Sunday I experienced my first major “Oh Crap” moment while in France.  The first five days I spend all my time with the Gabriele’s primarily at their house, with a few trips to the park, the Basteille and Grenoble.  Each day my French would improve by working with them, resulting in them often saying I’m learning French very quickly, faster than any other person they’ve taught.  But of course I think, “Yea, I’m getting pretty good at this.”  Who wouldn’t think so if everyone keeps telling them?

This weekend I spent time with George’s brother, Nicolas’s friends, attended church with the family, and a university group with Nicolas.  Holy crap! Bla, bla, bla, bla, bla, bla, bla, one word I know, bla, bla, bla, bla, one word I know, bla, bla, bla, bla, bla, bla, bla, bla, bla. After five minutes of the sermon, I simply gave up trying to understand anything because of the headache it gave me.  I decided to write in my journal instead, at least it would be productive.  George and Christine, my French parents as I call them, lead worship at church and kindly introduced me to the entire church.  I just wish I knew it was coming since I have no idea what they said until Guillaume hit me and said stand up.  After church, a few missionaries who attend the church became my saving grace by seeking me out and talking.

During the drive home and through lunch I barely spoke a word, French or English.  I felt a great sense of accomplishment concerning my French skills throughout the week, only to have a rude awakening at church.  Christine asked me why I was quite and I simply told her I was overwhelmed, of course a word she didn’t know so we looked it up in a dictionary, a routine task we perform about fifty or so times a day.  The Gabriele’s tell me I am progressive extremely well, but also my friends here who speak English repreatively tell me after two months my French will be great, able to carry on most conversations.

Combining the daily progress and the vast amount of encouragement the view of my French skills was greatly inflated.  But alas, even though David or Ashley aren’t here to burst my bubble, someone stepped in to take their place.  After lunch the family, George, Christine, Nicolas, Guillaume and I went to the Chateau de Visille, or Castle of the Revolution.  One of the best things about the Gabriele’s is everyone, literally each family member, loves helping me learn French.  We walked through the castle garden’s for over three hours, the entire time George walked beside me teaching me the language, all while laughing and having a great time.  Exactly what I needed after the morning.  The Lord brought me here for the summer to learn French, to be humbled, and to learn it’s okay to look stupid.  So far, the last two have been greatly accomplished.