Java with Jennifer Journal

July 2011 Taste This!

 What I Am In To Lately

July was the month of our family vacation!  We spent several days at Melbourne Beach, Florida.  Our hotel balcony overlooked the ocean and the magnificent clamor of crashing waves serenaded us morning 'til night.   We chose Melbourne Beach because that was the location of Phil's 30th High School Reunion.  (He proudly wore his Senior Picture name tag every day!)  I didn't look much more sophisticated though, wearing my "lamp shade."  (That's what my peeps called my beach hat!)
We got to have dinner with Phil's oldest brother, Steve, at the Chart House in Melbourne Harbor.  Then we capped off our Florida trip with 21 hours in Dade City with my folks and brother.  

I took my favorite new tea bags with me to Florida-- Good Earth Original Sweet and Spicy Tea .  Have you tried it yet?  It's a full-bodied blend of black tea and herbs. It has zesty California oranges, cinnamon and ginger.   It's naturally sweet, with no added sugar!   On hot summer days, it's amazing over ice.  You should give it a taste test.  

And, while you're shopping for tea, try my latest chocolate addiction!  It's called A Touch of Sea Salt dark chocolate bar by Lindt . The smooth dark chocolate is perked up by Fleur de Sel-a high quality French sea salt.  Amazing!

Well, since I told you I am at the C.S. Lewis Institute in England right now, you can imagine that my reading choices of late have been by none other than my favorite dead author!  Actually, not all have been by him, some are simply about him!  The one I have enjoyed most is by David C. Downing .  Into the Region of Awe explores how ancient Christian mystics influenced the thinking and writing of C.S. Lewis.  The author introduces the reader to such mystics as Augustine, Julian of Norwich, Blaise Pascal and G. K. Chesterton.

As a somewhat obsessive fan of C. S. Lewis, I was intrigued by the deeper insights Downing shared about Lewis's writing. As I read, I realized how inspired I was by the devotion of those who went before me.  Learning how they lived and how they loved God challenged me. What a great book that was able to inspire me and draw me closer to God, while at the same time teach me so much and give me a million more reasons to love C.S. Lewis!

So, drink the tea, eat the chocolate and read the book!  Or, just go to the beach and listen to the waves.... It's all good!


So, give these things a taste test:

1.   Melbourne Beach, Florida
2.  Good Earth Tea
3.  A Touch of Sea Salt Lindt Dark Chocolate
4.  Into the Region of Awe by David C. Downing

July 2011 Fresh Grounded Thoughts

What God Has Been Teaching Me Lately 

Your Rear Guard      

Life really is a journey, isn't it?

 

There are stretches when we march on fearlessly-times we feel indefatigable.  And there are slices of wilderness we wander through that simply wear us out and make us feel like we won't make it.  

 

We often can't see the final destination; we simply march on out of trust.  Because the journey is daily and long, there are many times we can become fatigued.  

 

When the Israelites journeyed through the wilderness for so many years, there were those who wore out.  There were people who couldn't always quite keep up.  It was because they were tired, weak, infirmed or maybe even lazy.  Because they lagged at the rear, they were exceptionally vulnerable to the enemy attack.   

 

For that reason, the tribe of Dan (Numbers 10:25) was tasked with pulling up the rear.  In other words, they were the "rear guard."   They were there to protect the tired stragglers from being such an easy target for the enemy.  

 

We're no different from those Israelites.  We journey.  We get tired.  We can find ourselves straggling and barely making it. Sometimes it's because we're just overwhelmed; sometimes it's fatigue or sickness that drags us down.  Sometimes, we even get there on our own-our inattentiveness or laziness can put us in prime position to become easy prey.

 

Just like the Israelites needed the tribe of Dan to protect the rear while they journeyed, we, too, need protection as we journey through the stretches and slices of our lives.  That is what God does for us.  He becomes our rear guard.  Isaiah 52:12 says," ...For the LORD will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard."

 

Just think of it--God Himself is your rear guard.  He protects you from a frontal attack because He shields you, and He covers your back because He is your rear guard.  What a beautiful picture!  

 

If you find yourself in one of those long stretches on your journey where you're struggling or straggling, look behind you.  You will see that you're not alone, but rather, protected and preserved by God Himself.  

 

And, God not only offers protection, but He also gives a promise..."Then your light will break out like the dawn, and your recovery will speedily spring forth; and your righteousness will go before you; the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. (Isaiah 58:8)  I love that!

 

 

Well, that's what's been percolating in me lately.  

 

 

July 2011 Spill the Beans

You Ask It, I'll Answer It  

Question:
 

Jennifer,
My wife has lost her vision after 47 years due to complications with a brain abscess. I feel she is starting to lose hope and the tears seem to come on a daily basis. I know you are not a psychologist, but having gone through this
tragic event, do you have words that I can say to comfort her during these rough times? It tears me apart to see her go through this, and I am pursuing options and consultations to see if there is anything we can due to restore some vision, but am realizing we may have what we have. I have a great network of family and friends whose support has been amazing, but at the end of the day, I need words of comfort and encouragement that I seem lost on. Any advice would be appreciated.

  

Answer:

I am so sorry your wife is struggling so.  She is blessed to have a husband so compassionate.  You're right brother, a psychologist I am not, but I do have a few thoughts.  I know the words of encouragement I need most from my husband are of this sort: "I will never walk away; we will get through this together.  This issue, and anything you deal with, will never be too much for me.  I won't get tired of dealing with this with you.  You don't wear me out with this struggle.  I am on your team.  You are still beautiful.  You are strong, and I admire you."  Of course, she needs the encouragement that she can do this and God is with her, but there's something about the reassuring voice of a husband speaking to a wife's secret fears that really helps give courage.  

My only other thought as I read your email was to make sure she has the medical support she needs during these changes.  The vision loss she is dealing with is enough to cause some serious depression, but I can't imagine the impact a brain abscess has had on her chemical balance. Perhaps a candid conversation with her doctor about this could lend some physical/chemical support her body needs.  

All I know is God's grace shows up when we need it most, and that is my prayer for both of you.  Bless you, brother, and give your wife a huge "thumbs-up, you can do it" from me!

Jennifer
 
And now the beans are officially spilled.

  

  

 

June 2011 Taste This!

 

 What I Am In To Lately

There's no place like New York!  We spent a glorious three days there this month with my brother and sis-in-law, David and Carrie.  I could give you every detail but you'd be so overwhelmed you may never want to read Java again!  So, I'll just give you a taste of what we did. 

Saturday morning began in Greenwich Village where we encountered a grand piano in the middle of a park!  Chopin was being played brilliantly on it by a tattoo-laden NYU student wearing ratty jeans and sitting on a paint can!  It was artsy and exquisite!  We then ate our way through the Union Center Market where we bought green tea, baguettes and Bing cherries!  We continued to meander down Fifth Avenue and popped into St. Patrick's Cathedral.  By late afternoon, we enjoyed High Tea at The Plaza Hotel.  Following tea and the most delicate macaroons, Phil and I toured Central Park in a pedicab.  The driver finished our tour by stopping at an ATM (because we ran out of cash!) and then dropped us off at the Gershwin Theatre on Broadway where we saw Wicked.  

At this point, I would normally be donning my pj's, but not in New York!  I don't think they sleep there!  Rather than snoozing, at 10:30 we went to dinner at Becco on Restaurant Row!   Are you tired yet?!

Sunday began with sobering and inspiring visits to Ground Zero, St. Paul's Chapel and Trinity Church.  We then caught a ferry at Battery Park that transported us to Liberty Island where we climbed over 300 steps up into Lady Liberty's crown! 

After catching our breath (literally), we enjoyed the Statue of Liberty Museum and lunch on the island.  We even got to witness a marriage proposal-and she said yes!  We then ferried to Ellis Island where we toured the facility that was privileged to welcome over ten million immigrants who are now our fellow Americans.  Sip your coffee, we're not done yet! 

Dinner on Sunday evening was enjoyed at an intimate little table nestled near a beautiful arrangement of 200 of the most fragrant lilies at Mr. Chow's.  We then walked to the Empire State Building where we rode the elevator up 1250 feet to the top!  Manhattan lights, a cool breeze and my boyfriend...a perfect place for a kiss to finish the day.  Phil and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary all this year and this New York trip is just another installment of the celebration!  Spectacular food, wonderful company, another perfect day.  In the words of Glinda from Wicked, "I couldn't be happier!"

We finished our weekend Monday with a walk across the Brooklyn Bridge.  I was especially looking forward to this trek after reading and loving The Great Bridge by David McCullough.  Our stroll was picturesque and breezy, and when we crossed the bridge, we headed straight to Grimaldi's Pizza.  We ate our lunch sitting on a bench overlooking the East River.  We then boarded a water taxi and headed back to the W Hotel to grab our luggage and drive to the airport.  Whew!  Wasn't that fun?! 

In Taste This, I usually give you several things to try, but in this one, I just gave you a big gulp of the Big Apple!  If you never have, I hope you get to visit it someday.  Helen Keller once said about New York, "Cut off as I am, it is inevitable that I should sometimes feel like a shadow walking in a shadowy world.  When this happens, I ask to be taken to New York City. Always, I return home weary, but I have the comforting certainty that mankind is real and I, myself, am not a dream." I know how she feels.  New York City is very special. 

So, give these things a taste test:

1.  Becco
2.  Mr. Chow
3.  Grimaldi's Pizza
4.  The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island
5. A kiss atop the Empire State Building
6.  Walk across the Brooklyn Bridge
7.  Wicked
8.  High Tea at The Plaza

June 2011 Fresh Grounded Thoughts

What God Has Been Teaching Me Lately 

How Do You See the World?    

 

Emerson once said, "People only see what they are prepared to see."  So, how do you see the world?  I see it far more vividly since I got my new iPhone and an app that makes me smile each time I use it.  I know, I know...it's quite a jump to go from Ralph Waldo Emerson to an iPhone app, but stick with me!  The app is called "Color Identifier."  It uses the camera in the iPhone to capture my surroundings and then it announces the colors it sees.  But, unlike the color detector I use to identify my clothing, it has a vast and descriptive vocabulary it uses to communicate.  My color detector simply announces "black" or "blue" or "light yellow" or "olive green" when I press it against fabric.  That is so helpful when it comes to knowing the colors of my clothing, but it serves merely as a reporter.  The Color Identifier, on the other hand, interprets what it sees like a bohemian artist or imaginative poet would!  It uses names for colors like those creative people at Crayola do!  For example, the sky isn't simply "blue," it's "Baltic Sea" on a bright day or "gun smoke" on a cloudy one.  According to the Color Identifier, my front yard is blanketed with tones of asparagus, avocado and Rangoon green!  Can't you just see that?!  My office is an inviting palate of amber, spice, mustard, bamboo, oregano, potter's clay, sepia, nutmeg and Creole!  Isn't that far more interesting and inspiring than shades of "brown?" 

 

Some of us put little thought into what we see.  We settle for "blue" when we've got Wedgewood, cobalt, Danube, cornflower or sapphire surrounding us and just waiting to splash out!  Life can be ordinary or it can be interesting.  We can perceive the world as normal, or it can be far better than normal in the most quirky and attractive sort of way.  It can be "ho hum" or it can be "vavoom!"  We can be flat line in our approach to life or we can be a cardiogram on steroids!  The world around us is far more colorful than we often perceive.  In fact, I believe there's a colorful person in all of us and she can be stifled by a lack of creativity, effort or an unwillingness to really see.  So, try a little harder to see a little more clearly next time you look out your window or into your mirror.  Choose to experience a little more deeply and feel a little more tingly! 

 

Life is beautiful, see it as it truly is.  At least life can be beautiful--it just depends on what you are willing to see when you look. 

 

Blessed are they who see beautiful things in humble places where other people see nothing.

Well, that's what's been percolating in me lately.  

 

                                   Share your opinions on my blog here! 

June 2011 Spill the Beans

 

You Ask It, I'll Answer It  

Question:

I have a question for you. I need some help in ministering to a friend of mine who just found out she has cancer.  She has four children and she is the bread winner for her family, even though she is married.  She told me yesterday she feels like everything is out of her control and she is losing EVERYTHING!  She only has six months to live without treatment or two years at the most with treatment.  How can I minister to her and what can I do or say?  Can you help me?

 

Answer:

I am so sorry.  I've prayed God will give you wisdom as to how to minister to her.  All I know is most people need someone to be a safe listener more than they need someone to be a smart adviser.  Don't feel pressure to have answers or advice.  Just be available to her.  Be the safe place she can cry and vent.  Be the practical support who sees needs before she has a chance to notice them.  Scripture that helps me keep my perspective is 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.  Perhaps meditating upon that will strengthen you as you minster to her, and if God leads you to share it with her, I pray it will minister peace and hope to her. 

God is our provider.  He will provide you wisdom; He will provide her grace either in healing or in the midst of disease. He will provide for her family. You rest in Him and He will lead you.  Peace to you, sister.  Our Java friends will pray for you and your friend.
 
And now the beans are officially spilled.