Monday, April 30, 2012

30 X 30 - "Born on a ranch..."

(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in 30 years.  So for the remaining 26 days leading up to my birthday watch for a new post each day celebrating these 30 things.)

It's funny sometimes to see how people react when I share this part of my life, somehow I didn't fit the part I suppose? But in my 30 years, I met some of the most amazing women and learned most about who I wanted to be (and who I didn't want to be) by joining a sorority.  I know one of the stereotypes of sorority girls is that we are all "drones" who are exactly like one another, but that is the farthest thing from the truth.  Joining Kappa gave me the opportunity to be involved in a variety of experiences that helped me to gain the confidence I needed to be who I am, who I was supposed to be.  I met women who were unsure of themselves as well, but who brought out the best in me, and who I hope I helped to bring out the best from them.  Being in a sorority taught me about the value of a truly great friendship, what I value in life, teamwork, basic budgeting (can we say T-shirt fund?), pride in an honest effort, the great need for snacks during studying for finals, my own identity, the benefit of a glass of wine overlooking a bluff-top when you've had a rough semester, ways to treat one another with respect even if I don't respect the way you are treating me, the way to share a refrigerator/shower/bathroom/closet/room, my faith in God, and that a homemade meal can always bring a family together.

I'm sure my experience in Kappa was drastically different than many, but I know that no matter how I stumbled up those back steps, somehow by the grace of God I walked confidently out the front door just four years later.












Sunday, April 29, 2012

30 X 30 - Valedictorian

(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in 30 years.  So for the remaining 27 days leading up to my birthday watch for a new post each day celebrating these 30 things.)

In my 30 years I have graduated with one diploma, two bachelor's and one master's degree, and exactly one time with a perfect record of all A's - High School.

First of all I recognize that graduating from HS itself is quite the accomplishment these days.  Its no longer a "guarantee," and while many insist you have to go even further in school to get a decent job, for many HS is far beyond reach.  I also recognize that I would not have arrived in HS as prepared had it not been for all the previous 8 years of education that helped me achieve valedictorian status.  HS was great.  I loved every minute while I was living it, and am completely thankful for all the ways it shaped who I am today, especially as Valedictorian.  However, I am also glad that I am able to leave these memories in the past and look forward.  I'm thankful for all that I learned in HS and all the ways that being the valedictorian has helped me in the future!


Saturday, April 28, 2012

30 X 30 - Always the Minister, Never the Bridesmaid?

(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in 30 years.  So for the remaining 28 days leading up to my birthday watch for a new post each day celebrating these 30 things.)

They say, "Always a bridesmaid, never a bride."  But in my 30 years it seem it is "always the minister and rarely the bridesmaid," and I'm COMPLETELY OK with this! :D  Yes, I have been a bridesmaids in weddings and that is always fun, but it has been an absolute joy to be the one to lead two dear friends in some of the most sacred words they will ever say to one another.  One of my greatest joys in ministry is being able to share in some of the most sacred moments people will share together, and this doesn't always include the happy and exciting times, but it is certainly a joy when it does.  I am constantly humbled when I am allowed "in" to these vulnerable moments in life and have been thankful I have such the privilege.

Thank you to all of you who have allowed me to be a part of your special day, who have allowed me to share in this joy, and allowed me to lead you in these sacred promises.

(It seems only fitting that the reason I almost missed posting this on time today is because I was at a wedding of a church member tonight!)


Clearly, I don't have any fun at these weddings


Jordon and TJ - April 11, 2010


Keri & Chris (and Arthur!) - May 2, 2009


Josh & Cecily - May 5, 2007


My brother Chad & Sister-in-law Christie - October 22, 2005

 

Ashley & Brad - June 18, 2011


Jayn & Scott - September 3, 2011


Emily & Jason - October 10, 2009


Jess & Joe - October 4, 2008

Friday, April 27, 2012

30 X 30 - Where are you from?

(Following a friend's example, in honor of my 30th birthday I have decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in my 30 years.  So for the next 29 days, leading up to my birthday watch for a new post each day celebrating these 30 things.)

In my 30 years I have had 12 different addresses in 3 different states, 6 different cities and 2 different countries; counting my 4 immediate family members I have had 23 different roommates (that DOESN'T include the other 86 women I lived with in the sorority house!).  While this isn't necessarily an accomplishment, I know it has shaped the person I am today.  What I do consider an accomplishment is the ability to keep in touch with friends and family throughout all these moves, and always trying to be a better roommate, a better friend at the end.  I have my parents to thank for this.  My parents started a pattern of moving, because of my dad's job, shortly after they got married.  However they were determined that location would never deter them from keeping friendships close, or keep them from creating a home no matter where they were.

We give my mom grief for her RIDICULOUS Christmas card list.  The process of Christmas Cards at the Phillips' household is somewhat elaborate and quite the assembly line if you will.  But every year my mom makes sure to include nearly everyone who has been a friend to our family and has supported us in some way.  She (and my dad) have both taught me the importance of relationships that go beyond zip codes and the necessity of allowing life to teach you far more than your neighborhood ever could.  I suppose this is why distance and location has never been a major issue for me.  Move across to the other side of the world to go to college for one semester?  Sure.  Move 800 miles away to go to graduate school? Why not?  Move the furthest south anyone in your family has ever lived, 900 miles away? Of Course!

Most of all I'm thankful for all of the people that have lived in each one of these places with me.  It is my friends, my family and my roommates who have made each place feel like a home and more than just an address.  Sure when I have to list all these addresses, its crazy, but it seems "normal" to me and I wouldn't have it any other way.


Terribly upset about something at our house on Camargo




In my 12 addresses I didn't even count the lake because I've never "lived" there - but it feels like another "home" and I'd sure like to live there some days!


With mom at the Kappa House - 512 Rollins!


With the Roller Family at our house on Hillary


With mom and dad at seminary graduation - where I first lived when I moved to Kentucky


Kate helped me decorate the tree when I lived on Indiana


I can never for the life of me remember this address - but I'm grateful Andrea was willing to take on another dog - yay Sally :D


With both of my families in Wellington, NZ - my home for 7 months in 2002


Me and Meghan on the day that is THE day at our house on Arlington - Happy St. Patty's Day!







Thursday, April 26, 2012

30 x 30 - Sports

Following a friend's example, (thanks Emily!) in honor of my 30th birthday (on May 26) I have decided to post 30 things I have accomplished in my life in my 30 years.  So for the next 30 days, leading up to my birthday watch for a new post each day celebrating these 30 things.  SO many of us have a "bucket list," and sometimes we might not get to  all of those things in as "timely" a manner as we would like.  It's easy to get bogged down by those wishes and wants that have not yet been achieved.  However, rather than dwelling on what I haven't accomplished, I'm going to celebrate the things I HAVE accomplished.  Some of them might be things I've done all on my own - while others I was just incredibly lucky to have experienced, and still others are not necessarily accomplishments, rather things that have greatly influenced who I am today.  Either way, I hope you enjoy traveling down memory lane with me. :D

Well, considering where I live, and my family, NO ONE should be surprised that the first thing on my list has to do with sports.

I am incredibly thankful for all the sporting events I have attended in my life and special ones that have been such a blast!  Some of you may not know that I originally went to college to work in Sports Marketing and minored in Spanish in hopes of working in baseball. (Ha! God sure had different plans!)  So, needless to say, I LOVE LOVE LOVE sports.

It probably started with attending my first baseball game, my brother's, at just 6 weeks old.  Later on in his baseball career I would also become the very first baseball cheerleader - yes they have those when you are 5 years old - and also at one point get hit in the head with a bat (full on swing) by a player ready to step onto the field.  Somehow that didn't keep me down :D

In my 30 years I have had the privilege of attending MIZZOU TIGER football, basketball and baseball games (Go Tigers!), I was even in the Zou Crew - the crazy student section for MU basketball and on the Student Athletic Board that gets to drive the helmet at football games....cough, cough, kU football, baseball and basketball games, (inside Phog Allen Field House!), Kentucky football and basketball games (Rupp Arena!), LSU football, basketball and baseball games, KC Royals Games, KC Chiefs Games, St. Louis Cardinals games at Busch Stadium and most recently the Final Four (Go CATS!) in New Orleans.  I've also attended MANY MANY MANY Lexington Legends games, been in the Super Dome - sadly not during a game, been on a tour of Churchill Downs, and taken a picture of the Green Giant and Yankee Stadium :)  I've watched LIVE the New Zealand All-Blacks Rugby team and the New Zealand Black Caps Cricket Team along with the Wellington Hurricanes Rugby team.  And just for some extra flavor I was in NOLA when LSU defeated...err.... played....errr.... something... against Alabama for the National Title in 2012 and living in Southern Louisiana when the Saints finally won the Super Bowl!  Whew!  Man I love sports... and most of all I'm SO SO SO thankful I've been able to share all these experiences with fantastic people!



Me, dad and mom at the Final Four in NOLA - at this point I was still cheering for both to make it to the Final Game :)


Me and my brother at Faurot Field on Spring Game 2012 - Unveiling of the New Uniforms!


There's nothin' like Death Valley on a fall Saturday...


I also got to go on the field in Death Valley before the game!  Me and Les, we became friends. (Thanks Pam!)


I met baseball great Skip Bertman when he came to speak to the men of the church


Tailgating with Tina and Emily before the UK-WKU football game


I spent MANY-A-SATURDAY NIGHT at Faurot Field in college - Thanks mom and dad for an awesome  experience! (And to Chad for always allowing me to share a ticket when I get the chance to come home as an alumni!)


The view from the Owner's Suite at the Lexington Legends.  Big stuff in a small town :) - Thanks AG and Harris!


The family at the Royals Game on Mom and Dad's 40th Anniversary.