April 6, 2015 from Sam

hey mom!  Alright well I only have about an hour so ill just get right to it... So i talked to President Crapo last Tuesday.  It was about some stuff I hadnt cleared up with Bishop Scholl or anyone before.  It had happened a long time ago almost two years, but I knew because I had to wait until April to get my papers in, if i had told him about the other thing i wouldve had to wait like 5 months longer so I never said anything and just thought time would heal it all.  So I decided to talk to President Crapo about it on Tuesdaybecause i wanted to make sure i was 100% clean and worthy.  I didnt think I would go home for it really when i told him, but he said theres a good possibility I could.  Its not his decision and I should get an answer today from the general authorities in charge of the mission department.  I was scared to tell him at first because I knew there was a small chance I could go home and i was scared of the embarrasment just because of what happened with BYU and every other consequence ive paid for the stupid decisions in my life.  But I read a talk by the area seventy Elder Alonzo to missionaries about a year ago. He said, you should fear more not being able to enter the kingdom of God more than you should fear man.  I also studied fearing God in the scriptures and read the story in DandC about Oliver Cowdery when he lost the pages and how God was upset with Joseph because he had feared man more than God.  So I decided to talk to President.

I know this may seem like Im just writing somewhat unemotionally, but its been a long week of waiting and now Im absolutely content with my decision I made to talk with him and I know i did the right thing.  I dont know yet if Im going home, but Ive set a ton of goals for if I do what I need to do to actually prepare this time for a mission.  I want you to know Im 100% confident in my ability to come back and do it right.  I know youre probably very sad reading this, but I want to serve my 2 years 100% worthily and I have plenty of things to do in the work if I do come home and a lot of things I can do to better prepare myself for the last 17 months of my mission.  Im not scared and do not care what anyone thinks except for Heavenly Father.  So do not be sad.  Have faith and I will too to be able to do things right.  I love you with all my heart

April 5, 2015 from Mom

Hi my favorite missionary!

Wasn't conference soooo great?!  I started crying when Elder Renlund spoke about the two missionaries... the companion who wouldn't work hard.  Did you love that?  I felt like that was for you:)  I always feel a little sad when conference is over.  Where did you watch?  Could you hear it in English?  And, yes... why the FLDS rainbow? I have no idea but it never fails that at least one choir is going to wear those "special" colors. 

My favorite part about conference is thinking that we are doing the same thing at the same time. Even though we are 1000s of miles apart, our whole family is watching the same thing.  That makes me so very happy!  When the ensign comes out with the conference talks, I'll mail one to you.

I was really sad to hear the voices that would not sustain the prophet.  Could you hear that?  I read an article about it this morning and the writer suggested that those who sustain Pres. Monson take it a step further. After we raise our hand to sustain him, we should take away one thing that touched us during conference and use it to make a positive change in our life this month.  Something that will bring us closer to the savior.  So, I've decided to focus on serving each day.  In my morning prayers I'm going to ask Heavenly Father to help me see the need of someone and be able to offer service to one of his children each day.  It has been something I've been trying to do more but I know I'm not doing enough.  So that is how I will sustain Pres. Monson.  How about you?  Is there something that really struck you during conference that you can work on this month?  What were your favorite parts?

Did you get my easter box yet?  I got together with some other Prosper Missionary moms this week.  It was really great.  We met at the Argyles house and we each brought one small thing to put in each missionary's next box. So... I have another box for you:)  It is just some small items but I'll get it sent out this week.  Do you need anything? 

How has your week gone?  I'm so anxious to hear.  Did you do the things I asked you to?  1. Study Daniel  2.  Look for tender mercies  3. Pray to have more love for your companion and the others you work with and serve.  How did that go?

Are you working with any investigators?  How is Marvin doing? 

I wrote you so much this week so I won't make this too long.  I just want you to know how much I love you and miss you ... as always!  Have an amazing week, my sweet son!

love, infinity plus infinity,

momma

p.s. Karlee Winters mission call is going to Oakland CA to work in the temple visitors center.  She leaves in May!  Other people that are getting mission calls aren't leaving until August so it seems really quick! 

[p.s.s. We had a family get together today for Easter and watched a home video of you, Abby and Gray.  Such great memories of that culdesac.  We watched one of you 8 year old baseball games with the Astros:)  xoxo  You were a beast:)

March 30, 2015 from Sam

hey mom :) Thank yall so much for fasting for me... I love yall so much!  i still dont think ive ever heard dad barf hahaha and i dont think i want to.

But it sounds like the open house went well!  You and dad should talk to the missionaries and ask if you could help them and visit one of those families with them for a lesson!

those tulips look so beautiful... grayson showed me the pic of the new car... thats so tight haha if i wasnt getting a truck id get something like that.

Still not perfect, but i thnk were improving.  Well be doing well and hell say something stupid and ruin it sometimes.  And dany and dianna i dont know the deal with them.  I let them borrow my camera a while ago for a "ward activity"... and hadnt bothered them about it.  and then i let them borrow my charger for my other camera and somehow the charger "got lost".  So then i said well i need the other camera now to have a camera with a charger and it was just a lot of indiligent "searching." Then dany texts me and says ill get the camera to you tomorrow but dont say anything to diana.  Im pretty sure they were gonna sell it or something if i hadnt said anything.  After you paid them the hundred bucks diana came home with a new phone one day.... so im just super annoyed with them and dont really want to eat with them anymore. 

Anyways... that jeremiahs scripture is good i love it. I had no idea karlee was going on a mish? And thats actually possible hahaha weird.  Anyways i love you mom hopefully youre online :)

March 30, 2015 from Mom

I hope you had a fantastic week!  Is anyone getting transferred? 

We fasted as a family for you on Sunday.  I prayed for your continued protection, obedience, and guidance by the spirit.  I prayed that Elder Comacho would be humble and have a desire to learn.  I prayed that you would lead him by example and show him how to work his butt off and turn his life over to his Savior. I prayed that you would feel the love of your family around you, supporting you.  And I prayed that you would feel your Heavenly Father's love and your saviors love surrounding you and guiding you.

We all fasted for you with the exception of Dad.  Remember the story about Dad (when we lived in Florida) getting so sick that he into the back yard at 2am and barfed in the backyard??? Well he is that sick again and this time he ran out to the front yard and (while in his garments, eye shades and earplugs) barfed in our flower beds at 5am.  And it is loud!!!  I don't understand why he cant us a toilet like a normal person!!!  Haha!  So he has been in bed sleeping all day.  He said he is going to try to write you in the morning.  But if he doesn't, just know he is in bed out of it!

We had our new building open house yesterday.  It went great!  We had different classrooms dedicated to seminary, family history, Aaronic priesthood, Family Home Evening, young women, etc.  Each room had a video playing with a little info about it.  I think we did a great job putting together a great presentation.  They had a breakfast in the morning with the mayor and other local leaders.  Then people could come walk around.  In the 2 hours I worked in the FHE room, I probably met about 7  or 8 families.  One guy, just as he was leaving said, "your church has everything people are looking for."  Pretty cool.  I took some pictures of the missionary wall and my favorite missionary!  It is cool to see all the young men and women serving our Heavenly Father just from Prosper.  I wish we could have added your video to the group but we just couldn't get it to work.  I really appreciate Hmna Breshears working so hard to try to make it happen!  Please tell her thank you again!  ps. While I was at the open house, Brother Whitney talked to me a long time and asked all about you. 

Abby and I also found this really cool tulip farm in Pilot Point.  A family moved here from the Netherlands and built a tulip farm.  It is just rows and rows of beautiful tulips in every color you can imagine.  I included a picture of that too.

Ama sent you a package and I did too a week ago.  Let me know when you receive those.  Your new scriptures are in that box.  xoxox

How was your week my boy?  I hope things went better with Elder C.  Tell me about it!  My every prayer is for you and that all is going well for you and you are feeling the blessings of all your hard work.  You are loved, my sweet boy!  I miss you and I love you sooo much!  I was so happy looking at your missionary picture on the wall with a string connecting the picture to Guatemala.  That is my son!  Keep working hard.  Be obedient.  Pray, study, and remember how much your family loves you! 

I saw this quote and scripture this week and it made me think of you.

“He uses our problems for His miracles. This was my first lesson in learning to trust Him completely...”
-Corrie ten Boom (holocaust survivor)

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will hear you. You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you, declares the Lord…"
-Jeremiah 29:11-13

I love you so very much and I hope you have a wonderful week!  I can't wait to hear about your week.  Infinity + Infinity and even more than that! 

xoxoxo

mom

p.s. Karlee Winters should have her mission call this week. 

p.s.s. I had a dream that Sydney Walton married Michael Gleason.  What do you think?

March 23, 2015 from Sam

Well somewhat of a long and rough week this week.  It started because my companion Elder Camacho (after the conference with Neil. L Andersen) had told me that night he did something before the mission and wanted an interview with President Crapo.  Because of what he did I knew for sure hed be going home.  So we had a long 2 hour conversation about it and set up the interview for the next day.  The next morning we were talking again and said he lied and didnt do anything but he just wants to go home and doesnt like the mission.... So again we had a long conversation but he decided he wanted to go home.  Then we get off the two hour taxi ride to the office and asked him whats your final thoughts?  "Oh it was just an impulse Im gonna stay here..." ..... If Ive ever wanted to chop someones big toe off it was then.  He had the interview with President and I guess it went ok. But were still not getting along great.  Hes just super prideful and im trying to teach him what I need to teach him as a trainer but he doenst want to learn anything because he thinks he knows everything.... but honestly knows nothing to be honest.  Its just really frustrating.  And hes just a jerk with people to the point where Dianna (my mom in the mission) isnt going to cook lunch for us anymore and where a lot of members have stopped working with us. 

Another tough thing was we had planned this big activity to do family trees for their family history and about 30 people had commited for sure to come but not a single soul came.  After paying like 60 quetz of my own money for supplies and planning a ton that was really super rough. 

As well as basically the ward here... everything is so different from the US.  The people in the leadership positions at least in my ward are super loving and caring people.  My bishop here and all the other leaders are just super prideful and are really really hard to work with.  For example, one of our baptismal dates right now is the bishops sister.  When we told him she was gonna get baptized on the 28th the first thing he said was, with a straight serious face, "why didnt you put the date a week later so when my son gets home he can baptize her?"  They just dont understand what baptism means or really much church organization.  Ughhh its hard not to be negative but its frustrating.  

But I read an article my mom had sent me a while ago that reads basically that the church is lead by all volunteer, unperfect men and women. Except His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, God only has unperfect people to work with.  It must be frustrating but he deals with it.  Therefore, so should we....

I really took that to heart and am really trying to apply it.  I feel like Ive thought of some good ideas and revelation to start this week to help this ward.  Trying to stay positive this week so it can all work out!  

Love you all

Elder Gurksnis

 Notice the difference in Marvin's countenance!  This is before.

This is at his baptism.  So amazing how the gospel of Jesus Christ changes people.  Sometimes you can see it just by looking in their eyes.

 MTC district reunion at Elder Anderson's conference.

Missionary food.  Don't be jealous.

March 22, 2015 from Mom

Oh my gosh!  The t-shirts that woman wears are so funny!  Where does she get them? I'm thinking you could find some awesome Christmas gifts for Dad and Gray there.  

I LOVED all the pictures this week!  What an amazing transformation of Marvin!  He looks fantastic and so happy!  How was the baptism?  Do you have a baptism that has been the most powerful for you so far?  What an impact you are having there in Limon!  Do you think there is any chance you are leaving next transfer or are you pretty committed to training Elder Comacho for another 6 weeks?  

Dad said that you are still having trouble with bad spirits.  I know you don't want me to worry.  However, I want you to know… I'm a very strong woman.  I can handle it.  I don't want you to hold things back from me unless you really feel strongly about it.  Elder Packard says, "There are few things more powerful than the faithful prayers of a righteous mother."  I want to be able to pray for you and help you.  Have those experiences subsided?  Would you like to have a family fast and we could all fast on the same day?  Do you think they have anything to do with Elder Comacho?  You didn't have them before he got there.  Have things changed since he got there?  Are you still truly obedient like you were with Elder Funes?  I know Elder Comacho has been difficult, but I was thinking about this.  I feel like I can see the Lord's hand so much in your life.  I feel there are very few coincidences for you.  It seems the Lord gives you experiences to mold you and fine tune you into the man he wants you to be.  So… what could this experience with Elder Comacho be for?  What do you need to learn, or teach, or how are you being tested by this experience?  Maybe the Lord has seen your obedience with Elder Funes and now he wants to see if you can continue to obey and lead and be an example when you are in charge.  Maybe it's a test of your integrity and leadership.  Integrity is doing what is right and what you believe in even when no one is looking or you could probably get away with not doing it.  These are just some of the thoughts I've had this week as I've prayed and thought about your situation.  Be introspective and truthful with yourself and see what you think about it.  And if this is all just a trial of faith, remember what Pres. Monson says, "Good timber does not grow with ease.  The stronger the wind, the stronger the trees." <3

We had a good week… aside from the fact that I have two very teenagery kids at home right now!  SHEESH!  They are still great kids but they just both had a ton of attitude this week.  Raising teenagers is not for the weak!  It was so funny because tonight Sister Schaack (in another prosper ward) came over to video tape our family having family home evening.  They are video taping about 7 families and putting together a video to show during the new building open house next Saturday to show what FHE is.  So Abby is in a totally bad mood and she looks all pouty the whole time. We were fake praying (they just need video.. you won't hear what we are saying) and Dad is praying to lose 5 more pounds and for Abby and Gray to have better attitudes and Abby did NOT think that was funny!  She is gonna watch the video next week and be so mad that she was so pouty!  haha  Mostly she is awesome!  But she is 15% teenagery. Grayson is about 25% teenagery.  Oh well.  

Dad and I went to dinner with the Smiths yesterday which was really fun!  We are trying to get them to flip a house with us.  So we talked about some of the details last night.  I'm really excited to do it! We are looking for a home in need of TLC in Plano.  It will be an adventure for sure!  I hope that when you get home we will have a few flips under our belt by then and you can help with one!  We also went to lunch with Laurette to celebrate  her bday.  Syd is coming home this weekend to visit which will be great.  

A few questions/reminders:

Don't forget on the new mp3 player that I sent you, I put all your music and several talks on there too.  Did you ever get a speaker?  I sent one to you in a "Easter" box I mailed to you on Friday.  I hope you get it by easter.  

How was the Elder Anderson conference?  What a fun reunion with all your MTC buddies! What did you take away from his talk?

Loved the pictures of your food!  Looks like a grilled ham,cheese and salsa sandwich..??? Am I right?  Do you need any more cooking ideas?  try to add veggies if you can.  

Do you feel healthy?

Do you use the journal that I made?  If so what do you use it for?  

What will you do for Gen. Conf? Can you watch in English?

I love you my sweet boy!  I hope you have a wonderful week!  I'm praying for you all the time.  I love you so very much!  Let me know if you want to have a family fast.  Even though you are so far from us, we are with you and can still help you through prayer and fasting. I miss you madly and  I love you infinity + infinity and even more than that!!!!! xoxoxo

mom

oh… p.s. I almost forgot.  I posted a picture of you and your MTC buddies that you sent this week on the Guatemala missionary mom Facebook page.  One of the moms said her son said Pres Crapo told him they weren't allowed to send pics via wifi anymore. Do you know anything about this?  

MUAH!!!!!! xoxoxox

March 16, 2015 from Sam

Welp, a decent week.  We had the chance to baptize Armando who is the son of Paty and brother of Dalia and Aura who were baptized with Elder Funes and I.  He's really really autistic and has a lot of problems so we didn't know if he really needed to be baptized.  But we realized he knows the difference between good and bad so he was baptized Saturday.  

This coming Saturday, we have the baptism of Marvin!  He's an ex alcoholic who drank every single day but since the very first day we visited him he hasn't had a single drink.  Truly a miracle.  We also have some solid other investigators who we've been teaching but Marvin this week!

This week on Wednesday we'll get the chance to hear from the apostle Neil L. Anderson in a conference for just our mission.  I'm pretty excited!  This morning we were in a meeting for all the newbies and so I had to go with my comp.  It was something with signing a visa or something. A man walked in and told us that Elder Anderson had just arrived and it was pretty funny to watch everyones eyes and how fast their hands opened their backpacks to get their scriptures out lol.  

Ive been reading a lot about the atonement of Jesus Christ lately.  Something I read in a talk from David A. Bednar is that sometimes we make the mistake of thinking the atonement is only used to make bad people good.  But just as equally it's used to make good men, better.  Although a huge crucial role of the atonement is to help people really turn their lives around, those already walking in a fairly straight path need it just as equally to progress and learn to become more like Christ.  I encourage all of you to learn and take advantage of the sacrifice that Jesus Christ has made for each of us.  Hope you all have a great week!

Elder Gurksnis

Tradition - Burning a tie at 6 months

Austin Family!  The ties are gorgeous and I've already eaten all the trail mix!  You guys are awesome!

March 15, 2015 from Mom

And if it is your buttcrack… how did you take a picture of it????  On second thought, I don't even want to know.  HAHAHA!!!  We were going to send you a family buttcrack selfie but thought we'd save you from that permanent scar.  You're lucky.

How is my sweet boy?  This was a tough week for me.  My thoughts and prayers have been with you so much this week!  I was so worried about the bad spirit experiences.  Not freaked out.  I know you are handling it the right way.  And in someways you have received an incredible testimony of the strength of your priesthood in a very physical way.  Worry has been my partner ever since you left home.  It's just a mother thing I guess.  But I don't want you to think I sit around and fret and cry.  I don't.  I have learned to trust the Lord too during your mission.  I have had the joy of watching my boy grow into a man and lose himself in serving and loving others.  That is something I would never trade the worry for.  I'm so incredibly proud of you and love you so very much!  I hope you feel my love and prayers… because they are immense!

I have questions for you and a story at the end so I'll be brief.  Here are my questions.  Maybe you could cut and paste them so you can answer them.

1. Have you had and spirit trouble in your new home since you blessed it?  How bout the Hermanas?

2. Do you have your carbon monoxide detector out with batteries in it?  Two missionaries died in Guatemala from carbon monoxide poisoning.  It's really a simple thing to do.  Just make sure it has batteries and then leave it on your desk or somewhere near where you sleep.

3.  Did you bring the "more cowbell" poster to the new place?

4. How did the conversation go with Dany about paying him in advance for meals?  I am still scared sweetie.  I think I handled it wrong and I worry about your safety.  I tried to do the right thing but I think I handled it wrong.  I just am so grateful for all Dany and Diana have done for you, I didn't know how to tell them no.  I thought I came up with a good idea, but now I'm not sure. If for one second  you feel like your in danger, you do not hesitate one second to call Pres. Crapo and you'll get transferred I'm sure.  

5.  It looks like you got the Austin's package.  Did you get my envelope?

6.  I didn't know you were having a baptism this week!  Who is in the pictures?  I'll post pictures to Facebook today (Monday). 

I wanted to finish with a story I read this week that reminds me of you.  I have always known the Lord loves you so much and designed you to do many great things while you are on the EArth.  Just seeing what you have done for others and for yourself on your mission makes me understand this better.  See story below:

Some years ago on a hot summer day in south Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house.  In a hurry to dive into the cool water, he ran out the back door and flew into the water not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore.  His mother was looking out the window and saw the two as they swam closer and closer together.  In utter fear she ran toward the water yelling to her son as loudly as she could.  

Hearing her voice, the little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his mother.  It was too late.  Just as he reached the dock, the alligator reached him.  The mother grabbed her little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs.  An incredible tug-of-war began between the two.  The alligator was much stronger than the mother but the mother was much too passionate to let go.  A farmer happened to drive by and, hearing her screams, grabbed his gun, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator.  

Remarkably, after weeks and weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived.  His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal.  On his arms were deep scratches where his mother’s fingernails dug into his flesh in her effort to hang on to the son she loved.  The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma asked if he would show him his scars.  The little boy lifted his pant legs.  And then, with obvious pride, he said to the reporter, “But look at my arms.  I have great scars on my arms too.  I have them because my mom wouldn’t let go”.

You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars too.  No, not from an alligator or anything quite so dramatic, but perhaps the scars of a painful past.   Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep regret.  But some wounds are because God has refused to let go.  In the midst of your struggle, He’s been there holding on to you.  He wants to protect you and provide for you in every way.  Sometimes we foolishly wade into dangerous situations.  The swimming hole of life is filled with peril and we forget that the enemy is waiting to attack.  That’s when the tug-of-war begins.  If you have the scars of His love on your arms, be very, very grateful.

We had a great week.  Spring Break.  We got so much done around the house and cleaned out both garages!  Can't believe we can fit two cars in garages now!  Now when the hail comes this spring, only dads car will be at risk… and our house:)  Wish I had someone to watch the storms with… sniff sniff.  I'll sit in the garage and watch the storms and think of you.  

I love you so much my son!  I'm so proud to call you my son.  I miss you incredibly and am so excited that skyping is getting closer.  When are your next transfers?  Do you think you are staying for sure or is there any chance you will be transferred?  Have a wonderful week!!!  Infinity + Infinity!  xoxoxox

mom

ps. I'm on chapter 18 of Jesus the Christ!  Boom!!!

March 9, 2015 from Sam

Hey mom!  So yeah we wrote late today and i am just so freaking tired so im sorry my letters are going to suck.  But dont freak out but I had to share this with you.  So after the whole moving of the house thing Hna Breshears and her comp just have had some incredibly scary stuff continue to go down in there house.  Theyre in the process of finding a house and until then theyre sleeping 30 minutes away every night with the closest sis missionaries.  

We moved houses and the second night i just had a very very scary experience.  I woke up at like 230 in the morning at first and I couldnt move.  I could open my eyes but couldnt move my body.  I felt like i was a mummy wrapped up. I was trying to scream but couldnt scream.  After about literally 5 minutes of trying to raise my hand to the square i could finally barely do it and did the thing.  As soon as i did it the coolest chill ran down my spine ive ever felt and it felt like the mummy wrap just exploded off of me.  And i could move freely.  I was freaked out obviously, but i turned on some music and went back to sleep.  I then woke up again at like 430 in the morning.  I felt the exact same thing, but (try to stay with me) it was a dream.  But, the absolute realest dream ive ever experienced in my life.  But although i felt the same thing i could raise my hand with ease and said it but this time it didnt work.  I (in my incredibly realistic dream) i was levatated and doing this weird pointing finger and levatated walked toward the door but couldnt opened the door.  I then turned to camacho and i saw him pull the covers over his face because he was scared and as soon as i was about to touch him i flew backwards into my bed.  And then i woke up for real from my realistic dream.  But i woke up with the same mummy feeling.  I couldnt move anything just my eyes.  And the same story i raised my hand in about 5 or 6 minutes and did the thing and it worked. Same chill same everything.  This was the first night in the new house.  After we blessed the first house nothing happened the last two nights.  But then we moved houses and that happened.  We needless to say blessed the house the next night and ive slept like a baby ever since.  I had my interview with president the day after and i told him what had happened because i was pretty freaked out about everything that had happened in the past week.  He told me straight up look it was a bad bad spirit.  Ive had 5 other missionaries explain to me since my time here the exact same story.  But 3 of the 5 were doing things to invite it like playing wigi board or something.  But yeah the others including mine were somewhat but not random either.  It all started happening when we started talking about it as a district.  But now everything has settled down.  We blessed the house and im fine now nothing is happening.  But i just want yall to bless our house cause i dont thing weve ever done it.  You can tell grayson and dad but dont tell abby this story.  

Im not trying to freak you out mom and i dont want you to be worried!  Because i know that nothing can hurt me and i have the priesthood.  It was just a crazy experience and i had to share it.  But dont worry please please im absolutely fine!

Anyways, im absolutely wiped out.  But were doing great.  Camacho has a ton of ideas that arent very great and im trying to always tell him look be humble you dont have much time and you need to learn some things before we do all this stuff.  But other than that were doing really well.

Im so glad youre working so hard with your business mom im so proud of you!  Im having some money problems this month due to crazy random stuff so i may need some extra help... im really sorry i hate asking for money mom.... im serious i hate it.  We just had to buy some new stuff for the house and the secretaires lost some of my money but say they didnt but whatever.   But anyways, I love you and miss you so much mom.  I love you with all my heart!  I think of you and our family every day and I work harder so that you guys can receive more blessings.  I loveyou  and dont worry about me cause im great :) Love your boy Sam

March 8, 2015 from Mom

Hello sweet boy!

I hope you have a great day at the temple today!  I can't wait for the time when we get to go to the temple together again.  I miss you my boy!  I've been working on our family history again.  So I've been getting our family names ready for the temple.  It's such a great feeling when I take our own family ancestors to the temple.  My patriarchal  blessing says that I have family members waiting for me to do their work... I guess its about time that I do it.

We got your letter for Grandpa and I delivered it this weekend.  He and Ama both really loved it so much!  They are both incredibly proud of you and  are two of your greatest supporters.  They are both doing great.  It seems like they are finally settling into Prosper and the house is all done and beautiful.  I love having them so close by.

I had a good week.  We got an elliptical machine this week.  It is great to be able to work out at home because we have had the absolute worst weather for the passed few weeks!  Ice, snow, gray skies and rain pretty much solid.  Before Saturday, we had 11 days in a row with only 6 hours total of sunlight!  I went to a real estate class this week and the instructor was a special guest and he was awesome!  He ended up being an LDS guy from SLC and he is just a super successful guy...  as a realtor, and as a business owner, real estate investor, just a super motivating guy.  We hit it off and he shared some really good ideas for not only improving my business, but just ways to improve your life and make it more meaningful.

He suggested to read a book that changed his life.  It totally sounds like a Jerry McGuire moment but I really liked it.  The book has "10 scrolls" that are supposed to be practiced in order to make the most of your life.  The one "scroll" that I wanted to tell you about is called "Today I begin a new life."  This first scroll is all about deciding what you want your life to be like and then making that happen.  He talks about people being slaves to their habits (which are often bad habits - laziness, not learning new things, bad health habits, etc).  He says, "In truth, the only difference between those who have failed and those who have succeeded lies in the difference of their habits.  Good habits are the key to all success. Bad habits are the unlocked door to failure.  Thus, the first law that I will obey - I will form good habits and become their slave."

I think this applies so much to your mission and all you have ahead in your future.  Make good habits and become their slave.  He says the way to do this is 1. replace bad habits with good habits 2. Make a list of your daily good habits and don't go to bed until you have checked off every one of them...every day!  You are now a slave to them and cannot finish your day without completing all of those good habits.  The habits will over time become easier to do and will change your approach to and outlook on life.  It's really a gospel message.  It is how we improve our lives, overcome the bad habits and choices we make, and become better people and more of who the Lord created us to be. 

Think about it and see if you can come up with some good habits to replace any bad ones, make a list of them, and then do EVERY one of them EVERY day.  Be a slave:)

Primary was hilarious on Sunday. The little autistic boy was having a really tough time sitting still.  He kept putting his hands down his pants and then he would put his hands on me and I was grossing out.  Sis Opfar put hand sanitizer on his hands and he said, "oh good!  I need that because my peni* keeps sticking out." (I'm using an * because it would probably get filtered and kick my email out). Then he takes his hands out of his pants again and licks his hand.  UGH!!!!  

How is your new apartment?  Did you bless the new place?  Erik told me about the experiences he told you about.  So scary!  I worry so much when I hear things like that.  Please be obedient and be protected.  I'm also reminded that "Satan will have power to bruise your heal, but you have power to crush his head."  Be safe sweetie!  I pray for your protection and success every day, more than once.  I also pray each day that you feel my love and support around you and that love and support of your whole family.  We are always with you.

How is Comacho?  Is he learning?  How would he rate you as a trainer?  How would you rate yourself as a trainer?  How was your baptism on Saturday?

I love you so very much!  Have a great week!  Only 61 days til we Skype!!!!  I can't wait to see that gorgeous, handsome face that I miss!  I miss you and love you infinity + infinity and even more than that!

Mom

March 2, 2015 from Sam

Cha boi is at 6 months today!  I'll be sure to send some pictures of me burning the tie tonight.  Fastest 6 months of my life that's for sure!  I can't imagine how everyone says it goes by faster after a year because this time has gone by unexplainably fast.

Welp we had a really solid week this week!  Mariela was an investigator who will be baptized this coming Saturday and was really struggling. Long story short she is going to be baptized although her mom is going to kick her out of the house and she has no job or no money and a 6 year old to take care of.  Imagine the faith that she has in order to move forward and get baptized.  That's pretty incredible.  She now has something lined up but regardless she's an incredible person.  

We also put baptismal dates with others this week including Marvin.  Marvin was an alcoholic who drank all day every day.  Since the first day we met with him he has completely left alcohol.  He's having many health problems right now but hes overcoming it and hasn't had a drink in 13 days.   

I kept this week short because of some other people I want to write but i continue to see miracles in this area because of the faith of some amazing people.  

Have a great week!

Elder Gurksnis

March 1, 2015 from Mom

Can you believe it????  It feels somehow really great to say that 25% of you mission is done!  Are you going to burn a tie today??  I can think of a few that I've seen in your pics that I wouldn't mind if you burned them.  hahaha!

So here are my questions for the week:

1.  Moving... Did you move apartments?  I got the pictures.  Why did you need to move?  Are you in the new place?  Is it in the same area?  It looks like you have a great view from the roof top. How safe is it?

2.  Diana said you have 5 investigators who have commited for baptism!??? What the deuce?  I thought you were struggling to find new solid people.  YOu must have had an amazing week. I can't wait to hear about it! How is Elder Comacho coming along?

3.  I got some really cute pics of you from Hermana Breshears (my new BFF) but still no video.  I think she is still working on it but I'm not sure if I'll get it in time.  I'm supposed to turn it in by March 6th. I at least printed a picture of you to have hung up during the open house.  I really hope I get the video!  Btw, she says you are "a great missionary... one of the best."  <3

4.  Have you been able to work the new mp3 player?  Don't forget I put some talks on there under "podcasts" that should be great to listen to.

5.  How is the language going?  Do you feel fluent? Do you dream or think in Spanish?  How is the training going?

We had a crazy week!  Monday thru Wednesday were snow days for school.  We had a ton of ice.  So it wasn't really fun because there was no snow to play in, just ice.  Dad worked from home too.  Then Thursday Abby and Gray went to school but I took Gray out early so he could catch a plane to Utah to go snowboarding.  He got there safe and sound and then Friday it started snowing here at about 7am and didn't stop until about 4pm.  We got about 6 inches of snow but no snow day from school.  Gray has been having a blast in Utah and is pretty great at snowboarding now.  He comes home tomorrow (Monday) night.  Then today church was cancelled because we had so much ice in the parking lot and on the sidewalks.  Anyway, it has just been a weird week.  Very cold!!!

I closed on Katie and Andrews new house!  It is so pretty!  They have done such a great job making their credit strong and saving.  It gave them the opportunity to have a really lovely first home that most people couldn't have because they don't understand the importance of those two things.  Something to think about when you get home.  I'm also working with the Hillstroms to find a new home.  He wants to buy a pretty expensive home with some land (1-5 acres).  I think being a dentist must pay very well.  Plus he has done a great job promoting his business so I think it is really growing.I'll be so sad if they leave Prosper  but I'm happy to be working with them.  They are such a great family!  It would be a huge loss for our ward!

I sent you a padded envelope with some letters and talks in it.  Let me know when you get it.

Today (March 1, 2015) would have been my grandpa Jim's 100th birthday.  My aunt Jamie asked us all to email her some of our favorite memories of him.  I'm going to send the compilation in your next package.  I just thought I would share a few thoughts with you about him.  After all, you are part of his legacy and his blood runs through your veins.  I consider it an amazing legacy to come from such a tremendous, wonderful man.  He had great success in his career no doubt.  (VP of Capital Records (head of the A&R division), President of Columbia Records, Founding president of Warner Bros. Records, 1st President of NARAS (the Grammys), produced the first Grammys show, Director of Voice of America appointed by Pres. Ronald Reagan, President of Boneville productions (the Church's broadcasting company… he worked closely with Gordon B. Hinckley and Thomas S. Monson).  However, the way his family remembers him is even greater.  The main themes of what each person said is that he made them feel incredibly important.  When you talked to him, you had his full attention.  He would just ask you questions and make you feel like you could do anything!  He was generous and humble.  With his time and his finances.  There were so many times he gave money to help others when they really needed it.  No one knew about these things until his funeral.  He never told anyone and didn't want anyone to know.  He was very successful in his career, but the most important things to him was his family and his faith. He was also funny and a prankster.  He loved to surprise people and did all of his own Christmas shopping and wrapping.  He loved to see our excitement when we opened his gifts. He treated everyone with the respect they deserved.  Every employee of his loved him because he was kind and interested in everyone whether a VP or a janitor.  

I just wanted you to know more about him.  It is so important to appreciate the people who made life possible for you.  I'm incredibly grateful he is my grandpa and he will be for eternity.  I can't wait for you to meet him someday!  He has left us a great example to follow.

You have so many great ancestors who each have some part inside of you.  I don't think its random.  I know you were designed to be a great person and man.  I know you will see the fullness of that developed as long as you stay close to your Heavenly Father and follow His plan for you.  You are doing that now and are doing it so well!  Stay obedient, loving, humble, and interested in life and people.  You are making a difference in peoples' lives there in Guatemala and it is a special time of your life.  Enjoy this journey sweetie.  I'm so incredibly proud to call  you my son!  You are one of my greatest treasures in my life!  I hope you have an wonderful week.  Please be safe. Stay on your toes and be obedient.  It gives me comfort when you are obedient because I know it is the best way to receive HF protection.  Spiritual and physical.  

I love you infinity + infinity and even more than that… my wonderful missionary!

xoxo

Mom

February 23, 2015 from Sam

To start with my funny moment of the week I woke up Tuesday and took off my shirt to go take a shower and passed by the mirror and naturally couldnt pass by the mirror without stopping to look and I realized I had a 6 inch long stick bug taking a nap in my chest hair.  So that was a classic freak out and honestly wished there was a camera rolling.

First off, shout out to my dad who has a birthday today!  I know how lucky I am to have him as a father and he knows how grateful I am for him.  So be sure to call him or write him to say how awesome he is!  Love you pops.

Well, had my first week as a trainer!  It was different to say the least. At first when I was told last Sunday that I'd be training, I was a little worried.  But most of my worries and doubts have since left.  It's just A LOT of responsibility especially in my area.  Our ward just doesn't help us out very much.  I have a ward mission leader who hasnt served a mission.  Not much help from that department.  I have a class to teach every Sunday on my own as well.  I have a bishop who is an awesome guy and one of my best buds honestly in my area, but to be honest doesnt help us out at all and the things he does do really just does them to not get a cincho (butt whooping) from the stake president.  With Elder Funes it wasnt too bad because we both were able to work together with ideas and we always had the same ideas and were good friends and were always there for each other.  But to be completely honest my companion came as a less active recent convert so naturally doesnt know anything about the lessons or the mission haha.  So its difficult really having to do literally everything in our area.

At first he came somewhat errogant and a little prideful as did I and the majority of missionaries who enter the field. But after making him try to teach the majority of the lessons a few times and he realized hes got a ways to go, he humbled down a little bit haha.  And now has a desire to learn and is studying hard so Im proud of him!  Hes a weird dude... lol.  Which again is different because Elder Cano and I were buds for the most part and Elder Funes and I were super tight, but I still love him and am trying to be there for him and teach him well.

So my cool experience for the week was this: so we worked our butts off this week!  Elder Funes and I had baptized a lot of people in our last change and had constantly looked to find new solid investigators but didn't find too many.  So our difficulty this week was finding new people.  So the end of the week we had had a ton of lessons and new investigators and we showed up to sacrament meeting and realized that none of the people that had committed to go to church were there.  I was really down... just kind of doubting myself of how I'm gonna  help this area with really not much assistance... as well as train and do all this stuff on my own.  About half way through sacrament meeting I just kinda closed my eyes and said a really heartfelt prayer.  I asked to be able to feel Heavenly Fathers love in that moment and be confident in myself to be able to know that I could do it.  I was almost to the point of tearing up when I said amen.  About 5 seconds later someone from behind tapped me on my shoulder.  I looked back and one of our investigators, Martha, who we weren't expecting to be there, had walked in and sat down during my short prayer.  She had this big smile and her and her son waved at me and I waved back at them.  It was honestly such a spiritual experience and I know it was Heavenly Father answering my prayers and thanking us for the work that we had put in that week.  Even though it was just two people!  I also began to be more and more thankful when I looked around and saw Fredick sitting with his girlfriend and her family who we'd been trying to activate and how awesome he has been in the last few weeks.  As well as Molly and Milagros in the pews as always continuing to endure and be some amazing converts.  As well as Kevin who got to pass the sacrament this week.  And seeing Paty and her daughters who couldn't pay their light bill this month filling out a tithing envelope was quite a tear tugger as well.  She is awesome.  I really didn't realize that I could do this on my own until I was asked to do it on my own this past week and I feel we did a really good job.  My prayers and my studies are now better because i have to be on my A game always. I realized how many blessings I've seen in my time in Limon as a missionary and it was just a great experience.

Well anyways I hope all you have a great week! 

February 22, 2015 from Mom

Well, how did  your first week as big trainer man go????  I hope it was fantastic.  I know you felt some pressure, but I hope that has subsided.  You are well prepared to serve in this capacity.  If you will trust your instincts, work very hard, and pray for inspiration and direction, you will do wonderful.  You are the only trainer this new elder will ever have.  So take the responsibility to heart ( I know you do) and do your very best.  The Lord will help you if you get on your knees and ask for his guidance.  You are a powerful young man (you have the priesthood and access to the power of the atonement).  You can do anything with the Lords help.

Who are your new District Leaders?  Any Americans in your district? Any guys you like a lot?  

What do you do at Changes Meetings?  Does the whole mission meet together or just the ones that are transferring?  

How do you feel about being in Limon for maybe 3 more months?  How is your new comp???  

Any investigators this week?  How about Fredick's sisters?  Who can we pray for?

Remember to turn to your Father in Heaven and the Lord for your daily needs.  The Israelites lost in the wilderness for 40 years were blessed with enough manna/food to eat for one day at a time.  Why would the Lord not give them enough for 7 days at a time?  He is a god of miracles and could do what ever he wanted to do.  But he wanted them to receive only enough for 1 day at a time.  Why?  I wonder about this and I think it is because He wants us to turn to Him and depend on Him daily.  Included in the Lord's Prayer, He instructs us to ask "give us this day our daily bread" Matt 6:11.  I think by asking us to ask for our physical and spiritual needs each day, it shows us that He is aware of all the small details of our lives.  He knows what we need but there is power in us asking Him, depending on Him and seeking His will.  

Read 2 Nephi 32:9

Some of your needs feel huge and some feel small.  The great thing is the Lord cares about all of them because He loves you!  Learn to trust Him and lean on Him during your life's challenges and trials.  

I love you too my sweet boy!  I think about you all the time and pray for you constantly!  

We had a good week.  Dad and I had a great weekend get away in Ft. Worth.  We spent two days just going out to eat, chilling, reading, watching a movie, and going to a fantastic musical, Once.  You would truly love this play!  The music is mostly guitar kind of music that I think you would really like.  We both loved it!  We had delicious shrimp wrapped in bacon with jack cheese and jalepenos.  Really yummy!  The weather wasn't great so we stayed inside more than we planned on, but we still had a fun and restful weekend and a fun celebration for his 50th Birthday (which is today - Monday - by the way!).  

And for Monday... a snow day!  Kids are home from school.  I think this is the latest we have ever had a snow day.  This is the only one we have had all year!  But they are pretty excited.  Dad too will be home so we will all be anxiously awaiting your letter by the computer today:)  Who let the dogs out??!!!

We are now in our new building!  IT is so nice to be so close to church!  The building is really nice.  Have you had a chance to do the 20-30 second testimony video?  Do you think you can do it?  I know your camera takes video but you'd probably need to take the sd card out and put it in the computer to upload it and email it to me.  You can try emailing it like you do your pictures.  I'm not sure if the file will be too big or not.  Maybe Dany could record you on his phone and send it to me.  Let me know what you think you can do.  We would need it in the next week or so.  Our open house for the new building is coming up in a few weeks and they are trying to get all the videos put onto one.  

It looks like the weather is getting warmer in Guat.  I look at the weather every few days and it seems like the temps are creeping up.  Can you feel it?  When does rainy season start?  Our week is going to be really cold.  I'm ready for Spring!  

I'm so excited to hear how you are doing with your new responsibilities.  I know you will be a wonderful leader and trainer!  I hope so much that you got our box by now!  Kellie told me that she just sent you a package too.  You have so many people here praying for you, cheering for you and loving you.  But no one more than me.  I walk around with a constant prayer in my heart and mind for you.  You are never far from my thoughts.  I love you so much my precious son!  Please be safe and obedient and cautious.  I love you fiercely!  Have a wonderful week!

xoxoxoxox

momma