January 19, 2014 from Sam

Another solid week.  We baptized Molly and Milagros Saturday and it all went great.  They are some super special people who without a doubt will be active for life.  Elder Funes also had permission to go back to his old area afterwards to baptize two people from his old area in zona central.  That area is so cool and its kind of like New York with all the people!  

We have also been working with Kevin who is a 14 year old cousin of Dany.  He has had a strong testimony for years but his mom hasn't ever given permission for him to be baptized and its been a long struggle in that family because she has very deep Catholic roots.  She began by not even talking to the missionaries or acknowledging them, to letting them in their home to be friends with Kevin, to interacting, to finally on Monday night, we had a family home evening with them.  We watched the Joseph Smith Restoration video and shared our testimonies with her.  Everyone was crying just because the spirit was so strong and Kevin is such a special kid.  He expressed his desire to be baptized in front of everyone.  His mom was just different.  She just had a totally different look in her eyes.  She said she was sorry for being so hard on Kevin and she just needed some time.  So this week we have two visits with her and Kevin believes that this Saturday he's gonna make a final effort and we all really have faith that it'll happen. Not only that she will give permission for Kevin but that she will begin to progress in this gospel.  On Monday night before we went over there I honestly had my doubts, but I read Ether 12:12 before we left, "For if there be no faith among the children of men, God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith."  Elder C and I had been struggling to get her to budge at all so I had my doubts, but reading that verse changed my outlook.  Elder Funes and I had faith and it was an incredible experience.  He finally had permission to just go to church this week and I know its only a matter of time before he's baptized!  

If we have faith in Christ, anything is possible.  Since the time of Christ's death, man has put so many restrictions on Him saying that miracles and prophets and visions are a thing of the past.  But I know that with faith, God can do whatever he wants to do.  I know that God loves His children living today just as much as his children before the time of Christ.  I know that He has called a prophet for us today to guide us in a time of much confusion and wickedness because He loves us and wants us to walk with Him.  I know that Joseph Smith, a 14 year old boy, saw God and Jesus Christ and restored His church on the Earth!  All because of faith.  I have faith and know that Christ lives.  Build your faith and let Him be your rock.  

Have a great week!

Elder Gurksnis

January 18, 2015 from Mom

Hello my sweet boy!  Happy P day!  I've thought about you so much this week!  Im excited to hear how things are going with Elder Funes and all about your baptisms on Saturday.  I kept praying throughout the morning on Saturday that the spirit would be strong at the baptism and that all would go well.

How cool that you got to go to the central zone this week!  A good change of scenery, I bet.  How was it different from where you are now?  Were the people different?  

We had a great week.  The kids are getting back to the routine of school.  I've started my routine of walking and working out.  We had 3 couples over for dinner on Friday night.  It is a ward activity, where they ask you to sign up if you're interested in hosting some couples at your house or if you just want to go to someone else's house.  Then on Monday, they call us to tell us who is coming to our house for dinner that Friday.  Everyone brings some part of the dinner and you get to have a nice night with people you might not always hang out with.  It was pretty fun and my food was, of course, delicious! Then on Saturday night Dad and I, Ama and Poppop, the waltons and the Tius all went to see "American Sniper."  Its a new movie that just came out and it is the first one I'm gonna buy to have for your "must see" list when you get home.  It is a true story about the sniper that the military says is the best they've ever had.  You might remember him… Chris Kyle.  There is a book out about his 4 tours of duty in Iraq.  Then after he got home from his last tour of duty, he was helping another veteran who was suffering with injuries.  He took him to a shooting range and the veteran shot and killed Chris Kyle.  It just happened in 2013 so maybe you remember that.  And it was in Texas because of course Chris Kyle is from Texas.  The movie was very hard to watch but truly incredible.  It broke a bunch of box office sale records and the liberals hate it.  Its hard to understand what fault they could find with an american hero like Chris Kyle, but they do…  Anyway.  Its on your must see list for when you get home:)  I'll just keep buying the dvds of the movies we add to that list:)

Abby went to the stake dance on Saturday and she actually had fun.  And… it has started!  She has two boys texting her from the dance.  Cutter Neilsen and Calvin Schofield.  She is on cloud nine and having so much fun.  If they weren't good boys I'd be more worried about it… but I guess it had to happen some time.  Your sister has got game.  And she gets her braces off in 2-3 months so she will only be cuter after that!  She is a sweet, good girl too.  You have been such a great example to her and she loves having a brother that is a missionary.  You would be so proud of her… and I know you are.

Gray had an awesome game on Friday. Scored 10 points with a dunk added in the mix!  He is one of the few that actually passed the new seminary mid term (mandatory that you pass it) the first time around.  He is also following your example and looks up to you so much.  As a mom, I look at my three kids and I feel like my heart could burst because I have so much love for you three.  I'm incredibly blessed by my Heavenly Father.  You three are my life's work and my true treasure.  Thank you for being such an amazing first born in our family.  It is such an important role that you don't ask for but it just falls on you because you set the tone for the other kids.  Your example and your life mean so much in our family.  You have not always been perfect (just like all of us) but you have shown your brother and sister how the atonement blesses our lives and how you can turn things around and do incredible things.  I love you so much my sweet son.  I'm so proud of you.  You are my hero!

Here is a message I got from Diana on last Monday night :I want to congratulate you for having a very special child. On Monday we had a family home evening and it was very special. They are teaching the nephew of my husband and sam gave his testimony and really feel the spirit . We all cried

You are doing such incredible things.  You have given 2 years of your life to the service of your Heavenly Father and Savior.  Can you think of any better way to spend those 2 years of time?  And, I think in the end, after all of the good you have done for others, you will find that the greatest investment has been in yourself and your future.  It will change the path of your life in all the best ways.  Never forget that my boy.  All of your friends that I see on Facebook / Instagram… all of them in college doing sororities and fraternities.  I'm sure it is fun.  But that fun will be here for you when you get home.  And in the meantime, you are doing something so important, so worthy, so valiant.  I'm so very proud and happy for you!  

I'm sending you a talk in your next package by Tad R. Callister called The Consecrated Missionary.  I want to share just a little of it with you.  

"What is a consecrated missionary?  It is a missionary who is willing to lay everything on the altar of sacrifice and to hold nothing back.  It is a willingness to give every ounce of energy, every conscious thought and every drop of passion to this work - to submit our will to God's will whatever it may be.  Every missionary who has been to the temple has covenanted to consecrate his all.  The book of Omni records the depth and breadth of that covenant. : Yea come unto me, and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him (Omni 1:26)"

It makes me think of all you're doing.  I know how hard you are working.  I know what you have sacrificed.  I know the Lord knows too.  I have seen him bless you immensely during your time in Guatemala.  Keep working and striving my son.  I love you fiercely!!!!  And miss you like a dirty dog (in the words of G)!  Have an amazing week!!!! xoxoxoxoxox

Infinity + Infinity.

Mom

January 12, 2015 from Sam

Monday, January 12, 2015

Change is Good

So this past Tuesday we had changes and my new companion is Elder Funes!  He was companions with Elder Konold before me, my buddy from the MTC.  How crazy huh?  Shoot.  I thought Elder C and I worked hard .. this guy is insane! haha We have not lost a minute of time during the day.  He's an absolutely incredible missionary.  It's been awesome because with Elder C he was just super difficult and I didn't get much say in what we did.  But with Funes we've been coming up with some awesome ideas and just working our butts off.  There's not a more committed missionary in the mission that I can promise.  haha It's a little difficult at times when he tells me that I have to say "Elder" and then the last name or can't use "vos" which is like the informal way or kind of slangy way to talk here.  Little things like that.  But I can't really say "no, your wrong" cause he's right but its a little difficult at times. He's very formal and not super outgoing during the day until we get home at night and then he loosens up a bit.  But he's a great companion and I can't even tell you how much I've learned from him just in these past 6 days.  

With Elder C I learned a lot about my personality and how to deal with people that you don't get along with lol.  But he was all about numbers and I couldn't stand it.  With Elder Funes we both have a love for our ward and for the people and we do what's right.  During the day I'm exhausted, but when we get home at night its just kind of "wow we had a good day today."  The hardest thing is not spending a lot of time with Dany and Dianna who are my family here because again we just don't waste a minute of time. But I know that we're working hard.  We had 7 investigators at church this week!  Can you believe that? We're baptizing Molly and Milagros and we have 5 other baptismal dates right now!  I've seen so many miracles this week.  We simply contacted this one girl for a few minutes and she said she would go to church.  We passed by her house at 7:30 Sunday morning to bring her and her dad said she wasn't there and had already made previous commitments.  We were somewhat disappointed. We showed up to church and there she was, in the pews waving to us.  It was amazing. Our success is incredible and I know its all because of the Lord and He's blessing us for our hard work and obedience.  I hope you all have a great week:)

Love Elder Gurksnis

How many Guatemalans can you fit on one bus?

January 11, 2015 from Mom

Hello Baby Boy!!!  This week has felt sooooo long to me!  I've been so anxious to hear about your new comp.  Diana FB me and in her very broken english, I think I understood that he is strict to the rules and she is no longer cooking for you.  I'm sure this is a big change to your routine, but I hope (and have been praying) that he is a great comp and this is a good change for you.  This is your first opportunity to experience change with a comp.  I bet its weird at first.  But there will be new things to learn from each companionship.  So again, I'm praying that you are open to what you can learn and what you can give!  

No pics from you this week.  I missed it.  Send more pics! xoxox  

I sent you pictures... our Sunday Selfie and my new hot glasses!  

We had a good week at home.  Grandpa Tom ended up having surgery and replacing part of his aorta.  We are really blessed that it worked out so well.  His mother died from this same thing.  If the aneurism had ruptured, he would have died instantly. We told them that we put his name in the temple where they pray for him each hour for 2 weeks.  She said that she was so grateful for the "mormon prayers" (haha) and how they must be very powerful.  I think she was really sincere about it.  I had Grayson and Abby call him the night before his surgery and he got really emotional.  He has a different way of showing it, but he loves you guys very much!  He came home from the hospital today and is doing really well.  Keep him in your prayers.  

Ama had another performance in LA.  Everyone thought is was the best show yet.  

Gray had a disappointing basketball game on Friday.  He has been playing so much but on Friday he got about 3 mins total of playing time.  Not sure why.  He's been playing well but I know he is disappointed. Of course it was when some of our family came to support him.  I think he is finally committed to trying to put on weight.  I know that would really help him.  

Erik graduates from paramedic school in 2 weeks.  So happy for him!  He LOVEs his job at Legacy ER.  I think he is taking a semester off but will then get back on track to get his nursing degree.  He is exhausted but he seems so happy doing this.  

Kevin is still going strong with his girlfriend. I like her.  I think there is an edge to her but I think that is actually good for Kevin.  I think she keeps him in check.  I mean, its only been 2-3 months... but so far so good.  We will see.

And as for me, I missed you this week my son.  Some weeks are tougher than others.  This was tough.  I think it is mainly because I've been anxious to hear how you're doing with your new companion.  I've been excited to hear about your baptisms coming up too.  It is looking more like Fin will not be coming back out to Guatemala.  He just won't break up with his gf... can't get his priorities straight. His parents are so thankful that you wrote him.  They shared some of it with me.  I told them not to give up yet.  I believe he has a testimony.  If he could trust the Lord, I know he would be blessed for it and it wouldn't be as heartbreaking as he imagines.  She is just a big distraction from him being able to fully commit to his mission and I think the Stake Pres was right in his counsel to Fin.   It makes me even more grateful for your devotion and service to the Lord.  How are you feeling?  I know the MTC is such a spiritual place (as much as you hated it).  Do you feel the spirit as strongly as you are out serving in the field?

Here is my spiritual thought of the week.... it made me think of you.  Its a poem that says, 

Stick to your task till it sticks to you

Beginners are many, but enders are few. 

Honor, power, place, and praise

Will always come to the one who stays.

Stick to your task till it sticks to you;

Bend at it, sweat at it, smile at it too;

For out of the bend and the sweat and the smile Will come life’s victories, after awhile. 

We also had one the best sacrament meetings today.  Bro. Richey spoke and it was great.  The topic of the whole meeting was enduring to the end.  He spoke about the aspect of enduring to the end even when we have questions, disappointment, doubts, etc.  I thought you could use it with some of your members who have fallen off the path.  He said this, 

"As a father, I have have enjoyed watching my girls ride their bikes for the first time unassisted. In part, my joy came because I was exhausted from running behind them, pushing and balancing them and protecting them from unnecessary harm, but also my joy came from seeing their enormous smiles as they realized that they had accomplished a task that seemed unsurmountable at times during previous attempts. On one occasion, while I firmlyheld the bike from behind, and was pushing one of my daughters into a gentle turn, she felt the bike tilt slightly. Frightened by any instability, she leaped off the bike, and crashed into the hard pavement. She thought that route was safer than staying on the seat and trusting her guide.  Her limited experience thus far in life hadn’t provided the knowledge that staying on the bike was safer than abandoning it for the hard and unforgiving asphalt.  We as children of our Heavenly Father may foolishly want to “jump off the bike” before we arrive at destinations He would want us to reach.  The Lord teaches us over and over to endure to the end."

It is a great analogy to stay the course and trust and search for answers from sources of truth.  Don't jump off the bike at the slightest feeling of unsteadiness.  Maybe you will come across someone who jumped off the bike and you can share this analogy.  If people would learn to plant deep roots thru obedience, faith, study, prayer and those little bumps wouldn't feel so threatening to their testimonies.  I hope this might help someday.

How is your eating?  Is the microwave and hotplate being put to work yet?  You still have $117 on your debit card.  If you need more, I'll keep an eye on your account and add more if you need it.  Get something yummy today that you can cook this week (and a pan to cook with if you need it:)  I love you fiercely, Sam.  You run through my thoughts throughout the day.  You are never far from me.  I'm your very proud mom and I'm in awe of all you are doing right now.  Please stay on your toes... be obedient so you can always feel worthy to ask the Lord for his greatest blessings.  I know you may not have as much time to reply.  Try to stay focused on writing your family and your overall weekly letter.  We all love getting your letters so much and it is how we will all become even closer throughout your mission.  These are the lasting relationships that will go with you throughout your life and eternity.  So happy you are my son forever.

I love you so incredibly much!

Mom

January 5, 2015 from Sam

I'm really short on time this week, so this is gonna be a short one...

Welp its official Elder Cano had a change this change so today is our last day together.  I dont find out my new comp until Tuesday morning.  It was a solid 3 months, but I was definitely done haha I woke up Saturday (the day before changes) and hed knocked over my trash can and didnt clean it. Then i went up to go shower and for some reason half of my shampoo was on the floor haha.  Then, although we paid like 150 quetz for this lady to clean our house, i realized that he restarted his pile of used toilet paper on the floor lol.  Yeah i was ready for a change.  He has anger issues as well so i basically just bit my tongue for a good chunk of the 3 months for the sake of our relationship.  But it was super fun at the same time i wont lie!

New years was nuts!  There were fireworks EVERYWHERE and little mini bombs and smokers going off it sounded like a warzone haha but it was way awesome.

We have two new baptisms coming up!  There names are Milagros and Molly.  Milagros is the grandmother and they're pretty incredible.  Molly is the smartest 12 year old I've ever met.  Everything we teach her she just understands it and puts it into other words that not many 12 year olds could do.  I have no doubt that they will both be great and active in the church!  

I also hit my 4 month mark this past week and I can easily say that a 4 month span has never affected my life in a better way than this.  Not even close!  I love this work.  Although it's often difficult, I've matured, learned, and grown closer to my Father in Heaven!  No one is more grateful for that than I am.  

I'm worried and nervous for my new comp and what he will be like but regardless were gonna continue the work!  Hope everyone has a great new year!  Don't forget to make goals.  Spiritual goals will keep you growing closer to Christ.

Love,

Elder Gurksnis

ps. I got a package from the Smith's and a letter from my Grandma and Grandpa (Brand) today but I haven't even gotten them home yet and had the chance to open them.  But I wanted to thank you so much for thinking of me! I love you all!

Bringing a little Texas to Guatemala.

Sam's caption when he sent this picture: "Jimmerloving Gangbanger on the bus."

January 4, 2015 from Mom

Hi to the "greatest missionary that ever walked the Earth," (this is according to Diana on FB, haha) - 

From the sounds of Gray upstairs, I think the Cowboy game is going well (even though we were losing at halftime 17-7).  I'll let him and dad report on that for you.  

In case you didn't see it, I didn't get the picture you sent Sunday… please resend!  I never want to miss the chance to see your gorgeous, handsome face!  I saw some strange paintball pics that Dany posted on FB… pretty funny.  

Bachelor starts tomorrow and it just won't be the same without you!  Chris, the farmer, is the Bachelor… remember him?  It will prob be a boring season.  He's very nice but maybe a little boring.

We are having a very cold week!  Today was a high of 24!  Guatemala is sounding better and better:)

We just finished up a great Christmas break.  Dad was home for 2 weeks!  It was really nice to have him home and now he should feel pretty refreshed to go back to work.  We got a lot done around the house, but of course there is always more to do.  Abby's room is looking good with stripes painted, new bedding she got for Christmas and we also hung a wire from one side to the other so she could hang pictures on the wire.  Looks great!  

Gray bought every flag known to Texas and is hanging them all over his room.  "Come and Take it Flag" with a canon on it, confederate flag (heritage not hate - whatever!), texas, US, etc.  How did I raise two rednecks???  Gray is trying to catch up so that he can get his Eagle Scout.. he will be cutting in close… but I know you know all about that! 

In your room, I'm taking some of your photography shots of sunsets and stuff and printing them and hanging them in your room.  I'll send you a picture when I get them on the wall.  I think it will look great.. and it is so you!  I love keeping things that are you in your room.  Sometimes I walk in, lay on your bed and just look at all your things and smell your hats ( I know, I have a problem!).  Today, I saw a little boy in primary who didn't want his mom to leave him there, so he ran up to her and she held him tight in her lap for a few minutes until he could go back to his class.  I just watched them and couldn't stop the tears.  I miss my son.  Simple as that!

We had some discussions when Noelle and Gregg were here about missionaries struggling.  I think I mentioned that to you before.  But Gregg said something that I've been thinking about.  We learn a lot about how Satan temps us from the movie in the Temple.  But it is interesting to think that Satan was only in his infancy of evilness then.  He was just learning how to tempt us and make us turn away from God.  Today, he has had all those thousands/10s of thousands of years to fine tune his craft.  He is so skilled at how to lure us and tempt us… so skilled to know how to tear down families which then causes generations of problems.  I think if you look at what has happened in society in the past 25 years, you can see how much he has accomplished in a short time.  Then Gregg was talking about how someone at the church offices estimated that about 57 billion people have lived on the earth.  If you just take that number and calculate how many spirits followed Satan during the war of heaven (1/3 of the hosts of heaven) that is about 28 billion.  All of those 28 billion are around us now trying to persuade us to turn away from God.  It feels like we are out numbered.  

But then I think about the line in the temple movie where God says to Satan, "you will be able to bruise man's heel, but he will be able to crush your head."  It shows me how much more power there is in goodness and righteousness.  We don't need to fear if we don't walk the line with one foot in righteousness and one foot in evil.  If we can stay far from that line, stay safe, then it's not soooo difficult.  But we put ourselves close to temptation, and that just makes it easy for all those 28 billion spirits that want us to be miserable.  I would imagine Satan would love to get missionaries to quit, give up, fall to temptation, because they have the power to do so much goodness.  So here is a quote I read and I keep it in my scriptures.  I think it shows how satan plans to ruin us if he can…

"There are 3 things in Lehi's dream that are obscured by the mist (of darkness) and that correspond to the reality of our mortal lives.  Satan does not want us to see the tree of life (the LOVE of God). He does not want us to perceive the rod of iron (the Word of God), which will keep us on the path when the tree is lost from our view.  He is also desirous that we know nothing of the filthy river or the consequences of misery, both temporal and eternal, which come for those who leave the path."  - S. Michael Wilcox

The mists of darkness in Lehi's dream are not random. They are designed specifically by satan to keep us from certain things that will help us reach eternal life.  I just thought this might help you with some of your investigators and new members.  It's something that I never thought of before.  Think about it in your own life too.  

I love you so much, Sam!  I hope you had a great last week with Elder Cano.  You've made friends even though it was difficult.  That is an incredible lesson!  Heavenly Father answered many of your prayers during these last 12 weeks.  He loves you so much and I'm sure he is so happy with your service!  I'm excited to hear about your changes.  How are your baptisms that are scheduled?  Are they progressing?  How is Fredick?  Keep encouraging him.  He will figure it out!

Have a wonderful week!  Go get a hotplate and pan if you can. Get some protien bars. You have $117 in your account. Take all your vitamins.  How is your supply?  Is there anything you need?  I love you more than the sun, and the moon, and the stars… Infinity + infinity and even more than that!

xoxoxo

mom

p.s. I'm sacrificing most of my personal letter from you so that you can write Elder Konold today.  finley.konold@gmail.com  xoxoxo