This past Saturday our small Christian school made 1200 Dutch Letters.
That's right. 1200 sticks of yummy Dutch pastries.
The day started off early with the first volunteers showing up around 7:30ish and ended several hours later around 5:00ish when everything was cleaned and all the Dutch Letters had found their "homes." I'm not exactly sure how many pans of dough we had or how many pounds of filling we used, but I know there were lots of empty pans and containers at the end of the day. I'm also not sure how many volunteers were there during the day, but I know there were lots and I also know that the day would not have been possible without these volunteers.
Was it a lot of work? Yes. In fact, I am quite sore today. I rolled out dough for 5-6 hours and I am still feeling the affects today and am sure I will for a few more days. I also know that for the committee members who lined everything up it was several days of prep work for them.
Would I do it again? Yes and I have several reasons why.
First - Any time you get a bunch of women together we start visiting and that in and of itself it a lot of fun! :)
Second - Many of the ladies who came and helped have been doing this for several years. As we were making the Dutch Letters some of the ladies were trying to figure out how many years we had been doing this for. (No number was determined, but I know that I helped once when I was in junior high, circa 1993) And with a good number of years comes a good amount of experience. And that is experience that I am wanting to glean information from. This was the first year that I made dough and while it was okay there was lots of room for improvement. And the experience from the dough is only one area that some of these ladies are willing to share about. We talk and share stories from all aspects of life and all learn and grow from each other. Mothers like myself (who have young children in school) gather all kinds of information from mothers who have sent their kids through high school, college and marriage. Invaluable information!
Third - Every single one of us who helped has a vested interest in our little school. (There are many more who have a vested interested who were unable to make it.) It is such an encouragement to parents like myself to know that there are families who supported the school in the past, who currently support the school and will continue to support the school. Knowing that there is a heritage before and beyond my children is an incredible knowledge.
So, was it really all about the Dutch Letters? In my mind - No. The Dutch Letters themselves are very yummy and raised precious funds for our school, but there is so much more to a fundraiser than the $$$ it brings in. It is about the development of our community of believers. It is a reminder to all of us that we have this community that surround us and support us.
For us families with young children who are just starting this journey it is priceless information.
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Uruguay Trip
Nick and I have just returned from the most amazing trip. We spent the last two weeks in the home and company of my sister and her family in Maldonado, Uruguay. Brian and Melinda (my sister) live in Maldonado and serve as missionaries for Avant Ministries. When they moved to Uruguay Nick and I started saving with the hopes that we would be able to visit them. (We don't have many reasons for international travel any more and a family member living outside of the US was a perfect reason for a trip!) God graciously allowed the money to be there and provided us with two willing sets of grandparents to watch our 3 kids and the end of February found us boarding a plane.
Our trip was almost delayed due to an Iowa snow storm, but we were able to catch earlier flights in both Des Moines and Chicago which ensured that we would make our flight out of Miami. We were very relieved and offered many prayers of thanksgiving!
After more than 24 hours of travel we were thankful to be greeted by my Brian, Melinda, Ellie and Judah at the airport. The best thing was that Ellie willingly came to me within minutes of seeing us!!! Thus began 2 weeks of making memories and just spending time together.
We had tons of fun just spending time with Brian and Melinda and seeing what everyday life looks like for them. We spent time helping them around their house, moving firewood, grocery shopping, preparing meals, washing dishes, playing with the kiddos, deep cleaning the shower, experiencing a storm, sorting the kiddos clothing and playing canasta, Bocce Ball and Ticket to Ride. We were also able to participate in some of their ministry activities. We were able to attend Team Worship one Sunday and Nick was also able to attend the weekly youth gathering and the weekly men's gathering. Of course there were also the touristy areas of Maldonado that we had to take in as well. A trip to the beach, shopping on the point, riding over the wavy bridge, visiting Piriapolis, collecting shells at Punta Ballena, a visit to an authentic Uruguayan restaurant and taking our photo in front of the Hand on the point. There were also several ice cream runs and many yummy baked goods that were consumed. :)
There is no way that I can recount all the things we did or post all the pictures that we took (we took nearly 300 pictures during the 2 weeks). I am posting a few of my favorites here, but more of them can be found on my facebook page and if you are really interested in seeing allllll of them you will just have to get in touch. :)
We are so grateful to have had this opportunity. It is always eye opening to see how other cultures live and it was a huge blessing to be able to spend time with Brian, Melinda, Ellie and Judah. We pray for God's blessings on them today and every day!
Our trip was almost delayed due to an Iowa snow storm, but we were able to catch earlier flights in both Des Moines and Chicago which ensured that we would make our flight out of Miami. We were very relieved and offered many prayers of thanksgiving!
After more than 24 hours of travel we were thankful to be greeted by my Brian, Melinda, Ellie and Judah at the airport. The best thing was that Ellie willingly came to me within minutes of seeing us!!! Thus began 2 weeks of making memories and just spending time together.
We had tons of fun just spending time with Brian and Melinda and seeing what everyday life looks like for them. We spent time helping them around their house, moving firewood, grocery shopping, preparing meals, washing dishes, playing with the kiddos, deep cleaning the shower, experiencing a storm, sorting the kiddos clothing and playing canasta, Bocce Ball and Ticket to Ride. We were also able to participate in some of their ministry activities. We were able to attend Team Worship one Sunday and Nick was also able to attend the weekly youth gathering and the weekly men's gathering. Of course there were also the touristy areas of Maldonado that we had to take in as well. A trip to the beach, shopping on the point, riding over the wavy bridge, visiting Piriapolis, collecting shells at Punta Ballena, a visit to an authentic Uruguayan restaurant and taking our photo in front of the Hand on the point. There were also several ice cream runs and many yummy baked goods that were consumed. :)
There is no way that I can recount all the things we did or post all the pictures that we took (we took nearly 300 pictures during the 2 weeks). I am posting a few of my favorites here, but more of them can be found on my facebook page and if you are really interested in seeing allllll of them you will just have to get in touch. :)
Grateful to be on the plane leaving Des Moines!
The skyline of Maldonado and Punta de Este.
Nick trying his hand at grilling.
Auntie Michelle and pretty Princess Ellie!
Experiencing a Uruguay storm. We actually lost power for a few hours. We were very thankful when it came back on!
A top Piriapolis
Mr. Judah!
Nick in front of the grill at the authentic Uruguayan restaurant.
Good food and good company!
Playing in the waves at the ocean.
The boys had a lot of fun jumping in the waves.
Hard to see, but this is the wavy bridge.
Watching the waves bring in more shells.
Horsey rides are so much fun!
In front of the hand.
Shopping with little Miss Ellie
Bocce Ball in the yard
We LOVE these guys!
Returning our bed to its rightful owners. Very normal to transport items this way in Uruguay. :)
Mr. Judah trying his feet at walking.
Getting ready to land back in Des Moines.
We are so grateful to have had this opportunity. It is always eye opening to see how other cultures live and it was a huge blessing to be able to spend time with Brian, Melinda, Ellie and Judah. We pray for God's blessings on them today and every day!
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