WOMEN OF PASSIONATE PURPOSE CHRISTIAN WRITERS' RETREAT

CHRISTIAN WOMEN'S WRITING RETREAT NEAR THE POCONO MOUNTAINS

SEPTEMBER 21ST - 25TH, 2009

Oh... ladies!!! Here we go! We are beginning an unforgettable Writers' Retreat together. Each of us will all be woven together forever more as sisters who are on the writers path together. Can you believe it?

Each on the verge of writing... some for the first time, some who have done so for years...

Writing books and plays and devotions and life stories all divulging pieces of our own journey and heart, all for the glory of God. Can you feel it? Can you feel the blowing breezes of the Holy Spirit, the excitement that we all have? Many of you are coming with the ability to finally admit that you have a book or song (or something) within you that it ready to be born. Ready to speak your truth, to be vulnerable as you share the things that God has beckoned you to. You will be a jeweler or words, string each shiny word together, creating something of incredible worth page after page.

We are just a few short weeks away from our writing retreat! Marykay and I have truly enjoyed putting this retreat together for you. We have been in daily prayer for each of you as you prepare and process what you are embarking upon. Please keep both of us in your daily prayers as well.

Here in Austin we have had record high temps that have left many of us parched and thirsty for places just like Pennsylvania! There will be several Texas gals coming who I know will welcome this wonderful reprieve from the heat...

I can see many of you in my mind clicking away at your computers after reading this newsletter booking the best flight for your arrival! I see the cracks of smiles in your faces as you think about the getaway, as you contemplate the beautiful women (from many parts of the US and one all the way from Canada) that you are on the verge of meeting... coupled with a bit of stress knowing that you still have things to do in order to leave. BUT the ability to have these days of pure bliss... writing, worshipping, wondering... mmmmm... mmmmm... soaking it all in is what propels you onward. Ahh... to write and dream and listen to the Holy Spirit's leading.

I can't wait to see each of your faces and I can't wait to hear about all that the Lord propels you to write!

We only have three slots left, so be sure to let your girl friends know if they want to join you. Have them go to the website at www.WomenOfPassionatePurpose.com to register and pay.

Writing & Worshipping,
Kathryn

WOMEN OF PASSIONATE PURPOSE (WOPP) - Hosting a Christian Women's Writers' Retreat in Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania - September 21st- 23rd, 2009

I am really excited to share with you our upcoming "WOMEN OF PASSIONATE PURPOSE" Christian Women's Writing Retreat! Marykay Moore and myself are hosting it in beautiful Mt. Bethel, Pennsylvania, which is approximately 20 minutes away from the breath taking Pocono Mountains! It will be held September 21st-25th, 2009.

It is absolutely beautiful there, and will be especially gorgeous at the beginning of the fall season.

This writers retreat is designed even for the journaler, and those who dabble in poems, song writing, devotional writers, the novice, as well as to the published author. It is our passion and our purpose to nudge even the most hesitant journal keeper to the most devout daily writer. Come and explore your God-given inner thoughts with your outer experiences and bring them to life! Put them all on paper for the greater good of God's kingdom.

We are here to inspire you to soak in the tub of beautiful and lovely words, allowing them to bubble up and out of you... Imagine yourself soaking in this wonderful tub, relaxed, smelling the aroma of fall all around you, lit with the candlelight of inspiration from the Holy Spirit...

You will find your writers voice, you will enjoy other voices of other women having your Spirit stirred and become amazingly encouraged, inspired to write what is within you and what God longs to be released!

Come if you feel called to do so...

Invite others you might know who would be blessed to be there.

To register for the Writers' Retreat go to our website:

http://www.womenofpassionatepurpose.com/ and you will also find the beautiful photos of the Manor House in which we will reside.

Writing and Worshipping,

Kathryn

Kathryn Bonner- Founder

Women Of Passionate Purpose

http://www.womenofpassionatepurpose.com/

http://www.awakeningslifecoaching.com/

http://www.kathrynbonner.com/

ALL THINGS Q - The Beginning of Q!!

I am going to begin posting on my blog on a regular basis the different topics of "All Things Q!" Originally I thought that I would post something Monday through Friday each day. But I began to think about my life and the reality of that, and Quite honestly that doesn't seem like something I would be able to completely commit to. However, I would like to commit to more blogging more often, which is something I am totally able to commit to. SO... Here's to All Things Q! I'm sure that by now you are wondering "What is "All things Q?"

"All things Q" really does pertain to my life, many aspects of it, and each topic that I will cover will have something to do with the five things Q. I will explain...

The five topics around Q that I will be writing on are the following... (drum roll please:)

1. QUOUGHTS = POWERFUL QUESTIONS THAT PROVOKE THOUGHT. As most of you know I am a Certified Life Purpose Coach, (http://www.kathrynbonner.com/) so, as a Coach I am always asking my clients some powerful questions in order to get them thinking, to get them to know who they are, what they really want out of their lives, to discover what their purpose is. To AWAKEN those God-given dreams that have been lying dormant within them. Many times when they ask me a question, I respond with a question in order for them to find the answers to their passion, and truth. So there will be days that my posts will cover QUOUGHTS! Be on the look out for "QUOUGHTS FOR THE DAY" you might like to begin pondering. It will be fun and inspirational!
2. QUESTS = The dictionary defines QUEST as The act or an instance of seeking or pursuing something; a search. An expedition undertaken in medieval romance by a knight in order to perform a prescribed feat: the quest for the Holy Grail. I personally love the adventure of any give QUEST given to us by our LORD - Because it takes FAITH to pursue, it takes strength of character, perseverance, hope and dedication. As a Life Purpose Coach, I myself and most of those that I coach are usually on a QUEST of some sort. Pursuing after the the things ahead of us, with an excitement, and sometimes with fear, but always with anticipation and expectation. Are you on a QUEST to write a book, to become a leader in your field of interest, to begin leading a study group, to begin your own business? The Quests are many when you multiply our lives! What is your QUEST? Let's begin our QUEST of discovery together, you never know what we will discover on the journey of the QUEST!! I look forward to the adventurous journey we will go on together!
3. QUERIES = As you know I am an author of the new book "Confessions of a Pastor's Wife; He Speaks Can You Hear Him?" Queries are what we authors send out to publishing houses in hopes of receiving a book contract in the mail. A Query is the QUESTION and the HOPE of every writer of becoming an author. So, I will QUERY some things from time to time on the blog. I hope that you authors, or those of you who HOPE to be an author find some joy and hope in this part of your journey.
4. QUOTES = They are inspirational and motivational remarks that you read, hear speakers say that cause us to make positive change in our lives. So I will be quoting various folks who had something wonderful to say that we simply should not miss out on. Be looking for THE QUOTE OF THE DAY...
5. QUESTIONS ASKED MY ME, COACH KATHRYN= I will pose some powerful questions to you as I would a client. Questions that hopefully will spur more thoughts, cause you to look deeply within yourself, cause you to draw closer to God, make change in your life where needed. I know that you will deeply enjoy the "QUESTION OF THE DAY" when it comes up! Here's to the questions marks of your life :)
6. QUESTIONS ASKED BY JESUS = All through out the Gospels Jesus is asking questions. Over the last few years I have been reading through the questions He asked and have been highlighting them in my Bible with a blue highlighter. I will begin the process of writing out the questions Jesus asked and answer them for myself. I LOVE the questions He has asked through out the pages of the WORD. Here are a couple to get you thinking... ** "What are you looking for?" ** "What do you want me to do for you?" ** "What is your opinion about the Messiah? ** "Do you want to be well?" ** "What are you thinking in your hearts?" Remember that I am no theologian, and my intention is not to get too "heady" - that's not my purpose of writing out the Questions that Jesus asked. This is more for you and I to come to a thoughtful, spiritual, meditative place. A place that I Quite frankly need more of. Thoughts that come from our own place of introspection, from our hearts, and the Holy Spirit that lives within each of us, to draw us closer to our Lord, commune with Him, soak in His Word.

I am looking forward to this section of "All things Q" more than any of them. The Questions of Christ will certainly be my most favorite area of "ALL THINGS Q!"

I know that you will enjoy this "Quest of Q" with me... :)

Oh yes... I almost forgot to say it... Happy Leap Year To You!!

Blessings to you,

Kathryn

The Lord Speaks, and Points!

When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, He gave him the two tablets of the Testimony, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God. - Exodus 31:18

It has been too long since I have blogged. It has been a whirlwind of a month for me. God has been shaking me up a bit, and "pointing with His finger" at me. He as been doing some amazing things in my life. The Scripture above is "speaking into me" as our Lord has been doing as well.

I was in an accident with an 18 wheeler and it literally shook me up. I was in the right lane, he was in the left lane. The lanes were very narrow, too narrow from what the police officer told me later, explaining that when two 18 wheelers are driving down this little stretch of the road side by side, that many times they hit each other’s side mirrors! I was ahead of him, not quite a car length ahead of him. We were both headed in the same direction, when all of the sudden I was pushed forward and sent spinning and rocking back and forth and found myself heading straight into oncoming traffic!

I was left “shaken up” and “praising God” that I wasn’t in hurt any more than I was! I was quite sore, in fact where my seatbelt was I had a pretty good injury from it.

Then shortly after that I had a severe injury to my left foot! Needless to say I have been and still am hobbling around. I have had some time to pray and ponder many things over this last month. It has been a time of Thanksgiving, and a time of prayer, contemplation, and surrender. God has been “shaking me up a bit” during this time. I think God needs to shake me up from time to time, as I am sure he needs to with each of us.

At the beginning of this Scripture, is says that "the Lord finished speaking to Moses.” Don’t you love it that the Lord was speaking to Him! Oh how I love the way the Lord speaks to us! I love it that He cares enough to visit with us, that He trusts us with the particular mission that He gives to each of us (even if He needs to "shake us up" a bit). The more He gives you the more He trusts you! Oh Lord, how I want you to trust me with what you have given me!

During this last month, I have been in such a beautiful time of communion with our Lord, and yet I have also been in a place where He has had to shake me up a bit, spin me around, get me facing some of my fears (the oncoming traffic if you will) and showing me the miracles of Himself. “The finger of the Lord” has been pointing out many things to me. Pointing me in certain directions, directions that I am ready to follow.

I am stepping into a new "chapter" of my life as I leave my beloved job of the last seven years. I have been the Vice President of this wonderful organization, and the last year the Lord has had me in preparation to leave. I gave my formal notice back in May that I would be leaving by December 31st in order to step into the calling of being a Writer, Author, Speaker and Life Coach. I have been coaching for many years now and continue doing so. There is new and exciting news about that and I will be sending out regular communication about that in the coming days and weeks ahead! Look for the news!

Well, that time is upon me and I remain grateful for all of my years there, as I have been give SO much. The Lord has done great things! My five book series entitled “Confessions of a Pastor’s Wife” will be released the 18th of this month! This first book in the series is entitled “He Speaks Can You Hear Him?” And boy does He speak! This book, takes you through my faith journey, I reveal what He says and also how He speaks to us.

Lord I pray that each of us who hear from you recognize the joy and privilege it is to be in communication with you, and the honor it is that you have us do things for you and unto your glory. Lord let us always be faithful in our service to you. Let us always be listening for you, surrendering unto you, and obedient unto you. Thank you for the ride of a lifetime, Thank you for the beautiful people in our lives, Thank you for your grace, your love, your mercy, your trust, and the work you give us to do. Thank you for this advent season to remind us that you are coming, always coming into our hearts! Amen.

Kathryn

Kathryn Bonner
Awakenings Life Coaching (Isaiah 50:4)
www.KathrynBonner.com

At the Publishing House Recording My Book on CD! Having such fun!!

I flew into Oklahoma on Tuesday to go to the Publishing House to record my new book on CD! It was such a great time for me. I praise God for all that He is and is doing in my life. He is allowing me to proclaim His goodness and majesty, and I stand in awe of Him and give thanks unto Him for allowing me this wonderful privilege. I pray that I honor Him in all of it.

The first photo is the cover of my book. It's a five book series entitled "Confessions of a Pastor's Wife" and the first book in this series is "He Speaks, Can You Hear Him?" It now has an official release date of December 18th, 2007! However you can order it now from me by going to my website www.KathrynBonner.com and click on the picture of the book to get your copy early, before it's released publicly! I would be blessed should you choose to do that, and I do believe that you will be blessed as well.

The second photo is a picture in the lobby of the publishing house. The had a welcome sign out for me at the front desk! They also had a reserved parking space for me in the very first parking space! I took a picture of it also for my scrap book! Pretty cool!

The third picture is me (on the left) Janey Hays (in the center) and Stacy Baker (on the right). They took me out to lunch at a really sweet tea room. They are both in Acquisitions at the publishing house. Janey is my acquisitions person. She is so cute, at the restaurant she was telling the wait staff that I was one of their authors and that she is the one who "discovered" me. It was fun! I was laughing and saying yep, you discovered me, but no one really knows me! We laughed and she said, "Not YET, but they will!" I just giggled, we all did

God is good!

Blessings to you,
Kathryn

MY FIRST BOOK SIGNING!!

Here I am the 2nd day of the SHINE Conference in front of the bookstore where they had a wonderful display of my book set up for me. I have to be honest, signing books and standing there was honestly a bit awkward for me. The entire staff was incredibly kind and helpful. I had a lovely time though! God is SO good!

Here I am the last night of the SHINE Conference in in front of the HUGE SHINE sign on the stage of Shoreline Christian Center in Austin, Texas!

I have really been excited about the last few days! That's me, with my books and poster inside the bookstore at Shoreline Christian Center! The above photo is the stage, and the name of the women's conference is SHINE. This was my very first place to do a book signing! My heart felt thanks to my friend Pastor Laura Koke who gave me the wonderful opportunity, and a special thanks to her entire staff who loved on me completely. Laura and her husband Rob pastor the church together. It's a large church with about 5000 in attendance. They had there SHINE conference for 3 days Wednesday - Friday.

I was blessed with the opportunity to meet and have lunch with Michelle McKinney-Hammond. (check out her website: http://www.michellehammond.com/) She was one of the speakers there, she was able to pour so much into me during the two hours at lunch! What a great gift from God to me. She has authored THIRTY books and is under contract for two more. She shared with me that before she ever became a published author that she sent out HUNDREDS of proposals to HUNDREDS of publishing houses and receive HUNDREDS of rejection letters before she became published. She asked me how many publishing houses did I send my proposals out to before I got picked up. I shared with her that I sent SIX proposals and and got a contract in the mail before I got ONE rejection letter. She looked at me and said "Girl! That never happens!" She told me to be sure and recognize the blessing in this, not to take it for granted. I know that this is most unusual to happen, and I honestly am ever thankful to our Lord. I am still in a bit of shock that I am now a published author... I SO enjoyed my visit with her, her wisdom, hilarious since of humor, grace and realness. She truly moved me in our talking. I pray the Lord continues to bless her ministry, as she has so much to offer! She truly loves the Lord, and wants everyone on the planet to "get it" so that they might live as we are intended to!

I also had the privilege of dining with Wendy Treat (check out her website: http://www.wendytreat.com/) who was another speaker there. She like me is also a pastor's wife. She was wonderful to visit with, very passionate and full of wisdom and confidence in her God-given abilities.

I am praising our Lord Jesus for every bit of this book, and all of the fun that comes along with it. I also met and visited with several pastor's wives who I know will be able to relate to it. Several pastor's wives purchased copies. We exchanged phone numbers and information, I believe that the Lord has connected us! I have newly found Sister's in Christ.

I also had a younger gal come up to me explaining that she had her baby in last November, she was still in high school. I believe that the Lord will speak to her through the reading of it as well. She felt like because I had a teenage pregnancy (19 and delivered at 20) that she would find hope and healing and a place of relating. I pray that she will seek after the Lord always as she raises her child. I give thanks that her own mother was there with her and was very supportive of her. I pray that the Lord would use this for a ministry for her later on... oh the wonderful hope and security we have in Him!

This is a FIVE book series entitled "Confessions of a Pastor's Wife" and the first book that is "HE Speaks, Can You Hear Him" Go to my website at http://www.kathrynbonner.com/ to purchase it NOW before it goes out on the market in December 18th.

Forever Praising Him,
Kathryn

Listen....

"Listen to my instruction and be wise; do not ignore it.

Blessed is the man who listens to me,

watching daily at my doors,

waiting at my doorway."

Proverbs 8:33-34 NIV

My first book "Confessions of a pastors wife: He speaks can you hear Him?" (which I am thrilled to say is due out in October!) was given to me by the Lord. I had no intention of writing a book before the day that the Lord "spoke it into me." Many times we are hearing the Lord speak something directly into our Spirit. We really need to learn that we have a Spirit that is divinely connected to Christ Jesus, who is divinely connected to our God. When Jesus left His humanness behind He promised to leave us with the Holy Spirit. He did this in order for each of us to be able to "connect" with Him.

When I began the writing of this book the above Scripture was given to me by the Lord immediately so that I would be sure to listen to Him and not ignore Him. He knows our tendency to ignore Him when He has given us a huge task to do. He knows that we don't feel capable on our own to do what He has asked of us. He's telling us it would be wise of us to listen, and that we will be blessed for doing so. I think that a large part of society wonders why they have an emptiness in their lives, wondering what their purpose is and why they don't experience the blessing of fulfillment. I would venture to say that it's because they are not listening to the voice of the Lord. Therefore, missing out on working in tandem with Him, missing out on the blessings that would be given if they would.

The last part of the passage says "watching daily at my doors, waiting at my doorway." Oooh, I love this! He has doors of opportunity just waiting to swing wide open for you if only you were there daily watching with expectancy and faith in what our awesome God is going to do with you!

Listen to Him, He still speaks today, to you, and to me! Be wise and don't ignore it! Experience the full blessing of what He wants you to have!

I will leave you with this final Scripture passage and I ask you to meditate on both of them, hear what He has to say to you...

"This is My Son, My Chosen;

Listen to Him!

Luke 9:35