Merry Christmas!

I hope you all had a fantastic Christmas especially since it was on Sunday! What a special way to celebrate the birth of Christ by going to church and partaking of the sacrament. I hope you all took the opportunity to #LightTheWorld this past month and that you continue to #LightTheWorld even after the season is over.

This week was pretty great! We had our zone Christmas thing and it was way fun. We had a talent show and lunch and some training and we got to get our Christmas packages. But we also got to watch It's a Wonderful Life. Let me tell you that is a fantastic movie with a great message but there is one, a lot of drinking and smoking (Word of Wisdom) and two, a lot of kissing. It was honestly so funny when people started kissing in the movie because my companion was like "this is so uncomforatable with all the elders in the room" And then President Randall got up at the end and made some comment like "wow it's a lot different watching this movie with you elders and sisters". Anyway, it was a great day haha.

On Tuesday Sister Cragun was supposed to sing for this thing so we went over to practice and I got roped into singing too! Ugh I was mad but it was a really pretty song but I told Sister Cragun never again but we will see how long that will last.

On Wednesday we went and visited this recent convert named Arline. Now Arline is like in her 70s or 80s and she is super hard of hearing and she lives alone and she really shouldn't live alone but she's a stubborn old lady that won't listen to us. Anyway, on Wednesday we were talking to her about the importance of daily scripture study because we read Job with her but she never reads on her own. So we are talking about her schedule and where she could fit in scripture study because apparently she is very "busy" all day. So I mentioned that my mom reads her scriptures during lunch because that's when she has time. Arline looked at me for a second and said no I can't do that, I have to make phone calls during lunch. So we try and talk to her about another time in the day and then she starts getting angry with us! She's telling us that we are trying to hurt her and we were like no Arline we aren't trying to hurt you, how are we hurting you. And she goes, "you are trying to make me read the scriptures!" 

Yesterday was a fun day! Sister Cragun and I opened presents right when we woke up because we are still children. Then we had church and then a member invites like the whole branch over for waffles after church on Christmas Sunday (like the Sunday nearest to Christmas if it doesn't actually fall on Christmas) So that was fun. We visited Arline again and she wasn't mad at us anymore so that's good. We visited other branch members and then we had Christmas dinner. Oh! I also finished the Book of Mormon on Christmas which I thought was cool! President Randall also challenged us to read the Book of Mormon between Christmas and Easter (you all should try and do it too) and so I finished right on time! Then I got to Skype my family! That was the highlight of my day of course. Best present ever!

Well I hope you all have a fantastic week! I love this work and I know it's hard but it's totally worth it to bring others unto Christ. I know He is my Savior and that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Him. 

Lots of Love!

Sister Van Buskirk

Everyone in PA Smokes So Much

Wow it has been a jam packed week. We left the MTC like 4am Tuesday morning and landed in PA about 2:30. Wednesday morning I met my trainer, Sister Cragun. She's from Draper, UT (2/2 from UT) She's way nice. She's been out about 7 months and loves being a missionary. I am learning so much from her.

The weather is so cold here. Everytime I tell someone I'm from Tucson they are just like I am so sorry for you... It's a different cold here than in Provo though. It's super icey and the wind cuts through you. 

I'm in a branch called Milford. It's a huge area so we try really hard to get rides so we don't have to use our miles. They are trying to become a ward though. I think they are really close so that is way exciting. Yesterday we had a linger longer so we just had Sacrament but it looks like they only have 2 deacons and no priests.

We have 2 investigators preparing for baptism. Matthew is 9 and his dad is preparing to recieve the priesthood and they are just an all around fantastic family that is trying to do the best they can. Sabrina is older like in her 40s but Sister Cragun doesn't think she will be ready for baptism by her date but we are trying. We have some other potentials but I haven't really met a lot of them. It's hard teaching people that you aren't really sure what they know or where they are at.

A lot of the members here are fantastic and they feed us and drive us sometmes. There is one family the Fuentes. He is Chilean and She went on her mission to Chilie so they make a lot of South American foods (we have eaten at their house twice this week).

It has been great out here in the PPM! Doors get slammed in my face all the time but that's okay because one day someone will want to hear our message of Christ! I love hearing from you all!

Lots of Love!
Sister Van Buskirk

I Will Miss My Comp Way Too Much

Well it's our last Pday. Next Tuesday I will be on a plane to Philadelphia! This week has been great though. Just like every week here at the Missionary Training Center. 

So funny story. Sister Summers has a brother named Boston and I told her I liked that name and this was our convorsation:

SS: "Yeah me too. It reminds me of a New Jersey accent" 

Me: "or what about a Boston accent..." 

SS: "Oh yeah, that could work too"

Sister Summers is so funny haha Sometimes she leaves funny videos on my tablet while I'm in the shower haha 

We have 3 new investigators, Lawanna, Barbara, and Jessica. We teach Lawanna over skype which is fun. Barbara is so funny. She prayed yesterday for us and she was like bless Sister Van Buskirk that she won't freeze. Jessica is black and she lived with a mormon family for a little while and now all her mormon sisters are pregenant and so she goes, "everybody getting pregenant around here, its like its contagious or somethin!" Sister Summers and I just died haha.

Well the food is kinda gross. I think I've gained like 3lbs here haha I love my teachers here. Sister Rassmusen and Sister Linford are so amazing and they are so inspired for our class. 

It had been warming up here but then it snowed today so that was exciting but everyone here hates the snow. Church is weird here. We have sacrement then lunch then RS then we have district meeting which is like Sunday School I guess. And Sister Summers and I have to teach that this week. Well that's all folks. If you want more like, subscribe, or send me more emails.

I know the church is true and I can't wait for next week when I get to meet all the great people of Philadelphia and bring them closer to their Savior Jesus Christ.

Lots of Love!
Sister Van Buskirk

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Another week down at the good old MTC! So first off some big news. Sister Summers and I got called to be Sister Training Leaders so pretty much we are Zone Leaders for the sisters.

We also got some investigators. The first girl is McKelle. She didn't have any belief in God or Christ but now she's felt the Holy Ghost and read the Book of Mormon. Our other investigator is Paula and she has committed to be baptized!
Sister Summers has been sick for like 2 weeks and so one day we had to stay in the apartment like all day and that was totally not fun. 

I had to give the closing prayer in sacrament on Sunday. Nothing super exciting has happened this week.

I am still having fun here! The Spirit is so strong. I have really learned to listen to the Spirit and that the Spirit is the real teacher. It's amazing how much I continue to learn here everyday. I feel like my testimony grows miles everyday. The church is true. The Book of Mormon testifies of Christ who is my Savior and who I love. I hope you all have a fantastic week and don't forget to #LightTheWorld!!

Lots of Love!
Sister Van Buskirk

The MTC is FANTASTIC

Hey everybody!!!

Well it's been a fantastic week here at the MTC! My companion is Sister Summers and we are basically twins. We like clicked from the first day and now I say oh my heck all the time now.

I saw Jeremy like the second day but that was because he came and found me in my class. He did leave me a note on the board like the  first day which was super nice and it made my day.

My district is like the best. There are 6 sisters and 6 elders and all of the sisters are going to Philadelphia and half the elders are going to tennessee and the other half are going to Florida. Hey if the Claridges are reading this Sis. Holladay is in my district and I love her.

My teachers are super awesome. They are Sister Rasmussen and Sister Lindford and they are amazing. We have to teach them as investigators and it is so hard but such a great experience. Sister Summers and I do a lot of preparing before we teach them and so I think we do a pretty good job. I can always feel the Spirit during the lessons and that`s all that matters because the Spirit converts.

I play volleyball like everyday during gym time and usually I get a court burn in every game so thats fun haha. But I kill it everyday so its whatever.

It snowed here like the second night so in the morning there was a little snow everywhere. It rained mostly for the rest of the week but yesterday morning for Thanksgiving it had snowed again.

Yesterday Neil L. Anderson came and spoke to us and he brought his grandchildren and they made every missonary a Thanksgiving card. Elder Anderson talked about trials and blessings and how sometimes we need to project ourselves forward to see the blessings that will follow the trial that we are currently in. We also did a service project for Feeding Children Around the World and we packaged 359,000 meals for them. They said these meals will stay in Utah and will only last about 4 months but at least these kids will have food through the holidays.

Speaking of the holidays there is a new Christmas initative called #LighttheWorld and you start Dec. 1 and you do 25 acts of service for 25 days. If you look on mormon.org there is a video you can watch and they also give suggestions on different acts of servce you can do everyday. I hope you all check it out.

I love how much my testimony has grown the past week and I know it will continue to grow as i grow closer to my Savior. I know the Book of Mormon is true and that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ and I know that my Savior died for me.

Lots of Love!
Sister Van Buskirk

It actually wasn't as bad as I thought...

Well I survived the past 2 days! My companion is Sis. Summers. She's from West Jordan (or maybe it's South Jordan I don't really understand Utah). She is super nice and she wears glasses like me so that's awesome. We also have our own room so that's super fun! I am having a great time! We are learning so much already. We had to teach our investigator today all ready but she's really our teacher. I am so tired all the time but also so so so happy. I love it here and I am excited about the next 4 weeks. 

I talked to this lady on the plane on the way up though. Her name is Joda and she was the most positive person I have ever met. She shared a scripture with me from her good news bible. It is Philipeans 4:4-13. It was a bit different in her bible but it still sent the same message that we should all be positive and willing to share the gospel. I told her I was on my way to serve a mission and spread the gospel and she was so excited. She thought it was amazing that I had the opportunity to spread the gospel and then she said a prayer out loud right there on the plane thanking Heavenly Father for letting her sit next to me on the plane and to bless me on my mission. She was such a great person and I am so blessed to have been able to sit next to her and talk to her on the plane. 

My district is fantastic. There are 3 sets of sisters and 3 sets of elders and all of us sisters are going to Philadelphia so that is so fantastic. There is such a special spirit in our district that is so amazing. 

I saw Jeremy! And we took a picture but I'll send it next week because we only get to send this one email. Our Pday is on Thursday but since next week is Thanksgiving it will be on Friday so you'll hear from me then.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone!

--

Lots of Love!

Sister Van Buskirk

And She's Off

November 16, 2016 was a bitter sweet day.  

Saying good bye for 18 months was hard but knowing Sis. Van Buskirk will be serving Heavenly Father's children and teaching them about Christ is worth the sacrifice.

 Dropping off at the Airport.

Lindsey Parris and Hannah Laulusa picked her up at the Airport.  With extra time before she had to be at the MTC they stopped at the Puppy Barn to play.

 Arriving at the MTC.

 Lindsey Parris, Sister Van Buskirk and Hannah Laulusa

 Saying Good bye!