Week 20, Hanna baptized, Vorimo off to the MTC

Dear Mom,

We have had a wonderful week! Hanna was baptized on the 4th and received the gift of the Holy Ghost on Sunday. It was a highlight of our week! Elder Speirs was at her very first lesson and now he was able to baptize her. Vanhin Vorimo left Friday afternoon back to Helsinki and was able to spend a day and a half with them. It was happy with that, and was extremely ready to enter into the Provo MTC. He will be an awesome missionary. He already is.

We also had Vanhin Speirs interview on Tuesday. I guess i forgot to mention it. So i will now. Vanhin Speirs was interviewed by a Finnish magazine. They wanted to know about him. It was great. I was able to help with pictures. Those will be sent to me soon and then forwarded to you. We got an email from the interview today mentioning that the article was ment to go into the magazine two months from now. But apparently it was rushed sooner so Vanhin Speirs read a little bit before. That was something that happend right before i got on.

Bible study went great. There is a difference between teaching by the spirit and then also by teaching by what we know. Vanhing Vorimo and I spear headed it. WE talked about the Temptations of Christ. Bible study usually goes for two hours and for last week there was a mass going on for the new school year. So bible study would have been cut down, but our bible study group loved it enough that when it came time to the Mass, they didn't want to go. So they really liked what we were sharing. That was really nice to hear from them.

The Language is coming. I am still working on rewiring my brain so i can think in Finnish. That great thing about this language is it is completely opposite of english. Word order and everything. What ever i say in Finnish is what is ment. We even have words for the act of blowing your nose.

Remember why I am learning this language is one of the most important parts. I am not learning it to talk to people after my mission or just comunicate better with the members so we can have more/better dinner appointments. I am learning it so that my fellow brother and sister can understand what is important to me and what can change their life. I hold the greatest gift of all. And it means even more to those i teach that i am learning this language for them. Vanhin Speirs and myself had a long talk about this two days ago.

Thing have been a little slow. We have no investigators at the moment. So our finding time has shot through the roof. Friday and Saturday were all day Finding days. It was a jump from where we were at.

Secret side note...

Dear mom, I know you have asked what i wanted for my birthday and for Christmas...well i have tried to avoid those questions. I must be honest. I did. But I have had a thought. I sent money to KIndsey in my last letter to my sisters. I would really like a Joseph Smith ring. I don't have a Ctr ring and I have always wanted one like that. The problem is i have no idea what my ring size is...and I don't want to be a burden in anyway. And somethings i can still buy out here. So things work out....But this was just and idea. I don't really need anything for Christmas. Just letters. Those are still my favorite. Alright, end to secret note to mom. Kiitos.

I still have your package for you. I have been busy and lazy at the same time. I thought i promised last week. But if nothing else i will send it tomorrow or today. I have that letter for you. I wrote it in my "pretty handwriting" as the elders call it.

I love how the Lord is always mindful of us. How I am all the way over here in Finland and he Lord really is right there watching over you. It is so fun to read your email about how Something may happen. Whether it be about Justin almost dying as work or finding out the Jonny picked Kaylee up. (added blessing) Finding Jordan. Can you imagine the Angels that were watching over each and every one of your children. I can. Jordan just sitting there under the tree and you know through the powers of our Father that there were Angels watching over him. The same with Justin. Kim. Jon. and all of your children.

I know this is sounding more deep, I didn't mean for that to happen. But It is just a continual testimony builder to me. How much Heavenly Father is watching over my family. It is wonderful.

Question. Are my emails forwarded to others or are you just putting them on the blog?

Also, next week my emails will by on tuesday. Zone Conference. Just so you know when you don't have and email from me on Monday. No need to call President. I will be with him!haha, bad joke. I love you Tosi Paljon! Keep Praying, because it works.

"Until you tune in next week! I am Elder SandbergReporting from Rovaniemi, Finland."

Love, Vanhin Sandberg

Hanna and Vanhin Speirs.

Week 19, Hanna, Bible Study

Happy Birthday Mamma!!!

I know that I may not be the first or the last, but know that I was thinking about you all day yesterday!

We have had a wonderful week. It still amazing to me how the time just flies by. It has already been a week, but it feels like yesterday.

We are no longer teaching Seraph. One of our members called him and shared his testimony of the gospel and how it is important that we continually read and pray and the joy and guidence it brings. We were worried that Seraph was not progressing and it ended up to be. We had prayed about it, wondereing what we could possibly teach him. And what he needs. When he talked to our member he shared that he did not understand why he had to put forth the effert when a Preacher could do that for him. It has been a little sad for us to see him leave, but he has a book of Mormon and I think that one day he will meet with the missionaries again. He really does love us. He loved talking to  us even if we were just his American Friends.

Hanna is coming very close on here baptizm. We have had trouble with the baptismal date. We started out with a hesident...is that how you spell it. Well we started with a possible date in November, then things worked out that she wanted to move it up to September.

WE were Thrilled. It has danced around from being the 14th to the 21, and to the 7.And  now to the 4th. We are praying to know what is the best for her and what Heavenly Father wants us to do. It is really exciting to see that change that she has gone through. Vanhin Speirs has been here throught her entire process. I know that has been really special for him. Who knows. Mom, might have another baptizm for her birthday.( a couple days late)

By the way. I have a package for you Mamma! BUT...that is a big BUT...I have been trying to get the Chocolate for you. I have been awful about sending it. I wrote a special letter to you and everything. I feel really bad that i have not sent it off yet. But this week I will. :) Chocolate. I got that gene from you. Speirs and Vorimo have had some funny experiences teasing me about it.

eh hem....like eating three whole bars in a week....Im not proud, but i have cut it down a lot! :)

Dmitry is also doing wonderful. I think if he was a little younger he would be a missionary if he could. He is great about going to teaches with us. He helped a lot with Seraph. Tranlating into Russian. Hän on minun Brat Moi.

In a couple hours we have Bible study. Guess who was asked to guide it...Vanhin Vorimo and myself.

We are talking about Matthew 4. The temptations of Christ. I will let you know how that goes next week.

I don't talk a whole lot in Bible study, and we had an interesting conversation about it last week. MOM, this is how you know that your boy is being watched over.

So BIble study is at the Lutheren Church down the street. It is a really pretty church. you can probably find it on Google Maps. but anyway. Last week they found out that it was my birthday so they sang to me and we had a wonderful bible study. but at the end of the study. Erikka asked how we could improve Bible study or if everyone liked how we did it. Abel is a missionary for wym. and is very learned in the bible.

He made the comment that he thought bible study would be better if everyone would be forced to share. (picking me out) ( he says he does this because he loves me.)

OH boy, did Erikka and Piirita jump on that. They were standing up for me! Abel didn't win that argument at all. never before have i seen bible study become so heated. It was awesome!

Just a little story showing that Vanhin Sandbery is loved even by the Lutherens.

Our bible study group really love us missionaries. It has been a lot of fun being with them.

Thank you for all you do. I look forward to hearing from you every week. I love hearing how the Heavenly Father is always mindful of you and how each of you are growing.

Hope you all have a wonderful week. Keep smiling!

Love,

Vanhin Sandberg

Week 17 Reindeer, Hair Cut

Dear Mama,

 Hello From High up Rovaniemi. I have actually been to the Santa Claus Park, not the village. We went and took pictures there. Anyway. My week has been great. We had change calls Saturday. So you can start counting the 9 weeks a change. We have been blessed to stay together another change. That doesn't happen very often as far as i know. So Vanhin Speirs will be here in Roi about 8 months and i will here about 18 weeks. Crazy how time flies by. Soon i will be 19, that also is a little weird. It blows some of our members mind that i am only 18. We also have Vanhin Vorimo with us another three weeks. It has been really fun to have three of us together. We have so much fun getting work done. We all get along and work really well together. So this next change will be fun!

How is the PTO presidency going? I got an email from Jerry, It was wonderful to hear from him. Answer to prayer i would say. Don't let it become stressful at all. We have a saying here in Roi. "If you are not having fun, you're not doing it right." I have to remind myself of that. If I am not having fun then i am not doing something right.

We have a soccer field just down the street from us. So that is really cool that he is playing. The Oulu elders have an investigator that plays soccer and he travels all over Finland.

How often do we have a ward campout? that sounds like so much fun! I am glad all of you were able to go. next time you see Steve, will you give him a great big hug from me? He is great, I have learned so much from him and he is another one that has prepared me for these people. I reread my P' blessing two days ago and it talks about my leaders and teachers and how i will glean from their teachings. I thought that was cool.

I am sorry that i am asking for a lot, but could jonny send me a work out schedule? i only have 30 minutes to work out in the morning and we only have our own body weight. So if he as some ideas to help me that would be great.

I will definitely keep Ashley and Nate in my prayers and totta kai I will pray for little Elijah. Prayers are heard. I found that out this week when I was praying about changes. Praying that that will of the child will match that of the Father.

I have not heard about packages at all. But most likely this week. "Don't worry about it." that is my famous quote to say everyday.

Cool story about tuesday. We went tracting in area 8 and we had this feeling to go to this house that looked like it was having a party. At first we were not so sure, but we kept thinking about it so we decided to go knock on the door. We get up to the door and this lady comes out before we can knock and askes what we want. We asked if there was a birthday going on. And she told us that there was not, but a confirmation had just happened that day. Our intent was to sing to the birthday person, but instead we asked if we could sing to the Confirmation....er... She asked who we were and Vanhin Vorimo said that it didn't matter. "You bet it matters if i am going to let you into my house." she exclaimed. we replied that we could just sing outside. Se became nicer when she found out we wanted to sing and not preach. instead of just sing to the one person we sand to all 30 of the family members. And instead of saying happy birthday we sang happy Confirmation. It was one of the weirdest things we have ever done.But it was wonderful. We try and pray always so that we are ready to do anything the spirit directs. And who knows, maybe in the coming years someone will remember the three mormons singing at the confirmation.

I love you all. I pray for you every day. Be Safe.

Love,

Vanhin Sandberg

Pictures July 8, 2013

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