Sean McAlister Called to Serve: Heading to Concepcion!

After four months in Chiguayante, Elder McAlister is being transferred. I think the change will be good for him, and unlike last year he will have a little time to settle in before the Christmas season, and not be on the move a couple days before Christmas.

His new area sounds like it will be interesting, and he will be very close to the mission home.

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Hey Everyone,

Well one week has gone and a new one is here and they are passing by fast. I really can’t believe that 6 weeks has gone by and now I am starting a new transfer. I am glad to hear from you guys and I am glad that everyone is doing okay. Dad has been right at guessing every transfer that I have, but this is the first one that he has guessed wrong. Glad to hear everyone is doing okay and Brooke if you have the opportunity to go to a Thunder game, DO IT!!! That would be really fun and I hope Todd is doing well in the tests. That´s funny that Makenzie dropped in on you guys and I am glad to hear that you guys had a good time visiting her. Sounds like everyone is doing well in work and I am glad things are going better for you guys. Mom who are the janitors at Manila now? Jessica how are you and Derek doing and I hope you guys are becoming like old people (HaHa)! Sabrina seems like she has grown up a ton and I am sure that she is going to be playing volleyball forever! Next volleyball player for the "U"!! I wish I could have seen Dad and Adam practicing for their act! (HaHa) sounds pretty funny.

Well today we had cambios and it turns out that I am leaving. I am going to Concepcion. There are two colleges in my new sector, but that is what I heard. I am going to have my first companion from the states, it’s going to be weird! We played a game to find out our transfers. We played ping pong around the world with the whole entire zone, and we were wearing pajamas (HaHa). We each had three lives, and when we lost a life we were told a piece of our transfer. I won the game around the world so I found out last. I know that my new companion is going to be Elder Mills. I am excited to go work in Concepcion and I heard that it is really hot there. I also heard that we are changing house in my new sector and we will be living with the assistants and the office Elders, it’s going to be awesome. Elder Bravo is going to try to stay in the mission and he was put into a trio. So that will help the other Elders and I hope that will help Elder Bravo.

This last week was awesome! It started off really emotionally hard and my companion was up and down. We tried to work with our investigators this week, but we couldn't find any of them. So it was kind of frustrating not having anyone to pass by for. So the whole week we spent walking and trying to find new people to teach. To be honest I felt like my legs were going to break at times, but on the other hand I am getting good exercises. We haven't been able to see the Gasparini family or Milton or Gonzalo. Now I can only wish the next elders good luck.

This week I had a mini cambio (I don’t know how to say that in English) with Elder Skeleton. We had a really good day and a lot of fun. I was kind of nice to have the opportunity to work with someone else in the week. We kind of struggling as a zone right now, but my district is doing really well with bringing people to church with a baptismal date. But there is a lot of room in where we can progress!

We Bought Papa Johns two times this week and it was so good. I have bought Papa Johns at least 15 times in the past 4 months. I think that our house has an addiction to pizza. And now our whole zone buys pizza thanks to us (HaHa). But it is the closest thing that you can by to having good American pizza. It is pretty expensive here, but totally worth it! I think with this cambio I won’t be eating as much pizza now! (HaHa)

We got an announcement about the day of Christmas and what’s happening that day. We will only be talking for 30-40 minutes on Skype this time, because the general authority's told us to. It will still be fun to talk to you guys and Christmas is close and it doesn't feel like that. It’s too hot to be Christmas! But I can’t wait!

I love you guys and have a great week. I am excited to hear from you next week. I hope that all goes well and that you guys stay safe. Thank you for everything that you have done and are doing for me. It means a ton! I love you and I miss you guys!

I love the McAlister Family!!!

Elder McAlister

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Spiritual thought time! David A. Bednar, in his October 2014 General Conference talk, "The Hearts of the Children Shall Turn" he said he following on family history work, a subject I have been thinking a lot about lately"

"My beloved young brothers and sisters, family history is not simply an interesting program or activity sponsored by the Church; rather, it is a vital part of the work of salvation and exaltation. You have been prepared for this day and to build up the kingdom of God. You are here upon the earth now to assist in this glorious work."

It's actually pretty cool to think of family history, and then temple work, as another form of missionary work. We as members really need to do family history work so our ancestors can accept the missionary work taking place in the spirit world. I really wish I could find more time to do genealogy work.

Until next week, and from Concepcion, enjoy these last pictures from Chiguayante…