Week 28 "We are running out of time to do this work."

Dear Family,

Jamie reminds me of a Member back in Roi, Jarvis. He was the one that stayed in finland after his mission to be in the army. The next time you talk with Gwen our Jamie and their family give them my love. I love and miss them as much as i do my own brothers and sisters. I love the pictures. always nice to see that family members are still there.

We are really fighting a war. Not a war of mortal life and death, but a war between something much greater. Salvation.

In our last district meeting we had a quote that was shared to us, by a fellow missionaries father who just became Stake President. In his email to his missionary son he shared his experience of meeting with Elder Nielson of the Twelve and how he shared a very important phrase.

"We are running out of time to do this work."

If that doesn't just send a shiver down your spin. We don't know how close we really are to the second coming, but we know that we need to be ready. And my Job is to prepare those that have forgotten their "previous training" ;) (Since we are talking about Jamie and being warriors.)

What a blessing it is to share this precious gift with others. The beautiful news that Jesus is the Christ and he has prepared a way for us to return to Him and our Loving Father in Heaven.

Reino was able to come to church this week. That was a wonderful blessing he is making friends with our members very well. We are hoping he will be able to make it to our Ward activity this week. Valentin, Dimitri, and Ville are some that you could pray for. That would be wonderful.

Thank you again for all you do. I love you all so very much. Keep up to good work. I am proud of you and think of you everyday.

Love,

Vanhin Sandberg

Week 27 Our Captain is at the Helm

Dear Family,

We had a wonderful week! Both Elder Downs and myself are still getting used to the new area of Kerava, but things are still working out great for us. We had exchanges on Dads Birthday. So that was fun. We had a bit of greenie power going on. I was working with a brand new companion on tuesday. He has only been in the country a week and a half.

I was a little bit nervous because i still have times that I don't understand. But When we Give everything to the Lord he makes up for the rest. Elder Alhquist ( think that is how you spell it) We had a blank day. we only had two things planned for that night and the rest of the day was open. We did have a hard time finding places, but we were having so much fun together. The first couple of places we stopped by no one answered, but when it came time for our first appointment we made it there right on time, so things are going good. We get in to our members house and i realize. This is all in Finnish. My Companion wont understand anything. POOF Miriacle. We understood enought that we had a wonderful visit with them. After our member went with us to a teach. To our one investigator that speaks only finnish.

The LORD makes up for everything right?

We had a fantastic lesson. The spirit was there, we both understood what was going on! Elder Alhquist invites him to be Baptized and then....

Elder Alhquist and myself cant understand anything. EVerything was going great. And then nothing. I felt as if I lost all of my language. We barely made it thought the rest of the lesson by asking if we could have a closing prayer.

We both get out of this lesson just praying that everything went alright.

When we get into our members car we were feeling a little down at this point. He offers to drive us back home. And that is when we asked him how he thought our lesson went.

"That lesson Was Amazing!"

Even When we didn't understand what was going on our heavenly Father did. Our member understood and he helped take over. He Told us that we said everything that was needed. Everything went the way is was supposed too.

By the end of the night i was just amazed at how  the Lord really does just make up for the rest. We gave as much as we could and he took over for the rest. even if that means we go throught a small panic moment. Our Captain is at the Helm. He knows better then we do.

You are wonderful. If you need anything let me know. I love you and pray for you ever day.

Love,

Vanhin Sandberg

Week 26

Dear Perhe,

Another wonderful week In the Kerava town, We have been able to get to know more of our members and have contact with our Investigators. Our ward is just opening their arms to us. It is wonderful to see. We have set a goal for this week that we will teach more than twenty lessons. Our goal is 24. This is a mix of all members, less actives, investigators, and Potentials. In our last zone meeting we were given the promise that if we had more than 20 lessons every week our baptismal dates and baptisms would double. Our zone leader quoted President Perry. We have made wonderful goals to help us accomplish this. We are excited to see the growth that will come.

little bit of an update on Kerava,

I have wondered If George and Annakaisa have family our friends here in the south. I am so glad to hear that you are able to spend time with their family. It is your little piece of Finland.

Thank you for the story you shared about Jeffrey and him shoveling snow. Those are some of the best moments in missionary work. And Mummos, they are just the best. Sister Helander is my adopted Mummo.

We have had a lot of rain the past couple of days. We had snow up in Roi, but coming down to the south it was still a little bit warmer so no snow yet. Lots of Rain and Fog.

Yesterday we had a wonderful Fast. normally I am not able to keep myself happy when I am fasting, but yesterday It just felt easy. We had planned it that we would go 24 hours, and we would have a DA at the time of our 24 hour mark. I had much that was on my mind that it was easier to go without food. I looked forward to it as well.

And your story about Jordan and receiving the candy. That really touched me. Those people may not have realized what that ment to us, or even to me. I had to read that twice. I was really sweet to me. It just goes to show that Heavenly Father is really mindful of my family even when I am so far away.

Hey Dad,

Happy Birthday!!!!!!!! Thank you for all you do! Thanks for the update.

Love,

Vanhin Sandberg