March is known for changeable weather and winds. The saying is that March comes in like a lion and goes out like a lamb. Sunday was pleasant and that night we had our first spring thunderstorms. Lion?Lamb? It’s Indiana weather: if you don’t like it, wait a few minutes and it will change! It is a time of sudden and severe weather. Keep an eye out, listen to broadcasts and be prepared:
- Watch: be prepared to take action.
- Warning: take action!
Speaking of the unexpected...March 6, in Settecani Italy people turned on the water taps in their homes and had wine come out! Read all about it! How could you even imagine to prepare for this? What would you do? I know I would fill my empty bottles!
This weekend we have another change: we spring forward. Set your automatic clocks forward one hour. With this change, you will find that it will be dark in the morning when the busses are running to take our children to school. Be aware. And beware, you may feel a little jet lag.
March Madness!
Hoosiers are basketball fanatics. We love hoops, so college ball playoffs are our cup of tea. The first week in March is the beginning of the end. As the brackets are set, you can play along. Watch for our bracket to open.
COVID 19 Corner: wash your hands
The Corona Virus, now named COVID-19. This is an everchanging news story. More and more information is coming out. A major caution announced recently is not to get caught up in the hype. Watch out for scams and don't be taken advantage of. There are many rumors and misinformation can cause more harm than good. Direct and trusted sources for information:
- CDC Corona Virus Disease 2019
- World Health Organization Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for the public
In Mark 7: 1-23, we read about another clash the Pharisees and teachers of the law had with Jesus and his disciples. The church leaders were critical of Jesus’s disciples because they didn’t always wash their hands before they ate. We learned that pious Jews had many rules about washing not only themselves, but their cups, pitchers, and kettles, etc. In fact, in addition to the laws that God had given them, they had added many ceremonial laws about sacrifices, dietary and clothing restrictions, circumcision, and other aspects of social order. It’s not that these laws were bad. In fact, even today we understand how important it is to wash your hands before you eat and whenever you come home from being in a public place. (Corona virus, cold, and flu protection!) But some Jewish leaders had placed more importance on these customs of the nation than they did on obedience to God’s laws. The bottom line is that Jesus teaches us there are two great commandments we must follow. The first is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, and with all our soul and with all our mind. The second is to love our neighbor as ourselves. ~ Jan Heimann
March 10: Please join us as we continue our study of the Gospel of Mark.
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-11:30, room 100
We met and played the fun dominos game Mexican Train. This is a fast moving game and it is difficult to predict who will be the winner.March 10: Bring a couple ounces of cheese and a vegetable (your choice!). We will make Beer Cheese soup! While we cook, we will talk about weather safety.
Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, Bride's Room/123
We read an article on a powerful tornado in Nashville, TN and discussed about the safest places to be during a tornado when we are at home. Then we switched our topic to earthquakes and tsunami that often occur in Asia. Japan sits on or near the boundary of four tectonic plates. The pressure among the plates causes earthquakes. We talked about national parks in the US. One of us ranked Arches and Canyonlands in Utah and Rocky Mountain in Colorado as the best three national parks. And we watched the ending scene of a movie that was shot in the Canyonlands on YouTube. ~ Kay Yokota
March 11: Join the conversation.
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30, upstairs classrooms.
Our classes are finally back into swing. It was great to see so many people joined together to learn and talk. Welcome Justin, our newest student teacher.
March 12: Join us as we look toward our last months of the year.
English for Children: Thursdays, 9:30-11:30, Brides Room/123
We read the Three Little Pigs. This classic fairy tale teaches that prepared piggies can survive the huffing and puffing of the wolf and not get caught and eaten! What a fun story to learn about the dangers of a blowhard!
March 12: We will learn the delightful story of the Princess and the Pea.
unexpected: surprising
taps: faucets
Beginning of the end: the start of a season or event where people look forward to the results
be aware: watch out, alert
beware: look out for danger
fanatics: extreme fan
cup of tea: something you like
brackets are set: teams are put together
everchanging: always different
get caught up in: become intensely involved or worried
hype: intense public promotion or publicity
scams: dishonest scheme or fraud; effort to get your money or your information
don't be taken advantage of: be aware and educated so people can't cheat, trick or fool you
rumors: talk or information that doesn't have a real source
misinformation: information that is incomplete or incorrect
cause more harm than good: cause problems rather than be helpful
direct: immediate, without deviation
clash: a conflict; opposition, especially of views or interests
critical: inclined to find fault or to judge with severity
pious: having or showing a dutiful spirit of reverence for God or an earnest wish to fulfill religious obligations ceremonial: of, relating to, or characterized by ceremony; formal; ritual
on: about
blowhard: someone who talks and brags, but doesn't get the job done
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