Ever wondered how life unfolds for a child leaving her birthplace and moving to a whole new world?
Join us as we explore the life journey of Magnolia Bickford, who moved from the Philippines to the United States at the tender age of nine. Magnolia paints a vivid picture of her family's struggles, her mother's tough decision to move to Saudi Arabia for a better life, and the love of her grandmother, who filled the maternal void.
A story unfolds of a young Magnolia navigating the unfamiliar terrain of the U.S., coping with cultural shock, and wrestling with challenges like adjusting to a new school and job scene. We delve into Magnolia's personal life, discussing the evolution of her relationship with her husband, and her mother's brave journey of starting her own business. Hear Magnolia's poignant reflections on these life-changing experiences, giving you a glimpse of the resilience and determination that lies at the core of the human spirit.
Our conversation takes a heartening turn as we explore Magnolia's inspiring work in giving back to her home country, the Philippines. Taking a leaf out of her mother's book, Magnolia carries forward the tradition of sending boxes back home and shares her recent trip's touching stories, where she provided food and supplies to local kids. From reminiscing about her childhood in the Philippines to her plans to return, this episode stands testimony to Magnolia's unwavering commitment to making a difference. So tune in, enrich your perspective, and get inspired by Magnolia's journey and her incredible impact on her community.
Ever wondered how life unfolds for a child leaving her birthplace and moving to a whole new world?
Join us as we explore the life journey of Magnolia Bickford, who moved from the Philippines to the United States at the tender age of nine. Magnolia paints a vivid picture of her family's struggles, her mother's tough decision to move to Saudi Arabia for a better life, and the love of her grandmother, who filled the maternal void.
A story unfolds of a young Magnolia navigating the unfamiliar terrain of the U.S., coping with cultural shock, and wrestling with challenges like adjusting to a new school and job scene. We delve into Magnolia's personal life, discussing the evolution of her relationship with her husband, and her mother's brave journey of starting her own business. Hear Magnolia's poignant reflections on these life-changing experiences, giving you a glimpse of the resilience and determination that lies at the core of the human spirit.
Our conversation takes a heartening turn as we explore Magnolia's inspiring work in giving back to her home country, the Philippines. Taking a leaf out of her mother's book, Magnolia carries forward the tradition of sending boxes back home and shares her recent trip's touching stories, where she provided food and supplies to local kids. From reminiscing about her childhood in the Philippines to her plans to return, this episode stands testimony to Magnolia's unwavering commitment to making a difference. So tune in, enrich your perspective, and get inspired by Magnolia's journey and her incredible impact on her community.
Welcome to the Mind Body Project Podcast. After over a decade in the health and wellness industry, Erin realized that our bodies change only short-term unless our mindset changes. For long-term success, Both our mind and body are forever linked. We are continually building up new ideas and tearing down old ones in our construction zone we call our mind. After this podcast is over, make sure you give it a like and a share and please subscribe and review this podcast. I would now like to introduce you to your host, the man connecting your mind and body to create a limitless life, Erin Zegler.
Speaker 2:Welcome back to the Mind Body Project. Thanks for taking a little time to join me today. Please welcome my guest today. She is the first guest on my series. I'm calling World Impactors. At the age of nine, her mother brought her and her four siblings to the United States from the Philippines for a better life. While waiting as a young child for her mother to bring the family to the United States, she learned a valuable lesson of sharing and giving, a lesson that has kept with her throughout her life and she is now passing on to her children by giving back to those in need in the Philippines. Please welcome my guest today, who is making an impact on the world one action at a time. Ms Magnolia Bickford, thank you so much for joining me.
Speaker 3:Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2:So your I'm going to take off the goofy glasses. So Magnolia is your full name in the Philippines. Magnolia Ann, right, right so, but we can call you Maggie.
Speaker 3:Maggie.
Speaker 2:Okay, so I was going to introduce you to Maggie and you said Magnolia. So an interesting fact about names, as you were sharing with me. In the Philippines, they go by your middle name.
Speaker 3:Yes, so my whole family it's. I don't know what it is, but for some reason in Philippines they go by the middle name, so you tend to have a lot of middle names, nicknames. I mean it's combined from the first two letters of your first name, then your middle name, so it's. Or if it's like John, it's John, john, so it's. It's really weird, but that's how it is.
Speaker 2:So then? So then, everybody in the Philippines calls you Ann.
Speaker 3:It's actually either Ann, that's how they say it or M-A-N. So it's, it's really weird, I don't know. They just have a different way of nicknames. I think they shorten it, but then they multiply it by two, so I don't know.
Speaker 2:So it's just a lot.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 2:So then, but all your family, not that way of talking on the phone, it's Ann, or they just use different ones.
Speaker 3:No, they just call Ann, call Ann, yeah.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so you lived in the Philippines until you were nine. You have, I said you have siblings.
Speaker 3:You have. Well, there was four of us in Philippines, but my mom ended up having another one in United States, but so there's a total of six of us, but just going up, I was the youngest for nine years, so, yeah, five.
Speaker 2:So you're the youngest for nine years. So then, when your mom had, the younger was in the United States, so and so how is that being the youngest?
Speaker 3:for the nine years. Yeah, I mean I got pretty much everything I wanted.
Speaker 2:So were you upset when mom had so when you were no longer the youngest.
Speaker 3:No, you would think I would, but no, I wasn't. She was like my, she was so cute it was hard to not like her. I mean, of course I love my sister, but yeah, no, I had no jealousy or anything at all. I mean, my mom still treats me like I'm the baby, so I'm okay with that, that's okay.
Speaker 2:So, as I mentioned in the intro, your, your mom, moved, left the Philippines working on trying to get a better life for for you and your siblings. So why your? Why mom? Your mom was gone. You stayed with your grandma.
Speaker 3:Yes, my grandma, or, and my grandpa at the time raised us. So my mom had moved to Saudi Arabia Anything in in Philippines it's always nursing or somewhere in the medical field and that was the only way for you to even if you wanted to get out, to get a better life. That was like your one way ticket, and so that's what she did. She left when I was young, younger than nine, I mean, I don't remember how long, but I know she was. She was gone. So I did grow up with my grandma and she was pretty much the only one I remember growing up. But I do remember my mom coming visiting as often as she could from Saudi Arabia, just you know, and she would just send money to my grandma. So my grandma would buy us whatever we needed, or at least what she thought we needed. So if I wanted a dress, it wouldn't be the dress I wanted, it would be some fabric and she will just sew and we would all have matching clothes just to save some money.
Speaker 2:So so to kind of give perspective, how far is the Philippines from Saudi Arabia? Like if we're talking a flight, is it?
Speaker 3:You know what? I don't think I've ever figured that out. I have no idea. Actually, I know it's a, it's a flight, it's a few hours. I mean it's north, I'm guess. I'm going to go ahead and guess it's probably like within maybe 10 or under, but definitely maybe that range.
Speaker 2:So it'll. So. I mean, it's quite a trip for her to come back and forth.
Speaker 3:Right, and I know it wasn't often, it's probably. I mean, if anything, if I had a guess, it would be like maybe twice a year but, that would be the only time I would see her.
Speaker 2:And so and then did. Did you talk to her on the phone or was yeah?
Speaker 3:Um, she would call. So with a time difference we would have to time it right. And I do remember going to my aunt's work Um, I don't remember what time of day it would be, but I do remember going to her work and then it would be set up. My mom would call. We would be able to talk to her for a certain amount of time. Of course, it was cut because there's five of us. So, um, that's all I remember from when I was growing up.
Speaker 3:I just remember, like, having it set up that time and then go back to your normal life, you know so at that age, what is life like?
Speaker 2:living in the Philippines with your grandmother and grandfather in with siblings? What's? What's a what's life kind of look like. Because I think it's probably you know I grew up in pretty much Bowie Texas, so it's hard for me to Right, it's definitely a third world country.
Speaker 3:Um, all, okay. So my grandma's house was like the center, so we had my aunts, my uncles, their families and their families in the same neighborhood, so we were all with our cousins. So it was, it was hard to not have fun because we had our cousins and we were hanging out all the time, going to school together and getting whatever it was that we wanted at that time and when I say wanted, it's really just, you know, hanging out. Not things.
Speaker 3:Um, but it was, there was probably maybe like seven or eight in a small house and when I say small it's probably I mean tiny, like three in one room and three in another and you know, two in one and it was like sardines basically. Um, I remember it, in the beginning we didn't have a bed, so we would, my mom would send the money and then eventually we did have a bed. So it was like one of those things where I'm like it's kind of vague for me, but I would see pictures. So it was like, oh yeah, but it was never like a sad memory, it was just. It was almost like we were always thankful for some reason. I thank you, grandma.
Speaker 2:So what's the age difference between your siblings? So how's, how much age difference is between you and the oldest?
Speaker 3:Um, I think we are nine, nine years, and then they're two years apart. And then my middle brother. He is three years older than me, and then my sister is two years older than me. So it was kind of all over the place, but we all hung out.
Speaker 2:And I'm sure they would have a different perspective. Yeah On on letting them there, I'm sure.
Speaker 3:I'm sure my memories are different from what they remember, and mine is just all fun, I think sometimes, when we are younger, did you ever have that feeling of I miss mom, or was she?
Speaker 2:she was pretty much had gone to Saudi Arabia to um because, she worked as a nurse.
Speaker 3:Yes, yes, she was, um, I did, I would remember missing her, and then it we would almost forget, sometimes because you're you're more used to not having her around than you are with her, so it was weird when she would come and you're like okay, how do I act? Like I know it's my mom, but do I? You know it's? It's weird, I don't know, how to explain it. It's just you know, almost like you're dating or something maybe.
Speaker 3:And like you, have that feeling of like, how do I, you know, present myself in a way, no, no, no, no Again. Yeah, she would, but I do remember her being around, like sometimes at Christmas and birthdays. I do remember getting, like you know, the fancy cakes because normally we don't, and so it was, it was nice. So those are my, my good memories.
Speaker 2:So when? So when she Decided in Saudi Arabia she's working, saving money, I'm assuming trying to move her, was her goal to move to the United States to bring? All of you, yeah.
Speaker 3:I think that was the stepping stone, just to get out. Of course it wasn't easy for her and you know I have like some resentments, I would say not having her around in a way. But knowing how it is there and being a mom myself, I could see why she did it.
Speaker 2:I mean, I probably would do the same and it would be just as hard to leave the kids, let alone five kids, you know, and so so you sometimes put yourself in that situation with your kiddos and think if they were just born, could I leave knowing that it was gonna be a better life.
Speaker 3:Right, that's a hard decision right, it is so Anytime, I would have a little bit of resentment. I would just automatically like think about that moment where I'm like, hey, she sacrificed more than what I could even imagine and so to To be able to do that and just to provide for your family. It's a lot, a lot to take in, I think so it's a good value to have and so she, she's ready for you to move.
Speaker 2:Where was it? Something your family was excited about, you and your siblings were excited about some, sure that's? I mean Especially when you're around all of your cousins, everybody, all your family in your neighborhood and you're gonna come to the United States and they're Not coming, right, right, right.
Speaker 3:It was from, at least for me, it was Quick. I felt like it was like happening so quick and I was like what, what's? I remember having to get a visa and we did all the questions like hey, make sure you do this, you do that. And I'm like why? And I had no idea. I mean, I kind of remember Going through the whole process and having it be important, but at the same time it just it just happened so quick, like it. We did the interviews and then out of nowhere, it's like okay, you're leaving. Then and I'm like what are you talking about? We're leaving.
Speaker 3:Then like okay, so we're leaving and it's like, okay, it's for good, okay, so you know. And then some random like I would go out with my grandma and we would go to store and for some reason they all knew, and they're like, oh, are you excited to go see your mom? And I'm thinking I was like I'm gonna leave my grandma because I was really close with her, I mean like very, very close, and so you know, to Be able to just leave what you know.
Speaker 3:Mm-hmm at that young age and going to like a whole, completely different country. It was overwhelming and but it was. It was hard for us to talk about our feelings like we weren't. It was almost like kind of Not allowed in a way.
Speaker 2:So is that just the, the culture Not?
Speaker 3:necessarily. I think it was more our family, if anything. Now we're completely different where we talk about anything, but then it was almost hard to discuss anything and so I kept a lot of stuff in and being nine-year-old but yeah, at that time I was I could remember I'm like I don't want to leave, I'm like my grandma's here, I'm like, you know, I'm like I Feel bad thinking it, but I was like I'm like I don't know my mom.
Speaker 3:But, you know. Now, I'm glad it happened, you know, but of course you're young, you don't know what you're talking about.
Speaker 2:So yeah, and so did your mom come back over to go with you, to you and your siblings, to come to the United States, or no, so we in Philippines.
Speaker 3:There's three islands main main islands so we were in Not one of the main. We had to take a boat. I don't remember how long the boat ride was, but I do remember there was bunk beds everywhere in the boat. Yes, so I don't remember if we slept, I just remember being there and having a fun getting there.
Speaker 3:And we went. And then we got to the main island, manila, and we were there with my uncle, my aunt, I don't remember. Well, family we're there. And then I don't remember the plane ride. It was just us five and we were like, what do we do, like, and I was like you know what? I'm glad I'm the baby because I'll just follow you. I didn't know where to go. So I mean, I don't remember if my sister or my brother you know the eldest if they knew what we were doing, but somehow we got there safely and and where did?
Speaker 2:where was it? Where'd you go?
Speaker 3:So this was in LAX I I remember walking and it's you know, obviously it's it's big crowd, tons of people. And I just remember my mom, like I guess she was like by the gate and she just called my name and I was like what? And I look over and I didn't know. I was like how does she even see us, you know? But she just yelled it out and all of us just hugged her and I just remember the smell was different, just everything was different. Of course, it was cold. Yeah, so we, it was cold. I think it was like in April is when we came, it was freezing, but yeah, I mean we drove and Anytime. So from there we went to an aunt's house. We went straight to an aunt's house and she was living in California.
Speaker 3:Yes, my mom was living in California at the time with her husband and my little sister Um so we'll back up a bit.
Speaker 2:Yes, so your mom had she had been in. How long has she been in the United States?
Speaker 3:At that time uh-huh that I don't know. I want to say maybe like Two years. So had you met maybe no, we've never met.
Speaker 2:So you'd never met her husband and your new little sister?
Speaker 3:No, it was just pictures, it was actually out of nowhere and she was male as pictures and stuff. And she sent a picture of a baby and that's when we were like, wait, what? Like we have a sister. Yeah, it was like automatically accepted and so, but yeah, that's what happened. It's how.
Speaker 2:That's how it started at least for us getting here. So. So then you're in the ants, you go to the ants and do you stay there very long, or did your mom and no, it would.
Speaker 3:We just kind of stopped by where they were on the way and our aunt Um, of course we're like so timid, so shy Didn't say anything. You know, of course we did our, our respectful hello, and the Philippines you have to bless. So it's this way. You have to take their hand and do that.
Speaker 2:You take the person's hand.
Speaker 3:Yes, so it's like you get to do this. So that's how you greet somebody, especially if they're older. Um no, but they gave us some grapes, a bowl of grapes, and we were like sitting just looking at it because we never I don't remember ever having grapes before. And we just looked at it and then they went to go talk. But you know, just in the corner and we just stormed that I mean, it cleared out in less than five minutes. She came back and she's like, okay, I'll get go get more. And we just remember we're like, oh my gosh, how embarrassing was that. Like it's like, but at the same time I'm like we weren't. We're, it's embarrassing to think about it, but we were also like excited.
Speaker 2:Like this is the best, yeah, yeah. So when you went to her house and that was like so much different than where you came from in the Philippines, yeah, so from there we went, and then from there we went to our house, which was in Fountain Valley, California.
Speaker 3:We walked in and we were like they had food on the table and I remember I think there was ham and we were like what? Like this is the most food we have ever seen, and just smell like everything. It was like so nice and clean and so I think we all raced looking for this by our sister, the baby, and we're like where is she? So we're running around the house looking for her and well, I guess she was sleeping between like pillows, so we all missed her and eventually she woke up and yeah, she was tiny, so that's gonna have to be a huge adjustment.
Speaker 2:So for your mom and for stepdad, I mean, you come and you haven't seen your mom, and very often in all those years. And then now they both they're just married, within a couple of years have a new baby. Now they have a whole bunch of kids. So I mean, were there? Were there struggles, were there kind of adjustments that you had to make and that your mom and stepdad had to make them? That's huge.
Speaker 3:Yes, but at the same time, a Filipino, like Filipino culture, it's embracing someone, always for some reason, like if someone is in need, you tend to help. Like it's just automatically, like okay, I'm here. Like if you are struggling, it's like okay, we got room in the house. Even though you don't have room, for some reason we make room. And it's always been like that. So anytime you know that happens, it's so with us going to with, with my mom, with my stepdad, like it was almost steady in a way.
Speaker 2:I mean, was he from the Philippines or he?
Speaker 3:Yes, he was too, but he's been out in America for a while now, and so he'd already.
Speaker 2:He was accustomed to the culture, and so that was just part of it.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so it wasn't it wasn't too much of a difference, Like it was almost fun to have people around if anything, like it's good company, so good to know.
Speaker 2:And so then you go to school. I'm sure school is, so did you speak English when you came?
Speaker 3:So in Philippines you are taught English. It is part of school. Really. Like yes, and I mean, I remember growing up and in class we had that we had an English subject and it was to speak English, to read, to write. So it wasn't, it wasn't anything, but it was. We were just shy. So it was having to speak to somebody who wasn't Filipino and I'm like, oh my gosh.
Speaker 2:And that's I mean it was terrifying.
Speaker 3:Terrifying, like I was by myself. We I had to take the bus and my siblings were together because they were closer in age, and but I was in a whole different school and it was terrifying. And I'm like I always sat in the back. I never really paid attention. I guess I would say I would just kind of look around and see what they're doing, and I would do it too, but eventually I, you know, I got accustomed to it. So yeah, it wasn't too bad.
Speaker 2:Because this was in the 90s 94. Yeah, so that's a big change. I mean you're around your siblings all the time, your family and then you go to school and you're not. They're not around.
Speaker 3:Yeah.
Speaker 2:And, and so you used to go to the same high school the whole time and stay in California all through high school.
Speaker 3:Through high school. But we did move around. From the area we were in we moved to a different place and then that was like another change, and so it was always like something. Until this we finally stayed at one area, because the second house that we stayed in it was kind of just the neighborhood. It was getting a little too too much at least for what my mom was telling us.
Speaker 3:So we ended up moving to Annem Hills in California, and that's where I went to high school and, even after so, my siblings- so we're currently a long way from California.
Speaker 2:So how do you so? Do you go after high school? Do you go to college?
Speaker 3:Yeah, so I did I do here. That's what I went to school for and I did work in like Beverly Hills area and during that time that's when I met my husband, thomas. So eventually we had our baby and so we're like All right. So what do we do? Like do we put him in daycare and all that stuff, and so just the cost of living alone and having to pay for a daycare, it was not like here.
Speaker 2:And even now, and how long have you and Thomas been married? Oh gosh he normally answers this.
Speaker 3:Okay, I think yeah together for 13 or 14 maybe Somewhere around there.
Speaker 2:Yes, he would be the one to ask to get the exact thing.
Speaker 3:I think so. He does the math better, but yeah, somewhere around there.
Speaker 2:So then having baby cost of living gets kind of expensive.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so since my mom's been in nursing, she did open her own business family business, hospice and home health so she wanted to make sure that we were also taken care of, our kids were also taken care of. So she's working, working, working, working just to provide and it ended up being like a family business. So even now it's still going and I do occasionally help here and there remote.
Speaker 2:So and do all your siblings still.
Speaker 3:Yes, some of them they work there, some don't, but majority are in the medical field. But no, that kind of answers my your question to take care and all that. So I did eventually stop doing here for a while, just because I'm, like you know, just cost of living. So I would work for my mom, be able to bring my son Jeremy now to just go in there and work with me, and then had my daughter Rose. So it was almost like I had to stop doing what I was I went to college for and then do that. And so it was always, always interrupted. I would say I'm like am I not meant to be doing this?
Speaker 3:Like because really it was just, it was cheaper to be able to take them with you and not make a daycare Right and you know to be able to be there for your kids and growing up, and you know so it's. It's a win-win.
Speaker 2:I would say so and so then Thomas is working too while you're in California and you're working for your mom, and so how were the kiddos when you moved to Texas?
Speaker 3:Thank goodness they were young. I believe Rose was four and Jeremy was six.
Speaker 2:Six seven. So is that a challenge to move from your family yet again?
Speaker 3:Away from them.
Speaker 2:Yes.
Speaker 3:So I've always been really social. I'm always out. My brother would call me a fly, because I would just land somewhere, stick there and then take off again. So no, it wasn't too bad, I was acclimated. You know, if anything, it was more just having to have a babysitter, if anything. I mean, even now we still struggle. Thank goodness they're getting a little bit older, but you know it wasn't, it wasn't too bad. We still visit as often as we can, like you know, for holidays, summer, you're there.
Speaker 2:So what made you decide to come to Texas?
Speaker 3:Well, my husband's from Iowa, so he's always been into like just being out in the country if anything, he just loves it. I did fight it for a while and we were trying to figure out where we were trying to move, but eventually work led us here and we actually moved to Alito first.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and so for like him to work or work remote, work remote and then he ended up opening a business and office out here with the same company so so that brought you and then, well, he wasn't happy with the land that we had.
Speaker 3:It was just, you know, it was still in the city. But I was like, oh my gosh, this is so country. Until we moved out here and I was like, oh, where is everything this?
Speaker 2:is real country.
Speaker 3:But now I'm like oh okay, I'm like I got used to it, you know it just it just took time, yeah, and and and.
Speaker 2:so then you get to still see your family. Some Did your family come out to visit here.
Speaker 3:They came out once and they drove and they actually had a really good time Like we came. They came out here and we were just shooting, just fishing, and I mean like they were just like, oh my gosh, like this is crazy, and so, yeah, they had a good time.
Speaker 2:And so, as you know, we talked last week. Basically, you come to the gym. I hadn't seen you for a while It'd been a couple of weeks and I never got a chance to ask. Thomas, you know where you were. So I saw on Facebook that you had gone to the Philippines and I thought, well, maybe with the church mission. So I reached out to you to see you know why. You know, was that the case to go by yourself? And so what was? How did that come about? Because that was just a few weeks ago that you went back to the Philippines, right, how did that? How did that come about? Well and what was?
Speaker 2:what would you do when you went?
Speaker 3:Well, it's always something my, my mom would always do, even when we were young and when we were in Philippines. She would always send us like boxes, and it would be like, you know, it's almost like Christmas every single time she sent something, because you open it and you're like it's from America, oh, my gosh, you know, and so. And then there would be extras for somebody who is in a lot more need than we did. So, just growing up and seeing that, hearing from my grandma, she would constantly say the same thing, like, hey, you know, be happy with what you have. So we were always having to be reminded of that.
Speaker 3:So we did grow up giving or having to, and it just grew with us ever since we moved. And even when I was young I wasn't really I wouldn't say I was totally part of it, because I'd be lying if I was but I would see my mom boxing something and to send to Philippines and I'm like, oh, but we're not there. And she would explain to me well, just because you're not there, other people are. I was like, okay, so I would just pay attention and I would just look and so she's still be doing this once all of you are in the United States and she's sending back to the Philippines.
Speaker 3:Right, it would be. You know some for my family who?
Speaker 3:are still there, my cousins and stuff, and and then some I don't know where else it would go. So, but I know, I'm like, I know it's going to go somewhere else. So so now, fast forward, years later, my, you know, just having to go through a lot of things out here, not just now, but like just in general, like having to go through like the tough times, and it makes you kind of be in the, you know, you're down and you start thinking about like, oh, what about me, you know? And so eventually, even Thomas, we would sometimes have those moments when we're just like, oh, you know, we're struggling with this for that, and it's like wait a minute. You know, we kind of snap out of it and be like, you know, there's so many more people who are going through so much worse.
Speaker 3:And you know, my mom, I remember she had gone out on her own. We were actually supposed to go with her. This was in 2019. We were supposed to go for Christmas and New Year's, yes, and my mom was going to go with us and so, but Thomas gets sick and I had to, you know, just be there for him, and so we're like we can't go, you know, but we gave her some money to just, you know, maybe just go for us. So she did and she for that time she went with with my cousins. She works with daycares and she's part of, like the, the council in that area.
Speaker 2:So it's almost like a movie.
Speaker 3:Yes. But, kind of like a buoy area, and so what they did was it was during school, so they had all this. The kids out there and she just bought like food, and many of those kids apparently have never had that type of food. It was just chicken and spaghetti.
Speaker 3:I mean, but they've never had it. And so to hear a lot of stories about the kids that didn't have it, or the ones that saved half of their food for a sibling who was at home, or hearing the teachers had to share their lunch because some kid didn't have any lunch, so it was. It was hard to hear all that and so we would see all the videos. There was at least, I want to say, maybe like 70 kids or so, maybe I don't know. It's hard to count, but yeah, there were that many kids just saying thank you and, you know, just having a good time.
Speaker 3:And so that was the first time we really were like, oh my God, like what a feeling you know. So Two years later, last month, we went again, or I went again, he couldn't go. It was supposed to be a family event.
Speaker 2:So Thomas and the kids were supposed to go.
Speaker 3:Yes, he couldn't go. And then last minute I could not get the kids' passport. I was like okay, it's not happening, but I might have to go because we are so backtrack. So October of last year was when we started going through our closet. We're just kind of clearing things out, and it was a lot more than we thought. We're like whoa. We're like okay, so what do we do? And Thomas, he was actually like hey, what about sending it to Philippines? I'm like okay, because I've already donated so many out here.
Speaker 3:So, I'm like, okay, so first there was one box and then we went through the kids' stuff and it was just like one after another and it was like boxes. After we ended up sending like six boxes total.
Speaker 2:That stuff that you just cleaned out?
Speaker 3:Yes, Well yes and no, but we ended up going to Dollar Tree. I mean, we just ended up buying a lot of stuff too, and that's what we did for Thanksgiving, for Christmas, I mean, we were just boxing things up. And so, which actually took a lot of time and effort.
Speaker 2:Yeah, because you went there. So then how do you know how much to buy, like, if you're going to the Dollar Tree in different places?
Speaker 3:We didn't, since it was like our official first time, as in like getting things and boxing it ourselves.
Speaker 3:Because, normally it's my mom and so I'm like I don't know how to box this. I'm like, is there a certain way? So I was like I'm just going to box, I'm just going to put it together, and it was mostly like school supplies, clothes, shoes. I knew shoes were like a big deal because it's always like sandals, even if you're in the middle of the country and you got to walk miles and miles and it was like sandals. So you know, to have shoes here and there. It was helpful, yeah, and I reached out to my cousins and they had just arranged a lot of things for, you know, for everyone, to kind of help out.
Speaker 2:That you could send it to them and then they would disperse it and where it needed to go.
Speaker 3:Well, to be ready in a way, because I was just like I want to be there, I want to see the kids I want to see. I just want to be there.
Speaker 2:When you went out there. When I went out there.
Speaker 3:So we almost timed it perfectly where the boxes came, just in time, thank goodness, because they were like. It was like a few days before I got there and I was getting really worried. I was like I don't think the boxes are there, I don't think they're going to make it yes. And I was like this is going to be just a trip. So thank goodness it got there on time.
Speaker 2:So how many boxes did you send?
Speaker 3:It was six total and of course I told my cousins I'm like, hey, if you see anything you like, you know, just go ahead and get it. But majority of them are, you know, for the schools, the kids, that once that don't have anything. And so that's what we did.
Speaker 2:And your mom went out with you.
Speaker 3:My mom, yes, so it was me and my mom that went and then my cousins some of my cousins came out too, but as far as like having to do all this, it was, yeah, it was.
Speaker 2:So how you know when your mom went and gave boxes all videos. How is it, how is that feeling different when you're actually there? And to see them get those things.
Speaker 3:It was definitely different. I think I've only gone back three times, this being my third time. The two times I wasn't really paying attention. First time, you know, I was having fun and miss my cousins and it was like back to normal. The second time it was like, oh, nice island, still again didn't pay attention as much. This time I think I did. I focused more, I guess, on just the smiles, you see, and it was just a relief, you know, like a good, good feeling to have, not just with my cousins but to any anybody who got something like kids jumping up and down getting a blanket.
Speaker 3:And I'm thinking I was like, oh my gosh, this kid just jumped up and down for a blanket. And so you know, and that was just one of those moments where we had extra stuff in the van which we rented and I saw some kids walking out or just walking and I'm like, pull over, pulled over and I jumped out, I swung the door wide open and the kid was like, I mean, he was really scared of me.
Speaker 3:I mean he really thought I was going to get him or something. Yeah, so the dad was there and he like got in front of the kid and I was like no, no, no, I'm like, I'm like here, I'm like here, and they didn't I mean they didn't want to take it. I'm like, no, seriously here. So I had to give it to them and then finally they kind of understood, and so I mean I just got swarmed with maybe like 20 kids when you did that.
Speaker 3:Yes, maybe maybe 10, I'd say, yeah, I mean they came and I'm just like here you go here, I'm like that's all I have, I'm sorry. So yeah, but it was just nice, you know, like just to have that feeling at that moment. But the time that we or at least from when we did it we had set out a certain days to do it, Unfortunately at that time there was a typhoon going on, so it was kind of we had to time it right as far as, like the rain, and we had to rent with six boxes, we had to rent a ride, and in Philippines you don't really have that.
Speaker 3:So like to rent a ride, to rent a ride, Like normally everyone walks, or they have like a motorcycle that they call for and it's you know they can only take you so many places. And on the back of motorcycle.
Speaker 3:And you couldn't fit all the boxes on the right, so we had to get a van and this like a transportation one, it's called Jeepney, so it fit like maybe a few boxes there, a few boxes here, and so that was like it was actually like. I think it's like it costs $55 to rent one for a few hours, so it wasn't.
Speaker 3:It was good, yeah, and then we went to. We had to drive like an hour south, which is kind of further out. We had two stops there. So the first stop. We did work with a councilman that was there, so he helped us. My cousin helped us and she knew a lot of people there cause she lives there currently helping some kids as much as she can.
Speaker 3:She knew some schools too, so there was probably I don't know how many kids, but there was a good. I mean, even parents were there, babies, you know so Cause I knew you were coming and yes, so they were prepared. They were told like hey, you know, like we got some stuff. So these were all like younger kids, I mean from a baby to maybe in their 20s, as far as like younger kids to grandmas.
Speaker 2:So what happens when you're giving out stuff and that's gone?
Speaker 3:It's, it's. It is really sad. Yeah.
Speaker 3:It's actually really sad, cause there would be running late and they heard about it and they're running and they're like there's nothing. I'm like, I'm like and I feel so bad. I'm like what do I give you? I've changed, you know. But yeah, I mean, if anything, um, on the way there we did stop by at a store and it's one of those like outdoor store and you can just buy this and that. Um, we bought like bags of rice and we just kind of like scooped, put it in a bag so every you know we could share and if anything, I would say the moms were really happy with the rice because, you know, they don't have a lot and some kids would have to work, help make money just to have food on the table.
Speaker 2:So, it's definitely a lot different than what we experience the United States. So over that whole time did you uh, was it just a couple of days that you gave out and then visited family and friends? The rest, the rest of the time, and does it does it just help you when you come back to be a little more grateful. It does actually for, for just, I mean just a simple thing, because we have, I mean we probably wouldn't get excited over a blanket, but Right.
Speaker 3:Well, I will say I was really excited about a shower. It was to take a shower there. Um well, unless you have a water heater and it's plugged in and you have to turn it on, and sometimes it might not work, so it's cold water. And if there's no electricity, you have and this is in almost every places you have a big bucket of water and a pail and you have to do this cold water you know, so you just dip it in the the bucket over your head.
Speaker 3:Yes, and if there's a lot of you in that one room or you know you have to share the bucket so you get one or two, maybe just to shower off, and I did have to experience that one a few times.
Speaker 2:So that's just one or two ladles full of water to build, for that's your shower, your bath, whatever.
Speaker 3:So you have to do everything once with just a little trickle, and then after that it's like okay, you got one big one to rinse everything off. If not, it was, you know, growing up it was like go to the beach, take a shower there, the shower you know, and so so that's how, growing up, you would typically, and when it rains. It's like use the. What is that thing called?
Speaker 2:Like where the water is found.
Speaker 3:Yeah, so it's like all right, everybody go get your shampoo, go get in line, and we will get in line. And that's how we showered when I was growing up, but it was fun, it was fun.
Speaker 2:And so have your kids been back. They've never been back. They've never been in Philippines.
Speaker 3:Oh, or Thomas, he's never been so our plan is to go Hopefully next year, if not, you know, in two years, and just plan it out right. And this time I want to. I at least I know what to do. As far as, like, what was needed most Sending boxes was, it is fun, but it's also Money-consuming just to send the box. I think we paid like $80 a box.
Speaker 2:Yes, just send the box not what's inside, you know.
Speaker 3:And so Even my mom, she was like I think it might be best if we just get a few things here and then the rest may be buy it there because it is cheaper. So maybe do it that way and then, if anything, it's like maybe get more rice for them something to eat With.
Speaker 2:So I think that's our plan so then when you get there, there are places you can buy all those things. Right, you can go to.
Speaker 3:you know, like a supermarket it's almost like a, like a food trade days time, but more confined if anything, and yeah, it's a lot cheaper.
Speaker 2:So what was it? Pretty disappointing For the family not be able to go with you.
Speaker 3:For the kids and Thomas and oh yeah, um, you know, I had to make sure I'm like, okay, we get this camera, that's. You know, I don't have an iPhone. I have an iPhone, so it was like our the pictures are. It's not as clear, so I had to bring a real camera. So I would have to tell my cousins I'm like, can you make sure you take pictures and videos?
Speaker 3:And so I have all that on my phone and on his on the camera and so they were like I'm like so do you want me to have somebody follow me around? And he's like like a celebrity.
Speaker 2:I'm like no.
Speaker 3:So, but it was funny because it felt like I was treated that way because one time it was like raining and One of the guys he was the councilman. He was actually like holding an umbrella over me and I'm like, I'm like, are you doing that? I'm like, don't do that. I'm like I'm not here to you know, be praised. I'm like no, we're just giving out or in it together, so but I thought it was funny. I'm like I'm fine, it's just rain, it's okay.
Speaker 2:And what would the feeling be like? You gave, you went to your neighborhood.
Speaker 3:Yes, so we did two stops, or I'm sorry, that first day we did two stops and then the third day, or, I'm sorry, the second day was where I grew up.
Speaker 2:Mm-hmm. So what would that feeling be like for you, as a eight, seven, eight year old, nine year old, to have somebody come and Get some of those things?
Speaker 3:I mean, it literally brought me back to being young and to be able to see all that. Like though the kids faces were.
Speaker 3:That was my face when, I was getting stuff from my mom and it was just, it's just. It just kind of brought me back to just being that kid again. You know, especially having to do it where I grew up, and every single time I go in I go back there. It changes so much to where it's like it just gets worse and worse. I would say and I'm like okay, was it this bad or was? Is it getting worse? So it just kind of makes you question. You know the living Environment that you were in, but for some reason we were happy.
Speaker 2:So so you think, is it, is it the place is changing, or is it me that's changing? Yeah, and the place looks different, right? Because I think that's true. I think I agree. I think as kids we go back as adults and we think I had so much fun here. But then you go back to it and you know, you know if you stayed somewhere like oh, that was so big, and you go back to it, don't go.
Speaker 2:That's a little house, or that's you know that doesn't look as much fun as when I was a kid, yeah, but I think too that helps us, you know, appreciate and get through the things as a kid. Sometimes it as an adult, we go back and go wow, that's, that's a. That's a lot different, yeah, and is that a is? That something you share? With your kids when you came back about Some lessons you learned there and you know well.
Speaker 3:So we've tried, we've always tried raising them to be grateful for you know what we get and what we have. Thomas grew up in the country, in Iowa, in a small town, so he kind of knows that type of living in a way. But I would always say I'm like it's not a third world country, I'm like you don't know. So eventually I showed him because I did like a full on like 360 Of where I grew up. I'm like what do you?
Speaker 3:think he's, I'm like it's not Iowa, right. And so of course he's like, yeah, I know, but I'm like you know what, I'm like it's gonna be good for the kids to go, even for you to, but it's Gonna be, I mean, dave, I think, if anything, they've accepted the kids, you know giving. They understand that part. So I'm really glad we raised them that way, because they are thankful and when they do have their moments, when they're like I want this, I want that, and I'm like, hey, remember what happened, and then they kind of stop I'm like, okay, I'm like thank goodness we raised them that way. So yeah, and you know we are fortunate in the United States that.
Speaker 2:Things. As much as we complain about things, they do get better. I mean we get, you know, iphones that just in the last 12 or 13 years came out. I mean the the amount of computers and AI. It's just our. Our world in the United States is generally growing, but, as you mentioned, in a third world country maybe it's continually getting worse. I would say certain areas are, but some are growing. I recently found out that.
Speaker 3:I think that's a good thing. I think that's a good thing. I think that's a good thing. I found out that Philippines is trying to be more open to tourists, so it can get better, because what they notice, that the more people come, the more money they make. And and it's not just you know, it's mostly in the bigger cities, I would say so, like anytime you land, there would be somebody a Husband or dad, you know ready to help you with your boxes to push it for you, so you don't need to pick it up for you, and you just tip them and that's how they make their living.
Speaker 3:And so there would be a lot of times when you know my mom would say, cause I would rather lift it myself. And my mom would be like no, no, just just let them.
Speaker 3:And so I'm like okay, I'm like let them. I'm like that's how they make their living, so I had to learn that and just let them do it. So, but little things like that is what's making it better. But of course, in the smaller towns, here and there you know the secluded areas, it's not as much, but I think you know with I guess it just depends you know location, the people who's around and who's willing to help.
Speaker 2:And I think that's an important point. You know, oftentimes, even on our day to day, when people want to help, we don't allow them to help. Right.
Speaker 2:And when we don't, we steal their joy. And because that gives them joy, they're trying to make a living, they want to help and so by you allowing them to help in the Philippines, they make money. The same thing is true, I think, with us. When others want to help us and sometimes we're not so willing to take help, it's really a good, it's when we say yes. It makes them smile, but sometimes it's hard for us. A lot of times, you know, people probably listening say well, I can't afford to. You know, I can't go to the Philippines for time or money, whatever it is. You know, I can't necessarily afford to fill up a box and spend $80 to mail it to the Philippines. What would you say to somebody that would say that? But they want to be, they want to impact, they want to make an impact. What could they? What would you say to somebody that says I can't do all that, but I mean if you'd say if it's money, I mean if you want to.
Speaker 3:Just I mean it's kind of hard because it's like how do you get something there without spending money? You know, If it's, if you're limited to maybe $100, that is beyond, more than what I mean. That's over. I mean I don't even know my math, but it's $55 or 55 pesos for a dollar, so that can buy so much. Yes, the rice alone is like 2000. So it's under a hundred. It's. I think it was like 50 or $38 for 110 pounds of rice. So imagine how many families you can feed just doing it that way.
Speaker 3:So that is my plan for next year, or hopefully soon, to get more rice, if anything, and maybe just have a little bit more bigger bags you know and to know how many helped with just the two bags that I got, and do it that way. Or if you feel like you know if there's somebody that you can trust to go, and if they're going, then send it that way. I mean, like that was. I mean, that's probably what I would say, if anything, if it's food is probably one of the most and shoes.
Speaker 2:How do you think people can change their world that's around them? Maybe it's not the Philippines, maybe it's in your house, maybe it's in your neighborhood, maybe it's in your community. Attitudes attitudes, attitudes, right. Well, I mean, how explain attitudes?
Speaker 3:I mean you could look at something bad and think, oh man, that's really bad. Or you could say, okay, what is not bad? So there's that gray area of how you like, how you see something, you know. So you could be negative about something that is, could be and should be something negative. But it's how you just see it. You know it's like If I was like so I got a car accident a year ago, my back has been really, really bad, it's bothering me, so I could complain and just, oh, they down all the time, eat whatever I want, or I could improvise my workouts and work around my pain. So there's those two. So it's the attitudes that you you give. So same thing with your, your house, your Neighborhood, your town, your, your country.
Speaker 2:You know, it's just your attitude and pray about it, and attitude costs zero dollars.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it's free nothing.
Speaker 2:Yeah and and you're right attitude can change everything in your world. And then an attitude is contagious. We've all gone into a room that is sad or angry or mad, and we we found ourselves in the same way. If you go into a party that's happy and cheery, you get the same way, and sometimes it starts with us being the one that Is the one that initiates that. Whether it's good or bad, it's our attitude that can change everything.
Speaker 2:Exactly and you could have easily said well, thomas can't go, the kids can't go, I'm not going, the boxes are a shipped, we're just gonna do it. But instead your attitude was no, my mom and I are gonna go and we're gonna make a difference.
Speaker 2:Yeah and and to see those because, yes, pictures are great, videos are great, but I'm sure the energy you felt there was way greater than what you can ever explain to the kids. And Thomas, yeah, they just can't get that feel of of Gratitude and thankfulness from those, those kids and the families with them right. So it's just a great thing to be able to make that impact. And and Do you feel like when I say a world impactor, do you feel like a world impactor?
Speaker 3:I Would say no, I mean, it's just you just do. I guess you know, I mean.
Speaker 2:They were always on your heart.
Speaker 3:Yeah, it wasn't. It wasn't so much like, okay, I need to Be known for this, or you know, I'm gonna do it for somebody to recognize me. No, it was just, I'm just gonna go like. I'm just doing this like it's nothing out of the ordinary. I would say so.
Speaker 2:It's just, you know, one of those things and and You're exactly right because I reached out to you because I wanted to know more, I wanted to know how it came about, why it came about. You know, if you went over on your own because you weren't looking for To be on a podcast, you weren't looking for the world to know, you're doing simply giving back to your home and a place that you came from, knowing that there was a need, and I simply wanted to share that, because when things do come from the heart, it does make a difference, because it truly came from a place of the servant hood that I want to serve and give back because I'm able, because, if, if we are able, even sometimes if we aren't able, just like you mentioned, there are struggles and you know, giving back was a way to make it through those, and oftentimes I think when we struggle, we just hold everything in tight.
Speaker 2:Mm-hmm but your heart changes when you're struggling and you give.
Speaker 3:Yeah, I mean it was definitely one of those moments where we're like we were struggling, Like I mean my back was hurting times back was hurting.
Speaker 3:We were just like in the slumps you know, and then eventually, like, we just kind of like stayed there and we're like, what do we do, you know? And so we just kind of talked about it and prayed about it and Eventually it was like, well, we could do this, that's give. And then it came, it became so small. It was it started real small and then eventually it was like, okay, more boxes. And it was like next thing, you know, it was like six boxes. We're like, okay, well, guess we're doing this, you know. And so I mean even my cousin, she was telling me that this was the most they've gotten so far, and it was good to hear. I was like, really, I'm like, for some reason it felt it was a lot, but it didn't feel a lot, like I felt like we could have done more.
Speaker 3:So, now I'm like just I'm chasing that feeling of just doing more if anything, you know, and so I'm honestly, I actually was like hey, who's that you know? I kind of wanted to get to know more, like who is helping and like I want to hear the kids stories like Spend more time doing it that way, if any. Because I mean like yes, did I hang out with my cousins and had fun doing this? And that of course I did. I haven't seen them in a while and they're my family and so we did have that.
Speaker 3:But I think, because I was far away from my family husband and kids my time was cut short, so I was only there for 10 days and I only did that For two days. So all the other times it was like either traveling, like having to fly, so it was, and having to Adjust to time, which is a lot harder than it's so, and what's the time difference there?
Speaker 3:A day, so it's. So. If it was two o'clock right now, it'd be five in the morning there, so it's like a day ahead and three hours Over four. One of those, yeah, so if you're yeah, if you're flying at night, you get there and at night, but you already have like slept, so it's one of those like you, so it's no sleep Mm-hmm.
Speaker 2:So it's always a big adjustment to, but it did give you that feeling of, well, I did a little and it's you feel it's a little, but it's really a lot to them and you think, what more can I do?
Speaker 2:Right and I think that's how great ideas start is they start small. It was one box. Let's clean our closet, we can send it, and then it was, but what else can we buy it? Then One box turns into two, to three, to six, and, who knows, next year, the next year might be 12, might be 24, and it might be that that also. Then you, then you start looking for opportunities. How cool, how can we make it grow and help those in need? Because that is where your heart is, in the Philippines, in your neighborhood, and it's making impact in the lives of family and friends that you grew up with, I'm sure, and and that that really is Impactful. And it all starts with one small step. Yeah, and what a great example for you and Thomas to be to your kiddos, to be able to see that. And you know, when we are in need, we can still, whether it's need of prayer, whether it's need of healing, whether it's need of time or money we can still take an opportunity to give, because there is always somebody Less fortunate than we are no
Speaker 2:matter where we are in life, no matter the problems we have, there is somebody else that can we can give to, whether it's our time, energy, money, whatever it is, we can give to those right. So thank you, maggie, for being on the show today. Thank you for sharing your story of being, of impacting the world, because you are and and I know there's going to be a lot bigger impact that you're going to continue to do, because it is that feeling of what you did and and chasing that feeling is is it will help it grow bigger and bigger and bigger. I.
Speaker 3:Mean. I honestly I'm really excited for whenever my Family could come, because then I can really show them like this is where I grew up, like, and you're gonna do what I did when I was young. You're gonna have to learn the bucket and do all that stuff. Take a cold shower.
Speaker 2:And then they're fully understand. And then they come back home and go whoa, I didn't realize we had it this nice by just flipping on a switch right getting in the shower exactly, and you know has nothing to do with the TV or the games or yeah, it's just like them. Really the basics in life exactly that we really take for granted.
Speaker 2:Yeah, so it does make a difference and thank you for for making a difference and teaching those, because it's our small actions that you. You make a difference In your home country. You make a difference in your children's life, your husband's lives and we never know, always call that a stone in the pond, because you do that and their ripples go out. The ripples will go out from here, from our conversation today, at those that go. You know, my heart is somewhere and I can make a difference in that place.
Speaker 2:It might be in my community, it might be in my state, might be in my country, it might be in a different country, but it's a ripple and just by people knowing that that's a possibility, that Because your mom showed you was a possibility all those years ago, when you're just a child, she showed you that it was possible to make a difference. Yeah, and how that made you feel. And Years later, when you're able to, you go. I want to make that same difference and by doing that, there's going to be Somebody that that has gotten those something from those boxes that move on in In life and go.
Speaker 2:I want to come back and make a difference, just like that thing I got that toy, I got, that rice I got and I want to make that difference, the same and it's a ripple. So Thank you for making a ripple in our world because they're important and no matter how big or small we think they are, they're very important. So thank you for that and thank you for spending a little time with me and sharing your story with me. I'm excited for people to hear it and to To be part of that ripple effect. So thank you, maggie.
Speaker 3:Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2:You're welcome. Thank you to each of you for stopping by and visiting with us on the mind body project and as a time of wife came every night for a go to bed. It's bomb of the night, double a out.
Speaker 1:Thank you for listening to today's podcast. If you would like to connect with Aaron, you can do so by going to Aaron Degler comm or find him on social media as Aaron Degler on Instagram, facebook and YouTube. Once again, we greatly appreciate you tuning in. If you've enjoyed the show, please feel free to rate, subscribe and leave a review wherever you listen to your podcasts. We greatly appreciate that effort and we'll catch you in the next episode of the mind body project podcast.