Update on the Last Month

An update here is overdue, for which I apologize.  Besides having other things to do, I tend to be a streaky guy, and when I’m in a groove for French, I do more French.  When I’m out of the groove of blogging, it’s harder to start back.  In addition, I wasn’t sure quite what to say in resuming.

Last month was challenging and some challenges remain.  As you no doubt have experienced, one “little” thing can trigger a bigger thing and that can have consequences that no one would have guessed.  That has been true for us.  I have at points been discouraged, but frequent reminders of others in greater struggles can quickly leave pity parties gasping on the floor for oxygen.  For a few reasons, accepting help is difficult as well.  Accepting a “little” help is fine, but accepting more is less comfortable. 

My time in Israel (and Jordan and Paris) went well, aside from concerns of home.  It was good to be back in familiar places, to return to a former life, and to be supported by a strong, encouraging group.  As expected, many times I forgot that I had ever left.  A few times, I was glad that I had.  One of my frustrations was the large number of tourists, particularly in Jerusalem, and I saw an article today that said that Israel had a record-breaking number of tourists in May 2008 – 300,000.  That’s 60% higher than in May 2007.  Another frustration was Bush’s visit, which compounded the tourist problem (everyone in the area was shoved around, to the same places, because of what he caused to be closed).  Other minor things were frustrating, but the major things all went well.

I went with the group to Jordan for 3.5 days, which was the first time I had been with a class to that country in 10 years.  It was my first time back there in 4 years.  On my first day, I remembered why I liked the country.  By my last day, I was recalling why I didn’t like it.  I’m glad I went and I managed to take a lot of photos.  As always, the view from Mt. Nebo was poor.

My plans to visit the Louvre were made months ahead when I bought the plane tickets, and that seemed to be a mistake following Kelli’s fall (and the fallout).  Ultimately it all worked out as my parents arrived to help Kelli (and relieve Kelli’s mom) and so I could enjoy my time there knowing that all was well on the homefront.  I took 1,000 photos (not counting the explanatory signs).  The signs, and my visit to Paris as a whole, worked in well with my current French studies.  There was a lot that I understood because I have been studying French, and since the museum explanatory signs are nearly all in French only, I got lots of extra practice. 

Since my return, I’ve spent a lot of time with family and family matters (e.g., doctor visits, swimming lessons, house and car repairs).  Otherwise, I’ve been putting as much time in learning to read French as possible.  I feel like that is going well, but I don’t know how much I really have to know to pass the test, which means I could be overpreparing, or woefully unready.  My plan is to work hard for another 7-8 days and take the test around June 25-26.

For those of you who have been concerned for us, I appreciate that.  For those of you who have prayed for us, I appreciate that.  For those of you who want me to post something more interesting on this blog, I’ll work on that.