Going to Church, God's Peace & the Joy of Giving!

I went to church yesterday with my mom. It was one of the best services ever!

They talked about the Peace of God--and the Angelic Hosts. It was awesome!

They spoke about the REAL PEACE of God--and Christ. Being willing to ACCEPT His Peace--even through trial and tribulation. And I have to say, I felt like Pastor Kevin was speaking directly to me.

He spoke about how you can have a real, solid, steady peace--even through the greiving of a loved one. (Me!) You can have a real, solid, steady peace through the hardship of deplorable finances (my family). You can have a real solid, steady peace--regardless of what is happening in your life.

I'm so incredibly grateful to say that I DO! I have peace.

It's not that I never worry, or that I always feel peaceful--110% of the time. I don't believe anyone does, not even Christians. But, it IS possible to feel, know and HAVE true peace.

I know that because I've felt it all through this year--through the chaos of it all. Through the losing of my Nellie and the deteriation of my grandmother. Through the ups and downs in my marriage, through the health of my mother, and my own health too. I have felt peace.

I just kind of KNOW it will all work out. I'm not sure how, and most of the time, I don't ask anymore. I've actually stopped asking "how?" all together, because it just WILL work out. Maybe not the way I wanted it, or planned it, but it will work out for the BEST!

My grandma Joni gave me a quote this year that has stayed with me "The Grace of God will never take you where the Will of God will not protect you." And I firmly believe that.

As we all know my Grandma Elizabeth taught me most of what I know--and believe--about God and Jesus and spirituality in general.

And while I never thought I'd be a church going person, I have to say, I am thoroughly enjoying it when I do go.

Anyway, my Pastor also talked about having Peace Talks--with God, with others, and with yourself. I personally believe that Peace starts withIN--everything, as far as I can see it, is an INSIDE JOB! Peace truly does begin with me. If I'm not at peace with myself, good Lord, not much else will be peaceful in my life. Seriously!

But, in all honesty, I've had peace talks this year. With my grandma, with my mother, with Nellie before I put her down. With Colin. And of course, myself. I've also had quite a few Peace Talks with God, as Pastor Kevin put it "It's okay to get angry with God, He's a big boy, He can handle it. Question, sure, but don't ever lose faith, and don't ever doubt Him completely--because He is ALWAYS there. Always listening, ALWAYS willing to give you His Peace."

I really needed to hear that yesterday. I really need to remember that EVERY day.

It is because of God's peace that I am peace with my Grandma's detiriation. Sure, I absolutely miss her--every day. But I know that God has His plan and the He blessed me with her as my grandmother. She wasn't just my grandmother either--she was my mother's mother, Grandpa Henry's wife, and so much else, to so many people. She served her purpose in our lives and we will continue to spread her love and strength and yummy food goodies--even in her absence. I can smile through the tears when I think of her because I have Peace. And again, I am incredibly grateful for it!

After the Service, mom and I headed over to the bookstore. And I got her her Christmas Gift without her knowing it. Seriously, she was standing right next to me when I bought it. It was a book she's wanted for a long, long time. And she didn't even realize I was shopping for her Christmas present with her in tow. It was hilarious! The woman who rang me up even asked "is this for anyone special?" And I looked at my mom and she just stared at me like "I don't know, is it?" I said to the nice lady at the register "Yes and no." I paid for the book and walked out with my mom. Now, if I was a patient person (I work daily on that virtue) I would've taken the book home, wrapped it up and put under the tree. But, since she already has a few gifts under the tree (I really want to make this a special Christmas for her), I didn't want to wait. So I finally got mom's attention and said "Hey, here...Merry Christmas" and handed her the book. She looked at me and goes "What?" I said "Yeah, Merry Christmas, Mom, this is for you." She was shocked and SO happy! It made me so happy! It really is better to give than to receive. Truly. That's also how I know I'm an adult now--because while I DO have some things on my Birthday/Christmas List--my poor family has to spend a crap load this time of year for me (at least I'm cheap the other 11 months out of the year--LOL!)--this year, I would SO rather GIVE than RECEIVE.

I don't have a lot of money, but I've Christmas shopped sporadically over the last few months. I LOVE finding that perfect gift for someone that when you pass it you go "Oh, that's SO them!" I love finding a good bargain, wrapping it up all pretty and either sending it off (mailing it to them) or putting it under the Christmas Tree. It's so much fun!

It really is better to give than to receive--and I think, knowing that, and living that, is a sign of maturity.

I don't give beyond my means, and I no longer go a whole year without buying anything for me. But, there has to be a balance to it too, you know.

My desire to GIVE this holiday season is also why I volunteered to be a Greeter at my church on Christmas Eve. I'm excited, it's kind of neat! I'd also like to serve dinner to the homeless somewhere around that time, but we'll see.

I need to go, I have some things I positively MUST get done today--but I'm so glad I took the time to write!

It's just past 10am and I've already written TWO entries today--look at me--all efficient!

Thank You Lord, for a great church service yesterday--helping me to find a church that speaks to me and for the JOY of Giving and the gift of Peace! You're the reason for it all!

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)

P.S. You want to see five minutes FLY BY? Set a timer for that amount of time and try and finish anything you're writing--five minutes feels more like five seconds when you're writing! I'm just saying! LOL! Happy Monday & Merry Christmas!

The Emotional Healing Power of Cooking!

Throughout my life, I have greatly loved two things: food and music! We all know the healing power of music, and I can say, that I am finally getting back into it full force! I am using music to help me through difficult times in my life, and happy ones too! This Christmas Season, Christmas Music has been my mainstay.

But, there's something else I find incredibly healing as well: food.

Yes, we all know that food that is nutritionally balanced is good for us, and I honestly believe that nearly half of the diseases in America could be fixed with food. (i.e. Better Diet)

I was spoiled rotten when I was growing up by a 1,500 square foot garden. I kid you not. If it could be grown in Reno, Nevada, my mother grew it. That is where my love of fresh vegetables comes from, and why I have no problem scarfing them down today. I truly believe that that huge garden with everything from peas and corn to tomatoes and carrots in it--played a definite role in the healthy eating habbits I have today.

I was also spoiled by a grandmother who made most everything from scratch. Pie crust, pies, muffins, cookies, cakes, biscotti--you name it--she made it!

Now, I carry on the tradition.

Okay, I'm not such a fan of baking, but I'm working on it, and when I do bake, I'm not terrible at it. I'm sure I'll improve over the years.

What I'm talking about though, is the healing power of food through the senses.

Last night, I'd had a rough day--it was a great day in many respects, but a rough day in others.

So, instead of feeling sorry myself and going hungry last night, I got up and made myself dinner. This isn't unusual for me, as I usually am the one who cooks in my household. My mother spent years on end making three meals a day, so I really can't blame her for not wanting to cook too often these days.

When I started cooking my dinner last night, I was very upset. I was irritated and pesky. But, as I got into the cooking of my food--I instantly calmed down. My heart rate lowered, I stood a little straighter, and I breathed a little better.

Suddenly, it was all about chopping the broccoli properly, and dicing the onions the correct size. Then, I was rummaging through my fridge thinking about what I would do with the brocoli and onions--completely unaware of whatever my earlier problem was.

I decided to take the broccoli and the onions, and some green beans--and sautee the up with garlic, butter, parprika, salt and pepper. Then it dawned on me that I had some green beans to use up--so I chopped those up and threw them in the pan. Then, I decided that this vegetable satuee needed to savory, so I grabbed some tomato paste from my pantry and added that in. But, I needed something to thin it out, and now that the veggies had gotten a little color on them--I decided to throw in some white wine. After I let the alachol cook out from the wine (Chardonay) I tasted it--adjusted my seasonings (it just needed more salt and pepper) and thought to myself "mm, it's missing something". So I went back to the fridge--and grabbed the Soy Sauce. "Just a splash!" I thought to myself, "Just a splash!" I was hoping and praying that the soy sauce would be the right thing and wouldn't end up ruining the dish. I said a prayer and added the soy sauce. I let it cook down for a minute and fully incoorperate--and viola--my dish was done! It was savory, delicious, with a depth of flavor and that Soy Sauce--it definitely "made" the dish entirely!

I was so proud! I had made something worth eating! Don't get me wrong, I make a lot of things worth eating. But, as I poured the veggie sautee into a bowl, it occurred to me that I couldn't remember what I was upset about before. I honestly could not remember.

And then it hit me "food heals!" Sure, a vegetable sautee is quite good for you, nutritionally speaking, and more veggies are always a good thing--for all of us! But, in the creation of this dish, I was able to focus my time, attention and energy into the making of the food--instead of my problems.

And that, my friends, is one of the many reasons I believe in the emotional healing power of food.

I also made a new rice pilaf with toasted noodles in it, spinach and a handful of Feta Cheese. That recipe is compliments of Rachael Ray, and it was so yummy! She said it would taste just like Spanicopita without the Pastry--and she was right! It was so good and hearty, I enjoyed that too!

And of course, me being Sarah, I also made a salad with my famous lemon dressing. I could quite honestly become rich off of that stuff. Move over, Paul Newman Dressing! LOL! I love his salad dressings actually, but in all sincerity, EVERYONE who has ever tasted my lemon dressing becomes an instant fan of it! Plus, at this point, I've made it so many times, I could do it with eyes closed, so it's comfort food!

I know, I'm weird, I find salad comforting! Oh well, I'll never get cancer, right?

In all honesty, making that meal for myself last night was the best possible thing I could've done at that moment.

I wasn't hopping mad before I started making it, but I wasn't exactly happy either. I was visibly upset over some stupid little thing that really didn't matter in the grand scheme of things.

When I plated up my entire dinner, and tasted it--all together--oh my good Lord, I was like in Heaven on Earth! And I thought "See, I don't need to go out to dinner--I make just as good of food right here in my own kitchen! And I made it! I took the time to create this, and enjoy the creative process of it! It's wonderful! Yummy!"

I thoroughly enjoyed both making, and eating, my dinner!

I was healed a little bit last night by that meal. And it proved to me that while life will never be perfect, and we rarely get what we expect (often life is better than we expected, but that's another post), we might as well make the most of it anyway!

I make the most of it with food, and food makes me happy.

If going in the kitchen and cooking up a storm--which puts out delicious, healthy food--in the process--makes me happier, calmer and less irritated, than so be it!

I know that's why so many turn to their kitchen in times of chaos. Paula Deen, Sandra Lee, my own grandmother and mother--myself. Cooking incooperates all five senses--sound, sight, tactile feeling, smell, and taste!

You HAVE to pay attention to what you're doing otherwise you'll burn something, the water will boil over on the stove (creating a huge mess), or you'll quite possibly cut the tip of your finger off.

The kitchen is a dangerous place, sometimes, but isn't life often dangerous?

In the kitchen, and in life, you have to: show up, be willing to try something new, have the right tools, harbor the right ingredients, be satisfied with what you already have, make the most out of what you have, be flexible, be willing to get creative, engage fully in the moment and be honest with yourself when something is worth standing over all day long--or worth putting on the back burner.

If you get and do all that, you're all set! That's why I continue to cook--not only to physically feed myself, which is utterly important, of course. But, I cook to feed my soul. To fully indulge in my senses, to stay connected to the past--to be in the present--to dream about the future.

I cook to healthfully distract myself, and I cook to be a happier, more well-rounded person.

And while there are certainly times I am not in the mood to cook--most of the time, whenever I do--I'm always glad I did!

So, in the spirit of the holiday Season, I wish you and yours HAPPY COOKING TIMES!

The holidays are a lot about cooking and food and sharing that food with family and friends--just another reason I love this time of year so much!

Thank You, Lord, for delicious, plentiful food! For the love of food and family and friends and the continuity of it all! You are generous in Your blessings and I so appreciate them all!

Merry Christmas, everyone, here's to fantastic holiday food everywhere!

In Light N' Love,
-Sarah Liz :)