My Real Trainer

This week was pretty amazing. We had 8 investigators in church this week which was incredible! All of them who previously only stayed for sacrament meeting are all now staying through the classes and Priesthood and Relief Society. We've seen tons of miracles. 

The hermanas in my district when this change started had 4 new investigators in two weeks and maybe one or two investigators in church. Theyve been continuingly getting better and better every week until this week they had 15 new investigators and 4 people in sacrament meeting! They completed the mission goal for the first time in their missions. I was super proud of them.

One experience I wanted to share: Me and Elder Leiva were having a deep conversation this week and were talking about a lot of things hes gone through in the mission and his conversion story. He was telling me about his first two changes compared to this change and basically long story short he said, "even though on my missionary papers it will always say Elder blank trained me, you were my trainer in the mission and taught me how to work hard and dedicate this short time to the Lord, and how exact obedience brings miracles." We were both tearing up. 

It was a humbling moment and I wont ever forget what he said to me. His mission experience has been almost identical to my first, because I said the exact same thing almost word for word to Elder Funes who was my second companion but my real trainer in the mission. Ill always be thankful and indebted to Elder Funes because he truly changed my life. I was more than humbled in that moment knowing that that's the effect Elder Funes had on me and to know that my companion told me of the affect I was able to have on him was the same.

I dont share any of these experiences for my own praise, but so that hopefully yall that read them can feel the spirit through my experiences and become closer to our Savior. 

"For behold, in my name they are called. And if they know me they shall come forth, and shall have a place eternally at my right hand." Mosiah 26:24

Have a great week.

Love always,

Elder Gurksnis

Teaching Families

It was another good week in the Guat! Lots of amazing experiences. 

On Tuesday we had a multi zone conference and President Crapo asked me to sing ¨I know that my Redeemer Lives (Yo se que vive mi senor)¨. I feel like although i was nervous there was a really strong spirit. My zone came up to me afterwards and a few of them said specifically that it was like I wasnt even singing, but rather testifying in that moment that I know that my Redeemer lives. It was one of the most awesome things anyone has really ever said me. But I do know now more than ever with 100% assurity that my Redeemer lives. I love that hymn. 

When I came here, me and Elder Leiva basically started from 0. We inherited literally 0 progressing investigators. That was very frustrating at first. When I came here Elder Leiva had just finished his training and after about a week he told me that his trainer didnt teach him to work hard and they lost a lot of time just hanging out. They werent very obedient either. I know more than anyone that in training its never the new missionaries fault, so I didnt blame him for any of that. But I was somewhat frustrated that we had to start from 0. But we are truly beginning to see many of the fruits of many of the seeds we started to plant weeks ago. Our area has only had 3 baptisms in the past 5 months. Right now for the upcoming month of October we have two families that are almost certain to be baptised and two other men individually that are close to baptism. (Familia Hidalgo, Familia Lopez, Axel and Estuardo).

Im so grateful for the spirit that we are worthy to have with us each and every day for being obedient and worthy missionaries. God is truly using us as instruments in his hands.

¨But Ammon said unto him: I do not boast in my own strength, nor in my own wisdom. But behold my joy is full. Yea my heart is brim with joy and I will rejoice in my God. Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; Therefore I will not boast of myself but I will boast of my God, for in His strength I can do all things. Yea, behold, many might miracles we have wrought in this land for which we will praise his name forever. (Alma 26:11-12). 

I know that I am nothing and as to my strength I am weak. But I will rejoice in my God who has made us instruments in his hands in the bringing forth of many souls to Christ. I cant describe the difference in the spirit here in this second go around versus my ¨first mission.¨ But it is a great difference. 

I love this gospel with all my heart and I am willing to give up any of my will to the will of Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. I know this message and this gospel are true. Plant the seed of faith in your heart and let it grow (Alma 32:28). 

Love always,
Elder Gurksnis

Two years ago...

2 years ago on September 2 I left for Guatemala! Pretty crazy but what a two years its been. 

I have people I want to respond to this week that I havent been able to get back to because of the short writing time so im gonna keep my letter short this week!

But I was able to go back to my old area Friday to see Jose baptised. Hes an awesome teenager and his dad that we reactivated was pretty emotional and grateful. It was a super spiritual baptism. 

Saturday we were able to baptise Sachi Ulissa Cano Samayoa. Shes an awesome girl and super smart. Her two year old sister made the baptism somewhat difficult but it was spiritual nonetheless. Her two year old sister is literally one of those devil children. She gives us ¨the mano ¨ or ¨the hand¨ which is when you extend your hand and point it at someone. Its basically flicking someone off. Shes literally two years old and does it all the time. And then smacks me quite frequently. But its allllllll goooooooood (Jim Carry). 

I wanted to share my favorite scripture from the BOM this week. 2 Ne 4:28 ¨Awake my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice oh my heart and give place no more for the enemy of my soul!¨ I was thinking about something Ive learned in the past year. Maybe the greatest thing ive learned. We all have our ¨favorite sins¨. Sins that we just cant seem to overcome. 

I read a story about a man who helps people get over addictions. He specifically told a story of a man with a cigarette habit. This man seemed so emotional and ready to be over his cigarette addiction. But he couldnt seem to give it up. He finally figured out that the man was keeping a few cigarettes in his sock drawer ¨just in case he just HAD to have one.¨ Ive learned that you cant keep cigarettes in the sock drawer. Theres a line between sin and safety (obedience). Its absolutely impossible to get over something when you have one foot on each side of the line. 

Verse 34 reads: ¨Oh Lord I have trusted in thee and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of the flesh.¨ We are too weak to do it on our own. Trust me. We need the Lords strength to get over our favorite sins. He is the only one capable of helping us get over it. We must beg him in prayer to help us every day not to give into temptation.

I know that if we confide in the Lord with all our hearts we can get over our weaknesses and turn them into strengths. I love all of you and hope you have a great week! 

PS Watch the videos theyre funny haha

Elder Gurksnis