the one with transfers before christmas

Hola Everybody! your favorite missionary coming your way once again from down here in Santiago.

So this week in a nut shell went by really fast. today were transfers in the mission and your home boy and his companion Elder Puello are staying in esmeralda for the holidays so we chillin for now. but unfortunately the other 2 missionaries from esmeralda cant say the same. thats right elder west from colorado and elder muñoz from puerto montt chile are taking off so it was sad saying goodbye to our buddies cause we grew real close. but thats how the mission is, hellos and goodbyes all the time, its an emotional rollercoaster but you learn a lot during the ride. but other than that we're good we're happy, and trying to not melt before christmas. I wanted to say to you all that i wish you a Merry Christmas, while i spend my last christmas away from home and my family i just ask that you cherish the one that you have. love them, enjoy the little things because you dont realize how special they are until you dont have them. trust me i know. I hope you all are on santas nice list and that you enjoy the true reason for the season. i guess thats all for now. have a great week and i love you all and miss you a bunch. 

Love, Elder Carlos Cabrera

facts of the week: 

1. everyone and their mother wants to go to miami here, they think its their escape since its the states but you dont need to know english to get around, what cheaters

2. here in chile theres a version of fruit cake called pan de pascua and everyone eats it here but the peruvians have a much better version called panetón and im telling you the chileans dont know what theyre missing out on...Peru 1 Chile 0

3. so here theres a system of taxis called collectivos and how it works is that you pay 500 pesos which is about 80 cents and they drive certain routes and you have to get off at some point in that route and you get in with complete strangers, its like a bus system but as taxi cars, it takes a bit of getting use to but its cool

the one with the breakfast burritos

Hola Everyone!!! here we are another tuesday in melting december down here in Chile. all you guys going skiing and snow ball fights and drinking hot chocolate, i envy you. haha but honestly im fine its not my first chilean christmas but sadly enough it is my last so ill be definitely making some memories this year but we still have like 2 weeks. what to say about the week, we're getting into dead summer here and we're feeling it, we're drinking a lot of water, walking in as much shade as we can find and putting on sunscreen every 4 hours haha i hope youre proud momma. but we cut loose a bit today with a water balloon fight some volleyball, basketball and a barbecue, summer traditions right? 

but as far as everything going on, we're still working hard and trying to bring this gospel to everyone we can, in every language we can possibly speak. i wanted to take a moment to say that i have learned so much during my time as a missionary. ive truly grown spiritually, mentally, emotionally, maybe even a little physically. i will never regret the 2 years im giving to my Heavenly Father. if you guys have any questions, or just want to say whats up id appreciate the email. and also if we can all pray for the people being affected by the fires in southern california these days, im sure theyd all be very grateful. i love you all and i hope you have a wonderful week. 

Love, Elder Carlos Cabrera

fun facts of the week:

1. everyone and their mother sells popsicles out of their houses during summer, i cant walk 10 feet without the option of a cheap popsicle

2. its totally normal to sell stuff straight out of your house whether it be bread, water, or pet hamsters you dont have to go far to find what you need

3. when you tell a chilean to eb somewhere at 8 oclock, him and you both know he'll get there at 9-9:30 its just the truth 

the one with the chilean mansion

Hoa Everybody!!! Really quick sorry guys i dont have much time this week, long story but i wanted to make sure to write you all so you know im alive and well down here in my new country haha. this week has been great full of heat, funny experiences and spiritual ones as well. i had a great opportunity to have an intercambio with a buddy of miner Elder McCurdy from Conneticut, i know random state right i didnt know there are mormons there either haha. but it was great and we saw this beautiful mansion in the middle of nowhere, sometimes that happens here in Chile. but Johnson was also confrimed a member of the church and i was able to give him the gift of the holy ghost, it was my first time ever doing the ordinance and it was so amazing, the Spirit was truly present. anyways thats the highlight of the week. some of you might have seen a video of me and a few other missionaries singing silent night since my mom posted it everywhere, im sorry i was definitely not thinking that was gunna go on the internet...no harm done i suppose haha. Have a great week!!!

facts of the week

1. the chilean dogs are an advanced species they dont only bark and try to bite you but they run formations and try to attack from the high ground, i nearly peed my pants

2. when youre a missionary and you know people, those people everyonce in a while sure come in handy, i met abus driver that i didnt know the next day would be giving me a free ride to where i needed to go, its all about who you know