To Life

Last evening's Seder Service went very well.

Instead of having it in the church, I decided to move it to my empty parsonage (which is attached to the church) where I could use the kitchen and the dishwasher.

One of my spiritual gifts is hospitality. My back and feet hurt terribly today (I've overdosed on Aleve) because I was on them all day yesterday cleaning, washing, setting up, preparing and hostessing last night. I did have several offers for help, but I prefer to do things like this my own way. For me, it's a labor of love.

I discovered dirty white lacy tablecloths in the supply closet. Whisk. Into "my" washer and dryer they went. Came out beautifully!

In the same closet I found a stack of burgandy placemats - enough for a dinner party for 50! And they even matched the fancy pillow I brought from home. Score!

At Wally World, I found matching paper plates, 6oz cups (f0r Matzo Soup), 3 oz cups for the "wine," napkins, forks and spoons.

From home I brought good china for Elijah's setting. It matched the platter for the egg, bone, parsley, horseradish and charoset.

At the church I found serving plates and pitchers that went very well with my china. Into the dishwasher they went.

I made Matzo Soup with kosher stuff I found at the Nearby City store with a Jewish sounding name. Easy enough - except I forgot that the matzos swell up! I was figuring two or three per serving, but most folks only got one! That was all that would fit in the 6 oz serving cup!

The charoset was made with three varieties of apples, raisins, walnuts, honey and grape juice in my food processor.

The Passover Seder plate: SWMNBN brought me a lamb bone - bless her heart. A parsnip was used in place of the horseradish root (not that anyone noticed). The smallest real horseradish root I could find was 3 pounds.

Everyone sat around the tables as I led the service. I understand why Jesus wept over Jerusalem. Last night as I looked over the crowd, my heart was filled with love for these folks who have caused me so much pain, frustration and self-doubt. There was lots of chatter and way lots of laughter.

Everyone complained that the salt water used to dip the parsley in was too salty. I told them we were eating it in remembrance of the suffering the Israelites endured. They suffered for 400 years. We could suffer for a few more minutes until the next glass of grape juice was drunk!

I had to laugh when Socorro (my dear Hispanic friend) said that she "no like the 'rábano picante'" (horseradish) because it made her eyes tear up and her nose run. She makes fun of me because I don't like chilis or habeneros because they make my eyes tear up and my nose run!

After the meal I asked if anyone like parsnips. SWMNBN's Wonder Husband loves them, he said, so he got the package!

The kids got eggs full of candy for the Akifomen gifts. They also took home the rest of the matzahs and charoset.

No one wanted to go home. They all stood around and chatted and helped me clean up. It was a very good night. I set out to give them an experience with God and I think they did. A labor of love.