So, I paused from munching on some Harry and David’s Dark Chocolate Moose Munch and sipping some Starbuck’s Christmas Blend to hang out with you for a bit. Thanks for pausing to join me for some Christmas java!

I’ve been wrapping gifts—actually, I’ve stuffed them into the crumpled gift bags I saved from last year!

And, girl, I’m loving Christmas songs by Kathy Troccoli and Michael O’Brien while I breathe in the warm cinnamon fragrance of the wassail simmering in the crockpot. Sister, it tastes as good as it smells.

I have made it for years, and it is one of the few things I can’t ruin or burn! So, I’m leaving you the recipe at the end of this blog. It just doesn’t get much better than this!

It’s been such a wonderful year. Well, most of it anyway.

My Hero Dad went to Heaven this past February, and that was so hard. It still is. Yet, the year has been so good because I’ve seen God’s grace in every moment. My mom has been a warrior, standing tall with courage by her side as she encounters all the “firsts.”

I also launched my podcast. The 4:13 Podcast couldn’t have come at a better time! I need the message every day that I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me. I am still learning how to do it, but I am loving all that I am learning.

We also saw dozens of women come to Christ through Fresh Grounded Faith events, and that just makes my heart so full of gratefulness.

So, as we get to the end of this sip of Christmas java, I’m reminded how grateful I am for the simple pleasures of this year and the deep treasures God has granted. And … that includes you!! I’m so thankful for you, my sweet java friend. Thanks for hanging out with me each week. Thanks for laughing, learning, and growing along with me these past 12 months.

May God grant you His peace during this Christmas season and may the start of this coming year be the beginning of a great adventure of growth and peace for you.

Happy Christmas, my friend!

My Wassail Recipe

Ingredients:
2 quarts apple juice (8 cups)
1 pint cranberry juice (2 cups)
3/4 cup sugar
2 sticks cinnamon
1 teaspoon whole allspice
1 orange, studded with whole cloves

Preparation:
Combine all the ingredients in a crock pot and simmer for at least 1 hour. (The longer, the better.)

In the comments, let me know what Christmas songs and artists you are enjoying this season. And, if you have a friend who would enjoy the wassail recipe, tag her in the comments so she can snag it!

1. Go to the Jennifer Rothschild Facebook page.
2. Click FOLLOWING, then SEE FIRST. (see image below)

And, the result? Women were set free! Women were dancing in the aisles worshiping the God who calls them His own! And, what was really, really cool is that God added 13 new sisters to the family — yes, 13 women received Christ and now have new life in Christ! Girl, there is nothing that matters more.

And, what also really filled my heart was that 56 women connected with each other in Bible Studies that will continue after the conference. That way they can grow together in a community of truth.

These women sponsored 38 children through  Compassion International — that’s 38 children that are now rescued from poverty in Jesus Name! Way to go ladies!

So, a big thanks to Crossroads Community Cathedral and Jolene Uccello for opening your doors and your hearts and giving so much to the ladies in Connecticut. And thank you to the co-host churches for being so helpful too! Karen, Michael and I left with hearts full of blessing because of you.

Last thing… there is no way Fresh Grounded Faith could be so powerful for the kingdom without the tireless, consistent, skillful, grace-filled passion and effort of our national conference director, Terri Bitter! That woman does her work for Jesus in the shadows so women all around our nation can see the light of Christ. I am giving a big shout out, thank You Lord to and for Terri! And, she represents so many women who are never seen but the result of their commitment means so; so many people get to see Jesus.

Okay, see why my heart is so full?! We’ll kick back in with Fresh Grounded Faith in the fall on September 9-10, 2016 in Huntsville, Alabama. You can check out the calendar here so you can find out when we’re close to you. I would just love if it you would join me for a cup of Fresh Grounded Faith!
Would you like to attend a Fresh Grounded Faith conference? Or, bring one to your city? Click on the buttons below to find out more information.

Find a Fresh Grounded Faith event near you. Bring Fresh Grounded Faith to your city.

The post A Heart Full From Hartford- FGF Highlights, East Hartford, CT first appeared on Jennifer Rothschild.]]> https://www.jenniferrothschild.com/fgf-east-hartford-ct/feed/ 0 https://www.jenniferrothschild.com/find-the-faith-to-rest/ https://www.jenniferrothschild.com/find-the-faith-to-rest/#comments Thu, 23 Apr 2015 02:00:22 +0000 Jennifer Rothschild http://jromainstg.wpenginepowered.com/?p=11053 I’m almost to the finish line of some big projects I’ve been working on and I’m trying to take little breaks in this marathon to catch my breath and rest. And, that’s not so easy! I know you know exactly what I mean. But, if we don’t chill out, we’ll burn out. Sometimes, rest feels […]

I received it in the mail and it was like Christmas came early this year.

I LOVE the combination of the Starbucks Peppermint Hot Cocoa, frasier fir candle, and the book, Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas. This beautiful gift was from my dear friend, Ann Voskamp. Thank you, Ann!

What I love most about this gift is…

…you may want to send something similar to a friend of yours.

1. Starbucks Peppermint Hot Cocoa
2. Frasier Fir Candle
3. Unwrapping the Greatest Gift: A Family Celebration of Christmas by Ann Voskamp

When he was born, friends told me that even his little baby face looked “so serious.” Clayton is a smart guy. Chances are, whatever the topic of discussion, Clayton knows something about it … something useful, interesting.

The day I held my son child in my arms for the very first times. There aren’t words to describe the moment.

When we traveled on a family cruise this past summer, we didn’t even miss having the use of our phones for the internet because we had Clayton with us. As we said, “Who needs Google when you’ve got Clayton!”

I’ve learned from him. One thing he’s taught me is even though I may know more, I don’t have to share it. Clayton’s opinions are usually very thought-out, but he isn’t quick to begin lectures on the subject. As he’s matured, he shows other-centered restraint when it comes to dispensing his opinion. What a great example that is to me.

When it comes to the really important stuff, he shares his opinions, but, if the subject is a non-essential, he withholds weighing in on every point. I just love that.

When an opinionated person chooses to restrain thoughts, it shows a ton of self-control and thoughtfulness toward others. Now, don’t get me wrong. My son isn’t perfect. His tongue gets loose and his temper gets unleashed from time to time (just like his mom). The point is, the majority of the time he really gives it his best shot.

I want to be like Clayton when I grow up. (I bet my husband wants that for me too! Ha!).

Tips I’ve learned from my son:

1. Just because you think it doesn’t mean you share it.
2. Agree with what you can.
3. Care more about the person than your opinion.

You know, these remind me of a prayer the ancient Psalmist prayed:

“Set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Psalm 141:3,4

Question: How do you want to be like your son or daughter when you grow up?

I have never tried to articulate what I found so unique about Jennifer until preparing to write this foreword. At the time I first saw Jennifer, I simply would have told you that something was wonderfully different about her. Now as I write in retrospect and with the aid of a few more years and a bit more experience, I can identify more clearly what I saw. She was so young, so fresh and beautiful, yet she had a knowing in her eyes that seemed unusual for one her age.

After I heard Jennifer’s testimony, I had an “aha” moment and knew why her maturity exceeded her years. Not only did her eyes reveal a knowing; there was something indefinably chosen about her. From this vantage point I now know that I was seeing Jennifer not so differently from how Jennifer sees most all the time – with eyes of the Spirit. I saw the invisible hand of God upon her. And I’ve never failed to see it since.

Years ago, when I was in my mid-twenties, I attended a training seminar taught by Florence Littauer for prospective Christian speakers and communicators. I have laughed many times about receiving the seminar brochure in the mail because I wasn’t on a mailing list and had little familiarity with Florence at the time. I’m convinced I received the application because I was pitiful and, in view of what God called me to do, He knew I needed emergency speaking assistance. I’m pretty sure He addressed the brochure Himself. I am definitely on His mailing list – even when I’ve tried to move. I learned a principle at the seminar that I still use as a plum line for every message I prepare to speak or write. According to Florence each person must ask herself two critical questions before addressing any group:

“Do I have anything to say?”
“Does anyone need to hear it?”

Beloved, Jennifer Rothschild has something to say. And all of us need to hear it.

Since the first time I saw Jennifer she has become a mother of two, a seasoned communicator, and a singer who can practically sing glory down on your head. Yet she still has that same freshness and graceful beauty that struck such a deep chord in my soul years ago. To my delight, Jennifer and her husband are also tremendous fun. I have an affinity for believers who don’t view godliness and good humor as exclusive terms.

That’s why I knew I was safe to make a spontaneous phone call to her home after seeing a photo spread of her and her family in a Christian magazine last year. The message I left on her voice mail went something like this, “Okay, young lady, I’m not about to leave it to your husband to tell you how you look in that layout. Men don’t tell nearly enough details. Let me just tell you that you are stunning!” I then proceeded to tell her how sassy and cute her hair, makeup, and outfits were. It was strictly a girl moment, but I had a feeling she’d get a kick out of it. Then I read the article. And cried. Somehow Jennifer possesses that rare, God-given combination of lightness and depth. Grace and truth. Just like the One who called her.

Lessons I Learned in the Dark is gripping. I don’t know the person to whom it has nothing to say. Jennifer Rothschild is the real thing. She knows what she’s talking about. She does not have the luxury of telling and retelling a testimony from years past of challenges long since resolved. She lives in present tense, making daily choices to step over a plethora of seen and unseen obstacles. Jennifer is a living breathing testimony still actively being written by the hand of God. I have a feeling this book won’t be the last we hear from her. I am honored to recommend Jennifer Rothschild and her stirring new book to you. May God grant us all the gift of eyes that truly see.

Beth Moore

2. Please continue to pray for me as I complete my manuscript. It’s due February 15, and I’m more behind than usual! Pray that I have time to focus, clarity of mind and as Mother Teresa said, may I be a “pencil in the Hand of God.”

3. Please pray for my fabulous Editor, Larry, as he works hard with me on this book.

4. Most importantly, thank you for continuing to lift up my family. Clayton, Connor, and Phil are the most important aspect of my calling and I never want to neglect them because of the urgency of deadlines and traveling.

How can I be praying for you? Leave a comment here.

What’s on your praise list? Leave a comment here.