Oh man, I don't even know what say right now. This week has been crazy. I'll be honest, it's been one of the hardest weeks of my life. Spiritually and emotionally, that is.  Don't get me wrong, it already has been amazing here, but it is no walk in the park. 

Where to begin though. So much has happened these last couple days. So my daily schedule is as such. At 5:50, Elder Taveras and I get up to exercise. He has this weird routine he does that he makes me do, but its ok. We prep for the day, and at 8, we are studying. We have personal study, companionship study, language study, and also an extra hour of study for this program they have the new missionaries do. It lasts 12 weeks. So right now, we don't leave the house until 12. Every single day besides Monday (p-day) we have lunch with a member, because that's the biggest meal here in Mèxico. We usually eat around 3 or 4, so until then we walk the streets. The rest of the day is spent working and contacting.

The work here is so crazy and overwhelming. There are about 15 active families here, and if I had to guess, probably 50 inactive families. And to make it more confusing, I can't remember names for the life of me. It doesn't help either that there are 5 Familia Rodrigues Dìaz here in this branch. We have spent almost our whole time here trying to contact the members and less active members. We haven't had any time to tract, or as in Spanish, "tocar puertas" which is literally, touch doors. I found it amusing the first time Elder Taveras told me we were going to plan to "touch doors". But anyways, we are in over our heads with trying to contact as many people as we can, which I guess I should not be complaining at all, but it’s so crazy and confusing.

The other thing that is driving me crazy is the Spanish. I know, I know, I won't be a Master Spanisher in any time, but it is so frustrating. Usually Elder Taveras answers the questions while I just sit there trying to focus on the few words I do recognize. But the worst is the lessons. I'll be sitting there, while my companion and the member or investigator talks, just looking nice and pretty. Then in unison they would both look at me and the world stops. Something was said, but it was oblivious to me. Then my companion makes a short sigh, and continues talking. Those moments have been the worst part of being here. That brief moment that totally rips apart any confidence you might have had. I now know why so many Elders are frustrated with languages when they first get out. You're not expected to be able to speak, but at the same time, you are.

But not everything has been terrible. Not even with the language. Something has really been noticeable in this past week. The days that I feel great, comfortable and ready, everything goes so smooth. But the days that I wake up and think "What the heck am I doing in México??" are the hardest. And the difference isn't the attitude, it’s the Spirit. And let me just say, that the Gift of Tongues is so real. No, I have not been able to spout Spanish, even with the words I do know, but I've been able to understand. And I've been able to understand when it’s my turn to speak, when I should bear testimony of something, and even understand what the screaming old lady wants. And those times come when I've been feeling the Spirit. It is so incredibly astounding how necessary the Spirit is. It is needed in every moment, or you will literally do nothing. That is one of the things I've noticed the most, and something that has helped make this week more enjoyable than not.

Ok, now onto the section with the random information about México. The food here is sooo much better than the CCM!! I'm still craving a nice hamburger, and even a cold glass of water every now and then, but the food is great. I did have to eat a fish one day, which was just as bad as I imagined it to be. No I do not like fish if you didn't know. But, one of my many tender mercies this week totally surprised me. One of the members delivered a meal to us at our apartment. It was rice, tortillas, tamarindo soda, these hash brown tatter-tot things, and believe it or not... fry sauce!! Yes, someone here in México believes in fry sauce!! It totally made my day! Ok, moving on. It is pretty warm here, and doesn't really cool down at night, but it isn't bad. My companion leaves the 14 of December. The water isn't sanitary, so we have to buy drinking water. But we use it for everything else, cleaning, brushing teeth, etc. The members here are so awesome. I can't remember most of their names but they are so great. Oh, and I've already given someone the baptismal challenge! but he didn't come to church so it has to change. Here in México, the investigators need to attend church 5 times before they can be baptized. Okay, well I can't think of anything else so I'll wrap this up.

I love it here, but it’s hard. That about sums it up. Thank you all for reading my novel (if you made it this far), and thank you so much for your support. I quite seriously could not so it if it weren't for everyone at home helping me along the way. I love you all, and I'll talk to you next week!

Love, 

Elder Kaden Scott Quinn

P.S.

I totally forgot, but for conference, I was able to watch the morning session on Saturday and the Evening Session on Sunday in English. The others were in Spanish, so I'll have to wait for them to be printed so I can read them. What a great opportunity we have to listen to the prophets. That's one of the great things we have in this church. Prophets and Apostles that receive revelation directly from God, that is specifically for us!! Truly inspired men and women. Great messages.

 This is my house. The one without the balcony and all the pictures in the window.

 These are just a few of the mosquito bites I have. They all happen at night because it’s too hot to sleep under anything. And repellant only helps so much haha.

 This has nothing to do with the picture, but yes, we have cockroaches. We killed two last night. One crawled across Elder Taveras' face, and the other was under my bed.

 This is the main floor. We just moved our study room to this room this morning.

This room is now pretty empty because we moved it downstairs. It’s a lot hotter upstairs than down.

Besides the Spirit and Elder Taveras, that fan is my best friend right now!!

This is the other side of our bedroom