Making Up for Our Weaknesses
We have gone through the mission application process twice now. Both times we were surprised at how detailed they were. Both times we were hoping against hope that we would receive the calls we so ardently wished for, and both times so pleasantly and excitedly surprised that we did. And both times, we were humbled to be called to work with Young Single Adults.
We have been in England now nearly two months, and we are still looking at each other on a regular basis and saying, "We're in ENGLAND!" We thank the Lord in every prayer for this sweet sweet blessing, and for the marvelous blessing of serving with all of the dear young people, YSAs as well as missionaries.
Did you sense a "However" coming? Here it is: There was nowhere on any of the papers that asked if we are able and willing to cook meals for fairly large groups. Nowhere were we asked about our organizational ability to plan, shop, prepare, and serve. And nowhere did it even ask if we know HOW to cook.
Nowhere did it ask if we have nerves of steal (not to mention the ability) for driving down 2-lane roads that are barely wide enough for one car - on the left side of the road going 60 miles an hour!
How does anyone assume that those things are not important enough to bring up beforehand?
Well, it's a moot point because I believe that the call came from the Lord, and he knows our capabilities....even if He is asking us to stretch way beyond our comfort zones and our abilities. I know He will help us get through. But I marvel nevertheless.
We shopped early this morning and then kind of focused on getting the meal together for tonight. I spent a good while this morning baking a carrot cake for one of our YSAs whose birthday it is today.
We made a gallon of pico de gallo. I'm not kidding. We cut and chopped everything. Yes, I am including SK in the "we." He was a wonderful help. We made a very large salad, and a side dish of beans. I cooked chicken breasts in Mexican seasoning. And then in the evening, they all came and I made chicken quesadillas.
They are wonderful young people and I love them, and they are always so complimentary. They loved everything, and they ate and ate. We then had a very deep discussion about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and the Fall. A young man who has not been a member very long had some questions, and the others did their best to answer, but the bottom line is that there is so much we just don't know.....and won't know until we are beyond this life.
It all ended well, and then we sang Happy Birthday and I cut the cake. With a real sinking feeling I realized that something had gone terribly wrong. When I took it out of the oven, it looked beautiful, and it sprang back when touched. I cooked it a few minutes longer to make sure it was good and done. I immediately poured the sweet syrup over it - as in Carri's recipe, and then later frosted it with cream cheese frosting.
I cut it with everyone there watching. I turned and said apologetically, "Well, the carrot cake is an epic fail." They all cheerfully said they would give it a try. Picture a carrot cake. Picture a pumpkin pie. Picture a carrot cake that has the consistency of a pumpkin pie.
Someone pointed out that it was the consistency of pudding, and they all decided this was carrot pudding. The birthday honoree declared that it was the best carrot cake he has ever had. And many had second helpings, and several took some cake/pudding/pie home with them.
See what I mean? The Lord is so kind to cover for our inadequacies!
We have been in England now nearly two months, and we are still looking at each other on a regular basis and saying, "We're in ENGLAND!" We thank the Lord in every prayer for this sweet sweet blessing, and for the marvelous blessing of serving with all of the dear young people, YSAs as well as missionaries.
Did you sense a "However" coming? Here it is: There was nowhere on any of the papers that asked if we are able and willing to cook meals for fairly large groups. Nowhere were we asked about our organizational ability to plan, shop, prepare, and serve. And nowhere did it even ask if we know HOW to cook.
Nowhere did it ask if we have nerves of steal (not to mention the ability) for driving down 2-lane roads that are barely wide enough for one car - on the left side of the road going 60 miles an hour!
How does anyone assume that those things are not important enough to bring up beforehand?
Well, it's a moot point because I believe that the call came from the Lord, and he knows our capabilities....even if He is asking us to stretch way beyond our comfort zones and our abilities. I know He will help us get through. But I marvel nevertheless.
We shopped early this morning and then kind of focused on getting the meal together for tonight. I spent a good while this morning baking a carrot cake for one of our YSAs whose birthday it is today.
We made a gallon of pico de gallo. I'm not kidding. We cut and chopped everything. Yes, I am including SK in the "we." He was a wonderful help. We made a very large salad, and a side dish of beans. I cooked chicken breasts in Mexican seasoning. And then in the evening, they all came and I made chicken quesadillas.
They are wonderful young people and I love them, and they are always so complimentary. They loved everything, and they ate and ate. We then had a very deep discussion about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, and the Fall. A young man who has not been a member very long had some questions, and the others did their best to answer, but the bottom line is that there is so much we just don't know.....and won't know until we are beyond this life.
It all ended well, and then we sang Happy Birthday and I cut the cake. With a real sinking feeling I realized that something had gone terribly wrong. When I took it out of the oven, it looked beautiful, and it sprang back when touched. I cooked it a few minutes longer to make sure it was good and done. I immediately poured the sweet syrup over it - as in Carri's recipe, and then later frosted it with cream cheese frosting.
I cut it with everyone there watching. I turned and said apologetically, "Well, the carrot cake is an epic fail." They all cheerfully said they would give it a try. Picture a carrot cake. Picture a pumpkin pie. Picture a carrot cake that has the consistency of a pumpkin pie.
Someone pointed out that it was the consistency of pudding, and they all decided this was carrot pudding. The birthday honoree declared that it was the best carrot cake he has ever had. And many had second helpings, and several took some cake/pudding/pie home with them.
See what I mean? The Lord is so kind to cover for our inadequacies!
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