Classes are going very well, language is improving, and I can't believe how much we have grown as a district. Even the teachers are surprised at the level we have reached so quickly. We may be going to full sign in the next week or so. I simply love it here!
A few times, I have helped Sis. Call with interpreting, and although I'm really not that good, it is helping develop and grow. On Sunday evening, we decided to stay in the gym to watch The Restoration, but they did not have captions available. She still wanted to watch it, so I'd try and see what I could sign to her. It was a lot of fun. I'm sure I didn't do all that well, but it was a good activity.
I really do enjoy my companionship. There are hard moments at times, but we are well matched together. We definitely have moments we just laugh together. As we continue through the days and weeks, the teachers are there to help me since it is a struggle to be unable to first internalize the doctrine in my native language. I've been thrown into signing the discussions each Friday, but I have no problem with it. It is nice to know I can turn to my teachers if I feel any concerns as we grow and develop as a companionship. Sis. Call is really amazing. I love having her as my first companion.
Well...what else can I say. It's the MTC so we have MDT, meals, class, and time to sleep. It's a nice tight schedule. We learn of the first discussion right now, how to teach, and improve on the language. Our whole district starts class with signing a hymn, signing our prayer, and practicing the Missionary Purpose and D&C 4 in sign. We're doing very well.
Last Friday, we had our first TRC, and I had my first opportunity to teach a discussion and in ASL to a deaf "investigator". It wasn't too bad. I thought I'd be much more worried and mess up a lot, but it helped that I could just turn to Sis. Call when I got stuck or at a loss for words. The biggest thing for me is to learn to ask questions. Really get the investigator involved and know how to best apply the lessons to their life. I'm working on it. We'll see how it goes tomorrow.
Last Saturday, we did our first Blue Box where we act our a scripture story. The reason for this is to be more visual in expressing ourselves to the deaf, so if they do not know ASL, we can still teach them these scriptural stories. Therefore, we were unable to do sign, just acting everything out with facial expressions and body movement. I chose to do Samuel, the Boy Prophet. That was a lot of fun. I was sure mine would be awful because my acting is terrible, but I enjoyed it and others said I was so graceful in my movement (guess it was because I hang out with dancers). I did get some helpful critique to improve for next time. I'm going to try and do the story of Mary and Martha. Not as confident as before, but probably because I haven't quite practiced yet. I'll have to work on it today! All the stories were great! Our district really is amazing!! Wow.
So, for those who need a little nudging if interested in sending me a letter (not that I care about only getting three letters in the last two weeks), I would love to hear good analogies of gospel principles. The Deaf are very visual and to help them understand, it's helpful to compare something they can see to something that they would have difficulties understanding. We are starting to learn how to apply anything to the gospel, including cardboard (for cardboard can be used for many different purposes, but everyone uses it. It is for us to decide how we are going to use that cardboard to best fit our needs...oh drats, I forgot the specific principle the teacher compared it to, but you get the picture.)
TENDER MERCY: How amazing to see the power of charity in us as missionaries. With all the people that I speak with at the RC, I just create this kind of connection, and hope to help them in any way I can. I can't imagine how much stronger that will be when I begin teaching the people of Florida, knowing them one on one. Wow! What an amazing Christ-like attribute!
