Today, I met with my language helper Mel. She's really sweet and doesn't speak much English...at all. But this is just perfect. I figure if we can sit in a room and drink tea and eat cookies and laugh our heads off (mostly at my expense) when we don't totally understand each other, then in a couple months when we are actually understanding most of what is being said, our friendship is in the bag! Don't you love the optimism...I'm to the point where I just have to keep encouraging myself because language is HARD and it is slow. But day by day, I press on. And if I get discouraged, all I have to do is check my e-mail...who knew my family could make such fantastic cheerleaders? I did. My mom actually sent me a cheer in her last e-mail and if you know her then you know that's just not out of the ordinary, now is it?...(smile). I'm loved.
So, back to Go Dog Go. I took some books today with pictures for us to talk about. We don't talk about what we're feeling or deep things yet. We talk about the weather, what we're doing, what we did (thanks to that past tense we learned last week!), and I can describe pictures. So, when the conversation stopped flowing freely--which I actually use that phrase very loosely--then I pulled out the good 'ole picture book to talk about. It is very humbling to talk about Go Dog Go with your new friend, let me tell you...but I did it, and maybe next week we'll move up to Dr. Seuss or something? Who knows! But I'm learning and I'm talking in Turkish. Hey, verbs are verbs. Patience and trust are a constant work in my life these days. But I know the One who holds all times and all plans in His hands, so who better to teach me patience and trust than Him.
p.s. Today I rode the bus home from Mel's house and we drove by an outdoor bazaar. This is like an open air market that all different people come together to sell fruits, vegetables, and in Turkey... slippers. But today--just had to giggle--there was a token little boy walking around the outdoor produce bazaar selling cotton candy. Next time I go to the bazaar, I might have to take some off his hands. I wonder how much he sells. Makes me miss the fair! If you know me then you know that I love me some fair fun!
Today, I met with my language helper Mel. She's really sweet and doesn't speak much English...at all. But this is just perfect. I figure if we can sit in a room and drink tea and eat cookies and laugh our heads off (mostly at my expense) when we don't totally understand each other, then in a couple months when we are actually understanding most of what is being said, our friendship is in the bag! Don't you love the optimism...I'm to the point where I just have to keep encouraging myself because language is HARD and it is slow. But day by day, I press on. And if I get discouraged, all I have to do is check my e-mail...who knew my family could make such fantastic cheerleaders? I did. My mom actually sent me a cheer in her last e-mail and if you know her then you know that's just not out of the ordinary, now is it?...(smile). I'm loved.
1 comment:
That's awesome Jessica! I have loved keeping up with y'all on the blogs. Miss you guys bunches! Sounds like ya'll are doing excellent. Keep up the good work!!! Love you!
Post a Comment