The Clyde Family

The Clyde Family

Friday, February 24, 2012

Bonjour!!!!

I was called to sub in a Primary class last Sunday. It was the second Sunday in a row. The first one was pretty frustrating with Harper, wrestling her for 3 hours and trying to teach a lesson isn't the easiest thing to do. So, the whole week I had a pretty crappy attitude. I prepared the lesson, grudgingly. I wasn't very happy going in to Primary. Overall, I just needed an attitude adjustment.

Well, we had just went into Primary when our new Primary President (that is new in our ward and had no idea who I was or ANYTHING about me) came over to me and told me that, "you have a new boy in your class. I don't know how to say his name and, oh by the way, he only speaks French". She pats me on the shoulder, giggles and walks away. RIGHT THEN I knew why I was there.

I took 3 years of French in High School and 2 years in College. That was 100 years ago, but I can still hold a decent conversation. I felt a chill come over my body and I knew that I wasn't there to teach the lesson, I was there to make this little 7 year old feel welcomed.

Sure enough, he didn't speak any English but when I started speaking French to him, his eyes lit up!!! He couldn't believe I was speaking to him in his native tongue!!! I was able to keep him up to speed as far as sharing time and singing time went and then when we went to class, I was able to teach the other 4 children in the class some things to say to Xavier to make him feel more comfortable. It was so fun!!!

I saw his brother in the hall and spoke to him in French. He was confused. They just BARELY moved here from a French island down by Australia, so their family was the only ones they've been able to converse with.

At the end of Primary, I was able to talk to Xavier some more and I told him that we could be friends. He didn't need to try speaking English to me, I would speak to him in French.

It was such a cool day. Sometimes I doubt why Heavenly Father puts me in certain situations. This is one of those lessons that I shouldn't second guess Him!!!! So, I'm going to brush up on my church vocabulary and see how this Sunday goes when I see the family!!!

Since this happened, I have been thinking and dreaming in French. I LOVE it!!!! There are times when I pop off with a common phrase in French and I have to really think to say it in English. SO COOL!!!!! I have always loved the French language and I'm pretty good at it, so this is maybe just motivation to get me back to where I used to be!!!!

Remember, you don't always know the plan HE has in store for us!!!!!

2 comments:

Peggy Clyde said...

The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Our ABC Family said...

Chills! Love that story, and good for you for keeping up with it! It's amazing the things the Lord puts in front of you.