Endorsements
It is the stories of those who have radically followed Jesus that stir my heart and ignite a deeper faith for what God has called me to. It is in the mountains and the valleys, the challenges and the victories and the tears and the celebrations that I see the faithfulness and goodness of God on display. God brought Kris and Kathy Vallotton into my life when I was a young man. Their lives and the stories they told helped shape me into who I am, and they are still with me today. I know that The Good, the God and the Ugly will do the same for you. This book will challenge and inspire you to live a radical life of faith and draw you into a deeper relationship with God.
Banning Liebscher, founder and pastor, Jesus Culture; author, The Three- Mile Walk: The Courage You Need to Live the Life God Wants for You
One of the greatest gifts has been my connection to the Vallotton family. There has never been a question too personal or response too reserved. In The Good, the God and the Ugly , Kathy beautifully shares details of living an abundant life despite circumstances. Whether you are a newlywed or have a seasoned family, get your hands on this book!
Havilah Cunnington, founder, Truth to Table
Kathy and her husband, Kris, live in an environment very different from ours, but they have chosen a life no less dependent on faithand they have proven countless times that they are the kind of friends you can rely on, no matter what. Their story has been a pure blessing to us.
Heidi G. Baker, Ph.D., co-founder and executive chairman of the board, Iris Global
We have an unconventional love story about to be revealed in these pages! Kris and Kathy Vallotton know how to create epic stories out of life. Prepare to hear things you had no idea could even happen, let alone become normal occurrences. This perfectly titled book, The Good, the God and the Ugly , will keep you laughing, shocked, amazed and hope-filled while you cant put it down. I am happy to congratulate and endorse my good friend Kathy Vallotton for this beautiful capture of history with Kris.
Danny Silk, president, Loving On Purpose; author, Keep Your Love On and more
The Good, the God and the Ugly paints a real-life, behind-the-scenes look at one of the most powerful ministry families in America. Kathy writes with a vulnerability and frankness that creates a fun and insightful read tastefully seasoned with life-changing principles.
Dan McCollam, co-founder, Bethel School of the Prophets and The Prophetic Company; author, Bending Time , Finding Lost Things , God Vibrations and more
This book is a compelling read. Kathys stories transported me to an oasis where my faith rose, peace was restored, I laughed out loud and all became well again with my soul. An undeniable testimony that the God of peace will be with you.
Keri Warden Owen, iCoaching with Horses
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
2021 by Kathy Vallotton
Published by Chosen Books
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438
www.chosenbooks.com
Chosen Books is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan
www.bakerpublishinggroup.com
Ebook edition created 2021
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meansfor example, electronic, photocopy, recordingwithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2020949493
ISBN 978-0-8007-6187-5 (cloth)
ISBN 978-0-8007-6188-2 (paperback)
ISBN 978-1-4934-3007-9 (ebook)
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB), copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org
Scripture quotations identified message are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Scripture quotations identified NIV are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scripture quotations identified NKJV are from the New King James Version. Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations marked TPT are from The Passion Translation. Copyright 2017, 2018 by Passion & Fire Ministries, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ThePassionTranslation.com.
Cover design by LOOK Design Studio
Dedication
I dedicate this book to my husband, Kris,
to my family and to those whom I have done life with.
For without all of you,
my life would be pretty boring.
Contents
Cover
Endorsements
Half Title Page
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Foreword by Bill and Beni Johnson
Acknowledgments
1. The Day I Met You
2. It Takes a Village
3. The Rest of the Story
4. Business Unusual
5. Trouble in Paradise
6. Thriving in Lack
7. Angels on Assignment
8. Signs That Make You Wonder
9. Miracles and Manifestations
10. Terrified
11. Life Is One Big Adventure
12. Following Bill
13. Question Reality
14. The Me I Hardly Know
15. The Final Frontier
16. Leaving a Legacy
About the Author
Back Ads
Cover Flaps
Back Cover
Foreword
W e first met Kris and Kathy in the small mountain community of Weaverville in Northern California. We had moved there to pastor a church by the name of Mountain Chapel. Kris was just recovering from a nervous breakdown, yet he still managed to have more zeal and passion for the Lord than just about anyone else. Both of them had a hunger for God that caused them to stand out significantly. And what impacted us the most was their tireless effort to serve wherever needed. In fact, the strength of their service was that no job was too small, nor did they need micromanagement to complete a task. They would always figure out a way to accomplish their assignmenta pastors dream.
At one point, our only pianist moved out of the area. We had no one to help with worship, which was a high priority in both our personal lives and our corporate gatherings. One day Kathy told me she had taken piano lessons as a child and would be happy to help me out. She asked me to give her one song to learn that week. I did. The following Sunday we sang that one song. The next week she learned a second one, and so on, until she could play for an entire worship service of 45 minutes to an hour. Kathy eventually became the anchor to a thriving worship ministry with many members. Kathy is a true worshiper, a genuine servant of God.
As our friendship grew, our families spent more and more time together. In fact, you could say we raised our kids together and pursued more of the things of the Lord. We even lived together for a season, with five kids, four adults and one pet rat in our rather small home, while they built their house. On more than one occasion we emptied our pockets and scoured the house for spare change until we had enough money to buy a half gallon of ice cream, which our families would enjoy together that evening. They have been friends in life and partners in ministry now for over forty years.
When my dad pastored Bethel here in Redding, California, he taught me many invaluable lessons. One of those was when he once interviewed many potential prospects to take on the pastoral position of the music/worship director. He chose someone who didnt have all the skills needed for the position. He then shared with us that while the man he chose didnt have all the qualifications needed for the job, he had the same heart that we did. Skills can be taught, he would say; it was the heart that mattered. Kris and Kathy Vallotton have carried a remarkable heart of love and loyalty for both God and people. The beauty of this reality is manifest on every page of this book.