I've been learning to sign. I mean really. This past month has been a wonderful introduction into the world of the deaf. I have picked up things for a while. Years ago I worked with a deaf ESL student from Columbia who could read Spanish lips. So I would interpret by speaking Spanish to her and her ASL teacher would teach her sign language in English. She would show me a few things in Spanish sign as well. It was a very interesting 6 weeks of collaboration.
Then about a year ago we discovered "Signing Time" on PBS. I started recording it and watching it with my girls. It was a fun interactive show that taught us ASL through repetition and song. I loved it. Then I noticed a couple of deaf people who were coming to church about the same time that I was called as RS President. I caught them in the hall before they could escape and asked for lessons. It took us 5 months to get to the point of actually taking lessons with them, but it has been a beautiful experience.
Last week after my first lesson I felt impressed to try and interpret for them. I know -crazy, huh? But I prayed for the gift of tongues and hoped for the best. I didn't do too poorly. I could feel the spirit there helping us to understand one another. They corrected me as I went along and I learned.
My husband was very impressed with my skills. I take little credit as I know it was more help from above than from me. I may be learning fast, but it isn't without lots of help. I truly feel like an instrument in the Lord's hands. Hopefully I can get out of the way and let him do His work.
Today we came a little more prepared having practiced the songs for the service. After church last week, Jhonny pulled out an ASL DVD of a selection of hymns that he had bought years ago that I didn't know we had. We found out which songs would be sung and tried to practice all week. Jhonny joined me in my lesson last week. I'm hoping he will take over some of the interpreting soon. He's still a little shy, but I say so. . .? I don't know much more than he does.
I'm looking forward to Tuesday and our next lesson at 7pm. Anyone is welcome to come over & learn with us. Here's Jess and a few things she has picked up.
1 comment:
Hey Chalice, Congratulations on your learning of ASL and your first experience interpreting for a deaf person. It really is quite and experience. I will never forget the first time i interpreted a sacrament meeting. Grandpa had volunteered me to interpret for the member in their ward the day of Dustin's homecoming. Good Luck with your learning and new experiences!
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