I got a chance to visit the Blackman family for Christmas, which was a wonderful time and words cannot express how thankful I am for them. Cristina Paredes Blackman lived in Pittsburgh while I was in high school and was a part of Friendship Church. My family kind of adopted her and she was a big sister to me. Now, roles have switched. Her husband’s job moved them here and they (Cristina, Bryce and their daughter Eva Kay) have adopted me.
While there we went into town to meet another missionary couple who Bryce and Cristina had not met yet, so this was the first time all three of us would be introduced to the Clarks. On the way, Bryce mentioned, that they live in TayTay which makes them my next door neighbors. Long story short, the Clarks are good friends with my member care team Carl and Clair Miller, and know Carl's parents as well. I am not sure how Bryce connected with them but I am sure God's plans are perfect and He is the reason for this great new connection in my life here in Manila. They are wonderful folks and have invited me to come over anytime…as long as they are home of course. One of the reasons I felt called to the Philippines was because I knew that Bryce and Cristina were going to be there as well. It was crazy to know that someone from "the Burgh" ( and specifically Friendship Church) would be in Manila when I was. Now that connection has led me to the Clarks. It is a small world!