Was driving home tonight from a dinner with friends and a visiting family who are missionaries in Asia and doing some thinking. First, was thinking about me and kids, how I'm more into them than ever (I played with their little girl for a long while and spent some time with some friends and their babies earlier today). I truly like being the auntie. (At the same time, it's not easy having to wait to be a mom.)
Second, I caught this short shpeal on the radio about our hearts and how we can use our passions to determine what our ministry can be. Funny because I used to say the same thing at the YWAM DTS's I taught at. And here was a little reminder for me to think about this again. What came to my mind was how I've always enjoyed hanging out and talking with those in the downtowns of cities, whether they be homeless or not. Just making friends and acknowledging people. I've enjoyed those conversations in many cities around the world, particularly in my culture (including Canada, US and England). Yet, I haven't really found a way to incorporate this into my own life in my own city. I think I'm gonna try again. (I know it's not easy though as a single woman--had some interesting, tricky experiences when I moved to Kitchener's downtown in 1999 and tried to be "friendly like Christ" to those I met (who seemed to all be men).)
Third, was thinking how I should follow through with this Mexican family I know here and spend some time hanging out and practicing Spanish. This week while presenting to high school French classes and evaluating applicants' level of French (for my summer job), I was struck again with how far I have to go in my own learning. My speaking [confidence] sucks! When I have the option (like we do here), I revert to English. Erg. Even in Montreal last month, I attempted to find this yummy wine and gave up trying in French and switched. Then didn't speak much French again after that. Well, I ordered my lunch of crêpes....
The program I'm in encourages the students to study "abroad" for the third year. I keep looking at it, but right now I'm mostly interested in going to Quebec City, to Laval. France just seems to far for me right now. We'll see. I have some time.
This week I got clearance from the department for an exception: they're going to let me study Portuguese at another school and count it toward my degree! Yay! Very happy about this. Wasn't feeling the existing options (Italian, German, Arabic). And Portuguese was one of the languages on the list of goals that partly got all of this started.
Ok, fourth. I've been wanting to post this song, because I like it and keep playing it over while driving. I doubt if the video is any good, but just take a listen. (Notice the Canadian accent on "shouted". It actually took me awhile to figure out what the word was!)
Matt Maher, Alive Again
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