About Judi
Everyone starts somewhere. Judi Witt Braddy was born in Monett, Missouri, but spent her growing up years in Wichita, Kansas. There were happy times of involvement and achievement in an incredible number of church, school and civic activities -- including journalism. Her first article was published in The 206 Times, her sixth grade newspaper, followed by a stint on the junior high paper and yearbook staff. There must have been budding talent as Judi remembers having to bring a note from her mother to confirm that she actually wrote one submission.
In college she met and eventually married a handsome young minister named Jim Braddy. Their first church assignment brought them to California, then onto various pastoral ministries throughout the west and Northwest. This included 10 very interesting years in Alaska and has over the years, provided opportunities for travel in 45+ countries of the world. It was only after raising their family and Jim's eventual election to a denominational executive leadership position that Judi finally found the time and opportunity to pursue her life-long dream of speaking and writing for publication.
Judi's speaking and writing credits include countless retreats, conferences, seminars and workshops both in the U.S. and overseas. For five years she served as a monthly hope and humor columnist for Women's Touch Magazine and has published numerous other articles, poems and essays, both religious and secular. She is also the author of six books. As a result, she has taught numerous writing workshops at various venues including the annual West Coast Christian Writer's Conference (formerly Redwood Writer's Conference); Stonecroft Ministry's "Tell Your Story" Conference; and Sacramento Inspire Writers. Judi also served three years as president of Sacramento Christian Writers. Boy, would her junior high yearbook sponsor be surprised now.
It All Comes Out In The Wash weaves a wash-day theme that helps women "turn the Tide" in bringing their spiritual lives and relationships back into balance.
Her six books are non-fiction works. Prodigal In The Parsonage was written from painful personal experience and provides hopeful, helpful and heartwarming insights for parents dealing with children who have walked away from faith.
Simple Seasons: Little Lessons for Large Living, features the articles she wrote for Woman's Touch in a devotional format.
True North: Staying on Course Through Life's Changing Circumstances, relates her experiences living in a remote Alaskan village to her faith journey, encouraging the reader to find their own faith-footing whatever direction life takes.
Camp Gramma: Putting Down Spiritual Stakes For Your Grandchildren speaks to every aspect of grand-parenting in the current culture and focuses not on leaving just an inheritance, but an eternal legacy.
Her most recent book, Everyday Sabbath: The Art of Real Life Rest emphasizes the importance of focusing on the Lord of the Sabbath and offers practical ways to make rest and spiritual reflection an intentional part of everyday life.
Judi's other interests include music, sewing, interior decorating, gardening, reading and her family -- not necessarily in that order. She and husband, Jim, are both ordained ministers who love to travel extensively for both pleasure and ministry, usually in combination. They are the parents of three grown sons and the (very young) grandparents of five amazing grandchildren. After 50+ years of marriage and ministry, Jim's recent retirement from his executive leadership position has allowed them both more freedom to pursue out-of-the-box ministry opportunities.
Interview by Debra Fraser
Royal Scandinavian Inn
Some missionary friends.
Interview by Debra Fraser