Summer Fairs

Hello, Friends.

I don't know about you, but I love summer! Have you had a chance to take advantage of the many fairs and festivals here in the greater Indianapolis area? Hoosiers look for the opportunity to celebrate just about anything. We are now entering "county fair" season. Since much of Indiana is a farming state, the farmers would get together once a year to compete against each other to show their best animals and produce. The results would be judged and awards given. Winners go on to the State Fair here in Indianapolis. Our county fairs are now 4H Fairs which give school aged children the opportunity to compete in animal husbandry and many other arts and sciences (County Fair Directory).

• Hamilton County Fair is July 19-25 in the fairgrounds in Noblesville and admission is free. Learn more about 4H and opportunities for your children. 
• The Indiana State Fair is August 3-19. There is an admission charge but there are many discounts and promotions. Be sure to look at the schedule and see what events that interest you the most.

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100.
We read 2 John: a letter to "the elder: and directed to "the chosen lady and her children". We talked how this letter addresses concerns on three levels:

• Personally: as women who have children, do we let people into our homes who are not honest in their intentions and would cause our family harm?
• Church: the Bible often refers to the church as the "bride" and the members as the "children". In this case, John is warning not to welcome teachers who teach that Jesus is not God because that will cause the family of God harm.
• Socially: As a community do we take the advice of outsiders to drive our community and countries 

We talked how this letter doesn't mean that the Bible does not say individuals and groups shouldn't show show hospitality to strangers but that the church (and parents) have the responsibility to ensure that people in their care are not misled.

Our last topic of discussion was 2 John 12-13. We agree with John, writing (pen and paper, texting, email, blog) is one way communication but visiting face to face makes our joy complete.

Meet Up: July 19, 11:00-??, rain or shine at Holliday Park, 6363 Springmill Road, Indianapolis
There are 93 acres and many beautiful walking/hiking trails. There are ruins, a nature center and an exotic playground. There are no picnic shelters. Picnic tables are "first come, first served". Let's plan to meet at the playground. If it is raining, meet to socialize a bit in the nature center.

https://www.hollidaypark.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/Holliday-Park-Map.jpg

I don't know about you: idiom that precedes (comes before) a statement of my opinion.

a chance to take advantage of: the opportunity to

just about anything: almost anything

county: divisions of land within a state; city boundaries may change, but county lines do not (unless that boundary is a river or waterway...those do move)

discounts and promotions: lower costs and additional special offerings to increase ticket sales

venues: a place where organized events happen like a concerts, sporting events, etc.

chosen: selected, favored

show hospitality to strangers: feed, invite, board

one way communication: letters, texts, radio, TV, etc. where you can't respond