Merry Christmas everyone! I feel like it's appropriate to say that now that it is December! We had a super fun week here in the great city of Philadelphia!
Wednesday I went on exchanges with Sister Kuta! We did a lot of finding and trying to show everyone we met the #LIGHTtheWORLD video. Not a lot of people wanted to watch it but we did meet a man named Jeffery who is from Africa that was interested! Hopefully, we can get in contact with him soon to teach him!
Thursday we received a call from a YSA member that joins us for lessons sometimes. She ran into one of our potentials and she told her she was wondering why we had never called. The last time we had stopped by her mom said she probably wasnt interested and thats why we never stopped by again. But we gave her a call and she wants to meet with us soon! We also called our investigator, Mercedes and talked to her for a bit. She's been able to read the Book of Mormon and said she has felt a lot of peace from reading it. She wanted to come to church this week but wasn't able to make it for some reason. She has a lot of tough things going on in her life right now.
Friday we had a meeting and I saw Sister Summers! Best part of the day however was that it was officially time to #LIGHTtheWORLD! Because we were in a meeting all day we weren't able to do much but we did do something! We live in a row home apartment and when you walk in he front door of the row home, there are our mailboxes. Under the mailboxes someone put a crate for people to throw out their junk mail which is very convenient and I very much appreciate it. However, it has been overflowing and leaflets and mail gets all over the floor. Sister Roberts and I decided we were going to clean it up and empty the crate. It looks fantastic now!
Saturday was the best day. We did some more finding and then later we taught our investigator Regina. Regina is so great! Probably about four or five months ago Sister Garner and I met her in front of her house and invited her to Gladys Knight. After Sister Neuffer became my companion is when we finally taught her. Actually, I taught her on exchanges. Then she dropped off the face of the earth. We finally got in contact with her again and she is ready. She kept talking about how she is committed to us now. It was also day 2 of #LIGHTtheWORLD in which we were able to share our testimony with Regina and help her "drink from the living water" It is amazing when those we teach recognize the difference we make just in their daily life. Regina said she always feels so much better after we come. It's because we have the spirit! You can the spirit as well Regina!
After our lesson we ran to the church for the ward Christmas party! It was really fun. They had a little sing a long for the primary kids (and Sister Van Buskirk because she loves sing a longs) Then came Santa Claus! Brother Abad is this big Philly man with a prosthetic leg. He could give my dad a run for his money in the sarcasm contest. Brother Abad came out in a well loved Santa suit and the kids were so happy. There is so much joy in the Independence Ward. It's people like Brother Abad that are excited to do those little things like be Santa that is something the Savior would do. It's the little things that bring joy into people's lives.
The #LIGHTtheWORLD initiative is here to help us bring joy into other's lives. It's the little acts of sincere service that people truly appreciate. I hope you all have the chance to serve others during this season. Jesus Christ was our ultimate example of giving and helping people have joy. Please go to
www.mormon.org to #LIGHTtheWORLD. I know joy comes from service and remembering our Savior, Jesus Christ. I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!
Lots of Love!
Sister Van Buskirk
The giant Christmas tree at the art museum
Our morning run to the rocky steps
I know I forgot my nametag. It's the first time ever so please don't think I'm an apostate missionary.
Philadelphia
The Jarrettown sisters!
The Petersons whom I love!
