Happy Thanksgiving!

Dear Friends,

This coming week we will celebrate Thanksgiving. This is a good time to take stock of everything you are thankful for. For me, I am thankful for the opportunity to make so many friends from so many places. I am thankful to Cornerstone Church for giving us to meet so many days during the year and for providing childcare so that we can enjoy each other's company and know that our children have a chance to also meet and make friends. I am thankful to the many volunteer teachers and staff that dedicate their time to help us grow to be comfortable and welcome here in beautiful Indiana. I am thankful for my family, my home and my country. I hope that you have a great feast and pray that God blesses you with all that you need to enjoy life here.

There are so many wonderful things to enjoy during this season including bazaars,  Christmas light shows, holiday shows and more. Here is a sample but be sure to check our pages of Things to Do for more. 


Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving) marks the official start of the Christmas holiday season. 
The Circle of Lights free, big event on 6:00-8:00, November 24 on Monument Circle lights are lit.
The Brickyard has a great drive on the track and road course. See the webpage for tickets and times.
Carmel Criskindlmarkt is a new event where you can eat, shop and enjoy music at traditional German style winter fest through December 24.
Christmas at the Zoo promises a wonderful evening outing that includes lights and fun with all the animals.
The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel has a great line-up of holiday shows.
Holidays at Connor Prairie are always fun with gingerbread villages and candlelight tours.
Hillbert Circle Yuletide Celebration is a traditional variety show.
And...don't miss your school plays, musicals and concerts for the holidays.


International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100.
Psalm 18 is a psalm David sang to the Lord in thanksgiving for deliverance from his enemies. This song is also recorded in 2 Samuel chapter 22 (almost word for word!), as part of the story of David's life. We discussed some of the words David used to describe God: rock, fortress, shield, horn of salvation. These images of strength and protection from God are very comforting to us, and we thank Him for His protection.

We also continued our study of the fourth chapter of Matthew, including how Jesus fasted for 40 days and 40 nights in the desert. We learned that 40 is a number that signifies testing, with other examples in the Bible including the people of Israel wandering in the desert for 40 years, Moses staying on the mountain for 40 days and nights, and Elijah traveling for 40 days and nights as he fled from Queen Jezebel's death threats.
We found out from class members that in many Asian cultures the number four is a scary number signifying death. People avoid using it, much like the western culture avoids the number 13.

November 21: Join us as we study Psalm 40 and continue reading Matthew 4 about the beginning of the public ministry of Jesus.

November 12: Join us in the chapel at CLC to sing carols and read the Christmas story

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, room 100.
Sylvia hosted a wonderful discussion about etiquette. We had a fun time comparing how each country views social occasions as well as casual and formal eating events. We compared how even the Western cultures approach a place setting and even the holding of a knife and fork and how Eastern cultures view holding plates and bowls while eating. 

The definitive guide for Western formal manners is Emily Post. Emily Post online is a great source for formal and casual interactions. At the site they deal with current concerns including on-line interactions and behavior. Demonstrating good manners in all things demonstrates that you have self esteem and that you care for the feelings of others. Don't get intimidated by new customs and manners: you can watch and learn.

This also leads to social debate. I know that many of you would like to engage in civilized discussion about religion, politics and child rearing (all of which many people will advise you not to do around the Thanksgiving table or at holiday parties). I recently attended a very good talk by Lee Hamilton and Dick Lugar (Indiana statesmen) who talked about how to engage and disagree and still leave the table in both formal and informal settings without losing friends or making enemies. Many people like to end by saying that we will, "agree to disagree." This statement means that the discussion is over, but it is a term that often shuts the door for any further conversation on touchy matters. This statement can also end a friendship or potential friendship because it is seen as condescending and closing the door to any conversation (I am right, you are not; we will never agree and further conversation with you is a waste of my time) A better way to diffuse a heated conversation is to say, "That is a a very interesting perspective and I will have to consider this further." You can easily change the subject to a neutral point, "This turkey is really delicious!" Lee Hamilton directed that George Washington wrote 110 Rules of Civility when he was 16 years old. You can go to this Mount Vernon link and vote for your favorite.

November 21: Join us as we wrap up the autumn season with conversation and I am available to answer questions.
November 28: Sukiyaki with Fukuko and Harumi
December 5: Let's bake Christmas cookies
December 12: Our annual holiday party!
December 19: Wrap up the end of the year.

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, room 209.
We always have interesting 

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00, upstairs classrooms
I had a wonderful time visiting all of your classes this week. There was so much to learn from each class.:

We talked about sitting in and having a sit in in our writing class when we welcomed Christina (our latest staff member and student teacher). 

Level 2 created a great acrostic poem that they shared with me:
Turkey dinner
Hot food
All together
Nice party
Kitchen kindness
Sharing people

Conversation class had private lessons! Where was everyone...but we aren't complaining we just missed you.

Level 1 worked on flash cards to expand vocabulary. What a great way to get all of your senses involved in memorizing!

November 23: Happy Thanksgiving! No classes. Enjoy your break and see you November 30.


Black Friday: the big shopping day the Friday after Thanksgiving
lit: when light are turned on or candles are lighted
variety show: a show with singing, dancing, comedy and skits, magic, etc.
word for word: verbatim; being in or following the exact words
horn of salvation: strong Savior
to fast: to abstain from all or some kinds of food or drink, especially as a religious observance
to signify: to be a symbol of; to be an indication of
view: often this means to look at something, but in this case it means an opinion
definitive: comprehensive or final
self esteem: your personal worth
intimidated: overwhelmed
engage in civilized discussion: chat about sensitive matters without arguing
statesman: someone who works politically with the best interests of the country at heart rather than working for a party or for power
touchy matters: sensitive ideas
condescending: attitude superiority; being better that others
closing the door: stopping any further discussion
diffuse: make something threatening safer; in this case you can save a friendship
heated conversation: argument

civility: formal politeness in action and speaking