September 18, 2016 - From Mom

Hello my sweet son!  How is my boy this week?!  I can't wait to hear all about it.  Just an FYI, I never know when you'll be online (wish we could establish a fairly regular time so I can always be sure to be online when you are) and yesterday was Brookes bday so I'm taking her to lunch today to celebrate.  I'll have my phone and will do my best to be online with you.  I LOVE when we get to talk on Mondays so I'll do my best, but it might not go as smoothly.  Gonna say a little prayer right now that it works out ok.

So pretty good week.  A couple of tough spots.  Abby has been diagnosed with anxiety and depression.  She has started medication over the last week that I hope will help her.  I've notice her isolating herself and strictly depending on Cater.  It worries me so much because this is a time for her to develop her independence and confidence... but sadly there isn't much I can do about the boyfriend situation.  She lied to us about something this week so she is grounded from spending time with him outside of school for the next 6 weeks.  We set some goals about taking the medication, attending sessions with a counselor (she starts tonight), and finding more balance in her life with school, church, family, friends, and Cater.  If she can do that, then in 6 weeks they can spend a little more time together.  I think she actually seems to be doing better already.  She would never admit it, but not spending time with Cater seems to give her relief.  I know he is a good kid and treats her well, they are just toooooo young to be so serious.  She thinks shes gonna marry him (eye roll).  UGH!

Another tough spot, Grayson is going through some repentance right now and won't be able to submit his mission papers until December.  That means he is probably going to the Winter semester of school and leaving in May for his mission.  Of course I'm happy he is taking these steps, but I'm worried he is having some issues.  I'm not sure if he told you about this, but keep him in your prayers.  The good thing is that his testimony is growing so much at BYU and I know he is doing what he is supposed to do.  We all need the atonement and I'm glad he is learning that now.

So with all this... I don't want you to worry one bit.  I am only telling you now because I think both Abby and Gray are making improvements and taking the right steps in their lives.  I have thought a lot this week about how much Satan wants my children.  You each have such tremendous potential to do amazing things in this world and so he is working so hard on each of you.  But I always remind each of you (as we learn in the temple) Satan has the power to bruise your heal but you have the power to crush his head.  Just stay close to the Savior and all will be well.

This reminds of a lesson I taught last week about when Peter was called to be an apostle.  He had a horrible night of fishing with no luck. (read Luke 5:1-11) In the morning the Lord approached him and asked him to go to the deep sea and put down his net.  Peter's experience would tell him that there was no point in doing that.. he had a bad night and now the fish weren't going to magically appear.  But he chose to respond it faith by saying "nevertheless, at thy word I will let down my net."  The word nevertheless is so important.  Even when we don't understand why the Lord is inviting us or asking us to do something or obey something, nevertheless, we can obey anyway.  Can you imagine if Peter had not chosen to put down his nets and follow the Lord?  He may have been a good fisherman, but by obeying the Lord and following His plan for him, he was given a greater life than he could have imagined.  He walked with the Savior for three years, heard his teachings, felt his love and watched His miracles.  Better than an ordinary fisherman for sure.  

Pres. Ezra T. Benson said, "Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can.  He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace.  Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life." 

That is what you get to do right now, my boy!  By returning to Guatemala, you have basically said, "whatever was important to me, I'm going to turn my life over to the Savior and let Him make something greater of me than I planned for myself."  I love that about you!  I know it wasn't easy and I certainly know it isn't easy now, but you have made a life changing decision to put the Lord first.  I'm so proud of you!  You are such an example to each of us and I'm so grateful for that.  I know you will grow this year in ways you never imagined.  And after you have completed your year, you will know that you gave your all to Him.  Then you can return home and see how you can put Him first here too. (your mission is just the beginning... so much more ahead of you). See how he will make something better with your life than you could alone.  (ps. I've already started praying that the Lord will prepare a special young woman for you to meet and marry .... is that crazy?  I don't think so.. LOL)

I think Abby sent you our video today.  I hope you can see it because its pretty funny.  I converted it to mp4 instead of the MOV before. I'm sending you a couple of pics of Gray.  One is while we were watching the byu volleyball game on tv and we could only see Grayson's hand but knew it was him because we recognized his nub.  HAHA  Then they showed him later and we could see his face.  A fun surprise!  Also a pic of me meeting Gwen:)

I love you my wonderful son!  You are the world to me and I pray for you many times each day.  Dad and I had a great night at the temple Saturday.  We put your name on the prayer roll the week before.  So we stood in the prayer circle knowing your name was on that list and we wanted to be a part of that prayer.  I hope you are feeling our love and the Savior's love for you!  You are my hero!

infinity + infinity and even more than that!

Mom

September 12, 2016 - From Sam

This letter will be short cause Im almost out of time, but it was another great week. 

First shout out to two of my best buds Branden Oliver for getting engaged to Nat J and Hunter Farr for getting married and sealed in the temple this past week! Love both yall

Ill just tell a couple cool experiences I had this week. First was Jose Maria. He was an alcoholic and has a huge desire to quit drinking and has been doing great. We gave him a blessing the other night and the next day he recieved a job and although he was paid 100 quetz he gave 95 to his sister and kept only 5 to eat so he wouldnt have the rest of the money to tempt him to buy alcohol. Its crazy because thats truly exactly what I wrote in my letter last week about taking steps to stay away from temptation.

We had 6 investigators in church this week and it was amazing. We have been blessed to have many investigators every week in church. At first it seemed no matter what the blessings we were receiving I was still thinking about the people who didnt come through. I always thought man but so and so didnt come or this person or whatever. But now Ive realized the blessings that I have seen and the true amount of success we have been having in our area these last three weeks. Im so grateful and I have quit counting the blessings I dont have and am focusing more on the ones we are receiving.

I know this isnt a super profound letter just short on time this week. Love you all! 

Elder Gurksnis

September 11, 2016 - From Mom

Hi my sweet boy!  Oh how I've missed you this week!  I got teary in church just sitting on our empty pew and thought we're going to have to move where we sit.  I love sitting next to you and hearing you sing the hymns in your gorgeous voice.  I watched some of your youtube videos this week just so I could hear your voice. I miss our family being all together... but I am willing to let you go serve because I know how much you are helping our Heavenly Father bring the gospel to his children who he loves so much.  I know you are helping families be sealed together like ours.  And I know you are making such important changes in your own life and are growing so much.  So because of that, I will miss you but I will also be so happy about what amazing things you're doing.

Speaking of that, I read a great talk this week by Lynn Robbins called "Avoid It."  I'm going to send it to you.  It goes along with the story about the cigarettes that you shared last week.  The main idea is that it is much easier to avoidtemptation than to resist it.  He uses the analogy of cookies.  That keeping them out of the house is a much better idea than walking into his house when his wife is baking cookies and he can smell them and his mouth starts watering.  Now he is not only trying to use willpower but he's working against chemistry in his mind and body.  And then after eating one, he thought that would be enough, but it only made him want to eat many more.  I'm not doing the talk justice, so I'll just send the whole talk to you:)  It's a good one.  I was studying the talk in preparation for my seminary lesson about when Satan came to tempt Christ after he had fasted 40 days.  Christ had just been baptized, and then in preparation to begin his earthly ministry, he fasted 40 days and then went to the mountain to commune with God.  That is when Satan came to tempt Him.  The timing is interesting because so often when we are preparing to do something great, or trying to make big changes in our life, that is when Satan comes.  I think you felt that way both times right before you left for your mission.  Satan really worked hard on you because you were going to do something so powerful and meaningful for others and for your own life.  Remember that... often that's how he works.  So when you feel that temptation or frustration, hang on and be faithful because often it means something great is coming. One of my favorite things we learn in the temple is that "he has the power to bruise our heal, but we have the power to crush his head!" 

We had a good week.  I got Abby to a doctor and she is taking some medication.  I'm working on getting her into a counselor as well.  I hope it will be helpful.  I think she feels some relief just knowing that we are working on it. 

Were busy getting ready for Kevin and Misti's wedding on Oct.1st.  I think they are both so excited.  I'm so happy that Kevin has found someone.  I know he was really lonely for a long time and it's nice to see him so happy.  Erik is working on a hilarious dance that the groomsmen and Kevin are going to do to surprise Misti.  I'll make sure I send a video to you!

Speaking of video, I got the message from your mission leader.  I'm not sure how you were able to open the other ones but couldn't open the ones from last week.  I'm not sending a video today because I need to figure out how to get it to an mp3 file.  I'll figure it out and send one next week.

Yesterday was the 15 year anniversary of 9/11.  I spent some time watching the shows that are always on and relived that day in my mind.  It was amazing that after such a horrible tragedy, our country came together in a way I have never seen before or since then.  It was a time of caring for your neighbor, volunteering and patriotism.  Its sad that we have lost that because it was a great moment in our history.  Now onto the election... yikes!  What a freaking hot mess!  Everything is pretty much the same.  Everyone feels depressed that these are the two people we have to choose from.  The polls are dead even.  It should be a very close election unless something big happens between now and November.

I talked to Fin Konold's mom the other day.  He has broken up with his girlfriend, moved back home and is going to church and institute.  I hope he is on the right track now.  She said he has some big regrets about leaving the mission and not returning.  It makes me sad for him but I'm so happy to know he is doing so much better.

We watched about 15 mins of Miss America last night so we could see how Lauren did.  She didn't make it into the first elimination so we turned it off... but I did get a picture for you.  She did her little 10 second "miss Utah" introduction and that where the picture is from.  She was in a giant wind storm so you could barely hear her.. lol.  But here is the picture just incase you want to see:)  We also watched the BYU game this week.  They lost by 1 point to Utah.  Ugh!  If Dad or Gray don't tell you about it, let me know and I will.

Our other picture that I attached is of us three + jeter chillin in the backyard last night.  The weather has been really good... not too hot.  How are you holding up in the rain?  Is the rainy season almost over?  Do you get soaked everyday?  How is your money holding up each month?  I notice you are not taking much from your personal account.  Are you eating well? Do you think you are losing weight like last time?

Tell me everything about your week!  The good, bad and the wonderful!  I love your letters, Sam!  Someone each week is telling me how they love your letters and that they've seen such growth from your letters before compared to your letters now.  I love hearing about all the things you're doing and are learning.  Please stay safe.  Stay close to the spirit. Stay focused on loving and serving those people (ps. I want to take Whiner home with me he is so cute!!).  And know that I love you with my entire heart and soul!  I love everything about you, my son.  You make me so happy and I'm so proud you're my son.  

I hope you have an amazing week.  You are in our prayers always.

Infinity + Infinity 

September 5, 2016 - From Sam

2 years ago on September 2 I left for Guatemala! Pretty crazy but what a two years its been. 

I have people I want to respond to this week that I havent been able to get back to because of the short writing time so im gonna keep my letter short this week!

But I was able to go back to my old area Friday to see Jose baptised. Hes an awesome teenager and his dad that we reactivated was pretty emotional and grateful. It was a super spiritual baptism. 

Saturday we were able to baptise Sachi Ulissa Cano Samayoa. Shes an awesome girl and super smart. Her two year old sister made the baptism somewhat difficult but it was spiritual nonetheless. Her two year old sister is literally one of those devil children. She gives us ¨the mano ¨ or ¨the hand¨ which is when you extend your hand and point it at someone. Its basically flicking someone off. Shes literally two years old and does it all the time. And then smacks me quite frequently. But its allllllll goooooooood (Jim Carry). 

I wanted to share my favorite scripture from the BOM this week. 2 Ne 4:28 ¨Awake my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice oh my heart and give place no more for the enemy of my soul!¨ I was thinking about something Ive learned in the past year. Maybe the greatest thing ive learned. We all have our ¨favorite sins¨. Sins that we just cant seem to overcome. 

I read a story about a man who helps people get over addictions. He specifically told a story of a man with a cigarette habit. This man seemed so emotional and ready to be over his cigarette addiction. But he couldnt seem to give it up. He finally figured out that the man was keeping a few cigarettes in his sock drawer ¨just in case he just HAD to have one.¨ Ive learned that you cant keep cigarettes in the sock drawer. Theres a line between sin and safety (obedience). Its absolutely impossible to get over something when you have one foot on each side of the line. 

Verse 34 reads: ¨Oh Lord I have trusted in thee and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of the flesh.¨ We are too weak to do it on our own. Trust me. We need the Lords strength to get over our favorite sins. He is the only one capable of helping us get over it. We must beg him in prayer to help us every day not to give into temptation.

I know that if we confide in the Lord with all our hearts we can get over our weaknesses and turn them into strengths. I love all of you and hope you have a great week! 

PS Watch the videos theyre funny haha

Elder Gurksnis 

September 4, 2016 - From Mom

Good morning my son!  I'm sitting in the family room of our very quiet house just thinking of you.  It has gotten so quiet around here and I'm having a tough time adjusting.  Abby doesn't like it at all!  She really misses her brothers.  It is an adjustment for me too.  I never really thought ahead to a time in my life when my kids wouldn't be all living under the same roof.  I should look at all the new possibilities that are in front of me (and I do) but at the same time, its difficult to let go of that time in my life that was the best!  I guess any change like this takes some time to get acclimated to the new normal. We went to Flower Mound last night and when I think of that culdesac, it was a magical time for our family.  So much happiness.  We are so lucky! <3 

It was a busy and long week.  I started seminary and that started out tough.  I have a challenging class but by the end of the week I was feeling better about things.  I'm sure we will work through it together and it will end up being a great year.  I'm so excited to be teaching the NT.  I feel like it will be a very sacred opportunity and year.  I'm already learning so much.  We start with the actual NT this week (last week was a lot of introduction lessons and we always teach the plan of salvation also) so now the really good part begins.  I gave you my reading assignment for this week in my last letter... so here is my reading assignment for next week.  Matt 3-4 and John 2-4.  I really love teaching seminary.  It's not easy for sure.  But I feel like the Lord is helping me do this and is counting on me.  I think you can probably relate:)

We also had Christian Tyler's funeral this week.  There was a visitation Tuesday night at the funeral home which was really difficult.  Of course the casket wasn't open but talking to his parents was not easy.  My heart just aches for them.  Bishop Brown and Bishop Sallaway both spoke and did a great job.  Of course Bishop  Brown was a little awkward... but that's what we love about him, right?

Abby is having some pretty severe anxiety right now.  Please keep her in your prayers.  I'm scheduling appointments for counseling and will probably get her on some medication.  She is having severe head aches and panic attacks.  I don't want you to worry about her because we will make sure she is receiving the help she needs, but please keep her in your prayers.  

On a happier note, BYU had a great season opener.  And it true BYU football fashion... it came down to 4 seconds left and we were down 15-16.  Our kicker had missed an extra point and so the coach calls in a freshman kicker to kick the field goal.  It happens to be Kate Blaser's boyfriend from Southlake.  He was a walk on to the football team and was injured the first week of camp and only got back to practice last Monday.  He didn't even have BYU issued shoes yet... he kicked the field goal in his green Southlake Dragon shoes and kicked it right through the middle of the uprights.  It was such an exciting win!  Grayson said everyone is his dorm was going crazy!

I'm so excited to hear about your week!  I loved getting the video from Sister Flygare!  It was so great to think that I knew what you were doing right at that moment.  How was the baptism?  How is your area going? Tell me about your responsibilities as a DL.  I also got a message from President Crapo this week with a picture of you two having lunch.  He sure loves you and he told me what a great missionary you are.  It was just such a fun surprise to get both of those pictures/videos this week.  I love seeing my boy so happy!

I found this quote this week.  It's from President Eyring and I think it is such great council for you and for all of us. 

"You make choices every day and almost every hour that keep you walking in the light or moving away toward darkness.  Some of the most important choices are about what you set your heart upon.  

"There are so many things you may consider desirable.  For instance, all of us want, to some degree, the approval of other people.  All of us feel a need for friends.  All of us are searching for some evidence that we are persons of worth.  We make choices based on those desires.  Some might lead us away from the light God offers us as a guide. Some may brighten that light by which we can find our way.  

"Some of my achievements and some of my friends were major factors in my sensing light.  Others, more than I knew at the time, were edging me away from the light.  In important and long-lasting ways, choices I made to satisfy my desires for companionship and a sense of recognition were taking me either toward or away from the light to guide my path."

I think this information is so important for you staying on your desired path when you get home.  The people that surround you influence you... no doubt.  So be selective and choose only the best people to spend your time with.  If you follow this council, you will stay strong when you get home.

I love you so much sweetie!  I cannot wait to hear about your week!  Of course you know that you are in my prayers and our family prayers every day.  Many times.  Our love is with you always.  You are the world to me!

Have the most wonderful week!

I love you! 

Mom

August 29, 2016 - from Sam

Wow its been a month already! Pretty crazy.

Well as I said last week I had changes! Im now in "Tierra Nueva" (New Land) also called "Parroquia" (Pah-Roh-Kee-Uh).  I'm now a District Leader and my new companion is Elder Leiva from Chile! He's 18 which is weird that hes the same age as my brother, but hes really super awesome. He just finished his training and now has 3 months in the mission. Hes super humble and easy to get along with and weve become friends pretty quickly. He played semi-professional futbol in Chile. Dude has four hands I swear hes insanse watching him play. 

The new area is great. Its the first area Ive ever had where the ward is super strong and we get a lot of help from them. A big part because theres at least 12 or 13 return missionaries which especially in Central America makes a huge difference.  

I can also now say that the three areas Ive been in in my mission have also been the three most dangerous areas in the mission. All the members joke with me about it when they hear about my previous areas. Pretty similar to Limon as far as gang activity and violence. The gangs ask for money monthly from every store and all the bus drivers. If they dont pay or dont have enough they kill them. Without really blinking an eye. Honestly I dont feel it at all though, everyone respects the missionaries and I loooooovvvvveeee messing around with the drunks laying on the street and making jokes with the gang members. Honestly its whenever you walk past them and ignore them and act scared when they mess with you so ive learned to talk to them and make jokes with them. 

One of them challenged me to an arm wrestling match and I told him if I won he had to come to church on Sunday. So, obviously, I whooped his friggin can and his lil gang bangin self was sittin in the 3rd row pew on church on sunday. Super dope.

We saw really so much success this week. So many miracles and investigators stepping up to the plate and coming through with what they asked them to do. One guy named Jose Maria came up to us one night super drunk. Hes a complete alcoholic. Every night he drinks half of a flask of 36% liqour bottle and then wakes up at 4 in the morning to drink the rest. He asked us to help him and he has a serious desire to get his life back. He is a little nuts, but I can tell you he hasnt drank a sip of alcohol in three days. Pretty incredible for drinking basically a flask of almost moonshine every night.

Although I saw much success in my first mission and was fairly obedient, I can't really describe the difference in my second mission here. Especially this past week. I know why Im here. I know my purpose and the things I have to do for myself while I am here. Im not saying Im this super amazing person or missionary by any means. I just know the change that I have experienced and really the difference in my mentality is night and day. I love this mission and I love serving these people and bringing them to the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

In Alma 36, Alma the Younger is telling his son Helaman about his experience when the angel came and rebuked him for trying to destroy the church. All his life as a young adult he went around teaching good people about the error in their ways and that there was no Christ and tried to lead them "to their destruction." Then the angel came down and struck him dumb that he could not move for three days. 36:12-13 reads "But I was racked with eternal torment, for my soul was harrowed up to the greatest degree and racked with all my sins. Yea, I did remember all my sins and iniquities for which I was tormented with the pains of hell; ea, I saw that I had rebelled against my God and that I had not kept his holy commandments. Yea, and I had murdered many of his children, or rather led them away unto great (spiritual) destruction." Then verse 17 reads: And it came to pass that as i was thus racked with torment while i was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world." Verse 20-21: "And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain! Yea, I say unto you my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy."

The experience that Alma had is one we can all relate to. I particulary can relate to this. I know the pains of sin. I know the agony it brings. But I have also experienced the joy in forgiveness and the joy in the knowledge that Jesus Christ died for me.  We can all experience that same change of heart if we seek Him. 

Here are some pics of me and Elder Leiva and then the sisters in my district. Also a hugeee ditch where everyone just tosses their trash... guatemala lol

.

​ 

Elder Gurksnis

August 28, 2016 - From Mom

Hola Elder Gurksnis!

How are you??!!! This week was a fast one for me but I have thought about you all week!  I'm hoping your new area is a good one and that you have a good companion.  I'm so anxious to hear all you have been doing!  It is so hard when I have to wait a whole week before I even know where you are!  But I so appreciate your desire to be obedient so I will do my part to support that by being obedient too and not asking for pictures during the week:) Are you healthy?  Eating good? Sleeping better? Feeling strong?

How was it meeting the Flygare family?  Was it hard to say goodbye?  Did you like the little stuff I sent you?  I have heard they are having trouble getting mail in Guatemala now and packages specifically.  Have you heard anything about that?  There are some delivery companies that apparently take trips to Guatemala and deliver packages to missionaries there.  I'll have to look into that.  But what have you heard about the mail?

Well our week was a busy one.  Abby started school Monday and we left Tuesday for Provo.  We moved Grayson into the dorms Wednesday and got him settled in.  The bad news is we met his roommate.  Honestly, I did not see a more awkward kid on the entire campus.  I thought he had a mental disability at first.  But then he pulled out his 5 Rubik cube trophies (not the kind with 9 panels on each side... these are the crazy hard ones with like 24 panels on each side) and placed them in a position of prominence on his bookshelf.  So the guy is probably crazy smart but sooooo shy and awkward.  I kept talking to him because I was afraid to look over at Grayson's face incase he was freaking out.  Actually Gray handled it really good.  We told him to be sure to be nice and include him, but it was okay to meet lots of other people.  And that is what he is doing.  I think all the fun orientation stuff has been great and he is meeting people.  If nothing else, the strange roommate will be good mission training for difficult companions!  I know he will have great times and difficult times ahead, but for now he seems to be doing great and is happy.

I feel so blessed that you and Grayson get to attend such an incredible university.  Dad was really getting his first good look at the campus and he was blown away.  It has a different feeling than other college campuses.  You really can feel the spirit there and it really is a privilege to go to BYU.

We had our Seminary kick off tonight and we start in the morning.  No more summer sleeping in for me!  I have 2 autistic kids in my class and 1 boy who hates coming to seminary and apparently sneaks out and walks the halls the whole time.  I'm a little nervous for my new class.  I just hope we have the chemistry that I did with my last class.  Here is my reading assignment for you for the next week (starting September 2):  Matt 1-3, Luke 1-3 and John 1.  We basically cover the birth of Christ - meeting John the Baptist.  I would love any insights you can give me!  I'll keep sending you my reading assignments 1 week ahead.

President Platt came up to me tonight and told me how much he loves your letters.  He said he always smiles when he reads them.  He's really proud of you!

Here is my spiritual thought I wanted to share with you.  This comes from a lesson I'm preparing.  Once Paul, on one of his missions, stumbled upon a troubling sight in Athens.  An altar was built and the people were worshiping at the altar.  Inscribed on the base of the altar was, "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD."  It has me thinking about my relationship with my Heavenly Father and Savior.  How well do I know them?  If you think about an event like a car accident, there are different ways to know about it.  You could read about it and feel bad for those involved.  Or you could actually see the accident take place and see the wreckage.  But it is quite different to be in the speeding car and feel the loss of control and you spin toward the impact.  We can compare that to how well we know Christ.  Do we read about his life and know things about him?  Or maybe we feel the spirit occasionally in our life like an out of town visitor.  But the best knowledge is when we feel and recognize his love and guidance in our life regularly and he has become our closest brother and friend.  I really want to strive for that kind of relationship with Him.  I know its possible but it takes great effort.  My best effort is required to receive the greatest blessings He has in store for me. 

I know you are working on that kind of relationship too.  I know you are putting forth your best personal effort and you will receive some of his choicest blessings that he desires to give you.  Thank you for your example, Sam.  To me and to so many others.  You amaze me and I feel so blessed to be you mom.  You bless my life in countless ways and I love you so very much!

I'm praying very hard for you!  I pray that you listen to the spirit always and stay inspired and safe.  I pray that you feel your savior's love and his arms around you.  I pray that you can feel your family praying for you and our love for you.  And I pray that you are happy knowing that you are doing such an amazing thing!  I love you my son!  Infinity + infinity and even more than that!

mom

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox