Day 1-Reality Begins

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Above are wonderful fellow BigCreekers who aided me in making a delicious, fudgy chocolate cake.



Part of the joy of my job is to make delicious dessert for at least 150 people...from general food service supply cake mix (not Betty Crock. We have been enjoying dry (like a desert) white cake with amazing chocolate icing. In fact, it got so bad that I put it with pudding and served it today...it received better ratings combined with pudding. However, our amazing fudgy cake (above) left no camper unsatisfied. We simply added 1 extra cup of water, foodservice pudding, and lots of chocolate chips...yum!!!


For the main meal we prepared an Italian fair of lasagna, chicken alfredo, pizza bread, and lots of bread sticks. Our director, Kevin, is an avid "foodie" and grill man. Additionally, his bachelor tastes are quite refined. However, using my mom's amazing recipe for grilled chicken, we made a delicious and highly popular topping for our alfredo. We simply marinated in our light Italian dressing and added garlic powder. Two of my dear kitchen friends manned the chicken while I scurried about the kitchen. Our finished product looked amazing:


We all received numerous compliments on our culinary skills. However, tomorrow is a new day!

I believe that I have neglected to share that I am the older sis to about 24 younger staff and receive all sorts of attention and love. At every meal (and group introduction) I received a round of applause...and often a standing ovation. This happened at least 10 times today & last night at dinner in Hazard, KY...where the entire Applebees clapped. Yep, they make me feel pretty special. However, the greatest part is the community here. I love spending time with my brothers and sisters in Christ. Our general encouragement is out of this world. I am thankful!

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!

So today has started out with a bang. However, it has been a wonderful day because the air conditioner is working well!!!! News of late: today my breakfast team and I made yummy homemade pancakes. We even added chocolate chips. From my wonderful staffers I heard delight and excitement-keep in mind that our "oven-made" pancakes resembled small frisbies...in fact people had to cut them with a knife. Gotta laugh at mistakes...

Currently we have a man who brings us tons of kitchen stuff to help with the masses of people who hit Big Creek each summer. Today we got kitchen work mats *squeal!!! Also, we have this fabulous new coffee system (a BIG deal for me) with "airpots"...like you see at continental breakfasts.

Apples to Apples is our new staff bonding game. We love it-especially Chris-a highly competitive individual-who I keep beating!

God is revealing himself through so many things. First, life is really overwhelming at times. He calls us to simply look to Him. In my avid following of Pinkner @ Crossroads I have begun reading Ephesians. God tells us in Ephesians 1:22 that "He put all things under his feet, and gave Him to be head over all things to the church." God has it-when we get "busy" we must simply stop, take time to pray, and acknowledge that we are only a tiny part of a magnum opus. That is all.

Mosaritas Night

As part of a crazy intense missions camp, our meals must be creative, tasty, and fun. Tonight we did a run-through for our Moe's/Salsaritas/Tex Mex meal. From grilled chicken to ground beef, this meal was pretty yummy. Each time we prep something I always learn something new-when meat should be defrosted, how much spice is required, etc. Additionally, we don't make alot of stuff from scratch. This morning we consumed the most crunchy pancakes one can imagine...this food takes like 2 seconds to heat and serve. However, I am getting super creative with leftovers.

Each night dessert is a big deal. (This does not agree with my nutrition philosophy.) I find that simple leftover bits of cake with pudding go along way. Tonight we had chocolate delight-chocolate pudding, a cream cheese/vanilla pudding mixture, brownie bits, marshmallows, and chocolate syrup. Yum-only one bowl left.

On the team front, I am so fortunate to keep getting to know ~27 other staff. Tonight we played a long game of Apples to Apples. We laughed...Alot! Yesterday we each shared our life story, our faith, and beliefs. It is so cool yet so unique to be in this whole protected community. Coming from a major party school where everything went, it is amazing to find Christian community 24/7.

Dallas plans are going well. Apartment searching is over-lease signing must start! I am headed to get clean and sleep!

Day 2-Let the Games Begin

Successfully 28 people (including myself) have survived 2 days of staff training here at Big Creek Mission. I can honestly say that I have been so blessed to meet such a diverse and wonderful group of staffers here! So far we have bonded through First Aid training, numerous games, worship, and each person rotating through the kitchen with me.

Big Creek literally runs out of a school kitchen. We are housed in a former elementary school and everything has some order...even the spatulas & cutting board! So...what does a person like me do? Each morning I get up early to help the breakfast crew. (I am missing my amazing morning oats really badly)! We prep alot of "southern" breakfast foods. Today I officially told one of the great guys on staff that 1 quart = 8 cups. Therefore, our gravy was "southern soup" with bread. Gotta laugh off the mistakes. I keep trying to organize EVERYTHING-the freezer, the pantry, the pots, etc. This time next week we will be serving ~150 hungry missionaries...a task that only God can provide the brain and time to prepare!

T-minus 12 hours

Tomorrow is the big first day of staff training at Big Creek Mission. Graduating from college seemed like one big accomplishment...but I feel that 2 months in Appalachia could teach me more than I ever imagined. From cooking to 250 people daily to meeting ~30 new co-staff members, my world will be stretched for the better!

In nutrition and foodservice classes, you learn alot of theoretical practice. It is really exciting for me to learn to use this on the mission field. On Tuesday I will learn to order food for an entire week. Unlike the small metropolis that I spent my college years in, even simple grocery stores take 20-30 minutes to get to in our region of Kentucky. Therefore, I will get to become very familiar with our foodservice ordering company & delivery man. Additionally, each week I will meet 4 new lovely volunteers who will assist me in preparing these meals.

As a disclaimer, I am a future registered dietitian.However, this summer I will be consumed with learning to serve Jesus and cook for ALOT of people at one time. "All foods in moderation" will be key to our success this summer. It will prove to be interesting I am sure.