Dear Kathy

Happy 4th of July!!!! Are you suprised to hear from me? I know! It's been 4 1/2 months since I sent my last newsletter. I've had all kinds of questions!

Are you ok? Have you been sick?

Have you decided to do something different?

Have you quit your new business?

Well the answer is yes, no, maybe, and NO! respectively! Though I will admit, some days I might have answered differently.

Actually, I have taken some time off ON PURPOSE!

For those who only want the facts:

1. I rested.

2. I took some intense coaching with two excellent business coaches and a health coach.

3. I celebrated some significant family events.

4. I listened.

OK- now you can skip to the HOW CAN YOU HELP? paragraph.

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For those who want the rest of the story, read on...

1. At first I just needed to REST. I pushed pretty hard to put on our February CELEBRATE THE DANCE. It was a tremendous event (more about that later). While I was resting, I did a business audit of how my first year with GREEN HOPE COACHING had gone. I realized that I got quite a few hours of coaching during the year and I have greater clarity of the type of coaching I do best.
   
   However, I also realized that the business side of my practice was not doing well. I would give away most of what I do, which is the luxury you have if you are independently wealthy! I am not! I long to be generous in life and business, and often I feel guilty for charging for my services. However, while Walmart or TJMaxx gives me discounted prices now and again, I recognized that they don't GIVE me free product. So... I have to do something about this- or I will be out of business.
   
2. In March, I needed to be coached myself. I began working intensely with Coaches Carrie Wilkerson, the Barefoot Executive and Paul Evans, Entreprenuer of several businesses, including Nicheology & Instant Speaker Success. Both are authors, speakers and coaches. Both are successful in business with a voice that I resonate with. They partnered together to create the DIY30 (Do It Yourself in 30 days) training that I started with in March. They have helped me identify some pretty significant areas that are causing me to flounder, as well as addressed ways to overcome some, eliminate others. So much more I could say about all that.
   
   Plus I am appreciating the accountability of my health coach, Lisa Brady with Take Shape for Life. She's been a long time friend and knows how to encourage me - and kick me in the pants at the same time. I'm so grateful for her!
   
3. In April and May, we needed to CELEBRATE! with the girls. Both of them graduated this spring. Caitlin received her Master's Degree from Wheaton College on May 5th in Biblical Archeology. Brielle finished her Bachelor's degree in Fine Art on May 12th. Added to that was Brie's Senior Thesis Art Show & reception, a fashion show, moving into their own apartments, dinners with the girls and their guys and meeting lot's of school friends and professors.

Also April 28th would have been Leisha's 21st birthday! We so wonder how different life would be if we were adding her life choices to the mix. We pray that her desire to influence others for Christ will continue as we continue to influence with her story. We are still raising funds with LEISHA'S HOPE to complete the HOPE cabin at the DEEP WOODS spiritual retreat center just outside of Lima. There will be more about that in the next few weeks.

4. I needed to listen! That hasn't been as easy as it sounds! God is not mincing any words! Some of what I am hearing is that I've always wanted to be part of something that would 'make a difference' in the lives of people. And that is all very good! But I my health coach showed me this diagram that helped me understand where I am right now. I have spent a lot of effort working toward fulfillment and letting success be of little importance. In some ways it sounds very pious. "I'll let the Lord take care of the success". Now don't get me wrong. I know better than most that, ultimately, God is fully in control of the steps and the results. But often, I am willing to accept mediocrity instead of success resulting in just being cozy- in my own comfort zone. And when the coach is doing that, it carries over to the clients too.

That also means that I have settled for accomplishing less than what God has set before me to do! Therefore I have not been 'successful' at the very fulfilling calling that God has placed on my life. I have let 'good things', even 'good people,' come before the better that God has for me- and my clients!

So the Lord is redefining what success looks like! More importantly defining THRIVING in life, marriage, family, health, & business. It has a lot to do with just LOVING people and the opportunity He has given me, but also loving myself and my family as I help to generate income. When it comes to Kingdom work, I want to be all about that!

All this to say...I'm getting back to work with new vision and renewed energy. I know it will take awhile to work through all the things I've been learning, but stay tuned.

Green Hope Coaching is open for business!

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HOW CAN YOU HELP!

1. I could really use your prayers -for me, my family and for the Green Hope Coaching business & community! I'll be sending out weekly updates of prayer concerns. If you would like to join my SIMPLY GREEN prayer team, click here!
   
2. Check out my new (and still in progress) website designed to encourage vibrant marriages at http://www.greenhopecoaching.net/. Take a moment to fill out the survey and receive a complimentary tool to help you look at how your marriage is "rolling down the road." If for some reason, there is no survey on my hompe page- send me an email to let me know. I'll get the survey to you so you can get your free tool!
   
   The www.greenhopecoaching.com is still active, but the focus will be different. (Again all of this is still in progress. I am, afterall, a DIY (Do It Yourself) web designer- and I enjoy it.But I'm slow.
   
3. If you would like to donate toward LEISHA'S HOPE and help build the HOPE Cabin at the retreat center, you may send donations to Crossroads Church, 775 S Thayer Road, Lima, OH 45806, earmarked Leisha's Hope. Like I said, keep watching, more fun opportunities to get involved will be posted very soon.
   
4. Word of Mouth (W.O.M) is still the best source of referral. If you trust me enough to keep reading my newsletters, perhaps you would trust me enough to refer me to a friend, co-worker or family member that could use my assistance. Groups and events will be scheduled beginning in the fall. However, individual or couples coaching goes on all year long. They may contact me at kathy@greenhopecoaching.com or 419.306.8311. If they let me know that you referred them to me, I will give $10 credit toward coaching or events that you would like to be part of.
   
5. So where are you on the matrix I showed above? I want to help you THRIVE too! However, if you prefer NOT to receive the GHC newsletters any longer, please let me know that too! I know you have many options vying for you attention and you have to choose what you need at the moment. Just send an email to me at kathy@greenhopecoaching.com with UNSUBSCRIBE in the subject line.

Thank you in advance for your help!

I will be sending out updates this summer regarding opportunities and events you might benefit from in the fall. Be looking for those. We are working on a 'new look' for GHC this summer also, so keep your eyes peeled.

I look forward to serving you - and yours- in the year ahead!

Seeing GREEN HOPE for our world!