American Sign Language

My senior year of High School, I was ready to be done! Through my high school, I took american sign language (ASL) through the local Community College. I worked the system at the high school to get off 1st and 2nd period for those classes that were held after school. (If you know me, you understand that getting the mornings off is vital, because I don't work well in the morning, which always makes me late.) I LOVED ASL!!! I loved my teacher, the class, the language, the responsibility of college, etc etc. Although I've tried and failed other languages in my life (French and Russian), ASL seemed to come naturally to me. I understood everything my deaf teacher was signing, and I could remember the sign for almost every word I had learned. I felt like I was one of the best in my class, and my teacher was impressed that I had never signed before. It is easy to say that ASL was the highlight of my school year!

When I decided to go to college in Rexburg, I knew that I would not be able to pursue sign language. That was ok because I had other reasons for attending college. But it has always made me sad that ASL made me so happy, and I was kind of left at a dead end in Rexburg. So over the past 4 years I have forgotten a lot! I still remember one story that I told for my midterm, but it doesn't come up in common conversation very often. ha ha.

Since moving back to Highlands Ranch, I have jumped head first into sign language! I am teaching sunbeams with a deaf girl. I sign and speak every lesson I give in class. I don't interpret for sharing time yet, but I watch. I attend a sign class every Wednesday night. I visit teach a deaf woman. I still have a long way to go to even get back to where I was in high school, but I'm remembering and learning so much! The family in our ward that uses sign language is so nice and patient! It has been a lot of fun getting to know them and using ASL! I still feel almost sloppy with my signs, but I understand so much of what is said. I definitely feel like the Lord is blessing me in this progress.