CES - Cooking Every Second!!

It's been one of those weeks that I was told about - CES stands for "Cooking Every Second"!  I like to invite the missionaries we work with over to dinner (feels like I'm feeding "my boys"), and wanted to test out a new recipe for Cafe Rio Salads on them, so Wednesday and Thursday evenings, we fed the missionaries.  It's so fun, we get to know them better, talk about some of the work we are both doing in our YSA Wards, and they always take time to teach us a message.

Friday we had a delightful surprise from home!  Penny Puzey and her son and granddaughter came over to see us at the Institute building.  We had discovered a bag full of childrens' blankets and blanket material in one of our closets that apparently a YSA Relief Society made at one time, but never delivered anywhere.  So I contacted Penny and she plans to take them to the Ronald McDonald house where she has been staying. What a treat to see her!

My dear, dear friend Penny!  What a delight!

The day Penny was there, Elder McGuire and I were cooking, preparing the lunch for a Seminary Training conference on Saturday (fed 85 people.) Cafe Rio Salads - which is apparently a "Utah thing", but they liked them!  

My Souz Chef - and main dishwasher!

We had a wonderful team helping in the kitchen - the Monks, the Scotts, and the Perry's - all CES missionaries at different Institutes.

Sunday was our usual busy day.  We also had a fireside that night (made treats for), with a special speaker, Brother Scott Gill.  Listening to his talk about the parallels between the Book of Mormon times and our times really gave me a testimony of the special people our youth are, to be born in this time when the challenges are so many and the Lord is depending on them so much.  What a privilege to be called to work with them!

Monday we worked at the Institute, getting ready for our class.  We also shopped for the groceries for the next "food activity".  That's probably Elder McGuire's least favorite thing to do - 

Tuesday we did food preparation again for most of the day.  Then we taught our Pearl of Great Price class that night.  We both love to teach, so it was our favorite part of the week.  Elder McGuire and I read and study the materials together, plan our class, then "tag team" teach - going back and forth a couple of times.  We had 12 in the class - a good size for teaching.

And then Wednesday we were in charge of the luncheon for the MLC (Missionary Leadership Conference) - feeding 65 missionaries.  Lots of work, but we love serving those young Elders and Sisters.

And then today was our first Thursday Forum.  I am in charge of lunch for that, and took a wild guess on how many to serve.  I made 40 chicken enchiladas, which was just about right because we had 20 students.  That will always be my job - Thursday lunches.  (Let me know if you have any great ideas for food!) We also stay at the Institute evening so that it's open for student use.

That's about it.  If any of you come to San Diego to visit, please call us and we'll get together! We love company from home!