[Lunch Review] 12/29 Sea Eel Shabu-shabu

The church lobby welcomed us with beautiful flowers lovingly arranged by That Disciple (a nickname meaning "The Disciple of Jesus").

Today’s lunch featured sea eel shabu-shabu, a nourishing dish known for its revitalizing qualities.

We prepared fresh, vibrant ingredients: radish, mushrooms, napa cabbage, bok choy, onions, water parsley, and green onions.

  

A special sesame dipping sauce was made to enhance the flavors, and we also had fresh handmade noodles ready to enjoy with the rich broth.

We also prepared fresh handmade noodles, perfectly paired with the flavorful sea eel shabu-shabu broth.

Yesterday, Mr. Kim Won-jong and Mrs. Shin Sook-hee celebrated their daughter Ji-hee’s wedding to her groom Tae-won. As a gesture of gratitude, they shared delicious rice cakes and Jeju mandarins with us. The mandarins were sweet, juicy, and unforgettable.

For the shabu-shabu, we plated vegetables, beef, and sea eel beautifully and

 

created a deep, flavorful broth with vegetables and medicinal herbs.

The Sunday service began at 10 a.m. with heartfelt worship. Pastor’s sermon, "All I Can Do Is Be Grateful," reminded us to embrace a spirit of thankfulness. It was a grace-filled message that resonated deeply.

Afterward, we held a year-end award ceremony. Our pianists, Mrs. Hwang Hyun-jung and Mrs. Lee Young-ok, were recognized for their dedication, and six members received awards for their evangelism efforts.

 

Additional recognition was given to those who shared the Gospel with military personnel. Congratulations to all the honorees!

We also welcomed two new members, soldiers Han Joon and Hwang In-jae. These young men, tall and strong, are a blessing to our church family. We warmly welcomed them and offered our prayers for their journey.

When the broth was ready, we set the table with sea eel, vegetables, beef, rice cakes, and fruit. Together, we prayed a prayer of gratitude with our church family, including the soldiers.

The meal was delightful. Fresh vegetables simmered in the broth were followed by shrimp, sea eel, and beef, each cooked to perfection. The sea eel, lightly dipped in the rich broth, was tender and buttery with a refined taste that everyone loved.

Mrs. Hwang expertly portioned the sea eel, ensuring everyone enjoyed their share. Watching the soldiers relish the meal brought smiles to everyone.

Seeing the soldiers enjoy their meal so heartily brings pure joy to our congregation.

After the main dishes, we added fresh noodles to the pot. The chewy texture and rich flavor of the noodles made them a highlight of the meal.

The finale was shabu-shabu fried rice. We combined leftover broth, vegetables, seaweed flakes, and rice, stir-frying it to golden perfection. The nutty aroma, sweet onions, and savory seaweed made it irresistible. Despite being full, no one could resist this dish.

For dessert, we enjoyed soft, sweet songpyeon (Korean rice cakes) and juicy mandarins. The songpyeon, with its nutty filling, melted in our mouths, providing the perfect finish.

After the meal, we shared stories, laughter, and joy.

 

The men’s fellowship took charge of cleanup, and with a dishwasher at hand, it was done quickly and easily. Over the years, our lunch team has become so skilled it feels like we could run a restaurant!

Flowers by the window reached for the sunlight, just as our Evergreen family turns to God. Reflecting on the year, we are filled with gratitude. Meditating on Scripture and offering prayers of thanks, we close the year with full hearts.

As Pastor reminded us, going into 2024, "All I can do is be grateful."

Thank You, Lord, for teaching us gratitude and filling our hearts with joy.

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