We are blessed to celebrate the 4th of July and rejoice in our freedom in the USA. Thank you to the many military men and women who work daily to provide us a free country in which to live.

God bless America! Watch the video below:

Thank you

Today is Father’s Day. Here is a special tribute to my dad. Thank you, dad, for all you do. Thank you for teaching me. Thank you for the guidance and leadership you have given over the years. Thank you for your example of living a Christ-filled life.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad

Today is David’s birthday. I hope you have a great day. I am looking forward to celebrating with you on our day trip to Harpers Ferry, West Virginia.

Happy birthday!

I recently posted this story about my mom, but it is worth re-posting a portion of it as a tribute to her on Mother’s Day 2010.

Mom spent a few months in a rehab and therapy center that specializes in orthopedic therapy. She became friends with many of the rehab staff.

One young lady on staff was from Haiti, single, and pregnant. Even though mom was going through physical therapy and occupational therapy everyday and experiencing a lot of pain in her hip and leg, she wasn’t thinking about herself. She was thinking about this young lady and how she could help her begin her life as a mom.

My mom had a baby gift at home that she had purchased for the wife of a staff member at church but they never had a church-wide shower for her. Mom told dad to bring that gift to the center because she wanted to give it to this young Haitian mom. She needed baby things more than the staff wife.

In December mom was released to go home and continue home-health therapy there. She was soon released from home-health therapy sessions and was doing ok, although, the pain continued because of the infection that just wouldn’t clear up.

Mom’s leg continued to hurt too much so she went back to the hospital where they did another surgery to clean out the infection in her leg. In addition, the doctor removed her prosthetic hip and replaced it with a spacer for a few months.

Mom was moved back to the rehab center after that surgery. She likes it much better there than in the hospital. The entire staff knows mom and dad. They are friendlier and easier to get along with. After all, rehab is their specialty.

The center staff was surprised to see mom back but they greeted her with kindness. The young Haitian lady heard mom was back and she rushed to see her to tell about her little girl and how much she appreciated the baby gift: a dress for her to wear. She told mom her little girl has already worn the dress and she is going to bring a picture to show mom.

Now that’s ministry! Mom has many people caring for her and ministering to her. But at the same time she is ministering to the staff and sharing Jesus with others. No selfish bones there — pun intended — get it? bones!

I love you, Mom. Happy Mother’s Day!

I found this article here…

“As graduation nears, college career centers are under pressure to help not only the Class of 2010 navigate the tight job market, but also graduates of 2009—and even the year before—who are still unemployed.

Many alumni are either unemployed, underemployed, or in positions that do not match their qualifications or professional interests. The job market began constricting for the Class of 2008 and may not loosen until after members of the Class of 2011 begin job-hunting.”

Many students are graduating and hoping and praying for jobs in which to use their new college degrees. It is sad that much study time is spent on ‘what you want to be when you grow up.’ Then the growing-up happens. What next? Where can you use that degree?

I know how it is. We’re in the job-hunting mode as well. We’re having to be very creative with jobs and pinching every penny coming in. We can’t squeeze the pennies any harder though; nothing else comes out of them.

We must remember Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT) — “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

God does know the future. God has a plan. There is a future and a hope. God, give us the peace and comfort to see Your plan for our future.

Today David and I celebrate our 14th wedding anniversary.

We met in January 1993 when we started graduate school at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. We had a few classes together that first semester and hung around the same group of friends, but it wasn’t until the next semester (fall 1993) that we really became close friends when we moved to a seminary off-campus apartment complex. David lived in an apartment above mine and would help me with my computer issues and I would type the notes from class. We weren’t dating at that time but many people thought we were because we hung out together and were close friends.

Then we decided that we would try the dating thing. Well, it worked. We grew closer and closer and have been best friends for 14 years now.

We’ve been through struggle after struggle in our married life and in ministry and careers. God has taken care of us though and I know He will continue to care and provide for us — wherever He sends us and whatever He prepares for us.

David, I love you! Thank you for 14 years. I’m looking forward to 14 million more years with you.

Today is mom and dad’s anniversary. They met in New Orleans while attending New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary and First Baptist Church of New Orleans.

I am thankful for mom and dad and the love they have for me and for David. I am very thankful for their support of everything we do: our careers and our ministries. Their support is very much appreciated. They have supported us in various ways, even lending a helpful hand on mission trips.

Last year (2009) we celebrated their 40th anniversary with a reception at their church facility with friends and family. It was a fabulous weekend with great food and fellowship enjoyed by many.

I am thankful that mom is coming through her battle with hip surgery and recovery and is able to make the trip to one of our favorite cities.

Happy Anniversary! Enjoy!

Today is my mom’s x#x birthday. Happy birthday!

She is a great mom and a great supporter of all my adventures and career opportunities — wherever they have taken me.

I am thankful that God has taken care of her for many years. She has had quite the battle during the past few months with 3 hip surgeries in 3 months. Thankfully, she has been released from the doctor’s care and no longer needs rehab and physical therapy caretakers. She and dad are on their own now. They are doing well in sunny central Florida.

Thank you to friends and family in many states across the country for praying for mom.

Thank you, mom, for all your  help with my educational assignments and ministry support. I love you and hope you have a great birthday. Enjoy!

It’s Mardi Gras Day! “Laissez les bons temps rouler — Let the good times roll.”

Come on, get into the New Orleans spirit, watch New Orleans parades live, wear your purple green and gold, eat King Cake, and listen to this favorite song…

Jambalaya

For my Valentine: The Wedding Song

Who’s your valentine? Watch this Hallmark Valentine’s Day commercial. Your valentine is the one you want to sit next to, play with, get in trouble with, share life with… Click the link and then click the commercial titled “Avocado.”

Here is my Valentine: David Phillips