2013 Is Here!

Unless you live under a rock and do not have a calendar (in which case, how are you reading this post?) you know that 2012 is over and 2013 is here for the next 365 days. Today is a day when many people are making resolutions and wanting to change, to make these next 365 days better than the last were. That is a lofty, ambitious and good goal. We should all strive to always be improving, wanting things to get better.

2012 was a busy year in our house. On January 5, 2012 our precious daughter (first born child) came into our arms. Labor wasn't as awful as I expected (thanks to the epidural, great thing the epidural), but I know why it is called labor! The months of pregnancy were worth it, and the complications after. Punky Jr. has been a daily joy and an immense blessing.

We live near most of Darby's family, so we spent a lot of time with family. In early April Punky Jr. and I flew out to Wyoming to spend some time with my family, and Great Granny and Punky Jr. got to meet and spend a few days together.

In October I published my book Joyfully After All (buy it on amazon. My author name is Jessie Lee) and I've been busy marketing my book and working on book #2.

December was just 31 days, but it was full of all the ups and downs of life. December started with Darby and I celebrating our 2nd anniversary, and then Punky Jr. and I flew to Wisconsin to see my sis, and my Mom drove out from Wyoming. The first few days were a blast. Punky Jr. was finally able to visit Lambeau Field, we watched (on tv) the Packers win, and spent lots of time together as a family. Then the phone call came. God had called Great Granny home to Heaven.

So, off we went to Wyoming, Darby flew out and joined us. We said good-bye to a special, loved woman. We came home, and Punky Jr. and I were there as Great Granny was buried here in her beloved Blue Ridge Mountains.

Just a few days later it was Christmas! It is hard to deal with all the ups and downs when they happen so close together. You just have to let yourself feel what you are going to feel. Cry when you need to cry, and when you are happy, let yourself laugh. A family member died and that needs to be grieved, but our lives go on, and we have to live them to the fullest.

And that brings me back to 2013 and the beginning of a new calendar year. A year that like all others will be full of valleys and mountaintops. A year that I hope brings our family closer together (and maybe, just maybe God will give us child #2 growing inside me) and brings each of us more in tune with our Lord and better at serving Him, following Him and reflecting Him.

May this year be a year that you learn to leave Joyfully after all life throws your way. May it be a year that you claim victory over the harsh side of life and continue running this marathon called Christian life.

Prayers for you.

-JLP-

What I Want My Daughter to Know

As 2012 quickly becomes 2013 & as Punky Jr's first birthday is upon us (Jan. 5) I want to tell her a few things that I hope she always remembers. Days come, days go, weeks turn into months, and years go by. I hope to get to watch her grow up, get married, have kids of her own (when she is about 30), but if God has other plans I want her to know a few things.

1. You are unique and that is wonderful. God doesn't make copies. God made you special. Be the person that God created you to be. Be proud of who you are.

2. You loved forever and always. Not only do Mommy and Daddy and all your relatives love you, but more importantly GOD loves. God offers you salvation, not because of anything you did, but because you are a unique creation of His. Accept His gift, believe it with all your heart. This is the most important thing you will ever learn.

3. You are beautiful. You may not feel like it, and some days the mirror may seem to say you are not. But, even with bedhead, in pj's & with a runny nose, your are beautiful. Your eyes are gorgeous. Your nose is cute. Your hair has just enough curl. From head to toe, you are beautiful. Don't listen to what the world says, don't compare yourself to a magazine (that is not reality), listen to God whispering to you. He thinks you are beautiful, and so do I!

4. If you work hard, if you apply yourself, if you don't take "no" as the last word, you can achieve your dreams. If you sit on your butt, if you just wish things would change, you won't get past the couch. You have to be willing to put in the effort.

5. Sex can be a LOT of fun. But, if it is outside of marriage it carries a lot consequences. Remember sex creates babies. If you are not ready to be a Mom, don't have sex. Also, there are health risks. Be wise and wait till your wedding day. There are many reasons God designed sex to be only between a man and his wife. Trust Him, and trust your parents. Sex is MORE fun when you do it God's way.

6. Respect all those around you. Say please, thank you, I'm sorry, and excuse me. People will appreciate it and respect you more for your good manners. If you see someone that needs help, help them. Be kind to all those around you, men, women, children and animals.

7. Be neat and organized. It may take some time to get organized and to initially clean a space, but it will save time in the long run, and it is more inviting and more relaxing to be in a clean, organized environment.

8. You are not too good to work hard. Scrubbing, sweeping, laundry, helping others, do it. By doing so, and giving everything your best you are serving the Lord.

9. There are a lot of things in our world that are fun, that are enticing, that you will want to try. Not all these things are good for you. Smoking, getting drunk, doing drugs, these all carry health and other consequences, they are not worth it. Not to mention they are expensive habits.

10. When choosing what to watch, read, or do think wisely. Remember that your actions reflect your heart. Do your actions reflect a heart that loves and wants to please the Lord in all you do?

11. All people are different. Jesus teaches us to love everyone. We may not agree with their lifestyle or religious choices but we still need to love them. Condoning and loving are too different things. If you can learn this, you are a wise woman.

12. Pray, pray and pray some more. It is the best way to use your time. There will be times when you feel like praying is not doing enough, when you are down on your knees and you just feel helpless, but you are praying so you are doing a BIG thing. You are approaching Heaven, talking to God, and there is nothing better than that!

13. Be wise with your money. You may have a lot and if so, be thankful for the blessing. You may have a little and if so, make each penny count. You will always have more than someone. Share. Remember to tithe. Each penny comes from God, if you diligently return to Him a portion He will bless that obedience.

14. Jealousy is a waste of time. You will come across people that have more material blessings than you do, but if you remain faithful to the Lord, act in love, you will be reaping eternal rewards and those far outshine anything on this earth. Remember, just because someone may seem to have enough to be happy- they may not be. Life isn't about stuff (that is a lie that far too many believe), it is about our character.

15. Honesty really is the best policy. It may not always help you win or get ahead, but it is the best. It earns you respect, and it is easier to remember the truth than a bunch of lies. Your lies will eventually come back to haunt you.

16. If you follows this advice, people will want to be your friend. You will be the type of person that people respect, that people want to be around. Be choosy when picking friends. Find people that will be loyal and true. When you do, value them. Solid friendships are very special. As much as your Daddy and I love you, we know that as you get older it will be your friends you turn to for sympathy, fun, encouragement, support. Even so, NEVER forget that we are always here for you, no matter what! We love you with all our hearts and then some.

17. When you are looking for a husband look for a man that believes in Christ. This will guide all His decisions. Also, look for someone that respects all women, for you are one. Find a man that values family time over worldly pursuits, but someone that works hard and is willing to provide and protect. Find someone that you can be totally yourself with, that you enjoy doing things with and doing nothing with. Find someone loyal, loving and cute (you do have to look at him). Remember cute/sexy is in the eye of the beholder, and it is more than just skin and bones.

FINALLY...

18. I am your mommy, I need lots of hugs and mommy/daughter time. Even when you are all grown up, you will always be this precious life that was given to me to nurture and care for. My heart is full of love for you. So call and come over more than you want, because it will not be enough for me! I love you and always will. No matter what!

PS...even when you are in trouble, you are still loved, you just need to learn to do things differently, God's way.

-Mommy-

Traveling w/ Punky Jr.

Punky Jr. and Mommy are getting ready to go on a BIG trip. We are going to fly to the land of the Packers to visit some of my family. I am really looking forward to seeing my sis, brother in law, nephew and mom for a few days, but I am NOT looking forward to getting up at 3:30 in the morning to make it to the airport on time. I am not looking forward to the confined space of the airplane or the changes we have to make at 2 major airports.

Yet, even the parts I am not looking forward to as much are going to be fun because I'll be making memories with my daughter. She will probably never remember this trip, but I know that I will. I will remember the early morning snuggles. I will remember her look when she sees her Mama, cousin and Aunt again. I will remember the activities.

With all that in mind I am probably going over prepared but I believe it is better to be over prepared than under prepared. So, she has lots of food (in case we miss a flight or have some other delays), diapers, books, medicine (she is teething) and clothes in the carry-on. She has lots of cute stuff to wear in the checked luggage and while it will be an early morning and the craziness of travel we will make it a fun day, and by lunch time we will be with family!

10 years ago I couldn't imagine a day like this-- I couldn't really imagine excitedly preparing to travel, to be surrounded by strangers and in charge of someone else, in charge of a vulnerable little baby. I am so thankful that God was patient with me as I struggled with the aftermath of my rape. I am thankful that God never gave up on me. I am thankful that God was and is there for me, each and every day and that I can face the things that scare because I have the courage God gives me. Not only can I face them, but I can embrace them, I can see the joy at the end of the line and that gives me joy throughout the journey!!!

May you begin to feel the love, comfort and courage that God wants to fill you with.

Happy Advent to one and all!!!

-JP-

Christmas Joy?

A young girl grew up surrounded by friends and family. She grew up knowing that she was loved. She had a circle of support, and it was held together not be the design of the circle, but by the designer, by God. God was above the circle, below the circle and in the center of the circle. It was not an idyllic childhood or adolescence but it was a loving environment.

As a young adult she soaked up all the time with her 2 grand mothers. She just loved spending time with them, especially at Christmas. Christmas was always a special time for our heroine. She loved the traditions her family celebrated and she especially loved getting to worship the baby in the manger because He was the King of Kings, and He took such good care of her.

Then, one summer as she was in her mid 20's one of her beloved Grandmothers was taken up into Heaven to be reunited with her husband and more importantly to be at the feet of Jesus. The girl was excited for her grandma, who wouldn't be!?! Grandma was up in Heaven! Grandma's suffering was over, Grandma's loneliness for her husband was over. Yet, death meant that Grandma wasn't here anymore. Nevermore would she be able to call Grandma up and share the good news, or call her up for sympathy and a listening ear. Summer days sitting in the back yard listening to the creek or winter evenings watching Jeopardy together were over.

More importantly Christmas would change. Grandma would get to sing Happy Birthday to Jesus as she knelt  before Him, but her place down here was empty. That first Christmas was rough. It was still Christmas, the lights on the houses and the trees were still beautiful, the presents were still fun to give and Jesus' birthday cake was yummy, but Christmas was not the same.

Nothing is ever the same when someone we love dies. Death changes everything. Death leaves a void, a hole in our hearts that no surgeon will ever be able to fix, no words will ever totally soothe. Death hurts because death is the last thing God wanted for His special creation. Death makes Christmas twice as hard because Christmas is a celebration of birth, of life, of our Savior.

This year, so many of us are struggling to have a joyous Christmas. Joy to the World just seems ironic when the joy in our hearts is hard to find. Yet, God does want us to have joy. God does want us to celebrate because God loves us. God offers us hope through the pain.

God offers us a little baby. A smiling, cooing, kicking, pooping little baby. God offers us Himself. We need to keep the memory of those we love alive. We need to honor them, but we also need to let ourselves find that joy that is tucked away in our hearts behind the pain. We need to let God take the teeny tiny, itsy bitsy little fleck of joy and turn it into something that warms our hearts.

God gave us that little Baby knowing that after the angels sang, the shepherds rejoiced and the wise men worshiped, the people would mock and eventually kill. Yet, God still celebrated that night. God knew what was to come and I bet a part of Him hurt for what Christ would have to experience, yet still God celebrated.

So, even if it is just for a couple minutes in the midst of heartache, fear, worry, stress, pain, let yourself celebrate, let yourself feel the joy of the season.

May we all find it in ourselves to have a merry Christmas season and to partake of the Christmas joy of Christ.

-JP-

GUEST AUTHOR!!! Precarious Yates!!! GUEST AUTHOR!!!

The Heart of the Caveat Whale is a story about an orphan named Shunda, a warrior named Qoshonni and a prince named Mookori. In the first book, The Captives, Shunda meets Mookori and befriends while he looks for other aquavians, those who can live in water and on land. He learns that aquavians, human-like beings that love peace, laughter and growing things, have been corrupted to fight for the MerKing.

In Book 2, Pyromarne, Shunda leaves his friend Mookori to find allies to help them fight the MerKing. But the MerKing has a secret weapon no one anticipates.

These books are filled with poetry and songs around the stories. Here is one of the songs below:

A song from Pyromarne, book 2 of

The Heart of the Caveat Whale

I saw a goat float on a boat on the river one fine spring morn.

I gave a sigh and plied for why a goat should look so forlorn.

He said his date ate late: at eight, and he could not wait around;

He had to eat a treat of wheat he found on her family's ground.

The sire grew dire, his eyes afire, his sweet wheat stolen, and how!

He chased the goat to the boat to float on the river and made him vow:

To address this mess with finesse, no less, and promise to bring some seed

To sow a row he'd never mow with teeth so given to greed.

This goat, smitten and so love bitten, did no less than what he was told,

And expressed remorse, or forced his course, by bringing his love marigold.

Pyromarne is FREE for the Kindle Tuesday 11/13/12 through Thursday 11/15/12

Link: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009H68R44

The Captives is FREE for the Kindle Wednesday 11/14/12 through Thursday 11/15/12

Link: http://www.amazon.com/Captives-Heart-Caveat-Whale-ebook/dp/B008GNOSGU

Author Precarious Yates lives 500 miles from the closest beach but hopes that will change. When she’s not dreaming about tropical paradises, she teaches homeschool, plays tag, cares for her chickens, and works to raise awareness about modern slavery.

To God Be the Glory!

Nov. 6, 2012 millions of Americans went to the polls and re-elected President Obama for a 2nd term in office. A lot of us were dismayed late last night when the truth was revealed. People were ready to move in another direction and hopefully a direction that will lead toward prosperity. Yet, enough Americans thought that continuing the follow the leader and going forward in his direction was the right move for America.

Whether you agree with President Obama, or you are busy preparing for doomsday, God is still on His throne. As a mom I hope that my daughter learns that presidents come and go, but Jesus is King and He rules forever. Jesus knew what was going to happen last night, Jesus knows what is going to happen during this upcoming presidential term.

To God be the glory! God created us to love and serve Him, God gave us the free will to choose anything. Last night we Americans chose President Obama (and a majority of Democrats to fill Senate seats). We can also choose how we will react to this news. We can choose to praise God through this, or we can choose to be depressed and worried. We can choose to give God the glory that He deserves.

Whether you are pro-Obama or pro-Someone Else, let us use the current events to spur us on to spread the love of Jesus. Obama has 4 more years, but Jesus has forever. Obama has limited power, but Jesus' power is limitless. Obama surrounds himself with imperfect (human) advisers and makes human choices, Jesus has perfect knowledge and rules the world accordingly. May we see today (whether we consider it a victory or a concession) as a chance to get out and do the Lord's work and bring Him glory!

Let today be a day where you tell your children, "I used today to serve my King. I used today to share His love with others. I used today to focus on Him and heal what needed healing in my life. I used today to say To GOD BE THE GLORY!"

-JLP- 

God and Fog

This morning I woke up to a very foggy day. The fog was thick that it hid the cornfield right behind our house. I love fog. It is beautiful and mysterious. The familiar becomes the unknown. Time seems to slow down during a foggy day. Fog is one of God's more unique and expressive ideas.

Fog is also like God and like Christianity. We read the Bible, we pray, we go to church and learn about God. We become familiar with Him. Then we have a day or an experience and all of a sudden God seems hidden, just like the cornfield was this morning. We know that God is there that He hasn't moved, yet we can't see or feel Him as easily. Our knowledge tells us God is still there, but our experience says "I can't see him, I'm lost."

It is very easy to get lost and turned around during a thick fog experience. You can walk in circles and not even know it. I know that in my life I've done this a few times with God. I know where He, and I know who He is, but my experiences have me going in circles and getting nowhere.

What is the answer? Today I just had to wait for the fog to "burn off" and slowly the cornfield was revealed. When it comes to Christ I have to do the same thing. I keep reading and praying and slowly the veil of knowledge and feeling is lifted and once more I am headed in the right direction. It is about faith and trust and knowing that even in the fog God is still there and still watching out for me and that if I am patient I will once more see Him.

-JLP-