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.