Comments on: Hospitality, No Room for Excuses http://www.wendygunn.net/2012/02/hospitality-no-room-for-excuses/ Christian wife and mom of grown kids who were homeschooled start to finish transparently shares encouragement to your faith and counsel. Fri, 18 May 2012 00:50:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Wendy http://www.wendygunn.net/2012/02/hospitality-no-room-for-excuses/#comment-7248 Wendy Tue, 06 Mar 2012 22:11:22 +0000 http://www.wendygunn.net/?p=6234#comment-7248 Teresa, What a great idea and blessing to these college students! My husband enjoyed this kind of warm hospitality when he was in college out of state, and it meant so much to him! I applaud you for giving others an opportunity to serve, and especially noticing that the older and the younger might find this a great spot to step into. The college students, I know, will appreciate the older faces and relationships with them, missing that from home. And...you can't do it alone! So true. As to ideas for meals that you can have made ahead...hmmm...here are some off of the top of my head, but I will also give it some thought, and add ideas later, ok? Besides soup, you can serve chili, with or without toppings, along with bread. Lasagna, with raw veggies, and bread. I have a Turkey casserole recipe that serves a crowd (I'd be happy to share that recipe if you'd like.) (Do you pay for everything, or does your church help with that, because that makes a huge difference in what you can afford to serve!) Brunch ideas (which might be cheaper): Ham and cheese stromboli, or an eggbake, or pancakes (but this wouldn't be made ahead). If you have the money for "extras": Dessert ideas: brownies or cookies (I have a few recipes that are really good that make 6 dozen cookies), and I think college students always like homemade cookies (I think it reminds them of Mom:). Sheet cakes make about 35 servings (I have a few recipes on my blog if you click on Recipes and search for Lemon Sheet Cake, etc.). You might get local businesses to donate food items (like ice cream cups, milk, pop, bread, etc.) if you are willing to give them a plug by putting up a little sign saying their name and that they donated. My brain starts to dream up all kinds of ideas as I get into this, but I'll stop here. Maybe I'll do a post on this! May I mention your comment? It might inspire others to do what you're doing! Maybe for a Seniors Group, if they don't live in a college town. I would love to hear more about your ministry, Teresa. It sounds wonderful. Thanks so much for sharing!! Wendy Teresa,
What a great idea and blessing to these college students! My husband enjoyed this kind of warm hospitality when he was in college out of state, and it meant so much to him! I applaud you for giving others an opportunity to serve, and especially noticing that the older and the younger might find this a great spot to step into. The college students, I know, will appreciate the older faces and relationships with them, missing that from home. And…you can’t do it alone! So true.

As to ideas for meals that you can have made ahead…hmmm…here are some off of the top of my head, but I will also give it some thought, and add ideas later, ok?
Besides soup, you can serve chili, with or without toppings, along with bread. Lasagna, with raw veggies, and bread.
I have a Turkey casserole recipe that serves a crowd (I’d be happy to share that recipe if you’d like.)
(Do you pay for everything, or does your church help with that, because that makes a huge difference in what you can afford to serve!)
Brunch ideas (which might be cheaper): Ham and cheese stromboli, or an eggbake, or pancakes (but this wouldn’t be made ahead).
If you have the money for “extras”:
Dessert ideas: brownies or cookies (I have a few recipes that are really good that make 6 dozen cookies), and I think college students always like homemade cookies (I think it reminds them of Mom:). Sheet cakes make about 35 servings (I have a few recipes on my blog if you click on Recipes and search for Lemon Sheet Cake, etc.).
You might get local businesses to donate food items (like ice cream cups, milk, pop, bread, etc.) if you are willing to give them a plug by putting up a little sign saying their name and that they donated.
My brain starts to dream up all kinds of ideas as I get into this, but I’ll stop here. Maybe I’ll do a post on this! May I mention your comment? It might inspire others to do what you’re doing! Maybe for a Seniors Group, if they don’t live in a college town. I would love to hear more about your ministry, Teresa. It sounds wonderful.
Thanks so much for sharing!!
Wendy

]]> By: Teresa http://www.wendygunn.net/2012/02/hospitality-no-room-for-excuses/#comment-7242 Teresa Tue, 06 Mar 2012 15:39:42 +0000 http://www.wendygunn.net/?p=6234#comment-7242 Hospitality is a big part of our lives. We are in a church in a college town, so we regularly have college age students into our home for Sunday lunch. In fact last month we had over 30. So last week we did the meal at church, we expect 50, but only 30 showed. It is a fun outlet for me to be creative. The college is very secular, so any real christian fellowship we can show them is appreciated. It is a great way to make sure these young christians are not getting lost or losing faith on the campus. I encourage others in the church to help. Sometimes the singles or elderly would love to do something, but live in such cramped or not appropriate areas for the students to come over. I ask these people to assist and come to my home and help serve or help me make the food. This way I get a little help and they get to serve as well. It is such a great thing to see 30 college students wanting to learn about God every Sunday. And my children are learning what hospitality is really all about. Finding new things to serve such a crowd is a problem. Any suggestions. We have done soap, spag, tacos. But any creative idea that I can have mostly made ahead of time would be great. Hospitality is a big part of our lives. We are in a church in a college town, so we regularly have college age students into our home for Sunday lunch. In fact last month we had over 30. So last week we did the meal at church, we expect 50, but only 30 showed. It is a fun outlet for me to be creative.
The college is very secular, so any real christian fellowship we can show them is appreciated. It is a great way to make sure these young christians are not getting lost or losing faith on the campus.
I encourage others in the church to help. Sometimes the singles or elderly would love to do something, but live in such cramped or not appropriate areas for the students to come over. I ask these people to assist and come to my home and help serve or help me make the food. This way I get a little help and they get to serve as well.
It is such a great thing to see 30 college students wanting to learn about God every Sunday. And my children are learning what hospitality is really all about. Finding new things to serve such a crowd is a problem. Any suggestions. We have done soap, spag, tacos. But any creative idea that I can have mostly made ahead of time would be great.

]]> By: Wendy http://www.wendygunn.net/2012/02/hospitality-no-room-for-excuses/#comment-6703 Wendy Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:31:12 +0000 http://www.wendygunn.net/?p=6234#comment-6703 Lisa, Having the same meal is a wonderful idea for encouraging yourself to practice hospitality! We've enjoyed your pasta and sauce, which was delicious, but what I remember is the warmth of the conversation and caring in your home. I think that's the most important part to people. Lisa,
Having the same meal is a wonderful idea for encouraging yourself to practice hospitality! We’ve enjoyed your pasta and sauce, which was delicious, but what I remember is the warmth of the conversation and caring in your home. I think that’s the most important part to people.

]]> By: Wendy http://www.wendygunn.net/2012/02/hospitality-no-room-for-excuses/#comment-6702 Wendy Fri, 17 Feb 2012 15:28:27 +0000 http://www.wendygunn.net/?p=6234#comment-6702 :) Love to hear from you! Thanks for commenting:) :) Love to hear from you! Thanks for commenting:)

]]> By: Lisa http://www.wendygunn.net/2012/02/hospitality-no-room-for-excuses/#comment-6684 Lisa Fri, 17 Feb 2012 04:05:39 +0000 http://www.wendygunn.net/?p=6234#comment-6684 Hi Wendy! Maybe you have mentioned something like this before....we usually have the same meal when people come over (often it's large families -- we make a big pot of pasta and a crock pot of sauce). Just not having to stew over "what to serve" seems to help me just be a little more joyfully willing to practice hospitality :) Hi Wendy!
Maybe you have mentioned something like this before….we usually have the same meal when people come over (often it’s large families — we make a big pot of pasta and a crock pot of sauce). Just not having to stew over “what to serve” seems to help me just be a little more joyfully willing to practice hospitality :)

]]> By: Phyllis Sather http://www.wendygunn.net/2012/02/hospitality-no-room-for-excuses/#comment-6678 Phyllis Sather Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:52:00 +0000 http://www.wendygunn.net/?p=6234#comment-6678 Good to hear from you again. Good to hear from you again.

]]> By: Wendy http://www.wendygunn.net/2012/02/hospitality-no-room-for-excuses/#comment-6674 Wendy Thu, 16 Feb 2012 18:13:44 +0000 http://www.wendygunn.net/?p=6234#comment-6674 "It's the people that are memorable, and that's what is important." Jessica, you are so right! It's the people who share what the Lord is doing in their lives, the people who demonstrate the love of Christ, (perhaps soothing your hurting heart without even knowing it!), the people who show you by their service and love for one another how to live out the Christian life--you see Christianity and the Word of God fleshed out--and you are encouraged! You were blessed to grow up with that legacy, Jessica. What a blessing it is to show and receive hospitality! “It’s the people that are memorable, and that’s what is important.” Jessica, you are so right! It’s the people who share what the Lord is doing in their lives, the people who demonstrate the love of Christ, (perhaps soothing your hurting heart without even knowing it!), the people who show you by their service and love for one another how to live out the Christian life–you see Christianity and the Word of God fleshed out–and you are encouraged! You were blessed to grow up with that legacy, Jessica. What a blessing it is to show and receive hospitality!

]]> By: Jessica http://www.wendygunn.net/2012/02/hospitality-no-room-for-excuses/#comment-6673 Jessica Thu, 16 Feb 2012 17:28:39 +0000 http://www.wendygunn.net/?p=6234#comment-6673 Its good to hear from you, Wendy! Growing up as a pastors daughter, I experienced a lot of hospitality. We were always having dinner at someones house and meeting new people. I remember the fun and the fellowship, but not who had the nicest table or the best dishes. Its the people that are memorable, and that's what is important. Its good to hear from you, Wendy!
Growing up as a pastors daughter, I experienced a lot of hospitality. We were always having dinner at someones house and meeting new people. I remember the fun and the fellowship, but not who had the nicest table or the best dishes. Its the people that are memorable, and that’s what is important.

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