There is a sweet, young, woman, who comes in to cook and clean for us a few times a week. This is a huge help as, between our French study, homeschooling and just fitting in some normal family goodness, at times we struggle to keep up! Also, it’s great for us to eat meals that we might have once we are able to interact with more people. The best thing about having her in our home a few days a week, though, is the opportunity to talk.
Today, I was able to spend 20 – 30 minutes going from one topic to another. I couldn’t go deep into any of them really, and I know I butchered many of my words and phrases. Didn’t matter. I was thrilled! Mostly because, as slowly and painfully as it happened, conversation did happen!
I’ve been thinking it over this evening; about why I’m so excited. Why should I be so happy about a bunch of badly strung together words? Well, the obvious reason is, progress. Little by little is still progress. But the main thing that I’ve been thinking about, is that every word matters.
This might sound dumb to some of you, but it’s quite motivating for me. Because honestly, I don’t always want to sit and listen to French recordings after a long day. I’m tempted to wonder when in the world I will even need to know some obscure word. I don’t always feel like pushing myself to try to speak when I know I’m going to sound like an idiot.
Today reminded me that it’s worth it. Words matter. They can group together to form simple sentences, to get across simple ideas. As I understand more simple sentences, I can participate in simple conversations, and begin to develop relationships with people! (I took the ease of that for granted before moving here.) Eventually, I’m going to be able to understand more complicated ideas, and the relationships and conversations that I can have with people will move from surface to deep ones.
I’m looking forward to the day that I can talk with our house helper about what she believes if she’s willing. I’m excited to share what we believe if she’s up to hearing it. In the meantime, I’ll listen to my recordings, and talk about the silly mistakes I’ve made lately, or the prices in the market, and be encouraged.
~ Stacy