Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving, Friends!

As I write this, snow is pouring down! This is our first sighting here in Indiana! Since the ground is still warm and the air temperature will be up to 42, I don't think it will last.

International Bible Study, Tuesdays 9:00-10:30, room 100
We read Luke 5:12-16: Jesus heals a man with leprosy. A man with leprosy asks Jesus, if He is willing, to heal him. Jesus tells the man, "I am willing," touches him and heals him. Jesus warns the man not to tell anyone, but to first go to show himself to the priests (who were responsible for the welfare of the community). Jesus is protecting the man and the community. By following the law and the procedure official and practical documentation. The news about Jesus spreads. Good News travels fast! Luke also tells us that Jesus often withdraws to lonely places to pray. Jesus takes time to talk with God. To spend time alone with Him.

Tuesday, November 24: Let's read Luke 5:17-32.

International Friends, Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, room 100
I loved sharing this year's feast with all of you. Wow! How delicious! I plan to add so many dishes to our family's  table! I am looking forward to hearing about your families' dinner plans for this great day.

Tuesday, November 24: Let's talk about 

NO CLASSES OR MEETINGS NOVEMBER 25 AND 26

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

pouring: falling rapidly

leprosy: a highly contagious skin disease. Today leprosy is known as Hansen's disease and is cured with antibiotics.

welfare: the health, happiness and fortune of a people group

family's and families': possessive for one family and for several families. Notice the apostrophe is on the after the s on families (you don't have to repeat the s).

Let's Train for Thanksgiving

Good Morning, Friends.

I am excited to be training for Thanksgiving with you this week! We are going to practice our feasting skills this week.

I also got to lead some classes on Wednesday and Thursday. We got off on the subject of the meaning behind people's names. We talked about the meanings behind our names. I love that the Asian names have particular written Chinese characters that both describe the sound but also convey a meaning. This is a beautiful way to encourage our children. In the United States, children can be named for a family member or a good friend. A trend lately is to either make up a name that is similar to an existing name or to create a new name with a new spelling. Parents are trying to give their children a unique gift.

This was a very interesting note to write to you. The vocabulary words function on multiple levels in the context of the sentences. It is not often that this happens. I love a good pun!

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:30, room 100
We read Luke 5:1-11 and cross referenced these passages with the calling of the disciples with other books in the Bible. Jesus invites fishermen to follow Him and to become teachers in His footsteps, but first He demonstrates how He will make them successful: he tells them to cast their nets over the side and they catch so many fish that the nets are breaking and the boats begin to sink! When God calls us we can be sure He will prepare us for all things and will provide for us in every situation!

Tuesday, November 17: Let's read Luke 5:1-16

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, room 100
This past week we shared the history of Thanksgiving and chatted.

Tuesday, November 17: LET'S FEAST
We will set the tables beginning at 10:15.
Turkey and other dish preparation will begin around 10:30 in the small kitchen.
Then, let's eat!

Don't forget to get me your

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, upstairs classroom
We had a very interesting conversation about names and trends in naming. Have you ever noticed that people with the same name often have a similar character? When I was growing up it seemed like all of the boys named Brian were mean, the boys named David were smart, the girls named Kathy were pretty and popular...

We talked about where we live and how we found our homes in Indiana. There was a brief discussion about drugs in High Schools. Our schools here on the North side of Indy generally do not have a drug problem. Yes, you can obtain drugs if you try hard enough, but that is the case in any community. You can always find a way to do something illegal and hurtful if you want.

November 18: Please read Unit 8
Elizabeth will continue to treat us in her language of love: food. This week she promised to bring a traditional Colombian dish. I wonder what it will be?

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00
I enjoyed visiting all of your classes this weekend to share announcements and conversation with you.

November 19: Butterbraid delivery
Pick up your butterbraid order on Thursday. Make your checks out to Joette Morris or pay cash. Most braids cost $13 each with the exception of the Double Chocolate that cost $14.
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practice: an exercise you repeat to be able to perform something well
skills: abilities to do something well
particular: a specific thing that singles out something above all others
character: letter, number or symbol in written language, this word can also mean the mental and moral qualities of a person, this word can also mean a person in a play or book (words are so interesting because for this topic, character is the perfect word on all levels)
unique: not usual, one of a kind
cross referenced: check other sources to confirm or add to source information
passages: phrases in a book; this can also mean halls in a building or transitions in your life
in His footsteps: to take on a task and perform it as a previous
treat: I am using this word as a pun here: it means both providing a delicious snack as well a behavior or action
language of love: how you show your care for others

Hello, Friends.

November is a great month in the United States. The leaves are falling leaving the trees bare. A popular exercise is raking. Some leaf management tips:

• run over the leaves with your lawn mower: the shredded leaves provide nutrients for your lawn for next year.
• rake the leaves on your garden to protect plants over the winter, the lower levels will rot and make great mulch (you will have to rake off the top layer in the spring, though)
• mow your grass really short and keep it short: the leaves will blow into your neighbors' yard and are their problem

We do a lot of tasting at International Friends meetings and classes. Thanksgiving is one of our favorite events because we get to sample so many feasting dishes. This week alone we tried three new dishes in two of our meetings. By popular demand I am adding a new section to our pages for recipes. Be sure to check it out.

In the Nursery: And speaking of eating...Moms, our nursery snack is goldfish crackers. This is the only snack that can or should be served there. Please do not offer your children other snacks while they are in there. This is very important for the safety of all of the children that use this room.

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:30, room 100
We read two stories where Jesus casts out demons and heals sick people. These are two great stories. Some of us felt uncomfortable when reading these stories because the stories were about demons. Interestingly, the demon called out, "Ha! What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are--the Holy One of God!" (Luke 4:34). Jesus tells the demon to be quiet and to come out of the man. Our class got concerned with the demons; why would Jesus tell them to be quiet? There were many ideas and explanations. The best answer, we decided was that they were stating the obvious.

We got stuck looking in the wrong direction. Our discussions and attention were distracted by the demons and their behavior. Our real focus needs to be on Jesus: He came to save and heal people. He can tell demons to be quiet and leave. This is what He did in these stories. The people of the towns where He was working did not want Him to leave. He did leave. He went to care for the rest of the people and to meet them one by one.

November 10: Let's read Luke 5:1-11: Jesus calls disciples.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, room 100
This week Yaying taught us to make pumpkin bread. This is a beautiful addition to your fall dinner table (although you can enjoy them any time of year). We also tasted a Brazilian favorite dish: shrimp in a pumpkin. I have added a new section to our pages for recipes. You can find these recipes there.

November 10: Let's plan for Thanksgiving with our International Friends
Join us as we talk about Thanksgiving in the United States. What is Thanksgiving? What are our traditions? What are your favorite feasts in your home country? If you have been in the States for a while, how do you like to celebrate Thanksgiving?

November 17: Let's feast!
Invite your friends and us starting at 10:30 for our annual Thanksgiving Feast. We will prepare a turkey and stuffing and some other traditional favorites. Bring your favorite feasting dish to share. Email or give me your recipe so I can include it in our annual feasting cookbook by Thursday, November 13.

November 25 and 26: THANKSGIVING BREAK! NO CLASSES

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, upstairs classroom
We talked about our vacations. It was fun to hear about everyone's favorite places to vacation. Did you know about a staycation? That is when you don't go anywhere, but live in your house and are a tourist at home! How often do you do that?

November 11: Read Unit 7

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00
Classes were so interesting on Thursday. It was nice to visit each class and to see what all of you are doing. I hope you can join us for the feast on Tuesday, November 17.

Thursday, November 12: Butterbraids will be delivered.
Butterbraids will be delivered on Thursday. Please bring cash or a check to pay for them.

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leaves: more than one leaf
leaving: not staying
shredded: torn into small pieces
check it out: look at it
stating the obvious: saying what everyone can clearly see
glossed over: