Program Change

Hello Friends,

We are switching it up!

Tuesday, February 17 at International Friends we will make our Valentines (that way we will be ready for Valentine's Day).

Please bring

• your paper scissors
• a thimble (if you have one)
• an ink stamp pad (if you have one)
• your sweetie's favorite sweet (we will have Hershey's Kisses)

switching it up: changing things
that way: so
thimble: a device that protects your finger from poking while sewing
sweetie: a term of endearment
sweet: treat

Congratulations: You are officially a Hoosier.

Hello, Hoosiers.

Yes it's official as of yesterday: people who live in Indiana are Hoosiers. The Federal government style manual. Since as early as 1826 written correspondence have referred to the people of Indiana as Hoosiers and not Indianians (I have only heard that from a friend who lives in Ireland--really?) To read more about this check this article in USA Today.

How have you been doing with the roller coaster temperature ride?  Winter is a big season for all kinds of flu and sick stomachs. Every one, please stay warm and away from cooties...use your hand sanitizers!   :)

On the MLK Day, many museums and zoos are having a free admission day. If you have kids, seize the chance! Check our Things To Do page for some resources and information for summer camps and other programs for your kids.

Meanwhile, in case you don't know yet, the writing class on Thursday morning is a good choice for everybody who wishes to challenge him/herself in writing and deeper conversation. You are welcome to come and try it out! 

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30 in room 100
Who doesn't love a magician? This week we read the story of Simon the Magician in Acts chapter 8. He was one of the citizens of Samaria who believed what Philip proclaimed about the good news of the kingdom of God. He believed in Jesus as the Messiah and was baptized. Later he offered money to Peter and John if they would lay their hands on him and give him the gift of the Holy Spirit so that he, in turn, could lay hands on others and impart the Holy Spirit to them. Did he view this as a new, really impressive magic trick? Peter scolded Simon for trying to buy this gift. He urged him to repent of his sin and get rid of the bitterness in his heart. Simon asked the Apostles to pray for him.

The Holy Spirit's gifts are many, and we don't all manifest the same gifts. We may not, for example, have the gift of healing, but we can pray! If it is God's will He will heal in the manner and timing he knows to be best.

We also had a wonderful conversation about how often we pray. We talked about "formal" and "informal" prayer. Formally, we try to focus on prayer several times each day, when we wake up, at mealtimes, during our time of devotional Bible Study, and when we go to bed at night. Informally, we might pray hundreds of times a day: little conversations with God that go on all day long! What a privilege to be able to talk to our loving God at any time!
January 17: Please join as we finish Acts 8:26-40 with the story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00 in room 100
This week we met to catch up with each other and to plan for the upcoming months. We had a great time coming up with ideas and sharing our interests and talents. Check our schedule to see what we will be up to over the next few months.

January 17: Join us for swearing class. Come and learn common salty and rude words and comments and join our discussions for words and phrases in your home languages that may sound similar to English speaking ears.

Open Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00 in the upstairs classroom

We worked on some pronunciation and prepared for

English Classes: Wednesdays, 9:30-12:00 in the upstairs classrooms

This week we met to catch up with each other and to plan for the
upcoming months. We had a great time learning more about each other and our gifts and talents. Thank you to those of you who are leading us.

Thank you to our contributing authors this week: Fangling and Jan
_____________________________________________________________

roller coaster temperature ride: quick and varying ups and downs in temperatures

all kinds of: many

cooties: a fictional childhood "disease"

MLK: Martin Luther King
try it out: attempt
in turn: also
lay hands on: give a blessing through touch
manifest: to make known; to show plainly
formal: being in accordance with the usual requirements, customs, etc.
informal: without ceremony; casual
devotional: used in religious worship
privilege: a right, immunity, or benefit enjoyed only by a person beyond the advantages of most
upcoming: occurring in the future

salty: swearing, rude or bad language (not just too much salt in food)

check: look at

what we will be up to: what we will do

over (the next few months): occurring (during a stated time frame, in this case more than one month)

contributing authors: people who write articles

Happy New Year

Happy New Year!

How was your holiday? Did you have a nice break? Did you go anywhere? 

It was good to get together with you this week. I hope the cold and snow didn't scare you away. We are finally having some typical winter weather. Our policy is to meet when Carmel Clay Schools meet. If Carmel Clay Schools have a two hour delay or cancel classes due to weather, we will not meet. Of course, your safety is our first concern. Our street departments do a great job keeping our roads clear. 

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100
As New Year 2017 begins we are jumping back into our study of the book of Acts. We had a wonderful discussion of the first eight verses of chapter 8, which tells about the persecution of the early Christian church in Jerusalem. Saul, who had watched over and approved of the stoning of Stephen, soon made it his business to round up believers and put them into jail. These events caused many of the early Christians to flee from Jerusalem and settle elsewhere in Judea and Samaria. Verse 4 says, "those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went." Isn't it amazing how God used such a terrible situation as a way to spread the good news of Jesus the Messiah to more and more areas of the world? We talked about how this same phenomenon is taking place in China today, Christian churches have to register with the government and "home churches" are illegal (see more about this in this article in the Christian Science Monitor). The government requires all groups of more than fifty people at a given time and place to meet to register. What seemed at first like a cruel restriction has become a catalyst for deep and intimate teaching and discussion of God's word in these small group meetings. We praise God that through his Word and the work of the Holy Spirit, the Church continues to grow and spread throughout the world!
January 10: Join us as we read Acts chapter 8 about Simon the Sorcerer.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00, room 100
Gaga and I missed you! Where were you? We had some great conversation about having babies and being a stay-at-home mom.
January 10: Join us as we plan our events for the winter. Do you have any great ideas? We need to fill our calendar.

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00, upstairs classroom
We met to catch up for the year. We talked about small talk at the grocery checkout and different terms used for directions at stores. 
January 11: Join us for some free flowing conversation. Bring your questions and observations

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00, upstairs classrooms
I had a great time visiting the different classes this week. What fun discussions and conversation! We talked about family meals in Conversation. We came up with a whole list of names for sandwiches and talked about the different styles across the different countries. Interestingly enough, we represent many of these styles in the US. We got into a heck of a lot of slang and idioms in our Level 1 class including the reprimand to watch your mouth! And Level 3! Well, what a wide ranging discussion! You will have to ask Kris for the details! I was sorry to run out of time and not make it to Level 2. 
January 12: Join us as we resume classes. A visit to Level 2 is at  the top of my list!

International Church Services: The first Thursday of the month, 12:00-12:30 (or so)
Thank you Pastor Max for leading us in church services. Pastor used the church service from December 31 and January 1 as the basis for our meeting. You can watch the complete service on demand at CLC-TV.


we are jumping back into: continuing
persecution: a program or campaign to exterminate,drive away, or subjugate people based on their membership in a religious,ethnic, social, or racial group
had watched over: presided; been responsible for
made it his business: taken responsibility for something
round up: gather together, this action idea comes from "rounding up" cattle or sheep but now it can include any gathering including a gathering of ideas and information (a sports round up is the news coverage summarizing sports)
flee: leave quickly

phenomenon: a fact, occurrence, or circumstance observed or observable
sorcerer: magician

small talk: easy, light social conversation

at: prepositions are so tricky! you are at the checkout in line

checkout: where you pay for goods at the store. The person that rings up the prices and takes your money is the cashier (cash EAR)

came up with: made or generate

a whole list: a whole list is bigger that a list (😃😃😃); this refers to a complete list

a heck of a lot of: more than a few

watch your mouth: have polite language and attitude

top of my list: my priority
or so: approximately, about

as the basis for: the foundation

on demand: watch something on tv when you want

Welcome Back

Happy New Year, Friends:

I'm looking forward to starting my new year with you.

Tuesday, January 3 in room 100

International Bible Study, 9:30-10:30

International Friends, 10:30-12:00

Wednesday, January 4 

Conversation Class, 4:30-6:00, in the upstairs classroom

Wednesday, January 5 

English Classes, 9:30-12:00, in the upstairs classroom

International Church Services, 12:00-12:30 in the Hasse Chapel

I am looking forward to seeing everyone!

Happy Holidays and See you next year!

Dear Friends,

What a great week we had! The White Elephant gift exchange was so fun and so funny. It is always amazing to see what becomes the coveted treasure. I enjoyed singing carols with you and sharing delicious treats.

Wednesday conversation had a full house and it was nice to stop to visit the classes on Thursday.

I hope you have a warm, safe, peaceful, joyful, fabulous winter break. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Love,
Carolyn

coveted: something that is wanted but not owned
full house: everyone was there

Our last meetings this year!

Hello Friends,

I get to make my annual joke: it's our last meetings this year! This joke has always tickled me ever since I was in elementary school when it was first sprung on me. And speaking of surprises, what do you think about waking up to snow? It really was beautiful to drive home from a school concert featuring the Nutcracker Suite to snow and homes lit up with Christmas lights. 

There are so many great opportunities to experience Christmas traditions including a live nativity (where the Christmas story is acted out with people and animals found in the Biblical stories). CLC in Fishers is beginning a tradition of a live nativity: join 6:00-9:00 pm December 10, 13450 116th St., Fishers. Don't miss the Cristkindl Village December 16 and 17 a traditional German market and live nativity on Georgia Street in Indianapolis. And to the South the Greenwood Baptist Church will have a live drive through Nativity December 22 and 23. 

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100
This week we studied the dramatic story of the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7 (you can read this as CliffsNotes to the first four books of the Old Testament). Brought before the Sanhedrin, accused of attacking the temple, the law, Moses, and ultimately God, Stephen reviewed the history of the Hebrew nation beginning with Abraham and the covenant God had made with him. He reminded the Jewish religious leaders of the story of Joseph and the 400 years of Jewish enslavement in Egypt. He then discussed Moses and how God used him to lead his people out of captivity. He pointed out that their Jewish forefathers had so often rejected the prophets God sent to them and insisted on doing things their own way. He also pointed out that in the book of Isaiah they were told that all of God's creation is His temple, not just buildings made by human hands. Finally, he scolded the Sanhedrin members for resisting the Holy Spirit and for crucifying Jesus. Furious, they dragged Stephen out of the city and stoned him. As Stephen "fell asleep" he saw heaven open and saw the Son of Man (Jesus, the Messiah) standing at the right hand of God. His final words were a prayer that God would not hold the sins of the Jewish leaders against them, a prayer that reminded us of Jesus praying that God would forgive the men who crucified Him. Stephen is remembered as the first reported "martyr" of the Church. May we always be imitators of Christ who is our Strength and our Redeemer!

December 13: Join us as we read the Christmas stories from the Bible and sing the traditional Christmas songs.
International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100
We met and baked Christmas cookies. We had to wing it when the vanilla bottle got broken and discovered that Hazelnut Creamer makes a delicious substitute! We learned to make icing glaze from store bought icing. 

December 13: HOLIDAY PARTY!!!!
Join us as we celebrate the end of the year! Bring party food to share and a White Elephant gift for our gift exchange. 

Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00
We welcomed some new friends to conversation and caught up with each other. It was fun to compare language notes.

December 14: Be ready to talk about the Easy English News. 

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00
We missed a lot of you. Did the cold and snow drive you away? I hope that you are not under the weather!


December 15: Be sure to join us as we meet for the last time this year!

tickled: amused, think something is funny
sprung on me: revealed, surprised
acted out: performed as opposed to a temper tantrum
Biblical: of the Bible
CliffsNotes: famous study guides that summarize great works of literature
covenant: a solemn agreement between God and His people
enslavement: being made a slave
forefathers: ancestors
scolded: repremanded
White Elephant: something that you don't want; don't go out and buy something new...look around your house, wrap it beautifully. You will get to choose a gift or "steal" a gift. This is a fun holiday party game.
store bought icing: premade decoration for cakes available at the grocery

drive you away: keep you from attending

under the weather: ill

December 2016

Happy Holidays, Friends!

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Have you taken a drive to see the light shows in the neighborhoods? Some homes have their lights synchronized to music on the radio; you can tune in to a channel and listen while you watch the show. Look for signs in the front yard of these homes.

Have you seen any of the Holiday programs at the schools? Carmel High School Holiday Spectacular and orchestra programs are two that I never want to miss. These programs are a little tricky to see because if you don't have a student in school you may never know when the performance is.

Don't forget the shows: the Nutcracker at Clowes Hall, and the Festival of Trees at the Indiana Historical Society (and visit free on December 3!).

Where will you get your Christmas Tree? You can visit any Christmas tree lot around town (and support the Boy Scouts or other organizations) or you can start tradition of cutting your own tree! Click here to get a list of the tree farms in the Indianapolis area,

Most importantly, tune in to the music on your radio and get into the Holiday Spirit and practice your English singing skills!

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100
We met a leader in the early Christian Church named Stephen in Acts 6:8-15. He was a man full of God's grace and power, and through the work of the Holy Spirit, he was able to perform miracles. His teaching got him into trouble with the Sanhedrin, the Jewish religious rulers. They plotted against Stephen and found people willing to commit perjury that would incriminate him. These false witnesses said that Stephen had been speaking against the Temple and the laws of Moses. The Sanhedrin had become enamored with the importance of the temple in Jerusalem and with their religious rituals. Stephen taught that Jesus, the Messiah, was the Savior, and that those who believed in Jesus would have eternal life with Him in heaven. Jesus had set them free from their sins. Stephen quoted Jesus (see John 2:12-23 where Jesus clears the temple and tells them that they would kill Him, His body is the temple). You don't have to go to Jerusalem to worship God! God is with you wherever you go!

December 6: Please join us. We will be discussing Acts chapter 7, the story of Stephen. Read his story.
December 13: Join us for lessons and carols at Carolyn's house.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:30-12:00
We made beautiful wreaths. Thank you Debi for the lesson. It was fun to see how each wreath turned out to be unique. If you want to see the pictures, friend me on Facebook and I will add you to our private page.

December 6: Let's make Christmas cookies! We will meet in the big kitchen off of the gym. Bring your apron, cookie cutters and a rolling pin. We will make Gingerbread, sugar cookies, spritz cookies, peanut butter kisses. We will have a cookie walk and then leave our leftovers for the church to use for their annual cookie walk. I will pick up the groceries.
December 13: Let's have a party. Join us at Carolyn's house for our annual Holiday Party. Bring your favorite holiday dish. Bring a white elephant gift for our gift exchange.

Casual Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00Elizabeth Spiller joined us as a drop in guest.

December 7: Join us for casual conversation and we will go over the Easy English News.

English Classes: Thursdays, 9:30-12:00
I am so happy to get to visit your classes. What cool conversations you are all having! I am so glad that we continue to have new students join us. People come as students and remain our Friends. This is so important to helping us grow in our language learning. The more comfortable you are with each other and care about talking to each other, the faster you will improve your English skills. Isn't that a crazy idea! It isn't just study, it is caring enough to talk and to listen to each other.

December 8: We only have two more classes this year! My how time flies!

International Church Services: the first Thursday of the month, 12:00-12:30
This Thursday Pastor Paul Borg and Barry Bobb from Cornerstone Lutheran Church led a Christmas service for us. The church has answered request from our Friends for the opportunity to learn how to worship God in English.

January 5: Our next service is January 5. Join us for a new year message.

synchronized: two things that are matched to perform together
tune in: pick a station to listen to a show on the radio
commit perjury: lie under oath in court
incriminate: appear to be guilty; implicate
enamored: filled with love
friend me: ask someone to be your friend on Facebook
martyr: a person who willingly suffers death rather than renounce his or her beliefs
cool: interesting, trendy