Update After Session 3

I just finished up my third of eight sessions at GIAL in Dallas. I have studied Grammar, Phonetics and Phonology. I’m well on my way to having a basis for understanding the languages of the world! I’m really enjoying my classes a lot. I’m learning a lot of fascinating things about languages like Seri (from Mexico), Korean, Pitjantjatjara (from Australia), Zulu (from southern Africa) and many other languages. No, I’m not actually learning to speak these languages; I’m just learning things about the sounds people make while speaking them or about the structure of them.

Here are some of my favorite quotes from my professors:

“If you still have some areas of confusion, we have done our job well.” - Paul Kroeger, Grammatical Analysis Instructor, on their goal of showing us that we still have much to learn about Grammar.
“The main reason for the existence of Phonology is to provide a means of employment for phonologists.” - Steve Parker, Phonology Instructor, tongue-in-cheek answer to a student’s question about why we are learning such in-depth analysis.

I’m blessed to be living on a campus with many great people. I live in the dorm with a few other students. We have a lot of fun playing games, hanging out, doing homework together, going out for Vietnamese or Moroccan food (see photo), etc.
I’m also working at Walgreens part-time and tutoring some middle schoolers. So I have a very busy schedule right now.
I’m in the process of applying for membership with Wycliffe. I’m looking into doing a storying project (called OneStory) overseas when I’m done with my classes here. It would involve translating Bible stories into a language that is unwritten so that the people can have a snapshot overview of the message of the whole Bible. I will have one partner with me. There’s a girl here studying with me named Chelsea who I may partner up with.
I was able to go to Knoxville for my older brother’s wedding on March 1. Shout out to Dave and Sara! It was great to see friends and family there.

Please pray:

• for time-management (that I would focus on what is important not just what is urgent)
• for wisdom about decisions regarding OneStory
• for wisdom about whether Chelsea and I should be partners
• that I would learn to focus on God’s glory in all situations