Phil and June were both born and raised in small, rural farming communities in Kentucky. We have known each other since the seventh grade and have been "sweehearts" from the nineth grade. I joined the US Army on graduating High School (1958). A few months later we were married when I returned home on a short leave following my first 8 weeks Basic Training. I was able to take June with me to advanced training (Combat Engineers) at Ft. Leonardwood Missouri.
Our overseas duty station was in the Panama Canal Zone at the US Army Base at Ft. Kobbe. This was our first long-term separation from family... and our first exposure to life outside the United States. My rank was such that we didn't qualify for on-base housing, so we rented a duplex in the Republic of Panama, well outside the security of the military base. But for us, that was quite an exciting adventure.
Both our children were born in the Canal Zone at Gorgas hospital, in Ancon. We had to grow up rather quickly through these experiences. On the plus side, we lost any fear we had of going into unfamaliar territory. Military life had it's drawbacks, but on the whole, it was a very positive experience for us both and has had a powerful impact on our view of life.
Our jobs and places of residence have been quite varied. Not too long after Phil's discharge from the Army in 1961, we moved to the Florida Keys. For about three years, he worked as First Mate on a SCUBA Diving Charter Boat out of Marathon. Eventually we moved to Key West, following work. From there it was Tampa, then to Houston, then to Austin in 1970 (where we still reside). For the next 8+ years I was co-owner and corporate President of the largest (at the time) Camera Specialty store in Austin, Texas. In 1976 through a life crisis, Phil had a profound, life changing encounter with the Creator. Two years later, he was called into full-time Christian ministry at an independent Christian Church in Austin.
Early Love of Photography
I have been connected to photography either as a serious hobby or professionally for most of my adult life... that includes still, movie and video photography. Since camcorders and the digital age has spread to video, shooting and editing video has become a passion. Phil have always loved to combine photography with every aspect of life, family, business, ministry hobbies and of course, our travels.
More About Us...
We are both retired... Phil retired in May, 2006 following 28 years as a full-time Christian minister with an Independent Christian Church in Austin, Texas (see link blow). June retired in January, 2007 following 30 years with the Federal Government.We remain very active in our church. Phil serves as an Elder in the congregation and June serves as the Missions Ministry Team Leader and works with the Children's Ministry in a support role. They take short-term missions trips whenever they can.
Personal note: We have such a blessed and joyful experience in these trips that we want to share the experiences as much as possible. This website has proven to be a good way to do that.
More Personal Information...
Our Love of Travel...
Our love of travel adventures spung from our travels during military service, but also was nurtured and developed more fully during our years of full-time ministry which began in 1978.
While in the Army stationed in Panama, Phil experienced his first open ocean SCUBA diving in the crystal blue water of the Pearl Islands. He was hooked for life.
In 1985 we took a 6,000 mile motorcycle tour, (Tour West) with close friends, Luke and Cherry Nall. We visited the Royal Gorge, Crater Lake, Yellowstone Park, Jackson Hole, then down the Oregon coast stopping at Hoover Dam, Bryce, Zion and Grand Canyons, and on into California and several other notable locations.
Our first trip to Africa was to Egypt in 1994, we have been very fortunate and truly blessed to have been able to travel extensively. While there, we also traveled to Sharm-el-Sheikh and went SCUBA diving in the Red Sea!
In 1997 we spent a month inSouth Africa, 2 weeks with a missionary family, 3 days in Kruger Game Reserve and then a week in Zimbabwe at Chidimoyo Mission Hospital in the bush, Manna Pools Game Reserve, 3 days at Victoria Falls and finally Cape Town.
In1998 I spent a wonderful week of SCUBA diving with friends and family aboard a 130 ft. live-aboard diving boat in the beautiful waters of the Grand Cayman Islands. June and I have been ardent SCUBA divers and lived in the Florida Keys for several years during the 60's.
In 2000, again visiting missionary friends, we made a trip which included Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco and France, including Normandy (very emotional experiences) and our first time in Paris.
In 2001, June and I made a 1000 ft. dive aboard the research mini-sub Atlantis off the coast of the Grand Cayman Islands.
In 2003 we made a 2 week journey through the great state of Alaska(which seemed like foreign soil (except everybody we mest spoke English). Glaciers, scenery and wildlife... awesome!
In 2004 we made a month-long, short-term mission trip to Tanzania East Africa. This was a working visit to do a house re-construction for a missionary family there with Pioneer Bible Translators. During the last two weeks we also managed visits to Mt. Kilimonjaro, Serengeti Plains and Zanzibar.
2007 was a really busy year... In April we spent one month in South Africa working with Stu and Marilyn Cook,Zimbabwe and Paris (on the return leg). Shortly after our return, June spent 9 days in Mexico traveling with our daughter-in-law and some family members. They all visited a mission children's home in San Luis Potsi. Then in September and October, a 38 day trip through Turkey, Greece and Italy.
2008 found us back in Tanzania on a 3 ½ month working tour (mid March to the end of June).
For more details about Phil's mission involvement take a look at theVillage Visits page.
During one of my village trips, June, Rick and Linn took a very interesting... "Trek up the mountain."
Just before we returned to the U.S., we visited another mission of Pioneer Bible Translators. A wonderful outreach mission to the street children in Dodoma called Safina House.
On our return to Austin we started preparations for our 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration which took place on our Anniversary date of September 6th. I think 50 years of marriage is something to celebrate big time! So I took my sweetheart for life to Paris (that's Paris France... not Paris Texas) the week included a romantic dinner cruise up the Seine River.
2009 was spent dedicating more time with family and friends at home. O.K. maybe not the entire year... Our eldest grandson was married (Phil preformed the ceremony) and we did take a Caribbean Cruise in mid November.
2010 Was a pretty adventurous year for us. First, to celebrate turning 70 June jumped out of a perfectly good airplane at 11,000 ft! Next we took a took a 10 day trek to Hawaii. We met up with a couple we know from Austin and had a great time taking a week-long Cruise around the islands. Then later in the fall, we spent 35 days in Inland China.
2011 found us on a 2 1/2 month treck around South Africa and Egypt. In South Africa, we spent 2 months on a short-term mission working with our good friend, Marilyn Cook with Mission to South Africa in the Limpopo Province. We then enjoyed very memorable day stent at a wildlife Santuary called San Wild. Followed by a week Cruise down the Nile!
While in the Army stationed in Panama, Phil experienced his first open ocean SCUBA diving in the crystal blue water of the Pearl Islands. He was hooked for life.
In 1985 we took a 6,000 mile motorcycle tour, (Tour West) with close friends, Luke and Cherry Nall. We visited the Royal Gorge, Crater Lake, Yellowstone Park, Jackson Hole, then down the Oregon coast stopping at Hoover Dam, Bryce, Zion and Grand Canyons, and on into California and several other notable locations.
Our first trip to Africa was to Egypt in 1994, we have been very fortunate and truly blessed to have been able to travel extensively. While there, we also traveled to Sharm-el-Sheikh and went SCUBA diving in the Red Sea!
In 1997 we spent a month inSouth Africa, 2 weeks with a missionary family, 3 days in Kruger Game Reserve and then a week in Zimbabwe at Chidimoyo Mission Hospital in the bush, Manna Pools Game Reserve, 3 days at Victoria Falls and finally Cape Town.
In1998 I spent a wonderful week of SCUBA diving with friends and family aboard a 130 ft. live-aboard diving boat in the beautiful waters of the Grand Cayman Islands. June and I have been ardent SCUBA divers and lived in the Florida Keys for several years during the 60's.
In 2000, again visiting missionary friends, we made a trip which included Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco and France, including Normandy (very emotional experiences) and our first time in Paris.
In 2001, June and I made a 1000 ft. dive aboard the research mini-sub Atlantis off the coast of the Grand Cayman Islands.
In 2003 we made a 2 week journey through the great state of Alaska(which seemed like foreign soil (except everybody we mest spoke English). Glaciers, scenery and wildlife... awesome!
In 2004 we made a month-long, short-term mission trip to Tanzania East Africa. This was a working visit to do a house re-construction for a missionary family there with Pioneer Bible Translators. During the last two weeks we also managed visits to Mt. Kilimonjaro, Serengeti Plains and Zanzibar.
2007 was a really busy year... In April we spent one month in South Africa working with Stu and Marilyn Cook,Zimbabwe and Paris (on the return leg). Shortly after our return, June spent 9 days in Mexico traveling with our daughter-in-law and some family members. They all visited a mission children's home in San Luis Potsi. Then in September and October, a 38 day trip through Turkey, Greece and Italy.
2008 found us back in Tanzania on a 3 ½ month working tour (mid March to the end of June).
For more details about Phil's mission involvement take a look at theVillage Visits page.
During one of my village trips, June, Rick and Linn took a very interesting... "Trek up the mountain."
Just before we returned to the U.S., we visited another mission of Pioneer Bible Translators. A wonderful outreach mission to the street children in Dodoma called Safina House.
On our return to Austin we started preparations for our 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration which took place on our Anniversary date of September 6th. I think 50 years of marriage is something to celebrate big time! So I took my sweetheart for life to Paris (that's Paris France... not Paris Texas) the week included a romantic dinner cruise up the Seine River.
2009 was spent dedicating more time with family and friends at home. O.K. maybe not the entire year... Our eldest grandson was married (Phil preformed the ceremony) and we did take a Caribbean Cruise in mid November.
2010 Was a pretty adventurous year for us. First, to celebrate turning 70 June jumped out of a perfectly good airplane at 11,000 ft! Next we took a took a 10 day trek to Hawaii. We met up with a couple we know from Austin and had a great time taking a week-long Cruise around the islands. Then later in the fall, we spent 35 days in Inland China.
2011 found us on a 2 1/2 month treck around South Africa and Egypt. In South Africa, we spent 2 months on a short-term mission working with our good friend, Marilyn Cook with Mission to South Africa in the Limpopo Province. We then enjoyed very memorable day stent at a wildlife Santuary called San Wild. Followed by a week Cruise down the Nile!
