Gail Oberkircher and Rebecca Hamilton

This past summer, we had an impromptu gathering when Gail Oberkircher, a great friend of Key Ministry, announced that she and her husband, Mark, are moving to Northeast Ohio. We first met Gail two years ago when she invited us to speak at a conference hosted by a special needs ministry network in Iowa. We were thrilled to go back to Iowa again this past June for a JAM session. By then, Gail felt like part of the family, and we are tickled pink to know that she and Mark will be so close by!

While house-hunting one weekend, Gail and Mark were able to take a few hours off to join Key Ministry’s Executive Director, Rebecca Hamilton and me, along with our husbands, for dessert. We had a great time, and loved the chance to spend a few hours together…there was no pressure, no planning or deadlines…just pure fun! We laughed, shared stories, and enjoyed ice cream sundaes, complete with my Grandma Grace’s special hot fudge recipe. (See below for the recipe…)

Each couple had recently celebrated a wedding anniversary: Gail and Mark marked their 25th, and the Hamiltons and Wetherbees, 21 years each! So, to make things a bit more festive, I decorated the buffet table in our dining room with a wedding theme: my veil, a heart-shaped wreath, the program from our ceremony and the “wedding toppers” we used for our cake, which are real relics handed down to me from my grandparents. The decorations sparked great conversations (and belly laughs!) about courtship, weddings and newlywed days.

As you plan your ministry schedules for this fall and winter, don’t forget to pencil in some fun on the calendar~ even if it is as simple as an ice cream party! It will do your ministry–and your heart–good!

Two scoops of chocolate fudge, please…
~Katie

Grandma Grace’s Hot Fudge
Melt together in a double boiler:
5 squares unsweetened chocolate
4 tablespoons butter 

Gradually whisk in 2 cups granulated sugar and 12 ounces of evaporated milk. Cook in double boiler for 1 hour, stirring with a slotted spoon or whisk every 15 minutes.*
*It’s important to lick the spoon after stirring, just to be sure it’s turning out right. 🙂