Has tsunami season started?

Sounds like another good week, but the signs of winter are on the way.  Cold and rainy for the next few months is what Elder McAlister has to look forward to.

I forgot how great it is to get a new tie on you mission, because that is really all you get to wear that looks different. Ten new ties is like having a whole new wardrobe.

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Hey how is my family?

All sounds well at home, and I want to go to California! Is everyone going to read the Elizabeth Smart book (HaHa), because it sounds like everyone is going to read it in the family! I´m glad that everyone is doing okay! Can you tell Brandon congrats for his mission call and how he will never regret it!

This last week was pretty good, we worked really hard but we didn’t get more people to the church this week. We are looking to do better this week and looking to have more people in church. Things are looking really good and we’re bringing this sector back alive. We found three investigators that need to get married.

Well in Hualpen we had a rainstorm and it was pretty cold, but I got to use all my rain gear which worked out pretty well. It was a super cold day and the nights are starting to get pretty cold. I will get to pull out my sleeping bag soon. The last two days we have had sun but then it is still cold here and it’s not even winter yet. People keep on telling me that winter is super cold here and it rains a ton and there will be a ton of wind, so that’s what I’m looking forward to. Also in Hualpen they started putting up some signs that are warnings for tsunamis and were we need to go, so that's kind of an eye opener (HaHa). I guess we will find out if we will have a tsunami soon.

This last week I found peanut butter in a house of a member and she gave it to me and it lasted for about a day. I´m not going to lie, it was so good to have peanut butter (HaHa). I also bought some Reece’s Pieces which are so good, I forgot how good candy and food is from America. 

Today we were walking around Concepcion, and we found a thrift shop which had ties and they were only 2 for 300, which is super cheap so I ended up buying ten ties and my companion bought like 6, I think. I got some new ties and I’m super happy about it. 

That was my week, it was a busy week of just work, work and work! That’s all I know to do now (HaHa), just kidding. This week I want you guys to focus on something for me! I want you guys to serve one another this week in our family or a family in need. I have really seen the blessing from serving and how that is part of the plan. I hope that you guys can do this little task and receive great blessing from our Father in Heaven. I love you guys and have a great week and keep on being a cool family!

Love you guys!!! 

Elder McAlister

P.S. Sabrina is cooler than everything in the galaxy!

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As we are getting ready for General Conference I shared the following quotes with Sean from President Dieter F. Uchtdorf message in the Liahona “No Ordinary Blessing”

"Since the world began, God has raised up prophets who speak the will of heaven to the people of their times. It is our responsibility to listen and then apply the messages the Lord provides for us."

"The words spoken at general conference should be a compass that points the way for us during the coming months. If we listen to and follow the promptings of the Spirit, they will serve as a Liahona, guiding us through the unknown, challenging valleys and mountains that are ahead."

"There are messages in each general conference given as a gift and a blessing from heaven specifically for our personal life situations."

What great things he points out with the opportunity we have to hear from our church leadership, and especially our Prophet. Until next week’s post, have a great week and enjoy some new pictures from Hualpen Chile...

Elder McAlister looks like Woody from Toy Story!

Peanut Butter....oh how he has missed it.

I better know where to go if we have a tsunami...

Don't see this in Utah.

New ties!! Looks like quite the selection.

Elder Medina staying warm.

Sean's new wardrobe

The ties were cheap!

A lot of new people out to church this week

Sounds like Elder Medina and Elder McAlister had a great week, and were very successful carrying out their plans.  I hope they continue to see this type of success, and I know it is due to the hard work they are doing.

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Hey everyone,

Well first off how is Sabrina and is she doing okay? That kind of sounds a little scary. I’m guessing you guys had a pretty good week. Sounds like the aquarium was cool and where is it? Also, you guys look amazing with those 3D glasses on (HaHa).  

This last week was amazing, we had really good success in our area! Sunday we had 4 investigators, 4 new members and 12 less active members go to church. It was awesome. We boosted our number of people that attend church by twenty. We are still looking at getting less active members in church. We are looking at having a ton of help from the members and I can tell you that we are going to boost up the assistance a lot and that is our goal. Also with our 4 investigators that have room to progress, but two of them need to get married. So we want to have two weddings soon, which would be cool. One of our investigators is awesome, her name is Yanina, and she is taking notes on everything. Right now she is doing awesome and loves to have us over. The only thing is she needs to get married and her boyfriend is a less active member. They are awesome and they also have Argentina pride, so they are perfect for my companion. Please pray for Yanina because she is going down the right track!

Elder Medina is really cool, he use to do MMA before the mission, so there is something that we talk about a lot. We have been practicing also, so I will have a little MMA experience after this cambio. He really talks about Argentina a lot. He loves to play futbol, and he is trying to learn English, and now I can see why people couldn't understand me at first (HaHa). We are doing great and working hard together!

This week we got in some arguments with some pastors, and that was pretty fun, I guess. We won both of them because my companion has studied a ton and that means he knows a ton of doctrine. This last week has seemed to bring out every person that wants to fight in doctrine, which has been crazy. We are trying our best to teach with the spirit but at times we just want them to stop talking, so we teach them. We were talking with one Jehovah Witness and he kept on saying that we had a cross in our church and how we are bad because we have a cross. Then we asked him where the cross in our church is and then he said that he knows there is a cross because he was Mormon for 6 years of his life. In that moment I realized we are talking to a guy that doesn't know much (HaHa), so we just ended it there and left. I don't get it why every pastor wants to fight with us now and there is a ton here in Hualpen.

I don't have anything more because this week was us working and helping people go back to church. We did have a lot of service, and we played some futbol which is helping us because everyone likes a little futbol here in Chile. I hope you guys have a good week and keep on doing awesome things.

Love you guys

Elder McAlister

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This week’s spiritual thought shared with Sean came from an article I read from RootsTech Family History Conference in Salt Lake City this quote from Elder Neil L. Andersen.  The article was specifically speaking about doing family history/genealogy work, but I took a little different perspective. He said:

"There is something powerful in searching out someone who needs temple ordinances, learning who they are, and then being part of their receiving these sacred ordinances. This is how you become “saviors on Mount Zion.” There is a joy and satisfaction that is only understood through spiritual feelings. We are linked to them forever."

Again even though this is referencing genealogy work, I think it also pertains to missionary work too., My family will forever be linked to Elder Hall and Elder Granquist, two young men serving a mission in Maryland, and one day tracted an apartment complex in Beltsville Maryland, and found a young couple looking for the truth.  My parents joined the church by being baptized March 4^th, 1967, forever changing the path of their family, and now Sean is out doing the same for others.

New companion Elder Carlos Medina

Sounds like Sean had a much better week, but the email was pretty short and sent later in the day, so I’m guessing he didn’t have a lot of time to write.  No matter it is always great to hear from him and to know he is doing well.

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Hey Family,

Hey everyone, how is the greatest family in the world? It sounds like a busy week for some of you! Thanks for writing me this week, I love to hear from you guys every week. You guys are really the best family in the world! I thought I should tell you guys that (HaHa). 

This week was much better, and my companion is really cool. He is from Buenos Aires capital, Barrio La Boca and I’m wondering what mission Derek served in? He is really awesome and he loves to talk. I think we have talked more in this week then I did in the last three weeks. He did MMA before the mission, so I need to watch what I say, especially about Argentina (HaHa). He has a lot of Argentinian pride, but he is really cool. It’s funny, a lot of people have some kind of relation with him. Like he knows this person and they happen to know that person too. So he is already famous here. Oh, he also has the same time as me in the mission.

This last week was hard because this sector is dead, but we are going to focus on the less actives and work with the family's that are incomplete. Are we got really good future investigators and a ton of references. We will be working very hard this next week, which is really good. We started playing soccer on Saturdays and it’s been super fun, and I guess I still have a little bit of my skills from playing when I was young and with Tillie in the backyard. We are going to start to recover this sector and make it into one of the best sectors in the mission.

This last week was full of meetings and we had our interviews with President this week, they went well so no worry's (HaHa). This last week our Stake Center just opened, and it’s a really big church, but I think it’s the same size as our church in Utah. But it’s a big church for here and it’s amazing they have a small indoor soccer court and it’s very well made. We had an activity for it and we invited people to the new Stake Center and taught what we believe, what is church like and more. The activity went really well and we got investigators there. 

Today was really fun, we got to play some soccer at the new Stake Center, but it was outside. Then after that we went got ready and went to Concepcion and guess who I saw!!! I saw my father in the mission Elder Donoso and it was awesome to see him. He is now a Zone Leader and is doing great, his zone is right next to my. I’m guessing that I will be seeing him on Mondays in this cambio. 

Not much else happened this week. I hope that you guys have a great week and keep on being who you guys are. I can tell you I have really learned how to study the scriptures and they are awesome. I want you guys to really focus on praying and reading the scriptures this next week because it can help you guys so much. Have a great week!

Love you guys 

Elder McAlister

P.S. Glad to hear that you guys are doing F.H.E and Sabrina is the best little sister in the galaxy!

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Elder McAlister’s mom shared Isaiah 41:10 with him this week, it says:

"Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness."

What a great scripture and a very comforting thought to know that our Heavenly Father is always there for us throughout our lives, in both good times and bad times.  He is there to lift us up and strengthen us in our times of need, but it’s important to remember him not only when we are struggling, but all the time.

Until next week enjoy a couple pictures from Sean, and you have a great week!

Sean's new companion, Elder Medina, is dressed as Peter for the Primary. 

Elder McAlster dressed as Joseph Smith for the Primary. 

New companion from Argentina tomorrow

Another difficult week for Elder McAlister with being sick, not able to find a new place to live, and a trunky companion.  He knows who his new companion’s name, but has not met him yet.

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Hey Everyone, 

Sounds like you guys had a pretty good week, and sounds like the funeral was sad. I hope Corrine and her family are doing well, and how’s the rest of the family? Well I wish I could have seen the pictures that sounds like that was a fun family home evening. Looks like dad is doing well in his collection in the Olympic pins and mom I love the quotes that you sent me. Todd and Derek really it’s just embarrassing now! I haven't had Costa Vida for the longest time and that sounds really good and Outback Steakhouse sounds like heaven. I’m happy that everyone is doing well.

This last week was a little harder than the last week as my companion has checked out and is ready to go home. So this last week was pretty hard on me and I was doing a lot of the work alone. I also got really sick to my stomach on Tuesday and it got worse every day since. Until yesterday, when I thought I was going to need to go for the hospital. I wasn't throwing up or anything like that I just had super bad pain in my stomach and all I can think about is what happened to Kyle Tuscher. I did ended up taking a lot of Pepto Bismol, but I haven't gotten any better. But I hope this week I will get better and don't worry I’m still up and moving and I’m still working. I did talk to the doctor of the mission and there seems to be a virus going around the mission right now and I’m hoping I don't have it.

Today we found out about cambios and I am getting a companion from Argentina, Elder Medina. I will get to meet him tomorrow and I will tell you guys about him next week because right now i don't know anything about him. But I got put with other Elders that work in the sector next to my, so I’m not working with the zone leaders today. But Elder Coronado left Hualpencillo and he leaves tomorrow in the morning. I was thinking about it today and I’m guessing that I’m going to have Latino companions all throughout my mission, but who really knows (HaHa). 

We didn't find the house yet, so the assistants gave us 6 more weeks to find a house. In Hualpencillo it is impossible to find a house for rent but really easy to find a house for sale and the mission doesn't want to buy a house. So we are looking at getting another companionship in Hualpen in the next cambio. But please pray for us so we can find a house because it is close to impossible to find a house here in Hualpen.

I did get to go to president’s house yesterday and wow, it is a super nice place. He pretty much lives where all the rich people live in Concepcion it was crazy. The cars there where almost all B.M.W, Camaros, Mercedes and the nice ford cars. President lives on the top floor of like an apartment building but it’s amazing. It’s also super close to where the temple is going to be. But they had chocolate chip cookies there and they were so good!!! I’m really wanting to change houses with president soon!!!

But I hope you guys have a fantastic week and remember that I love you guys. Keep on being my awesome family and Sabrina is the best little sister in the world and Jessica and Brooke are going to have to fight for the best older sister in the world (HaHa). I love you guys and have a good week and be safe.

Love you guys!!!

Elder McAlister

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Here are a few missionary quotes that Sean’s Mom shared with him this week:

“Serve every day of your mission in such a way that when you get out of bed every morning, Satan says, ‘Oh no…HE’S AWAKE!’” Elder Keel—one of our Boston missionaries

“No missionary can determine the lasting effects of his or her labors.”

Elder Richard G. Scott

“There is divine purpose in the adversities we encounter every day. They prepare, they purge, they purify, and thus they bless.” Elder James E. Faust

and her favorite scriptures found in Psalms 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God".

Until next week enjoy some pictures sent.  Have a great week!

Picture of missionaries from the Concepcion Mission with Elder Zeballos from the Quorum of the Seventy.

Random cute dog

Maybe Sean is a part time firefighter too?

Elder Coronado's birthday!

An Argentinian treat from dinner at the Mission President's house.

View from the Mission President's house.

Last picture with Elder Coronado before he went home from his mission.

Maybe they could live at the zoo

Challenging week for Elder McAlister.  Looking for a new place to live and a companion ready to go home makes it tough to keep focus and be successful with missionary work, but it’s all part of the “Best Two Years”.

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Hey Everyone,

This last week sounds like everyone had a good week and sounds like Brain Regan was really funny and a good time for parents. I am guessing he has a lot more jokes now that I haven't heard and I´m sure he is better live. Derek and Todd what going on with your team??? You guys should have won a game now! How is Brooke’s volleyball team doing? Jessica how’s things at work and I need you to cut my hair soon (HaHa)! Sabrina is still a big bum and sounds like she is just getting smarter every day! Dad I really liked the picture of the car (HaHa) that is really funny!

This last week was an okay week! We started the week off with a noche de hogar and we got permission to watch Saints and Soldiers, which was really fun to see again, I think I was the only one that understood everything that was happening in the movie and I still don't like how the movie ends. The movie was in Spanish and it was weird to hear Spanish-Spanish and not Spanish from Chile. So I could understand the Spanish really well and I was really happy to see the movie again.

We spent three days last week looking for a new house and we found nothing. So right now we are looking at apartments that are about 10 minutes from our sector, which I don't want to live outside our sector. We have to find one this week and it’s really hard to get my companion to focus on this. He keeps on saying I won’t be living here, so I don't need to search for a house, and I only say it’s not our house it’s a house for the work of the Lord. I say it like that because one it’s true and two the assistants are calling us every day and asking about the house and I always have to talk to them. So it’s been really hard to find a house, but we will be finding one in this week because there is no other option. We might try to stay in the house we are in but it would be a really tight fit for 4 missionary´s but it is an option! You guys will hear about what happens next week!

This week was really hard to work with the investigators and we ended up having none of them in the church. I have been really pushing us to work with members in lessons and to use our time better than spending most of time in the same member’s houses. I am really thinking my companion is ready to go home! Only this week and then we have cambios and I get a new companion. So you can say it’s been a challenging week for me with my patience which has been getting better as time goes on in the mission! Elder Coronado ends his mission this Sunday so I get to work with the Zone Leaders for a day this week, which is going to be so much fun!

Today was really cool, because we got to go to the zoo!!! It was really fun to go see some animals, but i have to say the zoo here is pretty sad, it’s not very big and some of the displays are pretty sad looking. I do have to say I have never been so close to a tiger and only a really weak fence is holding it back (HaHa). The lions and tigers were chasing us in there cage and I felt like they hadn't eaten for a while because they looked like they wanted to eat us. Also the monkeys were super funny and they ended up stealing one of the missionary's gum from his hand when he went to put it in his mouth! I got some pictures and some videos of the lion chasing us in his cage. The zoos in America are so much better and there are so many more animals there! But it was still super fun to go to the zoo!!!

Well that's what happened this week! I hope you guys have a good week and everything goes well. Thanks for writing me this week and I love to hear from you guys. I love you guys and read the scriptures because I have really focused in the doctrines and the principles of the scriptures and wow are they amazing, so this is my challenge for you guys this week! 

I love you guys and you guys are the best family ever!

Elder McAlister

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I shared the following from Russell M. Nelson with Sean this week. He said:

"Too often we tend to split the Lord’s work into parts that seem unrelated. Whether it is preaching the gospel to nonmembers, serving with new converts, reactivating less-active members, teaching and strengthening active members, or performing family history and temple work, the work really is indivisible. These efforts are not separate. They are all part of the work of salvation."

Isn't that so true?  I often break things up like I am doing something different depending on the task or setting, but ultimately it is all the same work of bringing ourselves, Brothers and Sisters back to our Heavenly Father through the Plan of Salvation.

Until next week enjoy some pictures for Sean’s visit to the zoo today…

The District

The District on P-day at the Concepcion zoo