September 29, 2014 from Sam

Howdy y'all!

Hope everyones doing well.  We're going to the big city market tomorrow so I'm emailing Monday instead of Tuesday.  Apparently it's pretty awesome and like out of a movie just cause it's so busy and what not. 

 

I've basically been here a month now.  Pretty nuts.  I already feel like I've learned so many lessons and I still have 23 more months to go!

 

So it's only been like 4 days since my last email cause of the weird scheduling but a few funny stories from this week... One was I was by the front desk and President was right there.  This Sister missionary came up to the front desk to ask for 2 envelopes and for whatever reason she thought "cervezas" was envelopes.  "Dos cervesas por favor"... she asked for 2 beers right in front of president and he kinda just laughed.  She's super ditsy which made it funnier jaja

 

Another one was while talking to the Latinos in our room we were talking about money and I said "Tiene un dalor de Honduras", asking him if he had money from Honduras but I really said "Did you bring the pain of Honduras" because dalor is pain not dollar.... so they just looked at me super weird until we figured it out lol.

 

We also had people on the street outside walking by with torches and shooting guns in the air.. like 40 of them haha so that was 'interesting' jaja as well as people riding out of the windows and on top of cars.  Apparently it's a tradition when they graduate high school and completely normal... jaja

 

These last two weeks have absolutely flown by, so much faster than the first two and in two weeks I'm going to be out of here with a Latino companion who doesn't speak any English and trying to teach the gospel in a language I still don't know very well, though I have to say I know way more in 4 weeks than I ever thought I would. 

 

I'm also constantly tired from lack of sleep and have been sick basically the whole time I've been here and although I have made some awesome friends it's still very lonely a lot of the time being so far away from my family.  But no matter how sad or lonely I feel, I know there is one that has been much lonelier than I.  I've been thinking so much about The Atonement and crucifiction of Jesus Christ lately.  How lonely must he have felt in his last moments?  One of his apostles betrayed him with a kiss on the cheek.  One of his most beloved apostle Peter denied him three times.  While his apostles were all suppose to be watching his back while he bled from every pore and suffered so much pain that it's incomprehensible to the human mind, they all fell asleep.  And as he is carrying his cross through the streets on his back, he even felt as his father had forgotten him. "O God, Why hast thou forsaken me?"  How lonely he must have been... My trials and tribulations are different from anyone else's but I know that there is one who has suffered for me and my sins and knows exactly to the T how I am feeling.  So who am I to complain?  He is always there to listen to my prayers and help me through those trials.  I try to think about Christ and his sacrifice now every time before I commit a sin and if commit that sin I'm contributing to the pain he felt in Gethsemane.  I know that Jesus is my Savior and I love him with all of my heart.  And I know that he is there for all of us whenever we need him.  How great a blessing that is...

 

Anyways, didn't have much to write this week but hopefully next week I'll have some cool stuff to write about since we're going to the market and a few other cool things this week.

"Decisions Determine Destiny" Thomas S. Monson.

 

Elder Gurksnis

September 28, 2014 from Mom

Hello my boy!  

Let me start by telling you that I cried my eyes out for half of the day last week when I read your letter (shocking, I know).  It just really hit me.  Even though I miss you so immensely, I am amazed at how much you have grown up already!  I truly know that this is where the Lord needs you and where he will help you to become the man he designed you to be.  You are not just surviving your mission, but you are thriving!  Growing, learning, becoming greater than you were before all with the Lord by your side.  It just made me cry tears of gratitude.  Then Ama read your letter and called me feeling the same way!  Your family is so very proud of you!  You have inspired all of us to try harder and be better.  I have thought so much about your comment to give charity cheerfully.  I read the scriptures you said too.  I'm really struggling with my calling in Primary.  I dread going to church each Sunday which I have never felt before!  But I know I have 2 hours of manhandling and chasing a 5 year old around the church.  It's a challenge.  I have this adorable class and they are all so lovable, but I was just going and putting in my time.  Today, I tried to be more prepared and have some puzzles and stuff for him to keep him busy.  It didn't work so well.  However, I can still serve cheerfully and pray to receive more inspiration about how to help this little boy. .. and help change my heart to give charity with cheerfulness.  Thank you for the reminder:)

We had the General Womans Conference yesterday in preparation for General Conf. next week.  Once I got passed the two women with THE thickest Utah accents, we got to two great talks.  One was from Elder Uchtdorf.  Here are two of my favorite parts:

"He is not waiting to love you until you have overcome your weaknesses and bad habits.  He loves you today with a full understanding of your struggles. He is aware that you reach up to Him in heartfelt and hopeful prayer. He knows of your sufferings. He knows of your remorse for the times you have fallen short and still, He loves you."

The other one, he used the example of rain.  He talked about sometimes we feel like the Lord's blessings are locked up in heaven until we have be good enough to get a few of them.  But the Lord doesn't work like that.  He said, "Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings upon us!  But it is our fear, doubt and sin that, like an umbrella, block this blessings from reaching us."

It helps me to see that the blessings we seek are constantly being sent down to us.  But am I shielding myself from receiving them because either I disobey/sin, or I doubt him and do not have faith?  Be obedient, be faithful, my boy.  The blessing you seek are pouring down around you. Be faithful enough to seek them and receive them.  I don't know if you saw this quote yet in your journal, but it was a favorite of mine.  It goes something like, "obedience brings blessings, exact obedience brings miracles."

I love some of your ideas to bring your district closer together and build testimonies.  It helps sometimes to shake things up.  Trust your instincts and use your unique talents to be the kind of leader that you are.  Just make sure you always lead by example and act out of love.  YOu pretty much can't go wrong if you do that.  It will be inspiring to others as I know you are.  All of your success is not to bring attention to yourself but to glorify your Savior and Father in Heaven.  With that as your motivation, you will impact those other Elders in your district.  

What extra responsibilities do you have by being a DL?  

Did you see my note about giving some support to Elder Manning?  What can we do to help?  Would he like a journal or does he have everything else he needs?  Can we write him?  Whatever we can do, I'd love to help.

How is the Spanish coming?  

I've been working with Abby a lot this week.  She has received a few bad-ish grades and I'm not sure she really knows how to study.  School just doesn't come easy to her like it does for you and Gray.  She is a hard worker, but she needs some guidance.  I'm trying to help her before she gets too far into the school year and it gets really hard to fix her grades.  She has a big biology test tomorrow so say a little prayer for her.

Gray had a basketball tournament on Saturday. He did okay.  I don't know why he doesn't seem intense about it.  Both Parker and Nathan quit before they would have likely been cut.  So maybe he is disappointed he isn't on Varsity.  But he just doesn't seem excited to play.  I hope he figures it out or else I fear he will be cut too.  I think I saw his worst game this weekend.  Dad said his other two were better.  So say a little prayer for him too. 

BYU had a bi.  They are currently ranked 18!  They play next Friday.  

The funny story of the night:  We are sitting a dinner tonight talking about a car for G and Grayson said, " I swear, its like everything I say to you goes in one ear and out the other!"  Dad and I sat in a 3 second silence and then just started cracking up!  Fist bump.  It was just so funny it was a total role reversal.  

We are sending out another envelope this week.  You should get it by Friday.  It will have some stamps for you and a few pics along with letters!  I'm putting a small box together so I can send you your glasses.  I'll send it the the Mission home since the MTC doesn't take packages.  I'll put the sd card and earphones in there too.  Hopefully after you leave the MTC you'll be at the mission home and can get it when you are there.  Is there anything else you need?

I'm excited for your trip on Tuesday.  Do you get your cameras?  Please take and send lots of pictures if you do!  I miss you so much and seeing pictures of you really helps!  Even the butch haircut made me happy cause I got to see you in a pic!  Is your hair growing back at all?

Be good my love!  I love you and miss you so very much!  Have a wonderful week and know that we think of you and pray for you many times each day.  You are never far from my thoughts.  I think about you constantly throughout the day and pray for you just before I sleep.  You are loved!

infinity + infinity and even more than that!

Mom

p.s. In your MTC survival kit, open the "if you need to laugh one"  Its pretty funny:)

September 24, 2014 from Sam

Hey everyone hope everyone had a great week!  Just finished my third week here in the Guatemala MTC.  This week flew by.  After the first week everything has been going by super fast.

 

The MTC is very repetitive. I think I've said that a million times but it's been way better this week.  This week I was called as the District Leader of my district!  President Cox called me in his office last wednesday and he interviewed me and said he wanted to extend me the call of district leader!  So I thought that was cool.  It has it's extra responsibilities for sure, but I think I've been handling it well thus far. 

 

Sunday we had our first district meeting and it went great!  I got a few of the guys to open up and share some life experiences that have built their testimony and lets just say there isn't a single missionary here who doesn't have a story.  Elder Chabreis, my hitta, wasn't a very active member for most of his life.  By his senior year he had already committed to West Point for soccer but didn't have the ACT scores to get in.  He needed a 24. Even though he had spent thousands of dollars on ACT tutoring, he got a 20 on his ACT FIVE TIMES IN A ROW. Chabreis is the hardest worker I know and he mentioned all the extra hours he was spending during the day trying to learn the ACT test taking skills.  Finally, he called his dad one night and his dad told him "I want you to stop studying for the ACT and, for this next month before your final chance, I want you to spend all that time you would usually spend test studying, studying your scriptures and doing personal prayer."  So Elder Chabreis took his dad's challenge.  After the test, he felt horrible about it and felt he did worse than usual, but upon checking his scores a month later he saw he had jumped to a 24 in every single subject and even got a 25 in another, thus allowing him to play soccer at his dream school.  Shows you the power of scripture study and personal prayer!

 

Elder Manning is definitely my best bud here.  He's the coolest dude and we're planning on rooming together at BYU when we get back.  He didn't think he wanted to go there but after we talked he told his mom to help him work on his application and he is absolutely set on getting in.  He's a convert and was baptized a year ago.  His parents and his whole family had always gone to a Christian church but he never believed in the trinity and always thought that Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit were different people.  So he asked to go to church with his best friend who was Mormon.  Long story short his family didn't support him and his dad doesn't even talk to him anymore.  The day of his baptism his family members and people he didn't know were calling him all day and calling him ridiculous names and telling him you're stupid and wrong for doing this.  So he was questioning it a little bit and went to this mountain to go pray about it.  He asked Heavenly Father to help him to know if this was the true church and as soon as he said amen he said he felt the greatest feeling of peace and joy he'd ever felt in his life. He knew without a doubt he was supposed to be baptized and now here he his!  He's one of those guys you just know you're going to be friends for life with. He's awesome.

 

Another thing that I've been so grateful for this whole time are my teachers.  I lucked out.  Hermana Estrada is so loving and teaches us really well.  Hermano Ruiz is the coolest guy I've ever met.  You can just feel his love for you and for everyone else. He truly cares about everyone.  He's also the most knowledgeable person in the gospel I've ever met and has taught us some pretty cool things!!  He was the youngest AP in his mission ever and baptized over 3 times the average amount in his mission in Long Beach, CA.  I'm thankful for him so much and he's already planning a district get together at his beach house after the mission cause he's filthy rich jaja.

 

One thing I've also learned this week is there is no such thing as a good Latino singer... Our whole church service is in spanish and when we sing hymns it's literally deafening like I don't understand.  It's hard not to cry laughing honestly jaja

 

Last night was probably my best night at the MTC.  I had the idea of all three of our districts having a combined districts meeting and we all got together after watching a live devotional from M. Russel Ballard.  We all went around and talked about what we learned and at the end I thought it'd be a good idea to just give everyone the opportunity to say something nice or something you admire about a person in a different district than your own.  It was really spiritual and so awesome.  I told Elder Durfee how I thought he's such a great "lead by example" type of zone leader and is an example to all of us.  And i don't remember if I told y'all about Elder Marsh but yeah Elder Marsh's companion punched him in the face and knocked him out like the 4th day in the MTC. idk must've slipped my mind jaja! But he handled it so well after his companion got sent home.  Then I told Elder Manning about how much I respected him for going through what he's gone through for this gospel.  It was just a great experience to boost everyone's morale and everyone was just super happy after the meeting.

 

I was reading in 2 Corinthians this week and a lot of what I was reading was talking about charity.  I don't remember exactly what the scripture said but 2 Cor 9:7 basically says 'If you do not give charity cheerfully, then it is like you are not giving charity at all'.  So I applied that to myself and thought about my attitude about this next two years.  Am I a cheerful giver of these next two years of my life?  Honestly, when I first left, not at all. I had the feeling of "alright let's go do this and pray it goes by fast."  But my attitude has definitely changed since reading that scripture.  1 Cor 13 the whole chapter is about charity. And the last one was James 2:17 which says Faith without Works is dead.  People often question us about believing in works but theres so many verses in the bible like that.  We are first saved through Faith in Jesus Christ.  We must have faith in his Atoning for our sins and we must have faith that if we repent of our sins we can live with him again.  But if that's all we do and we are not kind to others, then it's not showing faith at all.  But at the same time, we don't do works because we think it'll help ourselves, we do works because we want to bless the lives of others and make others happy. 

 

Anyways, not too many crazy stories that were appropriate for a mass email this week haha but I felt like sharing some of those stories that have inspired me recently.

Love all y'all! 1/30 of the way done ;)

Adios and Texas Forever,

Elder Gurksnis

September 22, 2014 from Mom

Hello Elder Pedo - How's the nickname change going?  Those Latinos are ruthless!  Haha!

First of all, your missionary plaque is looking sweet in the cabinet by the bishops office.  Speaking of the Bishop, he loved your last letter and is so proud of you!  He sent me a little note that said "because of your experiences and because you chose to make your life right with the Lord, you will be a better missionary for it.  Romans 8:28"  I believe that too!

Today was Josh Vrska's homecoming.  He looks great and has a total Mexican/beaner accent.  He was sad to have just missed you but is so incredibly happy for you (and jealous… he wants to go back out).  He wants to be added to your weekly letters.  Trevor gets home before Thanksgiving.  Can't believe it!  Seems like you two were just running through drive thrus - "coning" in every one of them.  I am on the lookout for the gorgeous Sister mish in the other ward.  I didn't see her today, but I'm gonna call dibs for you.  

I got really sick this week so I didn't do anything very exciting.  It is a flu/cold so I get the best of both!  Yah!  I'm feeling better today though.  Before I got sick I was able to deliver some treats to that missionary I told you about in Lewisville.  He is a really shy, sweet kid and he had a great trainer.  I know this missionary was struggling and missing home and it was fun to bring him a little reminder that he is loved.  It made my day! 

We are busy planning Ama's 70th birthday.  She turns 70 on October 19th.  You can use your calendar that Noelle gave you to give birthday shout outs in your emails.  That would be super thoughtful.  We are thinking of taking a mother daughter trip.  Maybe to NYC or something just for a couple of days.  She doesn't want a big party (we gave her a big 60th party in Noelle's backyard… do you remember that?).  We will for sure have a family get together either way… but it won't feel the same without you!  

I'm working with Katie and Andrew to help them buy their first house!  They have done such a good job of saving money that they can get a nice first home.  They are thinking about Frisco.  Probably by Christmas which will be fun for them.  

Your letters have been so great to get!  So many people comment on them because they are you and funny but sweet and powerful at the same time. They really help us all because we miss you soooo much!  We can hear your humor and your "voice" coming thru them.  I re read them 20 times during the week so I can feel closer to you.  I've also had a really strong desire to be at the temple.  For some reason, it also helps me to feel closer to you.  I treasure that one time that just the two of us went together.  It is an amazing feeling to know that you are my son forever.  I can't imagine it any other way!  There is so much pain and uncertainty for many people in the world.  The gospel provides answers and hope to those people.  I'm so very grateful to have the knowledge of the gospel and how my Savior has made eternal life possible for me and my family.  That message will be such a powerful one for you to teach the people in Guatemala.  I am so excited to hear the stories you will share with us.  

I am also so proud of you and your positive attitude! It is another blessing of comfort for your family to know that you are happy and doing well.  You will receive such blessings if you continue to serve with this great attitude and love of the gospel!  And your message about obedience was amazing!  You are learning the lessons the Lord has been working so hard for you to learn. I could not be more happy for you! I know the blessings will overflow because of your attitude and your obedience.  Keep showing the Lord that He can trust you and remember that He has said, "I the Lord am bound when ye do what I say, but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."  My thought for you this week was something I read:

"If it doesn't challenge you, it doesn't change you."

I know what you are doing is very hard work!  I'm sure the hours are tough.  Learning a new language isn't easy.  And doing all of this away from the comfort of home and family. But in my life, it is during the challenges that I rise to the occasion and grow.  It's when the good stuff can happen!  C.S. Lewis said, "The Lord says to us, give me all.  I don't want so much of your time, so much of your work; I want you.  All of you.  I have not come to torment or frustrate the natural man but to kill it, no half measures will do.  I don't want to only prune a branch here and another there; rather I want the whole tree out.  Hand it all over to me, the whole outfit, all of your desires, all of your wants and wishes and dreams.  Turn them all over to me, give yourself to me and I will make of a new self in my image.  Give me yourself and in exchange I will give you myself.  My will shall become your will, my heart shall become your heart."  

I love you my boy!  Have a wonderful week and know that you are prayed for many times every day in our home.  We talk about you all the time!  You are loved and missed so very much!  

infinity + infinity and even more than that!

xoxox

Mom

September 16, 2014 from Sam

Hey everyone!  

Week 2 is now over and holy crap it went by so much faster.  Thankfully.  Always just counting down to the next P day.  

So I have some solid stories for this week... first,  I told yall about all the nicknames last week. Well, I thought I had mine already but now it's changed.  Everyone started calling me Gurk Nowitzki which was bomb cause go Mavs MFFL.  But then we were sitting at the lunch table with the Latinos the next week and just working on my spanish and trying to have a casual conversation.  My one problem with spanish is that I cant roll my "r's".  So I said "Tengo un perro" which means I have one dog.  But since I can't roll my r's to the latinos it sounded like "tengo un pedo".  Pedo means fart.  My nickname from the latinos is now Elder Fart... Elder. Fart.  Thankfully they all left today so I can hopefully muster up a better nickname with the new shipment of Latinos. 

Another funny one was Elder Dawsons nickname he got this week.  Elder Dawsons a bigger dude but he's really funny.  But the ruthless Latinos nicknamed him "Estruden" which is the fat worm off of Bug's Life.  If you could only see Elder Dawson haha

I was thinking how last week how I said we all shaved our heads and then I realized that half of the people receiving this email think I'm in a cult so that probably wasn't a good idea hahaha but it was voluntarily done lol

Btw both my teachers had Hayden Parker my roomie at the Y and my homie as well as Shad Pace who was another good friend from BYU and they both went here to the Guatemala MTC.  Hermana Estrada said they'll both be good missionaries!  

I guess I didn't talk about the food last week.  It's not horrible but it's no Tejas bbq either LOL I'd compare it to the Cannon Center but worse jaja they put pico de gallo on almost all the lunch and dinner foods which is good.  It's doable haha but we went to the small market today just to reload on toiletries and supplies and whatever.  We passed about 3 street corner grills and oh my gosh they just smelled like heaven.  So I don't think I've had any 'real' Guatemalan food yet.

Me and my comp, Elder Duncan, are still getting along good.  It's been a lot harder this week because he is one weird dude.  And he talks all the time.  I honestly dont think I've heard anyone tell more detailed stories than anyone in my life haha.  It's funny to watch because as soon as he starts talking everyone gets reaaaaal comfortable in their seats b/c they know it'll be a while jaja  Not many people in the district are too fond of him but I think I do a pretty good job of sticking with him and just biting my tongue which is whatcha gotta do!  

But I've made some great friends already.  Me and Elder Chabreis, the west point dude are real good buds.  He's just so funny and we have similar backgrounds.  We talk a lot about if we're companions out in the field cause he's going to City East as well.  I think the district as well as the area look up to both of us as example setters and just because we're two years older than most of them.  Me and Elder Manning (Micah?) from Reno are also good buds.  He's going to the Quezeltenango mish however.  Still love my district too.

My spanish is still progressing well and I can speak better this week, but understanding spanish is still my achilles heal.  They talk so. fast.  jaja but i know it'll come with time.

One week, our teacher got mad cause I think we were all pretty tired that day and the next day President Cox came into talk to us.  I didn't think I liked President Cox at first but that talk really inspired me.  He talked about the importance of obedience and following every single rule and how we will be blessed if we do so...

I think all my life Heavenly Father has been making points to me about obedience.  Whether it was just being a stupid high school kid and doing little things that got me in trouble a lot, or not following every rule at BYU.  Whatever the case, I always paid the consequence.  But I think now I've realized that I never got away with it, or always got what seemed to be a harsh punishment at the time because God was teaching me a lesson about obedience and preparing me for this time in my life.  To be an obedient missionary.  I've realized that we all have our agency to decide what kind of missionary we're going to be, and I've definitely made the commitment to obedience, even out in the field when it's just me and my companion and no one else but Heavenly Father watching.  Obedience is the key to being a good missionary. 

Hope everyone's doing well back in the Lone Star State.  My Cougars and Texas AM Aggies are still killin it apparently so that's good to hear!

I love all y'all and miss all you guys a bunch!  Until next week,

Adios and Texas Forever

Elder Sam Gurksnis 

Hey momma! I just sent that out to that email list you gave me so don't worry about forwarding it.

Love you so much.  Dear Elder takes two weeks to get here cause they print em off in Provo and then send them to Guatemala.  It's safer but it'll take about the same amount of time to send em straight here.  Wish I had more time but i willl out in the field.  Everything is still going great.  Love you mucho madre.  

September 14, 2014 from Mom

To my favorite missionary ever!  

Hi my wonderful son!  I cannot tell you how much we all loved you letter last week.  It was like I was talking to you because your personality came right through.  I saw Coach Stanton at church today and he asked that I make sure he gets your letters every week.  He laughed so hard at your "hey shawty, whacho numba?"  I have sent your letter to the very long list that was on your instagram and Facebook comments.  Everyone I talked to loved your letter!  I also created a blog for you and posted the blog.  Now people you don't even know have come up to me and told me how excited they are to follow your adventure. Just keep writing the letter to us.  If I need to take some parts out, I can always do that.  Make sure you include your spiritual journey in the letters.  If it feels too personal, I won't include that part in the letter that I send out to everyone.  Please don't edit for your friends!

Before I go any further, I want to give you some info:  You should be receiving a DHL envelope (international shipping) this week:)  Me and some of the other moms of guys in  your district have become friends on Facebook so we are sharing an envelope to get you guys some letters in your hands.  Dearelder.com letters are taking 3 weeks to get to you!  Many of our family have written you letters on dearelder so they don't take up your computer time, but it is taking very long!  It is the same if we stick them in the mail… 3 weeks.  So just know that no one has forgotten you!  The letters just take a long time!  Once you are in the field, I hope you will have more time on the computer and this won't be an issue.  So in the DHL envelope (it costs $60 for 1 envelope to get to you in 4 days - so we are splitting it 4 ways) will have a print out of all the email addresses for you.  It will also have copies of our previous letters and some others so you can keep them with you.  I'll try to stick a few pictures in there if the weight is not too much.  We can only send 1/2 lb.

I'm so happy that the language is coming along for you.  I know you are being blessed because of your desire to do this.  Where are you on the spanish BOM reading?  That would be an amazing accomplishment and at the same time such a great testimony builder.  Do you get anything from the reading?  We are not as far as you in our reading but we are steadily reading too.  Abby is awesome!  She reads the BOM every night!  Plus she is reading the D&C because it is required for Seminary this year.  Gray is reading the D&C too.  Gray is trying to decide if he wants to go to homecoming.  I'm not sure he is really interested in anyone right now.  I hope he will at least take a friend.

How is the food there?  Do you get sick at all?  Are you taking your 3 pills every day (probiotic, vitamin, b12)?  Have you been able to go to the temple yet? Are you still getting along great with the guys? Wish I could see your buzz cut.  I bet you're rocking it.

We have a cool opportunity.  There is a missionary serving in Lewisville and his mom posted something about him (on the FB missionary mom page)  having a really hard time because he has only been out 1 month, and September is the month that he had one brother and one sister die a few years ago.  So dealing with the anniversary is hard when he is away from his family.  Plus, they typically go to the temple together as a family when they honor the anniversary of the day they died.  So I responded to her… and long story short, our family is going to surprise him on Tuesday and bring him a care package of some of his favorite things.  It makes me feel like I'm closer to you by taking care of the missionaries.  I'll let you know how it goes.  Im so grateful families are forever.  What a blessing that although we may be separated briefly during this life, we have eternity to be together.   BTW - we have a babeliscious sister missionary in one of the Prosper wards!  I was like, holy cow!  I should find out when she'll be home so you could chat with her when you get home.  But, we've got a while to worry about that:)

So here is my mom thoughts for the week… I know you miss all my advice and post-its on your mirror, so I won't let you down… I'll make sure you get some mom advice each week! (You know you miss it!)

I was reading something by George Q. Cannon: He said that when Satan unleashed his fury against the Father and the Son in the pre mortal world and was cast out of heaven, we who are here today "stood loyally by God and by Jesus, and … did not FLINCH."  I love that because it shows what strength we used to stand against Satan and with our Father… Like we just stood there like a boss!  In the most difficult of circumstances, we stood loyally by them… the question is for us today, will we do it again?  I'm sure before we came to Earth, we promised our Father and our Savior that they could count on us even though we would be away from their presence.  In order to do that, you need to always remember 1. that you are His son! You were born for greatness.  2. How to receive guidance and revelation when you need their help and direction in life.  3. HF has a mission just for you to accomplish.  You are supposed to be exactly where you are now doing exactly what you are doing now.  He needs you to be valiant and on His side. 

I love you, Sam.  I miss your face.  I miss you singing in every room of the house.  But I'm so incredibly happy that you have chosen this path!  I'm so very proud of you.  Keep working hard.  Work with your companion and look for opportunities to help others in your district.  I can only imagine that many days are difficult.  I keep praying that you feel our love and arms around you supporting you.  You are loved!  You are prayed for in our every prayer.

Your letter was great!  Keep us informed.  We want to hear your successes, joys, frustrations and the funny parts too.  Each time I get a letter from you it is better than Christmas!  

Infinity + infinity and even more than that!  

xoxox

mom

p.s. They had a funeral last Sunday for Davis Wagner's mom.  It was during church so we didn't go but I heard it was really nice.  

September 10, 2014 from Sam

Oh my gosh... Whats up US of Merica? How is everyone doing?  Ya boi officially has one week of the MTC under his belt! Thank you all for your emails unfortunately I'm super limited on time so I can't write anything other than this main one but please continue to let me know how y'all are doing back in the states!

I shaved my head the first day along with everyone else here and my fear and thought that I already had a receeding hairline i can now say is gone cause the buzz doesn't look too shabby and my hairline is solid. But shoutout to Zach Kubala for making me worry about it for the last few years!!! They took our cameras cause apparently some Latinos were doing *not good things* with them so we get em back when we go to the field.  I would've had a pic of my whole branch but in the ultimate Gurksnis move I stood in the wrong branch line and got in the wrong pic.. but its all good we take another one next week when the newbies come!

First off, absolutely no one warned me about how hard the MTC is.  We really are in class from 730 til 930 at night other than meals and an hour of sports time.  It's stressfuly to say the least.  I think Michael Gleason was the one who said it was a necessary evil and I think that's the best way to describe it.  But I've actually had so much fun too... way more than I thought I would after the first day!  I've been blessed with an awesome district of 8 dudes that I'm with all day.  It's seriously crazy how different we all are none of us are the same in the least.  But we get along so well and I've honestly laughed more and harder in the last few days than I have in a longgggg time jaja!  It's myself, Elder Duncan, Dawson, Flygare, Chabreis (West Point dude), Aubrey, Kanold and Elder Jarvie aka Elder Woody because he looks like Woody from Toy Story.  So much so that all the Latinos sing "Youve got a friend in me" in their very very broken english to him as they tuck the most shy kid i've ever met into bed every single night which is one of the funniest things i've ever witnessed.  Chabreis is hilarious too.  Last night he randomly broke out into a story about his comp (companion), Elder Aubrey... "Dude I hated you the first day.  I was like I'm screwed.  Then we sat down once and you actually said something somewhat funny and i thought maybe it's not too bad.  But then... we sat down in neighboring stalls and we took a crap together. That's what brotherhood is all about and we're best friends now."  The delivery was just so precise and i think everyone in the room had tears rolling jaja

I'm also one of the four oldest kids out of 150 guys in the MTC. Everyone else is right out of high school... I'm so happy I went to college first because honestly some of these dudes I feel are young kids it's crazy!

As far as spanish goes, I know more spanish in one week here than I learned in three years of high school.  I can pray in spanish, bare my testimony, and even have short conversations already. My accent is pretty good too. My problem is understanding what theyre saying.  But I can speak fairly well! Tu madre.

Theres a lot of rules to say the least.  Following them isn't too bad though.  Other than being with your companion (Elder Duncan) at all times and not really talking to girls here.  There's a couple girls (hermanas) where typically I'd be like yo shawty whatcho name iz but I don't think that really flys here jaja but yeah not having any time to yourself or to relax is rough at times but it's not as bad as I thought. 

I heard my Cougars opened another caaaaaannnnnnn of whoop trasero (dont translate that one) on UT this past week and there's Taysom Hill talk for Heisman thats whats up!!!  Mom and dad I seriously need the sports updates every week.  Cowboys Mavs Cougars Aggies need em all!

My mission president is an intense guy.  He reminds me of one of the characters Jeff Dunham the Achmed the dead terrorist comedian guy does... not the terrorist thankfully but that old guy you'll have to look it up haha

Guatemala itself from what I've seen is beautiful.  Small, green mountains with random monster valcanoes.  When it's not raining its awesome weather but it rains a lot. 

My comp is Elder Duncan and he's a really nice guy.  He's our district leader for the next two weeks.  He's from the bubble that is Utah... Very straight and rule following guy to say the least haha I don't think he gets most of my thats what she said jokes which is probably for the better.  He tries really hard and is a good guy.  Though I have to say making it through his "Dare you to breath" speach is one of my greatest accomplishments at the MTC so far hahah

Me and E. Duncan also made a goal to read the entire Book of Mormon in spanish by the time we're out of the MTC (5 more weeks).  I'm already on 2nd Nephi 5 and if we do complete it which we're on pace to do we'll be the first ones to do it in the Guatemala MTC! (as proud tears from moms face roll like the Rio Grande).

 

I'd be lying if I didn't say that I don't have a "What the heck am I doing here I wanna go home" thought every single day.  But every day I get some sort of confirmation as to why I'm here.  Last night we had a devotional and listened to a talk by Elder Holland a while back... How selfish would it be for me to go home because of a little discomfort or stress or do something stupid to get me sent home, and keep all those people I would have shared the gospel with from hearing it.  I miss my family so much and have definitely had my share of tears already, but I can sacrifice a few years of my life so that I can tell entire families that they can live together for eternity with their Heavenly Father.  I love this gospel and I love and miss every single one of you! 

Until next week,

Adios and Texas Forever

Elder Gurksnis

Mom dad gray abby I love all you guys.  I pray every day that y'all will be comforted and I know you guys miss me but I promise this is what I'm suppose to be doing! I loved all your letters and I love all of you so much.  I'll write again next week!  Mom I'm sorry I literally dont have time to ever read emails so please just try to send letters so i can read them and then respond on my pdays!  It's either Tuesday or Wednesday afternoonish every week. 

Please make sure my email gets sent to everyone! Love you all :)