The Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ ...(snippets from Chase's last letter)

So it was a really nice wake up call this week. I don't know Russian. Everything I say people always ask my companion to say it again which actually helps because they only stop to try to understand me then my companion talks to them. So we met with Dima again and he said he has accepted this as the truth and accepts us as the answer to his prayer. Which was awesome to hear. But he didn't read or pray about the Book of Mormon. He said he wants to finish the Bible first. We asked him to read it side by side. So two days later we met with him again and he still hadn't read. It was pretty frustrating. So again we asked him to read and to come to church. He said he would.

Right before church we decided to not ask him if he read but just to be happy he came to church and he did!! He loved it. The branch was so awesome. They all came up and talked to him. And one of the brethern came up and really connected with him. It was so cool. The only thing he didn't like was how much we sang. He said he's not good at singing. It was funny right before the third song he turned to me and asked "More singing" and I said "In this church we love to sing." Then I gave a talk about the Book of Mormon - Another Testament of Jesus Christ. I hope it helped Dima feel the importance of this book of scriptures. But ya for our next lesson we decided to really find out about his belief in God and Jesus Christ. Because people can believe in them but not understand our relationship with them. Unfortuantely his wife is not interested but he said he will try to talk to her. It would be awesome if we could teach the family.

So kind of jumping around but on Thursday we did some service for a lady in our branch.We went and dug up some trees for her (my favorite thing to do). Unfortuately I dug up a plant that she had been trying to grow for 8 years so that was bad. But in my defense my trainer and senior companion who I am supposed to obey... told me to. So we were both at fault. But she said not to worry about it. Then we went to her house and had my first authentic Ukrainian food. It was really good. She didn't let us leave until we ate like three plates full. I was so full. 

Coolest, craziest, scariest and most spiritual week!

Hello Family and Friends

So I have an hour and fifteen minutes for email so I can skim over your emails before I write. So real quick then I will write about the coolest week of my life. It's a bummer to hear about BYU. Happy Birthday to Andrew, Isac and Dave. That makes you 40 right Dave? haha.

Alright so we landed in Atlanta and a lot of people looked at us funny but it wasn't a big deal. It was fun because we met a couple of members and they were so excited to see us. So then we flew to Amsterdam. And if I thought people looked at me funny in Atlanta it was nothing compared to Holland. It was crazy walking through an Airport that I had no idea what people were saying. So we flew to Ukraine and we found all of our luggage. We met President Klebingat and the APs and Sister Klebingat. They are awesome. So we went to the temple and took some pictures. It is absolutely beautiful there. Then we went to the President's home and had dinner.

The next morning we all woke up to go on a run. We turned down a street and ther were like 7 stray dogs. And they were huge. 5 of them started running after us and President said don't let them think you are scarred. Which was hard because I was freaked out. Then we drove over to the Branch building where we met our trainers. Mine is Elder Wells, Mom and Dad your prayers have been answered. He is an amazing Missionary. Already he has taught me so much. He is awesome at the language and he is super nice.

My first area is down in Odessa. Take a look at a Ukraine map and I think Odessa is about as South as you can go. Then go even Souther and you get to Illiochosk. Which is my area. It's so cool here. We have an awesome apartment view of the Black Sea. The only bad thing is we have a nice big family of Cockroaches. But hey it wouldn't be a mission with out them haha.

So after we met each other we decided to do some work around Ukraine because our train back to Odessa leaves at 9 that night. So this is where it gets scary. We got into a bus that should hold about 30 people. I think there were 60 in there before we got in. I learned something very quickly. If you don't push you don't get in. So then we went down to their subway system. Which was even worse than the bus. So many people so little of space. So we walked around and tried talking to people. Well at least I thought I understood Russian. People talk so fast here.

So after that we went to the train station and got on our tarin headed for Odessa. It was my first overnight train. It was really cool. So the next morning we feel the train stop and suddenly my companion and the other trainer jump up and tell us to hurry and get dressed. Me and Elder Welch who was in my district at the MTC get up and begin to change. I didn't know what the hurry was. So we get off the train and as soon as my foot hits the ground the train starts to pull away. Apparently they are supposed to wake us up before our stop. Then we took another bus to Illiochosk. We get to the apartment unpack and head out to our lessons. On our way we contacted a man by the name of Dima. I'll talk more about him later. We spent the next two days meeting with members and Less actives. On Saturday night we made some calls to meet with people and called Dima about teaching him the next day. He said that would be alright.

So the next day was Sunday and we went early because my companion is the second councilor in the branch presidency. So we had some meetings to get to. I officially met the Branch. I had the opportuinty to stand up and introduce myself and bear my testimony. This branch is absolutley amazing. The faith of these people is incredible. There's only 25 people in the Branch and 6 Priesthood holders counting me and Elder Wells.

So after church we walked around "being missionaries" President Klebingat doesn't want us to call it street contacting because weshouldn't put time aside for street contacting we should just be missionaries. So Saturday night we planned out a lesson for Dima. After we met him we both felt so good about him because he said he had just started reading the Bible and sounded really interested in Prophets. So we decided to teach the first lesson with an emphisis on Prophets. We also both felt that we should extend a baptisimal challenge. So back to Sunday. We went over and he came out because his wife wasn't home and she doesn't like guests in the house whuile she isn't there. But anyways we got to know him and found out that he has cancer. The treatments are going well and it looks very hopeful. He told us that he got a bible from a holy man on the street and he feels that God is trying to tell him something. He said he believes that God sent us to teach him what he needs to know. So that was AWESOME. We taught him the lesson and he was really receptive, before we could ask him the commitments he alreaady wanted to do things. He asked can I have a Book of Mormon so I can read it. And where is your church I want to come. So at the end we extended the baptisimal challenge and he accepted! It is for the 22nd of October. Please everyone pray for him that he will recieve an answer and also that his wife will begin to take the lessons. She seemed a little less interested.

This has been the coolest, craziest, scareiest, and most spiritual week I have ever had. I love it here, I love this branch and this city. Well everyone just know of the love I have for you all.

For right now don't send hand written mail. It probably wont get to me. You can send Dear Elder but I only get it when we go to Kiev for Zone conference. So feel free to send Emails.

Alright Love you all Elder Quinn

More photos from the MTC

 This is my new Russian name tag.  "Quinn" is pronounced Kvin.
In Russian there is no "qu" sound 

All of my study books

These are my note cards.  Each ring holds 100 words and phrases.   

This is our class room.  We did the math and we figured out that we spent more time in here than we did in our beds.  Looping around the room from the left...Elder Christenson, Elder Young, Elder Gerlizk, Elder Smith , Elder Mickelson, Elder Lacroix, Elder Welvh, Elder Garcia, my chair and Elder Duncan 

"Comb over Monday" Elder Duncan and myself - ha ha

Elder Mizkelson and Elder Lacroix with "comb overs"  :)

I figured you would like this one mom.  (I think Chase thought I would like this photo, because I have told him hundreds of times at home to hang up his coat!)

The Elders of 3M-319 Elder Duncan, me, Elder Mickelson and Elder Lacroix

My "BYU Bros."  Elder Rucker, Elder Liljenquist, Elder Combs and me 

Picture in front of the Provo temple 

Elder Payne, me and Elder Collingsworth.  (Elder Collingsworth "started" on the BYU Basketball team as a "true freshman")

Elder Quinn has had a wonderful experience at the MTC. Through his letters you can feel his joy and his willingness to work hard. 

Kiev,(Kyiv) Ukraine

We received a phone call today from President Jorg Klebingat
 Chase's Mission President. He called to tell us that Elder Quinn 
arrived safely. Pres. Klebingat said that he welcomed 
the missionaries, feed them and then put them all to bed. 
 I am sure they were hungry and tired! Pres. Klebingat said 
Elder Quinn looks good. He also said, "Thanks for sending him."
 What a sweet man he must be.  

And he's off...

1 passport        - check
1 visa            - check
2 bags            - check
1 flight plan     - check
3 boarding passes - check




1 "2 year-old" vocabulary of Russian - check 
1 other missionary, his companion    - check
1 excited and nervous missionary     - check 


Ukraine here comes Elder Quinn!!         

The phone call!

Today  (9/13/2011)  Elder Quinn is leaving Salt Lake City, Utah for Kyiv Ukraine!  Missionaries can call their families from the airport!  I wondered do phone booths really still exist?  Yes they do and I'm glad. We set up a teleconference call so all the siblings across the country could visit with Chase at the same time. And of course little Mark was on the phone call too. :)  It was so fun visiting with him!  The first minute I had to wipe away tears of emotion since I hadn't spoken with him since he left for the MTC 12 weeks ago. He sounded great! We were able to talk with him for about 45 minutes.  He was relieved to be within the weight limit of 50 lbs. on both of his suitcases.  He is very happy to be on his way to Ukraine!

Chase told us that a couple of weeks ago he got an idea that it would be really cool to learn to sing "Called to Serve" in Russian.  "Called to Serve" is a great missionary song.  (words below) So, he and his district learned the words and then last night while saying good-bye to all of his teachers his district sang in Russian "Called to Serve".  Chase told us that their teachers had tears running down their faces.  It was a great "thank you" to the instructors.

Chase had a remarkable experience in the MTC. It was obvious in our conversation that he is quickly growing into his assignment as a full-time representative of Jesus Christ. He is very focused on his mission.  In fact, he gave each one of us a specific/personalized challenge related to missionary work and asked us to report back to him on our progress.  He is working hard and we are very proud of him.

Chase has about 21 hours to go until he is in Ukraine.  He has a layover in Atlanta, and then one in Amsterdam and then on to the Ukraine.  I told Chase to be sure to wave out the window in Amsterdam since we have many relatives who live in Holland.  Speaking of relatives, as Chase was visiting with us, Mark's brother Ted, who was on his way home to Boston,  walked by him in the SLC airport.  It was great.  Uncle Ted was able to talk with Chase and he took his picture with Chase and then emailed it to us!  What a coincidence. It was great getting the photo. Chase said we should be getting a lot of photos from him at the MTC in the next day or so.  Yea,  as a mom I love photos.  Chase is having a great experience and is learning a lot.  He is really happy!!

Uncle Ted and ELder Quinn

Please keep Chase in your prayers as he begins his service in Ukraine.




Called to Serve

1. Called to serve Him, heav’nly King of glory,
Chosen e’er to witness for his name,
Far and wide we tell the Father’s story,
Far and wide his love proclaim.

[Chorus]
Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;
Onward, ever onward, as we glory in his name;
Forward, pressing forward, as a triumph song we sing.
God our strength will be; press forward ever,
Called to serve our King.

2. Called to know the richness of his blessing—
Sons and daughters, children of a King—
Glad of heart, his holy name confessing,
Praises unto him we bring.

Text: Grace Gordon, alt.
Music: Adam Geibel, 1855–1933

"It looks like I am the only Elder Quinn"! :)

So now for the coolest experience of my life. So remember how I told you President Brown sat at our table and ended up knowing like half of our family and used to be the Mission President in Chicago. Well every fast Sunday he speaks to us durring what would normally be lunch. And before he begins he calls up two missionaries to bear their testimonies. My whole district was poking me saying "It's going to be you." I said "No way, what are the odds it's me?" But guess what.... it was me. I was so nervous I honestly thought my heart was going to beat out of my chest. When I got up my legs were shaking but my district said I didn't look nervous at all so that was good.  So I started out by saying "Well looks like I'm the only Elder Quinn." That got a pretty good laugh out of the audience and it helped to calm me down. Then I went on to bear my testimony about missionary work and about the Savior. I think I did good because afterwards a bunch of people said I had a really nice testimony. But ya it was honestly the coolest experience of my life. I think I bore my testimony in front of over 3000 people. It was awesome.

Also, wherever I go people always stop my companion and ask if we can "Contact" them. It's pretty funny because so many people are interested in what Russian sounds like.

Talk to you from the airport

Elder Quinn

Apostle Jeffery R. Holland gives devotional at MTC

Chase wrote (8/31/11)... Last night we had Apostle Holland come and speak to us at our weekly devotional.  It was amazing! 

Our Church has13 basic statements about what we believe called the "Articles of Faith" (Go to Mormon.org to view all 13 statements.)  The following is #6. 
"We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth."
-Article of Faith #6

Apostle Jeffery R. Holland
- one of the twelve apostles
(also known as Elder Holland)

...Ok, I will now tell you about Apostle Holland's talk. So we went to dinner and President Brown, the MTC President sat next to us. It ends up he used to be the Chicago Mission President and he remembers meeting Dad and also knew Bishop Black and President Peterson. It was cool to hear about how much he loves Naperville. So we kept talking and he ended up knowing our intire family that lives in Conneticut and Boston. It was really cool. He promised to call President Peterson and say hi for me. But anyways  So while we were talking he asked us what time we were going to the devotional, and we said as early as we could because we want to get good seats. Then he winked at us and said "If I was you I'd get there early too." So after that we pretty much ran to the devotional got amazing seats and were all throwing around guesses as to who it would be. Then Elder Holland walked in. I honestly wish I could tell you in words about the Spirit that entered the room when he walked through the doors. I think it almost knocked me over. He talked about us about how our missions need to change our lives. This was my favorite quote "Nothing bounces me off walls, off ceilings, off the lights, destroying property as I go than a young man or women who comes home and doesn't know what he's been doing for the past 2 or 1.5 years." He got really emotional about his mission and how it meant everything to him. Then he had five questions that President Brown got from missionaries to ask him. It was so cool. And don't worry I took like 4 pages of notes and I had to transcribe them into my journal because I don't think my pen left the page. It was incredible. I can't wait to show you guys when I get back.

My favorite part of his talk was when he answered the question Why does God love us. He said "I'm not perfect but the place I come the closest is my love for my children. There is nothing they could ask for that I would do." Then he talked about Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane and how he cried out for Abba. I always thought Abba meant "all powerful" or "great father" but he said that the closest word in the English language is "Daddy." That hit me so hard. Because we always use the most formal words while praying but Christ who obviously had a different relationship with our father in heaven called out for daddy. It was so cool, I hope my writing it gives you a little bit of a sense of the way I felt.

Just for Laughs

I sent this to Elder Quinn to give him a good laugh!!