Women of Legacy Spotlight

I cook many meals from my childhood. Some of my family’s favorites include arroz con pollo (chicken and yellow rice), chicken fajitas, homemade fettuccini alfredo, meatballs, and chicken parmesan. I make all my sauces from scratch. As a grandma—or as they call me, “Lalie”—to 13 kids, this means I cook a lot! Sharing experiences with my grandchildren is more important to me than giving them presents. One of my favorite memories includes taking each of my grandchildren to Maine, where we rented a big farmhouse. I cook all the meals ahead of time and freeze them in Ziploc bags so that we can truly enjoy every moment together while on vacation.

Thanksgiving is another favorite tradition for me. We all go around and say what we are most grateful for—with no pressure or expectations to say “family.” Last Thanksgiving, my grandson had turned 8 and said he was grateful that God lives in his heart. As a grandmother, there is nothing more precious for me to hear.

My grandfather Manuel Rodriguez is my inspiration for my legacy. His father, Felipe, was a butler for Queen Isabella of Spain. Queen Isabella had faith and confidence in Felipe for him to buy land in Puerto Rico on behalf of Spain.

Felipe was a man of great integrity and full of faith. As he journeyed to Puerto Rico, he met his wife and had four children. My grandfather, Manuel, was his eldest son. Unfortunately, Felipe was poisoned because of others' envy and covetousness toward his righteousness. Manuel (my grandfather) took responsibility for caring for his mother and his brother. Manuel only knew farming. His brothers grew to be men and his mother remarried. He decided to marry a godly woman named Martha.

Martha and Manuel established themselves to be people of God. They had continued to feed the poor, even though they were poor themselves. My uncle Tío Felo used to be upset with his mother because they could hardly put food on their own table, until one day many years later he saw his own blessings. Martha would tell him she is still giving to the poor and perhaps someday he would see the work of the Savior’s hand.

My uncle Tío Felo was a mailman who had four children. He was interested in buying his first home, but he did not have enough for a down payment. He went bank to bank and everyone turned him down. Until one day, he said to his wife, “Let me try this bank down the road.” He filled out an application but the person at the bank told him he did not have enough for a down payment. It was the same story again and again.

The good Lord showed up in a big way. The president of the bank called him in and asked him a few questions. Of course, Felipe was extremely nervous. He was wondering why he was being so nice to him. The president of the bank asked him a few important questions, including if Manuel and Martha were his parents. He said, “Yes, sir.” During their meeting, the president revealed that he, too, had grown up poor and remembered Manuel's mother feeding him and his mother. Tío Felo knew then the seeds his mother had sown had reaped his very own harvest. That story changed my life and taught me the true meaning of generosity. I relate so much to David Green's book, Giving it all Away and Getting it Back Again, as he, too, had nothing, yet his mother continued to serve God and others by supporting missionaries.

My grandfather could not read or write, but his sons would read him the book of Psalms. He was to some just a poor farmer, but the generational blessing that was given to him and has been passed down to me is something I hope to pass down to my children and grandchildren. I pray I can sow the seeds of generosity, too.