A Family Vacation

Earlier this month, our family spent a week at South Lake Tahoe. Trips like this are rare for us, partly because of expense, and partly because it's exhausting traveling with seven children, two of which are toddlers. But our friends blessed us with an opportunity to visit the beautiful Tahoe area with them, and our adventurous side said, "Yes! Let's do it!"

I was eagerly anticipating this trip. After a busy summer, the start of school, and my husband's accident, I was ready to kick back and relax a little.

But soon after settling into our hotel room, I found myself being stricter than even at home!

"Be careful! We don't want to break anything!"

"Shh! Settle down! Everyone in the hotel can hear us!"

"Please help clean up! What will 'housekeeping' think?!"

By day 4, my husband and I were exhausted from bad sleep and bad attitudes. We had a impromptu meeting in bed that night, to discuss how we wanted days 5-8 to go.

The first thing that needed to change: our expectations.

I wanted the children to be absolutely enthusiastic and energetic about our plans, while behaving like guests in the White House. My husband wished that this could be a real vacation, meaning "no kids, no schedule, no demands." We were short-tempered and annoyed because in our minds, we expected this vacation to go differently! And our expectations weren't realistic!

The second thing that needed to change: our attitudes.

The children were happy sitting in the hot tub and watching television all day. My husband and I wanted to see more sights. Whenever the kids grumbled about going somewhere, we parents interpreted their comments as ingratitude, and we ended up grumbling ourselves.

It was time for grace.

Our after-hours meeting ended with this conclusion: we are imperfect parents. Even when we were in a beautiful setting, with the best intentions of spending quality time with our family, we failed as parents. Only our Father in Heaven is the perfect parent, and He was the one we needed to rely on for grace and love, and the ability to share that grace and love with our children.

Days 5-8 turned out to be the most restful and enjoyable days of our trip. We rented a double surrey from the local bike shop and piled all nine of us in it. We did an easy hike along the shores of Fallen Leaf Lake, where we caught (and released) crayfish and admired the golden yellow leaves of the autumnal aspen trees. We spent time in the hot tub. We focused more on the "being" together, rather than the "doing" together. My husband and I still had bad sleep, but our days were full of joy and contentment, as we rested in the loving grace of our Heavenly Father.

When Friday arrived, our kids didn't want to leave, and I don't blame them. I too was loving my time with my family, living a life with fewer distractions (and a few more luxuries). And though we weren't able to take home the hot tub, the housekeeping, or the lake, we did return home with something more important, a renewed sense of grace, gratefulness, and family.

I would say then that our family vacation was a success!

Introducing… Kim!

I know this isn't a cooking blog, but those of you who know me know that I enjoy being in the kitchen and I especially love making food for other people.

So when my friend Kim Chew started a new recipe blog, I knew I had to feature her! Just reading her recipes and seeing her photos make my stomach growl! And what I love the most about Kim and her blog is that it is not just about cooking delicious, healthy, home-cooked meal; it is also about sharing your heart and Jesus's love with people.

But first, a little history: I met Kim several years ago through our church. I knew that her husband was a dentist, that her kids were really involved in missions and serving, and that she had a heart for mentoring young moms.

But what I didn't know was Kim's amazing behind-the-scenes skills, namely in the kitchen. She is constantly hosting youth groups and fundraisers in her home (last night she put on a missions trip fundraiser and served 60 people!) She teaches cooking classes in her kitchen. She has moms over for dinner and teaching. I experienced her amazing hospitality first-hand when she hosted our band for a houseshow in her backyard a few summers ago. Everything was so beautifully organized and everyone felt at home right away!

Despite her busy schedule, Kim was able to find time to answer a few questions for me. Read on to learn more about Kim and her experience with cooking and hosting!


1) How and when did you develop your love of cooking?
My mom always cooked dinner and taught me some basic dishes–fried rice, spaghetti sauce, and stir-fry dishes. When I graduated from University of Texas, I moved to Los Angeles and roomed with my cousin Denise. She taught me how to make a pie crust from scratch and that was when I realized "home made" is so much better than store bought. When I married Steve, we traveled and I developed an international palate. Now, whenever I eat something I like, I try to make it at home.

2) What is your favorite dish to eat? To make?  

I have 4 favorites: Beef Wellington, paella, Moroccan beef stew and Chinese shrimp with lobster sauce AND I can make all 4. I like to make paella and gumbo. I love dishes where each bite is a little different and I like to cook dishes that have my meat and veggies together–just simplifies things.

3)  What is your philosophy on hospitality?  

My home is God's home. We need to care for it and use it for His glory. One of my love languages is "gifts", so when I cook, I get to give. We have always used dinner at our house as a way to get to know people. We'd have missionaries over, to bring the world to the kids. We'd prep the kids with a little history of the missionaries and their country, and give them some questions they could ask. It's helped my extroverts and introverts learn how to start and carry a conversation with strangers. We have been blessed with so much, I am happy to share it.

4) How do food and hospitality go hand in hand?
In a Chinese home, when someone comes in, the first thing you offer them is something to drink. Then you ask it they are hungry, and no matter what they say, you break out something to eat. When people eat together, we share stories and talk about life. There is something about having a table in front of you, that makes people feel safe, it's kind of like a safety barrier. People open up and talk more when you are enjoying an experience together.

5) What have you witnessed in your cooking-and-eating sessions? (and what do you call these sessions?)

I don't have a name for my cooking/eating sessions yet, but if I had to choose, I'd call it Dinner Together. All the people I cook with, want to learn. The first thing I've noticed is that knife skills are an important skill in cooking. A sharp knife, and the right knife can make a job easier. The second thing I've noticed is that people are surprised how easy things are to make. People talk and get to know each other when they work alongside each other. People enjoy making things, because it gives them a sense of accomplishment.

6) What are some tips you can share for people who would like to practice more hospitality in their homes?
1. Don't worry about the food. Most people come to your house for the company, not the food. You can order pizzas, toss a bagged salads, and serve ice cream for dessert.

2. It's not about how clean or tidy or beautiful your home is either. Let your kids set and decorate the table, make place cards, gather leaves or flowers and set the table.  

3. Spontaneous meals are really fun, call a friend and ask them to bring their leftovers over and share your leftovers or do potlucks.  

4. Entertaining doesn't have to be a meal - we've had great times sharing dessert and games or eating popcorn and watching a movie.  

5. You don't even have to entertain in your home! You can invite people to a park or a pool or a favorite restaurant.   

6. My sister-in-law gave me a great idea. She has 2 menus that she serves to guests.  One is Mexican food and one is Chinese food.  This way, she already knows the grocery list, the quantity and how to cook the food.  

7. Allow guests to bring something: drinks, dessert, an appetizer or a salad.

8. Have fun. If cooking isn't your think, don't cook. If decorating the table is your thing, do that. If you are worried about what to talk about, get a list of ice breaker/getting to know you questions off the internet, print them on cards and put them on people's plates before they come.  

9.  Keep kids at the same table as adults and make it fun for them. Wikisticks, lacing cards, small puzzles, coloring books, paint with water books can be played with after the meal is over. Think how fun it would be for a kid to find a toy at their place setting!


Thank you, Kim, for sharing your wisdom! There is so much I can learn from you! Check out her blog, Kim Chew Cooks, for some delicious recipes to try (and a beautiful fall craft to make!)