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Sunday, February 7, 2010
Christmas Pics
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2/6/10
Dear Family
This was an amazing week! We will have two baptisms this week...that will make for 7 for 2010 so far!! We are averaging about one baptism a week!! Things are going so well. I dont think there is a word that could describe how much joy I feel and how amazing it is to be here. Im not sure what it is we're doing to earn the Lord's trust with His children, but I am just grateful that I have the opportunity to be involved in the conversion of so many precious souls.
We are teaching some really amazing people right now. One of our investigators, Jason Leonhardt is a Biomedical Science major at CSU and is preparing to go to Medical School. He is one of the most sincere people I have ever met. He didnt grow up with any religious background so we had to start from square one with him. It wasnt difficult for him to accept the Book of Mormon or anything we taught, in fact he read a chapter we left him, then the chapter before it and after it and then half of 1st Nephi! He has the most thought provoking questions and is geniunely interested. I love to teach him. He is waiting on an answer to the Book of Mormon before he wants to get baptized and feels like he has to read the entire book before he can know. But I know eventually he will feel the truth of it.
Melanie Garlin is another investigator who is getting baptized today in a few hours. She was introduced to the church in England when she was studying abroad and came back and know wants to get baptized. She is awesome. I dont know of anyone who is more kind and loving and without guile. She asked me to baptize her and Elder Peppler my companion to confirm her, so we're way excited to participate in those ordinances.
Alex Wulff is a Jewish student that we just started teaching last week. He is incredibly intelligent, especially when it comes to the bible and the torah. He is another one who feels the goodness in the Book of Mormon and is reading it from cover to cover. He has already finished a good portion of it and told us of the many similaritities it has to other Hebrew writings. Pretty cool! He is really down to earth and open to learn. I can see how the Lord has prepared him to receive the restored gospel.
We have a few more investigators that are getting close to baptism as well: Sara Valcho, Jonathan Saylor, Chris Blake, and Josh Takahashi. These are amazing people, each having there own unique experiences that have prepared them to accept the message of the Restoration. The work is moving forward. I feel more resolutely the statement Joseph Smith said about missionary:
" No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing. Persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent; till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country and sounded in every ear; till the purposes of God shall be accomplished and the great Jehovah shall say: 'The work is done.' "
I love that! We recite that at every District meeting and Zone conference. It makes you feel motivated and reassured that with the Lord on your side, nothing can stop you from accomplishing His great work. Very empowering.
On a side note Elder L Tom Perry is coming to our mission! Sweet! He is going to be speaking to us on Feb. 19. Im really looking forward to it. We get to shake his hand and take a picture with him as well.
How is everyone doing? Happy birthdays to: Mom, Jared, Clayton (belated...because im lame), and Taylor! Hope everyone is doing well. Enjoy the pictures!
--
Elder Cabrera
Oh yeah,
--
Elder Cabrera
1/30/10
Dear Family, Transfers are on Monday and I will be staying in Fort Collins for at least another 6 weeks serving on Campus. Elder Porter, my MTC companion is going to join Elder Peppler and I, so I'm excited for the next few weeks. Hope eeveryone is doing well and enjoying life-we're pretty blessed and there's a lot of good things to enjoy. Love you all!
--
Elder Cabrera
We have a new email system now. It's pretty sweet...the church is running their email through Gmail now so lots more memory and a lot better setup. So new email address is:
Well we are doing great in Fort Collins. We had another baptism on Saturday, Eric Mokler. He's amazing. Great guy and a strong testimony. It was neat to see just how prepared he was by the Lord. He practically already had a testimony of the Restored gospel and was ready to go. We have two more baptism scheduled for this coming week: Bryan Evans and Melanie Garlin. They are both incredible individuals and are going to make great additions to the Lord's church.
--
Elder Cabrera
1/23/10
Hey Family,
An awesome week in Colorado! Things seem like they just get better and better...Im wondering where the ceiling is! We have been having tons of success and seeing lots of "fruit" from our labors. I find that we have little influence on those we teach-the Spirit does the work of testifying and converting. I dont think we get to decide who will join Christ's church, but we can be in the right place at the right time and be prepared for when those that the Lord has prepared to hear the message of the Restored Gospel.
One bummer about Colorado is the days seem so short. Time is flying by and the winter season doesnt help. The sun comes up late and disappears early. One bonus though is some amazing sunrises and sunsets. The other day I rolled out of bed lagging and not wanting to be up at 6:30. I came up out of the basement and looked out the window to a spectacular display of colors strewn across the morning sky. Oranges, pinks, and vibrant colors illuminated not only on the edge of the horizon, but all over the eastern sky. With the dull clouds as their canvas, it made for some incredible moments in awe. I saw a tree in our backyard begin to glow from the light shed on it's trunk facing east. It's resonating glow shone so bright to produce a good visual of what I imagined the tree of life would look like! My thoughts turned to the hymn "How great thou art". I think about that song whenever I see magnificent displays of nature: sunrises, sunsets, snow capped mountains. Truly ALL things denote there is a God, just like Alma taught.
How is everyone? Sorry if Im lame and I owe you emails or letters. I have hardly anytime to write. Thats no excuse but I do apologize. A bulk email is much easier. I gave a talk in a mission tour where Elder Brimhall from the Seventy was present. It was on the power of example. I was pretty nervous to speak to all the Zone Leaders of the Mission and especially in front of Elder Brimhall and President Ely. I thought a lot about what I was going to say and was paranoid about making it "doctrinally sound". As I stood up to give it though, I felt peace. I felt that it was going to be ok. I didnt really use my notes or things I had prepared. I took it a different route and let the Spirit guide. It is an amazing feeling to literally feel yourself being only an instrument and watch the Lord and the Spirit work through you. I read a song out of the hymn book: #335 "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy". I have come to love it. It talks about light and the need for those to whom have been commissioned to "keep the lights along the shore" for the poor, and fainting, struggling seaman. It illustrates so profoundly the parallel between light and example. The Savior taught it a similar way in the Sermon on the Mount:
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle and but it under a bushel , but on a candlestick; and it giveth light to all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Light, love, and the power of example all relate to one another. I shared some examples in my own life with the small audience gathered in a high council room. Lacking in a father figure most of my life I turned to those that have influenced my life for good. I relate to Corianton, Alma's waivering son, and the words his father used to counsel him on following the examples that he had been given:
"And now my son, I have somewhat more to say unto thee than what I said unto thy brother; for behold, have ye not observed the steadiness of thy brother, his faithfulness, and his diligence in keeping the commandments of God? Behold, has he not set a good example for thee?"
Corianton's older brothers Shiblon and Helaman were men of God and through their righteous actions, set a course for their younger brother. I spoke that I too had two older brothers who were men of God and labored diligently to lead by examples. I know their righteous actions influenced my decision to serve. Im so grateful for good examples; and especially for good older brothers. They are priceless commodities in a world of deteriorating values and shine bright against the world darkened by sin and immorality. Much like the lighthouses along the shore in the hymn.
Well family, hope everyone is doing fantastically. I miss you all and wish you the best. Transfers are next week so I may be somewhere else when I email again. God bless!
Elder Cabrera
By the way, I got a letter from Elder Brimhall last week expressing his thanks for my talk...the letter, folded in half, said on the outside: "Dennis C. Brimhall...The Seventy". It was legit!
An awesome week in Colorado! Things seem like they just get better and better...Im wondering where the ceiling is! We have been having tons of success and seeing lots of "fruit" from our labors. I find that we have little influence on those we teach-the Spirit does the work of testifying and converting. I dont think we get to decide who will join Christ's church, but we can be in the right place at the right time and be prepared for when those that the Lord has prepared to hear the message of the Restored Gospel.
One bummer about Colorado is the days seem so short. Time is flying by and the winter season doesnt help. The sun comes up late and disappears early. One bonus though is some amazing sunrises and sunsets. The other day I rolled out of bed lagging and not wanting to be up at 6:30. I came up out of the basement and looked out the window to a spectacular display of colors strewn across the morning sky. Oranges, pinks, and vibrant colors illuminated not only on the edge of the horizon, but all over the eastern sky. With the dull clouds as their canvas, it made for some incredible moments in awe. I saw a tree in our backyard begin to glow from the light shed on it's trunk facing east. It's resonating glow shone so bright to produce a good visual of what I imagined the tree of life would look like! My thoughts turned to the hymn "How great thou art". I think about that song whenever I see magnificent displays of nature: sunrises, sunsets, snow capped mountains. Truly ALL things denote there is a God, just like Alma taught.
How is everyone? Sorry if Im lame and I owe you emails or letters. I have hardly anytime to write. Thats no excuse but I do apologize. A bulk email is much easier. I gave a talk in a mission tour where Elder Brimhall from the Seventy was present. It was on the power of example. I was pretty nervous to speak to all the Zone Leaders of the Mission and especially in front of Elder Brimhall and President Ely. I thought a lot about what I was going to say and was paranoid about making it "doctrinally sound". As I stood up to give it though, I felt peace. I felt that it was going to be ok. I didnt really use my notes or things I had prepared. I took it a different route and let the Spirit guide. It is an amazing feeling to literally feel yourself being only an instrument and watch the Lord and the Spirit work through you. I read a song out of the hymn book: #335 "Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy". I have come to love it. It talks about light and the need for those to whom have been commissioned to "keep the lights along the shore" for the poor, and fainting, struggling seaman. It illustrates so profoundly the parallel between light and example. The Savior taught it a similar way in the Sermon on the Mount:
"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.
Neither do men light a candle and but it under a bushel , but on a candlestick; and it giveth light to all that are in the house.
Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven."
Light, love, and the power of example all relate to one another. I shared some examples in my own life with the small audience gathered in a high council room. Lacking in a father figure most of my life I turned to those that have influenced my life for good. I relate to Corianton, Alma's waivering son, and the words his father used to counsel him on following the examples that he had been given:
"And now my son, I have somewhat more to say unto thee than what I said unto thy brother; for behold, have ye not observed the steadiness of thy brother, his faithfulness, and his diligence in keeping the commandments of God? Behold, has he not set a good example for thee?"
Corianton's older brothers Shiblon and Helaman were men of God and through their righteous actions, set a course for their younger brother. I spoke that I too had two older brothers who were men of God and labored diligently to lead by examples. I know their righteous actions influenced my decision to serve. Im so grateful for good examples; and especially for good older brothers. They are priceless commodities in a world of deteriorating values and shine bright against the world darkened by sin and immorality. Much like the lighthouses along the shore in the hymn.
Well family, hope everyone is doing fantastically. I miss you all and wish you the best. Transfers are next week so I may be somewhere else when I email again. God bless!
Elder Cabrera
By the way, I got a letter from Elder Brimhall last week expressing his thanks for my talk...the letter, folded in half, said on the outside: "Dennis C. Brimhall...The Seventy". It was legit!
1/16/10
Hey Family,
How is everyone? We had another great week in Colorado...another Baptism! Nancy Wittmer jumped through some intense obstacles to get baptized but she made it! It was an awesome service and the Spirit was strong. It was radiating so strongly that it blinded my vision as you can plainly see in one of the pictures.
Hope everyone is doing well. I love you all and wish the best for you.
Love,
Elder Cabrera
1/9/10
Dear Family,
Well things are going really well here in Fort Collins. Christmas was awesome and it was wonderful to talk to all of you. It's a new year and a new chance to start out fresh. We started it out with a baptism last Saturday and it was the best way to welcome in the new year for sure. Ashley has made some huge changes in her life and come a long way to become a member and she is way solid. It was the first time I've ever baptized anyone. I think I was more nervous than her. We even had to do it over...twice! The first time she didnt go under all the way, second time, I said the prayer wrong, but we finally got it right! It was an aewsome experience. The spirit was present very strongly and it was an awesome service.
Thanks to everyone who sent me packages! I really appreciate everything you all do for me. I think I am just faintly beginning to understand the dream I am living. It is such a privilage to be able to serve the Lord full time. NOTHING has ever brought me more peace, joy, purpose and fulfillment. I have all of you to thank for making this possible for me. I couldn't have done it without your help.
This past week we had a Mission Tour where a general authority came to visit the mission and talk to us. We heard from Elder Brimhall, an area authority who presides over the Colorado area. It was incredible. The things he shared were exactly what I needed to hear. He and his wife spoke to us about enthusiasm, being not just great missionaries, but the best missionaries; and also about our calling. Something he said really stuck out (well most of what he said stuck out, but one thing in particular), he said " Missionaries represent the Lord. They represent the creator of ALL things, the sculptor of the galaxies, and the shaper of the worlds; that's what they stand for." It definitely has a lot more attached to my calling when he put it that way. We had a leadership meeting after the chapel meeting where my mission President asked me to give a talk. That was definitely intimidating and I was really nervous but it turned out really well. I've found when you put the outlined paper away and speak from your heart is when the spirit can really testify. Overall one of the best days on my mission! And we get to hear from Elder L. Tom Perry next month!
I dont think I could ever find the words through an email to tell you how happy I am. I feel so bright and without burden. I love to serve others. It is such a miracle that the more we give and serve, the more we receive in return. I know without any reservation that is a true principle. I know who I am now! How many people can say that? I know exactly where I am going, I know what I need to do to get there, and I know how to get back on course if I get distracted. A mission is the best thing that ever happened to me. What an honor to put your whole focus on others for two years and to develop charity. I see no other period in my life where I can keep 100% the law of consecration-devote all my time , talents and attention to serving the Lord. I dont do a very good job of 100% but I try. It's also one of the best times to obey the two great commandments of loving God and loving your neighbor. With living that law comes blessings. Like the call letter states "Greater joy and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you..." So true.
I wish everyone the best and love you all. Thanks for your love and prayers.
Elder Cabrera
12/19/09
Dear Family,
I've been out for 6 months now! Hard to believe! Thats 25% of my mission. Thats scary. Time goes by so fast, im hardly able to keep up. I have been learning a lot recently, things that I think will help me far beyond just the two years im serving. Lots of life lesson and personal skills that have made me change my views. But i think one or two lessons in particular stand out. I have come to the conclusion (the hard way mind you) that my mission has very little to do with me and my capacities (or inadequacies). It matters very little what I have to offer. I think its human nature, at least for me, to think I can do this on my own: teach, tract, baptize, etc. I was under the foolish misconception that I was deserving of some credit-that the lessons I am teaching are mine and those that I am teaching are the result of my work. Thats a selfish attitude. A scripture comes to mind when I think of this realization that I had: "whosever shall lose his life for my name's sake and the gospel's, shall find it". I remember the story of President Hinckley when trying to overcome discouragement in his first few months on his mission and the advice his father gave him: "Forget yourself and get to work". I cant believe its taken me 6 months to figure this out. Its not about me, or my "self". Self has already had 22 years of attention, I think it's time he learned to focus on others and quite being "self"ish. I think when I finally understand that I am merely an instrument in the Lord's hands, put away my pride, and develop true charity for others, the Lord can begin to truly work through me. Without that change, why would He entrust me with the teaching of His children if I have some other motives in mind? I ask myself that question a lot: "Am I doing this the way the Lord would want me to do it? Am I teaching His way?" That was the way Christ lived His life. All glory, even from the beginning when the Plan was first being drafted, He gave back to the Father. His "meat was to do the will of the Father and to finish His work". That was manifested most apparently in the atonement. Jesus prayed and pleaded but ultimately did, not according to His will, but to that of the Father's. Introspectively I have been wondering if I have the same willful submission to the will of my Father in Heaven. It seems so ironic to surrender your life to someone else to find happiness and fulfillment, but is there any other way? How else do we come to partake of the sweetest of all fruits of the tree of life unless we yield to the commandments given us to live the gospel and study from the Book of Mormon which provides the rod of guidance through the mists of darkness we all face? How else do we feel the relief our Savior provides in His invitation for all to come unto Him that our burdens of sin may be light through His atonement? When some of His disciples left Him and would tarry no longer with Him because of the things He taught, Jesus asked the twelve: "will ye also go away?" To which Peter replied: "To whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life." Where would we go? Is there any other way to find true happiness other than living our life's in harmony with our Heavenly Father's will? There is not. I promise you all I know that to be true. The second lesson I've learned is related to the first. It's simply to listen when people speak. Listening is challenging, its difficult especially when those talking are not easy to listen to. Sometimes they need to be heard the most. Listening requires practice and focus. It requires conscious notes of more than just words. It requires loving those who are speaking. I am trying to do better at listening to others and hear what they say not merely the words they speak. You notice things about people when they know you are listening; they begin to trust you. They begin to open up and say the feelings they have always wanted to share. Listening is amazing. I love to listen, but more difficult than listening to people is listening to the Spirit. How he communicates with me is still a question I am striving to answer. It becomes a quest to be led by him in conversation and in action. I am still trying to distinguish his promptings from other feelings. That requires real effort.
Well hope everyone is having a Merry Christmas! I am loving the Holidays here in Fort Collins-we have a place to go on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day so dont worry about me. Dont forget the "true meaning of Christmas"!
Elder Cabrera
12/7/09
As far as investigators go, we are baptizing them all and now we're looking for some new ones. We should have been finding, teaching, and baptizing but we have been so busy teaching that we havent had time to contact or tract. This past week we taught nearly 30 lessons and the number will probably increase. The campus students are awesome and we love to be around them. One investigator, josh, is someone we're working with but needs some Divine assistance. We challenged him to be baptized yesterday and also committed him to live the law of chastity. He accepted the baptismal challenge but is living with a roommate for financial reason and cant afford to move out on his own and is worried about trying to find another roommate. We'll see how he does this week but he could use some prayers.Another one of our investigators got baptized and confirmed this past weekend. It was awesome. Her name is devon and she is solid. At fast and testimony meeting 4 recent converts and 1 investigator bore their testimonies.
One of our investigators, Nancy, bore her testimony too. There was such a strong spirit in the room.
The church's organization is amazing me as well. We had a Zone Leader's Council on saturday and discussed the needs of our mission. To see 19, 20, & 21 year olds stepping up to this responsibility is inspiring. My mission president is truly inspired himself. The council he gives us and the direction we receive from him i know is from the Lord. In interviews this past week he knew exactly what i needed to hear.
We were also invited to attend a stake leadership meeting where missionary work was involved. The bishops and the ward mission leaders all attended as well as the stake presidency. Our stake president, President McLure, is an amazing man. He is in tune with the spirit and knows the needs of the stake and knows how to use the organization of the church to fulfill those needs. It is incredible.
11/21/09
Dear Family,
It was the greatest blessing this week to hear from you all. I was deeply moved by your love and concern for my well being. I feel such an overwhelming feeling of joy to count you as my family. I hope you know how much I love each of you and appreciate the sacrifices you all make to allow this mission to be possible for me. I never would have expected that it would get better-but it did and it will. The joy I experience is unfathomable. It extends to the very outer corners of my heart and as Nephi said, it nearly fills my soul to the consuming of my flesh. I have had the opportunity to speak with the institute director here on campus who also happens to be the stake president. He was telling us how we can recognize the spirit more clearly and warning us of the deceptive methods used by the adversary to confuse and mislead us. Then provided an insight that has stuck with me-the Spirit of the Lord is peace. Satan cannot mimick peace. I have felt that peace more clearly, more abundantly than ever before. Perhaps greater than any feeling i have ever had is the peace in knowing who I am. I do know who I am. I know where I came from, and I most assuredly know where I am going. I know why I am here at this time and what the Lord expects of me. That direction and purpose that the gospel provides illuminates the understanding behind every soul's search. It is interesting how innate it is in each of us to yearn for that Father who created us. I feel almost in many ways to ask: Is it possible to feel a glimpse of Celestial happiness in the midst of where I am surrounded?
I believe it is possible. I feel it. The solace i find in prayer and scripture study is the grounding that i have always searched for in other avenues. I am grateful for what i have learned already.
The work here on CSU campus is going great. One of our investigators, Marie is being baptized on the 28th. Im so glad i get to take part in helping her towards that covenant. The week of thanksgiving will be slow but we're hoping to get some work done. Another one of our investigators, Devon, plays for the CSU soccer team. She's amazing and has made enormous changes in her life to enjoy the blessings the gospel can provide. She has a baptismal date on the 5th of December. Its incredible!
We are teaching another investigator, Ashley, who has come a long way as well. We are doing all we can to help her make the last few steps into the waters of baptism, but we are running into several obstacles with her family accepting her decision. She could definitely use some extra prayers on her behalf.
I appreciate all everyone does. I love you all and hope things are going well. Best of luck to everyone.
Elder Cabrera
11/10/09
Dear Family,
Transfers were yesterday and i am in Ft Collins now and its awesome! Its a lot more like how i pictured CO when i received my call: lots of trees and mountains and just beautiful scenery. I am serving on campus at Colorado State (GO RAMS!!) at the institute and it really cool. We are teaching some neat people who are at the crossroads of their lives and are open and searching. The members of the ward are very supportive and sit in on almost every lesson we have with investigators...its amazing! Love you all and hope things are going well.
Elder Cabrera
Transfers were yesterday and i am in Ft Collins now and its awesome! Its a lot more like how i pictured CO when i received my call: lots of trees and mountains and just beautiful scenery. I am serving on campus at Colorado State (GO RAMS!!) at the institute and it really cool. We are teaching some neat people who are at the crossroads of their lives and are open and searching. The members of the ward are very supportive and sit in on almost every lesson we have with investigators...its amazing! Love you all and hope things are going well.
Elder Cabrera
Dear Family,
Hope everybody is doing well! I am doing GREAT! As you can see from the pictures i sent, we had our first snow in CO. It was so fun to tract in! Anyways, I cant say much, but i am having testimony building experience all the time. This is the best decision i ever made. Love you all.
Elder Cabrera
10/26/09
Dear Family,
Thanks so much for your letters! I appreciate the emails and the words of encouragement. They go a long way! It is interesting how much closer you can be to your famiy even in your physical separation. I love you all and truly do hope your lives are being richly blessed in the ways the Lord sees fit. He has a way of sending comfort in times of most need and in the darkest hours of our trials. The beautiful sections 121, 122, and 123 a=of the Doctrine and Covenants were given from the dungeons of despair faced by the prophet Joseph Smith. In the opening verses of section 121 you can truly feel his anguish and cries of feeling abandoned. Truly we can all relate. But the transcending value of the following sections is the comfort that is also available to all as we remember that we can have peace in the face of adversity and that all things will work together for our good. I have felt that to be true and know that the Lord really is able to succor His people their afflictions....
The scriptures refers to these times of relief as Tender Mercies of the Lord. I have felt them as i have struggled for guidance and direction and to be successful in this work. Lehi declared that he was encircled in the arms of His Redeemer and felt the saving power of His love and atonement. It is the greatest blessing to have that knowledge but even more that feeling. The arms of the Savior paints such a vivid picture in my mind. His invitation to come unto him that we may find rest can seem so far fetched at times but once experiencing the warmth of His embrace, how could we ever doubt His ability to relieve our burdens? The good news of the gospel lies in Jesus Christ and His atonement. Whatever the sin, short of the unpardonable one, He has power to forgive. So fitting then is His commandment to us to forgive one another and love our neighbor as ourselves. I love you all! You are so great and I long for the day when we can all embrace once again and rejoice together as a family in the arms of the Savior. God bless!
Elder Cabrera
Savior's Love is inseparably connected to us: Romans 8:35-39
Thanks so much for your letters! I appreciate the emails and the words of encouragement. They go a long way! It is interesting how much closer you can be to your famiy even in your physical separation. I love you all and truly do hope your lives are being richly blessed in the ways the Lord sees fit. He has a way of sending comfort in times of most need and in the darkest hours of our trials. The beautiful sections 121, 122, and 123 a=of the Doctrine and Covenants were given from the dungeons of despair faced by the prophet Joseph Smith. In the opening verses of section 121 you can truly feel his anguish and cries of feeling abandoned. Truly we can all relate. But the transcending value of the following sections is the comfort that is also available to all as we remember that we can have peace in the face of adversity and that all things will work together for our good. I have felt that to be true and know that the Lord really is able to succor His people their afflictions....
The scriptures refers to these times of relief as Tender Mercies of the Lord. I have felt them as i have struggled for guidance and direction and to be successful in this work. Lehi declared that he was encircled in the arms of His Redeemer and felt the saving power of His love and atonement. It is the greatest blessing to have that knowledge but even more that feeling. The arms of the Savior paints such a vivid picture in my mind. His invitation to come unto him that we may find rest can seem so far fetched at times but once experiencing the warmth of His embrace, how could we ever doubt His ability to relieve our burdens? The good news of the gospel lies in Jesus Christ and His atonement. Whatever the sin, short of the unpardonable one, He has power to forgive. So fitting then is His commandment to us to forgive one another and love our neighbor as ourselves. I love you all! You are so great and I long for the day when we can all embrace once again and rejoice together as a family in the arms of the Savior. God bless!
Elder Cabrera
Savior's Love is inseparably connected to us: Romans 8:35-39
10/19/09
Dear Family,
What a week this has been. I have been so blessed to be working in this area (Brighton) and am contually feeling the support of your prayers and the hand of the Lord in all that i do. I have had so many special experiences that have made me appreciate the great blessing it is to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness. I received an email from Clayton about conference two weeks ago mentioning Elder Holland's talk on the Book of Mormon. What a powerful testimony that was! It truly did inspire me and gave me a renewed desire to share that message with all that would listen. I have pondered especially since then about the Book of Mormon and about Joseph Smith. As i visited with our investigators and less active members this week i felt impressed to talk about that subject with many of them. I thought that the DVD "The Restoration" explained much better than i ever could and so watched that short film with many of those we are teaching. Each time, i felt a quiet witness that the events depicted truly did occur in the very manner that Joseph Smith described. I felt an exceptionally strong need to affirm that witness in prayer one night. I had always felt that it was true but never questioned it....
I had always relied on the testimonies of others. As i heard others bear witness of those truths i felt the witness of the spirit but i had never sought it out myself. Elder Holland spoke to us in the MTC declaring that we all at some point in our lives need to go to our own Ssacred Grove and eventually to our Gethsemane and Calvary. I wanted to know myself. As i knelt in prayer that night i began to plead with the Lord that He would bless me with that confirming witness. To my surprise nothing came. I was determined not to leave my knees until i knew. I asked again with the same result. I sat wondering why i could not be the recipient of such a witness that was promised the honest seeker. I thought to inwardly analyze if i was honest in my search. Slowly i began to be humble. My layers of "natural man" began to peel away to reveal the core of my soul. Then my true desires were manifest. When i asked this time, i knew it was from my heart. The witness did come, as it always does and as it is promised. My heart swelled within me and i knew that when i asked about the truth of the Book of Mormon and the prophet Joseph Smith that the things i already hoped to be true were confirmed. I understood what it was Lehi was describing in his vision of the tree of life. That fruit which is most desirable above all others is the love of God and we become partakers of it as we follow the path paved by our Savior and strengthened with the iron rod, His words. Nothing has brought me greater peace and more purpose. I am so grateful to be sharing this message with others that they may be partakers as well. That was the first desire of Lehi after he has parteken of the fruit of the tree of life. I hope to be successful in doing so. Thank you all for all that you do. Thank you for making the mission possible and for your many prayers and sacrifices. I am grateful for you my family and hope that you continue to enjoy that desirable fruit as you hold to the iron rod and continue down the path. I want you all to know that i am doing very well and that everything is working together for my good.
Elder Cabrera
What a week this has been. I have been so blessed to be working in this area (Brighton) and am contually feeling the support of your prayers and the hand of the Lord in all that i do. I have had so many special experiences that have made me appreciate the great blessing it is to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fullness. I received an email from Clayton about conference two weeks ago mentioning Elder Holland's talk on the Book of Mormon. What a powerful testimony that was! It truly did inspire me and gave me a renewed desire to share that message with all that would listen. I have pondered especially since then about the Book of Mormon and about Joseph Smith. As i visited with our investigators and less active members this week i felt impressed to talk about that subject with many of them. I thought that the DVD "The Restoration" explained much better than i ever could and so watched that short film with many of those we are teaching. Each time, i felt a quiet witness that the events depicted truly did occur in the very manner that Joseph Smith described. I felt an exceptionally strong need to affirm that witness in prayer one night. I had always felt that it was true but never questioned it....
I had always relied on the testimonies of others. As i heard others bear witness of those truths i felt the witness of the spirit but i had never sought it out myself. Elder Holland spoke to us in the MTC declaring that we all at some point in our lives need to go to our own Ssacred Grove and eventually to our Gethsemane and Calvary. I wanted to know myself. As i knelt in prayer that night i began to plead with the Lord that He would bless me with that confirming witness. To my surprise nothing came. I was determined not to leave my knees until i knew. I asked again with the same result. I sat wondering why i could not be the recipient of such a witness that was promised the honest seeker. I thought to inwardly analyze if i was honest in my search. Slowly i began to be humble. My layers of "natural man" began to peel away to reveal the core of my soul. Then my true desires were manifest. When i asked this time, i knew it was from my heart. The witness did come, as it always does and as it is promised. My heart swelled within me and i knew that when i asked about the truth of the Book of Mormon and the prophet Joseph Smith that the things i already hoped to be true were confirmed. I understood what it was Lehi was describing in his vision of the tree of life. That fruit which is most desirable above all others is the love of God and we become partakers of it as we follow the path paved by our Savior and strengthened with the iron rod, His words. Nothing has brought me greater peace and more purpose. I am so grateful to be sharing this message with others that they may be partakers as well. That was the first desire of Lehi after he has parteken of the fruit of the tree of life. I hope to be successful in doing so. Thank you all for all that you do. Thank you for making the mission possible and for your many prayers and sacrifices. I am grateful for you my family and hope that you continue to enjoy that desirable fruit as you hold to the iron rod and continue down the path. I want you all to know that i am doing very well and that everything is working together for my good.
Elder Cabrera
09/15/09
Family,
I am so grateful for the letters and support you have given me. I am likewise thankful for the prayers and feel the power of your faithful prayers in my daily work. Some interesting things have been going on in the past week or so. This past week has marked the beginning of my third transfer, or 6 week period. There was many surprises to me as the details were worked out about where i was to be sent (i stayed in Brighton) and who my next companion was to be. I was surprised with other calls as well and am in need of those family support prayers more than ever! I have a new companion, Elder Simmons. He's from Columbus, OH and we're having lots of amzing experiences as we work in our area. We're teaching some really interesting people; there's a Muslim, a man from Africa, a mexican family (represent!), and lots of other people. Its incredible how people are prepared by the Lord to receive the message of the Gospel. Mustafa is a Muslim man that we are teaching and he knows so much about the gospel, though he doesnt know that he knows it. He fully embraces the idea of prophets, premortal existance, and other fundamental truths of the restoration. It's like teaching someone who already knows what you are teaching, and often times i come away as the one who learned something. There other experiences too that have led me to marvel at the way that the field is ripe and ready to harvest. I hope everyone is doing well and i want to thanks everyone for their support and kindness, manifest in my bike fund. Thank you all for contributing. I love you all and wish you the best.
Elder Cabrera
I am so grateful for the letters and support you have given me. I am likewise thankful for the prayers and feel the power of your faithful prayers in my daily work. Some interesting things have been going on in the past week or so. This past week has marked the beginning of my third transfer, or 6 week period. There was many surprises to me as the details were worked out about where i was to be sent (i stayed in Brighton) and who my next companion was to be. I was surprised with other calls as well and am in need of those family support prayers more than ever! I have a new companion, Elder Simmons. He's from Columbus, OH and we're having lots of amzing experiences as we work in our area. We're teaching some really interesting people; there's a Muslim, a man from Africa, a mexican family (represent!), and lots of other people. Its incredible how people are prepared by the Lord to receive the message of the Gospel. Mustafa is a Muslim man that we are teaching and he knows so much about the gospel, though he doesnt know that he knows it. He fully embraces the idea of prophets, premortal existance, and other fundamental truths of the restoration. It's like teaching someone who already knows what you are teaching, and often times i come away as the one who learned something. There other experiences too that have led me to marvel at the way that the field is ripe and ready to harvest. I hope everyone is doing well and i want to thanks everyone for their support and kindness, manifest in my bike fund. Thank you all for contributing. I love you all and wish you the best.
Elder Cabrera
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