December 29, 2014 from Sam

Buenas noches mis amigos!  Espero que todos de uds. tenian una buenisimo Navidad :) I had a great Christmas!  It was a little stressful because of the internet situation.  First theres only one person in our ward who had a computer and he was hard to find!  Then on Christmas day everyone that had a computer in the area was trying to use it so I kept calling my family on Skype and the calls kept dropping!  But finally after about 3 stressful hours it worked and I talked with them for a long time!

Talking to my family was absolutely amazing.  Just seeing all their faces for the first time in 4 months was incredible!  I originally called on the telephone Christmas eve night and my mom didn't know but I was just calling to set up a time for the next day to skype.  I won't forget how my mom answered the phone!  She was just so excited to hear my voice and I was too haha. We both were tearing up pretty good just for a short phone call.  But skyping was fantastic. I got some solid gifts...a blow up deer (yes a lifesize deer) for the house with a target and a nerf gun to "keep up my redneck skills" while Im gone.  It was pretty dad gum funny. 

Sam's Christmas selfie sporting his new tie and tie clip.

Christmas night was probably the second worst night of the mission to be honest (after my first night in the field when i was locked out of the house in the freezing rain and yeah y'all know the story).  It was super hard.  But I prayed super hard and again was blessed because I woke up the next morning and felt like normal!  

Me and Elder Cano went right back to work the next day and I feel like we maybe had our best week teaching wise thus far.  Weve had about 4 investigators that we originally didn't think much of start to really progress and came to church as well!  One in particular is an "antique" investigator that has been through every set of missionaries since about a year and a half ago only to debate and say whats wrong with our church.  We had an amazing talk with him and he finally began reading the Book of Mormon and everything has changed.  He came to church and it was great! 

I gave another talk in church this past week as well which I think went super well.  It was just on simple faith, but it went great.  In Ether 12 (in the BoM) the word faith, I counted, is mentioned 34 times.  Its an amazing chapter .  Verse 4 gives an example: faith is our anchor.   I talked about how our ship is made up of all different types of Christlike attributes and hope and charity and everything!  But our anchor is faith.  And the greater and bigger and stronger our anchor, the less affect the storms and temptations and hardships in our lives have on our ship.  

So my invitation this week is to read Ether 12 because its one of, if not my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon! 

Anyways hoped you all had a great Christmas!  I think my mom made an album on my facebook if you wanna see all my pictures from the mish thus far.  

Texas Forever 

Elder G

Ether 12:4  "Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God."

Christmas Eve service project

Finally getting Skype to work!!!

Christmas with friends!

December 28, 2014 from Mom

Hello my wonderful son!  What a crazy week we had.  Christmas day was the most wonderful day for so many reasons but mostly because we got to talk to you!  I could have talked with you for many more hours. How are you doing?  I had a tough week!  Its like seeing you made me miss you even more.  But I'm so happy we were able to see and talk to you… even if it made for a tough week.  I hope you are doing better.  I pray every morning and night that you are feeling our love but not feeling too homesick.  I heard something at church today and I wanted to remind you of it.  Read Alma 34:18-27  Here it is:

18 Yea, cry unto him for mercy; for he is mighty to save.

 19 Yea, humble yourselves, and continue in prayer unto him.

 20 Cry unto him when ye are in your fields, yea, over all your flocks.

 21 Cry unto him in your houses, yea, over all your household, both morning, mid-day, and evening.

 22 Yea, cry unto him against the power of your enemies.

 23 Yea, cry unto him against the devil, who is an enemy to allrighteousness.

 24 Cry unto him over the crops of your fields, that ye may prosper in them.

 25 Cry over the flocks of your fields, that they may increase.

 26 But this is not all; ye must pour out your souls in your closets, and your secret places, and in your wilderness.

 27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your heartsbe full, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for yourwelfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around you.

This scripture reminds me of how many times in the past 4 months the Lord has blessed you and answered your prayers because you have poured out your heart to him.  I know if you do this and ask for his help to feel more peace there in Guatemala, he is "mighty to save" and will answer your prayers by giving you comfort. This comfort comes through the power of the atonement… when he suffered not only for our sins but for our sorrows and infirmities… Call upon Him through the power of the Atonement for His help.  His atonement is individual and personal to you because he felt the "exact" way you have felt.  He knows how to succor his people.  This is how you put this promise into action.  One of the Lords greatest promises is in Matt 11:28-30.  “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

We had a good week!  It was great to have Noelle's family here.  They are leaving Tuesday.  Erik took all the kids ice skating on Saturday which was pretty fun.  It's gonna be quiet around here when they leave.  We learned a new card came tonight called "SCUM" that is so fun!  I can't wait to play it with you when you get home.  It's a little competitive… right up your ally.  Do you remember when we were playing a game (can't remember which one) in our Flomo house and we were both running to get something and you kneed me (in your excitement to beat me) in the thigh and I had a huge bruise for about 10 days?  Ya, this game is like that:)

So Karlee Winters is going out with Cade Neilsen… however, he leaves for his mission if February, so I'm sure its just a fun thing before he leaves.  haha

I think you'd be proud to know that Dad and Gray went home teaching for the first time in years tonight!  That is on you!  I have tried to gently ask dad to make sure he does his home teaching and then not so gently asked him to do it… but I've never had success.  However, you have pushed him to do the right thing!  Thank you so much for your great example!  It will really help Gray too.  Success! xoxo

So what do I do?  All of these people from Guatemala are trying to friend me once I became friends with Dany and Diana.  Should I accept them?  What do you want me to do?  I put all your pics on you FB in an album.  I love looking at all of them!  You look so great!  So happy!  Truly, I'm so thankful for Dany and Diana.  I try to tell them but I know there is a language barrier.  Will you please tell them how grateful I am to them for taking such good care of my son!  

Did you get the other package I sent you… with the Raisin Bran?  I was thinking about some food I could send you.  Can you get protein bars there?  Have you thought of getting a hot plate?  If it is under $30, I'd be happy to donate it to the Limon apt.  You don't have to take it with you.  If you had that and one pan, you could have some more options for vegetables… sauté up some diced potatoes and broccoli or something…a grilled cheese sandwich…  What did you decide to do about that?  Does Guatemala celebrate New Years?  What will you do?  Will you set some goals? 

I love you sweet boy!  So very much!  My heart is in Guatemala.  Take good care of it:)  I miss you like crazy and am so incredibly proud of all you are doing.  I think you are an amazing missionary… the best I've ever known.  Keep working and serving those sweet people.  I love you infinity + infinity and even more than that!

Momma

p.s. What does "pilas" mean?  

December 23, 2014 from Sam

Well interesting final week before Christmas and a good one! I got punched in the back of the head by some boracho (drunk) in the street.  I hadn't said anything or looked at him but he whacked me haha I saw him run off.  Theres literally tons of cops on every corner of Limon and it happened right in front of 3 of them literally 10 feet away, and they just watched and did nothing. I kinda threw my arms up and said why don't you do your job right? I was ticked off but apparently it's a big problem in Guatemala and latin america in general.  Tons of cops that don't do much.  Whatever! haha

I cant believe the Mavs got Rondo.  And the Cowboys flippin won the NFC East its almost like I'm a bad luck charm.  If either of them end up winning the whole thing I think that would be the worst and best thing to ever happen... mixed feelings mixed feelings haha

Anyway I'm gonna keep this letter short Im whiped out but I wanted to share just a little bit.  Elder Cano is my companion and has been my whole time in the field. We were getting along decently in the beginning but we would get in fights from time to time.  To be straight up not trying to be a jerk, but yeah every time it was his fault we were fighting hahahaha and he knew it and knows it.  Ive been super relaxed with him and he just has trouble with his anger sometimes.  About 3 weeks ago we got in a big fight.  I was pretty down and prayed for about an hour straight just asking Heavenly Father to help me get through these last few days until the next change on Jan, 6.  Well Heavenly Father has more than answered my prayers!  Me and Cano are great friends and getting along great and Im really glad that we get to spend Christmas together.  

He's had a tough life.  He lives with his grandma because his dad left him when he was young and his mom paid a coyote to take her to the U.S. when he was 7.  They still talk but don't have much of a relationship.  He's mentioned a few times how hes sad hes not getting anything for Christmas. But because I have the most amazing mom in the world she sent him some presents in my Christmas package and i seriously cant wait to give em to him.  He doesnt know that by the way. hahah Anyway I'm just super excited to give em to him because I know hes gonna be really happy!  

And I'm gonna be freakin happy cause ya boi gets to talk to his family in 2 days!!!!!!

I'm just having a great time right now and December has been great.  I thought i was going to be pretty homesick but thanks to my buddies in the mission and the people weve been teaching I've had a lot of fun.  I kinda understand why its hard for people to go home now.  I'm definitely going to be excited to go home no doubt about it, but there will be a lot of things that I will miss about the mission.   

Short letter.  But just want to wish y'all a Merry Christmas from the big G :) I love all of y'all and hope you enjoy and cherish this Navidad with your families.  

One love!

Elder Gurksnis

P.S. I didn't have time to get back to everyones emails today but i will next week :) I wanted to thank everyone who sent me an email this week! Merry Christmas!

December 22, 2014 from Mom

Hello my wonderful son!  How was your week?  We have had a great week… full of excitement for Christmas and getting to Skype with you!  I'm gonna keep this letter short because I know you received lots of emails this week:)  We really just need to nail down the Skype plans.  I know Elder Flygare was able to call his mom for 2 mins to set up a time.  Can you let us know today what you think will happen?  

Tell me about your week!  Are people more interested in listening to you because it is so close to Christmas?  Do people decorate for Christmas?  

Noelle, Josh and Allie came in late Thursday night and Gregg and spencer come tomorrow.  We drove down to highland park tonight just to drive thru the streets and see all the Christmas lights.  The homes are gorgeous.  I got a pic of a long horn in lights just to remind you of Texas. (Texas Forever)  We are having a great time but you are always a topic of conversation and we all miss you sooooo very much!  

There has been a lot of talk among members of the church recently about how many missionaries that are coming home early.  Noelle's stake president is working on a panel with the quorum of the 12 to address this.  They have come up with 2 things.  #1 - A mission is hard work and many young men/women can't handle the hard work. They haven't learned how to work hard before.  #2 - We need to let them know more before they leave that this isn't the "best 2 years of your life" from the standpoint that its so entertaining and fun… but it's the "best two years for you" meaning, it will make you a better person and your life better because of the experiences you have and the good service that you do.  I'm sure you can agree with both of those things, right?  It is an amazing thing you are doing, my son.  I never forget that!  You are in an extremely difficult situation, but you have already changed lives and most significantly, your own. You are thriving not just surviving.  Your face just looks happy! I'm so tremendously proud of you!  You are an amazing young man and I'm constantly thanking my Heavenly Father for the opportunity to be your mother.  I love you so much, Sam!  I CANNOT wait to see you and talk to you!  (by the way, I have re read your letter  to me 100 times! It is a true treasure to me!) 

4 days!!!!!  I can't believe it!  I love you more than the sun, the moon and the stars and infinity + infinity!  

xoxoxoxo

momma

December 16, 2014 from Sam

Soild week!  We continue to work hard.  Ana Lusia who was our most progressing investigator moved to a different zone :( but we got her in contact with the missionaries in the other area so I hope she continues to progress.  Right now we don't have a ton of solid investigators were doing a lot of searching.  This week we found a bunch though and a lot of families!  

We also got to go to the temple today and it was awesome!  Everything you do in the mission is just a whole different experience in that you're normally so close with the spirit and you just pay attention to everything more and its easier to learn and everything.  For example I think I mentioned it back then but General Conference in October was so great just because i was so focused on everything being said and learned and felt the spirit so much.  Its the same with the temple.  Its such a spiritual experience everytime I go!  

We had interviews with President Crapo this past week.  It was short only about ten minutes long because obviously he has 250 missionaries to interview this week, but it went great.  He's a really solid mission President and I respect him a ton.  He kind of helped me with what I was talking about last week with the question "who do we baptize?"  He said essentially its crucial that we have faith.  We read D&C 20:37 which is basically the "standard" for baptism for lack of a better word.  We are all commanded to be baptized.  But again if we don't endure to the end and don't continually keep the covenants we make at baptism, our baptism doesn't mean anything.  But this scripture says (off the top of my head because its not in front of me) if one comes to the Lord with a broken heart and a contrite spirit having truly repented of all their sins then they are ready and willing, it's our job as missionaries to look upon our investigators with more faith and less critically.  He used the phrase, "with eyes open more with the love of the spirit", and i loved that.  It helped me a ton!  

I feel like the greatest thing that my mission has done for me by far is I feel I have truly come to know the love of Christ.  I'm constantly comforted by Him in prayer and scripture study.   I just feel so close to Christ and continue to feel His love stronger and stronger.  This Christmas season is truly amazing and so different on the mission.  Obviously I'm so much more focused on the meaning of Christmas rather than all the other distractions.  One thing I've been doing in our lessons a lot this month is sharing the picture of Christ knocking on the door with no handle on the outside.

One Christmas song that I love says, "find a way, make Him room, Let Him in."  Christ's door is always open to recieve us even when we have sinned, because thanks to Him, we can always repent.  It is our job to let Him into our lives.  He is constantly knocking in different rhythms and tones trying to find the right one that will get you up to answer.  Find a way.  Nothing is more important than He. Make Him room.  He will comfort you and love you in a way that you have never felt before.  Let Him in. He is always knocking.  That's my invitation for the week :) And remember why we have this amazing holiday!

I'm so grateful for my Savior and His love for me.  Although I miss my family, I will continue to share this amazing message we have with all.  For, "No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light." (Luke 11:33)  

Merry Christmas!

Elder Gurksnis

December 14, 2014 from Mom

Hello my sweet son!  I'm sitting here listening to Christmas music and it's killin me smalls!  I miss you my boy!  Christmas won't be the same without you here.  Incomplete.  But I'm comforted by knowing what you are doing right now.  I love the pictures you sent this week!  I can see you have a "family" away from your family and I can see that you love them and they love you!  I can see why at the end of your mission, even though you'll be so excited to come home, it will be bittersweet to leave the people you've grown to love.  ps. Tell little Maryuri that I think she is the most beautiful little girl!  

Nothing too eventful this week. Abby and I finished painting stripes on her wall.  I think she's sending you pics of that.  I'm busy getting ready for christmas.  All the decorations are up.  I changed up your stocking a little:)  See attached pics:)  Noelle and her family get here sometime at the end of the week.  Probably Friday. Spencer and Gregg don't come til next week.  That makes me nervous considering Gregg's track record.  He might just miss Christmas! (haha sort of)  I've got to finally get into your closet and clean it out so they have room.  Don't worry… I'm not throwing any thing out.  Although Abby likes to wear your t-shirts so a few of those might be misplaced.  

An interesting bit of news is that gas prices are down to $2.14 ( I think they were about $3.65 when  you left).  Can you believe it???  It's due to all the natural gas drilling going on I guess.  

Gray took the ACT for the first time this weekend.  He didn't study or anything.  It's just a benchmark to see where he needs to improve.  My guess is he probably did pretty well but he needs to speed up his answers to get more questions answered. I went back into your ACT account and forget how well you did. You got a 32 in math (highest perfect score is a 36) and a 31 in English.  YOu tanked in reading and got a 21 so it brought your overall score down.  But, dang! you did good!

How did your meeting go with the Mission President?  What did you think of him?  Tell me what you talked about.  I wonder how much interaction you get with him throughout your mission?

How is the Spanish going?  How about investigators?  Who are you working with?  What about the girl that you told us about that found out she is pregnant.  How is she?  

What are you doing on Christmas day? Any details yet?

The pictures of that marketplace look kind of cool.  What do they sell?  

Any word from Manning?  I don't know why, but I really feel badly for him.  What is the situation with you and Taylor?  I never asked what she thought of your letter and the BOM.  

On the Missionary Mom FB page, I was reading about this Mom telling about how her son did so well in the MTC and then he got out in the field on Monday and its been so hard.  I noticed that she is married to a good friend of mine from BYU (he was the kicker for the football team) and so I shared with her about your first few days in the field (getting locked out of your apt, sleeping on a tile floor, etc).  She was really glad to hear your stories and know that you are doing so well now.  It gives her hope that he will get passed this difficult time and do better soon.

I was having a conversation with someone this week about why we have to pray if God already knows what we are going to do anyway.  I told her (what I may have already told you) to think why God only provided enough manna for one day at a time for the Israelites when they were lost in the wilderness.  Certainly God could do whatever he wanted.  It would be more efficient to give them enough manna for the week all at once.  But he gave them only enough for one day at a time.  I believe he was trying to teach them to depend on Him daily.  They had physical needs that they turned to him for daily (food) and we have spiritual needs that require us to depend on Him daily.  I also told her that I believe there is power in asking for the blessings and answers we need.  Then I read this in the Bible Dictionary under Prayer :

As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings.

The interesting part is that God has blessings he wants to give us but they require us asking.  It makes me think that really he just wants his children to talk to Him and come to Him for the things we need.  Kindof like our emails.  If I didn't get to talk to you thru emails once a week, it would make me feel distant from you and sad.  But instead, you write such wonderful emails to your momma that I feel like we are closer than ever… even though there are miles in-between us.  

I pray for you every day!  More than once.  Some days I notice that I just have a constant prayer in my mind and heart for you throughout the day.  I pray for those you teach too.  I always pray for your protection… that Heavenly Father will send angels to stand around you and protect you.  I pray that you will always listen to the spirit guide you and warn you and that it will help you teach the gospel.  You are precious to me, my son!  I love you so very much!  I hope you have a wonderful week.  By next pday our Skype will be just days away!!!!  

Infinity + infinity

xoxox

Mom

p.s. We need Skype details. Are you going to "call us?"  Do you know an approximate time?  

p.s.s. I sent another box on Tuesday:)  Keep an eye out for it and let me know when you get it:)  Dani sent me a Christmas gift for you but I received it the day after I mailed your box.  So now you won't get it for a while.  I'll probably send something out near the end of January or something.  We can open it over Skype.

psss.  I never got a letter from you.  Dad, Gray and Abby all got one about 2 weeks ago.  I thought you said you sent one but I still haven't gotten it:'(

December 8, 2014 from Sam

Howdy everyone!  Yes I hit day 100 in 2 days so only 630 left to go ;) 

I know my letters are getting shorter and shorter but its just because mission life gets more and more normal.  haha.  And some of the stuff that's not so every day in the states is just day to day stuff to me now.  BUT we did have a great week!  We baptized Maryuri M on Tuesday which was a bit of a surprise because she originally wasn't going to be baptized until late December but we visited her that day and she said she couldn't wait anymore and her mom agreed!  It was so awesome. 

She's another great baptism who i know will stay active in church.  That's one thing I've learned.  One thing that bugs me about the mission is numbers and stats.  They're necessary because President needs to know who's working and who's being a chambon(lazy).  But some missionaries get caught up with the numbers.  Some baptize those who aren't ready and who aren't going to endure to the end after their baptism and I don't want to be one of those missionaries.  Because if one doesn't endure to the end, their baptism doesn't mean much.  I think 2 Nephi 31 20 ish in the Book of Mormon?  ("Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.  Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.") Not sure but I do know that even though I may have less baptisms at the end of my mission that I'm not going to baptize anyone unless Ive prayed really hard about them and know that they re going to change and not just be baptised but truly have a change of heart.  Because this gospel is a lifestyle!  Not just something you can say and it be fine, you have to live it.  One great thing Ive learned on the mish.

One (kinda) funny thing that happened this week was I left a shirt on the floor for like 2 days and didn't see it.  It was absolutely destroyed by rat poop and urine :)) Hope it was a comfy poo!

The Christmas season has been great and super hard at the same time.  As expected.  I miss my family so unbelievably much and sometimes I torture myself at night with Christmas music and pictures haha.  Last night i was reading through all the Christmas cards my family sent and the ward sent.  My niece, little Bailey Smith's read "Dear Sam, I hope you have a great Christmas!  Love B.S. !"  I laughed pretty hard and couldn't help but think Erik or Kevin put her up to that. But anyways we have an amazing opportunity especially this month to share this gospel and especially focus on Christ.  We have these cards that we've been contacting with that have a picture of Mary and the baby Jesus that say El es laDadiva, which means He is the Gift.  We get to tell people that no matter the celebrations and gifts we receive there is no greater gift ever given than that of God: His only Begotten Jesus Christ. With our investigators we share this video which is a beautiful video.  Its about 3 minutes long and I encourage all of y'all to watch it :) 

I wanted to leave yall with one thought that I had this week.  We have been using the members a lot recently especially with these little cards for references and I think it'll be a big success. We gave each of them one card and said we expect next Sunday for yall to have given this to a friend or family non member with a day that we can come with you to their house to share the video and a short message!  When i was sharing with them our idea I just asked them 1. How are you growing your own testimony? What do you do on a daily or weekly basis to grow closer to Christ and His atonement? Are you truly and sincerely doing everything you can to strengthen your testimony? 2. How are you growing the testimony of those in your family and growing your relationship with each individual member of your family?  Are you having family home evening every Monday and family scripture study and prayer? Are you spending quality time with your family on a regular basis? and 3. How are you helping with missionary work?  Are you constantly looking for people who are ready to receive the gospel and trying to share this thing that is most important in your life with others? Because missionary work is very unsuccessful without the help of the members.  The blessings that we receive for doing the Lords work are simply remarkable and this opportunity and challenge that we have given you is a great way to start!  So I would encourage all of you to think about those three simple questions!  And i would encourage you this Christmas season to involve yourself with the missionaries as well as immerse yourself in service.  We as Americans have so much to be thankful for and especially in Prosper, we have so much.  Take this Christmas season as an opportunity to give to those who don't have as much.  

This Christmas for me will be one I know I will never forget!  I have a testimony of this gospel and I know that Christ is my and our Savior of the world.  His birth is an amazing story that I'm so grateful that I can share with these people of Guatemala.  Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

Have a great week!  Don't forget the reason why this time is so special :)

Feliz Navidad!

Elder Gurksnis