Labor Day Weekend and Let's Start Meeting Next Week!

Welcome to the official end of summer!

Labor Day weekend marks the official end of summer. Break out the grill and celebrate with picnics and bar be cues (BBQs). Most neighborhood pools close this weekend. You can be sure that the weather will turn hot after that! Read more about the official history of Labor Day from the Department of Labor.

By now your children should be settled in school. This is a good time to stock up on supplies for the rest of the year.

And now we begin our year. Please enter door 6 (the first door off of Gray Road).

SAVE TIME AND REGISTER ON LINE

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00, Room 100

Join us September 4 as we pick the book that we will read this year.
International Bible Study is for anyone who wants to stretch their language and comprehension by reading in your home language and discussing in English. Come and talk about matters of the heart, spirit and culture. Everyone is welcome. Free childcare is available in the nursery.

International Friends: Tuesdays, 10:00-11:30, Room 100

Join us September 4 as we kick off our new year of friends, food, fun and fieldtrips.
Come and get acquainted and help set the schedule for the year! Free childcare is available in the nursery.

English Class Registration

September 6, 9:30-12:00, upstairs classroom
Come and register, pay for classes and take placement tests if you are a new student. Come and say hello!

Classes begin September 13: 9:00-11:30.

stock up: buy spare supplies

Welcome Back

Hello, Friends.

We are getting ready to start our year of meetings and classes beginning September 4.

We are excited to welcome our fabulous volunteer staff. This amazing group of people come from all over the greater Indianapolis area to help you become comfortable in our community, make friends and learn English.

We are grateful to Cornerstone Lutheran Church for opening her doors and providing us with rooms for our meetings and classes. We are thankful to the church for staffing the nursery on Tuesday and Thursdays 9:00-11:30 so that parents of small children can come to our meetings and take classes and be sure that their children are in good hands. This is a service provided by the church. Cornerstone is looking for staff and volunteers. Find out more and contact Cathy Graves to help out

Please register on line so we can begin to prepare for you: International Friends Registration. We are using the registration program from Cornerstone, but your information is separate from the church database and only accessible by Carolyn and the data administrators.

Check out our webpages to learn about our programs and the Indiana community. Sign up to get our updates emailed to you 

Please enter Door 6. The other doors are secure to keep the preschool children safe.

International Bible Study: Tuesdays 9:00-10:00, room 100 beginning September 4
Join us September 4 as we select what book of the Bible we will read and discuss this year. The Bible has been translated into most languages and provides a great opportunity to read in your home language and discuss in English. You do not have to be a believer or follower of Christianity to come to this class. Childcare is available in the staffed nursery (this service is free to our students).
 
International Friends: Tuesdays 10:00-12:00, room 100 beginning September 4
Join us for friendship, fun and fieldtrips! Come and meet new friends and learn about living in Indiana and share good food and great conversation. Childcare is available in the staffed nursery (this service is free to our students).


English Class Registration: 9:30-12:00, upstairs classrooms September 6
Come and get screened for the best class for you if you are a new student. Come and pay your fees for the year: $65 for Thursdays and $35 for Wednesdays. Register for classes in person or preregister.

English Classes: 9:00-11:30 beginning September 13

• Begin in room 101 to meet your teacher.
• Please preregister so we can prepare for you!
• We offer four levels of English classes (introductory through conversation), American Accent Training and a new Parent and Child class.
• Childcare is available in the staffed nursery (this service is free to our students).

As always, your youngsters are welcome to join you in our classes. 

We are also piloting the opportunity for parents and children to meet together in a classroom to learn songs, read books, play and converse. Please email Carolyn if this is of interest to you so we can plan ahead.

Open Conversation: Wednesdays, 4:30-6:00 beginning September 12
Come up the stairs and join us for unleveled conversation in English. Childcare is provided in classrooms nearby by our volunteer staff.

all over: coming from many places and communities
her: When referring to a Christian church body or organization, the Bible refers to the church as the "bride" of Christ. When attaching a pronoun to the church, it is common to use a female pronoun.
grateful: thankful
staffing: People hired to perform a specific job. CLC provides a paid and volunteer staff for the nursery on Tuesdays and Thursdays. International Friends staff are all volunteers.
in good hands: well cared for
youngsters: children
secure: safe
piloting: trying out
of interest: something you would like to participate in or know others who would like to participate
plan ahead: prepare

Pre-game notes for Fall International Friends

Hello, Friends.

Here are some pregame notes for our upcoming fall classes.

My last update had errors in dates and a broken link. My deepest apologies.

I was at Pendleton Falls Park on Thursday, August 16 in the rain. I posted the date for August 18! If anyone went to Meet Up on Saturday, you had a spectacular weather and the opportunity to see the museum. So in the end, that mistake was a win!

Secondly, the link to registration was broken on the last update page. I was able to fix that. And, here is a link that works: International Friends Registration: 2018-2019

We have some changes to our classes this fall. Please see the notes below in our schedule.

International Friends all English Staff: August 30, 9:30-12:00, Upstairs Class Rooms

International Friends Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:00-10:00, Room 100 beginning September 4
International Friends: Tuesdays 10:00-11:30, Room 100 beginning September 4

English Class Registration: September 6, 9:30-12:00, Upstairs Classrooms
Come and register on-line, pay fees, get screened for your best class fit if you are a new student. The cost is $65 for Thursday classes and $35 for Wednesday classes for the entire year. These fees cover the costs to run the program and includes all materials needed for your class.

Casual Conversation: begin September 12, 4:30-6:00, Upstairs Classroom
English Classes: begin September 13, 9:30-12:00, Upstairs Classroom

Help Wanted (join our volunteer staff)
Email Carolyn Willard for more information

Childcare: We are looking for people to help with childcare for our Wednesday and Thursday classes. If you want to help with watching our little ones while our students are studying their English, please let me know. Our current plan is to have a the children meet and play in one of our classrooms. As always, children are welcome to sit in class with parents.

English teachers: Come and help people learn how to speak English. We like to have teaching pairs so that classes can be supported on a continual basis.

Classroom helpers: Help the classroom teacher with classes.

Administrative help: Do you like organizing paperwork? Can you proof read so I don't make silly date errors? Let me know!
____________________________________________________________________________
pregame notes: information for planning purposes
My deepest apologies: I am so very, very sorry (mostly because I may have missed seeing you)
in the end: as a result
was a win: YAY! that ended up or resulted in a positive experience

Wrapping up Summer break

Hello Friends.

This week many of us are turning the page as our children are all off to school (Carmel is one of the latest to start, I believe). I hope that you made many wonderful summer memories. Now it's time look to start our new chapter of meetings starting after Labor Day. And the roundabout is finished. Check out this great drone footage of our new lovely roundabout by the church.

We are looking for volunteers to help in the classrooms and in the nursery. If you know someone or would like to help out, please email me.

English Teachers: Lead English classes on Thursdays (We like to have teaching partners). Attend staff meetings (with delicious food) once a month.
Classroom Assistants: Help a the teacher with the class. Pair with students for practice. Attend staff meetings (with delicious food) once a month.
Nursery: Help care for our children in the nursery. CLC requires a minimum of two adults in the nursery with children. There are also minimum required ratios of adult caretakers to children. If there isn't enough help, children may not be able to stay safely in the nursery to meet codes.
Administrative Minds and Hands: Help file and organize our paperwork and online registration.

Our final picnic is

August 16 beginning at 11:00

Pendleton Falls Park, 299 Falls Park Drive, Pendleton

Online registration is open:

International Friends On Line Registration 2018-2019
Registration and Screening: September 6, 9:30-12:00 at CLC in the upstairs classrooms. Enter door 6.
Come and pay for the school year and get screened if you are coming for the first time.

Mark your calendars and get ready. I am looking forward to seeing everyone soon!

Love,
Carolyn

turning the page: beginning something new (or finishing something if you are looking back)
off to school: leaving home and attending school
I believe: I think, it is my understanding
new chapter: starting a new period of time in your life
drone footage: film/video made using a remote controlled aircraft
ratios: comparative numbers
codes: safety rules or laws 

mark your calendars: put an event on your calendar

Fall International Friends Schedule Summer pests part 2

Hello, Friends!

I know many of you are looking forward to your fall schedules with all the back-to-school planning. More announcements to come, but here is our preliminary schedule:

August 15: Online registration opens.
August 30, 9:30-12:00: Staff Meeting. Staff meets to connect and learn about our program at large and learn skills to be better leaders and teachers.
September 4, 9:30-10:30: International Bible Study.
September 6, 9:30-12:00: English Class Registration and Screening. Come in to register, pay fees, and if you are a first time student, to be screened for the best class for you. Come in to say hello!

Yes, we did take a little break...but you can still join us for interesting conversation with your families. We have two left this year!

Summer Pests Part 2

Summer can be a great time for home invaders of the rodent kind. You have a very nice home, and furry friends would love to share with you. Common rodent pests that move in over the summer include mice, squirrels and chipmunks. All of these pests can bring in mites and fleas and their droppings an urine can cause diseases. Their chewing can be destructive to wiring and structure. The holes they chew to get in can cause leaks that cause further damage. Chipmunk tunnels under pavement and foundations can cause cracking and sinking. If that isn't enough, they have and raise their children. We all know that even though our children may grow up, they don't always move out...this is particularly true of rodents. They continue to make more and more in your home!

The question then is how do you discourage them from moving in and more so how do you get rid of them once they have moved in? You may have to decide if you want to be humane or just use poison. If you decide to live trap the animals and release them back into the wild, beware that you release them far, far, far from your home or anyone else's home. Chipmunks will travel many miles to return and once they learn about a humane trap, you will never go in again no matter how attractive a treat you place there. They also tell all their friends and family about this danger. If you decide to use poison (particularly for mouse populations) remember that poison makes these animals very thirsty and hopefully will go outside to get a drink, but you may find them in your bathroom or basement. You may decide to call Critter Control or another company for squirrels. This is a good option for these larger animals since they are experienced in catching and removing them. The cost also includes repairing the holes where they are entering. One bit of advice: be sure all animals are out before you block the entry point...otherwise the animal will die in your walls which means an smell for quite a few days as well as the opportunity to get some new pests: maggots and flies and ants! Do you have more questions? Do you want to know more? Humane Pest Control Articles Library

International Bible Study: Tuesday, 9:30-10:30, room 100
Jude was a great study. Jude the message is to followers of Jesus (and more specifically from the Jewish tradition). He uses historical accounts to remind the readers of this letter about situations in history where God was called upon to defend people from evil people. While these accounts may seem obscure to other readers who don't know the story, the point is clear but they show that ulterior motives to hurt other people and take advantage of them. It's easy to get caught up in this drama, but Jude blesses and reminds the reader to be merciful to others and to trust that God's Holy Spirit will keep him/her from hurting others to meet with God our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord with great joy forevermore.

Meet Up August 2, Inlow Park beginning at 11:00

preliminary: early or beginning

invaders: unwelcome people or things that come without invitation to take over 

destructive: ruin or destroy

foundations: base on which something is built

discourage: stop doing something

get rid of: throw away

humane: kind; in this case not to kill

populations: large groups of living things

option: choice

obscure: unclear

point is clear: 

take advantage of them: this is not positive in this case, it means to do things to your benefit and without thought of another person

forevermore: without ending

Summer Pests (part one)

Hello Friends,

The days have been beautiful. When the weather is fine, we love to get out of the house and enjoy the great outdoors at concerts and festivals. Many families take vacations over the summer. You are sure to encounter pests in the great outdoors.

When you go to the park or take a walk in the woods or go camping or work in the garden, you will encounter some of our most common outdoor pests: mosquitos and ticks. Mosquitos live in the foliage during the day and come out in force in the evening. Mosquitos are to blame for West Nile virus here in Indiana as well as heartworms in dogs. To protect from these biting insects use a good repellant (repellents containing DEET are the most effective) and give your dog heartworm medication each month or as directed by your veterinarian. Certain plants also help to repel mosquitos, so planting them in your garden may help: lavender, basil, rosemary and geraniums are a few of the plants. To help keep mosquitos from breeding around your house, empty and refill pet water dishes and bird baths daily. Make sure plants don't have standing water and make sure your gutters are draining well. Mosquito bites are mostly annoying and itchy for a few days. Just be careful scratching doesn't lead to infection.

We have two types of ticks here in Indiana. Deer ticks are extremely tiny and you may not notice them. Wear light colored clothing and a hat to better see them when outdoors. Dogs and cats can take preventive medicine for fleas and ticks, but that doesn't mean that these pests won't hitch a ride on them. Ticks embed their heads into their victim, so use pointed tweezers and grab the tick as close to the head as possible and pull gently but firmly to get the whole insect. Clean the area with soap and water or alcohol to avoid infection. Ticks also carry disease. Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Lyme Disease are the two that can be contracted here in Indiana. Symptoms are common to many other diseases: a rash, fever, chills, body aches, etc. so be sure to tell your doctor if you were bitten. You may want to tape the dead insect to a card with the date and hang on to it for a few weeks just in case you show symptoms. Antibiotics are the cure.

While we are looking forward to getting outside, some animals look forward to getting inside our homes and making themselves at home. Stay tuned for part two!

International Bible Study: Tuesdays, 9:30-10:30, room 100.
We wrapped up the three letters of John this week. Third John (3 John) encouraged the church to stand for right teaching and show hospitality and love to each other and to others. 

July 24: Join us as we read Jude. This study will be an exciting one. Jude is also a very short letter/book of the Bible but Judah (the author) confronts corrupt leaders. Watch the Bible Project summary to get a great overview to understand the backstory and history that Judah uses to communicate to his readers.

July 31: Join us for our last study of the summer. We will read and talk about favorite Psalms.

International Friends Meet Up
If you haven't been to Holliday Park, I would encourage you to go. You will love the beautiful trails and the extensive playground. The nature center is excellent, also.

For our next Meet Up, we will return to Inlow Park (always a favorite). Our last Meet Up is at Pendleton Falls Park. Hopefully the weather will cooperate and more of you will be able to get out and enjoy this gem.

August 2 Lawrence W. Inlow Park, 6310 East Main Street, Carmel

August 16 Pendleton Falls Park, 299 Falls Park Drive, Pendleton

the great outdoors: being out in beautiful nature

mosquitos: (mu ski toes) flying, biting insects

repellant (or repellent): drive away, repulsive

embed: attach firmly into

hitch a ride: get a lift

tweezers: too for removing small things like splinters from your skin

just in case: if; should something happen

show symptoms: display the signs of a disease

stay tuned: an old radio and television broadcasting saying encouraging people to come back 

backstory: what happens behind the scenes or occurred previously

gem: treasure something special or unique

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