I'm a sucker for punishment!

I apologize for being a complete slacker on doing a mass email to update on everything. The whole week there are tons of things happening and then when it comes down to sitting in front of this computer, I draw a complete BLANK! So, I am very sorry..

 Nonetheless, things are continuing to go GREAT. Since accepting the new calling, I have experienced so much growth. The Lord knows I love a challenge. Nothing worthwhile ever came easy in life.

  Luke 6:22-23 22 Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you, and when they shall separate you from their company, and shall reproach you, and cast out your name as evil, for the Son of man’s sake. 23 Rejoice ye in that day, and leap for joy: for, behold, your reward is great in heaven: for in the like manner did their fathers unto the prophets. 

 Elder Davis and I have had some fun experiences lately. With me being the individual that I am, and with this scripture in mind, I have some pretty twisted ways of getting the new Elders accustomed to the mission. 

 A couple transfers ago when Elder Anderson was here, he and I were looking for the location of our dinner appointment. We wrote down the wrong address and approached what we thought was the correct one. With a BOM in hand and with a stomach needing to be filled, we made our way to the house. Before even getting half way across the street, a woman comes out of the house we believe to be our dinner appointment, and very very upset she yells," no, no, no! Keep your religion to yourself!" Pointing at us and clearly very hostile toward the church, I simply reply, "I'm just looking for dinner!" Needless to say, she did not take kindly to us, and clearly didn't care my stomach was the reason for being at her house. 

 For some reason, this woman has stayed in my mind. Not sure what it is, but I feel a natural draw to her. Not sure if I'm a lunatic or what, but I would greatly appreciate if someone would slam a door in our face, curse at us, spit on us, something just to show that they were not okay with what we are doing. I THRIVE on those moments because it only builds my testimony and there is a promise when it does happen. Little do those people know they are just storing up blessings for us in heaven! So with thinking about this woman, I have taken Elder Deleray and DAvis to this location. 

THe first time, with Elder Deleray, I received the response I was hoping. She expressed that she was Catholic and had no interest in what we had to say. Elder Deleray told her he used to be CAtholic and she immediately responded, "maybe you should go back!" Absolutely great, I know. Elder Deleray was a little upset with me because at first I told him it was a solid referral from someone in the ward and he was all pumped to get a good contact. Nope.. So, now to my point! 

I took Elder Davis there on Friday and received not a response I was expecting. It was the same set up as it was for Elder Deleray, referral, they are super golden, etc. We walk up and there are two men sitting on the porch. The invite us to sit with them. Here I am waiting to receive the fire. Nothing. We sit and talk, ask if we want a water. We accept. Continue to talk and I am completely just baffled! The one who owns the house asks my companion what size shoe he wears. Then goes into the house and grabs these practically brand new brown leather dress shoes and tells my companion to put them on! He compliments my companion, and I forgot he's a little tipsy, and says to keep them! Obviously I was completely caught off guard. Was a little upset that first off, things are going so well, second, my companion just got what appeared to be a 200$ pair of shoes, and third, well, there really wasn't any real reason to be upset.. And then, she arrived. :D 

 Long story short, even though this is already long, she just let us have it! Told us, "to take our religion and shove it where the sun don't shine", yes! Then exclaimed she was "going to call the cops", keep it coming! And as we were leaving, she exclaimed one last time,"what part of go do you not understand?" 

 YESSSS! I love it so much! I definitely plan on going back. Not just to harass the woman, but because there has got to be a reason I feel so drawn to that. I don't know. Maybe you all think I am completely crazy, or maybe just confirmed it. What I do know though, is that what I am doing is ordained of God. I am doing HIs work and there is nothing that can stop Him, so why in the world would there be anything that can stop me? 

I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom, but behold, my joy is fully, yea, my heart is brim with joy, and I will rejoice in my God. I know that I am nothing as to my strength, I am weak. Therefore I will not boast of myself, but I wll boast of my God, for in His strength I can do all things. Yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land for which we will praise His name forever!! 

Ammon's words are my words! I love you all so much and hope you have the courage to stand up for what you know to be true. Make a stand and astound the people around you for the standard in which you up hold. Take nothing from the adversary and give him a punch in his face by making a stand!

Elder Sandberg

Things have been an absolute blast as of recently! Hands down Monticello is the greatest place on the planet. I feel so loved from all these people- members, nonmembers, less active, it doesn't matter. I would be completely fine with staying here the rest of the mission. There is nothing better than driving around town and just receiving love from everyone you see. Most of the people here know who Elder Sandberg is and the legacy that I am leaving behind. My mindset with being out here is to work my tail off while at the same time have a blast with the people I serve. It's amazing to be out here!

Do you know the two things that missionaries absolutely love while being in the field? Baptisms and MAIL! 

The prayers are so greatly appreciated. Especially as of late. Things have been crazy and all over the place. A lot of growth and improvement is evident. That's to be expected though right?

 I've been lifting quite a bit and I drink protein after every workout. The most I have weighed since being out here is 175. That is 30 lbs heavier than when I started!!! Holy cow! 

Monticello, Bluff, and White Mesa missionaries enjoying a view from the very top of the Blue Mountains today during P-day!

Here's the Scoop...

There was no letter from Elder Sandberg this week, but we have the inside scoop that he:

1. Will Be staying in Monticello, UT (this week was transfers) so his address remains the same!  Write to him, send him cookies, etc.  at the following address:   P.O. Box 2, Monticello, UT 84535  Or email him at :  brayden.sandberg@myldsmail.net
2. Has been made a District Leader.  This will come with a lot of new responsibilities, as he will be in charge of reporting for and receiving reports from the Sisters and Elders in his district.  Here is what he had to say about that:  Yeah! I guess it will be a fun experience. We will see. I've been told that training is a sacred trust and I am doing my absolute best to step up to that role! I am now averaging one companion every transfer! It's ridiculous. Usually, a trainee stays with their trainer for 12 weeks, 2 transfers, but we will see!
3. Could really use some letters and support!  Being a missionary is hard work.  It's been 9 months now since Elder Sandberg entered the MTC.  Keep up the love, family and friends!  You can always find his mailing address and email here on his blog.  I will let you know any news I receive!  But as he said on Monday: every P day is completely jam packed with all kinds of different things. 
   

What a Wonderful World!

Hello fellow brothers and sisters,

It's quite amusing how I can be sending an email to my mom last week, probably worrying her, and stressing her out about how I am doing, and then I can be sending and email titled "What a Wonderful World". Anyone like amusement parks? Because this mission is a roller coaster!

I'm not sure exactly what I last sent to everyone, but there has been a lot happening. The work is continuing to take off and our plate is more full than that of a missionary at Christmas dinner. For those of you who don't know, the event of Christmas brought on 6 full out Thanksgiving dinners for my companion and I. My trainer puked... Yupp. and he is on this email list.. So, hello, and sorry for telling everyone you puked...

Elder Deleray is officially on his way to Brazil! A week before transfers means that I will have a temporary companion for a week until transfers next week. This now puts me at having a new companion every transfer, five comps in one area, and a realization that people can only put up with so much of Elder Sandberg. There are going to be 35 new missionaries coming in this transfer and only 20 going home. Pretty sure this is the first time we are receiving more than we are losing. Hallelujah!

This week has brought some serious reflection and I see for myself how much I truly am changing. I am not the same person I was when I left. My desires, ambitions, thoughts, words, and deeds are changed. The same goofiness and craziness that I possesed when I left, is still around. Scaring people is still something I love to do. Sorry, mom. I still stink when I work out, and being a little sarcastic at times is apparent. Although there are little outward manifestations that are still the same, my nature at heart has been changed. It is all possible through the power of the Atonement. I challenge each of you to pray to your Heavenly Father about your weaknesses and short comings. Do a personal inventory and do what's required to improve. I promise as you do so, you will find greater joy and hidden treasures which cannot be found on earth. 

I love you all!

Thank you for your prayers.

Elder Sandberg

I know this is a little old but you might not have all seen it.  This was from the 4th of July.

This is the Utah/Durango Zone conference. 

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