My Name is Definitely Not Julia (Child)

Our big day of the week is winding down....everyone has left.  (Uncommonly early)  The usual bunch who love CRUD also love the World Cup and I think that has affected our numbers.  It is summer, and we are missing some who have left on vacation, and this is also a time everyone seems to be worrying about exams.

While we had little shopping to do this week, preparation was as intense as ever.  I cooked the chicken and baked the cake yesterday.  This morning I frosted it, and made the enchilada sauce before we left for our district meeting.

From the time we arrived at the center at 3:30 until now I have been in the kitchen either cooking or cleaning.  It is 11:00.  SK is finishing up in there while I write.  I enjoy every one of the young people and I don't mind cooking.  As far as "missionary" work goes, I am sure there are far more difficult missions out there. 

One of the most difficult things about it is simply not knowing how many will be here.  So we are still aiming to make enough for 50, all the while knowing there is a distinct possibility that only 15 will come.  The nice thing for the YSAs on a night like tonight (if they like what we are having) is that there is enough for seconds and thirds.  Tonight we fed around 32.

There is one young man who teases me about everything, and I enjoy him very much.  He also has a suggestion for me every week about how to improve what I made.  I actually appreciate the suggestions, usually.  Since I don't know what Danes generally like, it is very helpful if someone tells me.

Tonight, he said that he didn't like anything!  He said the enchiladas were soggy and they were not supposed to be soggy, and the coconut cake was too sweet and not real coconut.

Ah....it reminds me of one of the things we learned in the MTC.  We were told that just because something is a treat to us, doesn't mean they are a treat to someone in a different country.  Point well taken.

In an exorbitantly expensive care package, our daughter sent real corn tortillas - from Mexico, and flaked coconut.  Such treats.  So I made honey-lime enchiladas and thought they were soooo good.  Those tortillas are so much better (to me) than any I have found here.  But Danes don't know what authentic Mexican food tastes like! 

I made a coconut cream cheese sheet cake.  It was a dense cake, lightly flavored with coconut milk, frosted with cream cheese frosting and topped with toasted coconut and it was sweet.  Just like a coconut cake should be!

The good news is that nearly every other young person thanked us and told us they loved the meal.  They are always very gracious and always so appreciative.   One YSA was delighted when I told him to take the rest of the cake home....he wanted his family to try it.  He is the very kind young man who helps me with Danish.

So you win some....you lose some.

As is the case every week, I treasure the time spent talking with these great young people.  I didn't seem to have quite enough time with any one of them because the meal was intensive to get on the table and then keep replenished.  But they are wonderful.

On another note, our district meeting was so nice.  So often I listen to these young missionaries conduct meetings in a spiritual and mature manner and marvel at their goodness.  The elder who led the discussions today (like so many of them) still has rosy cheeks!  It is a treat to just sit in on a meeting and watch.  I still trail along when they recite D&C 4, but each week is better!

And finally, Doris had her second discussion today.  I love that lady!...and so do the sister missionaries.  You would too if you could meet her. 

I'll go to sleep with a smile on my face tonight!