My name is Phillip Benavides & I'm typing this from my room of the house I grew up in. It's strange that in a very short 6 months, I'll be launching on The World Race. I don't know when that will actually 'hit' me…
A random summary about me:
Born and raised in Dallas, Texas area… though I do not own and do not wish to own a pair of boots.
I am 23 years old as of 1/4/2012. But I forget how old I am sometimes.
I am the oldest child in my family & 3rd oldest cousin on my mom's side. My brother is 9, and sister is 18. Yes, I am almost a decade and a half older than my brother.. It's crazy.
Both my parents' families are huge, so my siblings and I have like 25ish cousins- I can't keep track.
My childhood was filled with time with my cousins,
bike riding,
climbing trees,
blue Kool-Aid spraying out of our noses due to intense laughter,
hugging each other because grandpa saw when we were mean to each other,
acorn fights, and so much more!
I love cooking, eating is the best part- 'He who eats, eats for the Lord'!… I do not like baking, I think it is too exact, if that makes sense.
I try to run each day but I fail more often than I try.
I graduated from Texas A&M University (Whoop!) with a degree in Psychology. I absolutely love the brain and am a huge nerd when it comes to facts, ideas, thoughts, questions, & research about anything to do with the brain or mind.
I don't get sick often, and I am curious to see how often I will be sick on The Race… probably a lot!
I am a sport-nut. I love college football- the fanfare, traditions, passion & college basketball for much of the same. I cheer for any Texas Aggie team, the Dallas Mavericks, Dallas Stars, Texas Rangers, Dallas Cowboys, & Liverpool FC.
I read a lot; some of my favorite books lately: Desiring God by John Piper, Gospel by JD Greear, & Redemption by Mike Wilkerson. I'm currently reading Confessions by Saint Augustine, Kisses from Katie by Katie Davis & Jesus + Nothing = Everything by Tullian Tchividjian.
I enjoy lots of different types of music.. listening that is, not playing. I am not musically talented, though I wish I was. Shane & Shane, Brandon Heath, Lecrae, Phil Wickham, She & Him, & Coldplay have all been recently played on my iPod.
I would rather watch movies than go running. Anything Christopher Nolan I enjoy: Dark Knight, Inception; dark comedies, epics, horror, and the occasional 500 Days of Summer types of films.
Contacts hurt my eyes, so I prefer glasses, except when running or playing sports (paranoid they'll be destroyed).
My parents were super protective when I was younger, but I love them for it now.
I'm learning that I am loved regardless of the things I do or say.
That my Abba delights in me even when I don't recognize or acknowledge His presence.
That praying without ceasing is more possible than you would think.
That Christ's death is PROOF that He wants ME, and that He will do everything it takes to steal my heart away for His glory.
Some of the most encouraging verses for me right now:
1Thessalonians 5:16-18, 23-24
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is faithful; He will surely do it."
Jeremiah 20:9
"If I say, "I will not mention Him, or speak any more in His name," there is in my heart as it were a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I am weary with holding it in, and I cannot."
Deuteronomy 4:7
"For what great nation is there that has a god so near to it as the Lord our God is to us, whenever we call upon Him?"
Psalm 138:3,8
"When I called, You answered me; You made me bold and stout-hearted. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; Your love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not abandon the works of Your hands."
He has told me that He will be seen, and that He will provide. He is YAHWEH-Jireh.
I am not as nervous as I thought I would be during this pre-launch time. I'm more excited-anxious about it to just get here already.
Well there you have it. You now have sufficient info about who this 'Phillip' is. Hope this is enough random info for you to write a captivating biography about me, or I hope this is enough to hold you over until we meet face-to-face and celebrate everything the Lord has done!
