Real Food Living Blog

Shalom Y’all!

In 2007, I was blessed to be able to go to Israel with our church group and it changed my life, spiritually and in every way! This year, 2008, I was unable to go to Israel, but I was very blessed to be asked by the pastor to cater their reunion supper.

I initially declined because although I love to cook, I felt I lacked the experience to actually cater a meal for 35 (and take care of all the details related including decorating and presentation.)

Our 20 year old daughter Rachel, jumped in and offered her expert services. Rachel has been working in food services, specifically in catering, presentation, decorations and maintaining the buffet line for the Billy Graham Training Center at the Cove. Rachel completed the necessary gifts and talents to make this work. We each had our jobs, I handled the food; menu, shopping, preparation, cooking and Rachel handled the table decorations, buffet setup, presentation and maintaining the buffet.

In addition, my husband Tim and 2 younger children Micah and Esther Ruth had their responsibilites. Tim is the chief dishwasher at our home and as I cooked on a large scale, he was there to clean up the mess. WHAT A BLESSING!!! Tim washed all the dishes (including the large chafing dishes!) after the meal.

Micah opened the celebration (after an introduction by Pastor Jim) by blowing the shofar. Esther Ruth brought smiles by leading the group in singing the familiar “Shabbat Shalom” song. And afterwards, they helped break down the decorations, dishes and tables and helped dry and put away the materials. It was a family affair!!

Here are some of the lovely memories we have of that night: