yet, even four and a half months into my mission, I still have the negative and poisonous mindset about where I am called to serve when I get transferred to Monticello, Utah. The negativity and poor attitude sinks in and the adversary slithers his way into my thoughts. Frustration and discontent at every corner. Everyone knows where my hometown is. Most of them have driven past the valley I have grown up in my whole life. Some of them know my family members. The wards here remind me of mine own and the people are just as welcoming. Can anybody say "culture shock"? Completely caught off guard by this change of scenery, I am taken away into a series of negative emotions and feelings. 

How's the brutal honesty for you? Hopefully I have been able to paint an image of the imperfect individual that I am and the character and attitude that I have chosen to embrace. If this image is sufficiently created in your minds, I will continue to be brutally honest.

Jesus Christ lives. He is the Son of the living God and He lives. He has taken upon himself all of our infirmities, pains, sicknesses, sins, and weaknesses so that we too can triumph. He suffered and died, and was resurrected so that we too may be redeemed from our sufferings. Only in and through the grace and guidance of our Heavenly Father am I able to say that my heart is no longer heavy. This area that I am in is absolutely beautiful. The mountains, the trees, the deer all over the place, the houses, the roads, and the people. Everything around me is an absolute wonder and is just waiting to feel the Lord's love shine down upon it. 

Every single day, I am getting fed a delicious and filling dinner. Sometimes we get fed multiple times a day. If there was any chance for me to gain weight, this is it. In every house we encounter there are people who have received and continue to receive the Gospel into their lives. Male, female, old, young, brown, white, and everything in between. What a glorious and grand occasion it is to see so many people being blessed by the Gospel.  What adds to this excitement is the people around who don't have it! There are people everywhere who need what we have. We who already have it, need more of it. Despite the fact that Utah is known for being the Mormon state, there are still people who need to hear the good word of the Lord. Wither you are on this side of the world or the next, our Heavenly Father values every single son and daughter of His. His view and His love is unconditional as to those who stand in need. Through diligent efforts, I too can see and feel this for myself. 

The biggest thing that I am taking away from being here, is the fact that when I get home, I am going to have just as much of a responsibility to teach the Gospel as I do now. Doesn't matter if I am in a branch of 30 people or a ward of 400 people. There is a work to be done and every single one of us has a job to do, and I now know mine. 

Sorry this has been so long, but I hope each of you can see a couple things. First, the Lord can change the hardest of hearts and minds if we look to him. Second, our responsibility for those of us who are members, have a charge and duty to continue to find, teach, and invite. Lastly, I absolutely love my mission. I love the people I have come into contact with. I love the challenges and struggles, and most of all, I absolutely love that I have been given such a great cause to go forth and work, even the cause of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. 

Love you all!

Elder Brayden James Sandberg

P.O. Box 2

Monticello, Utah 84535