December 3, 2012

December is here and I can hardly tell. The weather outside is lovely! Today I bought a snazzy dark gray suit for 7.95 at Goodwill. My new favorite suit. Also we found a body fat scale for 3 dollars! =). My weight for anyone who is curious is at 145.  So I haven't gained anything. Possibly lost weight at this point. My companion bought a wonderful pin stripped suit since he is at his 6 month mark.  :) This Elder I'm with has SO many stories which I'll be sure to tell you on the phone or something. Anyways I love hearing good stories.
Hope each of you are doing well.
This week I went teaching with my MTC companion Elder Jolley!  We had a nice drive to visit a family that is now wanting to come to church.  :) Also I got to teach with an Elder who served in Madison for 9 months! What a wonderful experience.  The best time I've had teaching with other missionaries in a while.
The work is going well in Madison. Certainly looking forward to a couple baptisms we've got scheduled.
Silliest thing for the week. I bought a unicorn statue with an angel riding it. :) Possibly will send it home.

MOM I FOUND THE SAME PAINTING BY THE PIANO DOWNSTAIRS WITH THE LAMB AND WOMAN AT GOODWILL. I ALMOST BOUGHT THE PAINTING TO SEND HOME OR PUT IN THE APARTMENT. CONSIDERED SENDING IT HOME.

LOVE YOU MOM.
Along with everyone else reading this.

p.s. Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas.
I'll be calling home. :) Let me know if you'd like me to Skype I'll have to find someone to help me Skype.

November 26, 2012

This week was great. Elder Despain is the new missionary I'm with. He
is a quiet Elder from Idaho that was a cowboy, wrestler and has been
out for 6 months.  We get along well. He has told me lots of good
stories.
We saw some new people come to church this week and hopefully will see
the young men we are teaching get baptized. They said they wanted to
be baptized on Christmas!  I was all smiles when they said that...but
we were told we'd have to have it on a different day.
Well my GPS isn't working properly so I'll be returning it.  My
companion has one so we'll use his.
I'm grateful for so many things, and Thanksgiving if you were
wondering went well. My companion weighed himself before and after the
meals and throughout the day he packed in 15 pounds of food.  We were
stunded. He is about 5'7' so you could tell the difference before and
after.
As for me I gained a healthy 5 pounds. :)

Love you all
Elder Dimter

p.s. Hope each of you had a great thanksgiving. I love you Mom.

November 19, 2012

Man I've only got one appointment.  Haha possibly two.  One with a big black woman that is a recent convert I get along with (worked on keeping her active and now she is the new gospel principles teacher)
I'll have to take some pictures of this beautiful place I'm serving and upload them.

Man my belly is fattest its ever been! Don't tell Grandma or she'll hound me for it. Lol and mom just sent a package with a ton of candy I was like you've got to be kidding me. Oh well.  Guess I'll use the resources of candy.  Can't let things go to waste.

Wednesday my companion flies home. So we ripped a bunch of worn out clothes this morning. :)
President is sending me another shy Elder :) which I am stoked for. Excited to meet him tomorrow.

How is life going buddy boy?

___________________________________________________________


Hey family. Thanksgiving is this week. My Ward Mission Leader plans to have my future companion and I over. Apparently the turkey they make is the tastiest in the Ward.  :D My belly is so stoked to indulge in that goodness. Certainly grateful for little things in life since serving a mission.

Take at look at these wonderful videos please.
http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#moments-that-matter-most
http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#expressions-of-love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=cp3IH8ZNviQ&feature=endscreen

:) I love watching these videos every so often. This week especially with it being thanksgiving.
I'm possibly receiving my last missionary companion with having 2 transfers left.  So today I've got prepped spiritually (watching those videos/studying).  All I know is he'll be a shy young diligent missionary. Every change is nice to adapt to.  I love my mission =]. To be prepared more I bought a GPS, I've mapped out around 100 people to see.  I've got my spiritual armor on, I know I am a representative of Jesus Christ. This is the time the Great Kentucky Louisville Mission is the place. There are nonmembers out there waiting to be baptized and only my future companion and I can teach them here.  :D GO time! Don't worry I haven't forgotten about each of you reading this...
TESTIMONY FOR THANKSGIVING -
My prayers go out to each individual family member. Please share the Gospel. Only we as Latter Day Saints have the Book of Mormon that can touch souls of the reality of the Restoration. "Christ did what he did, now consider what you can do for him." - Elder Dimter
So read your scriptures, pray often and like how dads favorite scripture goes consider the happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. :) You are a son or daughter of God. He loves you and I do too. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen

Love each one of you,
Elder Dimter

November 12, 2012

So today I bought a GPS...I used one in Owensboro and I loved how we were so effective with using one. I believe the GPS will prove to be useful in my last 3 months on my mission. Saves from getting lost/messing around with a map on paper/helps you more effectively visit people in your area/not get stressed with the other missionary - and when that happens teaching isn't as sweet or fun.
Anyways how about Obama being our President for another 4 years. That took many people by surprise.  Whatever the case is I pray that whoever is a part of politics has integrity.  Anyways I'm please to say that I am an American but I tend to joke about going to Canada.  :) I served with a Canadian and lived with one so I got warmed up to Canada although I must admit I've never gone there.  In all reality though staying in California is what I would definitely prefer doing. Sweet home California ;).

Some of the best experiences happened this week on my mission (enjoyed Interviews with my Mission President) but then again some of the most unfortunate (dropped investigators...lol time to bust out the Ice Cream and Oreos moments).  I love though how the mission you get to experience miracles/tender mercies and then you get those wow did that seriously just happen (ex. someone curse you out or whatnot). Missionaries know what I'm talking about. Course agency is all a part of life.

We got 2 couches/coffee table/study desk this week from a wonderful person.  Course it is a good incentive for their family to get furniture to replace what they gave away.  Our apartment needed it. We plan to get rid of another super old couch that smells like death as I say.

Next week my companion Elder Fisher is headed home to Idaho. I don't know what the next transfer has in store but we'll see.  This next missionary will most likely be the last are my thoughts since there are 2 transfers after this week.

Mom - You are incredible. I bet you can out can any woman in the Relief Society.  ;P
Steve - How about Star Wars getting bought by Disney. Blew my mind.  You bet we'll have to see that in theaters when it comes out.  OH AND GIANTS I HEAR WON THE WORLD SERIES AGAIN!  YES! How many wins did they get this year?
Brian - Way to get a job at a staffing agency!  How wonderful! How are you liking the new job?! Kristine I bet is stoked for finishing school soon...
Sarah - A baby is on the way.  I'm praying you'll love the lil kiddo.  (a family I love here in my area always calls their kids kiddo, I love it) Are you eating anything odd with those random cravings?
Becca - I heard Colorado is legalizing marijuana to people. Be nice to your stoned out neighbors. They might be taught by the missionaries one day and like what they hear.

Love you all.
Hope you have a wonderful black Friday and Thanksgiving.
Miss you and look forward to hearing back ;) ehemm

October 29, 2012

Yesterday I saw a family I taught at the Mission Home in Louisville!  I was so happy to see the family I was about to cry for joy...instead I leaped :D! Of course I wanted to hug them but had to refrain myself.  We caught up on some good stories I missed hearing about.  Today I'll be writing them.  Later on at the Mission Home Fireside the convert I taught bore her testimony and I bore mine. In my testimony I messed up the converts last name with an investigator I was teaching but I didn't let that throw me off. I bore my testimony about how missionaries truly do have the Priesthood Authority of God, as I said that I pointed to all the missionaries.  I smiled to all those investigating and said we have been called to invite you to repent and be baptized...and receive the precious gift of the Holy Ghost. Then said that is not all...oh no you must continue to endure to the end and make sure your family is going to be bound together forever.  Then talked about my knowledge that through the Gospel of Jesus Christ that is made possible through the temple ordinance.
I am so grateful for the Gospel and the joy it gives not just me but other people. Missionaries out here are just waiting to hear when China will be opened up for missionary work...being a missionary is an exciting thing. Possibly the most exciting time the world has ever seen.  Which is great because the world needs to hear the truth.
My heart goes out to those about to leave on their missions.  Look around you to those who have yet to be one...or maybe even yourself.  Go and do. You will be blessed with joy you never felt before :).

I'll be requesting lots of hugs when I return just saying.
This week was amazing just to let you all know on my mission. I am praying that you too will have a wonderful week.
God be with you till we meet again :) when I return.
Till then I'll keep my shoulder to the wheel.

Love,
Elder Dimter

p.s. What callings do ya'll have?

October 22, 2012

Well family!  Halloween is just around the corner!  I almost bought a Darth Vader outfit at Goodwill so I could impress an 8 year old investigating :D.  I didn't though...Mission Rules kinda take away from doing that. So it'll probably be your regular missionary gig where the two Elders switch name tags.
We went teaching with a couple young men this week and I had a blast hearing their testimony/witness them bare them to strangers and friends with us.  I remember those pre-missionary days.  I have to say thank you to those Elders I got to go teaching with before.  :) Was good preparation for me.
At this point of my mission I'm a Preach My Gospel freak!  Such an inspired book. I could tell you a story from my mission after every sentence practically =). That is what happens when you Preach the Gospel for so long.

This week I had a blast teaching a few new people...One old lady was so not wanting to talk with us but when we asked her some questions and she got to lighten up and shortly after laughing and smiling.  It was epic!  This lady made my day...I'll tell you more about it.  When she found out I was 21 she was all NO you look 16!  Hahah then we smiled and said we must be doing something right to look so young.  Then she asked us questions about what we do.  I let her know we come up to strangers that think Mormons are crazy.  She said yeah any woman who would have a dozen kids must be insane.  :D Then E. Fisher mentioned he is one of 9.  Her face was priceless!  Then we said you know what is crazy we paid money to come out to do this. Then she was about to pass out. :) Boy that lesson was fun. I wish ya'll could of seen it.  She is one of the funniest/craziest women I ever met so far. Almost as animated as me.  The lady said I should be a Preacher at the end and I smiled.  I let her know being a missionary is the best way to Preach...because it is on the streets rather than just at church. :D

Church is true. The Book is Blue.
Love,
Elder Dimter

October 15, 2012

LIST OF AREAS:

Madisonville, KY - 4 Transfers
1. Trainer - E. Romrell - 1 transfer
2. Follow up trainer  E. Platter - 2 transfers
3. E. Foutz - 1 transfer
Brandenburg, KY - 4 Transfers
4. E. Eliot - 2 transfers
5. E. Smith - 2 transfers
Owensboro, KY - 4 Transfers
6. E. Kaleb Anderson - 2 transfers
7. E. Nathan Anderson - 2 transfers
Madison, IN - ? Transfers
8. E. Dansie - 1 and a half
9. E. Fisher - 2 transfers

Elder Dimter :)
After Nov. 20th I've got 2 transfers to baptize...
p.s. I've got some stories for you I am waiting on =). Got to have something to talk about when I get to talk on the phone for Christmas as well as when I return.

__________________________________________________________________

I am now in Madison Indiana so I don't see as many strange people.  We'll see if I can come up with some interesting people.  This area they all seem to be tourist.
A couple weeks ago I asked a mom on the phone if her son could get baptized :)...which the kid said yes.  Got to love inviting.
I'll be sure to give the invites for sure.  :) Don't know if you don't ask.

So I am wondering what your opinion is.  If you were offered to take the truck vs. Sarahs white old car which would you go for?
I'm guessing I'll go with the truck even though I don't know how to drive it...yet.  Always up to learning something new.

How are the cousins doing.  I was thinking about Brandon today out of nowhere.  Is he still working at a bank?  What is Camille and Sheree up to?

__________________________________________________________________

I am unsure of the exact date of when I'll be returning but my guesses are it should be February 13th.  (I asked my Mission President if there was anyway I'd be able to get home in time to start the Spring 2013 semester of school.) I may have to just come home and find a job while I wait for the next semester of school.

Mom - You are so wonderful.  I wrote you a letter this past week.  Hopefully you received it.  (I've had where some letters I've mailed weren't received for whatever reason, probably since the letters were so big I wrote ;)
Steve - You might miss out on seeing me till Feb 13th...sorry buddy. Hey I saw some Pennsylvania license plates in town this week.  Made me think of your mission.
Sarah - A BABY IS ON ITS WAY!  AHAH I'm smiling every time I get to be around kids from the Ward. Reminds me how families are eternal.  So I heard the baby shower happened. Bet it was a blast!  I would have bought a baby gift but I might as well just get that to the baby in person.  :D!
Brian - CTR buddy the Lord has so much in store for you. If anything I'll be home soon :)...be ready to catch me up on music.  p.s. a guy I'm teaching loves the band Escape the Fate...of which apparently the singer is in a band called Falling In Reverse.  =) now.  Made me smile :) thinking of good old Warped Tour back in the day!  Speaking of which let me know when the next one is...I certainly could use a concert besides Bluegrass ahah no offense Kentuckians or Indiana residents.
Becca - WHOA COLORADO! When is that happening? Bet ya'll will love it there. What is the town called you'll move too?

The trees look so wonderful at this time of year Grandma.  They are turning all sorts of colors.  Reds, oranges and yellows.  In combination with the green the scenery is breath taking.  I may have to admire the scenery more so today with it being preparation day. Seems like time is melting away at this point of my mission.  So many people I have to serve.

Missionary work is busy but I love it :)

Smiles and Hugs,
Elder Dimter

By the way I miss everyone back home whether I've written you an e-mail or not on my mission.  I think of you.
This week I've thought about the Evans family in particular. (of which I asked Brian to give me a brief update.)  Hope all is well!
Last week I thought lots of Michelle, Jason, Zoey and Eric!  Eric and Zoey I'm sure are so big now!
The week before I thought of the Futch family! :) Ryan and Jonathan you rock!!!

October 8, 2012

I got a major sinus infection this week.  Same time I had a sinus infection as last year.  Thankfully I'm recovering well from it with rest/medicine helping out.
Transfer calls were Saturday and I'll be staying in the area as will my companion in Madison.  This town is so lovely.  Each of you should search the town up.
We had a great time watching General Conference at 3 different families. 2 of which we ate delicious Mexican food at.  I love corn bread (with honey butter on it).
Anyways as to my thoughts for Conference I in amazement when I heard Thomas S. Monson say Missionaries will now be eligible to serve at 18 as Elders and 19 as Sisters.  Especially since its been 52 years since the last change.  Will be good I'm sure for those future Missionaries to come out sooner than later to discover the joys and blessings of serving.
My favorite talk was the story of the honey bees.  Blew my mind when the facts were presented.  I thought that was a great analogy as to how the church runs. When I return I hope to continue to help in the ways I can.

I miss you all and indeed appreciate all you do to help those in your areas.  The church wouldn't be the same without your dedicated service.

Love,
Elder James Dimter

October 1, 2012

A huge event was Downtown in Madison!  I was soaking up every conversation possible to talk with people...gotta spread the word.  :) We ran into a few members and had fun teaching people with them. My companion almost had us sing in front of everyone...we even rehearsed songs together and everything.  Even a theater outgoing man like me was bashful to consider such a thing.  Instead we talked with people on the streets and asked inspired questions.

I was stoked when I saw a booth that was for encouraging voting.  I was shocked nobody recognized us as LDS/mormons and ask us anything about Mitt Romney though.  Guess that goes to show how ignorant people can be.
I need to vote.  So if possible could someone find out how I can do the mail in ballot.

Goodness I'm getting skinny.  Just kidding.  Nothing has really changed with my weight. Recently working day by day to get the apartment empty of food lol. I've wanted to try getting an empty cupboard on my mission.  Apparently though the way my mom raise me I have a thing for having cupboards full for the most part.  I do monthly shopping sort of.  Its nice.  I've learned how to budget money/cook.  Got to appreciate the skills you gain on a mission.

This week I got the opportunity to go to the Temple.  First time in 14 months going.  I was so happy.  Did 2 endowments, a sealing and a marriage.  Such a spiritual experience.  We were with the wonderful ward missionaries here.  Then this Sunday there was a member of temple Presidency that came down with his wife and shared wonderful talks.  One said going to the temple is like getting your PHD.  Peace, Hope and Direction.  I never heard that one before but it sounds good to me.  They also had a couple great stories they shared.  One was about a man who was a professional violin player.  One day he went to play the violin on the streets in order to see how many people would stop to recognize him playing.  Only 6 of around 2,000 people even bothered to stop and enjoy him playing.  Earlier that week he played in a Prestigious auditorium in which the ticket of the cheapest seats were 100 dollars.  Everyone remember to enjoy and appreciate the the beauties around you and recognize your talents and abilities.  Not all the time will people recognize you for what you can accomplish.

Love,
Elder Dimter

I'm exhausted so I didn't proofread any of it.  Have a great week.

________________________________________________________________


Well I just finished reporting key indicators with the District to the Zone Leaders.  There is a set of Sisters that got 9 member referrals...which for this mission is incredible from what I've seen.  They beat us by 2.  Owned the District on everything else.  So working on getting everyone else pumped in the District Meetings.
Do you have any ideas/tips that helped on your mission to motivate missionaries?

Might go fishing today on the Ohio again...but today doesn't look like a good day for fishing.  Our Ward Missionaries live in a trailer in Kentucky right next to the Ohio...like 30 feet away no joke.  It's epic!  Did your mission have any trailers?
________________________________________________________________

Grandpa Metcalf went traveling.  Check out what he saw.

Here is a picture of our Great Grandma who passed away on the Metcalf side.  On Thursday, August 23, 2012, HARRIET JESSICA (CRAIG) METCALF, age 93, passed away at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh, NY, after a short illness.

10-11-1918 thru 08-23-2012

September 24, 2012

I would be fine with staying out till February.  That would give me time to: find job, figure a vision on the degree to go for and which college to attend, date, teach with missionaries, spend time with family.  A mission is definitely a huge experience to have so maybe enjoying another transfer and waiting for school would be best.  We'll see what the President says.

Love you buddy boy.  Sorry I've not written a letter for the family once a week.  I've tried catching up on e-mailing family members back.  Grandpa Metcalf talked with me about how his mom passed away recently.  Also gave me info on a trip he had recently.  I'll forward it to ya.
__________________________________________________________________

I am hoping to write a letter to Bart so he can forward it to CD Simmons.  CD I hope will stick around for a while.  Least for one more family reunion.  I wonder where we'd have family reunions if we were to stop having them in Grace, Idaho.

There is hardly anytime given to e-mail as a missionary.  One day a week and you get maybe an hour or two...so yeah writing back to e-mails can be a pain.  I love receiving e-mails.  Hey so are you down for going to the temple when I return from my mission with mom and I.  Figure I could use going to one when I return.
p.s. this week I'm going to the temple!  =) so stoked!

Did you ever see Bishop Brad Thompsons daughter working at the LA temple?  She is serving her mission there.  Should be finishing her mission soon.
__________________________________________________________________

Here are some exclusive photos recently :).  Haven't even published these on photobucket yet.  Lol the guy with the tattoo is a less active guy that lives downtown near us which we live a block away from the Ohio River.  He went teaching with us this week lol and wanted to get into deep doctrine with people I was all Jacob we are teachers of the milk as missionaries...because some investigators can't handle the meat.

Love you Brian :)

__________________________________________________________________

I am alive.  Goodness and I apologize for not writing much recently.  Especially since I know how much mom loves to hear from me. p.s. thanks mom for sending me a letter this week. I love you so much. Letter or not you are the best.
On Monday the trio was changed. Now it is now Elder Fisher and I.  Elder Fisher and I are adjusting to it being the two of us.  Elder Fisher served previously with my dear best friend Jeremy Day who is now home in Turlock.
-Jeremy asked if a while ago if I want to room with him at some place in Modesto.  Lol unsure really that will happen but imagine him and I will be sure to talk lots about our experience serving in the same mission at church since we'll go to the same YSA Branch in Modesto :).

Madison Indiana where I'm serving is such a pretty place.  Currently they are working on building a new bridge next to the old one.  Every so often we cross the bridge.  It is so lovely/calming to be around the Ohio.  Much of the people we contact are watching it and are sometimes from out of town to visit.
Been working on cleaning portions of the apartment.  Some spots haven't been cleaned in years in the kitchen.
On Wednesday there will be a temple trip.  Lots of missionaries including myself are going. The last time I went was a year ago.

Alright well I've got to get off.  I got e-mailing Brian back and forth a few times.
Have a wonderful week and know that I haven't forgotten any of ya'll.

Elder Dimter

p.s. R.I.P. Great Grandma Simmons also R.I.P. Grandpa Metcalfs mom (forgot her name)
_________________________________________________________________

Exercise is tough to get in the habit after so long of not doing.
Glad to hear Cody is doing alright.  I miss him.  Probably will be spending time with him and Jeremy when I get back.  You know so I don't go less active ;).  Jeremy is going to try dating a girl named Nicole Whitefield or something. You should tell him I told you that.  Hahah.  :) Jeremy wants to get an apartment with me he says before I get married.  I was like we'll see about that.  (I am clueless when I'll get married, he likes to think soon of course.  Hopefully within a couple years of being an RM no rush.  Eternity is a while.)

Tyler Cook would get engaged super quick ahah!
Tyler Bean will hopefully have success finding another lady when he returns.  That'd be epic if he goes back to Africa for a girl.
That'd be great to have CD's address.

Love Ya.

p.s. Do you have any idea how Michaela Green is.  I told her before I left I'd write her a letter but I haven't since I don't know her address.
________________________________________________________________

There is a senior couple I served around in my last area with the last name of Dorious that knows CD Simmons.  They lived in Soda Springs :) the same town where the drive in theater was.
Nice I bet the town will be sure the letter gets to CD

How is Kristine doing by the way?  Also do you have any news about other family members?  Just curious.  Lol how about Kirk, Kam Pup, Kristine your in laws?