Homecoming Pictures

Homecoming Talk

“Wise Men Still Seek Him”

Sister Jocelyn Waite

December 22, 2013

Music- Beautiful!

Thank You (Ward, Neighbors, Friends… Family) My mission was the greatest experience… I’m excited to share a few of the most precious from my mission with you…

Pres. Ezra Taft Benson said

“… my beloved brothers and sisters, what must we do this Christmas season---and always? Why, we must do the same as the wise men of old. They sought out the Christ and found him. And so must we. Those who are wise still seek Him today.”

They. Sought. And. FOUND. Him…. (Seek and ye SHALL Find, Knock and it shall be opened unto you…) Those who are WISE still SEEK Him… and this seek is what I would like to expand on… how can we SEEK out Christ… and FIND him. I want to share the experiences from my mission to illustrate the reality of this principle. And throughout, please think of the GIFT that you would GIVE the Savior… which precious gift or talent to offer Him as you apply these principles in your lives.

Elder Joseph B. Worthlin (April 1992) “Seeking the Good”

“The word seek means to go in search of, try to discover, try to acquire. It requires an active, assertive approach to life.”  

“We can seek to be good neighbors.” 

Almeida ---Fabiola-

-Reference from a neighbor

-Jefferson, 10 yrs old. First Baptism. Smart.

-Fabiola and Evanlido, January- Married, Baptized.

-Chance to go back and see them

“We should seek to become self-reliant” 

​-Camila (also a reference from a member

​-Fiance passed away… was searching for answers…

-Met her. Taught her. After the first lesson that night… she received an answer.    And called us

-against her family’s wishes… she was determined

“We should seek to be happy and cheerful and not allow Satan to overcome us with discouragement, despair, or depression.”

​-Adriana noticed the difference in her sisters voice when she called…

​-Bruna was baptized that weekend… but for Adriana… it had to wait.. 7 months

​-She had to go through this trial… to overcome discouragement, despair, or depression…

​-She is seeking to be happy and cheerful today as she goes to the temple.

-Claudinei! Taught, married, baptized

-Miracles happen… 28 days

-Struggles with family but is there every Sunday! And has a good attitude

“We can seek to enter holy temples frequently to perform essential ordinances regularly for others who have preceded us.”

​-3 times in the field.

“We can seek to strengthen our families and can foster peace and happiness in our homes, making them a safe haven from the cares and woes about us.”

​-Miled, Luzia, Nadia

​-Choice to do something different… ripple effects…

​-Sineide, Marco, Isabela

“We should seek without delay to preach by precept and by example to be sure everyone is willing to accept gospel truths and has the opportunity to do so. The best way to teach the gospel is to live it.”

​-Me

We Seek… We Find… We Give…

A mission is like the journey of the wise men… walking in faith, determination to reach your goal, leaving your comfort zone, and finding Christ… his hand in the work, His love for you and for all mankind… and you give. Especially now, being home.. returned missionaries should GIVE of the knowledge and experiences that were given to them to help build the Kingdom of God…

A mission helps the youth of the Church practice these principles that Elder Worthlingave us… put them in practice… so that WE leave the mission more devoted disciples of Christ who are READY to give what was given to them on their missions… the qualities developed… the testimonies given…

Testimnoy

Letter #75- Grateful

Dear Family and Friends,

I am just so grateful for all of the opportunites Heavenly Father has given me in mylife... espeacially the opportunity to serve a full-time mission. This thanksgiving all I could think of was how grateful to see the miracles in mylife, myfamily, and being here in Brazil. I love Brazil so much! I am so grateful for all of the people I have met, the friends I have made, the new family I have gained... I am offically Brazilian too... split heart... all american... have from the north, and half from the south... I love Brazil.

I am so grateful for all of the love and support youhave all given me... thank you so much! the kingdom of God will ever grow... this work. will. never. stop. EVER! I hope everyone is doing well and that we all can help this grand mission the Savior sent us on can be fullfilled... so that ALL of Heavenly Father´s children can feel His love and happiness he has promised... I love you somuch and am so grateful for everything you do!

Love,

Sister Waite

Letter #74-Thanksgiving!!!

Hello everyone!

I sure hope everyone is happy and well! and that this week will be full of turkey and delicious pies! Our week is full of rain right now... but its amazing! and we have A LOT of people to visit and teach... its a great time to be a missionary! 

This week I learned the importance of hard work in the little things... they make a big difference... with small visits everyday... miracles happen in the investigators lives! It was amazing to see the change in him since the beginning! Its amazing what the youth of the church can do... His friend invited him to church and he taught him right along with us and was the friend that he can rely on... its amazing! I love working with the youth! they are the future! and they will be excellant missionaries!

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone this week! I sure hope its a great holiday for everyone!

Com carinho,

Sister Waite

Letter #73

Wow! what a week! the hightlights real quick...

1-ate a bug! its a delicacy here... its a HUGE flying ant that they cut the wings off... fry it up with farofa and its crunchy... only had the courage to eat one... its alright... weird... but dont want to eat it again.

2- MOUNTAIN today!!!!!!! pday we went up a very green and beautiful mountain! will send pics next week... this comp is slow.

3- BAND at the talent show!!!!! 18 members came to our talent show that are not members of the church! they played `Tale as old as Time´ and me and Sis Tillman just melted... it was the first song they played for us when we invited them! it was so neat! we are going to teach ALL of them this week!

4- Brazilian Barbecue twice in one week... fabulous!

Love you all so much and am so happy to be here in Brazil! love being a missionary! Love you all!

Sister Waite

Letter #72-Book of Mormon

Hello Family!

This week was alright... had a lot of random things that happened... like President himself coming to check our houses...hahah! that was cool... we passed! :D phew! 

And another Leadership council this week in São Paulo! it was so fun! Really Spiritual and it just got all of us excited to help pump up the missionaries! So fun, especially now that Sis Abreu is my companion! its going to be a fabulous month! woot woot! I am so grateful to serve a mission, it is so much fun! 

Presidnet talked a lot about goals... and how it is important to really set HIGH goals... and then you get HIGHER results than if you just settled.

I am so grateful, every day in my prayers, I thank Heavenly Father for the oportunity I have to be a missionary! I love this work, I love this Gospel! I am so happy to be here in Brazil.... my home! :D (well... another home!) home is where the heart is!

we had an activity this week too! the very first bishop in Lorena... who is still alive! :D He makes a HUGE cake every year... thats the book of Mormon... and we had a little devotional. For everyone who read that year... and me and SIs TIllman sang at it... it was a lot of fun!  heres a pic of the cake. a salty cake! Layered with bread, chicken, vegtables, and mashed potatoes for the icing. it was really good!

I love you all so much!

Sister Waite

Letter #71 Mysteries and Miracles

Happy Halloween for everyone! I hope it went well!

Mystery: out of NOWHERE on Halloween night... we were walking to our next apointment and a dog stuck his head out of the gate furosiously and bit my companion!!! Will she become a werewolf? I will keep you up on it... but really, it was a spooky and scary experience... he bit her twice, and out of nowhere! we went to the emergency room and she had to get a stitch... crazy things happen on the mission... especially on halloween. But shes on the recovery! shes doing well!

Miracle: Our friend was baptized! he is amazing! he got to know the church 5 or 6 months ago.. and when I asked him how he knew the church was true... he said with time... and with how he felt. Time tells everything. The meeting was amazing, and to see the tears roll down his face of complete joy was a moment that touched my heart and marked this special moment on my mission. The savior wants to forgive... we just need to do what he asked, and that is how we are forgiven.

I love you all so much! I am so happy to be a missionary! You are the best! thanks for the prayers!

Love,

Sister Waite