(photos all by Lisa Price Photography)
Remember back in October when I spoke at Allume? Well, some of my friends from home came to the conference, both to support their scared friend and mostly to hear the likes of Ann Voskamp and Phil Vischer in person. You know Phil, right? The creator of Veggie Tales. The master mind and voice behind all those vegetables that stole our hearts.
Back in October, I didn’t get to hear Phil speak because of a conflict in schedules. It was so comforting for me to see the familiar faces of good friends during my talk, since I’m by no means a seasoned speaker. (The conference sessions are now available for purchase.)
That weekend my home girl Jeannie became a Phil Vischer super fan. And when I say super fan, I mean she began to stalk him mercilessly admire his work with zeal. Jeannie and I ended up on being the decorating committee for our classical school’s largest fundraiser, Truth and Treasure— a fancy-ish sit down dinner in which we needed to transform a church gym into a beautiful venue and find a well known dynamic speaker. Jeannie campaigned and prayed that the speaker would be Phil Vischer. His people finally said yes but we all knew that he never had a fighting chance against Jeannie’s prayers.
Jeannie was not only a genius at finding a speaker but she was amazing at church gym vision.
And can I just stop here a minute to say that big venue decorating is not one of my spiritual gifts? Karaoke singing? Yes. Heavy eye makeup wearing? Sure. Coal Miner’s Daughter quoting? Of course.
Decorating a gym and 45 tables? Not so much. It looked beautiful, magical even. Hats off to my darling and lovely friend, Jeannie Jett and to the slew of people who made this evening possible! Our fearless leader Evi had the night planned in her heart many months before, using the theme of Esther—For Such a Time as This—as our guide. She had spreadsheet after spreadsheet of exactly when and where everyone was supposed to be at all times. This would be a good time to mention that spreadsheets are not my spiritual gift either.
But, these women know how to host a rapturous evening of great food, beautiful art, and inspiring speaking. I’m thankful I was along for the ride.
(Side note: I threw my back out from lifting those urns 7 million times but other than that, all I have are the loveliest memories!)
We had a VIP reception before the event where Phil had agreed to sign books and mingle with our people. In Chicago where he lives, he said that most people don’t even recognize him in public. Our people brought their old VHS tapes, t-shirts, books, and even small children for him to sign. Okay, maybe he didn’t sign the children, but our little town made him feel special.
He was adorable and funny and approachable and in general the nicest guy you ever want to meet.
He stayed in the reception 30 minutes past the time we asked him to and Jeannie and I were finally given the task of removing him from the room so he could have a few minutes alone to think before his talk. Only then we remembered that there were another 100 books sitting in boxes for him to sign before the evening was over. We approached him and told him that we would be his bouncers and escort him out of the reception into a more private setting so he could sign the remainder of the books and prepare for his talk. We ended up in a church cafeteria with the caterers and a lot of clanging dishes, but only after I basically let EVERYone who approached him along the way get all their stuff signed and chitty chat with him about how much Veggie Tales had meant to their families. Actually what I did was take their iPhones and get pictures of them with Phil ALL the way out of the reception room. Note to event planners everywhere: Never ask a Southern woman to do a job that involves being direct and matter of fact. This is a skill set we do not have. (“Honey, let me have your phone and I’ll get your picture with Phil!”)
All that to say, Jeannie isn’t the only one stalking him now. He’s an amazing, kind and brilliant artist who continues to great work for the kingdom. His story of losing his company after so much success was so one of the best talks I’ve heard in a long time. You can read about it in his book Me, Myself, and Bob, which is FANTASTIC!
He has a weekly podcast and a blog and often covers the issues pertaining to Christianity and culture. He’s very smart and thoughtful and has a brand new program out for kids called What’s in the Bible.
What I’m trying to tell you is, if you aren’t following Phil, you’re missing out.
Also? I’m waiting for the email any day where his staff asks Jeannie and me to travel with him and be his bouncers.
Let’s face it, it would make the stalking easier and everybody would get ALL their stuff signed and plenty of pictures with Phil.
Also? I know all the words to the hairbrush song so I’m sure that would come in handy on the speaking circuit.
During the month of March, his video series What’s in the Bible is 30% off and is a great resource for teaching kids the faith. He even has a version you can use for VBS.
\
And here he is giving a convocation at Liberty University.
Love and hugs from Phil’s newest fan club member and his very scary bouncer.
OK, OK, I will check him out. And now I have the Veggie Tales song stuck in my head thankyouverymuch. 🙂
Love, love, L.O.V.E. Veggie Tales and the message behind every story!!! I had a rough “spiritual” upbringing and, wanting better for my daughter, started with Veggie Tales. She had “Silly Songs” when she was an infant (she’s 12 now)… He is a truly a gift!
You were a southern-fied Covergirl bouncer who not only got herself and her girls beautified in 15 minutes but remained over-the-top hospitable to all those who wanted to continue to spend time in Phil’s presence. The Truth was spoken very clearly by Phil…once again. And The Treasure was seeing all those amazing people who love The Lord and Christian Classical Education work so hard to make this fundraiser a huge success. Phil’s book is an amazing read that our family has adored for about 6 years and have passed around to almost everyone we know (losing it during the loaning process) so what a treat to speak with him personally and get a replacement copy that is signed by the Veggie Tales creator himself! I encourage everyone to read his book because it is eye-opening as it discusses successes and failures in life and broken dreams that God could have prevented but chose not to. In his transparency, this creator of these famous vegetables exposes some of the most insightful lessons learned on his personal spiritual journey. Phil’s little creations still speak the truth as they close each episode with, “God made you special, and He loves you very much.” Amen. And yes, He does, Phil.
My kids grew up with Veggie tales, in VHS form…so it was a long time ago. They still sing the “Are we there yet” song from a CD from our car traveling days.
We are now purchasing Veggie tales in DVD form to have for our future camp for kids. thank you for this wonderful blog on Phil.
We all LOVE Veggie tales and will for the rest of our lives.
I remember when Veggie Tales was first released. I was in a Family Christian Bookstore, and they had a tape running on a small television in the children’s section at the back of the store. I remember thinking, “Oh, now isn’t that cute”, not realizing at the time the impact that the brand would have in the years ahead (especially with my own children. They love Veggie Tales!)
Over the years I’ve been so inspired by Phil Vischer and his testimony of resiliency and perseverance. My family is grateful that he has continued to share his many talents.
My mom bought the whole “What’s in the Bible” series for my daughter this past Christmas. WOW. They are incredible….dare I say, even better than Veggie Tales!!! How fun for you to get to hear him speak!
Love Veggie Tales. Will now have to *stalk* the genius behind them. Thanks for sharing!
This post could not have come in a more timely manner for me! I’m over here in Rome celebrating turning a new decade, and I am having a grand ole time but on the occasion that I have some free time in between touring the Colusseum and the Vatican I’ve been contemplating my life and where God is calling me to next. It can be easy to do that in a place with so much history :-). I recently came out of a discernment process that left me in an in between state. Long story short, God called me into teaching many moons ago and blessed me with not only a teaching career in the schools but also a career in Children’s Minustries. In the past year, I have felt a calling into something more, thinking perhaps ordained ministry within my church. What I have found is that I am needed in a new way within Children and Family Ministries. I have been nudged to write about God for children, but have resisted. I have continued to feel that whisper and nudging from God and have prayed even today for a message of clarity. Edie, this post to me is that message. I have always been so inspired by Phil Vischer and the Veggie Tales series! Will you pray for me friend that I will continue to understand more clearly this new path God is leading me down. Thank you for this post. Phil was in very good hands with you as his bouncer!
Phil got his start in the church we attend in Chicago. An amazing creative guy.
Fondly,
Glenda
WOW Girl! Thanks for all the sweet comments! You are way tooooo kind! You did not give yourself enough kudos! You lifted those 49 urns at least 10 million times-not a mere 7 million! You have an amazing eye for all things “Persian” (notice I didn’t write Parisian because that would just be weird for Queen Esther and King Xerxes to live in Paris instead of Ancient Persia).
I think we need to pitch the traveling Taco & Candy Cane (our Phil Vischer given nicknames) idea to Phil. He was way too humble and definitely needs an entourage!! Whatcha think?- Taco & Candycane, LLC- Just goes together beautifully don’t ya think!
I’m gonna miss our weekly meetings and trips to Home Depot & Lowes. I may never plant flowers in Urns ever again but if I do I will always think of you my friend!
Oh Edie. loved this post! The Veggie Tales were very much a STRONG part of my two boys early years. I just have to say all these years later It is not unusual in a hurried school morning for me to break out in the Hairbrush song and every Easter someone belts out “The bunny, the bunny, oooo I ate the bunny”! Remember that one? Thanks for the visit down memory lane. I am going to check out Phil right now!
This is the best bouncer story I have ever read. I am still laughing. I am headed over to start following Phil. Veggie tales were our favorite when the kids were little. I can not wait to get his book. No matter what you do-you are amazing at it. That email should be hitting your inbox any second now.
{Melinda} I love Phil! 🙂 I don’t know if I could have made it through the preschool years without VeggieTales. I had no idea he lost his company. Wow. He is brilliant — an amazing vessel of God’s creativity!