Jump for Joy!

I  grew up in the Deep South in a time when racial discrimination was all around me.  

I was blessed to be raised by two parents who treated everyone equally.  They saw everyone simply as a child of God.  We were all related.

I did not personally experience discrimination until I  lived in Germany in the early 70s.  Some people pointed at me, made obscene gestures and yelled out “stupid American woman.”

I was truly baffled by it.  I had done nothing to them.  They did not know me.  But they judged me by the group with whom I was associated.  They hated me because I was American and I was a  military wife.

A German friend later tried to explain it to me.  She said, “You have to understand.  The Americans killed their grandparents and they grew up learning to hate Americans.”

“But, “ I protested, “The war ended a long time ago.  I had nothing to do with killing anyone.”

She said simply, “They were raised to hate.”

September 11, 2001, was a day that no one would want to repeat.  What happened was horrific.  We are being encouraged to remember and not forget.  

However, we should be very careful about what we choose to remember.

The young nurse I referenced in my last post ended up moving with her family to another location.  Even as American citizens, they had to live in fear.

We should not use September 11th to open old wounds and reactivate fear and hatred.  We should not use it to judge and stereotype people.  We should not use it to raise our children to hate.

We should remember those who lost their lives.  We should pray for their family and friends who carry the scars of grief even over twenty years later.

We should remember those who were enemies that day.  We should also pray for their  families and friends, who grieve.  Jesus told us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us.

We should remember that violence never happens overnight.  Even at this moment, potentially future terrorists are being born into hate.  We should pray that satan never gets a grip on them … that they will experience The Love of God and only reflect that Love back into the world.

We should remember the courage of those who rose to the occasion on September 11, 2001.  They put their own lives at risk to save others.  Some exited this earthly life trying to protect others.

We should remember the way Todd Beamer prepared for battle.  He prayed and reached out through the phone, imploring a total stranger to speak The Word of God with him.  And it could be heard in the background that others were joining them, claiming The Promises of God.

We should remember that those who resemble the enemy in physical appearance, race or creed are not the enemy.  We should never become terrorists ourselves by labeling, stereotyping, or judging.

We should remember that The Light still shines in the darkness and the darkness can never extinguish it. 

We should remember we have been born into this time to be Light bearers.  When you tell others about September 11th, tell them about the courage, faith and love that sprang up from the ashes.

Yes .. remember September 11 … and plant seeds of Hope for the future.

The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it!

John 1:5

We each remember where we were on September 11, 2001.  

Ironically the numbers 911 used to summon emergency help came to life that day.

I was the Nurse Manager of a busy medical surgical unit at the VA Medical Center in Lexington, Kentucky.  I was in my office when a nurse ran in and said, “Come quick.”

I jumped, thinking a patient had crashed.  But she followed with, “Look at the tv in the break room.”  I heard the horrifying news as many others had — by tv.

Hardly had I had enough time to process what was happening when I was called to the phone.  My boss told me to operationalize the disaster plan.

The disaster plan was something we had rehearsed on a regular basis, but staff almost went to sleep during the mandatory reviews.  After all, we never thought we would actually have to use it.

The other chilling reminder we got that day was that the VA was a backup to the military.  

Since it was unclear what had happened or what was about to happen, we were told to prepare for any extra patients that might arrive … either fresh casualties or more stable patients moved from other parts of the country to decompress areas that needed room to treat mass casualties.

There were no cell phones then.  We had to stay off the phones, so all communication channels could remain open.  

Therefore, we were in a lockdown where we could not communicate with our families.  Everyone quietly went about doing their assigned tasks, while periodically checking the tv and awaiting the next updates from my supervisor.

We did not receive casualties or extra patients from the outside, but there was a casualty from the inside.

When I returned to my office, one of the nurses was waiting.  She was a wonderful nurse and a true team player, liked and respected by all.  

But that day, she was crying and shaking all over.  In the midst of carrying out her duties during this crisis, her life was threatened.  Later she would find out her husband and children’s lives had also been threatened.

Why?  Their skin tone, manner of dressing and slight accent revealed their heritage.  They were originally from the Middle East.  

In a matter of hours, they, who had nothing to do with the horrible crimes committed that day, became victims of what became a growing wave of hate.

Jesus understood.  He saw some of the same people He had seen waving on Palm Sunday calling for His Death on Friday.

I will share the rest of the story in my part two post.

Today marks six weeks since Jay got a new knee.  The change from pre-surgery to this milestone has been amazing to watch.  

Jay even asked ortho when he can go sky diving!  I am obviously going to have to hold his reins a little tighter! 😱🙄

In other news, we are coming down the home stretch in getting our third book in the Heaven trilogy ready for publication.

What can you expect in Destination Heaven?

In this, the final book of the trilogy, we look at how we prepare for our return to Heaven. We will pause to consider whether we have done all God sent us here to do.

And we will anticipate the upcoming joys awaiting us in Heaven.  

God has given us some irrefutable facts about Heaven.  We will look at scriptures that tell plainly who can go to Heaven and who cannot.  We will look at exciting previews of what we can expect in Heaven.

You will be invited to consider some ideas that may be different from what you always thought.  Ask God to reveal to you what He wants you to know now.  

You will be invited into imagining Heaven by reflecting on the clues God has given us.

Sometimes God does not give us the whole picture.  He gives us clues to buried treasures.  He gives us appetizers before the coming feast.  

However, whatever we think or imagine will never come up to what God has in store for us.

Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His Power that is at work within us, to Him be Glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever!

Ephesians 3:20-21

Please pray that we can faithfully carry out our book assignment.  And get ready to join us on a true treasure hunt!

On July 16, 2025, I had a cervical laminectomy of all the bones in my neck.

On July 17, 2026, Jay had a total knee replacement.

We are hoping this is not the beginning of an annual bone cutting event!😱

Because of my surgery, we already had made many adjustments in our home.  We were also ready with a walker, which Jay ditched on the second day after surgery.

Jay has done amazingly well.  He had his three week post op visit today.  He is walking on even and uneven surfaces and up and down inclines.  He is doing his exercises under the direction of his trainer (me!😍), who he sometimes calls a drill sargent.  

And we are working on the third book in the Heaven  trilogy.  If you missed the first and second books, they are available through Amazon.

And the free audio books are on my blog site.  Select the book title at the top of the home page and enjoy.  

Thank you so much for your prayers and encouraging words, as we continue on this interesting journey called Life.

Jesus went to a wedding with His Mother.  The host was almost out of wine.  Mary did not tell her Son how to solve the problem.  She simply told Him what the situation was.

When the wine ran out, The Mother of Jesus said to Him, “They have no wine.”

John 2:3

At first, it appeared Jesus was resisting doing anything.  He said His Time had not yet come.

However, Mary knew the destiny of her Son.  And she knew it was time.

Mary knew many things about her Son.

Besides what she had seen with her own eyes, she had come to know Isaiah’s prophecy had been about her and Jesus.

Isaiah had said,

“For to us a child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His Shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”

Isaiah 9:6

The angel had told Mary her Son was destined to be great.

He said,

“He will be great and will be called The Son of The Most High. The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David, and He will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; His Kingdom will never end.”

Luke 1:32-33

But Mary also remembered what Simeon had said.

Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, His Mother: “This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your own soul too.”

Luke 2:34-35

Did Mary pause before relinquishing herself and her Son into the future to which God was calling them?  Did she wonder how much pain either of them could bear to carry out God’s Will?

Once again, Mary did not tell Jesus what to do or when to do it.  She turned her gaze to the servants.

And she said, “Do whatever He tells you.”

John 3:5

Jesus knew it was time.  The servants did what Jesus told them to do.  Water was changed, not just into wine, but into fine wine!

Now Mother Mary is speaking to us.  When we do what Jesus tells us, miracles are likely to happen.  Get ready to be amazed!

Do whatever He tells you.

John 3:5

Now to Him Who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His Power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever!

Ephesians 3:20-21

Thank you for the prayers and many expressions of encouragement  with our recent “remodeling project.”  

I am happy to report Jay has a brand new knee.  So far he has not needed pain meds.  Much to my amazement, he was walking independently the day after surgery … and looking much better than he was before surgery!

We were blessed with an excellent doctor and good nurses.  We also have a friend who is our long time physical therapist.  He began home PT with Jay the day after surgery.

A special thank you goes to our daughter, Jennifer, who provided too many services to list, the most important one being present, patient and understanding of the quirks of her parents.

Thanks also to our son in law and grandson, who also helped us get settled at home.

I’m sure Jay would also like to thank our daughter and son in law for bringing him his favorite Texas Roadhouse meal twice over the weekend!

Now we are trying to reclaim some of the best parts of our pre-surgical life … like working on book three of The Heaven Trilogy.  Remember books one and two are available through Amazon.  And the audio versions are free on my blog site.

carolynpriesterjones.org

We had our dream house built in 1994.  It was perfect for who we were then.  But after many years, some parts of our dream house wore out.  They had to be repaired or replaced.

And some things, we just outgrew.  We changed and we wanted our living environment to reflect that change.  We dreamed new dreams and did fun remodeling projects.

The same is true of the body in which we live.  It suited us well in our younger days.  But as time went on, some parts wore out and needed to be repaired or replaced.

And sometimes, we decided to do something different with our bodies.  Lose weight.  Get a new hair style.  Dress differently.

The bodies we have now are quite different to the ones we once had.  We have made adjustments to fit our current living.

We have found the joy in life has come when we embrace the changes.  Sometimes we get to choose the change.  Sometimes it is chosen for us.  But always, God is in charge of the finished product.  

We have learned God can bring beautiful, wonderful things out of what we may have thought was not so good.

So we are anticipating good things ahead as we enter our new remodeling project this coming week.  Jay is having his knee remodeled with a brand new one!

Prayers please for everything to go smoothly with his surgery and rehab … and that I can keep up with him afterwards!

See I am doing a new thing.  Now it springs forth!

Isaiah 43:19

The celebrations of July 4th often elicit feelings of pride that emphasize what people have accomplished.  People get misty eyed as they sing, “proud to be an American.”  They ask that “God bless America.”  

God has blessed America, in spite of many missteps or actions that have not represented Him well.  

I am thankful to be an American.  

I am thankful to live in a beautiful country where I enjoy the many freedoms we have.  

But even as I give thanks, I remember those around the world who do not have those freedoms.  I remember those both inside and outside our borders, who are not free.  

I enjoy being wowed by fireworks celebrations.  

But even as I celebrate, I remember there are others around the world, who are hearing similar sounds and are being filled with terror, as they hear the heralds of what will kill and destroy.

I resist pledging allegiance to the flag, an inanimate object, even when it represents the republic.  But I am not a public rebel.  

So I participate in the pledge and I pray that we will truly become one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.

I remember those in our country who were not freed by the Declaration of Independence nor the pledge of allegiance.  Their freedoms came much later after hard battles at great cost.

When I stand and place my hand over my heart, I do so remembering that He Who created my heart also created the hearts of those who some would call our enemies.  

I remember Jesus’ command to pray for our enemies and do good to those who despitefully use us. 

I pledge allegiance to Jesus and resolve to continue working to fulfill His Mission that we all be one, as we were created to be.

I am constantly awed at the diverse beauty of this country.  I could easily vote to have “America The Beautiful” as our theme song.

Katherine Bates was a teacher at a Colorado college during the summer of 1893. 

Later she remembered:

“One day some of the other teachers and I decided to go on a trip to 14,000-foot Pikes Peak. We hired a prairie wagon. 

Near the top we had to leave the wagon and go the rest of the way on mules. I was very tired. But when I saw the view, I felt great joy. All the wonder of America seemed displayed there, with the sea-like expanse.”

She hastily wrote in her notebook the words that would become the lyrics of a a song of praise to God, Who created the beauty of America.  It was also her prayer.

Her prayer is now mine too.

“America! America!
God mend thine ev’ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law…

“America! America!
God shed his grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea.”

It was discovered before I entered first grade that I was very near sighted.  The addition of glasses opened a door into an unlimited world of reading.

I was a frequent flyer at the town library.  I saved my allowance money to buy books and magazines.  I lived far beyond the confines of a small town.  

My escape into books put me beyond the confines of even myself.  I could go anywhere and be anyone through my books.

My parents were creative and imaginative.  They encouraged it in me.  My father was endlessly curious about the world around him.  My mother would read wonderful stories aloud to me.  

She did all the sound effects and different voices.  But she added one important twist.  She stopped before the story was complete.  When I would try to encourage her to finish it, she would smile and say, “You finish it.  How do you think this story should end?”

She would applaud, as I came up with all the endings my childhood fantasy brain could concoct.  She said, “Don’t let the world finish your story.  You tell it!”

And so the day came when I began, not only finishing stories, but writing them from start to finish.  The seeds of imagination  started through reading what others imagined.  

Those seeds were watered by creative parents.  And my fledgling private stories ultimately grew into other expressive writings.

From play writing to nursing journal articles to book publications, it has been an amazing ride.   But our expansion into audio books has been the most fun.

I discovered audio books some years ago.  I especially enjoyed when the book was read by the author.  It was exciting to hear the words as they had first came from their source.  Subtle inflections can change the whole picture!

As we got into book publishing, we discovered many people were not readers, but they enjoyed listening.  So it was an easy expansion to record our books.  

It also warmed my heart to know I was able to share with people who could not read.  And I have delighted to be able to present what I wrote in the way I would say it!

We are wrapping up recording our recent book, Heaven On Earth, Your Mission.  We invite you to check it out.

Go to my blog site.  Select the book title at the top of the home page.  Enjoy!  And of course, I welcome your comments.  You are a part of the ongoing story!😘

In September, 1925, Pearl, a young Georgia born teacher, headed for her first teaching position in a small town in South Carolina.  She was just 18 years old.

She stayed at a local boarding house.  The meals were served family style in the dining  room.  She met the other boarders at supper the first night.  

Among them was a young postal worker named Horace.  He had grown up on a farm out in the country, but had relocated to town after he started working for the post office.

In those first months, they dated other people.  But as winter turned into spring, Horace could not stop thinking about Pearl.  

He wasn’t sure she would be interested in him.  She always seemed busy.  If she wasn’t going somewhere, she was absorbed in grading papers.  And so many people were at the boarding house, having a private conversation was impossible.

So Horace went to the post office and called the boarding house and asked for Pearl.  He asked her if she would go for a Sunday afternoon ride with him in his Ford Roadster.  She agreed, if he would help her grade papers when they got back.  He agreed.

They went for a ride.  He helped her grade papers.  And the rest, as they say, is history.

As spring came to a close, Horace found a  private corner in that boarding house and asked Pearl to marry him.  She said yes, but to be proper, they knew they needed her father’s blessing.

So they took the train to her Georgia home and Horace asked if he could have the eldest daughter of the family’s hand in marriage.  Pearl’s father said he thought they were a little young, but he gave his blessing.

And speaking of “proper,” my father enjoyed telling everyone they had “lived together for nine months” and then decided to get married.  In 1926 and all the years that followed, this sounded very improper to my mother, and she always hastened to tell the full story, while my father laughed.

On June 27, 1926, Pearl and Horace were married in the parlor of her Georgia home by the family minister.  It was a simple wedding, but one whose union would prove to be just the beginning of a love story that would last 71 earth years and unlimited years in Glory.

In the century that has passed, Pearl and Horace’s family has expanded further than they could have ever imagined.  

They were married for ten years before their first child was born.  Then another eleven years passed before their second child was born.  Twelve years later their first grandchild was born.

The grand tally now is two children, four grandchildren, ten great grandchildren, four great, great grandchildren with another one due in July.

Additionally there were daughters in laws, sons in laws and step children.  Pearl and Horace never saw “in laws” or “steps.”  If you were brought into the family, you were family and that was that.

While Pearl and Horace stayed close to their roots their whole life, those who came after them lived diverse lives that reflected a worldwide influence.  Three family members actually grew up in other countries.

I share this today as once again I am amazed at what effect one or two choices can have on a world now and in the world to come.  That should give us all pause about the decisions we make.

Today I am happy to be remembering my parents, Pearl and Horace Priester who made a wonderful choice 100 years ago today.  Happy Anniversary, Mother and Daddy! 💖💞💖