It Makes A Teacher's Heart Proud!

Teaching piano lessons to the members of the San Lorenzo Ward has been very fulfilling.  There have been a few dropouts but for the most part the group has been appreciative and dedicated.  I continue to forget to take their pictures since lesson days are very hectic with so many students to process.  However, Saturday was a special day for two reasons:

Special-Day Reason #1: Nicolle, one of my piano students was baptized!  He came in contact with the Church when meeting and talking with the elders on the streets in the San Lorenzo area a few months ago.  The elders then introduced him to me, since Nicolle wanted to take piano lessons after seminary class on Friday evenings.  It was a great experience getting acquainted with Nicolle.  He's a wonderful fifteen-year old. He goes to John Paul's home (another of my piano students) to practice his piano lessons on John Paul's keyboard. 


Gawapo group left to right: John Paul, Elder Lorenzo, Nicolle Buticas, Elder Robles, and Nicolle's seminary teacher Angelo Rafol (John-Travolta-Suave, according to Laurel)



Add another piano student, Jeffrey, to the group

So far Nicolle is the only one in his family who is a member of the Church.  The elders informed us at the baptism that Nicolle's father is now interested in taking the missionary discussions.  Exciting news!



 

Nicolle's younger brother and father

Some other baptismal attendees

Special-Day Reason #2: Noreen Agustin has made her piano debut...again, only better than ever! On several occasions Noreen has gotten teary eyed as she expressed her gratitude for being able to have piano lessons.  She told me how she had prayed that somehow she would be able to take lessons.  Before piano lessons with me, she attempted to play for sacrament meetings, only to have one of the members tell her to stop playing in Church.  Apparently her playing was pretty horrific!  She was hurt by the member's blunt disclosure, but complied.  By faithfully attending lessons and with a lot of dedicated practice, her playing is improved to the point that now she successfully plays in Church.  For the last two or three weeks she has played in sacrament meeting.  Recently she played for a funeral. Her new-found talent is greatly needed in the San Lorenzo Ward.  The ward members are so impressed and complimentary of her improved piano skills.  Her latest accomplishment was to play for Nicolle's baptism.  She received two thumbs up from me!

Noreen playing baptism prelude with her proud mother listening. Or is she texting? We'll go with listening!



Playing her on-loan keyboard, which hopefully will be Noreen's to keep!

Noreen was SO excited when I announced to her last week that she had officially completed the Keyboard Course and could apply to keep the borrowed keyboard she has been practicing on in her home.  Her mother loves hearing her practice and will often sing along while Noreen practices.  Noreen has expressed how having a keyboard in their home has brought her mother and her closer together. Noreen has a brother on a mission in the Ogden, Utah Mission.  He is currently serving in Kaysville.  All three joined the Church seven years ago.

 

When driving back to our apartment after the baptism, I commented to your dad what a very rewarding day it had been.  I very frequently steal the slogan from Save More, a grocery/variety store in Laoag Centro and am heard to say: "Happy to serve!"

 

Elder and Sister Eddington