Happy Halloween!

Hello, Friends.

Get ready to be spooked. Halloween is next Thursday! Depending on your community, Trick or Treaters may come to visit between 5:00-8:30 (Carmel is 5:00-8:00, Fishers is . Check the times to welcome Trick or Treaters to your home. There is a great list for safety while Trick or Treating listed also. Keep an eye on the weather! Earlier we had snow in the forecast, but the quick check on Friday morning has rain in the forecast instead. It is always exciting to be out in the weather on this scary night.

How to entertain Trick or Treaters:

• Turn your porch lights on.
• Wait for the kids to ring your doorbell or knock.
• Answer the door and wait for them to say, "Trick or Treat."
• Give each child a piece of candy or other snacks. Some people give small gifts instead like pencils or spider rings in lieu of candy.
• If you run out of treats, turn off your lights and don't answer the door.

Usually the little ones come earlier and the High School kids come later. Older children are often Trick or Treating for a cause like Riley Hospital. They are "begging" for change. I always give them candy, too.

My daughter doesn't like to answer the door, but she likes to give out candy. She puts a bowl out with a sign that says to take one and leave some for the other kids. I wonder how many kids just take one?

Tips for when you are out and about:

• If a home is decorated for the holiday, you can be sure that they are happy to welcome Trick or Treaters even if the porch lights are off because lights on may ruin their spooky effect.
• If you are driving, be careful for people darting across the street in the dark.
• Dress for the weather.
• Accompany your children.

Once you are back home, check your children's treat bags to make sure that all the candy is factory wrapped. You can visit the firehouse to have your candy examined for safety. Be sure to pick our some of your favorite candies at this time as your fee!

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, Room 100.
Do you set aside one day a week to rest? In the Old Testament, God commanded the children of Israel to observe a day of rest and worship every week, from sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday.  It was called the Sabbath. It was supposed to be a day set apart, a day to rest from work, to worship God, and to revive one’s spirit. Although Christians today don’t need to observe a Sabbath day to earn their salvation, there is a lot to be said for taking a day each week to restore our physical, emotional and spiritual energy. There was a reason God commanded his people to do this: It was good for them! Over the years the religious leaders in Israel added hundreds of rules about what was and wasn’t permissible on the Sabbath day. Not only had they devised these extra rules, but they had also elevated them to the level of Scripture, so that to break one of their rules was to violate the law of God itself. Yet these rules not only obscured the true intent of God’s law, but also, in some cases, actually violated it. Jesus’s attitude toward the Sabbath was this: "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath. So the Son of Man is Lord even of the Sabbath.” (Mark 2:27-28) Jesus was flipping on its head the traditional Sabbath observance! These clashes with the Scribes and Pharisees caused a great deal of friction between Jesus’s followers and the Jewish leaders. After Jesus healed a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, the religious leaders began to conspire with the people who supported King Herod to make plans to kill Jesus. They were concerned that their political and religious power would be eroded if people followed Jesus. ~ Jan Heimann

October 29: Join us as we continue reading and talking about the third chapter of the Gospel of Mark. You don't have to be familiar with the Bible and its stories.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30, Room 100
We visited the Conner Prairie, but unfortunately the weather wasn't the best for walking around Conner Prairie. We stopped in the Apple Store and the gift shop in the main building. Afterward we went to OEC Japanese Express. We were tickled by the name. Do you get the pun? Ask one of our Japanese friends.

October 29: Come and carve your pumpkin for Halloween. Bring a large pumpkin and carving tools: a serrated kitchen knife or steak knife works, a large spoon to scoop out seeds. We will toast your pumpkin seeds as an extra special treat!

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, Upstairs Classrooms
Our conversations are always wide ranging. Vaccination fraud in China

October 30: We are meeting at the Carmel Public Library. Join us by the coffee shop to get your card (you need your driver's license or other id and a piece of official mail (utility bill, bank statement, etc.) with your address) and learn about online options for reading and listening.

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30, Upstairs Classrooms
It was nice to touch base with the classrooms.

October 31: Happy Halloween! Come in costume, if you dare. Our Preschool class will come to Trick or Treat. Feel free to bring a treat for them.

English for Children: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30, the "Bride's Room/Nursery"
We read Clifford's Halloween. Clifford is a big red dog who gets into interesting situations because he is so big. We made flying bats with straws and decorated our bags for Trick or Treating. Enjoy Baby Shark Halloween because you can never have too many versions of Baby Shark!

October 31: Come in your costume and join our Halloween party. We will Trick or Treat in the adult classrooms.

be spooked; get spooked: get scared
keep an eye on the weather: watch for changing weather conditions
entertain: host
little ones: young children
change: quarters, nickels, dimes, pennies, etc.; small money
out and about: not home
darting: running
spooky effect: scary atmosphere
fee: charge for a service
wide ranging: ample, broad, comprehensive
observe: to celebrate or solemnize (something, such as a ceremony or festival) in a customary way
obscure: to keep from being seen; conceal; hide
flip on its head: to turn upside-down; to completely change
conspire: plot, plan
erode: to gradually destroy; to gradually wear away

Free Law and Estate Planning Seminar

Hello Friends.

Here is a great legal seminar for FREE sponsored byIWI. Register by Friday, October 25.

Fabulous Fall and Recipes

Hello Friends,

Fall to winter is a grand time in Indiana. There are some tried and true events that we always want to keep on our lists to do for the season.

Sandhill crane migration

Connor Prairie Headless Horseman

Fall color in Hoosier National Forest

There is so much more. Share your fall favorites in our comments by clicking here: International Friends.

I overheard conversations at our tailgate regarding eating venison and how hunting in Indiana helps keep our deer herds healthy. Here is the link to the DNR site with the requests and opportunities for hunters and others to help support these efforts.

A friend is offering an opportunity to clean you home without using chemicals. Contact her to learn more:

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100.
We read the second chapter of Mark verses 1-22. There were three short and to the point stories.

We began our discussion of the story of the paralytic who was lowered on his pallet through the roof of the ‪crowded house‬ in which Jesus was teaching. The first thing Jesus said to him was “Son, your sins are forgiven.” This certainly raised a few eyebrows in the crowd. The teachers of the law thought "No one but God could forgive sins!" Jesus knew what the religious leaders were thinking. He asked them, “Which is easier: to say to the paralytic, 'Your sins are forgiven,' or to say ‘Get up, take you mat and walk’? But I want you to know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins.” Then he said to the paralytic, “I tell you, get up, take your mat and go home.” And the man did! What was the result? The Bible tells us that "this amazed EVERYONE" and they praised God saying, "We have never seen anything like this!" (As a side note, paralyzed and sick people were not allowed to enter the temple to receive forgiveness. Jesus chose to address this man's spiritual needs first.)

We also talked about Mark ‪2: 13-17‬, where Jesus called Levi (also named Matthew) to be one of his disciples. Matthew was a tax collector; a job despised by the Jewish people. Jesus went to dinner at Matthew’s house and ate with other tax collectors and "sinners". The religious leaders questioned Jesus about the friends he was keeping. Jesus told them that it was not the healthy people who need a doctor; it was the sick. In the same way, he had come to call sinners (because righteous people don't need to be called).

Our third story about the Jewish religious leaders (Pharisees) who were concerned about traditions questioning Jesus about his disciples' not following fasting traditions. Jesus' answers are enlightening: read Mark 2:18-22. Jesus gives analogies to explain how new and untried ideas can ruin existing traditions if people try to fit them into the old way of thinking and acting.

October 22: Join us as we read more short anecdotes about Jesus and his actions.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30, room 100

We enjoyed three great dishes: carbonara from Italy, katsudon from Japan and Brazilian Shrimp stuffed pumpkin. You can find cooking videos on our private Facebook page along with photos. Written recipes follow. Each of these dishes are amazing and an easy addition to your cooking repertoire (set of skills or behaviors regularly used).

Carbonara:
4 egg yolks and 2 whole eggs
Reggiano or parmesian cheese
1 pound bacon chopped into small bits, sautéed and drained
one box or spaghetti noodles.

Cook the noodles according to the package. Drain and rinse the pan (to cool the pan). While the noodles are cooking beat together the eggs and yolks and cheese. Stir egg mixture into the hot noodles. continue to stir until noodles are covered in the sauce. Stir in the bacon bits.

Katsudon:
2 pounds pork tenderloin
2 eggs
milk
flour
panko crumbs
cooking oil

Slice the tenderloin into 1/2 inch rounds. Dip in flour, then beaten egg, then panko. Fry at 350 degrees for several minutes being careful not to overcook.

Serve with a variety of dipping sauces mixed to your taste:
Wasabi powder mixed with water
Dry mustard mixed with water to make a paste mixed
Okonomiyaki sauce
soy sauce
catsup
etc.

Brazilian Shrimp Stuffed Pumpkin
Ingredients
1 pumpkin
2 pounds of medium Shrimp pre cooked
4 Tbsp olive oil
1 diced onion
2 minced cloves of garlic
5 diced roma tomatoes without seeds
3 Tbsp catchup
7.6 oz creme de leite (look the photo)

8 oz cream cheese or 16 oz the Gordo’s Dip cheese (look the photo)

Parsley and green onion chopped
Salt and black pepper to taste

Prepare the pumpkin:
Wash and dry the pumpkin Wrap the pumpkin in aluminium foil Bake in the oven 350 F for 90 minutes. Cool. Remove top and seeds. Oil the inside and before serving wrap again and put in the oven 350 F for 10 minutes to warm.

Make the filling:
Cook onion and garlic in a saucepan, add tomatoes and make a sauce, add shrimp, catchup, salt and pepper. Turn off the stove and add cream cheese and milk cream. Add parsley and green onion. Put

Pass some dip cheese inside the pumpkin and pour the shrimp cream the stuffing into the pumpkin and enjoy!

Good luck 🍀! 😘😘.

October 22: Let's go to Connor Prairie. 13400 Allisonville Road, Fishers, IN
Meet at church at 10:30 to carpool/caravan to Connor Prairie OR meet us there by 11:00. We can visit the apple store and visit the park. Hopefully the balloon is flying ($17). Check for pricing here. Let's shoot for the group discount of more than 15.

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, upstairs classroom
We had quite the conversation covering linguistics and forms of writing. We also talked about the typhoon in Japan and compared typhoons to hurricanes (do you know the difference?).

October 23: Join us as we free flow talk. Conversation is all about listening and participating. Who knows where the topics will flow!

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30, upstairs classrooms.
Fall breaks have made our class attendance interesting.

October 24: Our regular classes continue. Can you catch up from your break?
October 31: Come dressed for Halloween! Our Preschool English class will come Trick or Treating. Do you want to bring treats for our children?

English for Kids: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30, the "Bride's Room"
We read about Biscuit visiting the pumpkin patch. Biscuit is a beloved puppy in early childhood literature. This particular book is a great introduction to visiting the pumpkin farm and the ways to decorate pumpkins for Halloween.

October 24: We will prepare for Halloween
October 31: Come in your costume for the Halloween party! We will be Trick or Treating in the adult classrooms.

DNR: Department of Natural Resources
paralytic: someone that can not move their limbs
pallet: a bed or mattress of straw
raise an eyebrow: to show surprise, disbelief, or mild disapproval
despised: hated
friends he was keeping: who he was hanging around with
call: an order or request for attendance; a religious call is a request to join
sinner: someone commits evil or wicked acts (in this case, someone that doesn't love God or care for others)
anecdotes: stories

Rest and relax and come back refreshed.

Hello, Friends.

I hope that you are enjoying a relaxing fall break. Below are the updates for our one and only meeting day this week.

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, Room 100.

In Matthew ‪1: 35‬-39 we read about Jesus getting up before dawn and going off to a solitary place to pray. This was a pattern of behavior in Jesus’s life that we see often in the Gospels. When Jesus was surrounded all day by crowds of people who wanted him to heal diseases or cast out demons, or who simply wanted to hear him preach, he must have felt exhausted at times. What did he do? He spent time alone with his Heavenly Father in prayer. He was renewed and recharged by talking with his Father.

This discussion caused us to wonder: Was Jesus an introvert or an extrovert? By dictionary definition an introvert is someone who is shy, and an extrovert is someone outgoing and overtly expressive. However, psychologists would argue that these definitions are much too narrow. An introvert is someone who prefers calm, minimally stimulating environments. Introverts tend to feel drained after socializing and regain their energy by spending time alone. Extroverts are the “life of the party.” Their outgoing, vibrant nature draws people to them, and they have a hard time turning away the attention. They thrive off the interaction.

So was Jesus an introvert or an extrovert? Perhaps he was the perfect combination of both! He definitely needed time alone in prayer to renew his spirit, but he also drew people to himself and was always happy to interact with people and help them.

October 15: We will be reading and discussing the beginning of Mark, chapter 2 ‪next Tuesday‬. Join us ‪at 9:30‬ in Room 100.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30, Room 100
We had a great time tailgating in the church parking lot. Thank you to everyone for bringing delicious tailgate snacks.

October 15: We will learn to make authentic carbonara and katsudon as well as an authentic Brazilian dish. Our international cooking challenge: bring a dish and the ingredients and teach us how to cook it. Rules: start to finish, the recipe should take less than 30 minutes (so we can enjoy)!

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, upstairs classroom

October 16: Join us as we begin the conversation talking about recycling...who knows where we will go from there!

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30, upstairs classrooms

October 17: Classes resume.

English for Children: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30, bride's room

October 17: We will resume our classes with our pumpkin theme.

Fall Break at International Friends

Good Morning, Friends.

Indiana is treating us to some crisp, cool fall mornings. Were you surprised with the low temperatures overnight? This is a spectacular time of year. You can get out your fashion boots but still wear your sandals!

For the next few weeks our various school districts are on fall break. We follow the Carmel Clay Schools calendar and are breaking October 9 and 10 (no meetings or classes Wednesday or Thursday).  To kick off our break, meet with us October 8 for Bible Study and to celebrate that great fall parking lot party: the Tailgate.

Don't forget to continue to practice your English online:

• Load that fun and addictive app Duolingo on your smart phone or computer. You can test out of basic levels or begin at the beginning.
• The WorldLink site offers audio, flashcards, and a glossary for each unit. Brush up and study.
• Listen and read along to the Easy English News for October.

Check out other online English education destinations on our Help and Resources page.
At home and in the car:

• Turn on talk radio not for just the news and banter, but to let the language become a part your daily practice.
• Sing along in English. Work on your accent by singing along with the radio...you will match the accent and pronunciation of the singer rather than impose your own accent and pronunciation. It's a crazy thing!
• Borrow audio stories from the library or download them on your smartphone.
• Turn on closed captioning [CC] and read along as you watch TV. Occasionally you can see some very funny, inaccurate translations!
• Watch programs on Netflix in unfamiliar languages with English subtitles!

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, Room 100.
As we continued our journey through the first chapter of Mark, we read in verses 21-39 about Jesus driving out a demon from a man in the congregation of the synagogue and also healing Simon Peter’s mother-in-law of a fever. Within hours of these extraordinary events, word spread throughout the town of Capernaum, and as the sun set, crowds of people who were sick or demon-possessed gathered at the door of Simon Peter’s house. Jesus healed many of them of various diseases, and he drove out many demons. What an amazing day that must have been! Early the next morning Jesus slipped away from the house in the dark. He wanted to go to a solitary place to pray. Soon the disciples went searching for him, saying, “Everyone is looking for you!” Instead of embracing his newfound celebrity, Jesus suggested they move on to other nearby villages so that he could preach there also. He said, “That is why I have come.” And so they traveled throughout Galilee, and Jesus preached in their synagogues and drove out more demons. The excitement created by Jesus’ preaching and healing must have created quite a stir in Galilee! We had good discussions about demon-possession and whether or not illness and evil might be connected. We also dissected some American idioms, what it means to “piggyback” on something someone else just said, and what it means to “put on airs.”~Jan Heimann

October 8: Bring your Bible and a chair and meet us in the back of the parking lot at CLC to study outdoors as we begin with verses 40-45 of Mark 1

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30, Room 100
Thank you Barry Bobb for teaching the fundamentals of ringing bells in a bell choir. We didn't sound too bad!

October 8: Let's Tailgate! Meet us in the back of the parking lot at CLC to tailgate! BYOB. Bring a snack or picnic food to share. Wear your favorite team spirit wear. I will bring Cornhole so get ready for a tournament!

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, Upstairs Classrooms
We opened our conversation talking about American politics. We reviewed the fundamentals of the two party system here in the U.S. We shared opinions. We talked about getting news from other sources to judge facts. We strayed to other topics and discovered that most topics could be tied to politics! Food for thought: Beef and Dairy Farmers around the world are protesting political decisions. Are the taxes on the farmers fair? Should people eat beef? New nutrition studies say that beef is not as unhealthy as has been thought!

October 16: Our opening topic will be recycling. What do you know? What is your opinion?

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30, Upstairs Classrooms
I flitted in and out of our classrooms on Thursday. I tried to touch each room. It was good to see everyone at work.

October 16: Welcome back to class. If your children are on break, they are welcome to join us for the morning. Please let me know if you plan to bring your older kids with you.

English for Children: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30, Bride's Room
This week we learned more about Fall and read the festive book, "There Was An Old Lady Who Swallowed Some Leaves." the kids loved reading the silly story and participating in crafts involving counting leaves and painting apple trees using clothespins and cotton balls.~Madison Roe

The story we read is a cumulative story: the story repeats past things before adding new things. This story also relies on rhyming that helps with vocabulary building and English language learning. When you read with your children, encourage them to tell the story with you.

October 16: We will continue our study of Fall by studying counting pumpkins.
October 24: We will prepare for Halloween!
October 31: It's Halloween! Come in your costume and let's have a party!

BYOB: Bring Your Own Beverage. Often the last B stands for Beer or Booze but since it's before noon, you may want to bring something nonalcoholic
demon: evil spirit; devil
slipped away: leave quietly
dissected: take apart and examine closely
solitary: alone; without companions; unattended
piggyback: to attach to as if part of the same thing
put on airs: behaving as if you’re better than others
food for thought: something to think about and "feed" new ideas
on break: when you rest or pause from work we say you are "on break"
flitted in an out: move quickly from one place to another (like a butterfly)