5/31/2011

Hey Ya’ll,

 

What an amazing week it has been for me and my companion. The longer I am out on my mission the more I realize just how much I appreciate the privilege it has been to be here and to seek to help other people. I count it as the best decision I have ever made. By far the best thing I could have done with two years of my life.

 

While there are many opportunities to see the good and spiritual, there’s also moments of such head shaking humor. Elder Simmons and I were knocking on some people’s doors in an apartment complex and we heard the most unlikely of responses from one door. We knocked and no one came to answer, but instead we heard a voice shout from the inside, “If you aint black, you can’t come in!” Well, that did limit us from coming in. Quite the unfortunate stipulation. Hopefully a black missionary comes to Laramie soon.

 

I love Laramie. It is so amazing. We were talking to another young man and he told us he goes to another church. When we asked what church, he looked at us as if the answer should be apparent in his Wrangler’s and cowboy boots, “The Cowboy church!” I had to apologize, I had never heard of the Cowboy church. But as you can imagine it’s quite the place to be here in Wyoming on Sundays. I am still left to wonder what they do there. My imagination is creating all kinds of interesting ways to combine cows and God without becoming Hindu.

 

Well, things are going so dandy. I am so grateful that you are all still emailing and sending your love, I appreciate it so much. I hope everyone is doing very well and enjoyed their Memorial Day. Please know I love each of you and wish you the best this week.

 

Much Love!

 

5/23/2011

Hey Family!

I hope everyone is doing well. Just wanted to send everyone an update on how things are going so you can all know!

I am down to the last transfer of my mission...I only have a month or so left but I am trying to maintain focus and not get distracted by all the alluring attractions that clamor for attention....like longboarding! I think the Lord knows I need to learn to focus so He sent me to college campuses to be surrounded with all these distractions and learn to deal with them. I never thought math would ever be a distraction but it is. I was trying to help someone with their homework once and next thing I know, I was thinking about math and how much of it I have forgotten. But no worries. I am still surrounded by lots of good things.

I am up in Laramie, Wyoming now. Cowboy country. I am serving on the University of Wyoming campus and it is awesomne. Very cold but awesome. It is still snowing here...yes in May! This Arizona boy is just astounded. I am so cold! After so many months of winter I just want some sunshine!

The work is going really well though. We are finding a lot of people to teach despite it being in summer session. We actually started teaching a young man name Ye Liu. He is from China and is a genius. We ran into him this week and started teaching him about the basics. His english isn't great and he said that in China they don't have any kind of religion or beliefs about God. It has really made me appreciate what we have in this country...and in Canada for Aunt Kasey and family. I am sure Canada is just as religiously free, even if they can't properly pronounce "about" without it sounding like "aboot" :)

My new companion is actually an old companion. I trained him as a new missionary almost 20 months ago and now we're back together again! He's a stud! Hisname is Elder Simmons and he is from Ohio...but that's not what make him a stud. He is an extremely gifted teacher and a gymnist and can do a ridiculous amount of pull up. But probably more important than all of that he is a really good friend. We get along very well and work really well together.

Well, that's my update...what's yours? I'd love to hear from ya'll.

Hope you are all loving summer. Hopefully you have more sunshine than we do in WY...

Love you all! Can't wait to see you!

4/18/2011

Hey Everybody,

OK, yes I know, I am a bum and haven't written a bulk message in a while. You know sometimes it just feels like I am repeating myself so often. I don't know how those bloggers do things. I feel so ill equipped to be able to keep people updated on a regular basis on what's going on here. Maybe I just need to keep a better attitude and assume that my life is exciting contrary to what I often think. So here it goes...a more regular post of what's going on in the insane and exciting and sometimes extreme life of the one and only Elder Cabrera.

So I'll start by my nickname that I have somehow earned in my ward I am serving in....Elder Care-Bear? Really? I guess that whole idea about karma may have some pull because I am certain that watching those painful episodes of Carebears with Levi when I was little brought Taylor and Clayton and Jared (and anyone else in the blast radius) nightmares. And I thought I had escaped! Ha! I learned my lesson. Sorry older siblings. I wont do it again.

This past week was just downright superb. I was in a trio with another missionary named Elder Richardson (he's from Mesa...went to Mtn View) for just a few days. Missionaries and moved around and he came to Greeley and we thought we'd have him for at least a month but then more missionaries moved around and after an intense game of missionary musical chairs, he took of to Thornton. He was great. I really enjoyed being around him. He was quite the thinker...really thought outside of the box. That's something I am definitely weak at and so it was good to get another perspective on things.

Yesterday, the institute had a choir fireside that was amazing. I was amazed at the talent in the people here. One of our recent converts named David sang and there were cellos and oboes and acapella pieces and just a lot of beautiful music. It really touched my soul. It was all focused on Jesus Christ and it really put me in a peaceful place. Music has such a big impact on me and I have wondering how I could use that to help me to grow more in my relationship with God. I think it plays a big role.

Well, I will try to be more consistent and let everyone know about my experiences. In the meantime, God Bless everyone!

With Love,
Elder Cabrera

1/18/2011

Dearest Family,

The coolest thing happened this week! It just confirms in my mind the reality that Heavenly Father is in control and that He hears and answers our prayers.

We have been teaching an investigator named Talia-she so amazing. If I had to describe her in one phrase I would say "without guile". She is honestly one of the kindest and most loving people I've ever met. She had such a strong desire to learn about the Gospel and is just tearing into the Book of Mormon (she's already halfway through!).

One thing she was really concerned about once we challenged her to be baptized was telling her parents. Both her parents are very extreme in their religious beliefs and not very open minded to anything else. She was scared that they might do something crazy in reaction to her decision, like revoke financial support while she's here at school or hire aliens to abduct her. In any case she was in anxiety about the whole situation.

So on Sunday we fasted and prayed with her that the Lord would soften her parents hearts and help them to accept her decsion.

She told her parents yesterday...and they were very understanding! It was soo cool to hear! Elder Sedgwick and I embraced each other and jumped up and down in front of the institute. Prayer is real and powerful.

Good stuff!

Anyways, just wanted to tell you alll about that...Talia is getting baptized on Saturday so keep praying with us!

Hope everyone is doing well and is loving the new year. Love you all!!

--
Elder Cabrera

01/31/2011

Hey everyone!

I had a pretty good week. I don't have much to say about it, but I have been thinking a lot about something. Elder Sedgwick and I were talking a few nights ago about songs that touch our hearts and we talked about a song specifically. I read the words and have been thinking about them for quite some time now. They really caused me to reflect on the gratitude I have for all the blessings I have in my life, especially my faith in Jesus Christ. I hope everyone enjoys it.

O Lord, My Redeemer

And the Roman soldiers laughed

When they saw their pris’ner stumble.

He did not revile them back

And wondering I asked, who was this man so humble?

And a woman at my side

Choked on her reply

Though she struggled not to weep, the tears poured down her cheek

Her heart breaking as she cried

O Lord, my redeemer, thou hast done so much for me

O Lord, my redeemer, all my love I give to thee

And the crowd went pushing on

I felt compelled to follow.

I knew that they were wrong, how they mocked him all along

Suddenly my heart felt hollow

For they nailed him to a tree

On a hill called Calvary

While I stood there filled with wonder, the heavens roared with thunder

And again I heard the plea

O Lord, my redeemer, thou hast done so much for me

O Lord, my redeemer, all my love I give to thee

I could not forget his face

As I wandered from that place

With the questions ever burning, I put myself to learning

And each answer came with grace

And I knelt in earnest prayer

His memory still there

And the more that I’d inquire, the hotter burned the fire

I found joy beyond compare

And the day turned into three

Morning found me in a garden

Where the gentle April breeze, returned me to my knees

Pleading for a pardon

And I can’t say when or why

I opened up my eyes

But His feet were there before me, His hands were opened o’er me

And His face I recognized.

O Lord, my redeemer, thou hast done so much for me

O Lord, my redeemer, all my love I give to thee

Love you all! Hope you have a good week.
--
Elder Cabrera

01/10/2011

Family,

What a cool week! On saturday Elder Sedgwick and I went to a dairy farm owned by some members of our ward and spent most of the day "de-horning" and branding cattle. So fun! Well, sort of. It was kind of crazy...but still lots of fun. I never knew cows, even little calves, were so strong. We had to wrestle one to the ground so we could put a bandage over a wound on it's leg and it was a beast! With jeans and flannel on and surrounded by cows and farm land only one thing was missing...Clint Eastwood.

Well, we have another baptism this coming Saturday! David is a stud!! He is so intuitive when it comes to recognizing the way the Holy Ghost works in directing him. And he's already read about half of the Book of Mormon. Elder sedgwick and I are way excited for this coming Saturday...it's going to be cool to see someone who has become such a good friend make the next big step in his life.

Not much more to say...I'm a little rushed so pardon the brevity (I think that's a word...right, Jared?).


Love YA"LL :)

01/03/2011

Dear Family,

Elder Sedgwick and I had an amazing week as we finished out 2010. We have both been so privileged to see several miracles come about here in Greeley and it seems that they just keep getting better and better. I feel so grateful to have this opportunity to be here at this time-I couldn't have asked for anything better. All the elements are in place: a stellar companion (red hair included), an awesome ward, great people, and lots and lots of opportunities to serve others. It can't be anymore ideal!

I sent some pictures along with this email. They're from this past Saturday, the first of January. Patty and Steven were both baptized and it was so cool to be a part of their service. The Spirit was so strong and there was a presence of peace that pervaded throughout the entire room as we watched each of them make a big step in their life to draw nearer to God. I love both of them so much and I felt the love that God had for them as I was with them before and after their baptism. Baptismal services are the best! They really make a me feel so much gratitude for what I am doing for others. I love being a missionary!!

I don't know if there is quite the right way to verbalize how I have been feeling lately. I could use some pretty good adjectives to describe it or maybe a metaphor or simile to try and illustrate it, but it is nearly impossible to put into words. I feel so incredible. I cannot stop smiling. I feel like I have only so much room in my heart and it is full to the brim and ready to burst with joy and love. How could I not share it with others rather than let it go to waste. What a wonderful blessing it has been to be able to serve the Lord. I wouldn't trade it for anything. Thank you-each of you, for your support. It means a lot to me. I see these blessings I am receiving as a gift intended just as much for you as they are for me. I hope you feel them too!

Love you all!