Build your faith and let Him be your rock.

Another solid week.  We baptized Molly and Milagros Saturday and it all went great.  They are some super special people who without a doubt will be active for life.  Elder Funes also had permission to go back to his old area afterwards to baptize two people from his old area in zona central.  That area is so cool and its kind of like New York with all the people!  

We have also been working with Kevin who is a 14 year old cousin of Dany.  He has had a strong testimony for years but his mom hasn't ever given permission for him to be baptized and its been a long struggle in that family because she has very deep Catholic roots.  She began by not even talking to the missionaries or acknowledging them, to letting them in their home to be friends with Kevin, to interacting, to finally on Monday night, we had a family home evening with them.  We watched the Joseph Smith Restoration video and shared our testimonies with her.  Everyone was crying just because the spirit was so strong and Kevin is such a special kid.  He expressed his desire to be baptized in front of everyone.  His mom was just different.  She just had a totally different look in her eyes.  She said she was sorry for being so hard on Kevin and she just needed some time.  So this week we have two visits with her and Kevin believes that this Saturday he's gonna make a final effort and we all really have faith that it'll happen. Not only that she will give permission for Kevin but that she will begin to progress in this gospel.  On Monday night before we went over there I honestly had my doubts, but I read Ether 12:12 before we left, "For if there be no faith among the children of men, God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith."  Elder C and I had been struggling to get her to budge at all so I had my doubts, but reading that verse changed my outlook.  Elder Funes and I had faith and it was an incredible experience.  He finally had permission to just go to church this week and I know its only a matter of time before he's baptized!  

If we have faith in Christ, anything is possible.  Since the time of Christ's death, man has put so many restrictions on Him saying that miracles and prophets and visions are a thing of the past.  But I know that with faith, God can do whatever he wants to do.  I know that God loves His children living today just as much as his children before the time of Christ.  I know that He has called a prophet for us today to guide us in a time of much confusion and wickedness because He loves us and wants us to walk with Him.  I know that Joseph Smith, a 14 year old boy, saw God and Jesus Christ and restored His church on the Earth!  All because of faith.  I have faith and know that Christ lives.  Build your faith and let Him be your rock.  

Have a great week!

Elder Gurksnis

Change is Good

So this past Tuesday we had changes and my new companion is Elder Funes!  He was companions with Elder Konold before me, my buddy from the MTC.  How crazy huh?  Shoot.  I thought Elder C and I worked hard .. this guy is insane! haha We have not lost a minute of time during the day.  He's an absolutely incredible missionary.  It's been awesome because with Elder C he was just super difficult and I didn't get much say in what we did.  But with Funes we've been coming up with some awesome ideas and just working our butts off.  There's not a more committed missionary in the mission that I can promise.  haha It's a little difficult at times when he tells me that I have to say "Elder" and then the last name or can't use "vos" which is like the informal way or kind of slangy way to talk here.  Little things like that.  But I can't really say "no, your wrong" cause he's right but its a little difficult at times. He's very formal and not super outgoing during the day until we get home at night and then he loosens up a bit.  But he's a great companion and I can't even tell you how much I've learned from him just in these past 6 days.  

With Elder C I learned a lot about my personality and how to deal with people that you don't get along with lol.  But he was all about numbers and I couldn't stand it.  With Elder Funes we both have a love for our ward and for the people and we do what's right.  During the day I'm exhausted, but when we get home at night its just kind of "wow we had a good day today."  The hardest thing is not spending a lot of time with Dany and Dianna who are my family here because again we just don't waste a minute of time. But I know that we're working hard.  We had 7 investigators at church this week!  Can you believe that? We're baptizing Molly and Milagros and we have 5 other baptismal dates right now!  I've seen so many miracles this week.  We simply contacted this one girl for a few minutes and she said she would go to church.  We passed by her house at 7:30 Sunday morning to bring her and her dad said she wasn't there and had already made previous commitments.  We were somewhat disappointed. We showed up to church and there she was, in the pews waving to us.  It was amazing. Our success is incredible and I know its all because of the Lord and He's blessing us for our hard work and obedience.  I hope you all have a great week:)

Love Elder Gurksnis

How many Guatemalans can you fit on one bus?

Feliz ano nuevo!

I'm really short on time this week, so this is gonna be a short one...

New years was nuts!  There were fireworks EVERYWHERE and little mini bombs and smokers going off. It sounded like a warzone haha but it was way awesome.  Guatemala celebrates big time.

We have two new baptisms coming up!  There names are Milagros and Molly.  Milagros is the grandmother and they're pretty incredible.  Molly is the smartest 12 year old I've ever met.  Everything we teach her she just understands it and puts it into other words that not many 12 year olds could do.  I have no doubt that they will both be great and active in the church!  

I also hit my 4 month mark this past week and I can easily say that a 4 month span has never affected my life in a better way than this.  Not even close!  I love this work.  Although it's often difficult, I've matured, learned, and grown closer to my Father in Heaven!  No one is more grateful for that than I am.  

I'm worried and nervous for my new comp and what he will be like but regardless were gonna continue the work!  Hope everyone has a great new year!  Don't forget to make goals.  Spiritual goals will keep you growing closer to Christ.

Love,

Elder Gurksnis

ps. I got a package from the Smith's and a letter from my Grandma and Grandpa (Brand) today but I haven't even gotten them home yet and had the chance to open them.  But I wanted to thank you so much for thinking of me! I love you all!

Bringing a little Texas to Guatemala.

Sam's caption when he sent this picture: "Jimmerloving Gangbanger on the bus."