DAN AND JANET PHILLIPS CHRISTMAS LETTER 2000

The year began with some sad moments. Dan's Mother, Vallie Davies Phillips, died on December 23, 1999. She had lived in a nursing home in Franklin for over six years. She had always said she wanted to live to the year 2000, but she did not make it. We miss her but realize that she is in a much better place. We are hoping for a Christmas without as much sorrow.      2000 began with a prayer meeting in the Phillips household with the ROCK GROUP, a group of fellow Christians who have meant a lot to us during the past 15 years.      Some of the highlights of the year included short vacations (3-4 days) in New Orleans (where Dan's brother now lives), Baltimore-Washington, Seaside, Florida(with one of Janet's brothers and his family), and New York City. We have also spent time at High Falls, Georgia, where we have a small lake house and a new pontoon boat we have really enjoyed this summer for the first time in many many years. Abbey of Gethsemani      In August Dan went with his friend Wayne Burns to the Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, Kentucky, for a retreat. It was a wonderful time and he got to go to Thomas Merton's Hermitage and go into it for the first time. Thanks to Father Carlos, a wonderful monk who makes all the visits to the monastery an exciting and delightful time in the Lord. NEW YORK CITY ESCAPE      All we can say is WOW! Janet and Dan celebrated their 33rd anniversary in September in New York City.Dan had been to 48 states and NYC was the only hold out for big cities he hadn't spent time in. Guess we had heard too much about the crime etc.        Dan and Janet at Shea Stadium      But it was a fantastic experience. We went to see the New York Mets play Philadelphia and rode the John Rocker Express, subway #7 to the game. Other highlights included: The top of the Empire State building at 11:30 pm at night. Ellis Island on a Sunday Morning. Tavern on the Green Restaurant in Central Park where we shared lunch time with the President of Turkey in town for a United Nations meeting. Central Park on a Saturday chasing the joggers hi. Cathedral of St John the Divine - (Dan has been wanting to go there for years. Wonderful experience.) And of course the highlights of seeing the Lion King and Contact, our first Broadway Plays. All we can say is, "We're ready to go back. New York you stole our hearts!!" MELINDA      Melinda is doing fine. She works for Powertel selling telephones and helping get the offices in the Nashville area fixed. She has many boy friends and stays busy. Occasionally she drops by to help decorate the Christmas tree or to straighten out her dog Prissy. We are proud of her!   Janet continues working at FISI-Madison Inc, a component of Cendant Corporation, and the home offices have moved to within 3 miles of our house. She is excited about that. She can almost walk to work ha.

Dan works sometimes as either a pastor, or webdesigner, or whatever. He will begin on January 2, 2001 as Chaplain at Centennial Medical Center, a 685 bed hospital in Nashville. He is excited about that.      We hope this has been an exciting year for you, that the rough spots have become smooth and some really nice moments have happened along the way. And if you get a chance sent us an e-mail with what is happening in your lives. E-MAIL TO THE PHILLIPS With Blessings, Dan and Janet Phillips Psalm 23 as translated by Dan Phillips for terminally ill patients The Lord cares for      me I have need for      nothing He gives me a night      of quiet  rest He feeds me with the silence       of his Word My life has new      hope His guidance leads me through The Darkness. He is with me Through the dark night of the soul His touch ever with      me His hand quietly on my shoulder When the enemy comes He is there    With oil       With grace With His presence and mercy And I will ever be His. Spiritual Web Sites Developed and Produced by Dan Phillips How To Develop A Spiritual Journal Using the latest in spiritual journaling, this site by Dan Phillips is an excellent starting point for spiritual development by individuals, especially persons going through extreme crisis.   More Thoughts in Solitude Using the writing of Thomas Merton as a springboard, these are thoughts of interaction with Merton.   Process of Spiritual Development A short method of improving ones spiritual development using techniques of prayer from the Desert Fathers and others.   Thomas Merton Site This is the most viewed of all of Dan's websites, a site dedicated to the Trappist monk and poet, Thomas Merton.   Abbey of Gethsemani - A Pilgrimage Story of a spiritual retreat to the Abbey of Gethsemani in Trappist, KY by Dan K. Phillips. Complete Sitemap Complete sitemap of the writings and internet projects of Dan K. Phillips.   You are visitor #.