Comments (3)

By Neil, July 8, 2008 2:19 pm

This 4th of July was extra special because we had a few people celebrating with us who’ve just recently immigrated to the US and were participating the Nation’s independence for the 1st time. Our sister-in-law, Chrizelle, came to the US on a spouse visa and has only been here for a few months. She and my brother, Peter, enjoyed floating the river with the Kellys, eating great food, and watching the firework show.

Our second guests were a family of refugees from Iraq that were relocated to Salt Lake City just over a month ago. They truly enjoyed celebrating with us the independence of what will soon be their very own country. We showed them all we could about 4th of July culture including potato salad, ice-cold root beer, fireworks, S’mores were a big hit, and old fashion conversing by the fire. It was a great day made extra special by our recently arrived guests.

I just hope the the United States of America will be as good to them as it has been to Kate and I.

Comments (2)

By kate, May 29, 2008 12:13 pm

Today we had a little graduation party for one of the English classes I organized for parents at an elementary school here in Salt Lake.

The students are so sweet.

They bought flowers for the volunteer who teaches the class, Laina. They just kept repeating how grateful they are to be taught and to have the class. We gave them certificates & dictionaries to study over the summer.

One of the moms turned to me and said, “We appreciate you so much. We love you, because you’re not a racist.” It was such a bittersweet compliment. It was so kind of her to say, but so sad that she has to suffer the racism of so many people. I wish those people could see how hard they try to learn English and to provide for their children. How grateful they are for simple things, and how openly they love.