December 26, 2016 - From Mom

Hello my sweet, amazing son.  I am full of tears tonight but full of joy at the same time.  I love you so very much and I have no greater joy than comes from seeing my son become the most incredible man.  You are the greatest oldest son I could imagine.  Of course you are not perfect, but you have taken those mistakes and made them your strengths.  You are the greatest example to your brother and sister and to all of us.  Thank you for your sweet prayer tonight.  The way you prayed for each of us meant so much to me.  We all talked about it after we hung up and each of us felt your love through that prayer.  Thank you also for your sweet words to Gray.  I know they meant so much to him and he will be better because you have taught him the importance of that.

It is after midnight and I've just finished packing and updating the picture and post you wanted.  The only thing I couldn't do is update your facebook picture because the picture of all of us is too big.  You end up just seeing two heads and no one else.  Do you want me to put a different picture on your fb background?  I did post to Instagram and fb for you. 

I'm attaching some of our pictures from tonight and one from the temple the other night.  I love these pictures with us together!  This is a difficult Christmas because you aren't with us.  But I think as we all look back on it (after you're home) we will appreciate the special sacrifice that we all made to have you in Guatemala serving our Heavenly Father. 

I'm so incredibly happy for you Sam.  You have done something amazing by returning to Guatemala and you are thriving there.  Your sacrifice will have far reaching consequences in your life.  The good kind of consequences:) 

I love you so much my son.  I've got to try to get a few hours of sleep so I have to run.  I'll talk to you tomorrow after we land. 

Infinity plus infinity

xoxoxo

mom

December 26, 2016 - From Sam

Merry Christmas yall!

Hope everyone had an incredible Christmas as I did. Talking to my family for the first time in 5 months was amazing and a special experience for me.

It´s hard! Serving a mission and spending Christmas away from your family twice in a foreign country is hard! Lemme tell ya. But its worth it. This Christmas I wont ever forget. Im unbelievably lucky to be where I am, doing what Im doing. 5 months have already passed by since I left last and its blown by. 

We have changes tomorrow. My companion is leaving the area and Ill be getting another new companion. Kinda nervous, but Im going to work harder to make sure our future companionship gets along and works better together. 

This was my toughest change. But I know we have to pass through difficult times to appreciate the great times. And I know the Lord will help me if I continue to try to work hard and be obedient. 

A short letter, but I hope all of yall had a great Christmas! I love you all. Take care and have a happy new year as well!

Love,

Elder Gurksnis

December 26, 2016 - From Sam

Dear family,

My heart is full today. I am so happy and full of love. Thank you for that amazing Christmas day yesterday. It was so amazing to talk to each of you. I am beyond grateful for the love that I have for you all and the love you all have for me.

It was truly a special Christmas that I will treasure for the rest of my life. 

I want you all to know that Im ok! Im seriously happy and just so thankful that I was able to talk to you. My heart is truly full. We are so lucky to know that we will be together forever! 

I love you family. Mom, dad, Grayson and Abby. You all individually mean more to me than I can describe. Thank you for the love and care that each of you have shown for me. 

I love you all and am grateful youre all back home safe in Texas! Take out my shotgun and pop one off for me ;)

¨Dad, why are you yelling??¨

¨What hes in Guatemala?¨

Love your brother and son,

Sam

December 19, 2016 - From Sam

Howdy USA! 

I hope everyone is enjoying this awesome Christmas season back home. Really.

Christmas season is definitely different here, but I still feel the spirit and presence of Heavenly Father even stronger around this time of year. 

Its been hard these past couple of weeks with my companion and our area. It hasnt really been the same here as it was in my old area. Changes are 2 days after Christmas but Im pretty sure we´ll both be staying here together for another change. 

One thing I have learned is how to really depend on Heavenly Father in times of difficulty through fervent prayer. It has sincerely helped me especially when I feel alone. I dont know if yall have seen this video but it is truly remarkable. Its a song by David Archuletta that just came out recently. But here is the link....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrPPJCu22ZI

What an amazing song! I have saved and watched that video probably 10 times this week. Every time I feel the spirit and know that He knows me. He knows my trials and fears and is ready to listen to me and help me. 

I know He is there. Im 100% sure. 

I feel like I am constantly thinking about my faith. I know I have faith in Christ and in Heavenly Father, but I sometimes get upset because I feel like I dont have the same faith that others in the church have had in the past, or the faith that the apostles had to heal and perform miracles. Ive been trying and trying to study faith and let it grow but it sometimes is dissapointing! I know others have felt the same. But I had an incredible experience this week. 

We had a lesson with an athiest this week and one thing I said to him I didnt know where the words came from but it was one of those moments where i felt i just opened my mouth and the Lord gave me the words to say. We were talking about faith and believing in things we can not see. He doesnt believe in God because he said theres no way for Him to show Himself to him. 

I told him that if he knelt down that night I knew that God would make Himself known unto him by the power of the Holy Spirit. I said he didnt need to know for a surety but if he placed a tiny seed of faith in his heart, with just the hope that some supreme being could answer that He would do so. 

He then said to me, someone annoyed, ¨If you have such great faith, do you have the faith to say unto God right now ´show yourself unto me´? Do you have the faith to say that and know that He will appear right now? Do you have faith to show me a miracle?!¨

I sat there thinking, and doubting myself. But the Lord blessed me so greatly in that moment.

¨No. I dont have that faith in this moment,¨ I said. ¨I dont have the faith to know if I say to Heavenly Father show yourself to this man right now that He will do so. But I have 100% faith and a surety that if you kneel down and pray to Him tonight, that by the Holy Ghost you will know that He is there and He is listening. Because I have placed that seed of faith in my heart many years ago and have let it grow. So I may not have the faith to know that God will appear from heaven and show Himself to you right now, but that seed is still growing. And what I do know is that He is there and answers our prayers. Pray to Him, and He will answer.¨ 

We left and a few days later we passed by him in the street. We asked him if he prayed that night and then if he believes if God exists. He said with a funny smirk, ¨Maybe.¨ Hahaha it was really funny actually. But I knew that God had answered him. 

I know that although I may be having a tough time right now, that thats part of the mission first off, and second I know that God knows my problems and that He listens to me. And I have faith that problems will fade away in time. 

The Lord loves you! I hope all of you can remember Him even more this Christmas. I hope you all have an amazing Christmas with your families! 

Love, Elder Gurksnis

December 18, 2016 - From Mom

Hi my love!  The next time I talk to you, it will be face to face!!!  I CANNOT wait!

Well its actually Sunday and I'm in Draper with Noelle and fam. I got here early so I could go to Karlee Winter's wedding last night.  It was pretty fun.  She was a gorgeous bride.  There were a lot of TX peeps represented.  I attached some pics.  They were married in the Draper Temple.  I like her husband.  He is a good guy.  I think you might have met him before you left. 

We are getting ready for Christmas here.  Dad and Abby got in late last night.  It is absolutely freezing here!!!  High of 19 degrees today.  Lots of snow on the ground. I'm a wimp in this cold now.  I don't really love it!  But I love being together with our family so it will be fun!  I've got my laptop and I'm going to test out skyping this week to make sure everything works!  What is the plan?  Do you have one yet?  The only time I can't skype is between 10-12 because we will be at church.  They are just having sacrament meeting.  Are you doing the same?  

There is no decision yet for Grayson and his mission papers.  He has an appt with Bishop Brown on the 28th after we get home so we will hopefully know more after that. 

I also heard about a roommate possibility for you.  Mitchell Cordy is transferring to BYU Provo this semester and he and Kade Nielson are rooming together (Kade just got home a few days ago).  I don't know if that sounds like a possibility you'd want to consider ... let me know what you think. 

I've been thinking a lot about some words of advice I could give you to help with your comp situation.  I know this area/change/comp has been a little taxing on you.  I have been praying for you and all the Dallas and Draper temples are praying for you.  Two thoughts I want to share with you.  The first one is that had there never been a storm on the Sea of Galilee that caused the apostles to fear for their lives, Peter would have never learned he could walk on water.  Sometimes the difficult times in our lives help us to turn to the Lord because we feel we have no where else to turn and then He can help us do miraculous things.  Or at least see his presence in our lives.  So first of all, I hope that during this "storm", you are able to focus on those moments where you see that He is there and can give you aid when there is no one else who can.  Hopefully you are beginning to learn how to "walk on water.'

Secondly, I know it is hard for you to be a jr. comp.  You are a natural leader and you have sacrificed tremendously to be back on your mission.  So, working less and being unproductive doesn't work for you.  And its tough when you don't feel like your opinion is guiding the team.  In someways, this is what will drive you to succeed in life.  But its good to learn to be a team player and be good in a supporting role as well (when necessary).  So I've thought about some people that I'd like you to study this week.  One person that I have always admired so much is Hyrum Smith.  He was Joseph's older brother and you can imagine that it would be easy for Hyrum to feel a little put out when his younger brother was the leader, the one who speaks with God, and the head of this glorious dispensation. Hyrum played a supporting role.  But the thing I love about Hyrum, is that at least in anything I've ever read about him, he was truly devoted to Joseph and the gospel.  He doesn't demonstrate irritation or jealousy in any way.  But the Lord is aware of him and recognizes his devotion to the gospel.  The Lord said this:  “And again, verily I say unto you, blessed is my servant Hyrum Smith, for I, the Lord, love him because of the integrity of his heart, and because he loveth that which is right before me, saith the Lord.” [D&C 124:15.]  Hyrum was devoted to Joseph and the gospel and had tremendous leadership ability in his own right.  He gave Joseph trusted counsel and advice. But he was also humble and had a quiet strength. And then the prophet Joseph said this about him: “I could pray in my heart that all my brethren were like unto my beloved brother Hyrum, who possesses the mildness of a lamb, and the integrity of a Job, and in short, the meekness and humility of Christ and I love him with that love that is stronger than death, for I never had occasion to rebuke him, nor he me." 

I hope that helps you to see that you have an important role to perform in the jr comp position.  That is one of support, encouragement and example too.  Some others I thought of that you could study this week is Helaman and Capt Moroni.  Capt. Moroni was kindof the rockstar of the time.  Yet Helaman had such an important role to play and became one of the great heroes of the BOM.  (Read Alma 48: 17-19)  They both were a vital part of God's Army and each had important part to play.

Think of Sam and Nephi (Read 2 Ne.4:11) Sam’s role was basically one of supporting and assisting his more acclaimed younger brother, and he ultimately received the same blessings promised to Nephi and his posterity. Nothing promised to Nephi was withheld from the faithful Sam, yet we know very little of the details of Sam’s service and contribution.

I hope some of these examples give you some things to think about.  I can only imagine how frustrating it is when you want to work harder and be more productive.  You will have that opportunity soon.  In the meantime, try to encourage your comp and help him to see the blessings that come from hard work and obedience.  You've seen those miracles and blessings so many times. 

My letter has been a little "lengthy" this week.  haha!  So I won't say much more.  Only know that I could NOT be more proud of you, Sam!  I love you so very much and I know the Lord must be so proud of you too!  You are such an example of sacrifice, testimony, hard work and love to our family and many others around you.  I couldn't love you any more! 

Merry Christmas my sweet son!  I'll talk to you in less that 1 week!

All my love!

mom

xoxoxo

December 12, 2016 - From Sam

This week rather than sharing experiences I just wanted to share this poem I wrote last night. It is without a name so far, but I hope you can feel the spirit as you read it. Merry Christmas family and friends!

Yes, how can I help you sir?

Hello, its me! Do you not recognize me?

The one they once brought Fankincense, Gold, and Myrrh.

Well, I am not Him, but Him I represent.

It was for Him, and by Him I was sent!

I know ye not, leave my house stranger.

You are not He who once lay in a manger.

No! Forgive me for you misunderstand!

I am just a messenger of He who was born in Bethlehem.

How may I know that what you say is true?

I have not once spoken, nor seen, nor ever heard of you.

I understand. Dont worry! It is for that very reason

That we knock your door in suit and tie this very Christmas season.

For although He was born, suffered and died,

He lives! He lives! He lives, I testify!

Though born a humble birth He is our King!

For He reigneth today for that grave had no sting!

We declare He is risen and guides us today

Through living apostles and prophets who show us the way.

These are the tidings of great joy that we bring

That He will come again, that great and glorified Being!

Our God loves us and you are His child.

When you do good He looks down on you and smiles.

He knows your troubles, sorrows and fears.

He knows when you are lonely, distraught and when you shed tears.

He knew we would sin, so He sent us his Son.

Another name by which we can be saved, sir there is none.

That great example and teacher born of Mary

We can one day live with, rejoice and tarry.

Although a cold night, I feel warmth as you speak.

I would like to know more of the things that you teach.

A hot fire I can offer you if you will please come in.

For this Christmas there shall be room, room at the inn.  

December 11, 2016 - From Mom

Hi baby!

How has your week been?  I saw that Elder Kristofferson did a broadcast from Guatemala on Saturday and I wondered if he spoke to the missionaries?  How are things going with your comp?  Did you have a chance to talk to him about your concerns?  Hopefully you also read my email about Elder Gurerro.  He has been on my mind since your last letter.  I just want to make sure someone is taking care of Elder Gurerro.  I would like to put a little extra money in your account so you could get him a few little things he would like/need for Christmas.  Do you know if he receives letters from any family members?  Does he have grandparents?  Such an incredible young man and story that you shared in your last letter. 

Did you get your Christmas package yet?!!!  Have you found a place where you can skype?  I think that we should still think about how much time we want to spend on skype this year.  I know the 45 mins is so short, but what should we do?  I don't want to be completely disobedient.  Let's set a time limit that we can live with and then stick to it. What do you think?

We had a fun weekend.  We've lived in Dallas for 21 years and I've never been in the reunion tower until this weekend!  You know its that tall tower with the ball on top.  We basically went on a double date with Abby and Cater because we wont let them single date until Abby is older.  LOL.  It was actually fun though.  I'm attaching some pics.  Its a great view of the city!  We went to Jinbeh for dinner after. Speaking of Abby, she got a new job this week.. working at Chick fila!  So she is excited because its a staple of her diet and now she can get paid for it!

Dad has been teaching Gospel Doctrine (like every 3rd week).  He's getting a lot more comfortable and doing a great job.  He taught today and did great.  He played this new video of a song from David Archuleta.  Its truly beautiful.  Really simple but powerful.  I'm sending it to you in the hopes you're allowed to watch it.  I would love to hear you sing this song.  The story behind it is he said he wrote the song really quickly because he had a dream about it and God told him to get up and write it down.  I think you'll like it too.

We just finished off a week of high temperatures in the 30s!  So freaking cold!  I'm thinking we might have a very cold winter this year.  However, today was in the 60s so you never know. But its almost Christmas so it's all good.  We've been using the fireplace a lot lately and let me just tell you that at 2:00am Sunday morning we had alarms going off upstairs and downstairs beeping "Carbon Monoxide warning!!!!" I wish you could hear me yell it in the annoying voice that it is.  But we were running around like crazy trying to figure out what happened.  Pretty funny now that we're actually all okay.  Apparently the smoldering log that wasn't completely out was sending deadly fumes into our house all night.  So today I'm thankful for annoying alarms.

As far as the decision for grayson to get his papers turned in, Pres Platt asked Bishop Brown to reach out to talk to Grayson's current bishop first and see what he says.  He was going to talk to him Saturday but we haven't heard back from him yet.  I sent him a text Sunday night so If I get an update before we email today, I'll let you know.  Keep praying.

My spiritual thought of the day:  I was reading about the last supper when the Lord brings out a basin of water to wash the apostles' feet.  Peter (you know he is my favorite) complains because he does not believe the Lord should perform such a lowly service that only the lowest servant would be required to perform. The Lord answers and said if you don't let me serve you, then you have no part of me.  And Peter's response tells us how committed and converted and loyal he was to the Savior.  He tells the Lord, "then wash my feet and my head and hands also."  I love that he is all in!  I'm trying to be more like that.  More committed and converted and all in.

I love you my wonderful son!  I have no words to describe it.  Just know that you are in my thoughts and prayers many times each day.  I love you so very much!

Have an amazing week.  I can't wait to see your face in 2 weeks!!!

xoxoxox

mom

December 6, 2016 - From Sam

This week I learned maybe more than any other time in my life about the Plan of Salvation.

First I had divisions with Elder Guerrero, an Elder in our zone. We had a few lessons and I could just see how grand his testimony and his spirit were after just a few minutes. Hes fairly new to the mission but his testimony is incredible. After having a few killer lessons we were talking that night and he told me about his story that he hasnt told anyone in the mission before. 

Hes 21 years old and first sent his mission papers in at 18. For one reason or the other, it took him 3 mission calls to finally leave. The first two were because of random small things. But about a year and a half ago, he was living in Chile while his parents were living back home in Peru. His family went on a vacation while he was studying, and as they were driving up a third level parking garage, the car took a turn over the edge and fell three stories upside down to the first floor. The car exploded, leaving 8 family members dead. His parents, brothers and sisters, and two aunts and uncles all died in the accident. The story was on the news the following day.

We taught the plan of salvation to a new family, and listening to him bare his testimony about how he knows without a doubt that families can be together forever was incredible. Such a strong spirit. 

I used to think that I had been through a lot in order to be here, but that put things in perspective. I couldnt have done what he did. He told me he wishes the mission was longer and how two years is just not enough time. 

Im truly grateful for Elder Guerrero and how his testimony strengthened mine. 

The Plan of Salvation is the plan that God has prepared for us since the beginning of time. We know we lived with God as spirits before we came into this world and we followed Jesuss plan to come to this world to receive a body and pass through difficulties and trials as well as times of happiness and joy; To decide if we will follow Christ and take advantage of His sacrifice and repent and be baptised for the cleansing of our sins and endure to the end, or no. We arent expected to be perfect, but if we try we know we can have eternal life and life with our father in heaven WITH our families together for the eternity.

I used to think that this was common knowledge, but as President Uchtdorf taught in the last general conference, sometimes we dont realize how lucky we are to have that simple knowledge! 

I am grateful for the Plan of Salvation and I know its true. I hope we can all reflect on how lucky we are to have this perfect plan!

Love,

Elder Gurksnis

December 5, 2016 - From Mom

Good morning Elder G!  I'm not entirely sure if you are writing today or Tuesday so I thought I'd just be safe and write you Monday just in case. 

Well the good news of the week is Erik finally passed his Paramedic licensing test!  I'm so happy for him because it has weighed heavily on him.  I gave him a few vyvanse and I know that helped while he was studying and preparing.  So we had a little celebration last night at Ama and Pop Pops house (see the pic I attached).  He and Chelsea are officially trying to get pregnant now.  Chelsea has even given up Diet Coke!  Since she'd been drinking about 6 per day, I guess that means she's serious about this baby thing!  Katie and Andrew found out that they are having a boy and are going to name him Henry James (james after my grandpa Jim:).  They are getting so excited and of course Rob and Laurette are over the moon about being grandparents. 

Abby and I went to an Amy Grant Christmas concert this weekend.  You would be familiar with her music because I always play it at Christmas.  Jordan Smith who is a guy who won  the Voice last season was also performing with her.  If you can get past the fact that he kinda looks and sounds like a woman, his singing is absolutely beautiful!  He sings a version of Oh Holy Night that is absolutely gorgeous.  It was a great way to get in the spirit for Christmas. 

It's been a special Christmas for me because I am immersed in the new Testament.  Its interesting because the closer we get to celebrating Christ's birth, the closer I am in my studies to the end of His life on earth.  This week I'm studying the parables of Matt 25.  Its amazing to think that this was Christ's last instructions to his disciples before his death.  The 3 parables are all about using our talents to help others and to build the kingdom and also about service. (You have discovered how to use your gifts and talents to build the kingdom in a very literal way:)  It's the verses that we always use at Christmas time when our family does our service challenge.  The thing that stuck out to me when I read it this time is that those who feed the hungry, visit the sick, take in a stranger and clothe the naked will receive eternal life.  The people who do not feed the hungry, visit the sick, etc. .. receive eternal punishment.  So in order to receive eternal punishment, we don't have to steal the clothing from the naked, kick the stranger, or poison the sick... we just have to ignore them.  I know because this was the Saviors last sermon before his death, it is of great importance.  I know I need to do better at caring for His children.  It's really inspired me.  Next week I'm studying Gethsemane.  Any great insights you learned this spring from your class that you can share with me?

Speaking of our Matt 25 challenge, we drew for you and you have "I was sick and ye visited me."  I hope you can fulfill this service by Christmas.  Keep us posted on how you do it.  We will let you know when we do ours too. We are doing this in combination with Light the World.  It is a great way to celebrate Christmas.

I read something else this week that I wanted to share with you. I think it is great for you but it might also be helpful for you to share with your companion or others in your zone that may be struggling in some ways.  It's the Parable of the Pebbles:

A man was walking in the wilderness, when suddenly he heard a voice from heaven. The man was instructed to collect as many pebbles from the ground as he could, and told that the next day he would be both glad and sad at the same time.

Confused by the menial nature of the task assigned to him, the man collected only a handful of pebbles. The next morning he discovered that they had transformed into precious gems. He was glad that he had collected the pebbles, but sad that he had not collected more.

Many times, we cannot perceive the value of what we are doing until it is accomplished. If we do not always do our best in whatever we do, we may have regrets about lost opportunities.  Serving a mission is a great opportunity to collect pebbles that will later reveal themselves as treasures in your life.  Put your best effort out there so you will collect every pebble possible.  That will require great effort and work, but each pebble collected will bring joy throughout your life.  I hope that means something to you and it may help someone else you work with.
Well, your Christmas packages should be arriving today!!!  Yay!  I'm hoping if you go to the temple tomorrow you might have the opportunity to get them.  The packages were each kissed and sent with all our love to you!  ONLY 3 WEEKS til we get to skype! 
How is your new area going?  Are you getting to know the ward better?  Making any friends?  I don't worry about you, I know it will happen.  Sometimes it just takes some time.  How about investigators?  Tell me about being a ZL.  What do you like about it and what are the challenges? 
I love you my sweet boy.  You are my wonderful son and I'm so grateful for you and for the kind of man you are becoming.  I'm incredibly proud of you.  I love you more than the sun and the moon and the stars... infinity + infinity and even more than that!  Have a tremendous week!  You have my prayers and love everyday!

xoxo
mom