Students reflect on the blessings that changed their perspectives and refined their lives
In the October 2010 General Conference, former prophet and president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Thomas S. Monson, said in his talk, “The Divine Gift of Gratitude,” “A grateful heart … comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings and to those around us for all that they bring into our lives.” For five BYU–Hawaii students, they said family, friends and their faith in Christ are some of the things they are most grateful for.
Joemie Malacaman, a junior from the Philippines majoring in social work, said being blessed with a baby is what she is most grateful for. She said, “Ever since I was young, I’ve always wanted to have a baby and build a family.” However, when she got pregnant the first time, she and her husband lost their baby. When she got pregnant the second time, she recalled she and her husband struggled anxiously, thinking about whether their baby would make it.
“After giving birth and finally holding her in my arms, whenever I do, I always say, ‘she’s the greatest gift and blessing I have received.’’’ The literal meaning of their baby’s name, “Keona,” means God’s greatest gift in the Hawaiian language, Malacaman shared.
Mahonri Malacaman, a senior from the Philippines majoring in accounting, said he is most grateful for his wife and daughter. He said he felt happy when his wife came into his life because someone accepted him for who he is. “Whenever Joemie and I are together, even back when we were still dating, I always feel motivated to become the best version of myself,” he said.
When their daughter came, Mahonri Malacaman said his perspective and goals in life broadened. “I now have bigger dreams because my family is growing,” he said. Because of this, he decided to apply for a master's degree, for which he was accepted into both universities he applied to. “Everything I do, I don’t do it for myself alone—but I do it for my family,” he said. Having his family, he said, motivates him to dream and chase success in life.
Loisi Nalesoni, a senior from Tonga majoring in biology, said she is grateful for his father. She said, “My father raised us because my mom passed away when I was very young.” She said the reason she is here at the university is because of his father’s support. She knows all the sacrifices his father made—standing as both the mother and father to them—are hard, but it’s something she is beyond grateful for, she continued.
“My father is now in his 60s. He’s a humble and hardworking man,” Nalesoni said. She said it is from his father that she learned how to be humble, no matter where she is in life. “Whether you’re right or wrong, you need to be humble … [and] God will bless you no matter what,” she said.
Nalesoni said she has not seen her father for eight years. “I went on a mission and got stuck for three years and seven months. Then I came [to BYUH] right after my mission,” she explained. For this Christmas, she said she will come home and surprise his father.
Kimo Petersen, a junior from Alabama majoring in finance, said he is grateful for those who reached out to him and helped him turn to Christ, which changed the direction of his life. “I was going down a different path, and looking back, it would have been a lot harder to come back had I continued making those choices,” he said. Now, being able to step away from that path and being able to follow the Lord, he said he feels happy and fulfilled.
Petersen said he is grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ, for the love and support he has received. He said without these, he wouldn’t be at BYUH with good influences around him to keep him on the straight and narrow path. “It made all the difference in my life, and I am going to be eternally grateful for that,” he continued.
Yesun-erdene Odgerel, a junior from Mongolia majoring in health and human science, said she is most grateful for the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ because it is infinite and it gives people hope. She said it also allows us to have the opportunity to experience change. For her, she said feeling the guilt and shame from making mistakes helps her recognize them, which motivates her willingness to repent.
Odgerel said there was a time when she was not eating well or sleeping right. But being reminded of the commandment to be healthy, she said she decided to make a change. “One time I decided to run after work. I was so tired, but I had so much passion and courage.”. Right after she started walking, she said, it started to rain. She said it felt like a test from God to see if she is committed to her efforts to be healthy.
“I kept running even if it was raining. I was that passionate to run in the rain which I have never done before,” Odgerel said. She said she usually stops once in a while to walk and rest, but at that time she ran nonstop. “The rain cooled me down, … and it was actually a blessing,” she said. Instead of the rain being a hindrance, she felt impressed that it was God’s way of supporting her with her goal.
Whenever we have a righteous desire and goal, God is always there to support us.