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