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!
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