It is now the final week before I enter into the field. Holy cow, I'm so nervous and excited. I got my travel information yesterday, I leave the CCM Monday morning at 3am and my flight leaves the airport at 7. I've been told its only like a 30-45 minute flight. I can't wait to get out, and I've already consented to the fact that I will be totally lost and confused. But although I'm ready to leave the CCM, I'm so glad that I've had the chance to be here. I'm sorry, but this is quite a long email.

I just want to talk about the CCM here for a minute. This is such a wonderful place. I feel like your first week here it’s the worst place in the world, but now, I love it. The food sometimes isn't quite edible, we sit down all day long, but it is so incredible. I'm so thankful for the opportunity to come here and prepare before heading to the field. Not only to prepare to teach the gospel, or even try to learn the language, but mostly to prepare your mind and heart for the work. The stages of self-reflection that I've experienced here have been incredible. I'm streets ahead of where I was before I left. I am so much more ready and willing to serve in Guadalajara.

I want to share some things that I've learned this week, and things that I've been thinking about. I've had quite a few spiritual experiences. We had two district Book of Mormon sessions. Me and Elder Spencer were given Moroni  9 to teach. That was one of the hardest chapters I've ever had to read, especially because I was trying to read it really in depth so that I could teach it. It really shows how important the Spirit is. And we also related it to having love between companions, and how that can give us strength and hope in rough times. The next day, Elder Anderson and Elder Andriese taught from Alma 26. That chapter is so amazing! It is when Ammon is talking to the sons of Mosiah after they have returned from their missions with the Lamanites. It hit me so strong in these verses. "10 And it came to pass that when Ammon had said these words, his brother Aaron rebuked him, saying: Ammon, I fear that thy joy doth carry thee away unto boasting. 11 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. 12 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 mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever. 13 Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice? 14 Yea, we have reason to praise him forever, for he is the Most High God, and has loosed our brethren from the chains of hell." How inspiring!

Some other things. I would give any day for a Sunday. Sundays are the most edifying and refreshing days, even more than P-days. This last Sunday we watched a devotional from Elder Holland. He talked a lot about the era of Preach My Gospel. He talked about how before PMG, the church had a real problem with missionaries, that they were missing some step in the missionary process. Too many missionaries were coming home and not doing what they had preached for 2 years. So when PMG was developed, there were two main purposes. One was to get away from the memorized, rehearsed lessons, and move to being able to apply lessons to the lives of investigators through the Spirit. But the biggest reason it was developed, according to Elder Holland, was to convert the missionaries. He said that they were skipping a very crucial step. Before, they were taking the lessons from church headquarters, straight to the investigator. They completely skipped the missionaries. He related it to the story of the apostle Peter. And the way he says it is so much better than I ever could, so look up Elder Holland’s Oct 2012 Conference talk and watch it!

Well he talks about Peter after the death of Christ. He describes what the conversation must have been like. Peter, talking to the rest of the apostles, must have said something along the lines of, "Well, it’s been a great time. We have seen many miracles, and felt the most wonderful Spirit. We have walked with Christ and witnessed many acts of love."  And now, Peter trying his best, based only on his 3 years of experience, says, "Now, let's go fishing."  He goes on to explain the part where Christ calls out to them on the Sea of Tiberias. And when they realized that it was Christ, Peter jumped off the boat. "You can all row in, but I'm heading to shore now," Elder Holland narrates. Later, Christ asks Peter, "Do you love me?" To this Peter replies, yeah Lord, thou knowest that I love thee." This question is repeated two more times. "At this point, Peter must have been very aware of the number 3," states Elder Holland. And it was at this point, when he replies that he loves Christ, and when he is told to "Feed my sheep," Peter finally becomes the Great Apostle. At this point, Peter finally realizes that this work is not one to forget, but that it is a lifelong work. We are not here on missions, changing our lives and helping others, just to "return" to our old lives. This is real life. This is the life we are to live, continually furthering the work.

I am so blessed to be here at the CCM. I have had to ask myself the same exact question that Christ asked Peter. I have been able to think and ponder, pray and rethink. I've been able to actually ask myself, “where am I”? And I can now say, truly and honestly, that I want to serve a mission. I know that Christ lives, and that God truly loves and wants the best for me. I know that the Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God and that the BoM is true and contains precious principles that were written for my life. I know that I need to be on my mission. And I hope with all my heart that I can share this life of love and joy with someone else. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

 

I love you all, and I'm so thankful for every one for you! Sorry for such the long letter, but this week has been so significant. Thank you for all your prayers. Thank you for how you've all affected me up to this point! Until next P-day I guess! And I'm not exactly sure when that will be. But I'm looking forward to it!

Love,

Elder Kaden Quinn

The first one was this morning. Most mornings have an amazing sunrise!

Most every gym time, we spend playing volley ball. I am not good at it, but it is so much fun!!

This is my wonderful district. I have been so privileged to be their district leader. They are all so amazing. It is going to be hard to say goodbye to them on Monday.