a layne post

We are at the two-thirds point now, as we only have four weeks left. That Mexican food keeps calling to me, keeping my loyalties to America strong. Pathetic! ;)

Classes have continued to be productive, and Jon and I feel very good about our progress. Over the past couple of weeks one particular thing that has improved is our writing. I believe this is because we have learned a handful of new verbs, which allow us to speak more specifically about the past.  Also, our comprehension is gradually improving. We are still not where we would like to be, but we are on our way! By October, we should be set. One of our goals when we arrived was to be able understand our host, Maria. Now, we can! There are a few times when she gets going fast, and it all becomes blurred, but for the most part we can understand. Hooray!

Even still, every now and then I will reach busy counter of people ordering and asking questions, and for some reason my mind goes entirely blank. I say really silly things and use big hand motions.  Then I walk away knowing exactly the beautiful sentence I should of said, full of adjectives and adverbs… it is sad!

I had a new surge of inspiration this week to scour the internet for Angolan contacts. I thought I had found everything, but this time I found some new working emails and sent some inquiries. I have had a couple responses, and now we wait. One good contact I will not be able to chat with until the end of September. Honestly, we have so many wonderful people working hard to assist us in this process; people who believe in what we want to do, and are being so very helpful. We are blessed.

This weekend I am missing the birthday party of one of my nieces… these are the times when I remember the sacrifice of leaving. I can overwhelm myself with emotions when I think of these sweet little ones and the fact that they may never know their Aunt Layne and Uncle Jon the way I would want them to. We have counted the cost, and we know it is worth it, but it can be a little tough sometimes. Thank the Lord for internet and Skype. It is more possible than ever before for missionaries to remain connected to their families.

Thank you for your continued prayer and support. We hope in the Lord and trust in His perfect plans for us.

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