The weather continues to bounce around. Some people think that the weather is the impetus behind the cold and flu season, but the real reason is that we are all trapped indoors more than during the fair weather months. This year the flu seems to be particularly harsh. Then there is the question of whether you have a cold or the flu. Both have similar symptoms. The flu may have more serious health problems emerge including bacterial infections like pneumonia. It isn't too late to get your flu shot for protection, but be aware that your immunity may not fully kick in for up to two weeks in a healthy adult. Additionally, getting the vaccination may not protect you from other strains of the disease, so you may get sick. This is why the CDC (Center for Disease Control) advises that you get your shots. Conversely, your immunity can diminish over time so some people choose to wait to get vaccinated until later. Flu season usually peaks December through March but has been known to extend into May.
If you do come down with a cold or flu, take care of yourself and the rest of your community. Stay home or keep your children home so as not to share or spread the disease. Drink plenty of fluids and rest. Cover your nose and mouth when coughing (germs can spread up to eight feet in a cough!). Use disposable tissues. Sanitize bathrooms and door handles frequently. In some areas schools are being closed for a week to allow custodial staff to thoroughly clean and to give people time to get over their illness.
To stay well, nothing works better than washing your hands---a lot. Keep wipes in your car and wipe your hands before touching your steering wheel after shopping or being out and about to keep from bringing germs home. Do not touch your face. Did I remind you to wash your hands? Eat well, exercise and get plenty of rest.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100.
We continued our study of the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:13-20, where Jesus tells us that we need to be "salt and light." What did He mean by that? In the Middle East of the first century, salt had two purposes. It was used to preserve food, especially meat, which could spoil quickly. It also was (and still is) used to enhance the flavor of many foods. Believers in Christ are salt when they influence the world for good, as they let their faith show in their love for God and for others. We all know how important light is. Without it we can't see! In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth, and it was on the first day that he separated the light from the darkness (Genesis 1).
Jesus came to bring light to a world that was lost in the darkness of sin. When he challenged His listeners to be "the light of the world," He was telling them to let their faith in Him shine through in everything they do. In effect, He was saying, "Let people see Me through you," so that they will see your good works and give praise to God.
Jesus went on to discuss how important it is for people to follow God's laws to have a good life and good relationships with people and a good relationship with God. Spoiler: Jesus kept the laws perfectly. He encourages us to strive to keep the Commandments too. We don't keep the laws perfectly and sometimes we break them without intending. Jesus promises that God is gracious and will forgive us. We only need to ask.
January 30: We will be talking about what Jesus has to say about breaking some specific laws including murder, adultery, divorce, and swearing. Join us for some interesting conversation!
International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, room 100.
Officer Jim Grose from the Carmel Police came to talk to us about personal safety and answer our questions. He had so much great information! You can find more on our Living in Indy pages. Additionally, we will be having an officer visit our Thursday classes in the near future to answer any other questions you may have.
Generally, the cities in Hamilton County is very safe. but crime can happen anywhere The cities here all vie for being some of the safest and best to live in in the United States! Police officers' job is to keep the community safe. Contrary to popular opinion, they do not have quotas to fill at the end of the month, so they aren't hunting people breaking laws. If you aren't driving safely or you are acting in a suspicious manner, then you may be stopped by the police. All people get nervous when talking to the authorities and have trouble coming up with the right words (even when English is their first language). The officers have access to translators and they also use their smart phone translating apps to help communicate. Officers can get translators on the phone or in person to help.
Crime can happen anywhere.
- Be aware. Pay attention to your surroundings. If something seems off, take a defensive action
- Lock your doors on your car and your house.
- Make sure your garage door is down, even when you are working in your yard.
- Lock the door from your garage into your house.
- Don't leave valuables or your keys in your car, even if your car is parked in your garage.
- Change your keypad pin number if you have that type of garage door opener or press additional buttons on the keypad so that the buttons all show wear.
In an emergency, call 911. Your call will go to the dispatcher and the correct emergency authorities will be sent to you (fire, Emergency Medical Technicians or EMTs, or the police officer for that jurisdiction). The dispatcher will ask you a series of question to make sure the right resources are sent to help you. Use this number when lives are in danger.
There are three ways to contact the local police in a non-emergency:
- In Carmel the Non-Emergency dispatch number is 317-571-2580. Use this number when you see something that might cause a problem for other people including and an officer may be needed. If something seems unusual, like a car is circling the neighborhood or there are people walking around your neighbor's home while they are out of town. Try to get a description of the people or of the vehicle as well as a license plate.
- The Carmel general office number is 317-571-2500. Call this number if you have general questions about the police or for information.
- Walk in! You are welcome to walk in to the police office any time to get your questions answered or to report something. 3 Civic Square, Carmel, Indiana
Enter your local police numbers (Fishers, Indianapolis, Zionsville, etc.) into your mobile phone, so you can be prepared to call at any time. Be assured that dialing 911 will always get you to the right resource.
There are many opportunities to know more about our police. Check your community police web pages for information including crime watch, neighborhood watch, senior safety, opportunities to ride along in a patrol car, Teen Academies, Citizen Academies and more. The police are here to help.
January 30: Join us as we plan for the month of February. We will plan Reina's Birthday party, talk about February holidays: Groundhog Day, Valentine's Day, Fat Tuesday...Let's plan some field trips. Bring ideas for the rest of this fun month.
February 6: Reina's Birthday party! Come and experience a typical children's birthday party.
February 13: Fat Tuesday! Let's celebrate Mardi Gras. Meet at the church at 10:30 to head to Mudbugs Cajun Café, 20 West Main Street, Carmel.
February 20:
February 27:
March 6:
March 13: St. Patrick's Day. Let's taste corned beef and cabbage and dance some Irish jigs!
March 20:
Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, room 209.
Because the weather was iffy, and there was a two hour delay in the morning, our meeting was cancelled. As it turns out, the roads weren't all that bad.
January 31: Let's try to talk about the 101 American things and look at the January newspaper.
English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00, upstairs classrooms.
It's good to see everyone returning. Our class attendance is picking up. Stay healthy.
February 1: Welcome February! It's shortest month of the year. Come and practice your English for a little while.
bounce around: be changeable
impetus: the force or reason
particularly: to a greater degree than usual
pneumonia: a lung infection pronounced new-MOAN-ya
conversely: opposing; in the other direction
diminish: become less
strains: versions
community: people that live around you
sanitize: clean to remove virus and bacteria
by that: a conversational filler statement that refers people to a previous statement topic
strive: to try hard; to make strenuous efforts toward any goal
contrary to popular opinion/belief: the opposite of what is usually thought, said or believed
quotas: a required amount
suspicious manner: acting nervous or in an unusual wayvie: compete eagerly
jurisdiction: an area of legal authority. The jurisdiction boundaries of Carmel include 146th Street on the North side, 96th Street to the South, the River on the East side and Michigan Road to the West. (on/to: you can almost use these propositions interchangeable in this type of directional situation. The addition of the word "side" somewhat indicates using on versus to, but this is a personal choice)
dispatcher: the person who directs resources
local:
911: when referring to the emergency number say "nine one one". "Nine eleven" refers to the date of the coordinated terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda on the United States
enhance: to raise to a higher degree; intensify; magnify
in effect: essentially
spoiler: to tell how a story goes beforehand
picking up: increasing
