2 Weeks ago...

From Costco:

We did multigrain cracker-chips
5 pack of variety crakers
3 kinds of dip
Veggies (baby carrots and celery)

Surprise!

I have a visitor; Insomnia came a'knockin so now I'm bloggin.

Fast Sunday usually falls on the Sunday after General Conference- (first weekend in April and again in October.) Tradition has it that this has always been the case for El Dorado Ward- breaking the mold of other wards who hold their fast sundays the Sunday before Conference.

We had planned on doing a P.B. & J Linger Longer, so imagine my horror when I'm sitting in Sacrament meeting and the conducting Bishopric member takes to the podium to share his testimony-- Whaaaat?! It can't be Fast Sunday- But it was. Consequently I was 3rd to share my testimony- I expressed my surprise and apology for the forthcoming food of the day- not exactly a meal, but reflected on how a great portion of the world has no food at all and how blessed we are to have anything to eat.

Was is really worth it to freak out over this miscommunication? No. It's not important. I shared my experience of attempting to meet Autumn at Costco yesterday, forgetting my phone at home, going into the store to shop, feeling prompted to leave my cart and go outside. I thought I got the prompting because Autumn would be walking up as soon as I got to the entrance. Instead Samarie from the Purple Side and her parents Sean and Jenny were walking towards me. They let me use their cell phone, I left a message on Zack's phone, and Samarie wanted to shop with me so Jenny and Samarie came with me and Sean went a separate direction for their grocery items.

I got to talk about why I was at Costco. Jenny asked what church I attend. She used to go to Parkcrest, but felt it was getting too big. She felt lost. Ironic. I wish I would've told her about visiting teaching rather than invite her to church, which invitation she declined- I learned a lesson from that experience- share the aspects of the gospel that would fill a void in others lives.

However, Jenny and I both agreed, we were meant to meet that afternoon- a blessing:)
Autumn and Zack ended up finding me in the checkout line- perfect timing. They got their syrup, I got the milk and we had a ton of leftovers today!

The big hits:

Sweet Hawaiian bread by Orawheat (Costco) I'd bought 16 loaves- 5 different kinds of bread-

The several kinds of jellies from Smart and Final- Zack loved the Apricot- seedless Blackberry was popular too-

Brooke LOVED the Kirkland brand organic peanut butter

We had bananas too

Non-fat, 2%, and soy milk- Br. Hafen and Sean Gardner thanked me for the Soy Milk-

We had Hershey's Syrup to add to the milk--

I was so surprised we got good reviews- McCall said, "It's the simple things."

I learned we don't have to go big every week. Johnathan said Cypress ward has done PB & J for BtF deliberately. We way outdo them all the time...

Sister Holloway said our committee is creative, does a great job with the menu- Johnathan added, "I don't think we've ever duplicated."

Just GREAT feedback all around.

I love this calling and I love the El Dorado Ward!

Possibly the BEST Break the Fast Yet!

Even though I stressed about having enough veggies, ward members don;t seem to eat their greens- so my worries were in vain. All the food was eaten and people ate till they were full and loved the food- Hardly any leftovers! what more could we ask for? I love it when people are able to eat till they are satiated!

Here's what we did:

From Costco:

Six 6 lb meat lasagnas
Six bags of spinach and cheese ravioli
2 jars of Prego
2 bags of 6 Romaine hearts
1 bag of large carrots
4 bags of roasted garlic french bread (2 loaves in each bag)
1 block of sharp cheddar cheese
1 box of sweet cream butter

From Vons:

1 bag of celery
Double pack of Ranch Dressing Seasoning: Buttermilk Recipe
1 quart of buttermilk
1 medium jar of mayo (1 quart)
1 package of cherry tomatoes

Put the Lasagna into the oven before church starts. Boil water for ravioli 1/2 hour before BtF. Chop lettuce and tomato, put in large salad bowl and set aside. Slice bread (about 15 pieces from each mini loaf.) Butter bread, grate cheese on top- put in oven at 250 degrees for 15 minutes. Add Prego and seasoning packet to ravioli. Mix up Ranch dressing. Chop up carrots and celery. Make lemonade and fill water pitchers.

I am thrilled that it was so successful. I always worry about having enough food. Today I didn't have to- Momma's payer was answered.

Thank you to all the hard work of Josh Delbello, Josh Orhtel, Johnathan Hawley, Dierdra Harr, Heather Puhl, Chad Gleason, and Jon Elkins.