We still have a few months left here in language school, but I thought I'd better get this written now, before the real craziness sets in. (More crazy than now sounds frightening.)
Recently a colleague in our org came to visit us. She visits us once a semester to check on us...how we're doing emotionally, physically, spiritually..everything. Because our great leaders know that living overseas tends to suck the life out of us, sometimes without us even knowing it.
When answering her reflective questions, it really hit me how the Father has used these past two years. Did I ever imagine I'd study Chinese in my life? Absolutely not. Once in class, did I think I was gonna come out alive and actually able to hold conversations? Not really. (Not a lack of trust in our fearless leaders...more of a confidence issue with myself.)
But I did. And I have. And He gets all the praise!
Sometimes I still get ignored by locals, assuming I can't speak Chinese, but most of the time, they give big (often too big) compliments. I mean, back in the day when I could say "hello" or "I want this," they'd freak out and start jabbering something, then try to begin a lengthy conversation. Now, I understand what they're saying. "Wow, you're Chinese is wonderful! You speak so well!" And then the million questions begin. I know I don't speak as well as they say, but I'm pretty darn thankful I remembered enough to get me by.
Being a mom and studying wasn't the easiest. For the first month of studies, I woke up my not-yet-one-year-old to nurse him before hustling to school. Then I'd rush home during my lunch hour to nurse again. Then rush back to school for tutor time. Then rush back home so Michael could go to tutoring. And then put on my "mom" hat again. Kids, dinner, house. It was a lot. But I have a great hubby that filled in the gaps to make it work! And his push for me to study, I now see, is one precious gift.
I think I'm now a self-proclaimed advocate for other mommas to study. If a family moves here and believes they'll be here long-term, they will find themselves at language school. Often times, just the husband studies. My question now is, why not the moms, too? I know it's hard. I trudged through all the challenges. But the sacrifices made for that one year were well worth the sanity and new love I have for living here.
Our first 2 years here, I didn't like life here much. They were rough, to say the least. I believe learning the language that is blasted in my face on a daily basis turned around my perspective. Not only can I understand some things being said to me, I can respond. And, there are so many cultural things I've learned just by listening...now that I can listen.
One more thought. Being here, in this extra-large community of 30+ people (usually we're on a team of 10ish) has shown me that I don't have to be "just" a stay at home mom. I think I've been wired to be around people, to serve, and to connect with others. I see that now more than ever and wherever we end up next, I'll be more aware to look for those opportunities instead of wallowing over the duties of laundry, diapers, and home school.
The language school has been nick-names "The Crucible." It was definitely crushing at times, but the end result is always worth it.
