Do they speak my third language too?

It took me four months(!), but I have finally finished reviewing my Turkish language book.  I am thrilled to have met this goal, although it took me a month longer than intended.  I am encouraged by how much I remembered and discouraged by how much I have forgotten.  I have such a long ways to go, yet I am thankful to not still be stuck in the middle of the book.

Next goal: build my vocabulary!  I am constantly stuck searching my memory for a word I used to know.  Grammar is not helpful if you don't know the words to place into it.  I think my neighborhood conversation partners get a kick out of my ability to say a complex sentence mostly correctly in contrast to my inability to remember simple, every-day words.  This is what happens when you don't really use a language much for ten years!

As an aside, Nathanael now thinks that he can speak Turkish, since he has mastered a few phrases.  Of highest importance to him is this one:  Bir tane simit, lütfen! :)  And of course, it is followed by a muddled, five-year-old version of Teşekkürler.  We were chatting last week about the bilingual school he'll hopefully go to in a year, where they speak BOTH his home language and his Kindergarten language.  And he responded, "But Mom, do they speak my third language too?"  He was referring to Turkish!

Please Mind the Gap

I told myself I would blog tonight, so here I am.  I really wanted to share my heart a bit about our time in London, but I am completely spent right now.  The kids demanded so much today, as is often the case, and as I come to the point where they are actually quiet in their room, all I want to do is crash.  Thus, this post will be simply pictures from our time in London.  Hopefully I'll get around to sharing my heart about the time later.  In case I don't (which is quite probable), I'll write two things quickly here.

1. It was so amazing to visit family.  And to welcome a new person into our family!  We all fell in love with Desmond immediately, and we loved seeing Angie and Andrew as parents.  They are a wonderful family, and we love having them "near."

2. It was so amazing to be in an English-speaking country.  We were not prepared for how relaxing it would feel to not have to think much about what we were saying or hearing.  Absolutely amazing.  We're glad we haven't been in an English-speaking country for the last three years; it would have been very, very hard to return to Vienna in the midst of culture shock.

And now the pictures.

Gregory and Desmond meet.

My turn, with my little cuddlebug right with me, of course.

She loved "Baby Des" and still talks about him with a sparkle in her eye.

Look at Nathanael's admiration!

We went on multiple walks every day, so of course Desmond wore adorable jackets!


Nathanael's favorite London walking partner

Mom, look what we walked past in a window display!  Look familiar?!

The amazing multi-tasking mom!

Eva warmed up quickly to her Auntie and Uncle.

Our spoils...they only lasted one day.

Food was definitely a theme.  It was all so familiar, other than the baked beans for breakfast, which we actually thought were delicious.

Our attempt at a picture with the cousins

oh well

We miss you, Bryans!  Can't wait to see you again soon!
Yea for living on the same continent again!!!

Going out on a limb

I am about to share something with you all that is a bit scary.  You see, I've written a handful of songs (mostly in German).  And I'd like to share them.  They were written to serve God and His Church.  And I can't truly do that unless I share them.  So here they are.


More info about each song, specifically the stories behind them, is available on Soundcloud:  https://soundcloud.com/kimberking/sets/singt-dem-herrn-ein-neues-lied.  One of these days I promise I'll write out translations.

I have no idea how to record a song well.  I originally recorded them on Garageband so that I wouldn't forget them when I settled on the melody.  These recordings are one step up--I mean, I actually recorded the keys and vocal on two separate tracks!--to serve the purpose of sharing the songs.  I didn't have a good microphone--can we say, free headphone mic from Rosetta Stone--and I simply used default settings on Garageband.  So please listen with kind ears, and hopefully you'll be able to listen past the poor quality and hear the message of the songs.

I'd love to hear your reactions to the music, should God meet you through these songs.  That is my prayer.  The lyric sheets and chords are available for free; just email me at kimber.king@gmail.com.

Nathanael's adjustment at Kindergarten

An email from my sister-in-law yesterday reminded me that I need to update you all on Nathanael's progress at Kindergarten.  We put out a "call for prayer" of sorts at the end of October, due to a few uncharacteristic behavioral issues, and then we never updated you all.  So here goes.

A bit of background.  In September, Nathanael was moved from the youngest group at the Kindergarten to the oldest group, basically the equivalent of "Kindergarten" in the US.  He and one other boy, who is also four, are the youngest, with most kids being five and many already turning six.  He has seemed to take really well to the transition, even thrive with the higher level of expectations.  Of course, the teacher has commented to me about how he struggles to sit still during their morning circle time, but that worried me not one bit!  What did she expect when she asked to bring a four-year-old boy into her class?! ;)

Still, as October was winding down, we knew something was wrong.  Out of respect for the little guy, I'll spare you the details.  But a handful of things were occurring that are simply not our Nathanael.  We asked for prayer from many of you, not knowing how serious the impetus for this behavior would be, and a couple days later, out of seemingly nowhere, Nathanael opened up to me.

In German, he said, "Mom, some children call me a baby in Kindergarten."  I stayed with him in German, and we talked about who and how often (it was a lot!).  We talked about why they may be saying this, addressing him being the youngest but also talking about how they may have been called the same thing when they joined the older group, not that that makes it right.  And then, we spoke about what to do when other people say mean things about us.  It was such an amazing, teachable moment.  By the end of the conversation, my brave four-year-old felt ready to tackle whatever may be said to him, because he knows that he is loved by God, and by his family.  And I think he better understood what it may look like for him to "love his enemies" with the love of Jesus.  We prayed together, and then I think he probably said something random and seemingly shallow and silly as a transition out of the conversation.  Four-year-olds.

We celebrate God's clear answer to our prayers.  He led Nathanael to speak with us, and He gave me wisdom to stay with Nathanael in German, to allow him to express this heart issue in the language it most affects him.  And in the end, God used it to bless Nathanael and hopefully other children in his Kindergarten group.

2014 Lantern Celebration (St. Martin's Day)

So I totally looked at what Wikipidea could tell me about St. Martin's Day, because the little I know about it is pieced together from random conversations (in German), often with the Kindergarten teachers and lots of ambient noise in the background, or from the songs Nathanael sings about the day (also in German).  And you know how it is, trying to understand a four-year-old, singing a song in your own language.  A portion of the words are a bit off, often humorously so.  Well, imagine it in a second language!  He does great with it, but sometimes I simply have no idea what he's singing!

Anyway, here's the short description of our experience of St. Martin's Day from Wikipidea: Children walk in processions carrying lanterns, which they made in school, and sing Martin songs.  Yep, that's it.  November 11th.  Oh, and don't forget the delicious buffet at the end of the procession!

 
What was kind of funny/ironic to me this year, is that the teachers chose an English song for the repertoire:  This little light of mine.  So I grew up singing this one as a kid in church.  It was so strange to be standing in a circle with parents and children here in Vienna, listening to all these non-English speakers singing, "This little light of mine.  I'm gonna let it shine..."  I wondered if I was the only one in that circle who was thinking about my son's light in terms of "the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ." (2 Corinthians 4)  The reality is:  I probably was.  Every morning, by request of Nathanael, we pray together by name for five of his friends and three of his teachers, that they would come to know the immeasurable joy of knowing Jesus.  It is the impact we pray will be left in this Kindergarten, this neighborhood, this city, this country...

Music, or perhaps "Musik" is more appropriate

I've allowed myself to give in to a longing recently.  To write songs of worship again.  But not as I had before.  This time, in German!  It began with a song that was simply in my head a week or so ago.  It's about our desire as a church community to see God bring about change in our city.  I had to get it on paper; I couldn't rest until I had done so.  Then the other three came after hearing of some gaps in our church's repertoire - one Christmas song and two along the lines of repentance and confession.  Again, I couldn't rest until I'd written them!

Whether or not we ever sing them in church, it is such an encouraging experience to come to a place in a language where one can express one's heart with a depth that is sometimes even difficult in one's first language!  I have so far to go in German, but I am encouraged that I am able to express myself in German through music, especially to God, when I have time and space (and a good dictionary), and when I surrender the entire process to Him.

Side

We took a week to escape and enjoy the beach together in Side, Turkey, a resort town near Antalya.  It was especially important to me as the hotel took care of absolutely everything.  I didn't have to think about a single meal (other than nursing the babe, of course), and we spent the entire time playing and attempting to relax (other than the day when Nathanael threw up every 20-30 minutes for about eight hours straight).  Don't worry, we tipped the maid well!  It was surreal to be back in Turkey; the last time we visited was March 2009.  We love the people just as much, and we were able to smile at most of the cultural oddities, understanding a lot of what was going on below the surface.  It was fun to speak some Turkish as well, though we haven't begun to review the language yet.  German needs another year to solidify in our minds!

They had ice cream hour twice a day!  Nathanael sure kept everyone laughing at our hotel!

 As we expected, he loved playing in the sand and water all day every day.

 The hotel had a great pool for kids as well.

 Eva spent the majority of the days sleeping in the hotel room or right here in the stroller, even taking one nap every day on the beach, lulled to sleep by the sound of the waves.  (Not really; she pretty much cried herself to sleep, and the loud waves made it not sound so bad.  It's a phase.)

 Dad!!!

Blessed times with our Austrian Church

The past few months, God has opened up opportunities for Gregory and me to serve and participate more in the life of our church family.  One such way has been in leading songs of worship a few Sundays, a huge step for us linguistically and also an incredibly impetus for German becoming more a language of our hearts.

 

We also were able to attend our church's annual retreat this month.  We attended last year, four days after arriving in country, and what a different experience we had this year!  We thank God for how He has grown us over the past year and melded our hearts with this community and culture and language.

 

A Surprise Baby Shower

I thought we were simply going to be babysitting our friends' kids for a few hours on Saturday morning.  But when we arrived, a house full of loving women from our church greeted us to surprise me with a double baby shower!  I was overwhelmed by the love and support and friendship, immensely grateful to these women who are becoming friends and family to us.  I had slept horribly the night prior, so my German was a complete mess, but they were so patient and accepting of me, including all my fumbles in speaking and understanding.  Here are a few pictures that tell the story of the time together.

 

What to say after over six months of silence

Gregory is out having drinks with a friend.  I should be going to bed; rather, I should be asleep right now.  But instead my heart and mind want to blog.  So here goes.  It's been over half a year.  So much has happened.  It is impossible to "catch up" this blog, but I can still share my heart.

The last time I posted here, we'd just moved into our apartment in Vienna, and life was looking as if it might settle a bit.  And about a month later, it did.  For about three weeks, before morning sickness hit hard. :)  God has indeed blessed us with a lasting pregnancy, and we are immensely thankful and hopeful in Him to bring this little girl into our arms in June.  October, November, and December of 2012 were some of my most difficult months, simply trying to make it through each day, exhausted and overwhelmed by all of the discomforts and difficulties of a trying first trimester while taking care of Nathanael and attempting to not lose all of the German I'd learned.  Still in the midst of that, God upheld us by His right hand, carried us faithfully through, and brought us into a new season.  We had a wonderful visit from family over the holidays which carried us through the last couple weeks of sickness.

January and February were months of intense growth for me as I dove into full-time German classes again.  I absolutely loved how much progress I was making, especially after three months of barely surviving, but it was difficult to see so many things at home falling by the wayside because I simply had no time nor energy to give outside of German class and homework.

And here we are at the beginning of March.  The sun has been shining now for a few days, the snow has melted, and I feel the awakening of Spring with all of the new life and growth it brings.  Nathanael and I went out yesterday afternoon and walked around aimlessly for a couple hours, stopping at three different playgrounds along the way.  It was wonderful.  I myself also feel freed by this new season, freed to simply enjoy being mom to my son, freed to take time to accomplish some necessary tasks at home, freed to pursue growth in German in some more personal areas of interest, and freed to allow my mind and heart to walk around aimlessly, to think and dream and be.  Evidence:  I'm actually writing a blog post.  That has to be a good sign.

I know that one more month of full-time German classes awaits me in April.  I know that the discomforts of pregnancy are going to only intensify in the next few months.  I know that having an infant and becoming a family of four are going to be more difficult than I can imagine.  But right now, I am choosing to savor these few days of thriving instead of simply surviving.  And I'm looking back on God's abundant faithfulness and provision through the storms with a heart full of gratitude and joy.

Kindergarten!

We received a surprise call in February from the Kindergarten across the street.  They had a family move away and called to offer Nathanael the spot for the remainder of the year!  We were stunned, prayed a lot about it, and then celebrated this answer to prayer for Nathanael to attend half-day Kindergarten (pre-school)!  We'd thought he'd have to wait until September.  Here's our big boy on his first day.

And his second day was Fasching (kids dress in costumes), so we put him in this cool shirt, which he loved.  The kids got to eat apricot-jelly-filled donuts too.  Not a bad way to begin Kindergarten!

April update:
He adjusted really well at first, went through a few weeks of difficulty, and then slowly readjusted and worked up to his current attendance of three hours in the morning.  He loves going, loves his teachers, classmates, activities.  He frequently asks in the afternoon if he can go again.  And he's picking up tons of German, which was one of our biggest reasons for sending him.  Praise God!

Here are some pictures his teachers gave us after his April birthday party: