Happy Halloween

Hello Friends,

We had our first frost Thursday morning. Is there snow around the corner? We will have to see.

Tuesday is Halloween and one of the most enjoyable holidays of the year.  If you want to entertain trick or treaters, you decorate and leave your porch lights on. If you don't want to give out treats, keep your lights off. The times are slightly different per area; click to see the time for you community from WISH TV. It looks like the weather will be nice, so you should get plenty of scary visitors. Some communities have Halloween parades, some churches or companies sponsors Trunk or Treating (this is like tailgating and trick or treating; read more in this IndyStar article). 

Some tips for a fun and safe Halloween:

• Be sure to take a flashlight. 
• Be careful running wearing masks and costumes.
• Adults dress up too!
• Look through the treats in your children's bags and throw away any candy that isn't wrapped. 
• Be careful driving: children wearing masks and seeking candy don't watch what they are doing.
• Do go with your kids and enjoy the night! Older kids will want to go with their friends, but make sure you know where they are and who they are with at all times.
• Do enjoy answering the door and practice your English skills by complementing the small superheros and princesses.
• Try and enjoy a meal before you go out to trick or treat.
• Don't eat all your candy in one night (this includes the candy you buy to give out!)
• Have a great and scary and fun night.

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100.
"O LORD, our Lord, How Majestic is Your Name in all the earth!" With this praise King David begins his eighth psalm, glorifying God for His goodness, which he sees all around him in nature and even in the words of praise that come from children. We talked about how inspiring a children's choir can be, singing God's praise with their pure hearts and voices. David says the world around us also testifies to God's glory. It's impossible for me to look at the stars and the moon shining in the night sky without feeling in awe of our amazing God, who made it all!

We also finished the third chapter of Matthew and the story of John the Baptist. When the Pharisees and Sadducees (two groups of Jewish religious and social leaders) came out to the Jordan River to see what was going on, John had some strong words for them. He basically called them a bunch of snakes!  We discussed the idea that John felt a responsibility to point out their hypocrisy and their need to repent and clean up their lives. John spoke to them in their own language and style to remind them that they were sinners in need of a Messiah. John's role was to prepare the way for Jesus, by making people aware of their need for a Savior. John baptized Jesus to "fulfill all righteousness," and Jesus received the approval of His Heavenly Father and was filled with the Holy Spirit. What an amazing event!~Jan Heimann October 31: Please join us next week when we will read Psalm 1 and begin our study of Matthew Chapter 4.

International  Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, room 100.
We met and enjoyed talking about 101 things that we do in America or that we do as Americans. Some of the statements seemed run of the mill to us natives, but they made for interesting discussions. It was interesting to compare how many things are the same around the world and how many customs we take for granted.

October 31: Bring your pumpkin and a knife and a large spoon and join us as we carve pumpkins into Jack o Lanterns! We will roast the pumpkin seeds and talk about Halloween preparations.

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, room 209.We have been talking about puns and a couple of people shared a pun they knew in their language, and explained them to us. We had some good chuckles and laughs.  We read two articles from the November newspaper...one focusing on issues with North Korea.  Our South Korean Friend shared some information from the perspective of South Koreans, which was very interesting as well.  We also read the article on grocery shopping in America and specifically shopping for produce (spent a little time talking about produce and produce....as in to "produce a new automobile" and "purchasing produce at the grocery store").  We ended by reading some from the Fred Gwynne book, which everyone seemed to enjoy, talking about the play on words..

November 1: This time of the year is called autumn or the fall.  It is the time when many crops are harvested by our farmers and when our vegetable garden gives up its last yummy bits of goodness.  It is a time for picking apples, squashes and pumpkins and making some food dishes that are made mostly in the fall.  Things like apple pie or apple crisp, pumpkin bread and pumpkin pie are baked.

What is a favorite fall or autumn food or dish from your home country that is a seasonal food item that you eat mostly at harvest time?  Think about this and be prepared to talk about this with our class.~John Happersberger

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00, upstairs classrooms.

It was nice to visit each class and see what is happening. I hope that you are feeling comfortable with your teachers and with the other students. Sometimes it takes a while to catch on to a new class, so it is always good to give a new class some time. When you join an English (or any other language class) your success in learning the language lies in building a relationship between you and the other members of the class. When you are comfortable talking and listening you will learn faster.

have to see: wait to find out

it looks like: it seems

majestic: characterized by or possessing supreme greatness or authority; having regal or lofty grandeur
hypocrisy: pretending to have a virtuous character, moral or religious beliefs or principles, etc., that one does not really possess

reading some: reading some

play on words: clever use of words like puns
harvest time: the season for gathering crops, in the United States our traditional harvest time is the fall even though crops are harvested throughout the year
catch on to: to understand

You're invited to feast....

You're invited to our Thanksgiving Feast

Tuesday, November 7 at CLC in room 100.

Join at 10:30 and learn to prepare:

• roast turkey with stuffing and gravy
• cranberry sauce
• green bean casserole

Bring your favorite feasting dish to share.

Getting ready for Halloween

Boo! Friends.

 Are you getting ready for Halloween:

1. Finding the perfect character to dress up as
2. Putting together your costume
3. Decorating you home
4. Selecting candy to give out
5. Watching the weather forecast
6. Making your pumpkin carving plan...

What?!!

Here is a link to help with 34 beginner pumpkin carving templates to print.

Let me know what you think.

We are carving pumpkins on Tuesday, October 31 starting at 10:30 in room 100.

Creepy Scamming

Hello, Friends,

Have you ever received a scamming e-mail? Usually you get a hint in advance that there is trouble, but I got a pretty good trick in my inbox. This one said it was from Apple and I was being charged almost $100 for a Pandora subscription. I don't use Pandora...I don't even use iTunes for music, so there is a real problem here! I went to my iTunes account to see if I accidentally ordered something (Nope! Nothing there). Then I called my husband to see if he ordered something. Finally, I called the Apple App department. The operator asked me to look at the origin of the email and it said: "apple@do.not_replay". She told me that you will only receive emails with the addresses that end with @apple.com or @icloud.comn from Apple. She said to never hesitate to call their help line: 1-800-275-2273 when you see something suspicious. Another scam that is going around is one that tells you to purchase gift cards or iTunes cards and use them to pay. Unfortunately, many people get taken by these scams! Never click on a suspicious email and certainly, never give your Social Security Number or Tax ID.

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100
Psalm 37 provides a vivid contrast between the wicked and the righteous people. We enjoyed learning the word for "wicked" in several different languages, and decided that the Chinese word just sounds like a description of a bad person! We discussed the idea that following God's rules for living leads to a blessed life. God warns that wicked people will reap what they sow. We began the third chapter of Matthew with the story of the preaching of John the Baptist. He was telling the people to "clean up their act" and repent of their sinful ways. The Jews in the crowd would have known the prophecies of Isaiah from over 700 years earlier, that a forerunner would prepare the way for the coming Messiah. It was good that they had this knowledge, but what was important was how they responded to John's preaching. For us, too, knowledge is important, but acts of love that spring from that knowledge are even more important.

October 24: Join us when we read and discuss Psalm 8 and finish the third chapter of Matthew.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, room 100
We had a fun visit to the scary Halloween store in the strip mall at Greyhound pass. They had a great variety of costumes and accessories as well as decorations. Generally, they had some decent prices. After shopping (but not buying) we headed over to Wal Mart to see what they have. We browsed through the candy selections and the decorations. There is a much smaller collection of costumes there, but you could throw something together just from things that are available in the general merchandise.

October 24: The Nickel Plate Art Museum is not open on Tuesdays. Let's meet at the church. Debi will share 101 Characteristics of Americans/American Culture. This is a wonderful list to compare what we are really like here in the States and what you may know from TV or other impressions you might have.

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, room 209
We enjoyed a punny evening. A pun is a play on words that is so fun because the real joke is that the word being used as a pun gives us a mental image that is incongruous with the usual meaning of the word and makes us groan.

October 25: Bring a punny statement from your home language, be prepared to explain it in English and why it is funny.

International Bible Study: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00, upstairs classrooms
Listening to a language is an important way to learn it. You are very luck to be learning English in Indiana. Most people here have a perfect broadcaster accent to listen and learn.

scamming, scam: a dishonest scheme, a fraud
hint: a suggestion
subscription: an advance agreement to pay for something for example you pay a subscription to receive a magazine or newspaper for a year
accidentally: unintentionally
nope: slang for no
going around: making the rounds, being experienced by many people (i.e. The flu is going around.)
taken: tricked
hesitate: to pause or stop before acting or doing something
reap what they sow: get what they have coming to them, experience the consequences of their bad behavior
forerunner: a person who goes or is sent in advance to announce the coming of someone or something that follows
accessories: hats, gloves, jewelry other pieces that enhance your outfit
generally: not specifically
general merchandise: the goods at the store, but nothing in particular
play on words: something that has a double meaning
incongruous: not in keeping with
compare: to notice similarities and differences
impressions: idea, feeling or opinion about something

What's for dinner?

Hello, Friends,

We have been meeting for a month, now. I hope that you are continuing to grow in your English skills. I have enjoyed listening to the different conversations that have been sprouting up between our friends. It is fun to talk about life in Indiana and to learn so much about our area. One question this week was what do Americans usually eat for dinner. This is a fun question to think about. My home menu this week included: bite night (a meal of appetizers), Filipino chicken and coconut soup over rice, chili with meat, chicken pot pie, grilled salmon with rice and salad. With the cooler weather, we will have more pasta, pot roasts and stews and soups. Sometimes I will make a casserole or a crock pot meal when we have a really busy schedule and are in and out and eating at all hours. We also like to have stuffed peppers and stuffed cabbage. Usually American meals include a salad and a vegetable or two, a potato or rice, and a meat. We also like desserts. Dinner continues to be the time when we get together and catch up at the end of the day. It doesn't matter what we eat as much as that we can spend the time together.

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, Room 100.
We began our Bible Study this week with Psalm 34. "Praise the Lord!" Some people raise their hands up in the air and shout. Others are more reserved and quiet. We discussed individual and cultural differences in worship practices. One participant shared that when she and her siblings were children, they asked their parents to bless them morning and night. And, of course, they did. What a lovely custom!

We also finished the second chapter of Matthew by reading about and discussing King Herod's slaughter of baby boys under the age of two in Bethlehem and the surrounding area. His jealousy that Jesus had been called "the King of the Jews" by the visiting Magi motivated this horrible act. Joseph, warned in a dream, took Jesus and Mary to Egypt to keep Jesus safe from Herod. We admired Joseph's faithfulness and the courage he showed as Jesus' earthly father.

If you would like to read a historical novel about Mary and Joseph and the Christmas story, I highly recommend the book "Two From Galilee" by Marjorie Holmes.

October 17: Join us as we read and discuss a Psalm and the book of Matthew culture, ideals and human nature as well as current events and politics. Everyone is welcome and you don't have to be a Christian to come. 

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, Room 100
Debi shared her recipe for Apple Cake. This delicious and moist cake that is lovely with tea. Aside from the moist fruit, this cake features a delicious streusel topping . We also made an apple Dutch baby. This is a cross between a pancake and a souffle. We made ours in a cast iron pan (this 3-piece set is available from Walmart for just under $25), but you can use any baking dish.

October 17: Meet at the church to caravan/carpool to Spirit Halloween, 1960 East Greyhound Pass (in the strip mall by Wal Mart). Click on the link to get a coupon for 20% off one item.

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, Room 209
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00, upstairs classrooms
Join us as we learn more and practice our English. All of our classes are lead by volunteers who have experience teaching adults and our staff is experienced in leading English classes. Our Wednesday conversation class welcomes anyone who wishes to practice their English conversation skills. Students are placed in the best class level for them in our Thursday classes to help them improve in specific areas according to their level of English proficiency.


in and out: coming and going
all hours: different times; not a set schedule
reserved: formal or self-restrained in manner and relationship
slaughter: the brutal or violent killing of a person
novel: a fictitious prose narrative of considerable length and complexity, portraying characters and usually presenting a sequential organization of action and scenes
lovely: goes well with, perfect
moist: damp, not wet
streusel: a sweet, crumbly topping
strip mall: stores are arranged in a row with a sidewalk along the front also know as a shopping plaza

Want some great learning theory to help your English? Read to the end!

Hello, Friends.

Have you had a chance to think about what you want to be for Halloween? Do you know where to look for costume ideas? You may be tempted to start at Costco where they have so many premade outfits, but most of the best are created. An online search will give you a really fun result: I typed in Halloween costumes and got a nice list of online shopping. Even better, I got a map that included "local results for Halloween costumes" that included Goodwill, Charming Charlie, Party City, and Spirit Halloween (a pop up store where the Marsh used to be in Grayhound Pass). I would add Walmart, Hobby Lobby and Michael's to that list! We have owls in the back yard. I'm sure your children already have some great ideas. Will you let them run with them? Let's talk about that this week.

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, Room 100
Do we need to ask God for His help? Does God ever "move"? These were just two of the many questions we talked about as we read Psalm 121 this week. This beautiful Psalm reassures us that God is everywhere and that He watches over us, much like we parents watch over our own children.

We also began the second chapter of Matthew, where we read the story of the Wise Men (Magi) following the star to the place where the Christ Child was. They interpreted the appearance of this wondrous star as proof that a king had been born, and they brought gifts for Him that remind us of Jesus' roles as eternal King (gold), the Holy One of God (incense) who would suffer in our place (myrrh). -Jan Heimann

October 10: We will continue this story in Matthew 2:13-23 as we look at the reaction of Herod the Great to the news that a new King of the Jews had been born. Please join our group as we study God's Word and discuss in English. We will begin with Psalm 34.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, Room 100

We met in the parking lot to celebrate the tradition of tailgating. Tailgating is when we meet in the parking lot to celebrate before (and sometimes after) an event. We tasted some new favorites (share your recipe!). And as promised, here's how to make Buffalo chicken wings...

• grill or bake wings at 350 degrees for 25 - 30 minutes or until cooked.
• dip in a sauce made with 3 parts melted butter to one part hot sauce of your choice (for example I used three sticks of butter and one 12 ounce bottle of Louisiana Hot Sauce) 
• return the wings to the grill to crisp and brown or broil them turning until they are crispy
• dip them back in the sauce

Serve with a side of ranch dressing with or without blue cheese and celery sticks.

October 10: We will learn a couple of dishes that include our delicious fall apples. Debi will share her apple cake recipe. We will plan the rest of October and put it on the calendar!

More October Ideas: The Nickel Plate Art Show to see Debi's art hanging; Spirit Halloween in Grayhound Pass, carve pumpkins into Jack o Lanterns for Halloween

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, Room 207

John shared a whole list of Homophones used in sentences. It was extremely fun to compare these words in clever sentences. I am happy to share these with any of you. Let me know if you are interested.

October 11: Bring your Current in (Carmel, Westfield, etc.) and any questions you have to talk about. We will get our October Easy English News and see what is new.

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00, Upstairs Classrooms

Learning a new language can be a great challenge and a fun pastime. The real question you have to face is why you want to learn the language? The answer is usually so that you can communicate with other people. Everyone is an expert at language learning and practicing: you do it every day...Although not usually in English. You share ideas and concepts as well as commands and questions with the people around you. You ask for clarification and simplification. By the time you get to be an adult, you take language learning for granted until you set out to learn a new language! All of a sudden it is so very hard to remember simple ideas. It is frustrating to start at square one and not be able to say what you want to say without reaching for words (and then selecting the wrong one!). How can this be fun?

First of all, remember that learning a new language is a social project. You have to practice with other people. This is great for your mind and your body. People who interact socially are healthier than people who do not. Stay healthy and enjoy yourself with some good conversation (in English...with me!).

Secondly, you have to put in vocabulary time. This can be really dull and seemingly useless, but when you tie your vocabulary words to something that is meaningful to YOU you learn much faster. Flash cards are the best way to do this. Flash cards you make yourself with hand drawn pictures are the very best way. If you write the matching word, you aren't making as many memory connections.

Third, you have to forget to remember. This is a really weird thing about learning so many things. Every time you forget and then remember, you are building more paths to that word and idea. If you take the time to forget and then refresh your memory, you are building highways!

Fourth, in the beginning of this Update I added a sentence that may not have made sense in the context of the paragraph since it didn't have anything to do with Halloween. Do you remember what it was? What was the subject? Where were they? Did you go back to the beginning when I asked you about this to see the sentence? Do you have a picture in your head for this? What do you imagine? All of these questions are answered every time you learn a new word or idea. Since so much of language is in a "code", you have to make a relation to a concrete concept. Since the sentence didn't fit, you either passed it over as unessential or you said, "Hmmm? I wonder what that was all about?" and that helped it stick in your mind. 

Fifth: There are some really cool on-line language tools like Memrise and Duolingo that are free and have apps that can be played with anywhere on your smart phone or tablet. Playing is exactly what this is like with these tools. 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------turn these into flash cards----
let them run with them: do what they want
reassures: restores confidence
reaction: action in response to some influence, event, etc.
wondrous: amazing
God's Word: the Bible is called God's Word; another name for Jesus (John 1:1)
a side: a dish or food that aren't the primary focus of the meal
put it on the calendar: make a schedule
pastime: a pleasurable activity
take...for granted: don't think about or consider
set out: begin
start at square one: begin at the very beginning of an endeavor
reaching for words: trying to explain something without having a vocabulary to back it up
put in time: work or practice
really weird thing: strange
stick in your mind: make something memorable
really cool: neat, or other out of date expressions meaning rad or awesome or in the most current teen-slang "lit"

Let's Tailgate October 3

Tuesday, October 2

10:30-12:00

CLC back parking lot

Celebrate the fall with a fun, friends and food tradition known as tailgating. Meet in the back parking lot for grillin' and chillin' and corn hole.

• Bring a chair.
• Bring a snack/dish to share*.
• BYOB (Bring your own Beverage)
• Support your team by wearing your spirit wear.

I hope you can join us!

I will demonstrate how to make chicken wings; meanwhile you can stock up on Louisiana Hot Sauce on sale at Menards this week.

Ready to Serve Tailgating Ideas from Southern Living
50 Tailgating Recipes that Score from Midwest Living
34 Easy Tailgating Recipes to Make this Fall from Country Living