February 24, 2014

Dear Momma ja Papanua,

In answer to the first questions.

 Jeff also showed me the picture of you and the Mikkolas.  All Alste Mikkola said was that they met you.

Yesterday was ward conference and I had a womand from another ward come up to me and asked who I was and who was in my MTC group. Half way through the conversation I had to speak in english, because It was going beyond me.

She knew that she had heard something about me from other missionaries, but she couldn't quite remember. With out thinking I ask what Her name was. She said Mikkola....did You have a son that served in Sweden?....yeah....Well he served with my brother.

THats why your name was so familiar!! Right then her husband came up asking the same question. Sandberg....is this the same family....

That  is the story with the Mikkola perhe.

 1. So what can you tell us of this meeting???

Ward conference. It was Grand. I am still having a hard time understanding what is going on, but Sundays are still one of the best days.

 2. Also are Vanhin  Glasgow's parents members? 

They are both members.

 3.  Vanhin Stanley is from ?? How long out?  How are things going?

Vanhin Standley is from West Jordan, He is a 2 months older than me in the mission. And we are different. Still finding things out between us. He is shy so i have to rip information out of him.

 4.Your reminders of last weeks stories.

1Ward FHE

I just have to send you the words It is weird to explain. Super fun for american missionaries who don't know what is going on.

 2Change call (The curse of elder glasgow)

The last 3 companions of Elder Glasgow have trained after he Left. So....I was not worried on bit......I lied. I was really scared that I would be training, but I broke the trend and no Vanhin Stanley is with me.

 3Great Dal Moodie(prophets game)

You can play this came with the Organization of the church! The Prophet, his apostles, ect. It was a brain spark moment.

 4Fufu!!!!!!

Last sunday we had fufu at a memebers house. It is a african dish where you eat with your hands and it is like mashed potatos in soup and it is so good. Hot and spicy. I wonder if Ethan has had it.

 5running after a man with the book of mormon bible.

Elder Glasgow and I were just about to get on our train home when we saw this guy holding a book that look just like a finnish triple. The doors to the train open and he walks out and we are almost on when we decide to go and talk to him...well he was a fast walker so we had to run after him. took us 5 minutes to catch up to him from weaving in and out of people. We got up to him and asked about his book ( we really thought it was as Book of mormon) It was a Bible and He worked at some Helluntai church and was in very much of a hurry, but for the short time we ran after him it was interesting to think. Who is this man with a Finnish triple? Why have we not seen him at church.

 I missed Jeff's funny picture this week. Has he thought of any of his past object lessons?

In answer to your question about the language...It is still coming, I have to remind myself that I am a perfectionest and I can't be perfect. Understanding and Speaking are my tough points. But It is getting better. I pray for the gift of tongues everyday.

Sorry that my stories are all just thrown at you. I will be better about it next week. Thank you for your emails. It is always a blessing to be able to hear from your family. Thank you for all you do. until next week.

Love,

Vanhin Sandberg

Feb. 10, 2014

Dear Momma ja Papanua,

I thought you might like to remember that I am in a European country. Did you put that picture up on your blog? Because of the difficulty in the MTC of sending pictures I forgot to send the picture of Matt so I was gently reminded last week and Sent it. I am pleased to hear that it was received by his mother. What I remember was just passing Matt and telling him."Elder....Hey...um, My name is Elder Sandberg and My Mom knows your Mom and my Mom wants me to get a Picture with you as well as give you a hug from your Mom."...All of his Mission buddies thought it was great, but he was kind enough to let a strange missionary give him a hug and picture from his mum. So that is the story of Elder Matt.

Just a couple hours ago Elder Glasgow and Myself were able to visit the Fazer Chocolate factory. The Outside smelled too much like Cookietree. The Alhovuori family is another family that you will need to visit as well as Brother and Sister Russ. So as a side note, If you come and pick me up that will have to be an activity to visit. That also reminds me of my other thought....What if you didn't come and pick me up, but we came back for Mom's Birthday and my late Birthday? Just an idea to pray about. I haven't thought about it too much, but when Vanhin Lamoin visited with his parents it made me start to think. But, Fun story about being guided and not realizing it.

Today after we visited the Factory, We stopped in Koivukylä to get some Kebab. ( Side note, I know this is not the best way to spend the Widows Mite, but we have somewhat of a potential at the Kebab shop. And we visit enough that they know us :) its is also cheap. ) After we came back to Kerava and went straight to shopping.First store we stopped at was closed. Which is never closed on Mondays, but today it was so we finished our normal shopping and went home. After we returned home we unloaded and decided to head for the church to email. On our way there we passed a man that looked as if he was in pain. Before we could talk to him he was asking if we could help him carry his bags. Some how he knew who we were. We picked up his bags and they both seemed to be 30 plus pounds. But we walked with him and as we talked he was asking about the past missionaries that were here in Kerava. Come to find out He as a former investigator and now wants us to come back with a Mk ( Mormonin Kirja) and Bible. 

If we had not passed at that moment we probably would have missed him. Way cool!

This last week we also had our First potential "Stood us up". We waited at the train station for 30 minutes and he never showed. 

Does Jeff or Ashley Pahl remember any cool Object lessons that they used when they were on their mission? I Remember Jeff sharing one about a Coin, water, a cup, and a plate., and the object was to get the coin out of the water dry. If he remembers any I would love to hear about them. Which leads me to my next thought.

Veli Russ. One of my favorite people. Both him and his wife are converts. We met with them on Saturday and talked about the Restoration and what it ment to them. Veli Russ told us that the first time he had ever heard about the Restoration it was in connection with a car. 

"When Jesus came down to earth He brought a Car. The car was in original condition. But through time the Car became distorted and different. For the car to come back to its original condition a Restoration would be needed."

Sister Russ mentioned the Restoration as a Mirror. The Gospel is just like a full size Mirror and with the Apostasy it became broken. Different Religions having a piece of that mirror. Just like other churches have partial truth. To bring the mirror back together it needed to be Restored."

Those were some cool thoughts that I had. 

It was great hearing from you again. I love you all very much and I pray for you eveyday. Be Safe. Be Strong.

Keep The Faith.

Love,

VS 

February 3, 2014 Secret Agent Tuc and Roll

Dear Moma ja Papanua,

I always look forward to the time that i am able to hear from you. The Stories are wonderful. I have made sure to let everyone know that it is my Nieces or Brothers birthday. Fun Story, Nick lives in the same zone as me. Not my ward, but very close. That is why i asked. I remembered Sister Asay saying something about it long ago., but I am glad to hear that you were able to celebrate the Girls and Jonnys brithday. Is the cake a Frozen Princess cake. I saw a book about it today. 

Fun story about today. We had a District activity today down in Helsinki.  And we went to a food place called Vapianos. Maybe Annakaisa knows about it. maybe not. It is popular with the Helsinki missionaries. You can have Pasta, Salad, and Pizza. They  make all to food right in front of your as you order it. Very good. I would have pictures, but I was talking the pictures for all the other missionaries so I will ask one of the Sisters in my Distirict to share some., But that was a fun Short story, The first picture is of me in front of a famous Statue in Helsinki. It is also one of my favorite.

Moving on...for obvous reasons....haha

Ok...with this next story you need to not judge too harshly. Keep that in mind.

Elder Glasgow and myself we coming home from a teach out in Sipoo (our swedish speaking area) Veli Tiits was giving us a ride home as well as his mother in law. The city the his mother in law live at is just one train stop away from Kerava so we thought it would just be easier to catch a train from Savio and then ride it to Kerava so Veli Tiits could not have to drive up and back again. So we did a secret agent role right out of his car in the middle of the snowy street! (Worry not, no cars were coming, but it was still fun.) Once we got to Savio station we had this bright idea to take the train down to Korso (The opposite way) and hope off the train and then hope on the next train back to Kerava. (This was to help us contact and keep warm) (staying warm in -5, real ruff ;)

Anyways, we got off at Korso and found out that the next train didn't come for another 12 minutes. So we had to sit and wait. As restless boys we found it fun to kick the snow around. That is when Elder Glasgow gets this bright idea. Lets kick the snow onto the tracks.....While a train is coming! 

I didn't think he would do it, but He did. A High Speed train going 80-150 Kmh. He football kicked a snowball at the train. and we just watched it explode. The snow that is. Way to much fun!

The best part of this story is that we shared with the Tiits family a spiritual message about Family Missionary plans.  And were able to visit with there home teachers as well. So we now see what a day full of fasting can do to two missionaries.

update on Reino, he was not able to make it to church. He has been out skiing the past two weeks, but we are still in contact with him. We recieved a phone call from a former investigator asking if we could meet again. So Dimitri is again meeting with us. So that is nice. We are working with our Ward on the Member role plays. Using the questions of the soul, word game, and others. Within the next few weeks we will be sharing these Role Plays with the RS so we are looking forward to that.

Bishop, How are Porter and Jessie doing? Were you able to meet with them? Do you want me to Write up a personal testimony in Finnish for the Elders in our Ward? English and Finnish?

Thank you for the update on Junior. He is just a good guy. I don't think there is a week that goes by that i don't think about my Friends on Swing Shift. Give them my Love and support. I learned a lot from them.

Well time is short and I have one last Spiritual thought. This was a scripture that I found today in my personal study.

3 Nefi 21:9-10

9 For in that day, for my sake shall the Father ^awork a work, which shall be a great and a ^bmarvelous ^cwork among them; and there shall be among them those who will not believe it, although a man shall declare it unto them.

 10 But behold, the life of my servant shall be in my hand; therefore they shall not hurt him, although he shall be ^amarred because of them. Yet I will heal him, for I will show unto them that ^bmy wisdom is greater than the cunning of the devil.

The Missionaries around the world are in the Hands of the Lord. We have left the Hands of our Parents and Put into the Hands of the Lord. And the same is for you. I find safety in knowing that you are under the Protection of the Protector. Remember that I love you and pray for you always. Be good and safe.

love,

Vanhin Sandberg

Week 36 January 27, 2014

Dear Family,

It is always special to me to see the way Heavenly Father is always mindful of you and as Mom put it orchestrates our lives. First off I would like to start out with a fun little activity. All of you who have an Iphone or similar, pull it out. Go to your app store and look for a game called "Bad Piggies" It is a fun little game.It is by the same company that produces "Angry Birds"  And special to me. Because I know the man that created this game. He lives in my ward. So When you look through the credits look for the name of the Creator.

Up Date. Reino was unable to come to church the past two weeks because he has been our skiing. But this last week we were able to have a good teach with him. He is such a wonderful man. The past two times we have visited him he has prepared sandwiches and tea for us. (Don't worry, it is Herb tea) He is progressing ever so slightly, So as you continue praying for him, pray that he will be able to receive answers to his prayers.

We were also able to get in contact with a former investigator this last week. His name is V. V went on vacation over the Christmas break as we were now just able to get in contact with him. Funny story goes along with him.

When we went to visit V we came to meet him and found him about to celebrate for one of his sales. So He has a bottle of Whiskey with him as we were talking.(He was still there mentally.) But when we sat down he told us that he wasn't going to offer us any because we didn't drink this stuff and He doesn't really drink either, but this was a time to celebrate. We were able to catch up with him on how his vacation went and what happened, and to our surprise he got married. 

So for the next hour he tells us how he met his new or soon to be wife. (Not really sure which it is) This is all wonderful, he poured himself a drink , but because we are talking so much he hasn't be able to drink. (The Drinking is also supposed to help him sleep...) We have now been there a while and we both decide that it is time to go. 

Side note, He calls us his "Church Brethren"

So as we are going he tells us about how his wife will be coming in a few weeks and he wants to take her some place nice. Sweden is just next door she he wants to take her on a cruise. It just so happens that He has already booked his room on the boat and his room has 4 beds. But there is only him and his wife. And today his Church Brethren have visited...."Hey, I would really love to take you guys on a cruise with me. It will be great. It only costs about 27€ and we can leave by 17:00 get there in the morning visit and be back by the next morning! What do  you say, it will be fun!"...

Just to let you know Elder Glasgow and myself will not be going to Sweden. We didn't even think to ask our Mission President about it. But we did tell V that we were thankful for the invite, but we were needed here.

I don't know how often Elders are invited to go on Cruises, but it was a first for me. Just a fun little story I thought you might like.

Mom, Could you ask Sister Asay if she still remembers if Nickolas Whamberg is still here in Finland?

I want to say that Sister Asay told me that Nick was still here in finland, but I can not remember. If you could that would be great.

 Here are some fun pictures. I love you and pray for you always.

Also, I think i want to do a Triathlon when I get back.

Love,

Vanhin Sandberg

Week 35 January 20,1014

Dear Momma and Papanua,

We had a wonderful week last week. We were able to have a nice visit with our mission president, have two days of splits, and of course have Church. As i have mentioned before my companion is the district leader in our area so i have the privilege of doing exchanges with missionaries in our area. Well this last week we had two splits days. One with the companionship right next to us and the other with one of the Assistance to the President. One of our most productive was with AP Brown, AP Brown used to be my Zone leader when I was in the North zone. 

When we had Splits with Elder Brown we had the knowledge before hand that he had served in Kerava before. So we asked him who he wanted to visit for his short time back. Side note. We had over 6 teaches that day. It Rocked!

Anyway, We knew that we only had half a day with Elder brown so we tried to plan as best we could and to visit those who our heavenly Father needed us to visit. With our limited time we were able to visit two families that were really important to Elder Brown. One was a family that has the missionaries over for FHE ever other week. The second was an older Mummo. When we went to visit the second memeber Elder Brown shared this story with here of how wonderful it is to have a Father in Heaven who is in charge. Heavenly Father knew elder brown had family here in Finland that needed to be found. And because of this member he was able to find more of his ancestors and open up even more names to his family tree. All of this may have seemed simple, but with more information it became all the more special.

Elder Brown leaves in less than one month. Kerava was the first city he came too and the last time he may have been able to thank this dear sweet sister. 

From my point of view i can see even more.

Our planning has never been so flawless. We were busy all the day long running, i really mean running from place to place, because we had so much to do. Heavenly Father was able to use us to bless Elder Brown and this sister. It was so cool to see. EVery day I am reminded of how the Creator of our Universes and the Father of our Spirits is mindful of even the smallest of things. EVen as simple as letting a missionary say thank you before he retires home.

This was one of the best things that happened this week.

Another fun fact is that when we woke up this morning it was -20 C or -3 F. one of the coldest mornings i have seen. And it is only going to get colder. :) Of course we are staying warm.  No worries.

I am so grateful for the opportunity i have to serve at this time. IN the MTC we were told over and over that we were at the right place and the right time. At how true it is. I see that every day when I am blessed to see the miracle or tender mercy for that day. I pray for all of your that read this my words. Thank you for all that you do. 

Thank you for the up date, that is always appreciated.

I love and pray for you every day.

Love you tons

Vanhin Sandberg

The first two of me cooking are of me cooking Salmon. 

And the cool trick with the cool air out side and the hot fish... just a little boy trapped in a Mans body. 

The last is of this morning. -20 baby!

Week 35, 1-13-2014

Dear Sandberg Family,

In answer to your questions,

So how was your week?

We have had a fairly good week. We had some crazy adventures down in the Swedish speaking part of towns and somehow ended up in a medical compound...I will explain in a little bit.

2. Did Reino come to church again?

Reino has come to church, We just need to really pray that he finds the desire to know that these things are true.

3.  I really am curious as to what your first picture was? I still think it looks like pizza with cheese and that meat with the funny name. oh I remember kbob

The picture what from when Vanhin Glasgow and I were making pizzas. And this little guy was left on the counter and when we tried to move him he was stuck....So he became a roll....and then a monster of food. It just died in our oven so we had to take a picture. But just remember that It was ment to be a pizza at one point.

4.  What were you and Vanhin Glasglow sick with?

Just Change in the weather. We dropped down to about -10 this last week. And before we were at +5. And missionary work can sometimes take its toll on you if you try and just bust through missionary work when you are already sick.

   And what about, Sami and Luiza, how are they doing?  

Sami and his family are doing great, They were a little busy this last week and were unable to make it to our Asian party down in Espoo, but we will be meeting with them this week. So we are excited to meet with them again and start teaching.

   Finally, what's happening with Ville, anything happening with him?   Also, anyone else that you want us to pray for?   Just let us know and we'd be happy to accommodate.

Ville has disappeared. We don't really know where he is....But you could pray for the Helsinki Mission. We are running hard already this early in the year. 

Story time.

Vanhin Glasgow and myself went to Sipoo or Sibbo, It is more swedish speaking area. We have a couple members that live out there and we had a meeting with one of them so we decided to spend more time out there. Well we had an old former that we thought we would go and check on. When we got there we found this Victorian looking compound. And the name is one the picture with the sign. 

We didn't feel so good about this place and our bus was coming so we were unable to find our Former, but it was a fun crazy adventure anyway.

The second picture is to reassure mom that I am eating well enought. Elder Glasgow and myself made taco salad. Very good. I feel like it is a little bit like instagram. Sending pictures of my food.

Dear Jeff, 

Your companion Rautio is going on a teach with us tomorrow. even though he is apart of the Haaga ward, Kinda a tender mercy you could call is.

I also heard the Little girls were fighting over the MTC Sweat pants. Those are probably Jeffs. I have mine with me...so yeah.

Thank you again for all of your prays and love and support. I pray for you everyday. you are never far from my thoughts. 

until next week.

Love,

Vanhin Sandberg

Vanhin Glasglow

Medical  Compound

Week 34, 1-6-2014

Dear Momma and Papanua,

I would first like to start out with a story.

" One day up in heaven Jesus was teaching a class about trails. He explained that he would be taking each person individually and help them choose what their trials in life would be. This is when " Kindsey S. got up. or should I say k. Sandberg"( Side note:name that movie) Jesus put up on a magical board all of the trails in life. Kindsey was not paying much attention so she didn't hear when Jesus said, "Which ones do you think you can handle?" 

Kindsey was focus on a piece of Heavenly Fluff that we associate with feathery things in the air.

So as kindsey was trying to grab this piece of heavenly Fluff Jesus would inturn tak that as her pointing at the names of trials.

"Oh so you want that?....Alright if you say so.

Really you want that one? I might have to dust that one off. Haven't used it in a while."

And that is how Kindsey got all her fun experiences. It might be a little out there, but Vanhin Speirs told me a similar story about his grandma and why she had cancer or something of the sort. 

As i was thinking about it this week I was thinking how we can put our own names in this fun story. We each have our own trials, but we have the perfect teacher with us. Our Savior. Our Brother. THE CHRIST.

Alright, update from Kerava, Reino was able to come to church again this week. We still haven't set a baptismal date with him, but we are praying that we can. Help him build his testimony. Sami and Luiza actually had us over for dinner this past week. They both had a degree in cooking so the food was excellent. We are still just beginning to teach them so we are just trying to set up a good meeting schedule. Ville has been really busy so we haven't met with him yet. But we are still hoping. 

I'm sorry that this week wasn't so eventful. Both Elder Glasgow and myself have been taking turns being sick so we had few adventures. Thankfully we are loads better this week. We did come up with some pretty crazy stories. Maybe add to my collection of Children's books ideas

New years in Finland is crazy. Fireworks are not as restricted as they are in the US. Imagine being in a war zone of color. Fireworks were going off all night long. I cant wait to see it again next year. That was another fun thing that happened this week.

My mind is kinda going a million miles and hour so I feel like i am jumping from thought to thought. 

Jeffrey showed us some really cool object lessons, for FHE one night. Does he still have some. I used one with the tea bag and letting it fly, but I cant remember the dry coin and the water. IF he remembers some that would be great. I would love to have new ideas.

Thank you for the updates. I love you all very much and I pray for you morning and night and imbetween. Be safe and always remember your brother loves you.

Love,

Vanhin Sandberg

Christmas Feast
 Proof to Mom that he does eat

Look at the cheeses 

 Personal Study Time

Started as a Pizza but got stuck to the counter

Changed it to a roll

But said it turned into a monster in the oven