“Hello! How are you?”
“Ok, and you?”
“Ok.”
This is a conversation from the other day. My linguistics partner and friend, Asmara, and I, cheered at our victory. We were able to have an actual exchange in Cherokee with our language helper, Lorene. We communicated with her in her heart language, and there were big smiles on all our faces. That is the moment this Linguistics practicum became worth it to me.
So confession time. For as long as I have been in school, I really actually hate school. So when coming back to the mid-west for essentially 3 more months of school, I was anything but overjoyed. This was my incorrect mindset. My view on the practicum had become something to check off the to-do list and just get through. I was excited to spend time with my dear friends before we all move to different places across the world, but to spend more time doing school? Not really digging it.
I lost sight of why I was doing it. I lost sight of the eternal value of it all.
This whole practicum is designed to simulate when we are in a remote location, learning an unwritten language. We’re doing this for further preparation to take the GLORIOUS GOSPEL of Jesus Christ to those who have never heard. Our goal is to do it in their heart language.
To have “small talk” with Lorene in her heart language was a small, yet amazing feat. I can’t wait to experience sharing the love of Jesus with a lady in her heart language, or having a deep conversation about spiritual things with a new sister in Christ. The very thought of that, brings tears to my eyes.
So I am thankful for this opportunity. Because while this season of preparation has seemingly drug on and on, the investment is worth it so I can one day have one of those sweet conversations.
Bring on this practicum!
Proud of you, Kaylee! Keep at it! I remember when you talked to me about how you felt like Linguistics was something you should do… God led you to this, and He will sustain you through it 🙂 Excited to be on this journey with you <3