I just want to take this opportunity on the night before I have surgery to thank you all. Thank you for all of your thoughts, prayers, phone calls and e-mails. I experienced a similar feeling to this when Drew was born with heart problems, but this time it’s different…this time it’s me. I can’t even begin to explain to you how powerful your prayers have been. He has heard every prayer that you have lifted up to him. I have never felt such an intimate relationship with God. This time, unlike with Drew, I’ve been able to let go and allow Him to take control. My faith has led me to let go and trust in the Almighty and I’ve been listening to him very carefully. I truly believe that there is no valley too dark for God’s sight, no place too low for the touch of His hand, no whisper too faint for the Good Shepherd’s ear, and no sickness that He cannot heal. It’s the most real feeling in the world, the most wholesome and the most peaceful. “Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!” (Psalm 23:1) For the first time in my life, I know that He is watching over me every minute of every day. He’s holding me in the palm of his hand and carrying me through what should be a difficult time. I am not afraid. I am strong and I am confident. I believe that the decisions that we’ve made up to this point are the right ones and that God will guide us through the decisions we have to make in the future. Please continue to pray for us as this isn’t easy on our family or our friends. We have many challenges and decisions that lie ahead of us. This is just the beginning of a long journey.

I leave you with this poem. It’s been one of my favorites since I was a kid. I know the Lord is carrying me right now, I can feel Him.

-Stephanie Phillips

Footprints in the Sand
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the LORD.
Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the LORD.
When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand.
He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints.
He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life.
This really bothered him and he questioned the LORD about it:
"LORD, you said that once I decided to follow you, you'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me." The LORD replied:
"My son, my precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial and suffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I carried you."