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

November 28, 2016 - From Sam

Howdy everyone hope you all had a great thanksgiving!

Thanksgiving here was a normal day I literally ate eggs and bread for dinner but I didnt think about home too much so it wasnt awful hahaha

Just dying every time I here how amazing my Cowboys are playing and how once playoffs role around Im probably going to have to call my Mission President to get him to talk some sense into me when i want to go watch the game. I cant even think about the superbowl cause i would seriously DIE! You can all go to my house and look at my old door that has holes in it from cowboys games from like 5 years ago (something to do with a last second loss from a Romo interception sound familiar?). 

Anyways it was a normal week. Struggling with my companion a little bit just because he has a very different way of doing everything and he doesnt want to work super hard. But Im trying to be patient. 

We were fortunate to have 2 awesome baptisms on Saturday! Gabriela and Aurora. I sang a hymn in spanish that i thought went really well and the spirit was very strong. 

I also saw someone from my first area in Limon that was a great member there in the streets! We talked for a while and she told me how the family Elder Funes and I had baptised went inactive for a bit after i came home, but theyve been back in church super strong for the last 6 months or so. That was super comforting. She also told me Fredick (my favorite convert) is now married to a less active we were teaching there as well and are working on being sealed! Trying to get details on that because I will be able to go to their sealing if that happens while im here! 

I finished half way through the New Testament this week and particularly love the book of Romans, written by Paul! In Romans 5:19-20 ¨For as by one man´s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover... where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.¨ 

Here it is talking about the Fall of Adam and the relationship with the Atonement of Christ. By the fall of Adam we became sinners, but by the Atonement of Christ we may have eternal life and be forgiven of our sins! Where sin once abounded, the grace of the Savior superceded! I love this scripture. It teaches us that we are not born in the sin of Adam, thanks to the sacrifice of Christ. Read the whole chapter for a better understanding (Romans 5).

I know of the importance of the Atonement and that it is real. I know my Savior lives!

With love always,
Elder Gurksnis

November 28, 2016 - From Mom

Hola my Elder G!

I'm so excited to hear about your leadership training meeting and how your zone leader responsibilities are going.  Are you teaching anyone right now?  Tell me about it! How is your new comp (what is his name?) and how are your zone goals doing? Where did you finish up last week?  I know you thought your zone did really well.

I was busy getting your Christmas package ready this week.  I'm excited for you to get everything:)  The delivery service flies down there on Dec 5th so you should have it just after that.  I included one package that you can open right away.  It has a few things to help you  feel "christmasy" in your apartment.  It also has an MP3 player in there with preloaded music, talks and a few recording messages from us:)  Just make sure you follow the directions on the card I put in there. I'm going to give you money to get your scripture covers.  Does they guy who makes them live there?  I'm excited to see what you decide to do.  I don't know if Grayson gave you ideas for his covers but I can tell you that he has a quad. 

We had a great thanksgiving but missed you and Grayson soooooo much!  Of course the meal was yummy.... I hope you had something better than old Guatemala mystery meat hot dogs for Thanks giving.  I'm including some pictures. 

I got sick this weekend so I'm sorry I didn't have your letter ready... and I'm short on writing today.  I'm feeling pretty bad.  I was hoping to get our Christmas tree up this weekend but I just couldn't get the energy to do it.  Hopefully this week.  I'm really working on getting Dad to put some outdoor lights up.  We always have the sorriest house on the street when it comes to Christmas lights... so hopefully we'll get some up this week.  I'm not doing too much to decorate since we will be going to Utah this year for Christmas.  I'm going up on the 16th so I can be there for Karlee Winter's wedding at the Draper temple on the 17th.  I met her fiancé and he's a really good guy.  I'm happy for her!

I'm sure you're hearing from Dad and Gray that the Cowboys won again.  There is a lot of buzz about the superbowl.  And Tanner Mangum hurt himself in the last season game this weekend.  That poor guy can't get through a season without injury.  It's sad that he probably won't play in the bowl game... likely a broken forearm or dislocated elbow I think. 

Elder Flygare's grandpa died this last week.  I don't know if you've talked to him lately but I think things have been tough since he got home.  His dad had a heart attack (but is alive and doing better now) and then his grandpa died. 

Andrea Opfar is freaking out that Parker is going to Brazil because she thinks its so dangerous.  And I'm like, please, it aint no Guatemala.  hahaha.  But we moms do worry.  Please stay safe, my son! 

That's about it for this week.  I took Abby and her bf Cater to the zoo this week.  We had a nice week with no school and seminary.  We went to the Ft. Worth zoo and it brought back so many memories of you guys being little when we went there several times.  I love you so much Sam!  I hope you are having an amazing week and feel my prayers for you.  The temple just opened back up again after being closed for 8 weeks so I'm anxious to get back there.  I always put your name on the prayer rolls when I'm there.  Constantly praying for your safety, success, growth and happiness.  I love you infinity + infinity!

xoxoxox

mom

ps. I'm getting pictures together of the jeep and thanksgiving right now.  I'll send them in a minute.

November 21, 2016 - From Sam

Hey mom! Ok so ill just start with everything new. My area is called Colombia like the country. Im Zone Leader 2 of the Alameda Stake and La Laguna stake as well. Its the biggest zone in the mission with 9 areas in total and 18 missionaries and 2 different stakes. I was expecting to be a ZL when i had changes because I felt that would be the only reason I wouldnt stay to finish Elder Alvarez¨s training.

My new companion is Elder Estevez (Eh-Steh-Vez). He is from the Dominican Republic and is a Yankees fan. I told him all about grandpa and he loved it and is so jealous with all my Yankee history. I showed him the picture of grandpa with Mickey Mantle and he said he has that picture in his room at home. Hes not my favorite comp Ive had but hes not bad either. He was somewhat controlling at first but hes chilled out now that he realizes i know what im doing. Hes very insistent, pushy and direct with investigators which is something im not used to and dont necessarily like. Just like he just hounds investigators or members if they do something wrong or dont go to church so that makes us not have the greatest relations with people. But he is a good person and has a good attitude when hes not chewing someone out. He knows doctrine like no other companion Ive had thats for sure.

Being a ZL isnt a big deal theres just a few things different. Just more talking directly with President Crapo and the Assistants. More trust and deligating responsibilities to others. Its not very different to me its really the position i just have wanted to be in to be able to help the mission.

Before getting here last week the zone was number 7 out of 10 zones in the mission. I think 2 of the 9 areas completed the mission goal. Theyve always been consistently 6 7 or 8. My second day I got here we had a zone meeting and I just talked about the mission goal for like 20 minutes and how important it is. We wont know what number we are in the mission until next week, but 6 of the 9 areas completed the mission goal and 2 of the 3 that didnt were both only one investigator in church away from completing the whole thing. That should easily put us in the top 3 spots in the mission if not number one. We did divisions with an area that was struggling yesterday to help them complete the mission goal. I went with Elder Gordon whos actually from Midloathian (Waxahachie ish). They didnt have any baptismal dates and in 2 hours we were able to put 3 and find 4 new investigators!

Thats really the reason why Ive wanted to be in a leadership position because I know I can help others get to their potential in their areas. I was able to give an example to Elder Gordon on how to better invite people to baptism and how to find new investigators and hell be able to do that now with his companion and his district. As a DL or senior companion you do that but on a smaller level.

I know I improved many different things when i had good zone leaders that taught me how to improve certain things that ultimately made me a better missionary so thats what I want to do. I think im good at motivating and getting people to do what i want them to do or complete. Theres zone leaders that are just super obedient and a good example but their missionaries dont necessarily take their advice and I think thats something Im good at.

I miss my old area a lot... Me and Elder Alvarez got along great and had a ton of success and I had a lot of really close friends in that area and I dont think Im going to find that in this ward its a lot different. But I expect to have the same success and leave the area a lot better than I found it. I was really worried at first because when i arrived their didnt seem to be much happening as far as solid investigators, but we were able to find some good ones this week and help a lot of people get to church.

We had a talk with the mom of two young women that have been coming to church for forever but never had permission to be baptised but they now have permission for this saturday!