First Area

Hello Minun Perhe,

I am now serving in a small city up in the north called Rovaniemi. I love it here!! we have one of the best branches. Everyone is so nice and willing to help. Especially with my Language. Really cool story on how President Rawlings finds where we are called to serve and who our companions will be. Once we got off the airplane we had to go through the passport check thing. I no not the name of it, but it took forever. somehow everone got through and i was the only one left to pass thought. I finally get up to the counter and what does the fellow say? i have not a clue, it was in Finnish. It was great. We try and avoid the wide eye look, but he said what ever he said so fast that my face just dropped. I did catch one thing he said. ( how long will you be here?) I told him , just under two years. He thought i ment two months. I then tried to tell him that it was more like 22 months. We finally got it, but he was happy to know that i was going to learn more finnish then i already did. I told him i would be learning much more.

Anyway, that was kinda a Preface to my main story, We meet President and his assitance on the main floor, we then go to the Temple in Espoo and have a chat with him. Everything has been a little crazy, but fantastic. Fast forward a little bit, we finally get back to presidents home and have dinner. Sister Rawling is a wonderful cook. We had Salmon and two different salads, it was heavenly. After Dinner we took a walk down to the Baltic Sea. Water is everywere in Finland. After our Walk we came back and started our interviews...

This is where the story really starts. Already we can feel how spiritual President Rawling is. He just radiates with the love and power of Christ. But he speaks to us one by one. Step into his office and He invites us to offer a prayer to invite the spirit. After the Prayer he Writes a name on a sheet of paper on his desk. Turning towards me He asked me If I know what he just wrote down, ofcourse i had no idea, but he continues to answer. " I just wrote down your area that you have been called to serve in. I just had to look into your eyes to know that. That is the entire reason for this interview. You will be able to find out tomorrow where you will be going but for now we can talk and get to know each other a little better." AFter that we talked about my family and my testimony of the book for  Mormon and prayer. But it amazes me that he is so intune with the spirit that all he has to do is look into our eyes and he knows exactly what he needs. Ofcourse he prayes about it that night to confirm, but it is just amazing! I love my Mission President. He is great. Another Fun Story is on of our recent converts. He was baptized on Saturday in the river. He is another person that is just gifted with the understanding of spiritual promptings. I met him my First day in Rovaniemi,

side note, to get to Rovaniemi you take a night train. I thought Jordan would like that. You sleep on that train all night and in the morning you  are still not there. It is like Driving to California. It takes about that same amount of time.

Anyway, when i met him he told me " your are suposed to baptize me." We got to Rovaniemi on Wednes day and I was baptizing him on Saturday. I wish i could understand it better and explain it better, but He knew and now I know with out a doubt that I was suposed to baptize him. It was a wonderful Spiritual experience.

I know you are wondering about his name, but that comes with Finland Privacy law. I do know know it completely well, but Names and persons information are very delicate. We can just Refer to him as Veli Y. I think that is ok.

 

He is one of my Favorite people, Heavenly Father has prepared him for the last three years for me. I was ment to come and meet him. I know it and he knows it. It is beautiful how the lord works in the details of our lives.

 

Now about my wonderful Companion, Vanhin Speirs. We are very similar in many ways. again, the Lord knows me and what i need, working in the very details of my life. He is great, willing to help me in every aspect of missionary work. he is what we call my Grandpa, it is two groups ahead of me. He spent twelve weeks in the MTC and has now been in the Country i think 12. i am not quit sure. Anyway, sorry if i have not answered all of your questions, Time is never long enough. I love you all so very much. I prayer for you All through out my day. The mission is hard, i am not going to lie. But you help me get through my days. Just praying for you and remembering you helps me get through each day. I love you. Cant wait to hear from you again!

 

Love yours,

Vanhin Sandberg

Mission President

Brother and Sister Sandberg,

This picture was taken the night your son arrived in Finland.  It is truly a blessing to receive such well-prepared missionaries.  Your son will love his mission.  This is a wonderful country.  Enjoy the many blessings you will receive as your son serves his mission.

Pres. and Sister Rawlings

With Love and Best Wishes,

Sister Lynne London

Mission Secretary

Finland Helsinki Mission

Neitsytpolku 3 A 4

00140 Helsinki

Finland

Phone: 09-6962750

Arrived in FINLAND!!! 6/18/2013

This picture is from before he left 

I needed a picture on this post.

Surprise e-mail I received today!

This is just a quick email from the Mission Presidents home. We made it safe and sound. We are all very tired. Long time flying and waiting in airports. I love you all, it was wonderful talking to you on the phone.

We are a Happy family TEAM!!!!

Vanhin Sandberg

Last Email from the MTC!!!

Last Email from the United States of America,                                    6-13-2013

Who does that make you feel? Do you remember what it was like when we were coming to the MTC and how I really was not nervous? It is kind like that right now. We are all just scrambed about trying to get everything done before we leave. We have Three Days left!!!!! We are so ready to go. We have been praying for these people for months now and in 84 hours we should be out there meeting them. sorry my math could be a little off. We got our flight plans. We leave monday at 7;30. From Saltlake to Chicogo and from Chicogo to Manchester England and then to Finland!!!!! Should be there on the 18 of Kesäkuu. 15.00 Hours.

Cool story that i forgot to put in my last email. Kims MIssion Presidant came and spoke at one of our Devotionals. I thought it was pretty neat. I told my friends that He was MY Sisters MIssion Prez. Calister Right? Any way. Guess who i saw today. Jose Mallgaones. (sorry, i kknow i spelled that wrong) I had no idea he was one of the teachers here. It was great, One of the few times that we travel to the Main MTC we just enter the gates and I see this teachers. my mind is saying.....he is looking at you.....and he looks really familiar.....SHOOT POCket ITS JOSE!!!! We were able to talk for 5 minutes because of our time crunch, but it is just another testimony that the Lord knows our needs. I didn't know that i needed that until After it Happend. It was just a sweet experience for me. I have also been able to see many of my friends here. One of which is Sister Hadlock. I do know have her INFO. I left the main mtc before i could get it from her, if you could some how get that for me it would be great. Along with Kristen and Mario. Bishop Rays daughter. I had a random thought to write to me Primary teachers. Gotta Love how that spirit works. 

Were you able to log onto my Missionary email and find the Picture?

If not my username is jeremygordonsandberg

and my passward is jkjjjkkkj

 

I do have a couple things i would like sent to me... i hope it is not too much. I never want to be a burdon. But the electric razor would be nice, my Family pedegree chart and some family history stories.  If you could Find Sister Hadlocks information that would be great too. Elder Austin Nixon too. He is in The Great Out back. He mom....Wanna keep my silky/wookie ') safe for me? I might want it later. I dont know yet.

Is There anything you need from me? Anyone you need me to pray for? I am Doing Great. When you know that you have to Creator of the Universe on your side nothing is too much.

Kindsey..I need you to find me a Navajo Book of MORMON. and hold onto it until i get back. My branch president went there on his mission. well speaking that Language.

Wow....I love you all so much. I assume mom will share this part. Do you realize that you have helped get me here. This is part of YOUR fault. How does that make you feel? I hope it makes you feel Mahtava!!! Because you have helped prepare me to go out and preach this gospel too people that our Heavenly Father has sent and prepared for me. And bring them to this Gospel.

that is my preaching moment. IM good.

I have made so many friends here at the MTC. I have The best Teachers. Which, MOM, i will be sending you Veli Boyers information probably next week. He is one of my new best friends. I want to stay in contact with him so if you could possibly help him and his wife get my emails that would be great!

Happy Birthday JEFFY, I did not forget. Along with I DID not forget my Parents ANnaversery. english. i cant remember it. sorry about the spelling. tottally fine.

How is my family? IS everything good? Have my little sisters seen any good movies lately? superman came out recently yeah? My new favorite movie is the TESTIMENTS, of one fold and of one shepard.

DAD, this movie reminds me so much of you. I wept through the entire thing because i would think of how great of dad you are and how i was such a rebelous son and you still loved me. Dont worry mom. I have other things for you. Mary the mother of Jesus. Read in JESUS tHE CHRIST when Jesus turns the water into wine. MOM, you remind me so much of Mary and of Emma. I love you so much. Every one here knows the Elder Sandberg is a MAMMAS boy and that he loves his parents. I honor my name. Vanhin Sandberg. The TRC Finns love that i have Swedish name. THE LOVE IT! Wow, today is such a good day. I love you all so much. Have i said that enough?

ANother question. What is my Line of authority in the priesthood? just a random question i had.

Could you also send me a Calendure.akdjjfadhf with the families birthdays and other important dates. i want to send home chocolate like jeff. That is another thing Veli Boyer needs. I hope you get to meet him some time. He has changed my life. I look up to him so much. Veli Hamner too. You can get his email off my email too if you want. Each of my teachers have helped me in such a way that no one else could. These men really have been sent to me. I have no doubt. I love you all tosi Paljon. If you need anything else let me now. Thank you all so much for what you do for me. I feel your prayers. I love Justin, Kezia, Emily, Kim, Beej, Ellie, Peter, Jon, Kai, Jeff, Kindsey,Kaylee, Kelsie, and Jordan. and our little animals. I pray for each of you every day. Know that there are more names I am mindful of all. That is a gift I have been given. I love you. Unitl Finland!!!!!!

 

Vanhin Sandberg. Signing out for the last time in America!!!!!!!!