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

Week 33, 12-30-2013

Another week, come and gone. Time just flies by. It still feels like yesterday that I was able to talk to you, but it has almost been a week now. Just like Jon and Jeff, I inherited the superman gene and I am just busting forward with power. I don't get home sick and I think it is because Heavenly Father has answered by prayers and continues to answer my prayers. And the fact I could banter with Kindsey again. We have a sister in the mission that reminds me a lot of Kindsey. Her name is Sisar West. So I have to remind myself that I have to be nice to every once and a while. But I pray for my family every night and I have been able to see the blessings that are given. We may be a world apart, but we are still very close indeed. We had a wonderful thing happen this week. Reino came to church all on his own this last week. We came in right before the sacrament, but instead of leaving after sacrament he stayed for pyhä koulu (Sunday school) We have been richly blessed here with members that are well trained in being missionaries. I am excited to start this new year with a running start. Reino, Sami and Luiza, Ville are some names that you can pray for.

Fun STory for you,

Elder Glasgow and myself were at the store earlier today. We meet a drunk fellow at the check out line. He shared some colorful words with us and decided he wanted to come talk to us closer......Building the drama. We had this young couple in front of us that paid little attention before, but as soon at this man wanted to pass through them the wife or girlfriend stood her ground and kindly told this man that he could move forward and place his items on the belt and when he tried to say more she gently reminded him that others we behind him as well. 

My thought was that Angels come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. Heavenly Father protects his missionaries. I don't think this drunk man could have done much harm, but it was a simple testimony builder to me that others can be inspired too. I have heard other stories where some people will watch something happen and just try and ignore as best they can. I saw a bike crash happen like this. But to see this woman stand up for us was very heart warming. I made sure to thank her as well. Here are some questions for Bishop.

How is Max Knoble doing? 

How is Dean Larson doing? 

What can I do to help Porter? 

I have been blessed with such a wonderful family. Thank you for all you do for me. I have been well prepared by your example to come and preach the gospel to these children, our brothers and sisters. We are at a beautiful time full of miracles happening. I love an pray for you everyday.

Love,

VAnhin Sandberg

ps. I lied, letters are always nice.

Week 32, 12-23-2013 Twelve hours early

Dear Mom and Dad,

In answer to the questions,

I am doing great!

I received my package. Fleece.

Christmas will be spent with the Lintusaari perhe.

We will skype at the Lintusaari's house around 6 or 7. (MY TIME)

Reino is doing well. Keep praying for him and his family.

Ville is our new investigator. Prayfor him if you can.

The missionaries here in Finland broke 100 when I came into the country. If that helps.

Did I miss any questions?

Elder Glasgow....The Great and Powerful District leader. We get along great. I have been blessed with each of my companions. I have not killed anyone...yet. Just kidding.

Elder Glasgow is from Georga. He is an only child. He has been out on his mission just over a year now. It is awesome serving with him. Always nice when you are new to an area because everyone wants to feed you. So everyday this week is filled with meetings with members. We are going on our week mark tomorrow.

Funny Story,

Elder Downs and myself we given instructions from the APs to be in Helsinki by 8 last tuesday. So come tuesday morning we get ready and head off for Helsinki. We get there and we are waiting around seeing if any other missionaries will be at the asema. 8:15 roles around and we decide to call the APs.

"Hello Elder Green, We are here in Helsinki at the appointed hour. What next?"

You are already here?

"Yep, 8 o´clock."

I ment 8 at night.....

(Finland goes off of the 24 hour clock. So 8 sounds just like 8 to us.)

Good thing we always arrive 12 hours early for every appointment. I felt like Dumbledore at the MofMagic.

That was a fun adventure to start of our Companion transfers. I dropped Elder Downs off in Haaga and picked up Elder Glasgow. EVerything worked out just fine.

Second Story,

Elder Glasgow had a package waiting for him at the office. So on our way back from District meeting we decided we would swing by and just pick it up. When we got to the office we could not find is package. after 15minutes we found it under a table. We are about to leave when i noticed a box with disney stickers on it.

I didn't want to go looking at others mail, but I felt prompted to look. Funny I followed that, because It ended up being mine. If we had not found Elder Glasgows package and had to wait for Sister and Elder London we would not have found it. Tender Mercy.

I look forward to hearing from you on Christmas. I love you all and I pray for you everyday. Be good and Be Safe.

Love

Vanhin Sandberg

Quick third story,

Reino was feeling a little sick this last week and so he didn't know if he would make it to church. We know that if he keeps coming he will gain the testimony he needs to be baptized. Elder Glasgow and myself wanted to give Reino something for Christmas. We talked with another member and thought it would be a good idea to give him a Elävä Kristus framed for Christmas. We just wanted to stop by and give it too him. Well when we stopped by he was touched by our kindness to give him the Picture frame, and the Miracle was that He came to church the next day. Not only Sacrament meeting by SundaySchool too! That has never happened. I don't know if he came because of our gift, but it was a tender mercy to me knowing that Heavenly Father really does know what is best and that when we are praying always he is there prompting us at the right times. Miracles do Happen.

Week 31, Dec. 16, 2013 Transfers Vanhin Glasgow

Dear Family,

What a wonderful time it is to be serving our Maker Jesus Christ and our Eternal Father in Heaven. The miracle you shared testify to me of the truthfulness of this gospel. The past week we were able to have our ward Christmas party. We had a program shared by the primary children and we sang some traditional Joulu (Christmas) songs. It was a wonderful time for us to get to know the members better as well as to have some of our less actives come. The next day was sunday and Elder Downs and myself were asked to sing again. (They seem to like us) And I was also giving a talk.

I spoke about Jesus Christ. I shared the `Living Christ`by the Twelve apostles in 2000, as well as the message shared by the Shepherds. We as missionaries are sharing this same message. Jesus Christ our Savior Lives.

 We have also been able to make leaps and bounds with our Investigator Reino. We have learned of all of his concerns and are helping him over come them. One thing I that was really cool this week was after our district meeting. We had a district meeting about Prayer and how it is always good to go over that again with our investigators even if we know that they know the simple steps to pray.

We role played this in District meeting and later that night we had a teach with Reino.

At the end of our teach we invited him to pray. at first he didn't want to, but after doing exactly what we did in DM and showed him how easy it was to pray He was willing to do it. It was a wonderful tender mercy to see this happen.

We also had another change call this past week.

Elder Downs will be opening a new city in Malmi and I will be with another Elder called Vanhin Glasgow. (Hope I spelled that right) He will be our district leader so I will be the District leaders companion. I have been told that is the best companion position to be in. I will be staying in Kerava too. So I wont have to leave our Ward yet. :)

I don't have any new information about Christmas calling yet. We have been a little busy with the Ward party and changes, but I will have more information next week.

I love you all and thank you again for all you do for me.

I cant wait to hear from you on Christmas.

Love,

Vanhin Sandberg

Crazy Son loves the shock factor of things