Saint Andrew's Day

November 30th marks the feast day of Saint Andrew, the patron saint in Scotland. St Andrew's Day celebrates Scottish culture by enjoying traditional Scottish food, music and dance. Schools across Scotland hold special St Andrew's Day events and activities including art shows, Scottish country dancing, lunchtime ceilidhs, dance festivals, storytelling, reciting and writing poems, writing tall tales, cooking traditional Scottish meals, and bagpipe-playing. These events recognize the importance of Scottish heritage. Many other countries with Scottish connections also celebrate this day.
In Oxford, Lady Margret Hall hosted a Scottish barn dancing evening. There was a live band that helped to create a boot-stomping mood. We did dances with some interesting titles, like Whiskey Dripping, Willow Stripping, and The Basket. They all involved a lot of galloping, spinning, and laughing. I went with two of my girlfriends from APU and we had a blast!
May you experience the gift of celebrating a different culture.
All my love,
Gennavieve

Comments

Hampton Court Palace

Today, I toured Hampton Court Palace, an official historic, royal palace. Following are some of the sights I saw, history I learned, and favorites I enjoyed. The guard chamber of King William III. The magnificent display of 2,871 items of armor and weapons displayed a message that William was a great soldier and peacemaker. William's Presence chamber. Only high-ranking individuals were permitted into this room. William would be distinguished by sitting on a Chair of Estate. Those who entered his presence were required to remove their hats and make three low bows to the King, or even his empty chair. I'm grateful to serve an accessible King, who is with me wherever I go. William's eating room. He was expected to dine here on occasions "in front of persons of good fashion and good appearance," in order to display the sumptuousness of his food and to reassure everyone he was in good health. He was served by three servants on bended knee. William's P...

Bits and Pieces

Being in Costa Rica shows me how little Spanish I know. I often feel like a child learning to walk when I attempt to speak. I step out with new conversation and then one word and I am on my bum, starting over. It can be extremely frustrating to speak because I want to connect to others but my words limit me. My family helps in incredible ways. Vivi continually points to things in the house, or on the table, whose names I learned and makes me repeat them to her. My family continually shows me patience, grace, and kindness, including me as much as they can. Yet every day possesses challenges because basic conversation takes a great deal of effort. I understand bits and pieces of what I hear, but I miss the quick sayings, specific details, and most jokes. From my perspective, the bits I do pick up make me laugh because I have yet to connect the dots of conversation. For example, on Sunday my family joined another family for late afternoon coffee conversation. The conversation dri...

Home Sweet Home

I'm home at last. This is my smiling face hugging my Dad as I stepped off of the plane after 30 plus hours of traveling. I was huddled in a blanket, remembering the chill of a Northern California winter as I now cover my African sun kissed arms from the 42 F air. But it feels like Holidays and the warmth of love and laughter from family and friends fills my heart and I am happy. May the Holiday season bring you reason to celebrate the wonderful gifts in your life. May you praise the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, knowing that He has offered the best gift of all, salvation and life everlasting in His name. All My Love, Gennavieve

All My Love, Gennavieve

Search This Blog