Well, Beth and I are just a couple weeks away from being finished with full-time language. We're torn--partially we're relieved to not have so much language study every day. But at the same time we're terrified; it feels that even though we have been studying full-time for the last three months, we don't really know what we're doing. Our grasp on the Russian language is small. It's not horrendous, though. Fortunately we are able to get around pretty much however we need. We just can't actually hold a conversation, and that's what Beth and I are so bothered by. I feel like the more we learn, the more we realize how far away we are from accomplishing what we desire. That's true about learning in general, I believe.
Even after our full time language study is over, we are going to try to at least study part time-- whether with a tutor, or a friend here in Moscow. The more we interact the more we have this incredible desire to communicate, to understand and be understood.
As daunted as we have been, we definitely have been having fun with it. We have tried a lot of new things here and pushed past our comfort zone when it comes to using the language. It's funny to even think about the tasks we have tried and how we consider them "scary:" We've tried to order pizza on the phone (unsuccessfully), we tried to get tickets to take an electrichka out of Moscow (successfully!). There have been ups and downs, but I'm thankful for the ability to laugh at our mistakes (I have certainly made a ton of them). The more we try, regardless of our success our failure, the more we learn. Most people are incredibly helpful to correct and guide us if we need it.
Pray for us as we narrow down what we need to learn in the coming weeks.
And thanks so much for keeping up. It's (selfish, but) good to know you care.
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