Some questions Jessica doesn't need to ask!

I’m a day late posting Sean’s email and pictures this week because of a busy Memorial Day with the family yesterday.  Hope everyone had a great Memorial Day for those living in the United States.

Sounds like he and Elder Castro had a great week working with less active members and new investigators.  It will be a shame if he misses Mario’s baptism on the 7^th if Sean is transferred out Hualpencillo next week.

I like Sean’s scripture reference, it is a great message to remember.

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Hey everyone,

It’s great to hear from you guys. I hope that dad is not killing himself with the work from the porch. I also hope that Todd did well on his test. The hail storm sounds crazy and I have heard that there is a lot of tornado´s in the United States right now. Sabrina you can’t grow any taller until I get home! You look like you are so much older in the softball pictures! Plus you guys are killing me talking about BBQ´s!!! They sound so good and it makes my mouth water! Also how it’s getting warm up there! But I´m glad to hear that you guys are okay and that you guys are having a good time!

This last week was really, really good! We got 3 investigators to go to church and we are having great progress with Mario and we are going to change his baptism date to the 7th of June. He is doing great and we found him the perfect friend so it was a great Sunday. We had Alejandra, Luis and their two kids, who we found in the last week, and they came to an activity and to church. They really liked it and we will be working extra hard with them. They need to get married also, but they are awesome and they love to have us over. Teresa wasn't able to come to church this last week, but she is starting to get a testimony of the Book of Mormon. She also has a friend always at her house and he is progressing better than she is, and he now knows the first part of Nephi really good. He is getting a really good testimony of the Book of Mormon and he is feeling the spirit when he is reading. His name is Segundo. So that was our week and it looks like we will have a baptism soon. We also had about 21 less active members in the church this last week and we are working with all of them. So we are doing really well with teaching our less actives. I´m pretty sure that I leave next Tuesday, because we have cambios! So I guess I will be leaving this sector ready for other Elders! Elder Castro and I are getting along great and he is talking a little more, but he is super quite still.

To answer Jessica´s question about bidets. No, we don't have anything like that here in Chile. But the water pressure is really weak here so in every house you have a garbage can right next to the toilet and that's for your used toilet paper. It’s kind of weird but their water pressure is really weak so you can’t put toilet paper in the toilet in some houses! It’s kind of gross but its life!

I thought that I would give you guys a spiritual thought this week! D&C 82:10 and it says:

I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise.

I love this scripture so much and I have used it a lot in my mission. It says that if we are obedient the Lord is bound to give us blessings. He will give us more blessings then we can imagine in our lives. But if we are disobedient god does not have to give us our blessings! It’s so true! This small Scripture that has 23 words can bless our lives and help us be with the Lord at all times during our life time. 

Well I want you guys to know that I am the missionary and the person I am today because of you guys, my family! I love you guys so much and I hope that you guys have a great week. The weeks fly by really quickly and I am almost at a year. Weird!!! I love you guys and I hope you guys have a great week!

Love you guys!

Elder McAlister

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Two related thoughts I shared with Sean this week. First, Russell M. Nelson said:

"The scriptures provide one of the best ways to find our course and stay on it. Scriptural knowledge also provides precious protection.”

Which I know Sean has found to be true based on things he has written home about.

And second, Richard G. Scott said: 

"Encourage those you love to seek to understand what the Lord would have them do. One way to do this is to ask them questions that make them think and then allow them sufficient time—whether hours, days, months, or more—to ponder and seek to work out the answers for themselves. You may need to help them know how to pray and how to recognize answers to their prayers. Help them to know that the scriptures are a vital source of receiving and recognizing answers. In that way you will help them prepare for future opportunities and challenges."

That is great advice for Sean as a missionary, for those he is teaching, and for all of us every day learning more about the Gospel. The more any of us know, and strengthen our testimonies, the stronger we will be when life’s challenges hit us.

Have a great week and enjoy these pictures Sean sent this week, they are always entertaining…

We had a family home evening with some family's in the ward and we played a game that really is a prank on my companion! Its called witchibadichi! You need to guess what part of the face they are thinking and some puts lipstick on their finger and they start making marks on the persons face that doesn't know the game! Its really funny!

They found a dog on a roof of a house!

The dogs of the people they live with!

Their house is on the right!

I guess if you're hungry, you will eat anything?

They found mushrooms on a tree close to their house and Sean thought they were really weird because he never saw them before and the just appeared this week!

Sean was practicing his Karate Kid pose!

A picture of an exercise machine in the parks of Chile!

They finally found Mario!

Good to hear from Elder McAlister today! He had a busy p-day, so that is why we received his email so late in the day, and he had little time to write. I understand how easy it is to lose track of time playing basketball.

Sounds like things are going well with their current investigators and having luck finding some new ones. He gives great advice about reading and studying the Book of Mormon.

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Hey everyone,

It’s great to hear from everyone and sound like the weather is a lot different than here! It’s getting cold, windy and rainy! I was able to buy myself a rain coat so I am super happy now! Sound like Sabrina just keeps on growing and looks like the front of the house will look different when i get back. But I’m glad to hear from you guys!

Well it started to rain after church and not before. We had our Stake Conference, so Teresa wasn't able to come to church because we couldn't find her. But thank you guys for praying, it is really helping us. We ended up passing by in the night and she has in really bad pain. It turns out that she was in the hospital and she now has a problem with her back so we gave her a blessing. It turns out that she has been getting a testimony about the Book of Mormon and her friend that's always there is getting a testimony about it too. It was kind of a shock but it was amazing! The thing is her friend is there all the time and he tries to argue with us about the Book of Mormon and then we end up showing him the Book of Mormon and the Bible together are perfect. Now they are starting to see it and it’s awesome. We did end up finding a family this week which was a great blessing and they found work during our lesson, and when that happened they wanted to learn more and they are looking at being future strong members. They just need to get married. Their names are Alejandra and Luis. We did find Mario and he is looking to be baptized this 31 of May, so pray for him right now! Then we are really starting to have the members understand why we need them, so they are starting to help us out! We hope!

We had our Stake Conference this week, and we had a great privilege and we got to have one of the Seventy come to it. Elder Walter Gonzales he spoke to us and it was amazing! He talked so much on the Book of Mormon and how we need to read it, ponder about it, and apply it in our lives and that's when we can understand a lot of the teaching or the gospel of Jesus Christ. He told a story and I loved it and I going to share it with you guys.

"There was a man and when he was a kid, He dreamed of saving or changing the world! But as he grew the world was too big to be saved of changed by one man. When he was a teenager he dreamed of changing his country. But as he grew he realized that his country was too big to be changed. But he learned as a man that when he strengthens his faith and follows the gospel of Jesus Christ he can be an example. With his example he starts to change people around him. When he starts to change people around him, he changes his country! When he changes his country his county changes the world! That should be everyone's goal to be an example and change the world with love and the gospel of Jesus Christ!"

I really liked to story and I think everyone was the same we have all dreamed that but now is the time were we can change things with love and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Before we can do this, we need to learn the Gospel of Jesus Christ which is in the Book of Mormon! So I want you guys the read, ponder, pray and apply the teachings of the Book of Mormon in your lives! When we can learn about the teachings of the Book of Mormon we will be blessed, because in D&C 82:10 It says that when we are obedient god has to give us blessings! So Just do it! Read and learn the Gospel of Jesus Christ and be blessed and I know that it is true!

Well, I have no time now, but I do have to tell you we played some basketball today for like 4 hours with two zones and now my legs are dead! I love you and I miss you guys! Have a great week and I love you!!!

Elder McAlister 

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I shared this scriptural passage from Mark chapter 10 with Sean this week:

28 ¶Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.

29 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s,

30 But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.

31 But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.

  

This scripture really hit me as to the blessings that Sean is receiving personally for his service as a missionary. It talks about how if you devote your time and effort and energy to the Lords service, you'll not only be blessed immediately but also be blessed in the future, and it also indicates that your family will be blessed as well, and I truly believe we have been as a family too.

No pictures from Chile this, so until the next post have a great week.

Happy Mother's Day!

A short email today because we got to Skype with Sean yesterday, for Mother’s Day. We got to talk for over an hour, and it was great to see and hear Sean.  He is doing great, had lots of great stories and experiences to tell the family.

It was the best Mother’s Day gift Cherilyn could have received!

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Hey Everyone,

It was awesome talking to you guys, and I loved seeing your faces and hearing your voices! It seemed like a Mother’s Day gift for me (HaHa). It was really great other then I didn't want to stop talking to you guys! I hope that mom had a great Mother’s Day and I want her to know I love her a lot and I miss her!!! It sounds like you guys are doing great and you guys look okay (HaHa). Sabrina I like your book and I can’t wait to read it when I get home! I wish Todd good luck on his test in Colorado and hope he does great. Dad thanks for the sports updates, all I hear about here is soccer and I don't know that many teams, so thanks for that! But really it was great talking to you guys and you guys are the best family ever!   

Well I talked a lot about what is going on right now in our sector yesterday! So I just want you guys to pray that we can have a lot of rain in Chile this next Sunday, so we can have Teresa in church this week. She is usually working on Sunday but if it rains, she can’t go to work and she is doing awesome, she just needs to feel the spirit in the church, So pray for rain this Sunday! Also, we are still looking for Mario and we don't really know what to do there, but we are hoping for the best and praying for him a lot. Then we just really want to find a family or someone that is searching for the truth and help them. We are doing great, we have a good companionship and we are working together great!

Well I really don’t know more of what I can tell you guys right now, I felt like I told you guys a lot yesterday about what’s going on. So thank you guys for everything and love you guys a lot, I miss you and can’t wait to hear more from you guys!

Love you guys!!!

P.S. 

The pictures!

1. Is one of the trucks that a member has here so i took a picture with it.

2. After talking to you guys the older couple we live with brought us cake and it was like the cake from United States! It was so good!

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Since yesterday was Mother's Day, I shared this quote from D. Todd Christofferson on Mothers:

"A mother can exert an influence unequaled by any other person in any other relationship. By the power of her example and teaching, her sons learn to respect womanhood and to incorporate discipline and high moral standards in their own lives. Her daughters learn to cultivate their own virtue and to stand up for what is right, again and again, however unpopular. A mother’s love and high expectations lead her children to act responsibly without excuses, to be serious about education and personal development, and to make ongoing contributions to the well-being of all around them."

A great thought when is come to understanding the influence Mothers can play in all of our lives.  Have a great week.  Here are a few pictures from Sean, and from our Skype session yesterday…

One of the trucks that a member has here so he took a picture with it.

The older couple they live with brought them cake and it was like the cake from United States! It was so good!

Sean during the Skype session.

The family during the Skype session.

Read the Book of Mormon...

We received our email from Sean very late in the day yesterday, so I am late getting this posted. It sounds like he was very busy yesterday and just had time for a quick email home.  Things are going well with his new companion Elder Castro, and they have a good group of investigators, but need to get them to take the next steps.

We get to Skype with Sean on Mother’s Day Sunday, which is exciting, and we are getting his birthday package put together this week as he turn 19 next month.

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Hey everyone,

Hey everyone it’s great to hear that everyone is okay and doing well and looks like some of you had a great week. Dad the pictures of the train are pretty cool and it is really big and looks like you can take pretty good pictures! It’s cool that Brooke got her jersey framed and you can’t use my punching bag! No that’s a lie you can! Jessica I need you to cut my hair, they don't know how to here! Mom it is a special week for you and I hope that everything goes well for you! I can’t wait to see you this Sunday and I love you very much! Sabrina is still the best little sister in the world and Tillie is still the laziest dog that I know (HaHa).  

This last week was pretty good, we have been working really hard and we have been trying to find people. We had some good progress with Teresa and she has been reading the Book of Mormon. Our baptism with Mario won’t be happening this week because we haven't been able to find him in his house and he hasn't been to church the last two weeks. Right now we are just working with grandmas and searching (HaHa). But if you guys could pray for Enjenia who is scared to go to church, Teresa so she can find her answer in the Book of Mormon, Mario that we can find him this week in his house and Edita so she can go to church too! That’s our main group of focus and if you guys can pray for use to find people! Thank you!

I am getting along great with Elder Castro and we have a good time. We are always playing the guitar and the ukulele in our free time! He still is shy in the lessons, but we have been talking a lot and he’s pretty cool. We are working well together and we are learning a lot together.

This week I really learned the power of the Book of Mormon. I have made it a challenge for every investigator, less active member or active members to read the Book of Mormon together as a family! It is making a big difference and I hope that you guys can do it too. Read at least a chapter a day with the family and you will all grow spiritually! So that is my challenge to you guys!  

I am short on time today but I will talk to you guys this Sunday, I think I will be Skyping you guys around 6:00 on Domingo. I hope that all of you can make it there at that time. Its 2:00 for you guys and maybe later but I’m not really sure, I hope you can make it Brooke! We haven't been told anything at all for Mother’s Day! I’m sure I can write you guys if anything changes, but I will let you guys know! 

Love you guys and have a great week and a great Mother’s Day! Make some cookies for mom from me. Keep on being awesome. I will talk to you this Sunday! 

Love you guys!!!

Elder McAlister

P.S. - Mom you’re the Best!

P.S.S. - The pictures are of my companion playing the guitar and us cooking bread and I found Reese’s today at Lider!

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This was shared with Sean this week from his Mom. I want to share with you Elder Richard G. Scott's Special Witness of him Testifying of Jesus Christ. Why Elder Scott? Because he is the one who married me and dad in the Jordan Temple 28 years ago next month and he holds a special place in my heart.

He starts, Our Hope, Our Mediator, Our Redeemer. "Our security is in our Heavenly Father and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. I know that the Savior loves you. He will confirm your efforts to strengthen your testimony so that it becomes a consummate power for good in your life, a power that will sustain you in every time of need and give you peace and assurance in these times of uncertainty. As one of His Apostles authorized to bear witness of Him, I solemnly testify that I know that the Savior lives, that He is a resurrected, glorified personage of perfect love. He is our hope, our Mediator, our Redeemer."

I have a testimony of our Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ. I know they live and have a perfect love. I had never thought of bearing testimony of my Father in Heaven living before. I guess I just assumed that everyone had that knowledge.

Have a safe week and a great Mother’s Day Sunday! Enjoy a couple pictures from Sean….

Elder Castro playing the guitar.

A creative way to toast bread.

Sean found Reese's Peanut Butter cups at Lider (Walmart in Chile)

Mother's Day message for his Mom.