January 2013 Schedule

Dear Friends,

Happy New Year!  I hope you are all well!

Here is our schedule for January:

Thursday, January 17th, at 10:00 a.m.--Bible Study and English Lesson at Ava's house.  We will study, "Adam and Eve" and our English Lessons will be, "Who is Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr?" "Quotes From Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr." and "Going To The Doctor".  I'll be able to go to lunch after the class and I hope you can join me!

Also, it's the time of year when schools can be closed for weather.  Generally, if Rutherford County Schools are closed on our class day, I will reschedule the class.  I'll send an email if that happens, but I just wanted to let you know the plan if schools are closed.  Hopefully, we'll have good weather on our class days this year!

Sunday, January 27th, at 9:30 a.m.  Bible Study Class at Ava's house.  We will continue our study of Max Lucado's book, "Facing Your Giants".   This book is about King David's life and it has good lessons about overcoming problems. 

Children are welcome to join us and Japanese translation and Bibles are provided for both classes.

Please invite any new friends to join us for either class.  I'm looking forward to seeing everyone later this month.

Your Friend, 

Ava

Lyrics For Christmas Songs

Silent Night

Silent night, holy night!
All is calm, All is bright
Round yon Virgin, Mother and Child
Holy Infant so Tender and mild,
Sleep in heavenly peace,
Sleep in heavenly peace.

Silent night, holy night!
Shepherds quake at the sight!
Glories stream from heaven afar;
Heavenly hosts sing Al-le-lu-ia!
Christ the Saviour is born!
Christ the Saviour is born!

Silent night, holy night!
Wondrous star, lend thy light!
With the angels let us sing
Alleluia to our King!
Christ the Saviour is here,
Jesus the Saviour is here!

Silent night, Holy night!
Son of God, love's pure light
Radiant beams from Thy holy face,
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus Lord at thy birth;
Jesus Lord at thy birth.

Deck The Halls

Deck the halls with boughs of holly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
'Tis the season to be jolly
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Don we now our gay apparel
Fa-la-la, la-la-la, la-la-la.
Troll the ancient Yule-tide carol
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

See the blazing Yule before us.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Strike the harp and join the chorus.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Follow me in merry measure.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
While I tell of Yule-tide treasure.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la

Fast away the old year passes.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Hail the new year, lads and lasses
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Sing we joyous, all together.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la
Heedless of the wind and weather.
Fa-la-la-la-la, la-la-la-la.

December 2012 Schedule

Here's our December Schedule:

Sunday, December 2nd, 9:30 a.m.--Bible Study Class and Christmas Breakfast--We'll study "Grief Givers" from Max Lucado's book, "Facing Your Giants" and I'll have some simple breakfast foods for us to eat.  YOU DON'T NEED TO BRING ANY FOOD FOR THE BREAKFAST--JUST COME ENJOY THE CLASS!  :)

Thursday, December 6th, 10:00 a.m.--Bible Study Class and Christmas Brunch--We'll have a lesson about Christmas, learn 2 Christmas songs, and then have our Christmas Brunch.  YOU DON'T NEED TO BRING ANY FOOD FOR THE BRUNCH--JUST COME ENJOY THE CLASS!  :)

Monday, December 24th--5:00 p.m.--My family will go to the Christmas Eve service at World Outreach Church (www.wochurch.org).  If you will be in town and would like to join us, please let me know.  I'd love for your family to go with us!  

November 2012 Schedule

Sunday Bible Study Class--November 11th at 9:30 a.m. at Ava's house.  We will study, "Raging Sauls" from Max Lucado's book, "Facing Your Giants".

Friday Bible Study Class--November 16th at 9:30 a.m. at Ava's house.  We will study, "Creation" and learn children's Thanksgiving songs.

I hope you can join us both times!

How Does An American Presidential Election Work?

アメリカの大統領選挙はどのようにして行われるのでしょうか？  

In America, the President isn’t elected by a majority vote.  Instead, we use the Electoral College System.  This is a system that gives each state a number of “votes” based on the state’s population.  The candidate with the most votes in each state gets that state’s Electoral College votes.

アメリカの大統領選挙は投票による多数決ではありません。

代わりに、選挙人団のシステムを使用します。これは州の人口に基づいて、「投票数」を各州に与えるシステムです。各州で最も多い票を得た候補者がその州の選挙人団の票を獲得します。

You can see how many votes each state gets and who is most likely to win each state at:

各州が何票持っているのか、各州で誰が勝ちそうなのかを見ることができます。

http://electoral-vote.com

There are 2 major political parties in America:  Democratic and Republican.  Right now, America is a very divided country.  So, the presidential elections are usually very close and the candidates try to get votes from “battleground states” because these are the states that will most likely decide the election. 

アメリカには二つの主な政党があります。民主党と共和党です。今現在、アメリカはまさに二つに国が分かれています。だから、大統領選は通常とても接戦で、候補者は「激戦区」から票を獲得しようとします。というのは、それらの州が主にその選挙の勝敗を決めるからです。

 The Differences Between Democrats and Republicans

民主党と共和党の違い

http://www.diffen.com/difference/Democrat_vs_Republican

	Democrat 民主党	Republican 共和党
Philosophy:信条	Liberal　リベラル派	Conservative　保守派
Economic Ideas: 経済観念	Favor minimum wages and progressive taxation i.e. higher tax rates for higher income brackets. 最低賃金と累進課税を支持（例）高額所得層への高い税率	Believe taxes shouldn't be increased for anyone (including the wealthy) and that wages should be set by the free market 誰に対しても（金持ちでも）増税はすべきでない。所得は自由市場で決められるべきである。
Stand on Military issues: 軍事問題に関する見解	Decreased spending 支出の減少	Increased spending 支出の増額
Stand on gay marriage: 同性愛者の結婚に関する見解	Support (some Democrats disagree)　支持（反対する人もあり）	Oppose (some Republicans disagree)不支持（反対する人もあり）
Stand on abortion: 中絶に関する見解	Should not be made illegal; support Roe v. Wade (some Democrats disagree)非合法にすべきでない；ローとウェイド裁判を支持（反対する人もあり）	Should not be legal; oppose Roe v. Wade (some Republicans disagree)合法にすべきでない；ローとウェイド裁判を不支持（反対する人もあり）
Stand on Death penalty: 死刑に関する見解	While support for the death penalty is strong among Democrats, opponents of the death penalty are a substantial fraction of the Democratic base.死刑支持派が民主党内で強い一方、死刑反対派は民主党陣営のかなりの部分を占める。	A large majority of Republicans support the death penalty. 共和党の大部分は死刑支持派である。
Social and human ideas: 社会的、人間的な考え	Based on community and social responsibility コミュニティと社会責任に基づく	Based on individual rights and justice 個人の権利と正義に基づく
Symbol:　シンボル	Donkey　ロバ	Elephant　象
Color:　色	Blue　青	Red　赤
Founded in:　設立	1824	1854
Website:　ウェブサイト	www.democrats.org	www.gop.com
Famous Presidents: 有名な大統領	Franklin Roosevelt, John F. Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Woodrow Wilson, Jimmy Carter	Teddy Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan, George Bush, Abraham Lincoln, Richard Nixon

October 2012 Schedule

Dear Friends,

Here is our schedule for October:

Friday, October 12th, Bible Study at Ava's house at 9:30 a.m.  We will study, "Why Is There Always War In The Middle East And Will It Ever End?".  We will also have an English Lesson, "How Does The American Presidential Election Work?".

Sunday, October 14th, Bible Study at Ava's house at 9:30 a.m.  We will study, "Silent Phones" from "Facing Your Giants" by Max Lucado.

Sunday, October 28th, Hoedown at World Outreach Church at 2:00 p.m.  Hoedown is free and open to the community.  There will be games, inflatables, and treats for children.  If you'd like to go, I'll be glad to go with you.  Just let me know and we'll make arrangements to go together.

Wednesday, October 31, Halloween--If you need a good place to take your children trick or treating, you can park at my house and trick or treat in my neighborhood.

Thanks!

Ava

September 2012 Schedule

Friday, September 14th, 9:30 a.m. at Ava's house.  We'll study, "Biblical Tips For Parenting" and we'll have a Baby Shower for Yuko after our lesson on September 14th.  Please bring a small gift for Yuko's baby boy.  You don't need to bring anything else.  I'll have some snacks and a "baby shower cake" for us to eat.

Sunday, September 23rd, 9:30 a.m. at Ava's house.  We'll continue our study of Max Lucado's book, "Facing Your Giants". This month's lesson is "Silent Phones" and is about how God chose David to be the King of Israel.

August 2012 Schedule

Here is our schedule for August 2012:

Sunday, August 26th--Japanese Bible Study Class at Ava's house at 9:30 a.m.  We will study, "Facing Your Giants".


Tuesday, August 28th--Japanese Bible Study Class and Back To School Lunch at Miller's Grocery at 9:30 a.m.  We will study "Parenting Proverbs" and then go eat at Miller's Grocery in Christiana.

Children are welcome at the class and at the lunch.  I hope you can join us!

Thanks!

Ava

July 2012 Schedule

9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. on Friday, July 13th--We will have a Bible Study Class and Baby Shower for Yukiyo and Wakana at my house. Our lesson will be, "What Does God Know About Me?". I will have a baby shower cake and some snacks. Please bring a small ($10) baby gift for Masa and Wakana's expected baby.

9:30 a.m. on Sunday, July 15th--We will have a Bible Study Class at my house. We will begin a study of "Facing Your Giants" by Max Lucado. If you've never come to the Sunday class, this would be a great time to start!

4:00 on Friday, July 20th--Fire Station--We will tour the South Church Street Fire Station. Please try to get there about 10 minutes early. There are a few parking places behind the fire station and you may park at the back of Bojangles and on the street near the fire station. Please make sure you don't block the fire station entrance or exit at the front or the back of the building.

I will send reminders about these 3 things closer to time. I just wanted to let you know so you could add them to your calendar.

Children are welcome at the classes. Japanese Bibles and translation are provided.

I hope to see you soon.

Your Friend,

Ava

Southern Sayings 南部の表現

1. Like a chicken with his head cut off
首を切り落とされた鶏のよう
—in a state of confusion
困惑した状態
—When I get overwhelmed, I start running around like a chicken with his head cut off　
私は困惑すると鶏が頭なしで走っているみたいになっちゃうのよ。（何をしているのか分からない状態）

2. Argue with a fence post
フェンスと口論する
—stubborn or combatitive/always right
頑固又は、好戦的/いつも正しい（と思っている人）
—I can’t tell my neighbor anything without her disagreeing with me. That woman would argue with a fence post!　
私の隣人には彼女と違う意見を言えないわ、彼女は塀とでも口論するわよ。

3. The short end of the stick—an unfair solution
不公平な解決策
—The company only agreed to refund half of the purchase price. So, we got the short end of the stick.　
その会社は購入金額の半分だけ払い戻すことに合意した、私達は短い方の棒をひいたというわけさ。

4. Little Miss Priss
小さなお嬢様
—a woman or girl acting prissy
上品ぶった女性や女の子
—Jane loves to dress up in fancy clothes and act like Little Miss Priss.　
私の姪っ子は上品な服を着て小さなお姫様のようにふるまうるのが好きです。

5. Above your raisin'—acts snobby
お高くとまった人
—Susie thinks she’s better than everyone else and acts above her raisin'.
スージーはお高くとまってて、誰よりもえらいと思っているのよ。

6. Two peas in a pod
ひとつのさやの2個の豆
—suited for each other or identical
お似合いの二人、似ている
—Bill and Jane make a perfect couple. They are like two peas in a pod.
ビルとジェーンは完璧なカップルになるよ。彼等はひとつのさやの2個の豆みたいだもの。

7. Chewin' the fat
油をかむ
—talking about nothing in particular
特別な事、気難しい事等をはなさない、特に意味をもたないことを話す、
—Bob can make friends very easily because he’s so good at chewin the fat.
ボブは友達を簡単に作る、油をかむのが上手だからね（とりとめも無い事をはなすのがうまいからね。）

8. Like a bump on a log
丸太のこぶのように
—being unaware of your surroundings
自分の回りの状況に気がつかない事
—He was just sitting there like a bump on a log when I showed up.
私が来たとき、彼はまるで丸太のこぶのようにただ座っていた。

9. Countin' your chickens
鶏を数える
—assuming the outcome when you can’t really be sure
起こる前から結果を期待している事
—Spending money before you get it is like countin’ your chickens before they hatch. お金が入る前に使ってしまうのは、卵からかえる前に鶏を数えるようなものだ。

10. Like white on rice
お米が白いように（お米から色の白さを取り除く事ができないよう引き離すことが出来ないという意味）
—things that cannot be separated/things that always go together
人や物がいつも一緒で離れない事。
—She was all over him like white on rice.
彼女はお米が白いように彼にはりついていた。

June 2012 Schedule

Here is our schedule for June:

9:30 a.m. on Friday, June 8th--We will have a Bible Study Class at my house. Our lesson will be, "Who's The Boss?". We will also have an English Lesson about Southern Sayings.

9:30 a.m. on Sunday, June 10th--We will have a Bible Study Class at my house. Our lesson will be "Life's 5 Greatest Questions" from "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren.

Children are welcome at both classes. Japanese Bibles and translation are provided. I hope to see you soon.

Your Friend,

Ava

Idioms XVII

1. if all else fails—you say this before saying what you will do if your plans don’t work out—Our class usually meets on a Friday, but if all else fails, we’ll meet on another day.

2. if I were you—you say this when you are giving someone advice—If I were you, I’d put some money in the bank for emergencies.

3. if push comes to shove—you say this if you are talking about what you will do if things don’t go well and you are forced to do something you don’t want to do—Most people like to take trips during the holidays, but if push comes to shove, they will stay home to save money.

4. if worst comes to worst—you say this before saying what you will do if your plans don’t work out—I’d like to buy tickets to the Super Bowl, but if worst comes to worst, I will watch it on TV instead.

5. ignorance is bliss—not knowing about something unpleasant is better than knowing about it and worrying about it—Most people don’t want to know about the dangers of cells phones because ignorance is bliss.

6. ill-at-ease—tense or unable to relax—President Obama never looks ill-at-ease when he’s making a speech.

7. in a bind/fix/jam—in a bad or difficult situation—A true friend will always help you when you are in a bind/fix/jam.

8. in a nutshell—briefly or only the main ideas—I’ll tell you the story in a nutshell because we don’t have much time.

May 2012 Schedule

Here is our schedule for May:

9:30 a.m. on Sunday, May 6th--We will have a Bible Study Class at my house. Our lesson will be "God's Power In Our Weakness" from "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren.

9:30 a.m. on Monday, May 7th--We will have a Bible Study Class at my house. Our lesson will be, "What Does The Bible Say About Husbands And Wives?". We will also have an English Lesson about Idioms.

Children are welcome at both classes. Japanese Bibles and translation are provided. I hope to see you soon.

Your Friend,

Ava

Idioms About Body Parts

1. egg on your face—embarrassment—Bob had egg on his face because he lost an important race.

2. hands are tied—no control or power over a situation—Teachers would like to have more field trips and parties, but their hands are tied because of a lack of funds.

3. heart goes out—sympathy—My heart goes out to anyone who loses a loved one.

4. heart is in the right place—you try to do the right thing even when things don’t work out the way you want them to—“mean well”—I don’t always agree with my son’s coach, but I think his heart is in the right place.

5. heart isn’t in it—not wanting to do something—I usually like to go to the gym, but sometimes my heart isn’t in it.

6. bad hair day—literally your hair doesn’t look good—figuratively nothing is going right for you—Some days are just bad hair days and you have to hope the next day will be better.

7. gut feeling—a sense that something isn’t right even when you don’t have a way to prove it—When you have a gut feeling about a person, it’s just best to stay away from them.

8. head start—advantage—If a person has money and a good education, they have a head start over their peers.

9. kick in the teeth—bad luck—Losing a job is a real kick in the teeth.

April Schedule

9:30 a.m. on Friday, April 20th--We will have a Bible Study Class at my house. Our lesson will be, "The Trinity and the Names of God". We will also have an English Lesson about Idioms.

9:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 22nd--We will have a Bible Study Class at my house. Our lesson will be "Using What God Gave You" from "The Purpose Driven Life" by Rick Warren.

Children are welcome at both classes. Japanese Bibles and translation are provided. I hope to see you soon.

Your Friend,

Ava

The Legend of the Sand Dollar

There’s a lovely little legend
That I would like to tell,
Of the birth and death of Jesus
Found in this lowly shell.

If you examine closely
You’ll see that you find here,
Four nail holes and a fifth one
Made by a Roman’s spear.

On one side the Easter Lily,
Its center is the star,
That appeared unto the shepherds
And led them from afar.

The Christmas Poinsettia
Etched on the other side,
Reminds us of His birthday
Our happy Christmastide.

Now break the center open
And here you will release,
The five white doves awaiting
To spread Good Will and Peace.

This simple little symbol
Christ left for you and me,
To help us spread His Gospel
Through all Eternity


２０世界が創造されてからこのかた、人々は、天地や、神様がお造りになったすべてのものを見て、神様の存在と、その偉大な永遠の力をはっきり知っていました。ですから、彼らには弁解の余地がないのです。Romans 1:20