Camel Lot

Today, December 30, 2009, our only son John Drake proposed to Natasha Stamman and she accepted. They took a sleigh ride in a restored antique cutter which was used years ago by another young couple in their courting days. The wedding is scheduled to be in early spring 2010. As I watched the excitement on John and Natasha's face I couldn't help but reflect back on this past two years. So much history has happened to our family during this time, we can hardly catch our breath. On June 12, 2008, John gave his daddy the gift of life when he gave Paul a kidney on Father's Day weekend. Then, one month to the day later, our firstborn Rachel Michelle wed Mr. Wilmer Nolt. You can imagine the emotions we all felt when Paul walked our daughter down the church aisle. Then, on August 9, 2008, our second daughter Rebekah married Mr. Zacariah Fox. Our eyes filled with tears again when Paul walked Beka down that same aisle. Our baby daughter Libby married Mr. Isaac Wendland on June 27, 2009. By this time Paul had three hospitalizations since his transplant. So, once again when he appeared at the back of the church to walk our baby girl down that familiar aisle.... we were swirling with so many emotions. On September 5th, Zach and Beka had their first child... a darling baby boy - Tristan Micaiah. Rachel and Wil are expecting our second grandson in March. If all this good news wasn't enough, now our only son will marry his sweetheart. God is sooooo good!

Life can be difficult, but God has been sooo kind to always allow joys to be on their way to us. The kidney transplant wasn't part of our plan for our lives, but just like Joseph in the Bible who found himself sold to a caravan of Midianites. He probably felt forsaken when he was thrown in that pit by his brothers, but God was directing the caravan. Whether they realized it or not they were being controlled by Divine providence. I hope I can always remember this. God knows where we are and He has perfect timing for our precise provision. Months ago He set the caravan in motion for us.

Get ready..... the caravans are coming......... and we will all be living in our own "Camel Lot." ;-)

Rocks on a Fence Post

Paul Franklin Phillips and I have been married for thirty-one years this month. It doesn't seem possible, but it's true. Paul is a country preacher. His sermons are not flowery and never have a "high brow" tone. He's authentic and genuine! He leads by example and has a servant's heart. I guess that's why we all love him soooo much!

Paul Franklin is an Arkansan by birth. Born and raised in Pine Bluff, Arkansas. We met at East Texas Bible College in October of 1976 and were married on November 25, 1977. The Gospel Lighthouse Church in Floyd, Iowa, called us in August of 1981 and we have been honored to serve the same congregation for the past twenty-seven years.

When Paul and I would take little drives through the cornfields of Iowa. There were many times we spied a rock on a fence post. Paul would always say, "Well, you know that rock didn't get on top of that fence post all by itself."

It's so true. Many of the blessings and successes that the Lord has brought our way have come through "others". The Lord brought several families together in the early years of the Gospel Lighthouse Church. Precious "eternal" friendships.... that the gates of Hell could not prevail against. As we look back, we can see that these key families have been part of the growth of the church. We are so grateful for how the Lord cemented all of our hearts together for His glory and honor.


And now the Lord has opened a door for me to write children's books. Once again, he has placed two women in my life. Because of their talent, they make me look better than I actually am. I see God's fingerprints all over and know that it was Divine destiny that allowed our paths to cross.

Kim Sponaugle is the illustrator of "Angel Eyes" and "Stubby's Destiny". Her pictures are charming. Children love them. We will be working again very soon on "One Noble Journey". I thank the Lord for His goodness. He truly knows our phone numbers and can get us to the people He has appointed. If you'd like to see more of Kim's art, go to www.picturekitchenstudio.com


The other day, I wrote another story and sent it into Guardian Angel Publishing. Lynda Burch accepted it and introduced me to another talented illustrator, K.C. Snider. I took a peek of K.C.'s previous illustrations and was once again blown away. God has been so faithful to let paths cross by His hand. K.C. will be illustrating "Baby Jethuth is Mithing". Hopefully, it will be available in time for next Christmas. If you'd like to see more of K.C.'s artwork just go to www.kcsniderart.com You will be blessed.

So, the next time you see a rock on a fence post, take time to thank the Lord for all the precious souls He has placed in your life. We are soooooooo blessed.

His,
Dixie