August 29th

Hello all,

This week has been a LOT better. We have taught 19 lessons last week! Compared to the 5 lessons we taught on my last week in the desert with Elder Fisher. My new comp is Elder Meldrum. He is from Sandy UT, went to Bingham and goes home next transfer. He was a swimmer, he's a little odd but we get along very well. We like the same things, we have the same opinions, I think it was almost a match made in heaven. We are teaching a boat load of people compared to my last area. We almost don't have time to tract. It's fantastic because tocando las puertas is of the devil. I really like this new area. The ward is good, the investigators are great and I'm very comfortable where I'm at. The work isn't booming persay, compared to what Applegate's doing but it's fairly exceptional. We teach very well together. We went by a former who had been through many missionaries and taught a lesson and at the end she asked "Are you guys trained?" So, that was cool. We have 3 people on date, Jenn, Brittany, and Amy. Jenn and Brittany haven't come out to listen to the lessons this past week because they have been sick. Otherwise, they would've been baptized yesterday. Amy, is on date for September 18. She's solid, whenever we ask her to read, she legitimately does it. I'm havin a good time. Hermana Hunt good to hear that you can man up and say you miss us (We all knew you loved us more than all your other districts). Applegate when I read your story about the stomach infection I literally laughed out loud and got yelled at by a librarian. Robertson good to hear from ya can't wait to see you from multi-zones. ELDER brandon. good to hear from you as well, it's about time. Keep me updated on your life. Martinez does your dad live in Riverside or Murrietta? I don't remember exactly. Glad everything in Mexico is good. And family, what would I do without you? Love you all a ton. Mike study PMG ya ugly guy.....and I guess happy birthday. When yall go to Grandmas on Sunday I would like you to share Alma 60:6. Muchos thank you's!

Love, Elder Dial

Transferred

Hello everyone,

So, after one transfer in the desert, Elder Dial has been transferred to the Riverside Zone in the California Riverside, Spanish Speaking Mission. I'm happy and sad about it. I'm sad because I love the Ward and our investigators here, but I'm kind-of happy/excited to get a new companion. It's virtually the first time I haven't gotten along with someone and it kills me. But, I've been transferred and that's that. My new companion will be Elder Meldrum. I don't know anything about him. I talked to him on the phone for about 5 minutes and from there he seems like a pretty cool guy. Elder Chambers told me he is just another Elder Dial (good or bad?). So spread the word, send all mail to the MISSION OFFICE. 5900 Grand Avenue Riverside, California 92504 My new ward is the Barrio Mision Ward. I don't know what the Spanish:English ratio is but it can't be as good as here. This week was quite uneventful. We actually did give a blessing this week. The Beltran's are a young couple family, Abel is a full fledged member, and Adaline is a "I was born Catholic, Ima die Catholic." She was in the hospital getting ready for her see-section and Abel's dad couldn't show up for a blessing. He called us and we gave the blessing for comfort and that everything would go well during the surgery. Abel gave it and it was a great blessing. As soon as he blessed the baby to be well/strong and to hold out for the surgery, the moniter next to the bed, taking the baby's pulse, started to read off louder and louder pulses. I think that was a huge testimony builder for her. Adaline has been taught all the lessons multiple times but as soon as anyone mentions una fecha bautismal she freaks and closes up. Hopefully now that the baby is on the outside she won't be so moody. This email is going to be a little short because I only have an hour now to pack everything I have to be ready to go at 3. I love everyone. Thanks mom for the package I appreciate it as well as the rest of my District.

Love,

Elder Dial

Commitments Falling Through

This week has been ok. Nothing exciting has really happened, More tracting and stuff. Not too many lessons either. We went to a baptism where one of our investigators was supposed to be, but he ended up not showing. Frustrating but not too bad, we have an appointment with him tomorrow night. We are going to a part member family's house, the Duarte's, tonight for Noche de Hogar and are going to teach the Restoration in an "interactive" way. Hopefully that doesn't fall through as well. Apparently we have like 6 inactive families in our area so there's some work to do there. We are working with a Recent/Less Active who wants to come back to church. We made it be his goal to be able to go through the temple in 3 months (his year as being a member mark). His name is Hermano Borrero. Fabian's baptism isn't going to go through this month because he hasn't been to church yet, and his dad isn't going to allow us to come to his house anymore. But luckily, his cousins are Los Beltrans and we can teach him there. It's hot and it's just getting hotter. Yes dad I got your email, no I didn't bear my testimony in church, my commitments are falling through, we're teaching not a lot but it's happening, Elder Fisher is weird as always, yes I've heard from Robertson, and my Spanish is still improving. Mom, my Glucogon has been expired since the beginning of 2010. My sites are going bad after a day of having them so I plan on calling Dr. Barron today, Tell Syd I just got her letter yesterday, I am writing her back today, My BG's (blood glucose) is a little rough around the edges but I'm living, I'm good on insulin haha I have a bag and a half of insulin right now in the fridge, I'm good on other supplies I think if not I'll write you a letter. Well the work is moving along. I've been out for three months now and it's weird. Tell Devin I want a postcard or souvenir or email or all of the above from Mexico :). Love you all! keep the mail comin, I've gotten everything you've sent me so far. Meg and Jo, I just got your letters yesterday as well. Give me some time. My roomates thought the dishwasher soap was a funny joke. thanks for the cash! I pray for yall every day.

-Matt

Saturday, August 6th, 2011

Hola Familia,

So today isn't P-day but i promised a letter. Today I've set on exchanges with one of the ZL's Elder Browning. Cool guy he goes home in 3 months! I've got a longer... I took over our area yesterday, a couple weeks ago, and tomorrow... As a trainee!! I'll be on an exchange with Elder RevaHa tomorrow. He's from Nicaragua and speaks perfect English. I'm having a good time. But it is SO HOT! Now i just found out I left my SD card int he library computer... WHY DO I DO THAT?!?!?! I'll call tomorrow. Anyways, all we do now is tracting because nobody in the ward knows what a referral is. I'm sweating horribly. But i don't hate it for some reason. I'n having a good time. Getting fed well. Need more adderall and new glucogen. Aned the sweet rolls / gift cards you promised :) Love you all!

-Matt

107 Degrees isn't that hot

Well...this week has been a LOT better. We actually did some
tracting. In fact we did 13 hours, 147 OYM's (Open Your Mouth), had
like 3 lessons, and one BAPTISMAL DATE. His name is Fabian. He's lived
in California all his life but his parents are from Mexicali. He is a
nephew of one of the members but hasn't really talked to his Uncle
(who he's a referral from) much about the church let alone talk to him
at all. He's Catholic, the only one active in his family and is open
to all religions. We challenged him to baptism the first lesson and
committed him to a date on the second. It was awesome. And we teach
him in English which is a blessing to me. Our other investigator named
Rigoberto from I think Mexicali as well...we haven't been able to
contact him in a week which is frustrating. We got another appointment
to teach a man named Mike Alvarez who lives in Thermal (Mexiquito). He
has had a rough life, been homeless and all that good stuff. But he
has "opened his life to Christ" for about 8 years now. He LOVES the
Bible. He and a member named Hector Esteves work together picking
grapes and Hector brought him to church. Church is rough for me
because Elder Fisher goes out in the boonies to translate for a
bilingual branch of like 20 people. So I can't understand a word
people say in church becasue Spanish in the MTC is a WHOLE LOT
different than in the field. But it will come.

My area is from Ave 52 all the way out to Borrego
Springs.  Borrego Springs is at least and hour and a half from our
appartments.  So we do most of our work in Coachella, Mecca, and
Thermal. I'm starting to get used to it a little bit. Elder Larson (an Elder in our apartment)went
on an exchange with one of the ZLs from Fri to Sat so we had to make a
quick appt clean up. We vacuumed and threw all the dishes in the
dishwasher and stuff. APPARENTLY, you can't put liquid dish soap in
the dishwasher....so there were suds everywhere. We got three blankets
and four towels wiped it all up and stuffed them under the dishwasher
to absorb all the soap. it was funny. There is a Five Guys about 6
miles from our apartment, so those gift cards would be very appreciated.

About the sweet rolls you promised, We would love to have half rolls
half sweet rolls if it would be possible. At the MTC they would
already be hard when they got to me.....so I don't know if you could
just send the dough.......whatever put a refrigerated sticker on it.
The address to receive mail for my appartment is 81875 Avenue 48
Appartment #24 Indio CA. I'll be here in the blistering heat of the
desert for at least 2 transfers after this one. Good cool weather here
is 100 degrees. We were tracting and were talking to people and they
said it's not that bad it's only 107......as I'm standing on their
doorstep with sweat dripping off of my face. It's worse than two a
days in VA. But I'm loving it out hear and I'm glad things have picked
up. Love you all a ton.
      -Matt

July 19, 2011

Sorry for the depressing email. I'm really having a good time. Just a bad week. Today, we are going to tract ALL DAY in Mecca after I told Elder Fisher so. It's going to be extremely hot and I'm going to sweat my brains out. Can't wait to get out and do something.

I forgot to mention a couple of things in the email. Such as thank you so much for the package waiting for me when I got here.

Our mission is less restrictive about music than the previous mission president. The rules are as follows: 1. Nothing that talks about love between a man or woman. 2. Nothing that takes away from the spirit. That's it!! If I could request a couple of CD's that would be great! Such as Mulan, Hercules, and the other Disney sound tracks. Les Mis is a good one as well. Lot's of Insideout, Voicemail.

The thing I don't like about my area is we only receive mail once a month (rarely packages). So just send letters to this address. It's that way because we are so for out from the mission office.

So this Wednesday I get to go teach a recent convert because he's been inactive for awhile, and wants to come back to church. My trainer will be in a Leadership Meeting and I'll be with and Elder from Nicaragua who's been out for 6 months. GREAT. I'm excited though. Love you all and I miss you tons.
Matt

Pictures

Elder Matt and his trainer...Elder Fisher.

He's been out about a year...from Montana...

President and Sister Smart/Matt's Mission President...they've just arrived the first of July. Troy and I went to hear them speak before they left. They are great!

Being very studious...it's music for a vocal solo...Matt had the opportunity to sing for several different events at the MTC...including a new missionary meeting with 400 new missionaries.

Miracle meeting of RJ Johnson and Elder Matt in front of the MTC. RJ came to pick up his daughter Carly before having surgery and Matt and his companion were sitting outside the front door on a bench studying! RJ called us and we were able to say thru him how much we loved him and how proud we were of his great efforts! They had to leave as fast as he came to go teach an "investigator"...little miracles every day for these missionaries!

Very busy studying...He is totally asleep..I can tell by his mouth...he's probably snoring!

His GREAT MTC companion...Elder Robertson from Vancouver WA...they worked great together. They sent us another photo of themselves on Pday...Elder Robertson was wearing an In and Out Shirt...don't worry Troy sent a 5 Guys shirt the very next day!