The youth, around 25 total, were divided into 2 groups and sent into classrooms where 2 teachers spoke only in a foreign language to them. Steve, one of the 2 teachers, greeted the kids in Italian and the youth were just confounded. When Steve asked them their names or how old they were in Italian, the youth would respond with random answers that had nothing to do with the questions (notice the kid covering his face).
The youth were looking to me for help and answers, and I too would only respond in Italian.
Natalie was laughing because she could understand, but she was instructed not to say anything.
Steve then went on to teach the youth how to make Brownies in Italian, something he learned to do as a missionary in Sicily.
The youth started to get really excited because they heard the word "brownies," and they kept asking if they were going to eat brownies?
One sweet girl named Shyne, who we all call SunShyne, (next to Natalie with the black sleeves) started to get the hang of Italian by listening intently, she started figuring out what Steve was saying. Steve would say "forno" and SunShyne would say "Oh I get it, you put the Brownies in the furnace or oven. You are teaching us HOW to make Brownies." (Steve is pointing to her and saying "Si")
In the other classroom, Sister De Valle was speaking Spanish to her group (She was born in Puerto Rico)
Trevor and Brendan both speak/understand Spanish but they had to pay attention because her dialect was different than what they are used to. But after concentrated listening, they could respond to her questions about music in Spanish. The rest of the group just shook their heads with confusion.
In the other classroom, Sister De Valle was speaking Spanish to her group (She was born in Puerto Rico)
Trevor and Brendan both speak/understand Spanish but they had to pay attention because her dialect was different than what they are used to. But after concentrated listening, they could respond to her questions about music in Spanish. The rest of the group just shook their heads with confusion.
After 10 minutes, I gathered them all to the cultural hall and asked the youth if they had difficulties understanding the languages, were they frustrated because they didn't understand, did they tune out?
There was a lot of laughing at the confusion and the need/ want to understand the foreign tongues.
I compared learning a foreign language to learning the language of the Sprit. How we have to practice, how we have to actively listen. I explained how making quiet time, with no ipod, Facebook or music helps us tune into the Spirit and hear and understand the language of the still, small voice. I shared an experience of how my dad was on a noisy tractor, and he couldn't hear my baby brother Dan calling for help when he was being squished in the corral by the tractor my dad was driving. My Dad could not hear my mom calling to STOP! But how my dad finally did "hear" the piercing voice, the language of the Spirit and my brother was not killed. I challenged them to listen after prayer, during the sacrament, when they were alone and not add background noise or media, and if they did, they would start to hear and understand the Language of the Spirit. They would recognize the directions, the peace and comfort. The youth were so quiet and attentive that I truly believe they felt the Spirit testify of this truth. It was one of those moments as a leader where you feel connected to something bigger than you and that these are truly Heavenly Father's valiant Youth that He kept for the last days to help usher in the Savior.
Of course, I had to laugh at the end, because someone asked if we were finally going to have those BROWNIES now. Nope-- we served them Banana Splits instead. Got to end with a spiritual AND a sugar high.
2 comments:
What a great lesson! I am so impressed with how many languages your children already know!!! So great! You look marvelous darling!
You are so amazing! What a wonderful activity, one they will never forget! What a blessing you are to them.
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