December 1, 2014 From Mom

The caption over your poop picture... I seriously have been laughing for 2 days!  It's equally gross and hilarious.  I hope you're getting lots of use out of your Tide pens that I sent with you. HAHAHAHA!

How was your week my boy?  On Tuesday, you will have been gone for 3 months!  1/8th of the way through.  It seems so fast and yet so long at the same time.  I know you are growing and becoming such a great young man.  I guess I will trade this time for the chance you have to grow in such a tremendous way.  I'm so very proud of you my love!

We had a nice break from school.  Grayson had a basketball game on Tuesday and he played great!  Much more aggressive and looked great out there.  We had Abby's group of friends over a few times.  We have had great missionary discussions with them.  Then proud missionary moment for your sister... she brought 4 friends to church today!  I'm not sure what will come of it.  They may just have a curiousity.  But Abby and I have had many conversations with them.  You'd be proud:)

Speaking of missionaries, we had them over for dinner and I noticed they all wear the same PRO ring that you got from that girl at EFY one year. Do you know what I'm talking about?  Was her last name Taylor by any chance?  Because the new mission president here is President Taylor and he has them made and gives them to each of the elders here.  They were surprised that someone else had one because they thought it was personalized for their mission.  Haha.

We had a really nice Thanksgiving.  Notice the picture... we have your picture pulled up on the ipad but it didn't work like I hoped it would.  Really good food. We talked about lots of your experiences.  We all miss you so much!  But especially me:)  When we went around the room to say what we were grateful for, I was the letter "E" so of course I said "Elder Gurksnis."  Our family just doesn't feel complete without you here.  We feel small.  We take up hardly any room on the pew at church.  I don't like it!  

Ama has been having a tough time for about 2 weeks.  She had to go off her back medicine because now that they are retired and have Medicare, their insurance no longer covers that medication. So she has been going thru total drug withdrawal. Throwing up 10 x per day, dizzy, can hardly get out of bed.  I think she is getting to the end of it but I think the withdrawal has been really rough on her.  Keep her in your prayers.

We had our Matthew 25 family home evening tonight to kick off the Christmas season.  We drew one for you.  See the picture below.  You still have to do it.. no getting out of it.  Let us know what you do.  I made the kids promise that they would be really thoughtful about it this year and not do something lame.

A few questions:

Have you heard anything about Elder Manning?  I've been praying for him.  I wish I knew what happened.

How are things going with Fredrick and Marco?  How about your investigators?

How are things with Elder Cano?

Where do you go to write emails each week?  Is that where you will Skype?  I'm going to work with Sis Opfar this week to figure out all the details of skyping.  Did you have any luck finding a calling card?  Just to have as a back up...

Here is something I found from President Hinckley.  As a checklist, how do you think you are doing?  I can see that you have already received many of these blessings... 

10 Gifts to Bring Home From a Mission. President Gordon B. Hinckley 

1. Knowledge of God and Christ. 

2. Knowledge and love for scriptures. 

3. Increased love for parents. 

4. Love people who you serve. 

5. Appreciation for hard work. 

6. Knowledge of importance of teamwork. 

7. Recognition of importance of good dress and demeanor. 

8. Appreciation of the beauty and value of personal virtue. 

9. Faith to act and courage to try. 

10. Humility to pray. 

I love you so much Sam!  You are in our every prayer and our thoughts constantly.  You are part of many of our conversations.  I miss you tremendously!  I hope you have a stellar week.  Please be safe and listen to the spirit.  I was talking to someone this week about a vision that Brigham Young had after Joseph Smith had died.  Brigham asked him (in his vision) if he had a message for the saints.  This is what he said:  “Tell the people to be humble and faithful, andbe sure to keep the spirit of the Lord and it will lead them right. Be careful and not turn away the small still voice; it will teach you what to do and where to go; it will yield the fruits of the kingdom” (Manuscript History of Brigham Young, 1846-1847, 529).  Joseph Smith had ONE thing to say to the saints and it was to stay close to the spirit and live worthy to have it.  It shows you how important it is.  I know it will guide you to those who will listen to your teaching of the gospel and it will give you protection as well.  Two things that give me peace about you being so far from home serving the Lord. 

I love you so very much!  Infinity + Infinity and even more than that! 

Be safe my boy.  xoxoxoxox

Mom

November 24, 2014 From Sam

Hey everyone! Hope everyone had a great week! 

So first off I got my christmas package from my mom this week. And I also got this awesome Christmas gift from the Opfars and I want y'all to know that I seriously love it!  Thanks so much for thinking of me.  In the christmas package from my family was a big christmas tree drawn on this monster paper and these "ornaments" which were different pictures of Christ.  On the back were messages from a bunch of different families from my ward back home.  I loved it so much!  It means so much to me to have so much support and so many prayers from my ward back home. Ive always loved my home ward but yes Ive realized that I definitely took all of the amazing families and leaders for granted.  Just wanted to say thank you for the example that all of you have set for me and again the support I know I have from you guys back home.  Y'all are amazing.  I also had some family pictures with little notes from each of my family members on the back of them... needless to say it was really rough reading those.  I loved them so much.  Thank you guys, all of you!

So as far as this week goes not too many crazy things.  I had the opportunity to baptize our investigator Fredrick Adolfo Ambrocio Aquino this past saturday!  I have his full name memorized like the back of my hand because I was super nervous I was gonna screw it up in the baptismal font so I practiced like crazy haha.  It was truly an amazing experience. He asked me to confer the Aaronic priesthood on him as well and that was pretty incredible too.  Both were firsts for me! I wouldn't be surprised if he's the best investigator I have in all my mission.  He has a desire to serve a mission already and is already preparing!  It makes you realize how even though it's one person and one baptism, how many more people than just one you're truly affecting.  All the people that he eventually affects in his mission is because we found him and were able to teach him.  And all the people that I affect on my mission are because of the missionaries that taught and baptized my dad in this church.  It's all a big miraculous domino effect of the Lord's work.  

We have a few more solid investigators.  December will be an interesting month because we have a lot of different types of investigators right now. We have one named Ana Lusia.  She was an original contact by Morgan and Cano, Morgan the companion of Cano before me.  But originally she didnt want to really listen to the lessons.  But something has changed and she really wants to be baptized!  She is really really doctrinally and "Bibley" smart and has a lot of great questions, but we've done a good job I think of responding to all of her questions with solid answers.  

As far as spanish, I think I really hit a new stride this week and I'm really starting to understand not everything but a lot!  It's starting to really improve!  Maybe another 2 months or so and I think Ill be super solid with spanish.  

To end this week, I just want to give a quick shout out to my mom.  I promise you that no one has a more amazing mother than I do!  She did so much to prepare me physically and spiritually for this mission.  She has done and continues to do so much for me.  The other day me and Cano ran out of money for the month because of a TON of sucky coincidences, and she was so worried and emailed our finance officers and sent a card and all this stuff all because she didnt want me to have to be without money for a while.  Just a small example of everything she does for me.  Mom, I love you so much!  Can't wait to talk to my family on Christmas!

Next week!

Texas Forever, 

Elder Gurksnis

November 23, 2014 From Mom

Hello my wonderful son!  

I'm writing on Sunday and its the day we get pictures from you!  My second favorite day compared to Mondays:)  Some of my thoughts on your pictures…

1. Guatemalan doorways can be hazardous to your health.  2. You got our Christmas packages!!! (2 boxes right?) I'm so happy! That must mean you got your debit card.  I need the 3 digit code on the back and the expiration date in order to activate it. 3. I loved seeing our "christmas picture ornaments" taped on your wall.  However, that LOCTITE mounting putty would work much better:). 4. You got Sister Opfar's Christmas countdown! That was so nice of her! 5. I should have hemmed your baptism pants before you left.  6. I'm so happy for Fredrick! 7. Some of your ties tho… where are these ties from?  Like the one in the picture of you and another mish in front of the church building???  8. I love seeing your handsome face!!!!

We also got some of your letters this week!  Dad, Gray and Abby got theirs and LOVE them!  (They were postmarked 11/6 and we got them on 11/20… maybe the sister missionaries didn't send them out right away or maybe the postal system just stinks.. not sure but we got them!) I read Dad's and it is honestly something he will treasure forever!  I know I have one coming so I'm trying not to be impatient.  Have you ever received any letters from us from Dearelder?  I'm sending about 1 per week now.  Sometimes I just copy our emails and others I put a great talk that I want to share with you.  

Sweetie, your story about gun shots in your last letter makes me both so happy and terrified at the same time.  I'm so happy that your are being protected and that you are listening to and following promptings.  The Lord loves you!  Please don't get slack on listening to those promptings. The longer you are there, I could see that you might get more comfortable with your surroundings and might not be on your toes.  Please don't let that happen.  What an amazing story.  You have had some experiences already that are such strong witnesses of the Lord.  I think back on the day you taught that family in the MTC and had the words you needed to teach them!  And this story… it's an amazing experience you should always remember.

Trevor Le Sueuer got home this week.  I went to the airport and took pictures of him greeting his family so they wouldn't have to worry about it.  It was a tear jerker for me.  We've got a ways to go, but believe me, when you get off that plane I will hug you and won't let go for a long time!!!  He said he has been reading your letters and knows "right where Sam is at!" He looks great.  He had his homecoming talk today along with Matt Pratt.  They asked Grayson to talk also about how his testimony has grown through reading your letters about your mission. He did great (especially because they only asked him yesterday to talk). I'm attaching the audio file here and I hope you can hear it!  Even without you here at home, you are making such an impact on our lives.  Grayson and Abby love you and look up to you so much!  You are our hero! 

How did the baptism go???  I'm so anxious to hear all about it.  Who are the girls in the picture with Fredrick?

We went to Emily Platt's wedding yesterday.  She looked gorgeous!  Her husband is a really solid guy.  I like him a lot.  Just hard to believe Emily is a married woman!!!  She is your age!

How did transfers/changes go?  Were you able to see all your MTC buddies?  I read in Konold's letter that you all got flu shots and got your visas this week.  Did you do that too?

Did you get the credit card yet?  I know it got delivered to the Mission office on Thursday but I wasn't sure if it got in your Friday mail delivery or not. I was so worried about you being able to get food and things you needed this week!  Were you okay?

You've got a little while til Christmas.  Put those gifts in a closet or hide them somewhere so they aren't out in your apartment where people could see them thru a window or something. Yes, I'm a little paranoid:)  No peeking in your packages.  

Here is the deal on the Camera.  It might not be working for 2 reasons.  First of all, I can't remember if I put an SD card in there or not.  If not, that may be the reason it isn't sending pics.  If that is the case, take the SD card from the other camera and try it.  The second reason it may not be working is it looks like you're trying to send them with the smartphone app which we didn't set up.  If you go to the wifi button (I think), try to find the "email" option.  I set up my email address in there but maybe I didn't set it up exactly the same as the other.  See if you can find that email option and send them that way.  

Just an FYI that I read on Facebook this week...Did you know that Elder Turley's dad was diagnosed with Leukemia after Elder Turley left for his mission and his dad died this passed February.  I can't imagine what he has been through.  I know this because his mom mentioned it.  Don't tell him I know but I just thought you'd like to know that.  Gives you some perspective on what he has been through.

I read a talk that reminds me of your experience with Elder Cano when you had an argument and then turned to the scriptures and read the scripture in D&C 121.  This is a great talk and I'll send you the whole thing.  Here is the part I wanted to share with you… It's Elder Neal A. Maxwell. " The highest compliment I can pay to you is that God has placed you here and now at this time to serve in his kingdom; so much is about to happen in which you will be involved and concerning which you will have some great influence... it is because you have a rendezvous with destiny that will involve some soul stretching and some pain that I have chosen to speak to you tonight about the implications of two things we accept sometimes quite casually. These realities are that God loves us and, loving us, has placed us here to cope with challenges which he will place before us. I'm not sure we can always understand the implications of his love, because his love will call us at times to do things we may wonder about, and we may be confronted with circumstances we would rather not face. I believe with all my heart thatbecause God loves us there are some particularized challenges that he will deliver to each of us. He will customize the curriculum for each of us in order to teach us the things we most need to know. He will set before us in life what we need, not always what we like. And this will require us to accept with all our hearts—particularly your generation—the truth that there is divine design in each of our lives and that you have rendezvous to keep, individually and collectively."  Just remember when you are facing a difficult time out there, some of this might be by design by a loving heavenly father who wants you to grow and become more like him… he wants you to learn something.  When I have something so difficult in my life, I try to ask,"What do you want me to learn?"  It helps me to see the challenge differently.  

We have Thanksgiving this Thursday.  It won't be even close to the same without you.  But I thought I'd share with you a few things I'm thankful for.  I'm thankful that Thanksgiving means that Christmas is around the corner and that means we get to SKYPE!  I'm thankful that you are safe and protected and that Heavenly Father puts His arms around you to keep you safe and to help you feel His love and your family's love for you.  I'm thankful for a wonderful son who loves His Savior so much that he would leave everything he cares about to serve Him and His children.  I'm thankful for the ways you are growing and learning and becoming the man the Lord designed you to be.  I'm thankful for the most amazing family that ever was… for the love we have for one another.  I used to worry about my children growing up and leaving me.  But I know that our bond is stronger than that.  Even though miles keep us apart I feel incredibly close to you. I'm incredibly grateful for the children Heavenly Father entrusted me with.  I'm grateful for a loving husband that brings fun into our lives and works harder than most to take care of us.  I'm grateful that I live in this wonderful country and belong to the Lord's church.  I'm thankful for my Savior who has given me the gift of eternal life and the chance to live with Him and my family for eternity. What did I do in the pre earth life to deserve the rich blessings that are overflowing in my life?  I love you my son!  You will be in my heart all day on Thanksgiving as I say a silent prayer thanking my Father for you!  

I love you infinity + infinity and even more than that!

love,

mom

November 17, 2014 from Sam

Well if you haven't read many of my emails I would read this one! haha Well we had our baptism for Marcos this past Saturday!  It went great. He is honestly the most awesome 8 year old I've ever met in my life. He's hilarious and so nice.  His reaction in the baptism was so funny when he walked down the steps into the cold font water.  Priceless. Lol The next day at church he sat next to me after he had his confirmation.  He was just so awesome and kept asking me these questions about the church and the spirit and everything and he's just the most awesome kid.  He's had some family problems I think.  His dad who was baptized about 4 months ago had a relapse on his alcohol addiction and showed up to one of our lessons with Marcos completely
drunk.  It was really sad to see and just awkward.  But were gonna go visit their family again this week and see whats up.

No leche comments this week haha but its honestly just funny!  I love the people here so much already.

My funny story for the week... so we went to this inactive families house the other night and talked and stuff and the wife gave us sandwiches with nothing but ketchup, mayonnaise and a cold hot dog in sandwich bread.  I got through it, thank you haha.  So we had a follow up this past Friday.  I was nervous because i knew she was going to offer us food again and refusing food is about the rudest thing you can do here.  She set down about 6 tortillas on a plate with what she said was eggs beans cheese and this sauce inside.  Doesn't sound to bad right?  She said "hope you like it its a little bit of an experiment."  Well this wasn't your average McDs breakfast biscuit.  I took one bite of tortilla wrap from hell and hollllly crap.  I don't know how but I got that one bite down without throwing up all over her couch.  I waited a few seconds and asked, "Hermana do you have any water or fresco by chance?"  And I'll tell you what son... the second she turned around I stuffed the rest of that thing in the front pocket of my shirt so fast.  She had set 6 down on a plate.  Thankfully, Cano has a gift/curse and can literally eat anything.  He was dying laughing and at the same time crying inside from the food.  But he took one for the team and downed 5 o 'em suckers.  He was up a lllllll night puking it up. But I think thats a story I won't forget haha!

So Thursday I think it was, we were on our way to the house of one of our new investigators, Bertha S.  She lives in not a super sketchy area but somewhat sketchy.  The second after we had left the appointment before, I immediately had this super weird feeling.  I felt like we shouldn't go to her house and I had no idea why.  I wasn't ignoring the feeling, but I decided I wouldn't say anything and just wait til we got to her street and see if I was still feeling that way. So we get to her street and I just told Cano, "hey hombre hold up. Lets pray real quick."  It was something we had never really done before and he just looked at me weird and asked why?  I said straight up I have no idea but I just feel like we should.  So I said a prayer for us, and as soon as I said "amen", Cano said we can't go to this appointment.  I hadn't said anything to him about my feeling before that.  And I just said, "alright I'm feeling the same thing. I guess we'll just go to a members house and wait for a little bit."  We were talking about it and were just like dude that's just weird that I was feeling that and you felt the same thing after the prayer.  So we get to the members house, and POP POP POP!  We hear about 4 or 5 gun shots coming from the direction we just came.  It was pretty nuts, to say the least. We went back to Bertha's house about 2 days later and she just said she heard them too but didn't see anything.    I'm just thankful!  I don't know what would've happened but I've always known not to ignore promptings from the Spirit but never had it been so strongly demonstrated in my life obviously.  But that's the thing about living here, although it's dangerous, I'm not worried in the least because I know as long as were being obedient and listen to the promptings of the Holy Ghost, nothing bad will happen.

So thats all I got for this week.  Loving it here more every day.  Our first change is this Thursday but I won't be going anywhere. Changes, btw, are every 6 weeks and it's when missionaries get sent to different areas or change companions but not every change.  But it's a possibility that Cano moves, but I dont think he will because he still has another change of training to do with me.  But well see!

Hope everyone has a fun safe week!
Texas Forever,
Elder Gurksnis

November 16, 2014 from Mom

Hi My Leche boy!

I'm going to start my letter with a couple of replies to your letter late this week.  First of all, if you can't write a letter and you are near a computer, please just send a quick note to let me know you won't be able to write.:)  I know you wont always be able to do that, but do it if you can.  I was scerrrrred! 

Second.  The sticky tak is for you to stick pictures and stuff on the wall... dork!

Third.  I'm not gonna send a book because I'm not gonna break the rules.  Remember "exact obedience."  You said in the CCM that you made a commitment to be an obedient missionary.  Please don't start picking and choosing which rules you think you should follow.  I know that obedience brings blessings.  I also know you don't always understand why the rules are put in place, but I want you to receive those blessing that come with obedience!  I want to know you will receive the Lord's protection because you are obedient!  Please remember something that Elder Russell Nelson said, "Obedience brings success.  Exact obedience brings miracles."  So what I will do is send you articles that are "deep doctrine."  But let me ask you... will you start reading Jesus the Christ?  It is very deep and it has the ability to change lives.  I think there is a reason that book is mission approved.  I'm going to start reading it so we can share some of our insights. I also sent two Ensign magazines to you in your Christmas boxes.

Fourth.  A few suggestions about your letters.  Everyone loves them!  They are a great combination of funny, inspiration, sweet.  An important thing is to know your audience... not only are your friends reading your letters... but all of our extended family, the bishop, members of our ward, dad's friends at work, members and non members.  I just ask that you try to stay mostly positive in your group letter.  Some of the language like "pissed" and "hot girls" is prolly not right for that audience.  Complaining about the people like in your last letter concerns me too.  I don't want them to think you don't care for the people there. (They only receive this small snap shot of your experience) You can always lay out the harsh stuff in letters to me and dad and we understand sometimes you need to vent.  But your letters are part of your mission too.  Many people who aren't members read them so just try to keep them positive, inspirational and totally you!  I know you will know what's best to do.  I just wanted to remind you of who is actually reading these letters.

Fifth.  How is everything with Elder Cano? You've had such an amazing experience these past 2 1/2 months and you've grown so much!  Try not to let any strain between you two rob you of any spiritual growth or opportunities you have to be guided by the spirit.  You will both need to have love and respect for each other in order to allow you to both be guided by the spirit.  Any contention will chase the spirit away from what you're trying to do together and also from what you are trying to do for yourself.  Do your best my boy!  I'm so happy to hear that your turned to your scriptures in your frustration!  What an amazing experience you had!  That is the spirit confirming your Saviors love to you!  I hope you wrote about it in your journal.  You can always return to that experience when you read it over again and receive that same message.  That is incredible!  We are here on this Earth to be tested.  When you are tested and you turn to the Lord as you did, He knows he can trust you.  I'm so proud of you.  Keep striving! 

I'm including our Sunday selfie!

We pulled up the picture of you and Marcos so that you could be with us!  (Oh how I love getting pictures from you!!!) He is such a cute little boy!  How did the baptism go?  Have you ever had the chance to give a talk at a baptism or at church yet?  How are things going with Frederick?

We had a family get together last night to celebrate G's bday.  It was a fun get together.  It's been so freezing here (see the attached picture of the weather forecast) so we had a fire in the fireplace and it was cozy.  We spent some time putting together another little Christmas surprise for you.  I hope it will get to you in time!  We had a good dinner and dad looked up the calories on his phone app and he got really quiet because he realized he ate 1400 calories at dinner.  He walked off and disappeared for a minute so we all joked that he was off throwing up in the toilet and he's gonna become bulimic Hahaha!  Pretty funny.  He is serious about his workout and eating program.  I pound of him!  

Erik was looking at your picture with Marcos and he said it looks just like the chapels in Brazil.  It makes him miss Brazil.  Your mission is serving as a reminder of his mission and he loves that he can share it with you when you get home.  He is about done with his paramedic training.  His back is so bad so he has decided to pursue his nursing degree instead of fire fighting.  He has a job interview on Friday for an Emergency med center.  Say a little prayer for him.  Kevin seems to have a new girlfriend.  You'll never believe it .... she is 33!  No one has met her yet but I hear she is "hot."  Not sure Kevin will ever learn his lesson about this.  Those "hot" ones aren't usually the best girlfriends/wife material.  Wish he could just find a pretty girl that wants to settle down and build a life with him.  We'll see.

I worked with a couple this week looking for a home.  Its a young lds couple and the guy was going to Duke with Ian and now he has 3 job offers... one being at Frito Lay.  Hope that pans out.  They are really nice.  As we were talking, I told them about you serving in Guatemala (you're my favorite topic of conversation:) and he was like, "no way!  My parents were mission presidents in Guatemala and I went to high school there for 2 years."  So we talked about that a lot.  His dad was the mission president when they had a North city mission.  I think that is mostly the Coban mission now. 

How is our email on Mondays working for you?  Are you going to usually read emails in the morning and then send your letter later in the evening?  I'm thinking that maybe I shouldn't get on line with you in the evening if it makes it too hard for you to write your letter.  What do you want me to do?  Just let me know.

Keep the pictures coming.  We all LOVE getting them!  I can't wait to hear about your week!  I love you so incredibly much my son!  I'm so very proud of you and your unselfishness and willingness to serve our savior!  We miss you every day and everyone in this house gets so excited to read your letters.  I get texts from Abby, Gray and Dad all day on Monday asking if we have your letter yet.  They always want me to email it to them as soon as I get it!  I miss you so much.  And I love you more than you could ever know.  I'm always with you and praying for you.  I find myself praying in my mind for you throughout the day.  Be safe, be obedient.  Have a wonderful week! 

all my love infinity + infinity,

mom

November 10, 2014 from Sam

Hey everyone!

Another week in the G.  I can't tell y'all how fast time goes here its honestly weird.  Pday (preparation day … each Monday) and then another pday and then another.  Super fast.

First shout out to my favorite brother because big guy turned 17 on the 10th.  I was pretty homesick thinkin about you but I hope it was a great one bud love you so much!

So I have a quote of the week this week jaja.  This guy Elder W is in our zone and he got in the transfer before me.  Hes such a good dude, but such an Idaho/Utah kid whos the most innocent guy on the planet haha.  We were on a bus to go to eat on Pday and he was talking about his girlfriend.  He shows me a pic and I just said, "yeah dang dude shes a cutie!" "Yeah, Elder she really is.  And she gets her braces off in TWO WEEKS!"  hahahahahaha Maybe it was a had to be there moment but I had to keep myself from crying laughing in that moment.

I'm a little frustrated with Latinos now.  I can't tell you how many ridiculous things happen with them.  They all try to speak english to me and say phrases and sometimes its hilarious. Like we were walking home last
night at like 830 pm and this group of gangsters yelled, "Good morning!" That was funny, but most of the time they just know English cuss words and they scream them at me. haha The other day we were walking in the street next to the soccer field and everyone stopped playing and came up to the fence and yell, "Hey Leche!! mauh muah muah!" Leche means milk............. so done with Latinos. hahahahahah they make for good stories though.

I'm also so stoked to get the Christmas package my mom sent me this week!  Cant wait to see all the useful stuff I get in this one like the "LOCTITE fun-pack Mounting Putty" I got in the last one!!!! ;) Just kiddin mom, I couldnt resist though.  Hahaha

Not too much happened this week that was too out of the ordinary,except the beginning of the week was rough with my comp.  He's very hard to explain but he's really quick tempered and doesn't like to do anything not his way. 95% of the time hes great but the other 5% is really absolutely horrible sometimes.  We were in an argument and it was pretty bad.  I was seriously mad and I just kinda left the conversation and went into my room and opened my scriptures and the first thing I opened to was Doctrine and Covenants section 121 I think.  For those that don't know too much of the story of Joseph Smith, he was imprisoned in one of the most horrible prisons you can imagine for doing absolutely nothing but being the leader of the Mormons.  The Mormons in that time experienced horrible opposition to the point where many were killed by mobs and were forced to flee across
the country in the dead of winter when countless members of the church died.  Not to mention the prophet Joseph Smith was killed by a mob along with his brother and many others. Anyways thats a huge story but I'll get to my point: I opened to D&C 121 when Joseph Smith was in Liberty jail. Joseph had been in this unimaginable horrible place for months and he felt as if God had forgotten him and he began to pray very hard and this was the answer he received, "My son, peace be unto thy soul.  For thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment."  It seems a little dramatic but me and Cano were on the verge and I honestly
just wanted to go home at that point.  And when I read that, it's honestly something I'll never forget the sense of peace I felt at that moment.  I felt like I wasn't just reading it but Heavenly Father was really saying that to me in person.  I just had the biggest overwhelming feeling of calmness and peace Ive ever felt.  Again something I'll never forget!  (By the way me and Cano are fantastic now and were getting along great and working hard!) The next day, we went to Silvia's house to teach a lesson (one of our investigators).  She's read the BOM completely and knows its true but she doesn't come to church.  We have always thought its because she has problems with the chastity. And it turns out we were right, because she's pregnant lol.  But she was telling us her boyfriend left her when she found out and it was just some crap.  So I quickly had the thought to share that same scripture.  She started crying and we had a great deep discussion with her.  Hopefully this changes things and she comes to church this week.  I think it will!  We're baptizing Marcos this Saturday and Fredrick the next.  They're both awesome.

Anyways, theres my letter for the week.

Texas forever.
Sincerely,
Leche

November 9, 2014 from Mom

Hi Baby!  How was your week?  I hope you had a great week and are staying warm at night and eating more healthy food!  Is the protein helping?  Did you go to the gym this week?

We had a good week here.  I've been working on lots of projects around the house getting ready for Christmas.  The Sandersons will be staying with us so I'm getting things organized.  I'm also planning a bridal shower for Emily Platt for next week. Crazy huh?!  We've been having great weather but starting Tuesday, there is this big "polar vortex" (sounds scary, right?) coming our way.  Highs in the low 40s and lows in the 20s for at least the next 10 days.  Gonna be chilly!  Abby is now failing Biology so I'm now basically taking Biology too so I can help her at home:)  FUN!  

So how are things going with Elder Cano?  Are you two getting along well?  How is the language?  Are you making progress?  How are your investigators Marco and Frederick coming along?  We pray for them too. I forwarded your pictures onto Elder Turley's mom because she is on the Guatemala mom page.  She loved the pictures!  I absolutely love getting your pictures throughout the week!  Also love the "More Cowbell" sign in your room!  HAHAHA!

Here is my cooking tip for the week (after you clean your kitchen).  I saw you have a hot plate.  Do you have any kind of pan?  If so, you can cook a potato in the microwave for about 2-3 minutes so its a little soft.  Then cut it up into pieces, put a little oil or butter in a hot pan..  add the potato, some cut up onion.. add some ham a little cheese and cook for a few minutes.  it would be a tasty meal.  

Oh! And before I forget… we took on your scripture challenge!  Tonight at dinner we found 3 biblical scriptures that prove our churches doctrine is true.  Here you go:

James 2: 14-18 - Faith without Works is dead.  My favorite verse is 18.  Basically he says, "I'll show you my faith BY my works"  Love that! We can't take on the name of Christ without changing ourselves and the way we live.

1 Corinthians 15: 20-22, 29  Baptism for the Dead

Acts 7:55 - Jesus and God are 2 separate beings.  

BOOM!!!  Challenge accepted, challenge met!

I also read something this week that I thought you could share with some of your investigators.  It helps to give some perspective when we feel like our life is difficult or our prayers aren't answered as soon as we'd like.  It's by a woman named Corrie Ten Boom who is a holocaust survivor.  She used to speak publicly about God's involvement in our lives even when we feel He is silent.

During Corrie’s presentations to audiences, she would often hold the back side of a piece of embroidery (attached picture), with hundreds of tangled threads hanging from it. Many wondered if she was holding up the wrong side by mistake. As she held up the messy side of the embroidery she would ask...

“Does God always grant us what we ask for in prayer? Not always. Sometimes He says, ‘No.’ That is because God knows what we do not know. God knows all. Look at this piece of embroidery. The wrong side is chaos. But look at the beautiful picture on the other side – the right side.”

Triumphantly she flipped the cloth over and revealed an elaborately embroidered crown – symbolizing our crown of eternal life. The crown was intricately stitched, and had threads of many colors, including gold, silver and pearls.

“We see now the wrong side, God sees His side all the time. One day we shall see the embroidery from His side, and thank Him for every answered and unanswered prayer.”

If you want, I can print some copies of the embroidery picture for you to give to people if it will help. I just think sometimes it is easier to understand concepts with a visual example.  

So I got your 2 boxes in the mail this week.  I'm hoping you get them soon.  Open them right away but leave the wrapped packages and stockings until Christmas!  But there are some things you can use now… I sent the conference Ensign that will have all of last conferences talks in there.  I also sent a special Book of Mormon Ensign that I thought you'd like.  Ambien.  PJ bottoms that are warm.  Garments.  New camera.  Christmas chain count down (start december 1).  Music SD card (I put lots of Mormon Tab Choir and a few Joseph Smith songs.  Really beautiful.  There is a Christmas folder with lots of Christmas songs … including some from the King Family:) and a Country folder…).  I sent 2 santa hats.. thought you two could get some candy and deliver it to some kids in your ward close to Christmas in your Santa hats:) I sent your new debit card… don't use it until you let me know you have it and I'll activate it.  Let me know when you get the boxes… my guess is in a couple of weeks. I forgot to get you some warm socks so can you get some at Walmart?  

Thank you for being such an amazing son.  Truly!  You are so loving and you give me so much to be proud of.  Mostly I thank my Heavenly Father regularly for sending you to me.  You made me a mom and we have always been incredibly close.  I could not ask for more than you!  Although I miss you more than you can imagine (seriously, I still cry at LEAST once a week!) … I love having the opportunity to see you grow in front of my eyes.  You are a loving missionary, man and leader.  You are such a tremendous example to your brother and sister and many more including your cousins and friends! You can make people feel at ease because of your genuine care for others.  I can only imagine the ways you will continue to grow over the next 22 months!  I love you so much, Sam!  I am so incredibly proud to be your mom!

Are you safe?  Do you feel protected?  More than anything we pray for your protection and for the spirit to be with you to guide you, help you teach, and warn you.  Have you been in any situations where you feel unsafe?  Be obedient!  I know that gives you protection.  Perfect obedience is what you should strive for.  Work hard.  I know the Lord trusts his work to you and must smile when He watches you labor in his vineyard!  

I don't have any pictures this week.  Nothing too eventful.  Gray starts basketball so I'll send some pics next week.  Do you know anything about Skyping at Christmas?  Where will you do it? When?  Christmas day?  Just wondering because we are sooooo excited!

Keep working hard my love!  Every day know that our love is with you!  Do you need anything?  I love you and miss you immensely!  

Infinity + infinity 

Mom