Snippets & Snapshots : Corazon Loma and the Reeder's

The Loma Boys

Hello pamilya ko! Musta kayo dyan? Well i think things are getting busier and busier but we have seen so many wonderful miracles this week. I am such a happy missionary. We went to Naga on Tuesday and were able to meet President and Sister Reeder during mission leadership conference and they are so wonderful. It is sad to say bye to the Bliesner’s but the Reeder’s are just as easy to love. I can tell President Reeder has run companies before and he has a wonderful vision for missionary work and he has a talent for inspiring others to see that same vision. He adores Sister Reeder and they are both fun to be around; such exciting energy. He is also down to earth. Sister Reeder is so kind and has a fun personality. We were with Sister Reeder the whole day for the leadership meeting and then we had interviews with President Reeder. I am so grateful I was able to be with the Reeder’s and the Bliesner’s

Sister Reeder

On Wednesday we went on exchanges with the Goa 2nd sisters - I went in their area with Sister Webster and Sister Farnes stayed in our area with Sister Morales. I am so proud of sister Farnes she has been such a trooper through all the pandemonium of exchanges and traveling. I am so grateful for her. We have transfer announcements on Saturday and I will be so sad to transfer away from her. It is quite remarkable how close you can get to someone in a short amount of time. It is also fun to go on splits with the other sisters. It’s hard because we really are not teaching enough in our own area and it stresses me out but the lord is blessing us. This week I was with Sister Webster on splits. I love her so much! We have gotten really close and it was fun to be together the whole day. Sometimes I feel like I can’t do it all but somehow things work out.

On Saturday Sister Corazon Loma was baptized! It was such an incredible experience. It was one of the most spiritual baptisms I have been a part of. So wonderful!

Corazon Loma

When I first got to this area six months ago, she was one of the first people I taught. At that time we taught about the Book of Mormon and I remember leaving the lesson so happy and full of hope. Over the following months we extended a baptismal goal date for her which she agreed to and then cancelled, telling us she was not ready. She then experienced heavy pressure to not continue taking the lessons from her mother who is a devout catholic. The ups and downs continued as we tried to teach her and her seven sons about the Restored Gospel. I remember perfectly the day we sat on a small wooden bench and she explained to us that she knew this was the truth. Her sons were throwing rocks at a lizard in a tree. We were a sweaty in the summer heat and our hearts were full as this wonderful woman shared her testimony of the truth. Even though she would be the only one and her family didn’t support her; she knew it was right and she was ready.

Sister Loma and Her Boys

On Saturday after her baptism she went up to bare her testimony and was overcome with emotion. She could barely speak through her tears. After she asked what that was and we explained it was the spirit and that it was common for people to cry when they feel the spirit. She expressed thanks to the Sisters for being patient. She said she knew there would be more trials because she is the only one in her family but that she also knows she has now entered Gods kingdom and so she will continue on. I gave her my pink skirt so she would have something to wear for her confirmation. I was thinking about how there is a new journey for that pink skirt. I hope when she wears it she will think of a blonde missionary who loves her very much and can’t wait to see her again. I had a picture of our family in the front of my Tagalog scriptures and they loved to look at it so I gave it to them. I noticed last week that they had put it in the front of their Tagalog scriptures. I am so grateful for the path that has led me to work with people like Corazon Loma.

Since the 4th is one of my favorite holidays I insisted we have a party. We decided the easiest American food would be french toast. Our two filipinas loved it!!! We sang the national anthem and I felt such gratitude for the freedom of religion and for the 2 cultures that I now feel I belong to. I love being here and am so grateful for the wonderful experiences I am having.