It was a really pleasant and relaxed evening that got out of control, mainly by being so pleasant and relaxed :) But suddenly, Dad was late for an interview and the babies were up past their bedtime. And the babies were running out of steam fast. Or, in Martha's case, she was gaining steam fast...which is worse.
So Marriner's rushing out the door, Martha's brushing her teeth, I'm trying to put Jane in her PJ's and get her in bed 'cuz she's exhausted. Then I hear the crash from the bathroom. I knew what had happened. Martha insists on brushing her teeth standing on the edge of the bathtub. We tell her (strongly) every night about how dangerous it is, and it's a huge battle over the dumbest thing. But since Martha was by herself, she got to decide where to stand, and she'd obviously chosen poorly.
I put down Jane and went to comfort Martha, who'd hit her head pretty hard, but fortunately no blood. I decided to just read her a story and put her to bed. (You're not going to get a cavity if your mom doesn't check your teeth one night, right?) Jane wandered in, Ellis wandered out, and in the process, somehow Jane ended up shrieking hysterically. Maybe she pinched her fingers in the dresser? Ellis tried to comfort her, but she did NOT want her sister...
And at this exact moment is when Marriner came in and said, "How about I finish reading Martha's story before I take off?" I gratefully passed off the book, took Jane, and in 5 minutes, lo! all was just and all was right again! Part of me feels bad that I made Marriner late for his interview. But then I remember that he's still Dad, and he still has an obligation to take care of his family, so I shouldn't apologize for having needed him for a moment. Still, it does make a mom feel wonderful to know that in the moment when he had to choose between something important and something urgent (I'll let you decide which one we were), he picked us. And whoever it was he was meeting - sorry about making him late.
Thursday, March 29, 2018
Monday, March 26, 2018
Gethsemane
Last Sunday, Ellis found a new song in the Friend magazine that she hadn't heard before and started playing it on the piano, and Lillian liked it, so she joined in on the violin. You know, just noodling around. But the song was pretty, and we offered to actually work on it and play it for Sacrament meeting, if the Branch President wanted.
On Wednesday, the Branch President mentioned that he was concerned because he didn't have enough speakers. "Why don't you have the kids play their song?" i asked. Eureka!
It probably would have been easier if we'd started working on it on Monday, but I've gotta say, I have some unflappable kids, and they made it work. Lige got the hardest job - we voluntold him to do the ASL. Of course, we didn't have any ASL yet - just English. Some research yielded a great ASL interpretation (see previous post) and Lige and I spent an hour watching the video over and over again in slow motion to understand each sign. It was cool to see it change from something I sorta understood to something I completely understood. It got better and better!
On Sunday, the kids did GREAT. The only bad part was Martha and Jane feeling left out and crying the entire song while I tried really hard to get them to do something (anything!) else. Snots :)
On Monday, we asked the kids to do it for the camera, for posterity. They were surprisingly reluctant, and were actually really frustrated when they made mistakes. They really wanted to present a polished product to their friends and family. But as with all home videos, someone made some mistake every time. In the video that was chosen, there are some minor signing mistakes, and one major piano/violin mistake. The kids made me promise not to put it on FaceBook, only to show it to Grandmas and Aunts. So if anyone asks, you're an Aunt. Unless you'd rather be a Grandma... Your choice today! And maybe just don't mention to them that you saw the video, either...
Happy Easter, everyone. I'm so grateful for the Savior.
On Wednesday, the Branch President mentioned that he was concerned because he didn't have enough speakers. "Why don't you have the kids play their song?" i asked. Eureka!
It probably would have been easier if we'd started working on it on Monday, but I've gotta say, I have some unflappable kids, and they made it work. Lige got the hardest job - we voluntold him to do the ASL. Of course, we didn't have any ASL yet - just English. Some research yielded a great ASL interpretation (see previous post) and Lige and I spent an hour watching the video over and over again in slow motion to understand each sign. It was cool to see it change from something I sorta understood to something I completely understood. It got better and better!
On Sunday, the kids did GREAT. The only bad part was Martha and Jane feeling left out and crying the entire song while I tried really hard to get them to do something (anything!) else. Snots :)
On Monday, we asked the kids to do it for the camera, for posterity. They were surprisingly reluctant, and were actually really frustrated when they made mistakes. They really wanted to present a polished product to their friends and family. But as with all home videos, someone made some mistake every time. In the video that was chosen, there are some minor signing mistakes, and one major piano/violin mistake. The kids made me promise not to put it on FaceBook, only to show it to Grandmas and Aunts. So if anyone asks, you're an Aunt. Unless you'd rather be a Grandma... Your choice today! And maybe just don't mention to them that you saw the video, either...
Happy Easter, everyone. I'm so grateful for the Savior.
Thursday, March 22, 2018
The song stuck in your head
My kids are doing "Gethsemane" in Sacrament meeting on Sunday. Have you heard this song yet? It's so sweet and profound!
Lige is signing, Ellis is playing the piano and Lillian the violin.
So Lige walked into the room, and he's signing, "suffer, suffer." And I'm like, "Are you ok?!?" He looks up, surprised. "Oh, sorry, got that song stuck in my head."
Lige is signing, Ellis is playing the piano and Lillian the violin.
So Lige walked into the room, and he's signing, "suffer, suffer." And I'm like, "Are you ok?!?" He looks up, surprised. "Oh, sorry, got that song stuck in my head."
I'm halfway there!
I decided to work on memorizing the Articles of Faith* in ASL for a project. The kids need to learn them for Activity Days, and I can't teach them something I don't know! I mean, we could learn them in English...and maybe that will be more useful in the long run? But I decided to learn them in ASL, too!
The church has the Articles of Faith in ASL, and we've tried to learn them before. But the guy who signs it is blazing fast. Marriner learned them, but the rest of us just dropped our jaw and said, "Wha???"
Then I discovered something really lovely: you can change the speed on YouTube videos! Suddenly the world opened up to me, and I can proudly say that I have now figured out the entire Articles of Faith! (Except one sign in the 2nd and one in the 13th that I can't understand...)
How slow do I have to watch it to understand? 1/2 speed, baby. I'm halfway there!! Yay!!
-----
*From LDS.org:
The Articles of Faith outline 13 basic points of belief of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Prophet Joseph Smith first wrote them in a letter to John Wentworth, a newspaper editor, in response to Mr. Wentworth's request to know what members of the Church believed. They were subsequently published in Church periodicals. They are now regarded as scripture and included in the Pearl of Great Price.
They are:
1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Joseph Smith.
The church has the Articles of Faith in ASL, and we've tried to learn them before. But the guy who signs it is blazing fast. Marriner learned them, but the rest of us just dropped our jaw and said, "Wha???"
Then I discovered something really lovely: you can change the speed on YouTube videos! Suddenly the world opened up to me, and I can proudly say that I have now figured out the entire Articles of Faith! (Except one sign in the 2nd and one in the 13th that I can't understand...)
How slow do I have to watch it to understand? 1/2 speed, baby. I'm halfway there!! Yay!!
-----
*From LDS.org:
The Articles of Faith outline 13 basic points of belief of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The Prophet Joseph Smith first wrote them in a letter to John Wentworth, a newspaper editor, in response to Mr. Wentworth's request to know what members of the Church believed. They were subsequently published in Church periodicals. They are now regarded as scripture and included in the Pearl of Great Price.
They are:
1 We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2 We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam’s transgression.
3 We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4 We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5 We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6 We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7 We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8 We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9 We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11 We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.
Joseph Smith.
Monday, March 19, 2018
The power of Jello
This has nothing to do with ASL.
On Sunday, half my kids had lost it by the end of church. (It was the younger half. Why did you even ask?) Jane tripped on a bag and lost it, Martha was left alone with the assistant Nursery leader (gasp!) and lost it. And...I don't even remember why Sam lost it. He was mad at someone throwing away his paper on accident or something like that. Anyway, I had some tired and grumpy kids after church, and Sam's continued crying had been long-since tuned out by a mom trying to pack up and get home.
Sam's cries were not lost on his friend, CJ, who was moved to compassion for him. He came up and very kindly told me, "Sister Merrill, what you need to do is go to the store, then you can get some Jello, and you can take it home and make it for Sam, and then he'll feel better."
And that's why we had Jello for dessert last night. I don't know that it worked on Sam, but it made his mom feel better, anyway :)
On Sunday, half my kids had lost it by the end of church. (It was the younger half. Why did you even ask?) Jane tripped on a bag and lost it, Martha was left alone with the assistant Nursery leader (gasp!) and lost it. And...I don't even remember why Sam lost it. He was mad at someone throwing away his paper on accident or something like that. Anyway, I had some tired and grumpy kids after church, and Sam's continued crying had been long-since tuned out by a mom trying to pack up and get home.
Sam's cries were not lost on his friend, CJ, who was moved to compassion for him. He came up and very kindly told me, "Sister Merrill, what you need to do is go to the store, then you can get some Jello, and you can take it home and make it for Sam, and then he'll feel better."
And that's why we had Jello for dessert last night. I don't know that it worked on Sam, but it made his mom feel better, anyway :)
Praying in ASL
On Wednesday, I got a text asking me if I could pray at our Stake Relief Society conference on Saturday. They'd asked some other people to pray who were unavailable for some reason or another, so they were asking me as someone who was sure to be coming and wouldn't mind being asked last-minute. I'm cool with that :)
For some reason, I sorta felt like as a member of the ASL branch, I ought to pray in ASL. Then I thought, "that's silly, I can pray a lot better in English." Or, "That would draw unnecessary attention to myself." Or "that will just confuse a lot of people." And there were a lot of reasons, but still, it seemed like I ought to be using my "church language." So I floated the idea, and it was enthusiastically accepted.
So, I prayed in ASL.
There ended up only being one deaf person there, but a whole bunch of people who sign better than I do, and in the end, I felt a little awkward about the whole thing. Certainly not because anybody gave any negative feedback - everyone was very supportive. But I was just nervous at being misunderstood. I wasn't praying in ASL to be a novelty or show off. And I'm just nervous that someone felt that way.
And, I'm trying to avoid saying this, but I guess I'll just be honest. I'm afraid of sticking my hand up to be an ambassador for the branch or for Deaf culture in any way. The reason is simple: I barely have my pinkie toe dipped in Deaf culture. But I also feel a compulsion to share what I'm learning with other people who are standing on the shore, a little nervous about dipping their toes. In some ways, I'm exactly who they need to hear from.
So, I prayed in ASL.
For some reason, I sorta felt like as a member of the ASL branch, I ought to pray in ASL. Then I thought, "that's silly, I can pray a lot better in English." Or, "That would draw unnecessary attention to myself." Or "that will just confuse a lot of people." And there were a lot of reasons, but still, it seemed like I ought to be using my "church language." So I floated the idea, and it was enthusiastically accepted.
So, I prayed in ASL.
There ended up only being one deaf person there, but a whole bunch of people who sign better than I do, and in the end, I felt a little awkward about the whole thing. Certainly not because anybody gave any negative feedback - everyone was very supportive. But I was just nervous at being misunderstood. I wasn't praying in ASL to be a novelty or show off. And I'm just nervous that someone felt that way.
And, I'm trying to avoid saying this, but I guess I'll just be honest. I'm afraid of sticking my hand up to be an ambassador for the branch or for Deaf culture in any way. The reason is simple: I barely have my pinkie toe dipped in Deaf culture. But I also feel a compulsion to share what I'm learning with other people who are standing on the shore, a little nervous about dipping their toes. In some ways, I'm exactly who they need to hear from.
So, I prayed in ASL.
Wednesday, March 14, 2018
Things that don't translate
I have a friend, Regina, who is one of my favorite people in the world. She is so patient with me, and is my go-to source of new vocabulary. Every conversation with her is interrupted about every 30 seconds by me asking what a sign means, but she seems to not mind, and be glad to help. Which is why I like her! And she's Filipino, so we have the same tastes :)
On Sunday there were a couple of funny translation moments. First, I interrupted her to ask her what a sign meant that I didn't know. She usually just spells it for me, but this time she stopped, paused, got a really blank look on her face, then turned to another deaf person in the room and asked her what that sign meant in English. The two of them looked blankly at each other and finally decided, "It doesn't really have an English translation." First time I've come across that in ASL. I told her I understood, there's this word "makulit" in Tagalog that I can't really describe in English, either. She looked interested. "Makulit?" she said out loud. Which I wasn't expecting! It turns out her mom had used that word a lot when she was growing up!
The conversation resumes, and another sign comes up that stymies me. Unfortunately, it seems like something I should know, but can't quite place, and I pause a minute over whether I'll look really stupid if I stop her and ask what it means.
It's a good thing I paused, it was Ellis's name sign.
Ahhh...just another day in the life of a language learner!
On Sunday there were a couple of funny translation moments. First, I interrupted her to ask her what a sign meant that I didn't know. She usually just spells it for me, but this time she stopped, paused, got a really blank look on her face, then turned to another deaf person in the room and asked her what that sign meant in English. The two of them looked blankly at each other and finally decided, "It doesn't really have an English translation." First time I've come across that in ASL. I told her I understood, there's this word "makulit" in Tagalog that I can't really describe in English, either. She looked interested. "Makulit?" she said out loud. Which I wasn't expecting! It turns out her mom had used that word a lot when she was growing up!
The conversation resumes, and another sign comes up that stymies me. Unfortunately, it seems like something I should know, but can't quite place, and I pause a minute over whether I'll look really stupid if I stop her and ask what it means.
It's a good thing I paused, it was Ellis's name sign.
Ahhh...just another day in the life of a language learner!
Cookies!
For our last Activity Days, the kids committed to raise $5 each to contribute towards buying bread and peanut butter to feed homeless people. It's been really cute to see the result of that.
Ellis and Lillian spent the entire car ride home concocting ways to raise $5. They get a little allowance, but they earmarked that money to save for a field trip they want to go on in the Spring. Suddenly needing $10 (collectively) more threw a wrench in their plans.
So first off, they decided they were going to actually earn their allowance each week. Recently, they've been at about 50%. Woohoo, they actually get all their chores done on time now!
Then they decided to do a fundraiser. After a lot of iterating, they decided to make cookies and ask a friend to buy their cookies for $4. You know, one of those deep-pocketed adopted-grandma-types.
And they actually did it! On Saturday, they made a double batch of sugar cookie dough. On Monday, they baked the cookies. On Tuesday, they made icing and iced the cookies. We made them St. Patrick's day themed. They thought that might make them more marketable.
I took a picture and posted them on Facebook
Within 20 minutes, several deep-pocketed adopted-grandma-types had offered to buy their cookies. It was so sweet to see the kids get excited as people responded to their post! They had more offers than they had cookies, so they are going to make some more this weekend and contribute more to the sandwich fund.
It's been a great experience. Here's a short list of some of the positive things I've observed from this project:
Ellis and Lillian spent the entire car ride home concocting ways to raise $5. They get a little allowance, but they earmarked that money to save for a field trip they want to go on in the Spring. Suddenly needing $10 (collectively) more threw a wrench in their plans.
So first off, they decided they were going to actually earn their allowance each week. Recently, they've been at about 50%. Woohoo, they actually get all their chores done on time now!
Then they decided to do a fundraiser. After a lot of iterating, they decided to make cookies and ask a friend to buy their cookies for $4. You know, one of those deep-pocketed adopted-grandma-types.
And they actually did it! On Saturday, they made a double batch of sugar cookie dough. On Monday, they baked the cookies. On Tuesday, they made icing and iced the cookies. We made them St. Patrick's day themed. They thought that might make them more marketable.
I took a picture and posted them on Facebook
Within 20 minutes, several deep-pocketed adopted-grandma-types had offered to buy their cookies. It was so sweet to see the kids get excited as people responded to their post! They had more offers than they had cookies, so they are going to make some more this weekend and contribute more to the sandwich fund.
It's been a great experience. Here's a short list of some of the positive things I've observed from this project:
- Some homeless people are going to get some sandwiches. Which is, after all, the point of the project :)
- Ellis and Lillian working together. (Wha?!?!) (Mostly) cheerfully!
- Ellis and Lillian did this with their own initiative. I mentored a bit, and reminded them that they had to bake the cookies or the dough would go bad, but that's it! They know they can do things themselves now.
- They also learned that they can make a difference.
- And that making a difference feels good.
- And that they have a community of good people around them.
- And how to leverage that community to accomplish more than you could by yourself.
- I get to talk to my friends as I deliver cookies! 😀
I've heard from one of the other moms, and she's said good things about her son's experience, as well. And now I get to feel all warm and fuzzy, because I followed what I'm sure was inspiration to have the kids pay for the activity. I can't wait until we get to actually make the sandwiches and deliver them!
Thursday, March 8, 2018
DPN
A long, long time ago....just kidding, only back in October...Lige started a National History Day project with his friends Carmen and Joseph. His entire middle school participates each year, and it's a fun project for him. His goal was to win the school competition this year and make it to the County competition, so our family helped brainstorm topics. We all know choosing a good topic is critical!
The perfect idea came from Dad: the first Deaf President of Gallaudet, a university for Deaf students. We were shocked that this was such recent history, but were fascinated by the story.
Lige's team did a great job. Along with all their research, they interviewed branch members who were at Gallaudet at the time, some of whom were very much involved in the protests.
As with all amazing projects, deadlines get in the way. They worked pretty frantically up to the last minute (ever so literally) but still had so much more undone.
The next week, his teacher emailed the team and said they were finalists for being chosen for the County competition, and he wanted to know if they were interested in going, should they be chosen. It was a tough moment - the team was burned out. They were behind in their other classes. They wanted to win, but they just couldn't put any more work into the project. They made the really tough decision to not stay in the competition.
Walking away from glory is tough. I'm proud of them for choosing balance in their lives. It wasn't quitting or giving up, which I was impressed with. They showed a lot of maturity. But still, it's sad that the story they have to tell is stopping there.
Last week, a friend in the branch who had been involved in the protests and knew Lige was working on this project messaged me about 30th anniversary commemoration events being held on campus. The night before, I asked Lige if he'd like to skip school and go. After he picked his jaw up off the ground, he managed to sputter out an eloquent, "Yes!" So, we went.
We walked in and they gave us souvenir pins. I mean, getting to watch a presentation from people you've really come to look up to is amazing, but getting a free pin, too? Beyond amazing. And it just got better from there. After the presentation, they had free cookies. And you could take pictures with the leaders of DPN. And they were all really nice and told Lige how impressed they were with his choice of project :) And we both signed really poorly because we were so in awe that we were actually talking to these legends. And they totally acted like they didn't notice. It was pretty sweet.
Of course, my picture came out horrible. I thought the official picture taking people were going to email me a picture that they took...I think I didn't understand something, cuz they didn't send it to me. So, here's our fuzzy remembrance of a lovely event:
Sam is being held up by Dr. Jordan, the first Deaf president of Gallaudet. He was great with kids, not that you can tell from Sam's awkward picture face :) Next to him is a man who was a deaf member of the board of trustees at the time, in the strong minority. The other three were student leaders of the movement.
My favorite part of the event was at the end when Bridgetta Bourne-Firl did a DPN chant with the audience, retelling the story in legend-style. Lucky for me, she explained how it worked in length, giving me time to get my camera out.
That's the theme of DPN - I can, you can, we can. Being Deaf doesn't mean you can't.
This is a magnificent story. It's one more people need to know about. It's a common experience - every group has had to stand up at some point in US history and say, "Yes we can, and we will." Martin Luther King Jr. led one of those movements. Ceasar Chavez led another one. And for all the Deaf Americans, this was their moment.
Lige's webpage never got completely finished, and it won't be on the NHD system forever. But until they take it down, you can learn more about it: http://23700814.nhd.weebly.com/
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
The thing that overwhelms me
Sometimes, I start to reflect. That's a scary thing to do. I almost always end up feeling a little uncomfortable and worried. The reason why is that it's really easy to see the hand of the Lord in our lives, influencing our path. And, you (rightly) say, that's not a bad thing! But after the feeling of amazement at everything that has happened, I always end up at the same conclusion: where is this train going?
There are two possible answers. One is that this really is what all the preparation was for, and after this we'll go back to our "normal lives". That's just depressing. I'm investing a lot of effort to learn a lot of things right now, and I would be sad if it was all over in 5 years, just like that.
The other possibility is that this is just the beginning. And that scares me, too. First off, this adventure is very wonderful, but I do always feel like I'm right on the ragged edge of disaster. (This always makes me feel bad, because all the families in the branch have been dealing with the distances and the trials of a small branch and everything for a long time. And a lot of them have done the branch president thing, too...when their families were younger...Well, at least they weren't learning a language, too...) But the bigger thing that scares me is being overwhelmed by having significance in God's grand plan. It's easier to believe in a God with small plans for your life - serve your neighbors, make the world a better place in simple ways, teach your family. It's a little bit more intimidating to consider that actually, this life is a big deal. That God needs me to do something, and hopefully I don't mess it up!
This is about the point in reflection that I stop and catch myself and remember that it doesn't really matter where the train goes, it will be a lot of fun, and trying to predict the future is a waste of time. And I pull myself back into my normal life of cleaning up shoes and making dinner and trying to be a good person. Phew.
There are two possible answers. One is that this really is what all the preparation was for, and after this we'll go back to our "normal lives". That's just depressing. I'm investing a lot of effort to learn a lot of things right now, and I would be sad if it was all over in 5 years, just like that.
The other possibility is that this is just the beginning. And that scares me, too. First off, this adventure is very wonderful, but I do always feel like I'm right on the ragged edge of disaster. (This always makes me feel bad, because all the families in the branch have been dealing with the distances and the trials of a small branch and everything for a long time. And a lot of them have done the branch president thing, too...when their families were younger...Well, at least they weren't learning a language, too...) But the bigger thing that scares me is being overwhelmed by having significance in God's grand plan. It's easier to believe in a God with small plans for your life - serve your neighbors, make the world a better place in simple ways, teach your family. It's a little bit more intimidating to consider that actually, this life is a big deal. That God needs me to do something, and hopefully I don't mess it up!
This is about the point in reflection that I stop and catch myself and remember that it doesn't really matter where the train goes, it will be a lot of fun, and trying to predict the future is a waste of time. And I pull myself back into my normal life of cleaning up shoes and making dinner and trying to be a good person. Phew.
Monday, March 5, 2018
Enthusiastic Sam
Sam has my funny story for the week. I'll be fair and give the background to the story, which makes what Sam said a lot more logical. But it was still funny!
In our family, you can pray in English or ASL, but if you want to pray in ASL you have to ask first. ASL prayers take longer (for us) and sometimes we're in a hurry. And asking gives everyone notice to open their eyes and pay attention. All of us have completely missed the prayer with our eyes closed waiting for it to start :)
On Sunday, for some reason, the kids did NOT want to sign in Primary. I spent most of Primary sitting behind kids saying, "Say that in sign language so Sister S. can understand you." Then for singing time, we went completely voices-off. We had a Gallaudet graduate in Linguistics come and teach us her translation of "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" in ASL. No piano, no English, just poetry and 11 kids. And I have to say, my kids came home pretty excited. They loved it.
Then, at the end of that, Sam was called on to give the closing prayer. He jumped up with a big smile on his face and asked, "Can I say it in sign language?"
In our family, you can pray in English or ASL, but if you want to pray in ASL you have to ask first. ASL prayers take longer (for us) and sometimes we're in a hurry. And asking gives everyone notice to open their eyes and pay attention. All of us have completely missed the prayer with our eyes closed waiting for it to start :)
On Sunday, for some reason, the kids did NOT want to sign in Primary. I spent most of Primary sitting behind kids saying, "Say that in sign language so Sister S. can understand you." Then for singing time, we went completely voices-off. We had a Gallaudet graduate in Linguistics come and teach us her translation of "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" in ASL. No piano, no English, just poetry and 11 kids. And I have to say, my kids came home pretty excited. They loved it.
Then, at the end of that, Sam was called on to give the closing prayer. He jumped up with a big smile on his face and asked, "Can I say it in sign language?"
End of church brain
I have diagnosed myself with a condition called "End of church brain." This is characterized by not being able to process non-native languages any more at the end of a busy 3 hours of church.
Actually, I was a little discouraged last week about how I still can't understand people half the time. Then we went to a baptism on Saturday, and I had a really easy time conversing with people. But after church the next day, it was all a fog again. I think I'm just going to have to face this reality that by the time I get 6 kids through church and teach two or three lessons in Primary to kids who still aren't sure they like me while keeping an eye on my baby wandering around putting things in her mouth, all in ASL, my brain is going to be shot.
It's sorta too bad that after church is really the only time I have to talk to people :)
I really don't picture this getting any better as I improve at ASL - I think the cause of brain fatigue is kids, not language processing. I mean, church is 3 hours of herding cats. I have this great dream of getting done with church not feeling like I've totally forgotten something important. Some weeks, it's announcing something. Or I forget to do singing time in Nursery. I usually forget my daughter in Nursery, and the Nursery teacher has to come find me to return her to me. (Seriously.)
Speaking of forgetting that same daughter, we went to a wrestling meet last week, and went out to the car after watching our friend that was competing. We got to the car and Lige asked where Martha was. Yup, she'd stayed behind. So I ran back to the school and found her with an official who really couldn't resist expressing his disapproval of women who leave their children behind. "Why did it take you so long to come back for her? She was here for, like, 10 minutes!" The other mothers and I totally laughed at him. He clearly didn't have very many kids.
So friends, since I can't beat it, I'm here to celebrate the messiness of life and be glad that I'm wearing my brain out in a good cause. If you see me and I can't talk to you, just send me home or feed me chocolate, and I'll recover quickly!
Actually, I was a little discouraged last week about how I still can't understand people half the time. Then we went to a baptism on Saturday, and I had a really easy time conversing with people. But after church the next day, it was all a fog again. I think I'm just going to have to face this reality that by the time I get 6 kids through church and teach two or three lessons in Primary to kids who still aren't sure they like me while keeping an eye on my baby wandering around putting things in her mouth, all in ASL, my brain is going to be shot.
It's sorta too bad that after church is really the only time I have to talk to people :)
I really don't picture this getting any better as I improve at ASL - I think the cause of brain fatigue is kids, not language processing. I mean, church is 3 hours of herding cats. I have this great dream of getting done with church not feeling like I've totally forgotten something important. Some weeks, it's announcing something. Or I forget to do singing time in Nursery. I usually forget my daughter in Nursery, and the Nursery teacher has to come find me to return her to me. (Seriously.)
Speaking of forgetting that same daughter, we went to a wrestling meet last week, and went out to the car after watching our friend that was competing. We got to the car and Lige asked where Martha was. Yup, she'd stayed behind. So I ran back to the school and found her with an official who really couldn't resist expressing his disapproval of women who leave their children behind. "Why did it take you so long to come back for her? She was here for, like, 10 minutes!" The other mothers and I totally laughed at him. He clearly didn't have very many kids.
So friends, since I can't beat it, I'm here to celebrate the messiness of life and be glad that I'm wearing my brain out in a good cause. If you see me and I can't talk to you, just send me home or feed me chocolate, and I'll recover quickly!
Sunday, March 4, 2018
Visiting the Branch
We had some friends visit in February. Both were assigned to visit because of Stake callings and brought their families with them. It was so fun to get to introduce my friends to my other friends! We went to the branch for the first time about a year and a half ago, and we'd already studied a lot of ASL when we went. We had already met many of the members because Marriner worked with them in the temple and they'd invited us to branch potlucks. I think we avoided a lot of anxiety that way.
But maybe YOU want to come visit, and you're a little nervous? As someone who used to be in your shoes, here are some things I've learned. I can't say I speak for everyone, these are just my experience. But hopefully they'll be helpful:
But maybe YOU want to come visit, and you're a little nervous? As someone who used to be in your shoes, here are some things I've learned. I can't say I speak for everyone, these are just my experience. But hopefully they'll be helpful:
- Don't park at the church. Save the 20 parking spots in the garage for people who can't walk, both from our branch and the Capitol Hill ward, since our meetings overlap. Parking on the street stinks because of all the people going to Eastern Market on a Sunday morning. So give yourself a lot of time to find a spot. There is some parking under the freeway bridge a few blocks south of the church on 8th street. We love parking there when it's not full.
- You can talk to people. Don't know any ASL? Everyone in the branch lives in a hearing world. They are exceptionally friendly. Many people can talk. So you can still communicate with people. I'm sure there will be someone who can interpret the meeting for you, as well.
- You should totally learn a little ASL. It's not cheesy or condescending or anything. Learn how to sign "My name is ________" Learn thank you and good morning and it's nice to meet you. Learn the alphabet. You'll enjoy it, you'll feel more comfortable, and the gesture is appreciated. My favorite ASL website is lifeprint.com.
- Keep your eyes open for the prayers :)
- Nobody's watching you to see if you're signing right when you join in the songs. You'll have more fun if you sign. And it's ok to sing, too, even though you'll be in the minority :)
- You might be asked to help out. We're a branch, which means staffing is always an issue. So you might be asked to teach Primary or Nursery or something.
- Going to the branch will probably be an amazing experience for you, and you will feel the Spirit strongly. I think that we take the gospel less for-granted in a different language. But I would avoid gushing over how "special" the branch or the meeting is. It can feel a little patronizing. Especially because everyone says it. We're just a normal branch with normal people with normal problems. Ok, and a few abnormal problems. Like how you can't communicate if you jam your finger playing dodge ball...not that we know from any recent personal experience...
Thursday, March 1, 2018
My first Merit Badge!
Guess what, I just signed off my first Merit Badge ever :) I'm a counselor for the cooking merit badge, and that was the only thing between my friend Ulisses and his Eagle Scout award. Since his 18th birthday is in, oh, 2 weeks...he popped over to my house today to get the last few requirements signed off.
After we were done signing off, we were listing the people he ought to let know that he was Done (with a capital D. Oh baby.) He listed Brother S, and his mom said, "Which one is that?"
"He's...um...er...he can't hear...very well...um..."
I realized that maybe a lot of you have this same problem. So to clear things up, the proper term is deaf (or hard of hearing if a person has less hearing loss). Everyone in the branch calls it the Deaf Branch. Except Marriner and I doggedly call it the ASL Branch because it's a language unit, not a special needs unit.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know that the word "deaf" is ok.
After we were done signing off, we were listing the people he ought to let know that he was Done (with a capital D. Oh baby.) He listed Brother S, and his mom said, "Which one is that?"
"He's...um...er...he can't hear...very well...um..."
I realized that maybe a lot of you have this same problem. So to clear things up, the proper term is deaf (or hard of hearing if a person has less hearing loss). Everyone in the branch calls it the Deaf Branch. Except Marriner and I doggedly call it the ASL Branch because it's a language unit, not a special needs unit.
Anyway, just wanted to let you know that the word "deaf" is ok.
Joy in Purpose
Last night was our second Activity Days meeting. It was pretty simple - we talked for about 10 minutes about what the Faith in God program was (one of our major goals in Activity Days is to help the kids complete the Faith in God program) then planned a service project to do at our next meeting. We are going to make 100 sandwiches for a group that feeds homeless in DC. We talked about how to get the $40 we need to buy the supplies, and each kid committed to earn $5 over the next 2 months to donate.
(On a side note - I was really glad that I'd just finished watching an ASL lesson on money terms!)
After the planning, we played a game, then I did a Faith in God interview with the kids who had brought their books. These kids are in the stage of life to begin forming personal religious habits, and I encouraged them to start saying prayers and paying tithing and all the other things that will strengthen them through those all-too-soon tough teenage years.
Today has been basking in the residual glow from the uplifting experiences last night. I feel energized thinking about ways to help these kids form the habits they need. I feel like I am involved in an important work that has meaning and eternal benefit. I want these kids to succeed - does this mean I'm really starting to love them?
Then it hits me - this is the joy of service. It's a deep feeling of knowing that you are doing something worthwhile in the world. It's not happiness - today I'm feeling very serious about it, certainly not all grins. It's not satisfaction - the journey is only beginning. But it's wonderful and energetic and creative. It's the gift of God when you're willing to love someone.
(On a side note - I was really glad that I'd just finished watching an ASL lesson on money terms!)
After the planning, we played a game, then I did a Faith in God interview with the kids who had brought their books. These kids are in the stage of life to begin forming personal religious habits, and I encouraged them to start saying prayers and paying tithing and all the other things that will strengthen them through those all-too-soon tough teenage years.
Today has been basking in the residual glow from the uplifting experiences last night. I feel energized thinking about ways to help these kids form the habits they need. I feel like I am involved in an important work that has meaning and eternal benefit. I want these kids to succeed - does this mean I'm really starting to love them?
Then it hits me - this is the joy of service. It's a deep feeling of knowing that you are doing something worthwhile in the world. It's not happiness - today I'm feeling very serious about it, certainly not all grins. It's not satisfaction - the journey is only beginning. But it's wonderful and energetic and creative. It's the gift of God when you're willing to love someone.
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