Hello, Friends.

What a beautiful Saturday! We escaped the blizzard! I hope that you weren't planning a trip out East. It looks like the weather predictions will be accurate. All of the preparations are paying off. The airlines cancelled flights in anticipation of  the storms. This helped keep travelers from being stranded.

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:30, room 100
We read Luke 6:17-19: people came great distances to hear Jesus and to be healed by Him. People trusted that just touching Jesus would heal them! Luke tells us that everyone was cured from physical, mental and spiritual diseases and evil spirits. Jesus didn't just cure the people, He taught to anticipate trouble for their belief from other people. We read Jesus' story that is know as the beatitudes. Jesus teaches hope to His disciples: that when they are in hated because of their belief, they are blessed (recognized by God) as a result of their faith (Luke 6: 17-23). He also teaches that the recognition and rewards from the world results only on emptiness and are not lasting. Because of His great love for us, Jesus doesn't only take care of our physical needs. Jesus also prepares us for the future: He teaches us to look past times of trouble and that He understands and cares for us no matter what the rest of the world might think. In this we have hope and confidence.

January 26: Let's read Luke 6:27-36 where Jesus teaches to love your enemies and to do good to all who hate you. Let's read Luke 6:37-42 to not judge other people. Let's read Luke 6:43-49 Jesus teaches how His followers should act.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, room 100
We repurposed water bottles and old fingernail polish to make bangle bracelets. You can create one of a kind jewelry to match every outfit or even your manicure with this frugal craft. We got a little peep into the personality and preferences of each other.

Conversation, Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00
We enjoyed Elizabeth's mother's recipe for blueberry dumplings. This quick and easy dessert would be delicious with any fruit and a scoop of ice cream! I can't wait to try it

January 27: Unit 13 is about Around Town and Hobbies. Elizabeth will make Austrian food for us!

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00
The cold weather shouldn't chase you away. What better way to spend time out of the weather than with Friends brushing up on your English skills!

out East: referring to the East Coast of the United States.
preparations: getting ready for something
paying off: when something works out as planned with a good result: His studying is paying off : he got an A on his test.
anticipation: looking forward to something; preparing for an event
stranded: stuck somewhere; not able to leave.
disciples: people who follow Jesus
repurposed: a new word that means finding a new use for an old thing. This word is part of the green movement.
match: something that goes well with something else.
frugal: costing very little.
a little peep: peep or peek is looking through a small opening. When you get a little peep or peek, you are getting a brief and limited insight. Into is used here because the image is that you are looking limited.