Friends

Olive and Collin (Collin has since had a haircut, thank the shaggy heavens!)

Her American name is Gift, but her name really is Enobo (that more than likely is the wrong spelling though, sorry, I am not familiar with Nigerian spellings!)

It is interesting in taking these pictures, I do not think African typically smile during pictures, because Tui (the Dad) is the happiest smiliest person, and I could not get him to smile whenever I was taking pictures! Super cute family.

One of my biggest complaints when I moved to Utah is the lack of diversity, specifically in regards to the African American culture. I have lived in Ohio, West Virginia, and Florida, and there has always been a blend of cultures and colors of skin, Florida especially. So when I moved to Utah and saw so much white skin, it was actually quite alarming. I want my boys to see different skin colors, to learn to love and accept regardless of skin color. Utah has a rich culture of Polynesians and Latinos, and of course a dominant caucasian presence. But in the 1500 students at the high school I graduated from, I think we may have had one African American student. It may seem silly that this made me sad, but again, I love diversity. So last month, as I sat in church, I was pleasantly pleased to learn that we had a family move into our ward, that were originally from Nigeria. This cute family is remarkable. I cannot imagine moving thousands of miles, away from family and loved ones, moving to a completely different continent, different culture, with a different language. And the testimony of love that they share is something to behold. We have begun a friendship with this wonderful family that I hope will blossom into them considering us family. And their little girls are two of the most beautiful girls I have seen.

Cute Vera, she is 7 months old!

I am grateful to have this family as neighbors and in our folds as they are wonderful people.