Heading into the Real World

Hey everybody! Thank you all so much for all so much for the Birthday wishes! It made my day to get emails from everyone. Good to know I haven’t been forgotten already haha. It was definitely a different birthday than normal. Nothing like the Sabbath day to “celebrate” my birthday. Sorry if I did not get around to responding to them today I am super busy with packing and getting ready to leave the CCM and go to Puebla. I think God let me know in his own way he knew what day it was. I had meetings all morning and then I was called to give my talk in Sacrament meeting in Spanish. (The way we do talks in my zone is every week everyone prepares a talk in Spanish on a certain topic, then in Sacrament meeting they randomly pick people). I think overall it was a good experience. I talked about God’s Plan of Salvation for us as His children. I discussed how knowing that God has a plan for us has brought me so much peace and joy, and I want to share that with others. I know that His plan is a Plan of Happiness.

My companion and I are zone leaders in the CCM so to make Sunday even more interesting, Presidente Garcia asked us last minute to conduct the Sunday night devotional for the whole CCM. Hopefully I didn’t mess up to bad haha.

In 3 days I’ll be on the streets of México! This week has been filled with mixed emotions. My whole district is very excited to get to the field. We are tired of sitting in the same room, learning Spanish and how to teach.  On Monday, 16 of us get on a bus and get shipped off to Puebla. I have grown to love my companion Elder Quackenbush as one of my best friends. I’m going to miss him and my district a lot,  We have all bonded so well. It’ll be sad to leave all them but it is a blessing that we are all going to the same mission and will see each other at conferences. It’s pretty likely that I will cry Sunday when I leave them and our awesome teachers, this is the closest I’ve ever been to someone after only knowing them for 6 weeks.

This week has flown by and other than my birthday, it has been filled with practice, practice, and more practice. Kind of smoothing down the language and how to teach lessons. I have truly become much more confident in Spanish and I know it is because of the Gift of Tongues made possible through the blessings of the Lord.  I love my Father in Heaven and my Savior Jesus Christ and I have no doubt that they have blessed me in the 6 short weeks I have been here.

Yesterday, my companion and I had our last TRC. It felt amazing and we saw how far we have come in the language. We found out our travel info today, and looks like on Monday I will have a really early morning and a 6 hour bus ride through México. After that I’m in the heart of Puebla! I’m so pumped to get out of here and start doing the Lords Work.

2 nights ago I got another bloody nose,  I get them often.  I think I've had over 100 since being here in the CCM haha.  When I went to the restroom I got soaked with water at like 1:30 in the morning. Turns out everyday, the sprinklers have been spraying into our bathroom at 1:30 a.m. so when I went in that morning, I got a  pleasant wake up call haha.

Ether 12 Verse 27 says, "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then I will make weak things become strong unto them."  I love this scripture and can testify that it is true.  It is humbling to be a missionary for the Savior and to represent Him but I am so grateful for this opportunity.  I know He is making me into His strong servant.

I am so excited to get to Puebla and help the people. I love you all so much and I know of the joy that comes from serving our fellow men in helping them return to live with Christ again. Throughout this week, help people by showing them your love. Ponder on the great and all powerful power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Look out people of Puebla! 

Love, 

Elder Sandberg

1. Hermano Mun! The one and only (my favorite teacher at CCM)

2. Elder LaBeron from my zone, sorry I could not resist haha. Go Lakers

3. Birthday Surprise, compliments of district 8D 

4&5. My birthday presents from the fam