Toe Nail March 24, 2014

Dear Mama ja Papanua,

 So the story about my toe. We were playing Sählö. It is Kinda like hockey, but played on a court. Anyway, we were playing and i think It got stepped on...a couple times....Not sure, I just remember checking it after and having it blue, but It is growing back just fine. No worries. I thought it safe to share this one with mom after the fact. Don't you just love how missionaries do that?

Anyway, We were blessed with a miracle early on this last week. We received a partial referral couple weeks ago from one of our missionaries from Kerava. Vanhin Noso. (The same Noso that Annakaisa knows.) He had asked that if we had time, if we would go and try and find an old coworker. We had a general area of where he lived as well as his work place. So we went to work trying to find him, but to find his residence was some what difficult. We went through as many of the buildings as we could, but could not find him. We later tried his work place and it seemed to be closed for some time.

A few weeks later( or last week for us) We went one last time to his work place to try and find this fellow. The only thing we could do was knock on the door of what we had hoped to be the door to the company. Sure enough we had someone answer. We asked If they knew this Salomon. That is when Salomon comes out. We had found him. 

We shared our greetings from Vanhin Noso and chatted for a very short time. But because our visit to his work place was somewhat inconvenient we were just able to pretty much say hello before he had to return to work. Happy that we found him, we were a bit put out because we didn't progress to another topic such as another time we could visit or the gospel. As we were walking away we had a Van pass us that stopped and reversed. 

This is the miracle. there was Salomon, asking if we could get contact information for Vanhin Noso. He gave us his email, before he had to head to another Job.

If we had gone to his work just a bit later we would have missed him. We had such a short window of time that there is no way it was an accident/accedent.  This is in part why as missionaries we "Pray always" which means that we are constantly in tune with the spirit.

That is so exciting to hear that Vanhin Hegland is near the end of his mission. I can't wait to hear his stories. He is a wonderful example to us boys.

It is that time again. I am so deeply grateful for all that Heavenly Father has and continues to bless us with. I am blessed with a wonderful family. Thank you so much for all you do. I love you all and pray for your safety.

Love,

Vanhin Sandberg

Ps. Mom and Dad, Thank you for teaching us boys how to behave and act. We had a dinner appointment yesterday and the mother was pleased that I was willing to do the dishes. Simple things that we as missionaries don't even really think about., but I give credit to my parents.

March 17, 2014

Rakas Moma ja Papanua,

Tender Mercy of the Week,

 "Talking with everyone and going out looking for that "one" a day really does work.

We were able to go on splits last wednesday and one goal that we wanted to focus on is talking with everyone because that is a weakness that both Vanhin Stanley and myself share. 

So Vanhin Richards and myself started out with a blank day. Oddly enough I was excited for it. We started out super strong, We were not letting one person pass us by without us at least saying hello and trying to talk with them. It was so much fun. Although my fear of it had not completely left me We were expecting to talk with the next person no matter what. As we went through out the day doing this we were able to meet some wonderful people. I saw it as a blessing that we had only meet Kind people. 

The Miracle really came as we were heading back home. We were cutting it close to make it on the next train back to kerava, but we were still talking with everyone we could. As we were less than a block away from the station We came up behind two men, one was obviously drunk and I unfortunately judged him.

As we passed by we said our normal "hello" and continued walking. ( planning on not talking to this person.) 

That is when this fellow called us back, in english. 

He asked us if we were the Mormon Missionaries, we confirmed, and were surprised by his next comment.

"I knew it was you. I try and talk to the missionaries every time i see them because I really appreciate what you do."

If that wasn't humbling enough we later came to find out that He talks with the missionaries every chance he gets because they bring a special spirit with them and He always feels better about himself after he talks with them.

We talked with him for the next 20 minutes about his life and prayer.

At the end of our conversation he told us this, " I knew that you were supposed to find me and that we were met to talk. Thank you."

This is what made our entire day of contacting worth it. Ole lives up past Rovaniemi and was only in Järvenpää for a couple of days. But we found him,, or he found us only because we were at the right place at the right time"

Another fun fact, Vanhin Stanley found out this week as we were looking through Family Search that he is related to Mary and Joseph. And a small portion of his Line goes all the way back to Adam.

That was a first for me to see.

Penti is our New investigator. If you could pray for him that would be great. Reino is still coming along slowly.

Thank you again for all you do. I love and pray for each of you. I even tried to bake a cake for Kindsey and Beej, but I burned it. But Fear Not, I am getting better at cakes. Ice Cream fixes everything.

Love,

Vanhin Sandberg

Feb. 18, 2014 Transfers

So little time! As you have heard Tansfer week is this week. Elder Glasgow will be leaving me and Elder Stanley will be coming to Kerava. THis will be my third Change in Kerava. But this is nothing compared to another one of my favorite elders. He has been in Haaga for 10 months. and the last two changes he has been training. Just a bit of info.

Tonight elder Glasgow and I are heading down to Helsinki to pick up my new Comp. And then tomorrow morning Elder Glasgow will be heading to his new area.

Some of the stories I wanted to tell you will have to wait until next week. So I will need you to remind me. Here are the notes to remind me.

Ward FHE

Change call (The curse of elder glasgow)

Great Dal Moodie(prophets game)

Fufu!!!!!!

running after a man with the book of mormon bible.

Elder Glasgow had his birthday this last week. He is now 21. would you be willing to send him a little package? he didn't get anything from his family and I felt aweful. If you could write him just a short little note. He is one of the best elders. I cant wait for you to meet him. He is the example of Christ Like Love. I wish I could have stayed with him another change., but back to him. If you could send him just some thing small that would be great. 

Funny story about his birthday. 

His birthday was on Thursday our planning day so I had decided that I would bake a cake during planning and He. It was a recipe from my cook book from Kim and Beej. Anyway. We made this cake. It was cooking just grand until we pulled it out after its allotted time. It was creamy in the middle....Oh no I ruined his cake! But wait! Missionaries are bright fellows. We can think of something. So we decided to pull our the middle and put all the uncooked goo in the cup cake pan....then the cake would not come out of the pan. 

(Looking back we had the wrong pan all along....ei hyvä)

Scraping the sides we were finally able to get the cake out upside down.

after that we had to put the candles in the bottom because we had not top.

We put the candles in and lit them. (with 21 candles you have to make  wish fast because they start to melt.)

We blew out the candles and started to pull our the candles when we realized we had reuse able candles witha string thingy on both ends...That is when we realized that we put the candles in too soon after pulling the cake out of the oven. So we had candle wax melted all inside this little cake.

This was one of the best times we have had. We just laughed about it. because it was so silly. we ate it anyway, pulling out as much wax as we could. It was grand.

Short story i thought you might like.

We need to go and get my comp now...I am sorry that this is so short. and very fast. forgive all of my spelling mistakes. Know that I love you all and I pray for you every day. Be safe and good.

Love,

Vanhin Sandberg

ps. Elder glasgow was in dire need of new shoes so I gave him my second pair for his birthday. How does my money account look? Am I doing alright?

pss. I sent Kim's chocolate bar to our home address because I don't have their home address. I know that you know what to do. :)

I have just a little bit more time while elder Glasgow finishes up. 

The pictures are great!! I figured that Emmie had some kind of digested food on her. And Jeff's new glasses.........and justin going in to get his checked.................not sure how I feel about this. I may be the only boy without glasses...........Dad and myself. But dad uses his for reading the scriptures so it doesn't count.

TIme to go.

LOVE YOU!!

Vanhin Sandberg

March 3, 2014

Dear Momma and Papanua,

I am pleased to know that you were able to make it to the funeral and back safely. Our example as members of the church reaches far beyond our comprehension. "We morn with those that morn" That means all of our Heavenly Fathers children and even more so family.

 So this week was grand! We had a wonderful zone training with President Packers son, along with Elder Rockwood, Brimhall, and Dykes. We were taught the impotance of Family History, becoming better leaders, and the Spirit of Elijah (Family History again)

I was also given a special spatula from Sister Thelin, because see loves me as well as I am becoming known for my cookies.( Thanks to you)

Back to Family History, Do you know If I have a Family Search account? I don't remember....sadly. We are meeting with our Family History person this next wednesday. We met with him last week as well and It was a lot of fun. I forgot how fun FAmily History is. It was fun to pull out my chart and share it with others. Helps with the Name as well.  Also, could you send me some family stories?

Now for the story of the week.

Saturday Morning Elder Stanley and myself were on our way out to another area called Savio.  It is just under Kerava, but we were going to visit a less active memeber when we received a call from a member asking us if we could bring them two books of Mormon before 7pm. We were also told to call their spouse to make sure they would be home. So after we prayed about it we decided that we did have enought time so we headed back to our apartment to pick up an extra book.

When we got to our apartment we thought it a good idea to call the husband to make sure he would be home for when we brought the books. When we called him we assured us that we didn't need to really bring the books, but that he would receive them on sunday. We got off the phone with him and just thought about it...Ok...Why are we hear? What will be the best use of our time?

We prayed about it and felt that it was needed that we go anyway. After we had already been told not to come. So we head out there. very few people were out at this time so we arrived there very quickly. We come to the door and  receive a call from our member who had just told us not to come.

"Oi Dear Brothern, my wife needs those books tonight! Anteeksi, but is there any way that we can still receive those books?

"Of course, We are here now." At which point I rang his bell.

This is just a small testimony to me the importance in following the spirit, It was just a small thing, but we did the right thing. We even made it to our next appointment on time which was also a miracle.

Thank you for all you do.

I am also greatful for the example you have set for me. I have recenly come to understand what it means to have Charity of Sharing. Just a side note.

The Language will come. I have seen to many miracles not to believe. I have also been able to play the piano the last two weeks. another tender mercy. Joyce would be proud.

I love you and pray for you!

Vanhin Sandberg

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