Down Day

Learning French.  That's why we are here.  Isn't it?

It's a Wednesday and Kristin's teacher wasn't there, so she didn't have school.

She sat in my class in the morning instead.  And right from the first minute, I felt stupid.  We had learned the present progressif tense, using the phrase 'end train de' (in the middle of), the passé recent, and reviewed future proche. We used them all with questions, and negation.  I couldn't remember how at first, but my teacher called on me first.  Then we went on to using indirect discourse statements (Chris said that he needs to go to the store), questions, and orders (oh yes, it is always different with an imperative!).  And then we reviewed the pronunciation of the [e]vs. [€] sound. I felt my shoulders get tighter as I struggled with the new information and processing the old.  Am I tired?  Is it that Kristin is here?  Because I am sitting in a different place than usual? Or maybe it's French…

Fast forward to lunch.  My oldest child informs us that the two boys who came to our house for his birthday don't want to be his friend any more.  No reason. Middle school just sucks.
Kristin goes with Chris to class in the afternoon.  She wants to know if I still love her?!
5pm I am home.  I spend an hour cutting fat and grizzle off the stew beef to make stir fry for dinner.  It tastes okay, but they don't call it stew beef for nothing.  It is tough. But everyone is hungry by the time it was ready, so no complaints!

Kids in bed, prayers said, time to do home work and read e-mails.  And there it is. A message from Cameroon, "We want you to have a good B2 level before you come." I know nothing and I have to get to B2?? Lord Please help me!!  First exams are in just over a week.

I do the homework, review my notes, and, feeling exhausted and overwhelmed, I quit.

I sleep.

Thursday is better, but middle school still sucks for my oldest.  My daughter is lonely and the youngest cries at volleyball practice because he says he doesn't know how to ask what to do in French (I think he knows how, no I know he can, but he needed prodding).
And good news, maybe I won't need B2 to leave anyway.  'Relax, enjoy, and learn as much as you can,' the e-mail read.  Whew.

I read Psalm 39 and 40 with my oldest two.
So glad he is my deliverer and he hears my cry.

Thanks for praying with us~

Psalm 40:

1 I waited patiently for the Lord;
    he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
    out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
    and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
    a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the Lord
    and put their trust in him.

4 Blessed is the one
    who trusts in the Lord,
who does not look to the proud,
    to those who turn aside to false gods.[b]
5 Many, Lord my God,
    are the wonders you have done,
    the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
    were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
    they would be too many to declare.

6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
    but my ears you have opened[c]—
    burnt offerings and sin offerings[d] you did not require.
7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
    it is written about me in the scroll.[e]
8 I desire to do your will, my God;
    your law is within my heart.”

9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
    I do not seal my lips, Lord,
    as you know.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
    I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
    from the great assembly.

11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, Lord;
    may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
12 For troubles without number surround me;
    my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
    and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased to save me, Lord;
    come quickly, Lord, to help me.

14 May all who want to take my life
    be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
    be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
    be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you
    rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
    “The Lord is great!”

17 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
    may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
    you are my God, do not delay.

Skyping for a birthday

Remembering David~

Still trying to sell our van too….