2 years ago today, the earth lost an amazing young man, many of you lost a good if not one of you best friends and I lost one of my best friends and my son- Chandler “Jimmy” James Brazell. I love you Chandler..I miss you..and can barely wait to see you again! Soon! Chuck
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my wonderful son, Chandler “Jimmy”! Although Chandler is forever 19, today he would have been 21 years old.
Some people may find it hard to believe that after nearly two years without my Chandler, it is still hard to live without him. I would do just about anything to give him a big hug this morning and video him in front of his cake as we sing happy birthday. This day brings a wave of grief and sorrow that literally knocks me off my feet. I’m not ashamed of that. I own my sorrow because it comes from the unstoppable love of a mother for her child. Although Chandler is no longer here, my love and longing for him beats on with every beat of my heart. This love is the purest of love, and is placed in my heart by God. If I didn’t love him so much, I wouldn’t miss him so much.
But my grief is not without incredible HOPE. And this day is not only filled with sorrow and longing but with thankfulness, praise and even joy. I am so THANKFUL for 19 wonderful years with Chandler! Every day of being his mother was not always wonderful. In fact, some days were incredibly difficult, frustrating and even heart breaking. But every day was a blessing, and I’m so THANKFUL for the short time we had. I’m so THANKFUL for the legacy Chandler left behind. A legacy of love and service for God and people, and for the impact he continues to have throughout the world. I’m even THANKFUL for the sacred and beautiful process of my grief, for I see much more clearly through tear-filled eyes. It is through my brokenness and weakness that God has given me a clear understanding of my calling in this world to reach out to the poor, the lowly, the lost and the hurting. It is through suffering that God blesses us with hearts of compassion. God has shown me my complete dependence on Him, my desperate condition and my need to rely on His power and grace in my life.
My lips are filled with PRAISE to my awesome God for making Chandler the person he was. I PRAISE God not only for all that He did through Chandler’s life, but also for what He is doing through Chandler’s death. I am utterly amazed at how God can take something that seems so tragic and devastating and turn it into something so beautiful that it changes lives all around the world! Only God can use death to bring forth so much life! Only God can redeem brokenness and turn into strength, beauty and service! I PRAISE God because He is good and He is faithful in all situations. GLORY to God forever!
Even JOY has slowly crept it’s way back into my life. I can’t say that I feel it all the time, and I don’t believe I should. “There is a season for everything under the sun”. But today, at this moment, there is JOY. I have JOY because I know my darling son is safe in heaven with God! I have JOY because I know he is at peace and is happy and complete! I have JOY because I know Chandler wouldn’t come back even if given the choice. I have JOY because of God’s unfathomable plan of salvation through Jesus, my son will live forever in perfect joy. I have Joy…BECAUSE ONE DAY I WILL EMBRACE MY CHILD AGAIN, and I will live forever with Christ and know the perfect joy that Chandler knows now.
THANK YOU God for June 4, 1992. Thank you for blessing us with Chandler James Brazell. And happy birthday, my beloved son! “I love you forever… I like you for always…as long as I’m living my baby you’ll be!”
~Rhonda Brazell, Proud and Loving Mom
In January’s post ‘ To Truly Live is to Truly GIVE’, a challenge was presented: a challenge to make 2013 a year of Giving. This is a challenge to give of ourselves , and we highlighted a few examples of Chandler and how he was a giver and how he gave of himself. In this post I would like to share a short and interesting story that I believe you will enjoy hearing.
This story is shared by Tara Pattengale, a fellow Teenpact staffer who spent time with Chandler while he was staffing in the Washington State Class in spring of 2010. After his accident Tara wrote a letter to Chandler in a beautiful blog post that I hope to share sometime. She writes about Chandler:
“…also, there was that time when you randomly bought an extra 
McChicken sandwich (after the Mars Hill church service) because the Lord told you to. The next thing I know you were gone from across the table. After looking around the restaurant I saw you over at a booth with a homeless guy. I heard you say, “Hello Sir! My name is Jimmy. What’s yours? Would you like my sandwich? I bought an extra one for some reason and I don’t want both. J Sir, could I ask you a question?…” you paused and then continued, “If you could ask God one thing what would it be and why? I always think it’s so fascinating to hear people’s thoughts on that.” After a few moments of talk with “Michael the Archangel” you asked him if you could pray for him. Despite his negative reply you put your hand on his and prayed. I was amazed at your utter joy when he jumped up and left. You were beaming. “At least I gave him a sandwich, he was really hungry,” was your only reply.”
Since hearing this story I have learned of several similar instances where Chandler would order extra food and share it with someone while sparking a conversation with that individual. Sam walker, one of Chandler’s best friends in Tyler shares a time when they were at an Arby’s and Chandler bought an extra sand which and went looking for a needful person. They found someone in need and both he and Sam sat down and gave and shared with this man.
Anyway, regarding this story there are at least 2 key points for us to consider:
1) Chandler was a GIVER! He gave of himself and gave of his money, time and possessions. Those who spent time with him would agree and could share how he invested in their lives. In this case, he shared a McDonalds sandwich. But he didn’t just give a sandwich. Notice how he also brought God into the conversation.
2) Chandler was a DO’er. When he felt the Lord leading him to do something, he was obedient. He didn’t wait for a better time. He didnt put it off. He didn’t forget about it. He acted! In the May 2012 post I shared a post “Kentucky Fried Love” where we see his remorse at a time when he didn’t act.
James 1:22 -But be Doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.
Hebrews 13:2 –Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unknowingly entertained angels.
What is God asking you to do? Who is He asking you to share with today? or, to talk to today? Don’t ignore the Holy Spirit. Don’t put it off. Obey! As we are obedient and faithful, you will be excited to see more opportunities that He will give you. Be a Giver! Be a Doer!
Lets Go MAD!, Chuck
PS. If you are looking for a good conversation opener…try buying an extra cheeseburger! 🙂
PSS. If looking for a good line to take a conversation to the spiritual, try Chandlers great line he used in this story: “if you could ask God one question, what would it be?”
Chandler leading Worship- Beijing, China
Every once in a while, a person comes along who is so filled with love and grace that it spills over on to everyone he meets. He is so unashamed of Jesus that many may call him a fool. He is so convinced of his faith that it dictates everything he does. He is so surrendered to God, that he will follow His voice anywhere. He is so passionate in worship and life, that he’s like a blazing flame, spreading fire wherever he goes. He is so “hungry and thirsty for righteousness” that he is satisfied by God. He is so “poor in spirit” that he cries aloud on behalf of himself and the people. He is so transparent and real, that he draws people in. Every once in a while, we are blessed to know a unique person like this; and are touched and impacted by his love. All glory to God for the short and beautiful life of Chandler “Jimmy” Brazell, for it is through His power and grace that Chandler lived and loved.
Happy 1 1/2 years in heaven, Chandler! “It won’t be long” till we’re all together again. But until that time…there is much work to be done here on earth, and much love to share. We love you, and remember you with every breath!
Mom and Dad January 31, 2013
“THE ESSENCE OF LOVE IS GIVING. THE ESSENCE OF LIFE IS LOVE.”
Quote of Chandler found on front cover of his Bible.
Chandler wrote these words on the inside cover page of his Bible. The theme of Chandler’s life is “One word: LOVE”. And for Chandler, living a life of love meant living a life of giving, and being righteous meant being benevolent.
Chandler’s life exemplified giving. He gave of his time, he gave of his energy, he gave of his resources, he gave of his talents, he shared his emotions and passions, he gave his heart and he gave his love. Really, he gave himself fully. Interestingly, one of Chandlers all-time favorite books to read as a child was The Giving Tree. He wanted to read it over and over and later in life even shared the story with his students in China. It is a story about giving all of yourself, even to the point of not having anything else to give.
The Giving Tree- One of Chandler's favorite books.
Chandler understood that life is too short to not take advantage of every moment. He was characterized by investing in the lives of others, and he always gave 110%. Almost everyone he met and spent time with considered him to be one of, if not their best friend. Principal Zheng, at the Dandelion School in China said that he would usually skip lunch so that he could teach additional classes and that he would always stay after school to spend his afternoons and evenings with his students. She said that of all the hundreds of volunteers that have come to her school, she has never before seen someone give so much love, time and attention to the students as Chandler did.
Chandler teaching guitar to chinese friends
He also gave himself fully to His Lord. Chandler used his talents in writing, singing and playing music to bring honor to God and express the beauty of life. He thrived on leading others in worship to the King! He also spent hours and hours alone in his room and out in the woods crying out in prayer and praise and reading his Bible. He gave!
The essence of our lives should be about giving ultimately because Christ’s life was about giving. Jesus loved and gave first. (2 Corinthians 8:9) That was His mission here on earth: to give hope to mankind. As it speaks of Him in Isaiah 61, “The Lord has appointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and to comfort all who mourn.”
One of the blessings the Lord has given me through my grief is opening my eyes and heart to those hurting around me. And there are a lot hurting people out there. They hang out at cemeteries. They are at the hospitals. They are living on the streets. They stay and eat at homeless shelters. They are in prisons. They are in nursing homes and orphanages. They live in extreme poverty in third world countries. They stand in the grocery store line next to you. They work with you. They are at your school sitting beside you. DO YOU SEE THEM? All too often we get caught up in the business of our life— activities, school, work, relationships, even church. All of these are good things, but we CAN NOT let them distract us from the pains and hurts of this world.
Found on same Bible cover page.
You see, ‘Love’ is an action word. Give. Go. Do. Loving isn’t about head knowledge, it is about acting on that knowledge. Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, “Whatever you do for the least of these, you do it for Me.” We do it for Him!
Now, as we enter 2013, may we ask our Father to open our eyes and to soften our hearts to the lost and the hurting people all around us. May this be a year of Giving! Will we be willing to “give, but give until it hurts”? -(Mother Teresa) “Give until you have nothing left to give; then give a little more.”– (unknown)
Thank you Chandler for GIVING to us and being an example of a true giver! May the Lord bless you richly in 2013! –Chuck and Christian
P.S. As our pastor, Joe Fauss, concludes almost every Sunday service: “Go- Find a need and meet it……Find a hurt and heal it.”
We are proud to share this short video presented to Chandler by the Dandelion School when he left China.
Today marks the one year mark of Jimmy’s passing. This week our family is in Montana at the location where he spent his last days and hours and took his last breath. What a special place! I was excited to have one of Jimmy’s close friends and accountability partners, Clayton Chambers, ask to write a post about Jimmy for this special time. I know you will enjoy and benefit from this post ‘The Man Who Knew Love’ and the included song he wrote and sang for Jimmy. Thank you Clayton for loving Jimmy and for sharing your heart about him during this week. -Chuck Brazell
The Man Who Knew Love by Clayton Chambers
The gym was packed.
Over four hundred folks, with students from nearly every state sat attentively in this gym, listening to speeches given by students who were running for positions in a mock election campaign. As dozens of candidates gave shaky, short, and sometimes superficial speeches, one student caught everyone’s eye. He sauntered onto the stage with a guitar in hand and a smile on his face; his countenance was one of a kind.
No one could really imitate Jimmy Brazell.
Jimmy Brazell - TeenPact National Convention
Positioning his guitar, he played a song. What followed, however, was one of the most sincere, passionate speeches I’ve ever heard.
He talked about love. He talked about how humans obtain purpose and meaning as they learn how to love. By loving, we receive life – we are living the way we were created to live, because we are doing what we were created to do.
But what sort of love was Jimmy referring to? His idea of love was not (and is not) popular. Love meant something different to him. Paraphrasing from his speech on that day…
“…When I say “Love,” I mean “to love,” with the pure, true, selfless love of Christ!”
“To love.” With Jimmy, love was an action. Love means sacrifice. Love shows grace. It gives second chances. It keeps no record of wrongs. It forgives. It perseveres. It hopes.
It seeks the betterment of others, regardless of what it costs you. It means laying your life down for someone else.
Sacrifice.
Jimmy Brazell- Teen Pact National Convention
You see, Jimmy could talk about love because he knew how to love.
Jimmy didn’t win a position as an elected official that year at TeenPact, nor did he care. To him, life didn’t revolve around popularity, possessions, or prosperity. It revolved around an honest quest to know love.
“To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything and your heart will be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact you must give it to no one, not even an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements. Lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket, safe, dark, motionless, airless, it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. To love is to be vulnerable.”
– C.S. Lewis
by Clayton Chambers
While at Jesus Camp last week I was sharing Wednesday morning at the Counselors meeting the fact that we had only 2 full days left to make a difference in these kids lives. I was encouraging them to ‘hang in there’ and use the remaining time to its fullest as we were battling 100+ degree weather and serving 100 inner city Dallas youths.
Jimmy- Summit Ministries- July 2011
Many times during the week I thought of Chandler and reflected on him being here at camp last year. He worked hard at last years camp having a large number of challenging kids, but he served and loved everyone of them. I recognized and spent time with many of them this week. One thing that I observed about Chandler last summer and that I have thought of often these last 11 months is that he had a seriousness about him. He had a noticeable solemness in his countenance. He had a great week and had a lot of fun with his kids, but there was a pronounced intensity in his actions. It was a seriousness and an intensity that was present during his short stay at home last summer.
But why the seriousness? This has been the question I keep asking. Was it just because he had an intense personality? Was he changed from his time in China? Did he perceive or sense something in his spirit possibly telling him his time was short? Unfortunately, I don’t have a sure answer. But in any case, last year on this day he had just 30 days left to live on the earth!
Jesus Camp 2011
Now I don’t think Chandler knew that he had only 3o days…but in reality that is all he had. He only had 30 days before he would take his last breath of air and slip behind the veil and meet his creator. 30 days before he would begin his eternity with God! As time allows this month (July) I hope to share a few thoughts about this topic and about Chandler last days, but for now I would like us to ask ourselves:
What if you had just 30 days to live? Go ahead, ask the question to yourself, “what if I had only 30 days left to live?”
What would I do differently? Would I say anything differently? Would you act any differently? Would you say ‘no’ to more things? Would you say ‘yes’ to more things? How would you change today? What would your July 2012 be like?
For some reason we live in an illusion that we have unlimited time on earth before us. We live under the idea that we always have tomorrow. But yet Jesus encourages us to live one day at a time. We’re reminded that we don’t know what will happen tomorrow. And that life is a vapor, that it is here today and gone tomorrow (James 4:14). This really could be your last 30 days. So- redeem (make the most of) your time! Make your days count (Ephesians 5:16). You dont know when it will be your last day!
(a poem that Chandler & I enjoyed)
The clock of life is wound but once, And no man has the power To tell just when the hands will stop At late or early hour.
To lose one’s wealth is sad indeed, To lose one’s health is more, To lose one’s souls is such a loss That no man can restore.
The present only is our own, So Live, Love, toil with a will Place no faith in “Tomorrow” For the clock may then be still.
-Robert H. Smith
Although I didn’t get to spend all of Chandler’s 30 days with him, I loved every one that we had together! Chandler spent his last 30 days well!
Make today count!
Chuck Brazell
I ‘ll need to confess here at the start that there are a few Garth Brook songs that I really enjoy. Rachel and I listened to one of those on Saturday. It was the song “If Tomorrow Never Comes”.
Today is Father’s Day and as I was reflecting on all four of my children that I love so much, I thought of Chandler. I was remembering back a year ago, which I would never have guessed in a million years would be my last Father’s Day with my son.
I reached into the front pocket of my back pack and pulled out a folded letter that I have carried around with me for the last year. It is a prized letter that Chandler wrote to me exactly one year ago today.
It is a letter with a simple message of appreciation for what a father gives his children in providing and raising a family. It is a message of gratefulness and a message saying ‘thank you’ and ‘I love you’.
There is much I would love to share and to point out in this letter; but the message I will share today is the mere fact that Chandler had a heart of gratitude, and that he took the time to write out this message of thankfulness to me, his father. And Chandler had an extremely busy week that week ; finishing a summer class in college, leaving for Jesus Camp the next day, Summit 2 week camp next and then vacation to Montana. I’m sure the thought never crossed his mind that this was his last opportunity to share a message with me before he would leave this earth and enter eternity!
The question I cant get out of my mind is- What if he hadn’t taken the time to write this letter and share his love and appreciation with me? What if he had let the busyness and fatigue cause him to put off what he wanted to share?
Now, really I’m speaking to myself here, but please DONT let the busyness and demands of this life keep you from sharing your heart with those you love. As Garth Brooks sings “tell that someone that you love, just what your thinking of…if tomorrow never comes.” Thank you Chandler for giving and sharing your self and your heart and for giving me one of the most prized and treasured possessions I will ever have.
Chuck Brazell
PS. Notice at the bottom of the letter he writes, “I love you..and I love God’. There is nothing that gives me more joy than to know that my son loves me and that he loves his God. And there is nothing that matters more NOW and into eternity than that he loves God! I love you too, son!
Last week Rhonda and I went to Kentucky Fried Chicken here in Tyler for dinner. Now we’re not Kentucky fried fans, but it had been exactly a year to the day that Chandler, Rhonda and I had eaten there together while the other kids were out of town. Something happened that night at the restaurant with Chandler that I will never forget.
The only people in the restaurant that night were us and a small family with a mentally disabled boy. After placing his order, Chandler walked past the other family on his way to our table. The mentally disabled child called out to him in a shockingly loud, uncontrolled voice, “HELLLLOO!”. Chandler turned and grinned at him, said hello back, then continued on to our table and sat down to eat.
After thanking God for our food, Rhonda and I began to eat. But something was wrong…Chandler was just starring down at his food unable to eat, and wouldn’t participate in our conversation. After a few minutes, he got up and went to the restroom and was gone for quite a while. When he came back his eyes were blood shot and his face 
was red. Clearly Chandler was not feeling well, and we were concerned about him. We began to question Chandler about why he wouldn’t eat and what was wrong. What he shared with us showed us his TRUE condition. Chandler told us that he was so grieved over the disabled child’s condition that he just didn’t have an appetite. But even worse than that, Chandler was so grieved over his own response to the child that he had gone to the restroom to weep. He was so disappointed in himself for not stopping to talk and listen and share with this special kid and his family. Chandler felt like he had missed out on an opportunity God had given him to share His love with a valuable and precious child of God.
As I reflect back on this evening there are several lessons worth considering and learning from.
1) First, Chandler’s response reveals the sensitivity and the tenderness of his heart toward others, especially those less fortunate. He had returned from China only two weeks before and we already knew that there was something different about Chandler. How does a heart become so soft?
2) This story is also a reminder that Chandler wasn’t perfect. He would be the first to tell you that. And he often shared his failings with his closest friends and family. Chandler was a normal young man that struggled with the same things we all struggle with. But somehow, amidst his own pain and own struggles God was able to soften and shape his heart into a heart of love.
3) How did Chandler respond to his failures? Well, this night at KFC when he failed to respond with the love he felt he should have, he immediately got alone with his Father, confessed his wrong heart and purposed to love more like Christ the next time God brings someone in his path.
Well, the chicken wasn’t very good that night, but the lesson we learned from our son about how to value and love every person God places in your life was wonderful food for our souls. We will always remember the teary eyes and tender heart of a young man, and the love he had for a handicapped boy at Kentucky Fried Chicken. I pray we will also remember to take the time to stop, listen and share God’s love with each person He brings in our path and to value every special human life.
As Chandler often said….“it takes a lot of love to live!”
Love, Chuck & Rhonda
Beloved, let us love one anther, for LOVE is of God; and everyone who LOVES is born of God and knows G0d. The one who does not LOVE does not know God, for God is LOVE. I John 4:7-8
Jimmy Brazell made an impact on a lot of people. And you didn’t have to know him very long to appreciate his simplicity, his transparency and his sincere concern for you and for others. It seems that most people he met considered him one of their good, if not one of their best friends.
It has been a joy to hear from some of these friends as they share their thoughts on how Jimmy made a difference in their lives.
One very special way that Jimmy has been honored and our family has been blessed is by the presentation of several drawings (sketches) of Jimmy by talented friends of Jimmy or of our family. I look forward to over time displaying the drawings on this site.
Jimmy Brazell by Skyler Holmes - (click to enlarge)
This time it is my privilege to present a portrait of Jimmy drawn by a friend, Skyler Holmes. Skyler lives in Georgia and staffed the Survival Camp in Montana with Chandler last July. Skyler was in the group hiking with Jimmy on the day of the accident.
Our family was additionally honored and deeply touched when Skyler and his family drove to Tyler, Texas from Georgia to present this drawing in person. What a privilege to meet and spend time with the Holmes family. What a blessing! I have enjoyed getting to know Skyler and have a sincere appreciation and respect for this young man.
This drawing is taken from a photo of Jimmy that you have possibly seen before. The photo was taken right before he left on his first trip to China while sitting with Rhonda and I on our back porch. The necklace that he is wearing in Skyler’s drawing is a special pendant given to him from a student he taught in China. At the top of the drawing is the verse “Blessed are the pure in Heart, for they shall see God.” This verse found in Matthew 5:8 was one of Jimmy’s life verses and, of course, you can find it written on his desk in his room.
At the end of this post I have included two paragraphs from a paper that Skyler wrote for a school assignment where he shares about Jimmy.
Skyler, thank you for the beautiful drawing , the wonderful gift, and the heartfelt gesture. The drawing continues to reside in our living room by the fireplace! You’re invited to come see it!
Whether you realize it or not, you’re making an impact on lives too. Make it an eternal impact!
Chuck Brazell
Excert from ‘Count It All Joy’ – Skyler Holmes
‘…This experience (speaking of Jimmy’s car wreck and rehabilitation at age 10) left Jimmy with an appreciation for life that was unlike anything I have ever seen. The joy and love that flowed out of him was so obvious, I instantly recognized it the moment that we met. He was a blessing that God put in my life.
A short life is indeed a sharp knife, and the wounds left behind are not easily mended. I will never forget Jimmy, or the way that he lived. He was an angel that God placed in my life for only a week, but that one week turned out to be the most inspiring week that I have lived. So I thank God for it, and pray everyday that He would use me in the same way that He used Chandler Jimmy Brazell.’