Melna Tagalog: a Legacy of Love, Thai SDA Church, Redlands

"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39 NIV

Melna Tagalog, beloved church member of the Thai Seventh-day Adventist Church, went to rest in the Lord January 14, 2020. Her family was in attendance at her memorial at Montecito Memorial Park in Colton on January 24th, 2020. Her daughter Mimzy Tagalog served as her Trustee, and her son Marvel Jose Tagalog and grandson presented her gift to the Thai SDA Church. Melna was an active church member, who loved the music ministry.

"We remember Melna fondly. She loved our music ministries. She loved singing and playing ukulele with the group," recalls Pr. Sunny Wilamart, Senior Pastor at the Thai SDA Church. "She was always very friendly, very kind, loving. We miss her." Melna always invited her friends to visit when they were sharing special music for church. Pr. Sunny and the church was also inspired by Melna's faith. He shared, that all through her illness, Melna's faith was strong, her expression was never discouraged, and she wasn't afraid of the future because she trusted God. Melna is greatly missed by her church and family, but we have faith we'll be reunited with her in the Resurrection.

Melna Tagalog loved her family, her church and community, and she remembered God's work in her estate plan. Melna met several times with Trust Officer Ana Bailon to plan her estate, making sure her family would not go through the heartache of probate or family misunderstandings. Melna wanted to leave a legacy for her family and also her family in the Lord. Like many others, she wanted to give her final tithe to the Lord.

Melna Tagalog's gift to the Thai Seventh-day Adventist Church was presented by her son Marvel Jose Tagalog, along with grandson Micah Tagalog on July 11, 2020. Melna designated her gift of tithe to the Southeastern California Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (SECC). The Bible and the Seventh-day Adventist World Church considers tithe, "holy to the Lord," (Leviticus 27:30–34), to support ministers and the gospel (Use of Tithe, Seventh-day Adventist Church). May God bless Melna's gift and multiply it for the blessing of others.

The Church and SECC thank God for faithful stewards like Melna Tagalog who have a heart for God's work. SECC Trust Services offers free estate planning services for individuals that include SECC as a beneficiary in their estate plans. This service includes almost all legal fees, notary, and trustee services. These services are valuable, and a mutual blessing for both the families, as well as for furthering the gospel.

Contact Reyna Escobar at 800-491-4441 or giftplan@seccsda.org. Reyna Escobar be glad to assist you with your questions about setting up an estate plan and gifts made in honor or in memory.