If you loved Indiana before, you will really love it over the next few months. Have you noticed all of the beautiful blooming trees? Somehow, it can snow and become spring at the same time here in Indiana. How can that be?
With the advent of beautiful weather, people really start to get out. It's time to sharpen your lawn mower blades and fire up the grill to kick off the season.
Did you get stranded by the Carmel Marathon? The runners are still circling our house on the streets and on the trail.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:30, room 100
We read a great story where Jesus asks Peter a classic teaching question: Who do the people say I am? He asks Peter what is the popular opinion of Him (Jesus). He goes on to ask Peter, "But what about you? Who do you say I am?" Peter has to voice his own opinion. He tells the disciples not to tell others their opinion. Why? Jesus goes on to prepare the disciples for what would come (that He would be rejected by the priests and elders and teachers of the Jewish law, put to death, and then be raised to life on the third day). How does their not telling, their keeping quiet protect them? Jesus teaches that if people want to follow Jesus, they must "take up their cross daily and follow me." Jesus explains that they their actions speak louder than their words. He explains that to follow Jesus' way isn't always a piece of cake. That if someone is ashamed of Jesus they are not showing that they love Him. He warns that these actions can speak louder than our words (and Peter's words do speak quite loud read: when Jesus is on trial, he denies Jesus three times: John 18: 15-18 and 25-27; after Jesus is raised from the dead, He gives Peter the chance to be sure of their relationship John 21:15-19.) Even when our words and actions don't show our heart, Jesus reaches out to us to mend the relationship between us and God and set our mind at ease and teaches us how to act out that love.
Tuesday, April 19: Let's read Luke 9:28-36
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, room 100
We hoped to start our gardens. The garden center wasn't stocked, yet. The best way to start your garden for now is to plant indoors.
We ended up talking a little about American politics. This is a very exciting topic as the discussions really heat up. Who will win the primaries? Why do each of the states have different rules for voting in the primaries? This is a point of contention in politics this year since the rules are so different in this atypical candidate field. It is so interesting to hear the sound bites that are being promoted on the news programs.
Tuesday, April 19: Let's have a pitch-in!
We haven't enjoyed a pot luck in a long while. Let's have a spring pitch-in. Bring a dish to share!
Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, upstairs classroom
We met and enjoyed banana chocolate chip bread and had some roving conversation. Join us for a freewheeling discussion, and learn casual vocabulary and grammar on the spot.
English Classes: 9:30-12:00, upstairs classrooms
This week two of out classes talked about questions like:
You aren't going to come to the picnic, are you?
You aren't a vegetarian, are you?
Think of these kinds of questions like this:
Are you going to the picnic?
Are you a vegetarian?
Agree or disagree with the question.
No. I am not going to the picnic. OR Yes. I am going to the picnic.
No. I am not a vegetarian. OR Yes. I am a vegetarian.
When people ask this type of question they aren't sure of something about you and want to confirm their idea. They don't want to presume your answer and make a mistake with their actions. (In either of these cases, not be able to feed you in a way that you would like.)
How can that be?: Why
stranded: stuck someplace
really: in this case, "very"
get out: leave their homes for pleasant activities
kick off the season: begin an event
fire up the grill: BBQ or bar-be-que
popular opinion: belief or sentiment shared by most of the people
voice his own opinion: when someone has to speak for himself or herself
their actions speak louder than their words: in this case, show and don't tell
a piece of cake: easy and pleasant
ashamed: feel embarrassed or feel guilty
stocked: there are no supplies
for now: in the short term
primaries: political party election to to select the who will be the party candidate for president
point of contention: heated disagreement, argument
atypical: unusual
sound bites: short phrases taken out of context
roving: drifting and moving around
freewheeling: following no particular course of discussion
on the spot: as it occurs
presume: to suppose or guess something based on observation or to act on something in a way that shows the other person disrespect
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