My Life Archives - Page 5 of 8

Two New & Exciting Projects!

10/08/201410/08/2014 Kathie Phillips 10 Comments

I am really bad at keeping a secret! Really! When I receive good news, I want to share it with EVERYONE! For the past several months, I have had two big secrets that I wanted to desperately share with all of you but couldn’t until now. Let me fill you in:

PROJECT #1

Earlier this year, I was asked to be part of Kidology‘s new e-book resource for Children’s Ministry leaders and volunteers. Bright Ideas for Children’s Ministry – Volume 1 is a collection of highly practical “bright ideas” that you can immediately implement in your ministry. Who doesn’t love practical, easily implemented ideas from fellow Children’s Ministry leaders?! You’ll find ideas for object lessons, games, crafts, leadership, technology, missions and so much more – it’ll become a trusted go-to resource.

Bright Ideas for Children’s Ministry – Volume 1 is regularly priced at $16.99. If you are a Kidology Premium Member, the regular price is $14.99. But I have more good news – my friends at Kidology have allowed me to offer a special deal for my blog readers. Simply click here to order and enter promo code “SAVE5KP” when you check out – you’ll save $5! Check it out and let me know what you think!

PROJECT #2

I am also excited to share that I will be Children’s Ministry Magazine’s newest columnist, beginning with the January/February 2015 issue! In each issue, I will share ideas specifically for younger elementary children (ages 6-9). This is new territory for me but I am excited to venture into this project. The folks at Group (who publishes the magazine) have been so kind to me – I’m really looking forward to working with them. 🙂

Whew–I feel so much better now that the secrets are out of the bag! God is doing some pretty amazing things in my life and I’m sure you have some awesome things going on with you too!

Keep the conversation going! Tell me what’s going new in your neck of the woods. What are you working on?

What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid?

08/27/201408/27/2014 Kathie Phillips 1 Comment

This summer, I was very blessed to not only take a vacation but to take a vacation where I did absolutely NO work. Aside from answering 2 work-related emails, I was able to unplug, relax with my family, shop, watch movies and read. Deciding WHAT to read while on vacation wasn’t an easy task, as I wanted to read something that wasn’t related to Children’s Ministry but would be enjoyable and hold my attention.

Earlier this year, I watched an interview that Oprah Winfrey did with Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook’s COO. I was so intrigued by the interview that I ordered her book, Lean In: Women, Work and the Will to Lead before the interview was over. When I glanced at the huge pile of books that have gotten a tad dusty because I have been busy with other things, that one stood out to me. So I grabbed it and placed it in my suitcase. While on vacation, I read it cover to cover in just a matter of days (it’s been a while since I’ve done that)!

Today, I want to share some of my favorite quotes from the book as well as a few thoughts about a project I feel God is calling me to.

“We [women] hold ourselves back in ways both big and small, by lacking self-confidence, by not raising our hands, and by pulling back when we should be leaning in.”
“Fear is at the root of so many of the barriers that women face.”
“Opportunities are rarely offered; they’re seized.”
“Taking initiative pays off. It is hard to visualize someone was a leader if she is always waiting to be told what to do.”
“In order to continue to grow and challenge myself, I have to believe in my own abilities.”
“Owning one’s success is key to achieving more success.”
“Authentic communication is not always easy, but it is the basis for successful relationships at home and real effectiveness at work.”
“The ability to listen is as important as the ability to speak.”
“Long-term success at work often depends on not trying to meet every demand placed on us. The best way to make room for both life and career is to make choices deliberately – to set limits and stick to them.”
“Instead of perfection, we should aim for sustainable and fulfilling.”

This book was not written from a Christian perspective, but I found it to speak to me in so many ways. The one chapter that I had to really contemplate was the very first one. It asked, “What would you do if you weren’t afraid?” Let that sink in for a moment. How would you answer that?

When I put my book, highlighter and pen down and really thought about that question, I had a few thoughts pop into my mind. I have shared in previous posts how fear almost prevented me from starting this blog for fear of failing. Stepping out in faith comes easy to me in some areas but it petrifies me in other areas.

For the past year, I have felt God speak to me about birthing a resource for kidmin leaders but I have always pushed it aside because it has never felt like the ‘right time’ or I didn’t have the ‘right resources’ or *gasp* the ‘right knowledge’ to pull it off. But I have once again felt God say, “Do it. The time is now.” So, it is my desire to develop my idea a bit and share it with the kidmin world later this fall. I can’t wait to share it with you!

But for now: What would you do if you weren’t afraid? How would you answer that?

My New Season of Motherhood

06/02/201406/02/2014 Kathie Phillips 5 Comments

If you follow me on social media, then you know that for the past few weeks, our family has been busy as my son’s senior year of high school has come to an end – prom, awards ceremonies, special class activities, exams and graduation. Allow me to briefly tell you about my son, Daniel.

Five months into my pregnancy, Lance & I found out we were having a son. We were so very excited! I could not wait to meet him! Before he was born, I dreamed about what he’d look like (although my ultrasound pictures showed he favored Lance more than me!), what his personality would be like and what God would do in his life. I loved him before I even knew him – kind of weird, but if you’re a mom, you know what I mean.

When I met my little boy after his birth, I was in love. I couldn’t believe how beautiful he was. I loved holding him and staring at him. We were bonded for life. As he grew through infancy and the toddler years, my sweet Daniel was one happy little boy. He hardly ever cried, his personality was so laid back and calm, his eyes made my heart melt and he had the most adorable chubby cheeks that were perfect for a million kisses. He was an ‘easy’ baby and preschooler.

During his early school years, he loved school and was enthusiastic about learning. Things took a turn during his fourth grade year and for the next 4 years, his enthusiasm turned to academic struggle and many frustrating, tear-filled nights for him (and me). But thankfully, that time didn’t change his personality. His adolescent years were surprisingly pleasant. Even as a high-schooler, he still loved to plop down on my bed to talk. To this day, I enjoy his company – he is kind, gentle and very funny. He always makes me laugh.

Daniel has been fascinated with cars since he was a toddler – he has built a pretty impressive Hot Wheels collection over the years. About a year and a half ago, he got his learner’s permit to drive a real car. Good times driving around with a teenager driver! He always handled the car well and was very comfortable driving, so I knew he’d be fine when it came time to get his driver’s license. Well, earlier this spring, he obtained his driver’s license and let me tell ya…the first time he drove my car alone, I was a wreck! I sat on my bed, weeping, feeling like my heart would not beat again until he texted me when he arrived at his destination. All was well when I received that text and I could resume breathing – until I realized that he had to drive home alone later that evening. Repeat crying and a stopped heart until I heard him pull up outside. It took such an emotional toll on me that I went to bed soon after he arrived home!

As his mom, I have always wanted to protect him and his sister. If they were with me, I knew they were safe. But the moment that my son was operating a motor vehicle outside of my ‘protective arms’, I couldn’t deal with it. God showed me that I was a control freak. As long as I was in the car watching out for idiot drivers, Daniel was safe. How could I protect him if he was driving alone? I really needed to rely on God to keep a hedge of protection around him.

As my son enters a new season of life and I enter a new season of motherhood, I am reminded of a few things:

Lance & I are finished raising Daniel. This year, the catchphrase around our house has been ‘moving from dependence to independence’. We have tried to be very proactive about that.
Our role is now to advise and guide as Daniel needs. We have raised him the best we could; now it’s time for him to make his own decisions. It won’t always be easy seeing him find his own way but he has much to learn through wise – and unwise – choices. We are trusting that his relationship with Christ and what we’ve taught him will help him to navigate those unchartered waters.
God will still hear my mama prayers. Just because my son is now an adult doesn’t mean that my mama prayers will end. My parents still pray daily for my siblings and me. I will still keep my son lifted up in prayer to my Heavenly Father.

Daniel is such a great young man. Not only do I love him…I like him. I’m excited to see him enter this new season of life as a young adult. I’m also excited for this new season of motherhood and all that I’ll learn. Pray for this mama, friends!

KidMinspiration turns 2!

05/19/201405/19/2014 Kathie Phillips 2 Comments

Today marks my blog’s 2nd ‘birthday’. I can’t believe it’s lasted this long! If you’ve followed my journey for a while, you’ll remember how fear and trepidation almost kept me from launching into this platform. (You can read all about that here.)

This past year has brought some amazing kidmin friends into my life as well as incredible honors and opportunities to expand my borders even further – it’s still a little scary! 🙂

Thank you so much for reading and sharing in my life and ministry. I am so, so thankful for you. I look forward to continuing to engage with you here and on social media. Don’t follow me on Facebook or Twitter? Click the icons at the top of the page so that we can connect.

Be blessed!