The Ladies

So my job is amazing. I basically grocery shop for 1000+ people daily. When I'm not working on my order, I'm putting food away on shelves and managing the student workers who are a major part of the 'stocking' process, as well as communicating with the different crews as far as their menu needs and directing people to the items we have ready to be served. My boss and I are in constant communication about who is getting what in when and where we are putting it, what gets labeled and what is the cheapest. It is definitely sometimes stressful and crazy, but it is so wonderful and I love it very much.

I am sure I've said this before, but what really makes my job is the people. My boss is incredible! I love learning from her in even just the way she conducts herself and communicates to others. She is generous in love and compassion, always has a listening ear and is wise wise wise! She is a person certain of where she stands before God, she knows without a doubt that she would not be who she is today without Him and the dramatic way He brought her to Him. She is devoted.

The students are also a huge part of why I love my job. I get to interact with all 9 different crews within Food Service. I love this part so much. Just getting to know the students and help them as we together serve Moody is just wonderful. They just have an energy and joy that is contagious and I can't seem to get enough of.

There are the cooks (the main cause of all my frustrations) and I love them all. Mostly men and one dear wonderful lady , but they are great regardless of the crazy things we encounter!

Then there are the ladies as every other full-time Food Service employee endearingly calls them. These seven ladies are probably some of the most overlooked people in Food Service and they are by far the most interesting to me. One thing that has fascinated me since I started working in Food Service back in 2007, is that these ladies communicate so well with each other, and even sometimes better with each other than with anyone else in the kitchen. This is fascinating because within the seven of them there are three rich, deep cultural backgrounds represented: Vietnamese, African American, and Hispanic--all with thick accents.

Daily I talk with the ladies and learn from their wisdom, and laugh with them about silly things that we see or hear. They share a lot with me and I love it. They even give me great advice from guys to healthy eating habits. One thing I've noticed is when I show interest in food they are making, I always end up with some, even if I don't ask...they just hand me a plate and I'm expected to eat it.

Today was just like that. Vihn walked into the storeroom (aka my office) and asked why we had bamboo on the shelf, I told her it was for a recipe a few months ago, she said she was going to use it. At lunch time all she was talking about was bamboo. She gave me a bowl, I had no idea what it would taste like, but I took it because my Vietnameese mother would have it no other way. I ate it and LOVED it.

Later I walked by the baker station and saw Josephina working on peppers... I stopped and inquired about what she was doing and she gave me a plate with instructions on how to properly heat it in the microwave. I told her I would eat it right then. And oh. my. wonderful. It was heavenly good. My Mexican momma took care of me. :)

These ladies are a joy. I care for them so much and probably more than I realize they care for me too. I am so glad that for the last 5 years my life has been impacted by godly women who come from a range of backgrounds and experience, yet we serve the same God and that is what unites us to serve Him together.

Thank You Lord.