September 25 Update

Welcome to Fall, Friends!

The weather has been absolutely beautiful. There was so much to do in Carmel this weekend as well as around Indianapolis. I hope that you got out to enjoy the weather and events. I was lucky to

In International Bible Study we read about Jesus' baptism in John 1:29-34. In order to understand this story we referenced the other biographies of Jesus found in the Bible:

• Matthew 3:13-17
• Mark 1:9-11
• Luke 3:21-23, and 23-38 shows us how Jesus ancestors go back to Adam

We discovered that Jesus was a familiar person to those around Him. Something new happened during the Baptism. His status as God's Son was proclaimed. God said, "This is my Son, I am well pleased." The Holy Spirit came down from heaven "like a dove." This is one situation where we see God the One God in three persons: Father, Son and Holy Spirit (the fundamental Christian belief). This is the beginning of Jesus' ministry. In baptism, a person becomes a child of God.

We tailgated in the parking lot at International Friends on Tuesday. We played the Indiana traditional game of cornhole. Here's how you play: take turns tossing four bean bags; a bean bag in the hole scores three points and one on the board scores one point. there are many more details and rules (that are made up at the tailgate), but the most important one is the tailgate handicap: you must have your beverage in your hand! Tailgating is a fun social event. Some people go all out and have more than a grill. People may become creative and competitive and even bring an RV for cooking comfort.

At Wednesday Conversation we talked about the many places to go and things to do in the Indianapolis Area this weekend. We also talked about going to the Indiana Dunes and that a beautiful beach is 2:45 from Carmel!

Our English Classes continue to grow. I interrupted classes to share the important slang word: hoity toity. Be sure to remember this gem of a term. While it is oldie it is still a goodie when it's first use was in 1668.

This has been a long weekend with many exciting things to do. Be sure to look for Fall: it seems like the trees got the message from the calendar and have begun to change their color.

Have a great evening and see you soon!
Carolyn

Tuesday, September 20, Room 100
International Bible Study, 9:00-10:30: John 1:35-51, Jesus invites disciples to join Him.
Join us as we see how Jesus invites people to join Him and how they respond.

International Friends, 10:30-12:00: Let's talk about football!
We were so busy tailgating, we didn't have time to even begin to talk about football! Join us as Elizabeth explains the terms we need to know to watch and talk about the big game.

Wednesday, October 1, Upstairs Classroom
Open Conversation: 4:30-6:00: Let's try taichi!
Join us as we try Eight Form Taichi and talk about fitness and exercise. What is your favorite way to exercise (mine was 16 ounce curls this weekend!)? What is good for you? Why do you think so? Do we really even want to exercise? Join us as we talk about this and many other things (in English!)

Thursday, October 2, Upstairs Classrooms
English Classes: 9:30-12:00: We are continuing to grow in our English skills. Now you are becoming familiar with your teachers and the other friends in your class. It is an important time because you want to become comfortable with each other so that you can easily share conversational English. Listen to your teachers' accents. Do they sound different than the friends around you? How do you suppose other people hear your accent?

absolutely: totally, without limits
biographies of Jesus: these four books of the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) are called the Gospels (good news)
tailgated: a party or picnic out of the back of your car or van before a sporting event.
handicap: a rule or system that levels the playing field, or gives advantages to players
go all out: make an extreme effort
2:45: two hours and forty five minutes
hoity toity: people who think they are better than other people (usually related to more money) and let everyone around them know it: (zamasu for short!)
comfortable with each other: familiar

September 19 Update

Hello, Friends!

I am writing this with apple cider simmering on the stove. What a delicious way to celebrate a cool morning. When I make hot cider, I add an orange, a cinnamon stick and whole cloves to the pan and let it simmer. If I am making just a cup, then I might splash a little orange juice and a dash of ground cinnamon and cloves (or even pumpkin pie spice).

We had a great trip to Stuckey Farm on with the International Friends on Tuesday. The weather was perfect, even if the quinces were not!

At International Bible Study John the Baptist is asked to testify who he is. The people wondered if he was the Christ (the Savior), or the Prophet, or Elijah (a prophet who God took directly to heaven without him dying, see 2 Kings 2:11). John tells them that he is the one who is telling the people to, "get ready, get prepared." John was baptizing (washing) the people who heard and believed what he said (faith). Through baptism sins are forgiven and a new life of faith is born. This is grace: free and undeserved favor of God that is given to anyone who hears about it and believes. In this story, we see that God gives us every opportunity to be successful in our lives and our relationship with Him. He doesn't try to trick us or trap us, but wants us to be fully aware of His intentions and purpose and see His love and care for us. We, in turn, love and care for each other.

At Wednesday Conversation we looked at articles in the Current in Carmel to see what was interesting this week. The Current in Carmel, Fishers, etc. are a great place to find out what is going on and opportunities to see and do things. The Barktember article was interesting. At the close of the swimming season, the Monon Center opens the pools to the dogs. This fundraiser for the Hamilton County Humane Society always has a great turn out. We enjoyed reading about a Colombian dessert made with coconut and brown sugar. Yum. We also looked at some ALS challenge videos on YouTube. The ALS challenge is sweeping the nation. This fundraiser combines fun and media: dump icy water over your head, or contribute to the cause and post your challenge to your friends on Facebook. While it has been a great fundraiser it has even further raised the awareness of this disease.

Thursday English Classes have continued to move forward. As you get comfortable with your teachers and the materials, your English skills will grow. The tip of the week: listen to the radio as you drive. You don't have to try to decode every song and every word. Just listen and enjoy the sound of English. You will be surprised how soon you begin to pick up the language.

It looks like we might have a return to summer this weekend. Get your shorts out!

Carolyn

Tuesday, September 23
International Bible Study, 9:00-10:30: Jesus is baptized and calls disciples
Join us as we read John 1:29-15 to see how Jesus begins His ministry.

International Friends, 10:30-12:00: Let's Tailgate!
Tailgating is the national pastime of picnicking in the parking lot before (and after) a sporting event. Fans tailgate at football and soccer games.

• Bring your comfortable chairs or blankets, 
• BYOB (bring your own beverage (usually the last b stands for booze or beer, but it's a bit early for some?)), 
• Bring a snack to share. If you want to try traditional 
• Wear your spirit wear (who is your favorite team?)

I will bring my portable grill and charcoal (required at any tailgate I attend! Gotta have the meat!) and my cornhole game. We will meet in the parking lot behind the church.

And here is an enthusiastic game day meal, all dressed up to look like the stadium! Overachiever!

Wednesday, September 24
Casual Conversation, 4:30-6:00
Join us for casual conversation highlighting whatever is on Wendy's mind. And, this week we will all try 8 Form Taichi so that we can all participate at the Carmel International Arts Festival, September 27-28.

Thursday, September 25
English Classes, 9:30-12:00
Join us for formal English Classes. The Conversation class will be taking a field trip to Journey to practice buffet conversation.

simmering: boiling slowly
splash: in cooking a small amount of liquid
dash: in cooking a quick sprinkle
quinces: plural form of quince; an tree from Asia that produces an acidic (No kidding! Blah. Don't taste it when it isn't ripe) fruit.
testify: give evidence in court
in turn: as a result
pick up: learn
overachiever: usually someone who has a greater success rate than most people; in this case it is someone who makes everyone else's snacks look like amateurs. Yes, I'm jealous!

WE ARE GOING APPLE PICKING TODAY. WEAR YOUR BOOTS!

September 13 Update

Hello Friends,

This has been a really busy week. There is so much going on in our programs, and we are getting acquainted and enjoying meeting together. This weekend is a very busy weekend around town. There is so much to do in the fall. There are festivals near and far. In Carmel, alone, there were many fun events including the Chinese Mooncake Celebration and the Arts Walk on Saturday as well as the High School Homecoming. Then Sunday is the first PorchFest from 1:00-5:00 p.m. where bands are playing live music on neighborhood porches. What a fun way to spend the afternoon! Indianapolis is hosting the Irish Festival in Military Park. Then beginning September 15 is Northside Nights where you can taste special meals at special prices.

Get out on the town while the weather is beautiful!
Carolyn



This in International Friends Bible Study this  week we read about who was John the Baptist. Remembering that the Bible is the "library of God" we were able to discover who John was by looking at the other biographies of Jesus (also known as the Gospels):

• Matthew 3:1-12
• Mark 1:1-8
• Luke 1: 40-45, Luke 3

and Isaiah 40:3 is the Old Testament prediction of John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus.

At this week's International Friends Meeting we talked about bad language. We covered a lot of ground! Main points to remember about swearing is that people use this kind of language when they want to feel more important or to hurt another person. They also might use it to be funny (or to earn money for their swear jar!). Generally, these words fall into these categories: mean names, body parts, sexual, and blasphemies. And no, they aren't included in our vocabulary this update, but listen to some rap music or go to the movies and you will hear many of them!

A group of us went to pick Concord grapes at the Country Moon Winery. And a good number of us went solo. Who knew this beautiful gem was so close? We took the scenic route to get there and to get home, but the trip was worth it!

What are you going to make with your grapes? Concord Grape Jam is a popular. So far, we are enjoying eating them, or I have been putting a handful in my glass of water for a taste of grape.

Wednesday Conversation Class "speed friended." We all took three minutes to get to know each other. Wendy was absent. Her daughter is a cheerleader for the middle school and it was the football opening game.

Thursday English classes are rolling along. As your class settles down, please be patient with your progress. You may be challenged with your English on some days. Other days may seem a bit easier. As you become accustomed to your teacher and her vocabulary and accent, you will find that classes will become easier.

Tuesday, September 16
International Bible Study, 9:00-10:30 in room 100: Let's read and talk about John 1:15-28 and find out who Jesus is according to John the Baptist.

International Friends, 10:30-???: Let's go apple picking.
Meet us at 10:30 to carpool or caravan to Stuckey Farm  to pick apples...or meet us there around 11:00.
19975 Hamilton Boone County Rd., Sheridan, IN

Wednesday, September 17
Conversation, 4:30-6:00, in the upstairs classrooms: Bring in your Current newspaper. Choose an interesting article to talk about.

Thursday, September 18
English Classes, 9:30-12:00, in the upstairs classrooms: classes continue.

get out on the town:go out and enjoy social life in town
biographies: stories of someone's life
covered a lot of ground: slang;
fall into: are included in
blasphemies: words that disrespect, insult or show irreverence to God
opening game: first game of the season
rolling along: proceeding, moving forward
carpool: ride together in a car
caravan: drive in separate vehicles, but as a group
meet us there around: an approximate time

September 5, 2014 Update

Hello, Friends.

It is so good to be back at the church and seeing everyone once again. I am so happy catch up with all of you and to make new friends.

This week on Tuesday we met for Bible Study. We read in Chinese, Japanese, Spanish, and English. John 1:1-18 is an introduction to who Jesus is and why He came into the world. He describes who Jesus is by using the words: Light and Word. This may seem unusual and complicated, but look at Genesis 1:1-5 where God creates the world by speaking. The first thing He creates is light and darkness. Yaying pointed out that in science, light is something and darkness is nothing; light always overcomes darkness. John is telling us that Jesus is the one who brings us understanding and helps us to see and overcomes our nothingness. We had some great discussions about how lost we are in the dark and how the smallest bit of light seems very bright when we are in complete darkness. John tells us in verse 17 that it doesn't matter where a person comes from, anyone that believes Jesus and trusts Him becomes a "child of God" through God's will and not by anything anyone does.

At our International Friends meeting we made beautiful boxes out of water bottles. Ok, so they didn't necessarily turn out all that great, but they have so much potential for gifts and for lunch boxes. You probably need a better instructor. Here are the instructions and a beautiful example.

Welcome to our English Classes. What a great turnout. I heard a lot of laughing in the classes, so I could tell there was learning going on (because our teachers only tell jokes in English). I am looking forward to a great year with all of you!

See you next week!

Carolyn

International Bible Study, Tuesday, September 9, 9:00-10:30: Let's read John 1:15-34.
Join us as we read how Jesus is baptized.

International Friends, Tuesday, September 9, 10:30-12:00: Let's talk about unsavory language.
Come and talk about words and gestures that are impolite, rude, or just plain swearing. Why do we need to know these things? What should we do about it when we hear it? Do any of our home language words sound like English swear words (of course they do!) and then what do we do about that?

Conversation, Wednesday September 10, 4:30-6:00
Join Wendy start our first afternoon of conversation.

English Classes, Thursday, September 11, 9:30-11:00
This week we will begin classes in your classroom. I will post class lists on the doors (just in case you forgot). We are off to a great start!

Chinese Brush Painting, Saturday, September 13, 2:30-4:40
Join us as we paint koi.

Vocabulary and Punctuation
once again: one more time
Light, Word, He: in the tradition of the Bible, all words that are used to name God are capitalized out of respect and to show it is a name and not a description.
world: the earth; not to be confused with word
didn't necessarily turn out all that great: they could have been nicer, but they are good.
potential: having the qualities likely for something to happen in the future, showing promise
instructor and instructions: an instructor is a teacher; instructions are directions or steps for doing something
turnout: number of people participating in something; a great turnout means many people (not to be confused with turn out, which means to evict or put outside...everyone stayed).
going on: happening
unsavory language: morally offensive words and speech