This is where my journey began. This photo was taken in a small province in the Philippines Islands. I’m wearing my favorite dress. Actually, it was my only dress. That is until one fateful day, when a young Polynesian U.S. Marine serving in Manila, whom they called, “Sgt. Peppy” came into our lives and changed my destiny. It was no easy feat adopting two toddlers–myself and my older brother, Rey. But he said, “I will return for you.” And, return he did…two years later to be exact. It was this same young soldier who at first pretended to be a devout Catholic to pacify the concerns of my Lola and Lolo (grandma and grandpa in Tagalog) who would eventually announce his true religion–“I am a Mormon” and would transform the life of a barefoot, impoverished little Catholic girl into the incredibly blessed life I know today. I must note, my childhood memories of being Catholic in those days meant being taken to church on Easter, my birthday and Christmas, (it fell in that order) when the entire province would walk along the side of the dusty dirt road, attired in what they would consider their ‘Sunday best’ to the Cathedral in the village square. What a journey my life has taken. It is interesting how often my childhood memories come flooding back–perhaps it’s the scent of a particular Asian dish that triggers it, or during my travels to other developing nations upon seeing another barefoot, village toddler with big brown, longing eyes looking up at me as if to say, “You too, can change my destiny.”

This March it will be a decade since my father’s passing. He hated the term ‘stepfather’ and it was never brought up, or ever used in our family, which never really bothered me since he was the only Father I ever had. I never knew my real father–that is until I sought him out–let’s save that one for another blog chapter. But today, it is Sgt. Peppy I wish to thank for changing my destiny. And for reaffirming what I already knew, that there is a Heavenly Father that watches over all of us…that He cares and knows all of our challenges from the beginning…that ultimately we can all make a difference in the lives of one or even many…by extending God’s love to another…just as this young American Mormon soldier, whom I learned to call “Father.” By the way, in filling out my first U.S. passport application–he did not hesitate to include his entire Polynesian ancestry in my name–Imelda Aimeamata Reyes Peapealalo. Can you imagine my very first day in school in America and the teacher looks down at the enrollment sheet…panics, and then looks out across her eager pupils and immediately her blue eyes turn to me as if to say, “I’m sorry.”

Are you kidding me? She had no reason to feel sorry for me. I just got plucked from the throes of poverty, traveled across the globe and given a brand new start! Besides, with that name, I had to excel in school to prove there was more to me than just a 13-syllable name! Eventually, it was that name that helped me succeed academically which later resulted in a full college scholarship. So whenever someone ask, “What’s in a name?” Oh, don’t even get me started. 🙂

Fast forward today–I’m deep in the thick of my life’s ever-changing journey. I continue to have my share of challenges, but with them also come my greatest opportunities for joy. I am truly grateful to Sgt. Peppy for listening as he used to tell us, “to God’s still small voice whispering, In as much as you have done it unto one of the least of these, Ye have done it unto me.” May I strive always, to follow in his footsteps and continue his loving legacy of extending kindness to all.