Every person has a story

The longer I am on earth, the more convinced I am that every person has an incredible story to tell. Just today, I saw my friend's 3-ft scar (not kidding) where a football-size malignant tumor was removed a few days ago. My other friend was sick her entire 2007 pregnancy and had to quit work; now that the baby is one-month old, she and her husband are facing foreclosure on their CA home, because they haven't been able to sell it in this bad market. Another friend did the eulogy at her beloved grandmother's funeral a few days ago, and another watched her dad be hospitalized unexpectantly two weeks ago. One friend just revealed that she is $100k in debt by a sudden turn of the marketplace. Another is bitter and broken over a horrid argument that went downhill fast with relatives. And, most know that our dear author friend, Ken Blanchard, lost his home in our recent fires.

So...with this rendition of sorrowful situations am I trying to say that my 2008 New Year's message to you is that LIFE IS HARD? No! You are already well aware of that fact. You could curl my hair with your own stories and those of your friends, I'm sure!

My message to myself and to each one of us is to take good care of those who need encouragement and/or a helping hand in 2008. My message is BE KIND to one another. And, to do that, we must strive daily to be holy -- because Christ is holy and he calls us to be like him. My message is to remind people that God holds our story (his-story; history) in HIS HANDS!

I would love for you to BLOG a response to me of 3-4 sentences that is a PRAYER OF ENCOURAGEMENT to anyone who may be reading or for anyone with whom God plans to have you cross paths this month. What would you (hypothetically and literally) say to someone who doesn't understand that God cares deeply about his/her story? Does a favorite Scripture come to mind? (Hands down, mine has got to be Matthew 14:27 - "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid.")

May God blessings be evident to you and all whose lives you touch this New Year, dear BLOGGER-FRIENDS!
Katieb

What is something unique that you have been grateful for in 2007?!

Hi there,

As we are in the month of celebrating our American Thanksgiving and 2007 comes to a screeching halt very soon, I would be blessed to hear from you about what unique thing you are grateful for today. Many could say that they are grateful for a personal relationship with Christ, good health, family, grandchildren, a good job, a reliable car, a roof over our head, friends, etc in the general category, but I'm hoping to hear something more unique and specific to your life!

My gratitude is huge this year for the growing part-time staff/consultants we have brought aboard in 2007: CEO/CMO Bill, President of our Men's Division Jeff, Executive Director Linda, Assistant Webmaster Jeremy, Trademark Attorney Mike, 501(c)3 Attorney Tim, Brand Consultant Ty, Web Designer Pat, Newsletter Editor Kathy, and Personal Assistant Julie! Combining this with our Webmaster Andy, Graphic Designer Mary, and Accountant Mike -- who joined us in 2005, I am one happy camper -- and oh, so grateful to God for each of these bright, creative, dedicated Christian workers!

I'm also very grateful that the fire season is nearly over!

What about you? I'd love to hear from you.
Katieb

Dangerous Surrender

Hi All,

I'm writing to brag about my girlfriend, Kay Warren. She has a brand new book out called Dangerous Surrender -- which is a must-read for anyone serious about following God's plan for their lives. I urge you to get it for yourself and others as a Christmas gift!

If you visit her website, www.kaywarren.com, and BLOG with her...let her know I sent you! She's excited about the impact this book can have for Christ!

Hugs -- as I head out on the road for 5 weeks to speak. Today, I head to El Salvador -- so your prayers are most welcome.
katieb

Home from Kauai and needing prayer

Hi Fellow Bloggers,

I just want to check in with you to tell you that teaching Levels 3-4-5 in Kauai was a humbling treat of a lifetime. Nearly 80 coed students from around the world gathered to become better Life Purpose Facilitators for Christ. I was privileged to be surrounded by these holy people for 11 days in a paradise-type environment. (We hope to have a photo posted soon, and our newsletter is nearly ready for October!)

Here's where the prayer comes in. Prior to, during, and since returning from the Conference, our people have been hit with fire darts that come from living in a fallen world. Here is a small sampling of what the attendees faced before, during, or after: computer server nightmares galore, complete computer crash/fried, best friend committed suicide, husband had an affair, canceled flights with overnight delays, lost luggage, upcoming hysterectomy, mother got cancer, lost job x 3 people, ill child, congestive heart failure, exhaustion of leadership/teaching team, MRI showing degenerative back disease, foot surgery twice, etc.

Likewise, one of our women found $1900 in an old dress pocket and another one was given $50,000!

So...life keeps plowing forward -- with the good and the bad. Keep us in your prayers and let me know how I can pray for you too. Yes, I'm even willing to pray for a windfall for you to use for God's glory!

Hugs,
Katieb

Any summer birthdays out there?!

We just celebrated Brazelton Weekend for Grandpa B (82), my son Andy (turning 28), and my sister-in-law, now 37 -- and I've known her since she was 5! We had all the festivities and finest dining on pizza. And, it would not have been complete without at least one screaming 3-yr-old who didn't want to cooperate with the professional photographer for 2 hours of family photos! Ah, yes, family get-togethers. I think I'm still hearing the screams 3 days later!

Carter, my grandson, hit the BIG ONE this summer -- back in late June. There must have been 100 people gathered in a local park for his birthday bash and baby dedication. Once again, there was pizza...but this time -- the boxes filled an entire picnic table. My job was to "secure the tables at 6am" -- so we would be assured of shade at noon. So, I sipped on Starbucks and had a fantastic Quiet Time out in the fresh summer air -- while I gave an evil eye to anybody who ventured too close to my staked-out and claimed TABLE TERRITORY.

And...I had a blast for my 57th birthday in June. I have absolutely no memory of what we did to celebrate (comes with the aging process, ladies!) -- but the kids say we enjoyed a lovely meal and a movie. I should ask them if I enjoyed the movie, ya?

What about you? Any bday fun going on this summer -- for the young or old in your life? For yourself? For the good, the bad, and the ugly?

Hugs,
Katie

How is summer treating you?

Are you having fun yet? Tell me what you are up to - so I can live vicariously through your grand adventures! My daughter and I did get away for a few days to Palm Springs -- and even got to spend one of those days with my son, daughter-in-law, and grandbaby in the pool. Man, that was fun. And...I've got to go watch my son compete in a few mini-triathlons and a marathon, helping Julie with the baby. Those are forever-memories. TELL ME ABOUT ONE OF YOUR FOREVER-MEMORIES. I hope life is good for you this summer 2007.
Cyberspace hugs,
Katieb

I appreciate your prayers!

Thank you for your prayers as I enter a tough season this summer of vision-casting for the ministry, which will result in the finalization of our new curriculum development. And...please let me know how I can pray for you.
Hugs,
katieb

New Book will be released by Zondervan on Dec 7, 2007!!!

Character Makeover: 40 Days with a Life Coach to Create the Best You

BY: Katie Brazelton and Shelley Leith

CHARACTER MAKEOVER

[Brief summary]

Embark on a 40-day journey with a personal life coach to develop Christlike character. A continuation of Katie Brazelton’s bestselling Pathway to Purpose for Women, this book was created for women of all ages who want a character-rejuvenating experience that will inspire them to live out God’s unique purpose for their life.

[Descriptive/catalog copy]

Bestselling author and life coach Katie Brazelton takes readers on a deeply personal, 40-day journey of developing their character. Through her earlier books, some of which have been translated into as many as ten languages, Katie has helped countless women around the world find their specific life mission. Yet, she discovered that many women experience a gap between understanding their purpose and carrying it out. They sabotage God’s best for their lives by succumbing to well-worn patterns of defeat, woundedness, insecurity, unworthiness, or self-centeredness.

To address this gap, Katie teamed up with co-author, Shelley Leith, who spearheaded the writing of the 40 Days of Purpose Campaign for Saddleback Church, in order to focus on eight character traits essential to living a purpose-filled life: humility, confidence, courage, self-control, patience, contentment, generosity, and perseverance.

Character Makeover offers eye-opening stories from eight of Brazelton’s Life Purpose Coach® students—women who “fess up” about how they have messed up in the area of character and how it slowed down the completion of their God-ordained destiny. This interactive, practical, and spirited exploration also offers daily prayers and journaling questions which will inspire and encourage women to take incremental steps toward the critical character traits that equip them to leave an impacting legacy and become the women God created them to be.

Like Katie’s other popular books, Pathway to Purpose, Praying for Purpose, and Conversations on Purpose, this book can be used in a small group setting, in a women’s ministry at a church, as well as a one-on-one study.

Character Makeover: 40 Days with a Life Coach to Create the Best You

BY: Katie Brazelton and Shelley Leith

[Back ad]

Get the kind of makeover that will transform your life!

Have you ever wanted a hairstyle makeover or a house makeover? Go beyond the externals and get the kind of do-over that will transform your entire life – get a character makeover.

Bestselling author and life coach Katie Brazelton takes you on a deeply personal, 40-day journey of developing your character. Through her earlier books, Katie has helped countless women around the world find their specific life mission. Yet, she discovered that many women experience a gap between understanding their purpose and carrying it out. They sabotage God’s best for their lives by succumbing to well-worn patterns of defeat, woundedness, insecurity, unworthiness, or self-centeredness.

To address this gap, Katie has teamed up with co-author, Shelley Leith, who spearheaded the writing of the 40 Days of Purpose Campaign for Saddleback Church, in order to focus on eight character traits essential to living a purpose-filled life: humility, confidence, courage, self-control, patience, contentment, generosity, and perseverance.

Using inspiring stories of everyday women who “fess up” about how they have messed up in the area of character, insightful coaching questions, interactive journaling, powerful prayers, and practical action steps, your life coach Katie Brazelton walks step-by-step with you to encourage you to become the best you that God intended you to be.

This book can be used in a small group setting, in a women’s ministry at a church, as well as a one-on-one study.

KATIE BRAZELTON, PhD, MDiv, MA, is the author of bestselling Pathway to Purpose for Women, along with its popular companion books: Praying for Purpose and Conversations on Purpose. She is the founder of Life Purpose Coaching Centers, International™, which trains Christian men and women internationally (online and in conferences) to become Life Purpose Coaches® and Life Plan Facilitators. For years, Katie was a licensed minister at the purpose-driven Saddleback Church. Now, she is fulfilling her God-given dream of opening 200 Life Purpose Coaching Centers around the world, and she invites you to join her on that adventure. Katie is thrilled to be a first-time grandmother, who also regularly gets to enjoy her daughter, son, and daughter-in-law who all live nearby.

SHELLEY LEITH serves on staff at Saddleback Church as the lead developer of worldwide resources. Her previous writing projects include spearheading the highly regarded 40 Days of Purpose Campaign and 40 Days of Community Campaign. Shelley is a nationally-recognized speaker at FamilyLife Canada's marriage conferences with her husband Greg. They have enjoyed raising their five teenagers in southern California.

US $12.99/UK £7.99/CAN $16.49

RELIGION / Christian Life / Women

ISBN 0-310-25653-4

Amazing Grace

I just saw Amazing Grace tonight as part of my Sabbath rest. I don't know if I cried like a baby at the end of it because of the incredible impact the movie had on me, or if because I was deeply grieving the loss of Jan Drury, one of our Australian Life Purpose Facilitators, who died of cancer this week. IT HAD TO BE BOTH.

I do know that the movie hit me like a ton of bricks -- a lot like the Mother Teresa film I mentioned a few months ago on this BLOG. I won't give away the story line, except to say, it is related to the age-old Christian hymn we sing. It is a Schindler's List type of story -- a must-see. It was riveting to watch a story of such vision for a cause.

Honestly, I think what got me the most was that the heroes of the movie (like Jan, even when she was so sick), lived a life of passion and dreams and goals. They challenged themselves beyond their own strength. And yet...the other day, as I challenged our new Instructors to "get out of their boxes and dream bigger and more passionately," I felt a strong sense that the message I was preaching was for me -- that I am afraid to dream any bigger. Then, as I read/prayed in my Quiet Time tonight in Psalm 24:7-10...I understood what God was trying to say to me: "Start dreaming bigger and more passionate dreams, so the King of Glory may come in!"

So, tonight, dear Jan, at nearly midnight -- I think of you and promise that I will start dreaming bigger and more passionate dreams, so the King of Glory may come in!" Thanks for the reminder.

Meandering Thoughts

Hi Ladies,

As I sit here with wet hair, hunger pangs, and still a little jet lagged from our Ministry launch in France, I realize that is how we all live most of our lives, ya? We are worn-out wonder women, just trying to make it through.

Yet today...I get to sit with one of my best friend's whose brother died and I get to honor my longest-standing, grammar school friend of nearly 50 years (ya, I'm old!) at an alumni celebration in her honor for a few hours this evening. In the meantime, I am desperate for your prayers -- as I have only 2 weeks to turn in a final manuscript to my publisher.

So...the conclusion of the matter for me is this: Through wet hair, hunger, tiredness, and deadlines -- it's still the relationships that win out regardless. And...yes, I will share a meal with my adult daughter after church on Sunday -- because that is what our hearts need to make it through the tough times.

How's your week going? Are you building in relationship time! My prayer is that you & I do just that -- passionately.

Hugs,
Wet Hair Katieb -- just figuring out life one day at a time