Day 275: Passing of the Peace. And the Cherry Pie

Superbowl Sunday yesterday. Had the fam over.  It was a gluten filled extravaganza.  My brother brought homemade lasagna and garlic bread. My mother brought cherry pie and beer.

I made a raw broccoli, cauliflower salad with sunflower seeds and dried cranberries. I also made Stephanie O'Dea's recipe for "Crockpot Cream Cheese, Sausage and Rotel Dip".

I went through an intense obsession with my crockpot a few years ago and I discovered her site.  I still use many of her recipes. Still love my crockpot. But life has slowed down a bit. I am known to actually use the stove on a regular basis.

Here is the link to her recipe. http://www.ayearofslowcooking.com/2008/10/crockpot-cream-cheese-sausage-and-rotel.html

Very tasty and probably addicting, because I couldn't stop eating it! My daughter finally turned to me and whispered,"Mom you are eating very aggressively and it is kind of annoying!".

I tend to do that. Eat aggressively. Especially when chips and dip are involved. I used gluten free corn chips. But still. It's my binge food of choice.  Chips. And that dip!

Sigh.

I did pretty well the rest of the evening. I had lime flavored seltzer, zero calories, zero sugar.  I ate a big helping of salad. Skipped the bread. And to my brother's horror, I ate my lasagna naked (no noodles).

His lasagna was to die for. Full of mushrooms, ricotta and ground beef and Italian sausage.  But my evil sibling told me as he carried his pan of steaming goodness into the kitchen, "I made my lasagna with gluten free noodles". I said, "Awww! Really? That is so thoughtful!"

He grimaced and said, "No. Just kiddling."

Sigh.  Little brothers.

Confession time. I ate a slice of cherry pie. Crust and all. With a big scoop of vanilla ice cream.  This morning I feel guilty, but not horrible. Maybe like a UPS truck drove over me rather than a semi truck.

It was good pie.

But don't judge me! I did a very good thing yesterday. Before the pie episode.  Kind of family gathering preventative measure.

I made my salad and put the ingredients for the dip in the crock. Cleaned up and grabbed HD (Honey Dog) and we went for a 1.5 mile walk on the trail.  The weather was glorious.

One has to be careful around our household.  My son-in-law and daughter are newly born again Christians and do not tolerate swearing.  I prefer profanity free speech, especially on tv and radio and definitely in my piano teaching, but I am known to let loose at home on occasion. (Especially a stubbed toe).

But the word we have to never say, unless we mean to follow through is "walk". As in "go for a walk, HD?"

But yesterday I said it gleefully. And HD bounded in the air from a sleeping position.  I swear (without profanity), she nearly hit the ceiling.  She was a very happy dog.

Hey, HD could also stand for "Happy Dog"!

HD!

LOL . As I typed "Happy Dog", I heard the telltale sounds of doggie toenails on the hard word floor.  My daughter knocked on my door and HD came bouncing in.  "We're going for a walk", my daughter grinned. "To Powell Butte".

Indeed, it is another glorious day here in Portland, Oregon. Clear skies. Sunshine.  It is supposed to be in the 60's today! In February!

So, I am going to stretch, play my hymn of the day, practice, shower and do some calisthenics before my students.  I am moving slowly. Unfortunately no time for the trail. I do have a food hangover. And perhaps a family gathering hangover. But I am an introvert.  It is to be expected.

More importantly, I am thankful that I have a family to annoy me.  I love them all.

And I found a way of infusing love into my day. A way to let the LOVE of God flow me to reach others.  I had a moment of inspiration in early Mass on Saturday.  I always walk by the statue of the smiling Jesus at St. Ignatius.  He is seated with a hand extended.  After Mass, I hold His hand and ask him to bless my family and me that day.

On Saturday, the pews are sparsely filled. People tend to sit all over the sanctuary, but apart from one another.  Usually there is a lay female minister presiding on Saturday. But this day, was a feast day. So the priest was there.  A tad bigger crowd.  Our usual Saturday group, comes together to form a circle for the Lord's Prayer. We hold hands. It always stirs my soul.  Then for the passing of the peace, we greet one another with a hug and say, "Peace of Christ be with you." I always leave filled with a feeling of divine love.

But this last Saturday, we  just reached out from our pews and shook hands. But most of us were at such a distance that we smiled and waved, and mouthed "Peace".

It still filled my heart and soul with joy, even though there was no physical contact.

My profound moment came later. After church.  I was waiting at a crosswalk on busy SE Powell. There was no traffic light.  So I waited patiently as traffic zoomed by.  Usually I wait for a break in traffic before I set foot in the crosswalk.  But that day, the cars in both lanes coming in my direction slowed down at the same time.  I started to cross and noticed the same thing had happened in the opposite direction. I had free passage without worrying about not being seen.  Without hesitation, I raised my hand and smiled. I made eye contact with all the drivers, and mouthed, "Peace."  I realized what I had done.  They probably thought I was just thanking them.

But I felt a flood of joy and peace pass through me like. I had this epiphany, right there on SE Powell and 34th.

I thought, "What if we could all pass the peace with everyone we encounter?"

I have held this with me. And I am glad I am blogging about it.  You see, it is easy to spread God's love in church.  Sometimes it is easy with a friendly stranger. But in busy traffic? At a rambunctious family Superbowl party?  Standing in line at the grocery store at 5:00 p.m. with grumpy people? On a busy bus at rush hour?

This is something concrete I can use. To walk my faith in daily life. I am a HZ!


And my hymn of the day is perfecf. "All the Way My Savior Leads Me". Words by Fanny Crosby, 1875.  Tune by Robert Lowry, 1875.

1. All the way my Savior leads me,
What have I to ask beside?
Can I doubt His tender mercy,
Who through life has been my Guide?
Heav’nly peace, divinest comfort,
Here by faith in Him to dwell!
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well;
For I know, whate’er befall me,
Jesus doeth all things well.

2. All the way my Savior leads me,
Cheers each winding path I tread,
Gives me grace for every trial,
Feeds me with the living Bread.
Though my weary steps may falter
And my soul athirst may be,
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see;
Gushing from the Rock before me,
Lo! A spring of joy I see.

3. All the way my Savior leads me,
Oh, the fullness of His love!
Perfect rest to me is promised
In my Father’s house above.
When my spirit, clothed immortal,
Wings its flight to realms of day
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way;
This my song through endless ages:
Jesus led me all the way.

I read in my book "Then Sings My Soul" by Robert J. Morgan about Fanny Crosby.  She went blind at six weeks of age.  But she felt it was "a special gift from God, believing He had given her a particular "soul-vision" which equipped her for a special work."

'It was the best thing that could have happened to me,' she declared. 'How in the world could I have lived such a helpful life had I not been blind?"  Then Sings My Soul: 150 of the World's Greatest Hymn Stories, Robert J. Morgan (http://www.robertjmorgan.com/shop/best-sellers/then-sings-my-soul/)

If only I could have a fraction of the faith Fanny had!

On another note, the bible church I attend on Sundays was inspiring as usual. The pastor walked by after his talk on the break and said, "Are the pieces fitting together?" I smiled, and said, "Yes! Like puzzle pieces in my brain!" He gave me a big grin. We understand each other.

Then I talked to the music director. He does this delightful talk at the beginning of the service before each hymn. He talks about the author of the text and gives background information. I love this and it is aligning with my own hymn study. I told him about the book I am reading and my daily hymn study. He was very interested. He had not heard of the book. I will bring him a copy next week.

And on yet ANOTHER note: 

My stretching music this morning is "Academic Festival Overture" by Johannes Brahms. This is sublime. Great to listen to while you're stretching, reading, or simply being!  Listen:

I just finished my stretching and stepped on the scale.  I am 187 lbs. I am at peace. My family is alive, annoying and well. Love them all. 

I had cherry pie.  And chips and dip. I survived a Superbowl party!

And today I am alive on a sunny day. I will walk briskly in the fresh air between students. 

And count my blessings.

Peace of Christ to you all!

Happy Monday! :)