Persistence...

Some up and downs this week. The best part was that Estuardo was baptised on Friday and it went great. Hes seriously converted to the gospel and is already planning to serve a mission. Incredible!

The rough part was it seemed these last few days all of our appointments were falling through and every door we knocked seemed to shut fairly quickly. One lady in particular saw us and started screaming ¨Oh no ones home! No ones home!¨ Wagging her finger in my face and shared a little bit of spit on my nose lol. She opened the door and as she opened the door holy crap I think I counted literally 27 cats in her house. They all attempted to leave as soon as she opened the door. She kicked em all back in and shut the door behind her as she left to go buy bread from another lady in the street. But the door was left cracked. 

It started to open and I noticed and saw all the cats about to get out so I shoved the cats back in the house and tried to shut the door. She turned around and saw me with my foot in the door and hand on the handle and assumed I was trying to enter into her house uninvited...Oh boy. What a scene. This lady just screamed and screamed and cussed and cussed at me. 

I attempted to explain that I was trying to help her and not let her cats out but she literally turned her back to me and started talking to some other lady in the neighborhood and pretended not to hear me. After realizing this chick doesnt care just wants to cause a scene against the Mormons I reached in my pocket and said, ¨Can I atleast offer you a small card with a picture of Jesus Christ?¨ I will fully admit that although it may not have appeared to be, it was my snarky sarcastic way of messing with her after causing that scene ;) lol

While I wanted to say oh sooooooooooo many things to that ¨playa¨ (Those who know a little bit of spanish will get that joke lol) I refrained. I think toward the end she did realize that I was trying to help her because of the manner I was speaking to her but her pride just wouldnt let her admit it. 

I immediately thought of the scripture, 

¨And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet.¨ Matthew 10:14

I know the Lord is with us. I feel His presence every day. I know this is His work. When something like that happens or a door is slammed in our face I always think of Jesus on the cross saying, ¨Forgive them Father for they know not what they do.¨ 

There is nothing one can do except press forward. My companion and I wanted to just go home after that because we were both fairly sad and upset, but we kept knocking doors until finally the last one of the night opened up. It was a non member with a cousin in the mission who was super happy to see us. We shared the Restoration with him and it was incredibly spiritual. He is now progressing and a solid investigator. I know that would not have happened had we decided to give up and go home. 

I love the Lord and I love HIs work. Im grateful for the miracles I see every day. I hope you all have a good week! 

Love you all,

Elder Gurksnis

541 Pages.

What it do party people

Solid week in the Guat. Pretty wiped out today so keeping it short. 

The miracles we see every day are incredible. Its weird to be so accustomed to them that I dont think much about it anymore. Of course I thank Heavenly Father for his amazing grace that He continually shows us, its just crazy truly how many miracles weve seen.

Among the many people we are teaching right now, 3 are 100% future missionaries who have baptisms coming up soon. But they leave with us all the time and help us teach the lessons. Theyre all incredible and their desire to serve the Lord in such a short time is miraculous. I love this work. 

One simple, but powerful scripture I was pondering this week is in Helaman 5:9 "O remember, remember my sons, the words which King Benjamin spake unto this people; yea remember that there in no other way nor means whereby man can be saved only through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ, who shall come; yea, remember that He cometh to redeem the world.¨ 

The atonement of Jesus Christ is incredible. I know the blessings it brings when we choose to apply it into our lives and Im beyond grateful for the change it has brought about in me personally, and all of our investigators. 

The Book of Mormon is true. A 541 page book that testifies of Christ in the way that the Book of Mormon does in all the immense and miraculous stories could not be written by one man with a third grade education as Joseph Smith was. Rather it was written by true and inspired Prophets, and later translated by an incredible yet humble man in Joseph Smith, who I also know to be a prophet of God. Together with the bible we have the fulness of the gospel on earth. 

Love you all,

Elder Gurksnis

Happy Birthday to Sam!

Three Baptisms!

Wow thank you everyone for the birthday emails! I wont be able to respond to all of them today but I promise to try to get back to as many as possible. I love you all! If you havent written me my bday isnt til wednesday so theres still more time to give me more attention ;)))))

Im gonna keep this email short but we had three baptisms saturday! Incredible. We have three more golden investigators who im almost postive will all be baptised this month. SIX souls able to enter into the gates of the celestial kingdom! Im so happy to be seeing the fruits of our labors finally. 

We had interviews with President and Hna Crapo yesterday. They were amazing. Sister Crapo said something that made her and I tear up pretty good. Essentially she just said shes seen my change over these past 2 years and 3 months and that she can see Im truly trying to live up to my potential. If I had a nickel for every time someone has said to me i have a lot of potential but im not living up to it I would be a fairly rich guy. It was a great feeling to know that Im finally living up to that potential I think. And still trying to grow constantly and become more converted every day. I love the Lord with all my heart. You all have amazing potential and spiritual capability. Take Elder Bednars advice from conference and BELIEVE in Him and that his mercy applies to you personally. I love you all and thank you for the bday emails again! Sucks I dont get to sing Feeling 22 but its all gravy ;) See you all soon.

Love Elder Gurksnis

Believing Christ

Amazing week of General Conference... some amazing talks were given huh?

Yesterday we had changes. Elder Leiva will be leaving and Ill be staying here in Tierra Nueva and training a new missionary! Im more than nervous because my first experience training was horrible with E Camacho hahaha but Im hoping this one will be better. Its also a lottttt of extra responsibility already with District Leader stuff and training is going to be stressful. But I know the Lord has a reason for me to be with this new missionary and I will try to teach him and be the best example I can be. 

I felt like the main topics of General Conference were Repentance and the Plan of Salvation. Wow two incredible topics that have played such a huge part in my life.  President Uchtdorfs talk on Saturday morning was incredible. Do we take for granted, or take advantage of the Plan of Salvation? Are we sincerely grateful for the knowledge of the plan our Heavenly Father has for us? Do we take advantage of teaching and sharing opportunities with non members?

I also loved David A Bednars talk on Sunday afternoon. Especially the part about coming to truly know our Savior rather than know only about Him. His 4th point was Believing Him. Often we preach to others that Jesus loves them and you can be forgiven if you repent, but often we dont believe that applys in our own personal lives. As if for some reason we feel that we can not be forgiven for our own sins. I testify by my own personal experience that those thoughts are not of the Savior. He is always willing to forgive us no matter how far away we feel we have departed from Him. 

My final thought is from Quentin L Cook. He used a scripture in 1st Cor 2:1-5. Paul is speaking: ¨And my speech and my preaching was not with the enticing words of mans wisdom, but in the demonstration of the Spirit and of power. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men but in the power of God.¨

I often feel as if other missionaries know more doctrine and are better about knowing scripture or stories or whatever the case may be. Im not the best about whipping out scripture after scripture to prove something or demonstrate something. But I know the Lord has blessed me with a testimony as strong as anyones. Although we should always strive to learn more about the gospel, we dont have to be geniuses in the scriptures to be able to testify to others with the spirit and with power as Paul did. I am very grateful for that scripture in the New Testament. 

I love you all with all my heart. Have a fantastic week!

Elder Gurksnis

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