This truly has been the morning after the night before.  All hands were on deck early.  The final four pastors, here on individual spiritual retreats, knew they had to vacate their rooms by 8 a.m. at the latest.  5,000 sq. ft. of floors were swept and mopped.  Four bathrooms were cleaned to sparkling perfection.  Every bed in every room was changed.  New towels were set out.  A bottle of filtered water for each room.  Tables and chairs were put back in order.  Tablecloths washed and hung out to dry.  

We tackled refrigerators, too.  One by one they were unloaded and unplugged, until only one was left in service.  Two turkey carcasses were put in a large pot to simmer for hours.  And all the leftovers were processed and put into another large pot.  Leftover turkey was chopped fine.  As were the buttered carrots.  Add the turkey stock and stir well.  Now at days end we're savoring the most mouth watering turkey soup ever!  When the pot cools down, it's contents will be packed away in freezer containers.  We're envisioning all those future guests who will start their meals with a little bowl of Shiloh's famous leftover soup.  

And now we are ready and waiting.  Waiting for the next group to arrive.  Men from a local church are coming for their Christmas spiritual retreat.  They will be with us until Christmas morning.  They will never know all we have done to be ready for them.  It's just what we do.  And we do it over and over again, year in and year out.  Truth be told, we love what we do and wouldn't change a thing.  Serving others is a great way to live.