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,

Forgot to mention, there is a sister missionary in my Zone whose father passed away on Wednesday. Her name is SIster Spence. Im sure she could use some prayers on hers and her family's behalf.
--
Elder Cabrera