Happy Together

Snap shots of our get together.

We had such a great time last Sunday night. We have a get together after our congregational meeting. While I was folding our laundry this morning, the happy moments and the smiling faces still very clear in my memory. I think I have to sit in a while, while Burt is sleeping and write with all my heart about the happenings that night. It was something worth writing for.

I left all my dear friends in my previous congregation in The Philippines.  They have their own life too now with their family and so am I. I treasure them all, also the happy memories. Last February when me and my family went in the Philippines for a holiday, I have the privilege to see them again when I attended there. We also visited my best friend Lorelie and her family in Norzagaray, Bulacan.

Visting my best friend on our last vacation.

Being away from them, I feel my yearning for good friendship. Here. Like a flower, friendship also takes time to bloom. Last week, one of the sisters in our congregation sent me a message that there will be "koffie en eten" after our meeting. She asked me if I also like to bring something, a Filipino food because some sisters will also bring food, food of their country. My yes was really fast and full of excitement. And thanks to her for letting me know. What is on my mind is to make cassava cake. It is now one of my pride.  I told my husband about it and he also likes it that I will make something for our congregation. On a very cold and rainy day, I went to the market to buy grated cassava in a Surinamese store but it is out of stock.

I said I just cook suman. While walking, going to the supermarket, I am browsing the internet on my phone, looking for suman recipe because I made suman ages ago! I already forgot.

My malagkit.

Almost lunchtime when I start cooking suman. The first suman that I cooked was not good. It is dry because my coconut milk is not enough and my husband said not taste good, we just throw it.  He went in the supermarket and bought four cans of coconut milk. I still have one box of malagkit (sticky rice) and my husband said we just make a new one. 

My husband is a very creative person even in cooking. Because we do not have banana leaves, he just suggested me to use paper. I sliced the suman, only a small piece each and wrapped them in the paper.

My authentic suman in the paper.

While I was busy doing this, other sisters in the congregation were in whatsup and we were starting to talk about the food we are going to bring. We are all excited, especially when we exchanged photos. 

My husband drive us going to the Kingdom Hall. I invited him if he like to join in our "koffie en eten".  I also like him to enjoy the warm association within the congregation. After our meeting, I texted him if he like to come. I got his replied: "I'm here, mahal." He is already there outside the Kingdom Hall, in a rainy evening. I love my husband so much! When I went out to meet him, he was already inside the lobby and some brothers and sisters greet him. We went upstairs, in our cafeteria. What a nice time!

My husband joined us.

Olivia prepared well for our food presentation. She is an Austrian sister married to a German brother, owner of a bakeshop that make custom cakes. Our cafeteria was so busy. Some making coffee, and we were busy roaming around to serve. One sister brought a very tasty dumplings. My husband just sit with Burt and I was a busy bee. I just get food and bringing it to my beloved boys.

Nationality food tags by Olivia.

Before we left, Olivia and I talked for a while and we both agreed to do the same again even after one month. She is also very happy that we get that close that night. It is not the food. It is the love that unite us to be there. My husband and I bid goodbye and when we were home, photos feeding in my whatsup. Photos that made me laugh hard! I can't even stand to prepare our dinner. My husband prepared our dinner, he let me savor the afterglow of the moment. I smiled, I feel it only just began. We are looking forward to the next get together where love we all feel unite.