from the editor
If you are looking for Michelle Jester's author website, click here.
Michelle Jester is a former Crisis Counselor and Public Relations Consultant, in conjunction with working in publishing for twenty-plus years. Apart from her full-time publishing career, she devotes her time to writing.
FALL WINTER 2022
Fall can be a negative word. In a fall, we are usually defeated. We fall when our efforts fail. We fall off the wagon. We fall into depression. We fall out of Grace. When stocks fall, it’s damaging. When something befalls us, it’s usually detrimental…
fall winter 2021
I am putting out this editor’s letter as all of our lives are starting to kick back into full speed. Getting back to the day to day bustle is going to be exciting as well as overwhelming for many. The majority of our models, contributors, photographers, graphic designers, and editors are…
SPRING SUMMER 2021
You’ll notice that this edition of Modern Grace is titled the Spring-Summer special issue, which wasn’t initially the intention. After the spring photoshoot, several of us toiled over whether to put out a spring edition at all, since we were still unsure about when the governor was going to lift the mask mandate. Everywhere we looked…
WINTER 2020
In this issue we are focusing on aspects of life that are timeless: classic black clothing, laughter, music, and reaching a healthier lifestyle. However, most importantly, we are focusing on the timeless principle of loving one another. Not everything in the world is black and white. Not every decision we make is as easy as a yes or a no. Sometimes,…
Fall 2020
Confinement, home delivery, six feet, social distancing, masks, washing hands, and ultimately pulling my hair out… that’s how this year started. Social distancing was, by far, the hardest part for me. I am a hugger. I love people and I love to show it. I don’t often hug random strangers, but it definitely has happened from time to time. I try to watch for social cues, because…
WINTER 2019
In Louisiana, worldwide fashion trends don’t often fit our lifestyle or climate. For many places, hard winters typically predicate clothing norms such as long sleeves, coats, thicker fabrics, etc. However, in Louisiana we are blessed with warmer climates which means we often need to modify global winter trends. I typically wear black—
FALL 2019
We hear the words “building blocks” throughout our lives. One of the first things we learn as a toddler is how to stack blocks. We learn that it takes time and effort, and also a bit of frustration, to get it right. We learned to build on solid surfaces so that our structure had a chance of survival. Every now and then, we would have to knock down the whole pile and start from scratch, because it just didn’t have a sound foundation. Other times, we simply…
SUMMER 2019
Whenever summer comes to mind, I picture laughing with friends and family as we enjoy BBQ’s, weekend trips, and leisurely fun. I don’t think of the sticky heat, annoying bugs, or the mess left over after everyone goes home. Most people I’ve found, like me, try to remember the good, leaving the rest behind. Why would we want to remember heat, bugs, and garbage? Well, most of us don’t. However, I do want to remember why we tolerate heat, bugs and garbage…
SPRING 2019
Spring is a time of encouragement. It’s a time of renewing. Spring carries the principles that in encouraging growth and in everything working together, we can find beauty and fulfill our calling. Growth in the springtime and throughout the summer is a result of several important factors: protection, food, water, light, and development. Keep in mind…
jan-mar 2019
When I posted my end of the year blog I realized much of what I said really reflected the magazine overall, so I decided to include parts of it in my editor’s letter. Not long after my first book release in June of 2017, I started planning a special surprise for my husband. I knew we’d have a lot going on in 2018, however, I also knew we couldn’t wait any longer, this was the year. So I started planning…
oct-dec 2018
In this, the first issue of Modern Grace Magazine, the contributors pulled together some of the best of Louisiana. One comment visitors always seem to have or repeat about our amazing state is that the people here are positive and welcoming. Another is that we know how to enjoy family, food and fun. Louisianians bring a unique and relaxed atmosphere with them to every gathering; whether a crawfish boil or a neighborhood barbeque…