I failed Spanish

(post before this one is an update on us)

When I was in High School, I flunked one class... Spanish.

When I was in college, I applied with a government agency and I had to take a test that showed how well I would be able to learn a foreign language, particularly Spanish (I was required to learn Spanish after I was hired). Well I flunked the test, and never made it to the interview phase.

Before my first trip to Peru, I was trying to learn some Spanish, and it was really hard for me. I ordered a Spanish learning kit online, and it came with lots of CD´s, and I was able to go online, and print off the materials I needed. But I lacked motivation and joy to study it. It was just something I didn´t like doing. But I was going to Peru, and I needed to learn some Spanish, and so that put a lot of pressure on me. But I finally got to the point where I just wanted to quit trying. So I asked God to be in control, and help me. I stopped studying, and tried to just leave it in God´s hands. On the plane flight to Peru, I had a basic Spanish study book, and I wanted to remember atleast some words, but I just lacked motivation, and probably studied for about 5 minutes. (I spent 15 hours on 3 planes).

My first trip to Peru, it was so hard to communicate with Eliana or anybody. It was so hard. After that trip I remember saying that was probably the hardest 3 weeks of my life, but also probably the most blessed 3 weeks. But isn´t that the great thing about difficulties? I love it when I can experience God´s comfort, because it comes like a rainbow after a storm.

My point is writing this is because I want to give God credit for my Spanish. My Spanish is not fluent, but it keeps getting better and better. I have no choice here but to speak in Spanish. I have learned Spanish mainly by listening to Eliana, but also others, and catching on, and then speaking it myself, and speaking words over and over and over. I am able to speak quickly, and do not really have to think when I put together sentences. It is coming naturally now. Pronounciation is so important. Often people don´t understand me, and they will ask Eliana what I said, or I will repeat myself, but usually I am able to have a conversation with someone. Eliana said that my Spanish is probably a 7 out of 10. So I have much to learn, but I think for someone who flunked Spanish and hated studying it, I am doing quite well. And although sometimes I will have the thought ¨I have done well learning Spanish¨, that is not the right thought, because God has been behind this, and he has taught me this Spanish. And now I can speak to my wife all day in Spanish, and understand everything she says to me in Spanish, except for sometimes I do not understand a word or two, and she explains it to me. So may God have the glory and the credit that He deserves. He is quite a teacher :)

Update

Well there are several updates. On a previous post, I said that Eliana was 8 1/2 months pregnant. Well it turned out I was a little off, and she is just now coming up to the 8 1/2 half month mark. That is what the doctor said.
Elianas feet are really swelling. She seems to do well, but I know they get sore. She showed the doctor, and she was worried about Elianas feet. But I hope that the swelling will soon go down.
Today the doctor said that Andrew is well, and we are very glad to hear that.
Eliana has done really well. If I were in her shoes, and I had to go through what she has, I would probably throw fits everyday. I wish I had the patience that Eliana has. Soon she will go into labor, and I am really dreading that day, because I wish she didn´t have to go through that, but I can see how God is preparing her for it. It really helps to know that God is with us. I think I will be able to be in the delivery room whenever Andrew is about to be born. So Eliana may go through most of the labor without me in the room, and I was upset about that, but Eliana is certainly not a lone, her heavenly Father is with her. And if I were in the delivery room, there is so many distractions, it may be hard to pray, and if I am in the waiting room, I can pray. Or you never know, maybe I can be the entire time in the delivery room. If you don´t mind, please mention Eliana and Andrew in your prayers.
When we go to the hospital for Elianas exercise class, I wait in the waiting room, and there are people everywhere holding babies, and toddlers playing. I always watch them, and I also want to hold a baby, or play with one of those toddlers, and so it is wonderful to think that our son is almost here.