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A Legacy of Faith, Family, and Service

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The lives of Anatolin and Crisanta Padilla are deeply grounded in faith, devoted service, and the blessings of the gospel. Both were born in 1982 and raised in faithful homes within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and each chose to be baptized at age eight. Their paths first crossed in youth, but it was at a combined Seminary gathering and Youth Conference when they were 15 that their friendship grew. It was there that Anatolin enjoyed the privilege of dancing with Crisanta, a memory he fondly recalls as their first and last dance. At age 19, Anatolin accepted a call to serve in the Philippines Cagayan de Oro Mission. Following his honorable service, their friendship deepened, and they became engaged. On April 23, 2005, at age 23, they were sealed for time and all eternity in the Manila Philippines Temple . They are the blessed parents of four children. Their two eldest, Cerah Hennah (20) and Ammon Jarom (18), are now serving full-time missions, a joy and blessing t...
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Elder Ammon Jarom Padilla, Philippines Cebu East Mission (June 2026- June 2028)

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  Maayong buntag sa inyong tanan! What a week it has been! Even though he got sick for a little while, Elder Padilla shared that the Lord reminded him that His work does not stop. And neither does he! He kept moving forward, creating miracles, and helping others come closer to Christ . He has seen so many blessings this week. Hearts progressing, and the Spirit working in beautiful ways.    They gathered for a wonderful Family Home Evening combining interested friends and ward members! The support was so great that people didn’t even fit inside the house. He said some had to stay outside! Everyone enjoyed one another’s company, played a fun game together, and truly felt the Spirit and the warm love of the ward family.     This week brought a precious milestone! Nanay signed the papers for her daughter’s baptism, and you could truly see the joy and excitement in both of their faces!  And then came a memorable s...
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First Few Days in the Missionary Training Center

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Maayong adlaw! Our daughter, Sister Cerah Padilla, has been at the Philippines MTC for just 5 days and look how much she has already seen, learned, and felt! She shared that they received their phones and key cards right away!  "It still feels crazy that missionaries today use high‑tech phones, but we use them to study, learn, and teach the gospel! In a changing world, the gospel keeps finding new ways to spread."  -Sister Padilla She received all five vaccine shots and yes, the soreness was real! But she wrote: "I believe healing in the MTC is faster because of the prayers of others for missionaries to stay healthy. I have felt the strength from your prayers."  She met her two companions and roommates, Sister Pascual and Sister Orcuse. "We relate on so many things and help each other grow. We’ve already strengthened each other’s testimonies!"  And get this, they even earned a reward and certificate for having the cleane...
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Sister Cerah Hennah Padilla, Philippines Iloilo Mission (June 2026-December 2027)

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It’s already been nearly a month since Sister Padilla stepped into the mission field and time is flying! From the MTC to teaching, meeting people, and seeing miracles every week, she feels the Lord’s hand guiding her step by step.  One of the sweet highlights she shared was working during what they joyfully call their "miracle hours".  She and her trainer, Sister De Dios, would head out fully geared up with reflector straps and belts, glowing missionaries on a mission to find and teach. She said it was fun, a little silly, and a beautiful reminder that the Lord wants them to be safe so they can keep serving. And she added with such warmth: "Miracle hours are always better with Sister De Dios by my side."  Even with rainy weather and sickness in the district, His work moves forward, and He is strengthening them.  The Buruanga District She said she is so blessed to serve alongside these wonderful missionaries! They meet, plan, then...
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To Those Enduring Trials With No End

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In this BYU Devotional (July 21, 2026), Jeffrey S. Bednar, an associate professor of management, explores the spiritual challenge of enduring trials that may never end in this life. Core Message:  Bednar emphasizes that "enduring to the end" is not just a passive wait for a trial to cease, but a joyous, lifelong quest to become like Jesus Christ. True disciples, he argues, continue to "row" through mortal storms by keeping their eyes on the Savior and drawing closer to Him through faith, even when circumstances do not change. Key Personal Experiences Samuel's Diagnosis: Bednar shares the journey of his son, Samuel, who was born with a rare condition called Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD). He recounts the spiritual realization that his son is a child of God, and that his trial is a teacher rather than an adversary. The Metaphor of Rowing: Using the account of Christ walking on water to reach His disciples, Bednar illustrates that the Savior does not...
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Walking The Covenant Path: From Baptism To Eternity

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FamilySearch Walking The Covenant Path: From Baptism To Eternity Walking The Covenant Path: From Baptism To Eternity Contributed By C Crisanta Estayo Padilla My journey began a long time ago, on the special day of my baptism. It was the very first step I took onto the beautiful covenant path. It was the moment I promised to follow Jesus Christ, and from that day forward, my life was set on a course toward eternal happiness. Years passed, and as I grew in faith and understanding, my journey continued to unfold. The next greatest milestone came when I entered the Holy Temple and was sealed in marriage to my eternal love. That day marked the wonderful continuation of the same path I started as a child. What began with promises made at baptism became even more perfect and complete as we made eternal promises together. In the temple, we were united not just for this life, but for time and all eternity. Looking back, I realize how simple and clear it all is. We do not have to wal...
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Choices, Not Circumstances: Take Charge of Your Life

Have you ever stared at your to-do list at 10 PM, wondering how you ended up juggling so much—like your boss’s last-minute requests, family expectations, and even a string of little setbacks that just keep piling up? Maybe you’ve felt like life is steering you, not the other way around—like your job, relationships, or even plain old bad timing are calling all the shots, and you can’t do much to change course. We’ve all been there. But here’s what no one tells you: you hold more power over your life than you realize. The secret isn’t controlling what happens to you—it’s taking ownership of how you choose to respond, and letting go of the idea that you’re at the mercy of your circumstances..   Big or Small—Every Choice Shapes Your Life   We all recognize that major decisions alter our path. Starting a new job, moving to a different city, or choosing to marry or divorce—these moments clearly shift how we live. But what we often overlook is that small, everyday choices have just ...
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Safe Boundaries + Strategic Prevention: Parenting the Latter-day Saint Way

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As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , we’ve always found strength in the Lord’s teachings about families —He calls parents to be “ nurturers of their children” (Doctrine and Covenants 68:25), and that sacred role means more than just providing for physical needs. It means guiding them with love, wisdom, and intentionality. In this blog, we want to share two principles that have transformed how we approach parenting in our own home.   SHOW LOVE BY SETTING SAFE BOUNDARIES   For years, we worried that setting rules would make our children feel restricted or unloved. But as we studied and strive to live the gospel, we learned that discipline is not punishment—it’s an act of love. Just as our Heavenly Father sets commandments to protect us and help us grow, we set boundaries to keep our children safe in a world that can feel uncertain.   When children know they are cared for by parents who are self-controlled, prayerful, and g...
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