The canning class. What can i say? I never expected what happened today. I should have, of course, because when the Lord is in something, it is awesome in more ways than we can imagine.
The ladies who attended the class were all strangers to me...for about ten seconds! They were just amazing people. Open and happy and interested and intent on learning. What a joy !
My presentation was about 15 minutes longer than expected, so we ran over time on getting the pickles canned and half the class will be coming back to pick theirs up.
The refreshments worked VERY well. But first, let me tell you what happened last night.
When I was preparing the cheeses and the strawberry lemonade, I tasted as I went, of course, and even had some pork rings (a 50 cent impulse buy) which I hadn't had in years. Kept them to two or three pieces, though.
So, I got everything done and got to bed about 11:30. An hour later, I woke up with the worst stomach cramps, a fever of 103, and "other issues". I was convinced that I had food poisoning. And maybe I did. I wasn't really able to move. It was weird. It has probably been once in the past 35 years that I have had "multiple other issues".
In my stupor, I was thinking that maybe I ought to put on some undergarments so that when I was found by grieving family, they wouldn't have that image burned in their memories for the rest of their lives. And I tried to figure out how to crawl down the hall and slip a "Class Postponed" note under the door.
Yes, I can be a touch dramatic at times! But seriously, this was a problem. My first thought was to pray, so I did. "Lord, you have planned this class and trained me in so many things, I am not going to allow your enemy to rob me of this blessing. I am sick and it looks like I will not be in any shape to have the class tomorrow. Because I believe I can have victory over anything that comes against me, if I trust in you, I am going to claim that victory in Jesus' name over this illness." Then I fell asleep and woke up feeling completely well, not a whisper of an "issue" of any kind.
But then I wondered, if it was food poisoning, I just made like six things to feed the class. Which one made me sick? I prayed again, "Lord, I have to give them SOMETHING, but what is safe?" I considered two things to be possible culprits, so I didn't serve them, and as the ladies were serving themselves, I prayed protection over them. And to be sure, I sampled everything again myself. That was a little scary !!! But it is now ten hours later and no problems, so I am sure that the Lord gave us all enormous grace !
Okay, back to the class.
I guess the best thing to say is that I was utterly shocked with myself. I had no idea I could do what I did today. I am not really uncomfortable speaking in front of people, but I have always had trouble keeping on topic, because of my ADD. Plus, while last week I had written an outline and filled in considerable detail, I hadn't had time to review it! So basically, I was flying blind.
Again, prayer.
Now I don't know what to say. Maybe just that my prayer was again answered. The comments I received from the gracious ladies were incredibly humbling.
Refreshments again: There was a lot of interest in the pizza cheese that I made. So, I casually mentioned (eight or nine times) that I have other workshops planned, including one that combines cheese and yogurt making, as well as five minute no-knead artisan bread. One lady grabbed this morning's sign in sheet, flipped it over, and signed up for the unscheduled class right on the spot ! So, I guess that is coming soon!
As I reflected today over not only the class, but the past year (I started this self-sufficiency journey one year ago this week), I see the Hand of God directing me every step of the way. Nothing I am doing is about me. It is about Him, how He wants His loved ones to live and how He guides us as we trust that He knows best. Oh, how I love Him.
Thank you ALL for your care and support. Isn't it going to be exciting to see what happens next?
The ladies who attended the class were all strangers to me...for about ten seconds! They were just amazing people. Open and happy and interested and intent on learning. What a joy !
My presentation was about 15 minutes longer than expected, so we ran over time on getting the pickles canned and half the class will be coming back to pick theirs up.
The refreshments worked VERY well. But first, let me tell you what happened last night.
When I was preparing the cheeses and the strawberry lemonade, I tasted as I went, of course, and even had some pork rings (a 50 cent impulse buy) which I hadn't had in years. Kept them to two or three pieces, though.
So, I got everything done and got to bed about 11:30. An hour later, I woke up with the worst stomach cramps, a fever of 103, and "other issues". I was convinced that I had food poisoning. And maybe I did. I wasn't really able to move. It was weird. It has probably been once in the past 35 years that I have had "multiple other issues".
In my stupor, I was thinking that maybe I ought to put on some undergarments so that when I was found by grieving family, they wouldn't have that image burned in their memories for the rest of their lives. And I tried to figure out how to crawl down the hall and slip a "Class Postponed" note under the door.
Yes, I can be a touch dramatic at times! But seriously, this was a problem. My first thought was to pray, so I did. "Lord, you have planned this class and trained me in so many things, I am not going to allow your enemy to rob me of this blessing. I am sick and it looks like I will not be in any shape to have the class tomorrow. Because I believe I can have victory over anything that comes against me, if I trust in you, I am going to claim that victory in Jesus' name over this illness." Then I fell asleep and woke up feeling completely well, not a whisper of an "issue" of any kind.
But then I wondered, if it was food poisoning, I just made like six things to feed the class. Which one made me sick? I prayed again, "Lord, I have to give them SOMETHING, but what is safe?" I considered two things to be possible culprits, so I didn't serve them, and as the ladies were serving themselves, I prayed protection over them. And to be sure, I sampled everything again myself. That was a little scary !!! But it is now ten hours later and no problems, so I am sure that the Lord gave us all enormous grace !
Okay, back to the class.
I guess the best thing to say is that I was utterly shocked with myself. I had no idea I could do what I did today. I am not really uncomfortable speaking in front of people, but I have always had trouble keeping on topic, because of my ADD. Plus, while last week I had written an outline and filled in considerable detail, I hadn't had time to review it! So basically, I was flying blind.
Again, prayer.
Now I don't know what to say. Maybe just that my prayer was again answered. The comments I received from the gracious ladies were incredibly humbling.
Refreshments again: There was a lot of interest in the pizza cheese that I made. So, I casually mentioned (eight or nine times) that I have other workshops planned, including one that combines cheese and yogurt making, as well as five minute no-knead artisan bread. One lady grabbed this morning's sign in sheet, flipped it over, and signed up for the unscheduled class right on the spot ! So, I guess that is coming soon!
As I reflected today over not only the class, but the past year (I started this self-sufficiency journey one year ago this week), I see the Hand of God directing me every step of the way. Nothing I am doing is about me. It is about Him, how He wants His loved ones to live and how He guides us as we trust that He knows best. Oh, how I love Him.
Thank you ALL for your care and support. Isn't it going to be exciting to see what happens next?
