Java
with
Jennifer
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Coming
to a
Cafe
Near You
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Dear
friend,
Spring
came
in
like
a
lion
for
our
family.
The
weather
was
unexpectedly
torrential
and
the
traveling
schedule
was
rigorous.
But
each
day
proved
to
be a
blessing.
Thank
you
to
everyone
who
called
and
emailed
the
office
with
concern
for
our
family
during
the
recent
flooding.
Heavy
rains
flooded
numerous
homes
and
busy
roads
in
the
Springfield
area,
and
thankfully,
our
family
and
our
house
were
safe
from
the
buckets
of
water
that
poured
down
on
southern
Missouri.
Our
prayers
go
out
to
those
who
were
affected.
As
you
know,
I'm
always
passionate
about
writing,
and
this
issue,
I'm
especially
passionate
about
the
question
in
Spill
the
Beans
that
comes
from
a
concerned
mother.
Hope
your
coffee
mug
is
filled
up
because
this
issue
is
just
about
as
full
as
my
life
in
March.
(In
fact,
March
was
busy
up
until
the
very
last
day,
so
we're
sending
this
issue
a
tad
bit
late
in
order
to
fit
everything
in!)
As
always,
email
me
your
thoughts
or
questions.
I'd
love
to
hear
from
you!
Your friend,
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Extra!
Extra!-
Jennifer
on GMA!
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In
March,
Jennifer
taped an
interview
with
Robin at
GMA that
will air
in
April.
Right
now, the
GMA crew
is
editing
the film
segment,
so we're
not sure
of the
exact
date it
will
air.
Would
you like
to be
notified
when
Jennifer's
interview
will be
on GMA?
Just
click
here
and you
will be
automatically
entered
into our
notification
list. As
soon as
we know
the
air-date,
we'll
send you
a
reminder.
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Taste
This!
|
What
I Am
In
To
Lately
Wow,
what a
month!
This
Java is
a little
late
because
March
ended
before I
was
finished
living
it!
The
family
and I
traveled
to
Canada
over
Spring
Break
and
enjoyed
a lovely
vacation.
The
highlights
included
visiting
the top
of the
CN Tower
(which
is
553.33
meters
high =
1,815
ft, 5
in.),
Niagara
Falls
(where
the
majesty
was
breathtaking
and the
temperature
was
freezing),
the
Chocolate
FX
(where
the dark
chocolate
was
decadent
and
irresistible)
and the
Royal
Ontario
Museum
(which
made
this
history
geek
very
excited!).
We
tagged
our trip
onto an
interview
I did at
100
Huntley
Street
- an
inspiring
ministry
to
partner
with.
Along
with me
and the
boys,
Emma
by Jane
Austen
also
went to
Canada.
Each
month, I
listen
to one
of her
books,
and I'll
think,
"This is
my
favorite!"
But this
month, I
am
willing
to
commit,--Emma
is truly
my top
choice
of
Austen's
novels.
I think
it's
because
I love
the
characters
so
much.
They are
believable,
lovable,
dislikable,
understandable,
colorful,
unpredictable
and
unforgettable.
(Reminds
me of
the
variety
of
characters
in my
world!)
Although
I adore
the main
character,
Emma
Woodhouse,
my very
favorite
character
in this
book is
the
chattering,
guileless
Miss
Bates!
Acquainting
yourself
with her
is worth
the
whole
read!
 After
returning
from
Canada,
Phil and
I took
off for
New York
City
where I
filmed a
short
segment
that
will
appear
on
Good
Morning
America
sometime
in
April.
(I will
let you
know
when the
segment
is going
to air.)
I met
Diane
Sawyer--what
a
gracious
and kind
woman.
Then I
interviewed
with the
lovely
Robin
Roberts!
I had
the
privilege
of being
there on
the day
that
marked
the end
of her
radiation
treatments.
What a
great
day to
celebrate!
She is
truly an
inspiration
to me
and
millions
of other
women.
I was
thankful
the
interview
went so
well and
thankful
that I
had just
bought a
new red
suede
jacket
in
Canada
the week
before...even
if I
bombed
the
interview,
the red
jacket
sure
looked
good on
TV.
Ha!
The
month
ended
with as
much
excitement
as it
began...we
have a
new
little
Rothschild!
Her name
is Lucy
and she
has
black
hair and
dark
eyes.
She's an
8 week
old
Shi-Tzu.
She's
cuddly,
sweet
and
playful,
but she
can't
seem to
get the
potty-training
down! I
feel
like a
new mom
again...all
my
thoughts
are
about
when she
eats,
sleeps
and goes
potty!
It's a
good
thing
I've
finished
my Jane
Austen
Library--it's
"Puppy
Training"
books
for me
now!
So give
these
things a
taste
test:
1.
Chocolate
FX
2.
Emma by
Jane
Austen
3.
Good
Morning
America
4.
Shi-tzu
Puppies
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Fresh
Grounded
Thoughts
|
What
God
Has
Been
Teaching
Me
Lately
Have
you
ever
accepted
Christ's
invitation
to
"Take
My
yoke
upon
you?"
I'm still
learning
how
to
and
it's
a
fresh
grounded
thought
that
needs
consideration. As
a
Rabbi,
Jesus
boldly
invited
anyone
who
was
willing
to
accept
His
Yoke.
"Take
My
yoke
upon
you
and
learn
from
Me,"
He
said,
"for
I am
gentle
and
lowly
in
heart,
and
you
will
find
rest
for
your
souls.
For
My
yoke
is
easy
and
My
burden
is
light"
(Matthew
11:29,
nkjv).
When
the
first
century
Jews
heard
the
word
"yoke,"
it
conjured images
of
one
placing
himself
under
submission.
They
were
accustomed
to
submitting
to
the
yoke
of
the
law,
the
yoke
of
the
kingdom,
the
yoke
of
the
commandments
and
the
yoke
of
God.
To
be
honest,
the
yokes
they
thought
about
burdened
them,
constrained
them
and brought
discouragement.
That's
why
the
words
of
Jesus
must
have
felt
as
free
and
refreshing
as a
summer
breeze.
Can
you
imagine
what
His
audience
would
have
thought
as
they
heard
the
words
"easy"
and
"light"?
Can
you
imagine
how
they
must
have
felt?
When
Jesus
used
the
word
"easy"
to
describe
His
yoke,
the
Jewish
listeners
heard
something
very
different
from
what
you
and
I
might
perceive
today.
When
we
hear
the
word,
"easy,"
we
might
think
"simple"
or
"uncomplicated."
But
the
Greek
word
for
"easy"
in
this
verse
can
mean
"well
fitting."
In
ancient
Palestine,
a
skilled
craftsman
would
measure
an
ox
and
then
fashion
and
sculpt
a
customized
yoke
for
the
animal
from
a
piece
of
wood.
Once
the
yoke
was
completed,
the
ox
would
be
summoned
to
try
on
the
masterpiece.
If
adjustments
were
needed,
the
carpenter
would
work
a
little
more
to
make
sure
it
fit
just
right.
William
Barclay
recounts
a
legend
that
spoke
of
Jesus,
the
carpenter,
making
the
best
ox
yokes
in
all
of
Galilee.
The
story
goes
that
people
from
all
of
Palestine
came
for
His
yokes,
for
they
were
of
the
finest
craftsmanship
and
none
fit
better!
The
tale
even
goes
so
far
as
to
say
that
above
the
door
of
Jesus'
carpentry
shop
in
Nazareth
hung
a
sign
that
said:
"My
Yokes
Fit
Well."
That
is a
legend
and
no
Biblical
or
historical
evidence
bears
it
out.
But
my
heart
gets
the
point.
Jesus
crafts
His
yoke
to
fit
perfectly.
Wearing
His
yoke
is
submitting
to
His
Truth.
Sometimes
we
confuse
the
yoke
of
religion
with
the
yoke
of
Christ.
Only
Christ's
yoke
fits
perfectly.
How
do I
know?
I
wear
that
yoke.
And
it
does
fit
flawlessly--its
constraints
liberate
me;
its
boundaries
give
me
freedom
and
security.
The
yoke
Jesus
offers
each
of
us
is
easy.
Well
fitted.
I
would
walk
millions
of
miles
just
to
have
the
privilege
of
bearing
it.
You
see,
to
be
beneath
the
yoke
of
Christ
is
to
enjoy
a
meek
and
powerful life.
It
is
to
have
my
will
bridled
and
under
control...under
God's
control.
To
be
"under
control,"
which
is
not
to
be
confused
with
"in
control,"
is
the
easiest
and
least
burdensome
way
to
live.
Well,
that's
what's
been
percolating
in me
lately! |
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Spill
the
Beans
|
You
Ask
It,
I'll
Answer
It
This
Spill
the
Beans is
excerpted
from
email
correspondence
between
me and a
concerned
Mom of
an adult
daughter
who
struggles
with
chronic
illness
and
other
debilitating
health
issues.
For many
years,
her
daughter
has been
convinced
she
should
spend
her
energy
trying
to learn
contentment
to live
as a
"sick
person"
rather
than, as
her Mom
encourages,
seeking
ways to
get
well,
manage
her
illness,
take
medicines,
etc.
Question:
Jennifer,
I
understand
that
right
now,
barring
God's
miraculous
healing
there is
no
medical
cure for
your
blindness.
After
reading
your
articles
in
HopeKeepers
and
Today's
Christian
Woman
magazines
my
Daughter
(who is
chronically
ill)
told me
she
believed
you were
a
perfect
example
of
putting
your
life
into
God's
hands to
use
within
your
handicap.
Though
in most
aspects
I agree
with
her, I
asked my
daughter
what she
thought
you
would do
if you
were
given
the
option
to
regain
your
sight
(by
God's
healing
or a
miraculous
new
surgery
or
drug),
if she
thought
you
wouldn't
jump at
the
opportunity?
My
daughter
said she
believed
you
would
choose
to stay
blind so
God
could
continue
to use
you the
way you
were.
So, my
question
is
Jennifer...if
you were
made
aware of
a
miraculous
way to
regain
your
sight,
would
you
choose
sight or
blindness?
Do you
have any
words of
wisdom
for me
or for
my
daughter?
- A
concerned
mother
Answer:
Wow.
What a
situation.
I am
passionate
about my
response
to your
question
and
equally
compassionate
toward
your
daughter.
First,
your
question:
Absolutely,
unequivocally,
undeniably,
without
reservation
I would
choose
medical
intervention
for my
blindness!
To me
that is
good
stewardship.
It is
not a
reflection
of being
discontent
to seek
treatment
or
remedy
for my
blindness;
rather
it is
being
responsible.
Yes, God
is
glorified
as we
live
with
illness
and
handicaps,
but He
is
denied
an
opportunity
to be
glorified
through
our
tenacity,
trust,
perseverance
and risk
if we
refuse
to take
chances
at
becoming
better.
It is
godly to
seek
treatment
for our
illnesses.
I don't
chase
after
every
possible
supplement
or
treatment
for
blindness
in order
to
escape,
but I
stay
abreast
of new
interventions
for
blindness,
even
now.
That
means I
get
disappointed
and
frustrated
from
time to
time.
It is
not
virtuous
to
protect
my
feelings
about
blindness
behind
the veil
of
contentment.
Contentment
cannot
become
an
excuse
to keep
me from
stewarding
my
blindness
in ways
that are
godly.
I stay
active
in
visiting
an eye
doctor
even
though
there is
no known
cure.
The
reason
is not
lack of
contentment;
it's
because
God
trusted
me with
blindness
and I
don't
assume
to know
how He
is best
glorified
in it
except
by good
stewardship.
What if
a
treatment
became
available?
How
would I
know if
I were
decidedly
bound to
my
diagnosis?
If a
transplant
came
available,
I would
be
scared
but I
would go
for it.
I would
do so as
much for
my
family
as I
would
for me.
Truly, I
am
satisfied
with
this
life
I've
been
given.
But what
a gift
to my
parents
whose
hearts
were
broken
by my
blindness...how
beautiful
it would
be for
my kids
to see
me with
sight,
to let
them get
the joy
of
knowing
their
Mom saw
them!
My
stewardship
of
blindness
isn't
just
about
me. It
affects
so many
who love
me that
it would
be
selfish
for me
to shut
the door
on
potential
remedies.
Please
hear my
passion
as a
compassionate
voice--in
some
ways, I
know how
your
daughter
feels.
But I
never
want my
life or
words to
give her
reason
or
excuse
to take
a lesser
path in
this
life.
I would
rather
fail,
cry and
be
frustrated
than
never
try and
never
trust
God with
risks I
take. I
want the
same for
your
daughter.
The
Bible
tells us
that it
is the
combination
of
godliness
and
contentment
that
bring us
great
gain. (1
Timothy
6:6)
My
prayer
is that
she (and
all of
us) will
learn
exactly
what
both
those
words
mean so
she can
have
great
gain in
this
life no
matter
her loss
or
struggle.
And now,
the
beans
are
officially
spilled!
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Prayer
Requests
|
I
need
your
prayers
- if
you
have
time,
will
you
please
consider
praying
for
me?
Here
is
my
prayer
list
for
April:
1.
Please
pray
for
the
GMA
B-roll
filming
and
editing
process
as
it
takes
place
over
these
couple
of
weeks.
Pray
that
the
message
of
hope
is
very
clear.
2.
Please
pray
God
tunes
in
each
viewer
the
morning
the
segment
airs
on
GMA--may
He
speak
hope
to
those
who
need
it.
3.
Thank
you
for
continuing
to
pray
for
our
family.
School
is
winding
up
and
summer
is
upon
us.
I
am
asking
God
for
quality
time
with
Clayton
before
college
and
that
Connor's
heart
is
prepared
and
fortified
for
his
big
brother
leaving.
4.
Lastly,
please
continue
to
pray
as I
write
my
Soul
Talk
LifeWay
Bible
Study.
Time
is
being
squeezed
and
I
long
to
be
focused
and
creative
as I
work.
Thank
you
for
your
faithfulness...I
appreciate
you
all.
-
Jennifer
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And
the
Grande
Goes To
|
The
Winner
of
the
Month
And the
grande
goes to
Kim H.
of
Madill,
OK
(its3ofharts@...)!
Kim has
won a
Fresh
Grounded
Faith
Handbag
(that
comes
with a
free
Walking
By Faith
DVD)!
Congratulations,
Kim!
Please
email
us your
mailing
address.
Why
choose
between
fashion
and
function?
This bag
has
both!
This
Fresh
Grounded
Faith
Handbag
allows
you to
carry
your
entire
world
over
your
shoulder
in
style.
Want to
see
Jennifer's
review
of the
handbag
when she
took one
to
Niagara
Falls?
Click
here!
Each
month we
give
away
something
from the
JenniferRothschild.com
Store.
All you
have to
do is
click on
the link
below to
let us
know you
were
here.
Your
name
will
automatically
be added
to a
random
drawing
to win.
Then
read the
next
month's
email to
see if
your
name was
picked!
|
| |
