One of the biggest joys I have found at this ministry is giving cooking lessons. Its funny though because I was assigned this because I have had a past job where I learned to cook, so they had full confidence in me. I’m not gonna lie, I was a bit nervous starting this, cooking for around 25 people, and to impress them with my cooking. Each member of my team has a different job or part we do within the ministry we work at. Two days a week I teach four girls how to cook, and we make dinner for all of the girls at home. Honestly, cutting a full chicken up when it is all bloody and gross is not very fun. But they make it fun for me…Never would I have thought of saying that either. Haha. But they always ask me, “can you play some music off your phone Paige?” And I do. We listen to worship music, to Taylor Swift, to some top hits. And they all know every single word. I’ve taught them a few dishes I have had from home, and they are always so excited to try it. I am actually so impressed by what they know. There is usually two older girls, and two younger girls who cook with me, and so they are really helpful of teaching each other things too.
They also do not care about cutting into a gross, full chicken. It actually amazes me that they don’t think anything is gross. It really puts it into perspective of how I grew up was just so different. Not that either was a bad way, but when I was their age, I don’t think I ever would have chosen to do that. And yes it stems from cutting a bloody chicken up, but in life they are not worrying about the small things I have. That out of the few shirts I have for a year, that this one shirt will get dirty because cooking gets messy. Or that my hands are full of chicken juice while I’m ripping it apart. I don’t know why I keep talking about chicken juice…it really is a small thing, but hey I’ve overcome that fear of ripping one apart at least. 🙂
Ive learned to appreciate the little things they laugh at too. When they kiss me on the cheeks with purple frosting lips, and it just cracks them up. When they laugh that I call them Honey. Or when they laugh after they break the chickens legs off to cut it.
And while the food is cooking, my little chef helpers go grab the other girls to show them the food they are going to soon eat. And they all are just so amazed by my cooking. When in reality, they are the ones helping me appreciate life. But one of my FAVORITE parts of these nights, is when they are all sitting down eating at the table, is when I hear them all say “Thank you Paige” with huge smiles on their faces as they indulge in the yummy food. It makes me appreciate how loving they are to each other, but also to some complete stranger, me. Leaving the house is always the hardest part too, because I get to see them do life after school, and they also don’t let me leave with hugs. It is actually adorable though. Telling me to tell my teammates they love them and say hi, to saying they will pray for us to feel better, or to be safe. Cooking for these girls has shown me how to love better, and enjoy life for the little things. I always leave there with a huge smile on my face.
