Culture

Quote for the week: At school in one of my classes we were talking about being culturally sensitive.  We took a "quiz" at the beginning and it was not as easy as it sounds. Two of my friends were joking because they did really bad on it, and the one girl said to the other, who is Chinese and Vietnamese, "How did you fail the culture quiz? You are culture!"

These same two friends took me to eat sushi for (almost) my first time. I felt so "cultural" that I wanted to share the experience with Burke, who had never tried sushi before. This week was Restaurant Week in Norfolk and a sushi restaurant with an affordable lunch special was on the list. So, I took Burke out for a lunch date yesterday.

Let me tell you how it went. Burke ordered teriyaki chicken. It wasn't that he was afraid of trying the sushi. He just wanted to make sure he would have enough to eat. He ate the California rolls that came with it, but they were a little bland. I, on the other hand, wanting to be the adventurous one, mistakenly ordered the "sushi bento" which the server told me was like a chef's special. What came out was 5 pieces of straight raw fish. Not even in a roll or anything! My hypothesis is the chef was just being lazy. I was a little appalled, but I was determined to give it a try. I ate 4 of my 5 raw fishies. It wasn't good to me, but I got it down. (However, all the rest of the day, when I thought about what I had eaten I had to fight an intense gag reflex.) Maybe I will be a little less adventurous next time.

Also, Burke turned out to be a pro at eating with chopsticks. I don't think I had ever witnessed this skill of his before. I felt like an idiot with mine. So, that's how our "cultural" lunch date went.

Later on that same evening, our Puerto Rican neighbor knocked on our door and gave us a plate of unknown fish that he had cooked. I wasn't hungry but I did give it a try...at least it was cooked! It was pretty good. What a nice neighbor we have!

Some students on campus put together a medical Spanish class that they are teaching once a week. I started going to it and it is so great. I have missed practicing Spanish and I have forgotten a lot! Just being back in an environment where we have to try and converse in Spanish is doing wonders for me, but it's especially exciting to try and apply it to medical principles.

Also speaking of culture, last weekend we went to the temple with my mom and dad. Afterwards they took us to the NC Museum of Art for a Rembrandt exhibit. I like going to art museums but I'm certain I can't appreciate it like many others can. It was hilarious because they showed so many paintings that they once thought were by Rembrandt, but then decided that "it couldn't possibly have been the master because of [this or that] imperfection." Suuuuuuure......

How's that for a week of culture?

Bird-watching and cattails

Just because I love so many of these photos....

While in Utah we took a little walk to get some fresh air on a beautiful day. Beth taught us about some of the birds we saw, and we discovered the joy of spreading cattail seeds. 

Beautiful Farmington Bay

Dillon was the first to play with the cattails

But everybody took their turn.

It's kind of like a big dandelion

Simple beauties, simple pleasures, happy memories.

Christmas for New Years

My side of the family celebrated Christmas late this year, but all of us were able to get together except my sweet brother in Monterrey (and we sure missed him!). 

It was so lovely to see our niece, and most of our long weekend in Utah revolved around her. I was quite alright with that. 

How could I resist her?

She's a restless one, so "Christmas Eve" included a fairly abbreviated nativity. It's amazing what you can do with only a few towels and scarves for preparation!

I really can't express how nice it was to be together with my family again. I absolutely loved to see the thoughtful gifts that were given

and to watch my parents in the roles of grandparents.

Somehow, despite the hassle and expense of travel, it's always worth it to be together with our family.

Celebrating the living Christ

Last year Burke and I decided that we would memorize "The Living Christ." It seemed like a monumental task, but we broke it up and memorized a paragraph a week. Unfortunately, around the time we were packing for our move to Virginia, getting ready for Christmas, and finishing up our jobs, we fizzled out on our memorization. This year we decided to pick it back up, and last night we shared it with Burke's family. 

Reciting it may have been the culmination, but we have been immensely blessed through the many months during which we have worked on memorizing. These words have come alive for us as we have grown to better understand who our Savior Jesus Christ is and our relationships with Him. Often, when I am trying to turn my heart and thoughts to Him, it is these words that come to my mind, and His Spirit fills my heart. 

Today on Christmas Day I add my testimony to that of His Apostles. I know He lives and that He is the Redeemer of the world. I know that through Him is all hope and all joy. "God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son."

THE LIVING CHRIST 
THE TESTIMONY OF THE APOSTLES
THE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS
 

As we commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ two millennia ago, we offer our testimony of the reality of His matchless life and the infinite virtue of His great atoning sacrifice. None other has had so profound an influence upon all who have lived and will yet live upon the earth.

He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. "All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made" (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He "went about doing good" (Acts 10:38), yet was despised for it. His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come.

He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He was arrested and condemned on spurious charges, convicted to satisfy a mob, and sentenced to die on Calvary's cross. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift in behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

We solemnly testify that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world.

He rose from the grave to "become the firstfruits of them that slept" (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His "other sheep" (John 10:16) in ancient America. In the modern world, He and His Father appeared to the boy Joseph Smith, ushering in the long-promised "dispensation of the fulness of times" (Ephesians 1:10).

Of the Living Christ, the Prophet Joseph wrote: "His eyes were as a flame of fire; the hair of his head was white like the pure snow; his countenance shone above the brightness of the sun; and his voice was as the sound of the rushing of great waters, even the voice of Jehovah, saying:

"I am the first and the last; I am he who liveth, I am he who was slain; I am your advocate with the Father" (D&C 110:3–4).

Of Him the Prophet also declared: "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this is the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives!

"For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father—

"That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God" (D&C 76:22–24).

We declare in words of solemnity that His priesthood and His Church have been restored upon the earth—"built upon the foundation of . . . apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone" (Ephesians 2:20).

We testify that He will someday return to earth. "And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together" (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him. Each of us will stand to be judged of Him according to our works and the desires of our hearts.

We bear testimony, as His duly ordained Apostles—that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on the right hand of His Father. He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come. God be thanked for the matchless gift of His divine Son. 

THE FIRST PRESIDENCY THE QUORUM OF THE TWELVE

January 1, 2000

Snow in Wisco!

Burke and I are enjoying a wonderful visit with Burke's family in Wisconsin. We decided to come sort of last minute, so nobody told Clark and Bonnie that we were coming. We flew into Milwaukee a 1/2 hour before Clark and Holly so Burke snuck up on Clark at baggage claim. Then we snuck in the front door and sat on the couch to surprise Bonnie. It was so fun to be the surprise!

3 years ago when I came to Wisconsin for the first time there was at least 1 ft of snow on the ground. This year there was none! Everyone was a little sad because a white Christmas is just completely expected around here. There was only a 10% chance of snow yesterday but sure enough, the afternoon brought some snow.

 It's been a nice week getting ready for Christmas and spending time together. We spent Wednesday and Thursday in Minnesota visiting Burke's aunt and her family. Cousin Anna is getting ready for a mission and so we were able to be with her as she went to the temple for the first time. We followed that up with an evening of Christmas songs and games.

Burke was one of the lucky prize-winners. He won some straw glasses!

It was fun to see Burke's cousins and meet little Lucas. He loves his Aunt Sarah! It was so much fun hanging out for a bit in Minnesota.

We've been playing games and basketball, watching sports, movies and funny stuff, and enjoying it all.

Tomorrow's the big day! It's always different being with Burke's family instead of my own, but it's so awesome that someday we'll be blending the traditions of our two families into our own. I've never been one to have or expect a white Christmas, but for Burke's family and many others it makes a difference having some snow on the ground. So if that's part of your Christmas tradition, may all your Christmases be white! 

Holiday Season!

We had a lovely Thanksgiving. We got to spend it with my dad's side of the extended family in NC. It's been a good while since I'd been around for Thanksgiving, and Burke hadn't yet been to my awesome aunt's awesome  house in Charlotte. We got to see some of my cousins I hadn't seen in a while and meet their babies; count on the little ones to make a holiday gathering extra fun! It was a fantastic day surrounded by many of the blessings we have to be so thankful for.

The next couple of days were lots of fun hanging out with Mom, Dad, and Dillon. The weather was amazingly warm so we took advantage of it and got the Christmas lights up. Earliest ever for Mom and Dad! :) Christmas music came on, and I even got to play a little bit of Christmas music on the piano. What a great way to get in the holiday spirit.

They had a nice little birthday party for me on Saturday before we headed back home to Norfolk, cause yep, it's that day again! It was super sweet. Today my brother asked me if I was feeling old, and I told him not really. Well, actually it depends. But I'm one of the youngest people in my class at school so usually I feel like a young'un. I wonder how long that'll last.

Anyway, here's hoping you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving and that you're ready to bring in the exciting Christmas season!

Grateful

I'm grateful for this place.

And this guy.

I'm grateful for what I learn in the House of the Lord. I'm grateful for my covenants. I have much to learn, but I'm grateful that the Lord will teach me if I ask and seek. I'm grateful that Burke and I are going to be together forever. What beautiful promises.

We have holiday plans figured out finally! We're exhausted just thinking about it. We'll be spending most of Thanksgiving weekend in North Carolina. Then we will be going to both Wisconsin and Utah, so please pray for perfect weather over practically the whole country for the whole 2 1/2 weeks surrounding Christmas and New Years. Thanks in advance. 

Happy week of Thanksgiving! I know we have so, so much to be thankful for.