Start of week 13

We received his e-mail YEA!!!! No worries this time.

Dear Mama,

I am alive. The Londons gave me a call to asking if I had emailed. If you dont ever receive and email and want to get  on and look at my emails that is fine. Sounds like life is crazy back home. I love hearing all that is going on. Is there anything I can do with? Just let me know. Our weeks go by so fast. Our days at times seem to be drawn out but our weeks just fly by. I am going on my fourth week out in the field. Can you believe that? I am having a hard time wrapping my head around it. I feel like i still just got here. My companion likes to joke and say that i will be training on the next change. He had that happen to him. So, if that happens to me then it is all Vanhin Speirs fault. That is great to hear that you had dinner with Annakaisa and George, I hope all it going well with them. 

Love Vanhin Sandberg

Moma, Email has off schedule today so I am now able to finish emailing. It is 17:43 We left Bible study a little early so our branch president could have another priesthood holder here while he help interviews. Our Branch President looks just like Mr Gru from Despicable me. Has anyone seen the new movie yet? My Companion and I see the posters every day and he want to see it. It does look cute. Has anyone seen the Man of Steal? I want to see that one when i get back. 

Is there anything that I can do for the family? It sounds like everyone is doing well. Keep me updated on Beej, Two Kidney stones! That must be awful. 

Next week we get a mini missionary. He will be a native Finn that spends one week with the missionaries.  I dont know a whole lot about them, but we have been chosen to help train one. It will be a wonderful experience. Have you talked to Veli Boyer and Amy yet? 

They are wonderful people. You will love them. 

How are Grandma and Grandpa doing? I know I dont say it a whole lot, but I do miss everyone. May be I do say it a lot. I Do not say it individually. We are very busy on our P days. Our normal schedule is we wake up at 6:30. Exercise until 7. Eat and shower before 8. personal study from 8-9. companion study from 9-10. 10-11 is Language study. 11 we come to email. that takes two hours easily. and then at 2 we had a lesson with Hanna. at three we had lunch. 4-6 is bible study at the lutheran church and then we go get food. It may not seem like a lot, but it really is. Monday is our most busy day. and we only have three hours of missionary work. We still contact every place we go. It is great. 

I love you all. Sorry this came in two separate emails. I pray for you ALL the time. Love ya

Vanhin Sandberg

Returned e-mails

While talking with Kim she mentioned it was too bad I couldn't get into Jeremy's e-mail.  the light bulb then went off.  I had his login.  So I got into his account to see if he had gotten our e-mails and sure enough he had and ours had just come back with an error message.  What an answer to prayers.

As I got back into my e-mail program to look up his login I found this e-mail in answer to one I had finally sent the Mission Office.  So Kind!

Dear Sister Sandberg,

Thank you for your email and certainly your concern for your son.  As luck would have it, or tender mercies, we just saw your son yesterday while visiting many of the missionaries in Finland.  In fact, this morning we are getting ready to head south from Rovaniemi.  Yesterday we stopped by his apartment and visited with him and his companion while we dropped off some supplies and checked on their apartment.  They have a brand new apartment that looks great and they both seem to be doing just wonderful.  They took us on a tour of the new chapel in Rovaniemi and we left an A&W Root Beer with them.

Elder Sanberg talked to us about his Swedish ancestors and his brother's mission to Sweden.  We also talked about their recent baptism in Rovaniemi, which is always a exciting topic of discussion here in the Finnish Mission.

I will give him a call this morning on our way out of town and see how they are doing.  You should have received an email by now as they said yesterday they were on their way to the chapel to email their parents.

He is a wonderful young man and appeared well and happy.

Please let us know if you have any more concerns.  We love all the missionaries as our own sons and daughters, and certainly your concerns are our concerns.

Love,

Elder and Sister London

Dear Perhe,                                                                           July 1, 2013

First. My week was great!

Second. We email from the branch church building.

Third. The sun never goes down. It is kind at an angle all day.

Forth. I have not bought a bike yet. My companion already has two, but one of them is like tempting fate. Or playing dice. So we are buying a new bike today or tomorrow.

Fifth. My companion traveled with me. When we ride the night train we get on the train about 7 at night. We sleep all night and then when we wake up we are still not there. I compare it to driving to Disneyland. About 14 hours i think. 

I promise that I do have pictures. I have just not yet sent my card off. I know how you feel Momma about this writing thing. There is so much that goes on during the week. And trying to share it in so little time is hard. I will tell you one thing. We had an experience this week where we taught some monks. We actually went to this Hindi experience sermon. We first met this Monk on the street. He didn't speak Finnish, but he was from Sweden. anyway, he talked to us a little bit about his religion and we gave him the first lesson. He gave us free tickets to this Sermon where their head monk from India would be coming and speaking. The Head Monk is from California, but has lived in India for the past 40 something years. Crazy. But we went to this Sermon. We had permission. And we actually met one of our investigators there, but after all of this Sermon thing The Head Monk was introduced to us. We are the only Mormon Missionaries in Rovaniemi. We talked to him for over an hour. It was fun.

I kinda lost my train of thought, I had to start this email and then come back to it. We have Bible study at the Luthern Church every monday at 4. We count it as a missionary work.

How is everyone doing? I am glad to here that everything is ok with Justin. It is always wonderful to see the hand of the Lord in our daily life.  I know I am able to see it. Slowly at times, but I am able to see it.

I am so sorry that I cant remember what I wanted to tell you before. There is so much to tell and so little time that we get a little scatter brained.

My Greeny Hunger has kicked in. I have started to eat everything. We cook food for four people at least and then I seem to eat for three or two. I dont know how much i weigh now. 65kl i think. I dont know.

I hope you all know I love you. I think of you often. Everyday has a new adventure and I wish you understood the support you provide just as the memories in my mind. I say this often, but you have all helped to get me to this point. You have prepared me for the people that have been prepared for me. Heavenly Father works in the details of our lives. Always remember that. John 16:33. Our Christ has already over come the world. We should be of good cheer. I love you all so much. I am sorry that we are getting the brunt end of this tiem. I let my companion go first so that he had plenty of time to email. We did this all after gettting food and right before bible study. So I have had a little less time. But that is all ok. I will send pictures next week. Remember that you are Remembered! I love you futher then the sun shines. Cant wait to hear from you next. Yours,

Vanhin Sandberg

Hey Perhe,                                                                               July 8, 2013

I dont know why you did not receive my last email. I know that i sent is. Weird. Sorry sorry,

How is everyone doing this week? sounds like Lagoon and the Fmaily part was a success. We have a new investigator. His name is Abel, He is awsome. He has one of the best laughs. I know you want a list of names to pray for. First names are what I can give. I think.

We have Sirpa and Dmitry, They are recent converts, Dmitry was the follow i baptised. You can pray that the finnish peoples hearts will be softened. They love the missionaries, until we come and what to talk to them. They admire what we are doing at such a young age. I told my Companion that they are a form of Hermit people. They like to keep to themselves. Which is not a bad thing. It is very nice at times, but it can be difficult talking to them about this Beautiful Gospel when they dont think they have time for it.

Geoffrey and Silvia also just need prayers to help them in their individual lives.

I dont know if this is bad to say, but if or when you come to Finland, you must come to Rovaniemi. So many people that you have to meet. They are wonderful here. All fo our investigators need prayers too, but those are specifics that i can think of right now.

Momma, I am very sorry that you didnt get my email last week. I is on my account with a picture attatch from our talk with our Monk friend. So You can get that picture and post it on your blog. Which reminds me. Nick and Amy Boyer. I will be sending you and the family some chocolate. I will also be sending them some chocolate too because you have too meet them. You will love them. I just know it.

Could you also send Birthdays schedules to me of everyones birthdays? I feel awful that i cant remember everyones.

How are Jonathan, Jeff, and Beej keeping up their language? That is super important to keep up. says so in PMG.

Do you have a Crapes Recipe that you could send to me? We have bee craving crepes. Sorry i dont know how to spell that. But those really thin pancakes.

another question, Will you ask Leah how she sings the wide vowels? Because in Finnish we have these wide our flat letters. Ä. Ö. Y. They fit different in your mouth and when I sing these are very flat, I noticed this in our branch. I want to be able to fix that in my own singing. Kiitos.

YOu can contact Nick Boyer by his email and cell

(nicholasaboyer@gmail.com)

and 509- 638-7429

Call and or email him and his wife soon, because he is one of my new best friends. he was one of my teachers in the MTC. They just live in provo.

Random request too. Do we have any more of those braces floss. like the needle threaders but for teeth? mine broke...and i dont and any more.

Is there anything i can do for you? Sorry again that my email didnt go through last week. I pray that this one will today. If not i will expect a call from President Rawlings or Sister Rawlings. I love you Family. You are great. Sorry if i did not answer all of your questions. Time is never long enough. I even limited myself. I emailed my Brothern and left plenty of time for my Perhe email. I just love you all so much. Is everyone doing all right? no more scary work experiences like justins? I have not seen a hand written from Kindsey yet ;) she is out dating too much, i bet.

My companion is from Idaho. He has only been in the country three months. And he is training me. We are just that cool. I love Speirs. He and I get along great. I promise to tell you more about him next week. Reminding me would help. I love you again. I pray for you. If you need anything just let me know. I will also pray for anyone that you cant think of that really needs it. Love you!!

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

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!!!!!!!!