Hey Family!
So Just before I began this email, I read over some information that the mission office sent my companion and I about transfers this coming monday and apparently I will be leaving the great city of Fort Collins to go back down to the Denver Metro area. I have some mixed emotions about this-I have truly loved the people here and had some amazing experiences. It will be hard to say goodbye. But at the same time I am hopeful for the future and I see many growing opportunities on the horizon. Part of moving down to the Northglenn area involves a new assignment from my mission president that will require a lot of new responsibilities on my part and while such assignments can be daunting and overwhelming, I'm optimistic about what I can learn from it.
I'm going to be saddened to say farewell to my companion Elder Carpenter. He was awesome. I learned so much from him. I know President Ely was inspired in putting us together. And I feel a little spoiled and selfish becasue I think I took more from our time together than he did, and I didn't really bring a whole lot to the table, but in any case, it's been a fast and joyous 6 weeks.
One of the Sisters in our Zone is going in for surgery on Monday. She is an awesome missionary from Tonga and has a big heart, but if you could all include her in your prayers in the next week I know the Lord will hear your petitions on her behalf. Her name is Sister Ta'Ai (Pronounced "Da-i").
I know this is pretty embarrassing to admit, seeing as I am a missionary and all and should have a grip on spiritual things, but this past week I have had an epiphany in relation to understanding how the Spirit works. It's hard to believe it's taken me this long to figure it out, and granted I have just scratched the surface in terms of fully understanding it, but I can't think of a more valuable lesson I have learned in my life! I was in a lesson teaching an investigator this past week when it happened. She had asked a question about the three degrees of glory and why we needed them and why the traditional heaven and hell was not sufficient. As my companion tried to answer her question I did something I should have been doing my whole mission: I stopped trying to think about what to say and I LISTENED! I strained to hear the Spirit and I payed close attention to her body language, applying a training my misssion president gave a few weeks ago. I noticed in her expressions that the scriptures my companion was trying to use to help her understand weren't helping her. There seemed to be a deeper concern. When it came time for me to speak I don't even really remember what I said, but I felt thoughts and impressions flow into my mind and words come out that I have never considered. I hope nobody misunderstands this-I wasn't prophesying or anything, but it felt kind of the way you would feel if you stood in front of an enormous audience to speak and your fear choked your thoughts and bound your tongue, but a little microphone in your ear gave you the words you needed to say and you just repeated them. That was probably a bad analogy but I don't know how else to explain it. It was awesome though! We ended up tying everything back to the Book or Mormon and whether it was true or not and helped her to understand that gaining a testimony of it would help her to answer her own question. Very neat experience.
This past week we have been teaching members of the ward a lesson out of Preach My Gospel, and more specifically on the first principle we teach investigators: God is Our Loving Heavenly Father. This was a great chance to learn as we prepared for each lesson. As we taught I noticed what an incredible concept this is that there is a God, that we are His children, but most important, that He loves us. I have thought about what this understanding can do for someone. Could you imagine if everyone in the world knew they were sons and daughters of Heavenly Father?! This world would be an amazing place! What confidence and self-esteem everyone could gain from knowing this. Maybe that's why we learn at such a young age to sing that sweet hymn "I am A Child of God". I'm so grateful for this understanding. It has brought solace to my soul in times of need. To know that we can call upon our Maker in times of distress or hopelessness and to know that He will hear us and give relief is the most useful understanding we could ever gain. I am so grateful to know this, and to help others learn this. They don't know what they're missing. I encourage you all to consider those around you who struggle to know who they are and to use the key of knowledge you have to unlock the blessing of heaven to them. There are many who look for truth and are kept from it only because they know not where to find it.
Love you all. Write back!
--
Elder Cabrera
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
4/10/10
Hey Family
I cant write much-I'm on a time crunch, but I wanted to update you on this week. These past few weeks have flown by so fast. It's hard to keep track of things and realize that every day counts. I am loving the opportunities that have come about though and for the miracles that the Lord has wrought. I see His hand in some aspect of the work nearly everyday. It's incredible. I have learned much in this short little time. I have been privileged to be the recipient of much information and understanding.
There is usually not something extraordinary I stumble or a grand epiphany that enlightens an entirely new perspective I had never considered, but I have understood many of the basic principles and ordinances of the gospel much more clearly. I have learned a little more how encompassing Heavenly Father's love is for us. There are so many wonderful things that He has done for us, chief among them being the gift of His son.
How amazing was conference?! Come with questions and you will leave with answers! I loved every talk. It was overwhelmingly powerful. I particularly liked Elder Rasband's talk about how missionaries are called-that was a cool story. It helps me to know I'm in the right place!
I hope everyone is doing well. I sure do love you all-so very much. I know my emails are lame, but hopefully you can feel the joy, appreciation, and love that I feel for you all. I am not articulate or eloquent in writing; I can only say thank you and I love you. God be with you all!
--
Elder Cabrera
Thursday, April 8, 2010
4/3/10
Hey Family,
Thanks for all the Happy Birthday wishes! You guys are the best. It means so much to me to hear your words of encouragement. My birthday was stellar. Even though I am in a singles ward I got cards and a birthday cake and even had "Happy Birthday" sung to me. The members in Fort Collins are amazing. This is such a strong area of the church. The members are faithful and full of love and support the work. It has been an amazing an amazing 5 months.
Last Thursday we had a mission conference with three other Zones up in Laramie, Wyoming. It was so cool! I have been praying really hard to find things that I can improve on because I feel in many ways that I have hit a wall and haven't been progressing. The trainings that were given by my mission president and his assistants were exactly what I needed to hear. It never ceases to confirm my faith that Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers when experiences like this happen. I know when we go to HIm seeking counsel it comes-but not always in the way we would like it to. We have to search for it. I spent many nights on my knees in frustrated and impatient prayer looking for answers on what I was doing wrong because I had felt that I wasn't doing all that I could. Well answers do come, but on the Lord's timetable and whne He knows we'll listen. One of the lesson we taught this week to members of our ward has been on what the Lord expects of us to make our petitions become a reality. While reading in Ether 2 about the Brother of Jared (hey...that's me!) I learned that more often than not the Lord expects us to come up with the solution and go to Him to confirm our conclusion and to get His stamp of approval. Hence His unique response to the Brother of Jared was "What will ye that I should do...?" I can imagine it more as "what do you want me to do?". A similar experience was felt by Oliver Cowdery while attempting to translate. He took no thought save it was to ask, yet there is so much more to prayer than just kneeling and vocalizing our needs. It's in the doing that our prayers are answered! I was having dinner with one of the counselor's in our Bishopric and we were entreated to his son's mission stories from his service in France. He told us about his mission president who was trying to organize transfer for the whole mission and was having a difficult time and didn't seem to be making progress. He would pray and think and ponder but nothing would come. The story is told from the perspective of an Elder who was working in the Mission Office who would occasionally glance into the mission president's office and see him pacing and obviously troubled. Suddenly the mission president threw open his door and rushed outside to the lawn. He located the lawn mower and began mowing in his full suit, coat and all, in the middle of summer. A few minutes later, he rushed back inside leaving the lawn mower running, and bolted to his office. Ten minutes passed and he emerged from his office and casually commented that transfers were finished. That seems like an odd story but I think the point of it is to see that inspiration and answers to prayers come when we are doing something. I have found this to be true.
How amazing is General Conference?! I love it so far and can't wait for the following sessions. I am so grateful for living prophets. I have learned so much as I have found answers to question I approached the conference with. I love finding answers to questions. The lord is so loving and merciful to provide us with such answers.
I hope everyone is enjoying their Easter weekend-it's the greatest holiday ever. It signifies so much. I love you all and wish you the best.
--
Elder Cabrera
Thanks for all the Happy Birthday wishes! You guys are the best. It means so much to me to hear your words of encouragement. My birthday was stellar. Even though I am in a singles ward I got cards and a birthday cake and even had "Happy Birthday" sung to me. The members in Fort Collins are amazing. This is such a strong area of the church. The members are faithful and full of love and support the work. It has been an amazing an amazing 5 months.
Last Thursday we had a mission conference with three other Zones up in Laramie, Wyoming. It was so cool! I have been praying really hard to find things that I can improve on because I feel in many ways that I have hit a wall and haven't been progressing. The trainings that were given by my mission president and his assistants were exactly what I needed to hear. It never ceases to confirm my faith that Heavenly Father hears and answers my prayers when experiences like this happen. I know when we go to HIm seeking counsel it comes-but not always in the way we would like it to. We have to search for it. I spent many nights on my knees in frustrated and impatient prayer looking for answers on what I was doing wrong because I had felt that I wasn't doing all that I could. Well answers do come, but on the Lord's timetable and whne He knows we'll listen. One of the lesson we taught this week to members of our ward has been on what the Lord expects of us to make our petitions become a reality. While reading in Ether 2 about the Brother of Jared (hey...that's me!) I learned that more often than not the Lord expects us to come up with the solution and go to Him to confirm our conclusion and to get His stamp of approval. Hence His unique response to the Brother of Jared was "What will ye that I should do...?" I can imagine it more as "what do you want me to do?". A similar experience was felt by Oliver Cowdery while attempting to translate. He took no thought save it was to ask, yet there is so much more to prayer than just kneeling and vocalizing our needs. It's in the doing that our prayers are answered! I was having dinner with one of the counselor's in our Bishopric and we were entreated to his son's mission stories from his service in France. He told us about his mission president who was trying to organize transfer for the whole mission and was having a difficult time and didn't seem to be making progress. He would pray and think and ponder but nothing would come. The story is told from the perspective of an Elder who was working in the Mission Office who would occasionally glance into the mission president's office and see him pacing and obviously troubled. Suddenly the mission president threw open his door and rushed outside to the lawn. He located the lawn mower and began mowing in his full suit, coat and all, in the middle of summer. A few minutes later, he rushed back inside leaving the lawn mower running, and bolted to his office. Ten minutes passed and he emerged from his office and casually commented that transfers were finished. That seems like an odd story but I think the point of it is to see that inspiration and answers to prayers come when we are doing something. I have found this to be true.
How amazing is General Conference?! I love it so far and can't wait for the following sessions. I am so grateful for living prophets. I have learned so much as I have found answers to question I approached the conference with. I love finding answers to questions. The lord is so loving and merciful to provide us with such answers.
I hope everyone is enjoying their Easter weekend-it's the greatest holiday ever. It signifies so much. I love you all and wish you the best.
--
Elder Cabrera
3/27/10
Hey Family,
Hope everyone is enjoing their spring so far-we got 6 inches of snow this week! All in one night. Colorado is so weird. It was 60 degrees and sunny one day then 20 degrees and snowing the next. I usually work in my area using a car but the one day it snowed I was on exchanges with another Elder! Coincidence? Nope. It was a good experience-you learn a lot about yourself when you are pushed to your limits. I was totally unprepared for the snow because I had been expecting warm weather and I was surprisingly really cold. It rained first and I got soaked, then it started snowing and I got freezing cold but it was such an awesome day. The Elder I was with kept pushing forward and heading to the next appointment like nothing was amiss. He taught me a lot. At the end of the day, after shoveling lots of driveways, I was at peace with the things I had done that day. There is such satisfaction when you're doing the Lord's work! We would tract and knock on people's doors or contact them in the street and they would look at us like we were crazy! But it was a good opportunity to telll them that the message we were sharing was so important that we were out sharing it rain or shine (or snow). We were blessed to find several people who were willing to invite us back to meet with them. I have a firm testimony that when you put in the work, the Lord will honor his promise to bless you with the Spirit to direct you to those that have been prepared. I LOVE this work! It is so rewarding.
Speaking of rewarding, my new companion and I are having some really neat experiences this week. We made it a goal to tract or contact on campus for at least one hour a day so that we can continue to find more of Heavenly Father's children to share the message of the Restoration with. It has been challenging at times and some days we have to break it up in 15 minute blitzes, but we have been so blessed as we have put forth the effort. We have literally found someone interested in meeting with us every day this week! Every time we go out, we have a spiritual experience where we have an opportunity to share our testimonies or give away a book of mormon, even when they are not interested in meeting with us, they give us their attention for a few minutes and accept a pamphlet or a Book of Mormon. It is incredible. We have already have found 3 new investigators this week that we have taught and have appointments with 5 more today and tomorrow! My testimony of finding through the Lord has grown. When you "thrust in your sickle with all your might" you will reap. It has been a week bursting with miracles.
My new companion Elder Carpenter is a stud. I really enjoy working with him. He's a great example of a hard working and obedient missionary and he has whipped me into shape! I have learned so much from observing him and following his example. He's a convert to the church and really has a stellar conversion story. He has a very strong testimony and it shows in the way he carries himself and the work that he puts in every day. As soon as he got here the work picked up and the pace of our day got quicker and things are starting to fall into place. He knows how to work hard and smart-a skill that I have not yet mastered. In any case, it's been a blessing to serve with him and I can't wait to see what the next few weeks hold!
We had a baptism scheduled for today that unfortunately fell through. Our investigator Jason doesn't quite feel ready and he feels a bit pressured. I went back in my mind trying to discover what it was that I did wrong or could have changed to make him feel at ease with the decision to be baptized. I was praying one night, and it was actually about something else, but the words of a primary song came to mind:
I'm trying to be like Jesus,
I'm folling in His ways,
I'm trying to live as He did
In all that I do and say
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen to the still small voice that whispers:
Love one another as Jesus loves you
Try to show kindness in all that you do
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought
For these are the things Jesus taught.
That was a powerful answer not only for things I was praying for but for what to do with Jason. I realized I needed to show more love, show not only him but everyone that I care about them and want what is best for them. Nothing that Jesus did was self gratifying. It was all in service to others. I think that when the people I am teaching really understand that I care and honestly want the very best for them and when they feel my love, they can feel the Spirit, they can feel Heavenly Father's love. If there is any other motive other than seeking to bless their life, they see right through it and cast the seed out before it can begin to grow. I have always wondered how people come to develop such deep relationships with those they teach when I haven't really felt such a connection with anyone. I don't know all the reasons but I think it is in part because I am too selfish some times and have some other motive for teaching them. I have found the importance of being constantly focused on others and serving them. Even in prayers where it can be easy to become selfish asking for things for yourself, I have discovered the need to pray for others. I wish I would have learned this earlier on my mission.
Well, I am going to be 23 tomorrow. That is old. I am dreading accepting the fact that in 2 and a half months I will reach my one year mark. I wish I could slow things down. I have learned so much and treasured the invaluable lessons I have learned more than anything.
I hope each one of you are living your life to it's very fullest and taking advantage of every situation to share the gospel. It can be intimidating and scary at first, but look at the rewards. They far outweigh the work involved. That is true with every commandment. We get so much more than what is asked of us. What could compare with Eternal Life? There is nothing we could ever do to deserve it. And yet we are simply asked to obey and give our hearts to God, and when we do we feel encompassing joy all around us.
I love you all. You are in my prayers. I appreciate the many things you each have done for me. God Bless!
--
Elder Cabrera
Hope everyone is enjoing their spring so far-we got 6 inches of snow this week! All in one night. Colorado is so weird. It was 60 degrees and sunny one day then 20 degrees and snowing the next. I usually work in my area using a car but the one day it snowed I was on exchanges with another Elder! Coincidence? Nope. It was a good experience-you learn a lot about yourself when you are pushed to your limits. I was totally unprepared for the snow because I had been expecting warm weather and I was surprisingly really cold. It rained first and I got soaked, then it started snowing and I got freezing cold but it was such an awesome day. The Elder I was with kept pushing forward and heading to the next appointment like nothing was amiss. He taught me a lot. At the end of the day, after shoveling lots of driveways, I was at peace with the things I had done that day. There is such satisfaction when you're doing the Lord's work! We would tract and knock on people's doors or contact them in the street and they would look at us like we were crazy! But it was a good opportunity to telll them that the message we were sharing was so important that we were out sharing it rain or shine (or snow). We were blessed to find several people who were willing to invite us back to meet with them. I have a firm testimony that when you put in the work, the Lord will honor his promise to bless you with the Spirit to direct you to those that have been prepared. I LOVE this work! It is so rewarding.
Speaking of rewarding, my new companion and I are having some really neat experiences this week. We made it a goal to tract or contact on campus for at least one hour a day so that we can continue to find more of Heavenly Father's children to share the message of the Restoration with. It has been challenging at times and some days we have to break it up in 15 minute blitzes, but we have been so blessed as we have put forth the effort. We have literally found someone interested in meeting with us every day this week! Every time we go out, we have a spiritual experience where we have an opportunity to share our testimonies or give away a book of mormon, even when they are not interested in meeting with us, they give us their attention for a few minutes and accept a pamphlet or a Book of Mormon. It is incredible. We have already have found 3 new investigators this week that we have taught and have appointments with 5 more today and tomorrow! My testimony of finding through the Lord has grown. When you "thrust in your sickle with all your might" you will reap. It has been a week bursting with miracles.
My new companion Elder Carpenter is a stud. I really enjoy working with him. He's a great example of a hard working and obedient missionary and he has whipped me into shape! I have learned so much from observing him and following his example. He's a convert to the church and really has a stellar conversion story. He has a very strong testimony and it shows in the way he carries himself and the work that he puts in every day. As soon as he got here the work picked up and the pace of our day got quicker and things are starting to fall into place. He knows how to work hard and smart-a skill that I have not yet mastered. In any case, it's been a blessing to serve with him and I can't wait to see what the next few weeks hold!
We had a baptism scheduled for today that unfortunately fell through. Our investigator Jason doesn't quite feel ready and he feels a bit pressured. I went back in my mind trying to discover what it was that I did wrong or could have changed to make him feel at ease with the decision to be baptized. I was praying one night, and it was actually about something else, but the words of a primary song came to mind:
I'm trying to be like Jesus,
I'm folling in His ways,
I'm trying to live as He did
In all that I do and say
At times I am tempted to make a wrong choice,
But I try to listen to the still small voice that whispers:
Love one another as Jesus loves you
Try to show kindness in all that you do
Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought
For these are the things Jesus taught.
That was a powerful answer not only for things I was praying for but for what to do with Jason. I realized I needed to show more love, show not only him but everyone that I care about them and want what is best for them. Nothing that Jesus did was self gratifying. It was all in service to others. I think that when the people I am teaching really understand that I care and honestly want the very best for them and when they feel my love, they can feel the Spirit, they can feel Heavenly Father's love. If there is any other motive other than seeking to bless their life, they see right through it and cast the seed out before it can begin to grow. I have always wondered how people come to develop such deep relationships with those they teach when I haven't really felt such a connection with anyone. I don't know all the reasons but I think it is in part because I am too selfish some times and have some other motive for teaching them. I have found the importance of being constantly focused on others and serving them. Even in prayers where it can be easy to become selfish asking for things for yourself, I have discovered the need to pray for others. I wish I would have learned this earlier on my mission.
Well, I am going to be 23 tomorrow. That is old. I am dreading accepting the fact that in 2 and a half months I will reach my one year mark. I wish I could slow things down. I have learned so much and treasured the invaluable lessons I have learned more than anything.
I hope each one of you are living your life to it's very fullest and taking advantage of every situation to share the gospel. It can be intimidating and scary at first, but look at the rewards. They far outweigh the work involved. That is true with every commandment. We get so much more than what is asked of us. What could compare with Eternal Life? There is nothing we could ever do to deserve it. And yet we are simply asked to obey and give our hearts to God, and when we do we feel encompassing joy all around us.
I love you all. You are in my prayers. I appreciate the many things you each have done for me. God Bless!
--
Elder Cabrera
3/22/10
Dear Family,
Well, we had some transfers take place on Monday...and I got a new companion! And he's from Arizona!! Elder Carpenter is his name and he's from Prescott (Pronounced "pres-kit" or else you get in trouble). No, he's an awesome Elder. I already enjoy being around him and I've learned a lot from him. He has been out for almost twice as long as I have so there's lots I am taking from the example he sets. One of the coolest things about him is he's always positive. I've realized what a likeable quality that is. Nobody wants to be around a pessimist. And there's always something to be happy and bright about. We live in a pretty cool place in a pretty cool time and, best of all, we have the gospel. It's the key to happiness and peace. There's a lot to be positive about. And I'm trying to look at life more that way.
When a new transfer cycle begins, there's something refreshing in the air. It's kind of like the same feeling you get during the new year. You feel like you can wipe the slate clean and start fresh. A new companion makes it even easier to do. There have been a lot of things that I have been striving to improve and this is a great opportunity to start! It has been an awesome week to be able to set the tone and attitude for the next six weeks with hard work, focus, and high achieving goals. And we have seen the benefits that come from "thrusting in our sickles with all our mights". Yesterday, Elder Carpenter and I were in the institute planning and setting goals for the upcoming week, when we heard someone saying "Hello?". With all the CSU students being on Spring Break and the institute being desolate, we were wondering who was there. We came out of our office to find a young man looking around the corners for someone to talk to. His name was Nick and he was lost. He had wandered into the institute looking for someone to give him directions to the museum in town. Well Elder Carpenter and I didn't hesitate to invite him to sit down and talk while we drew him a quick map. While I drew the map, Elder Carpenter talked to him about his faith and got to know him a little bit better. While we were talking, Elder Carpenter managed to bridge the conversation into the Book of Mormon and the gospel. After we were finished he asked if he could have a copy and if he could meet with us to talk a little bit more. The Lord works in miraculous ways! It was an awesome experience.
Well I'm doing great. This is the best time of my life! And I can't believe how old I am going to be! But I'm just glad I have this opportunity to serve a mission. Thanks to everyone who is making this possible!
--
Elder Cabrera
Well, we had some transfers take place on Monday...and I got a new companion! And he's from Arizona!! Elder Carpenter is his name and he's from Prescott (Pronounced "pres-kit" or else you get in trouble). No, he's an awesome Elder. I already enjoy being around him and I've learned a lot from him. He has been out for almost twice as long as I have so there's lots I am taking from the example he sets. One of the coolest things about him is he's always positive. I've realized what a likeable quality that is. Nobody wants to be around a pessimist. And there's always something to be happy and bright about. We live in a pretty cool place in a pretty cool time and, best of all, we have the gospel. It's the key to happiness and peace. There's a lot to be positive about. And I'm trying to look at life more that way.
When a new transfer cycle begins, there's something refreshing in the air. It's kind of like the same feeling you get during the new year. You feel like you can wipe the slate clean and start fresh. A new companion makes it even easier to do. There have been a lot of things that I have been striving to improve and this is a great opportunity to start! It has been an awesome week to be able to set the tone and attitude for the next six weeks with hard work, focus, and high achieving goals. And we have seen the benefits that come from "thrusting in our sickles with all our mights". Yesterday, Elder Carpenter and I were in the institute planning and setting goals for the upcoming week, when we heard someone saying "Hello?". With all the CSU students being on Spring Break and the institute being desolate, we were wondering who was there. We came out of our office to find a young man looking around the corners for someone to talk to. His name was Nick and he was lost. He had wandered into the institute looking for someone to give him directions to the museum in town. Well Elder Carpenter and I didn't hesitate to invite him to sit down and talk while we drew him a quick map. While I drew the map, Elder Carpenter talked to him about his faith and got to know him a little bit better. While we were talking, Elder Carpenter managed to bridge the conversation into the Book of Mormon and the gospel. After we were finished he asked if he could have a copy and if he could meet with us to talk a little bit more. The Lord works in miraculous ways! It was an awesome experience.
Well I'm doing great. This is the best time of my life! And I can't believe how old I am going to be! But I'm just glad I have this opportunity to serve a mission. Thanks to everyone who is making this possible!
--
Elder Cabrera
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