This is Who We Are: Lisa Philip
July 26th, 2014 | John Chandler
This is Who We Are is an interview series where the women and men of Austin Mustard Seed introduce themselves. If you’d like to participate, send an email to Chris Morton.
What’s your name? Lisa Philip
Where is the most exciting place you have traveled?
Between taking the bar exam (which I hope to never, ever have to do again) and starting to work, I lived in North Africa for seven weeks and volunteered in medical clinics since I was an EMT in college. I went back a few years later to see the sights (I never actually traveled the first time I was there) and to see friends.
What was the last movie you watched that you really enjoyed?
The Secret Life of Walter Mitty – I was struck by how much Sean Penn’s character was like God. Stick with me – Walter Mitty went chasing after this genius, yet rarely seen artist who created incomparable works of beauty and yet, at the end, the Artist had been close enough to Walter to touch him and had seen the value in Walter before he ever saw it in himself.
What food do you bring to a potluck?
Something I can eat (gluten-free) that doesn’t require me to actually make it since I’m almost incapable of planning meal-fixins enough in advance to make something for a party…so usually something like gluten-free hamburger buns.
Where did you go to school?
I did my undergrad at The College of William and Mary (Tribe Pride!) and came to The University of Texas for law school. That was supposed to have been a temporary move but it’s been eight years.
What is your day job?
I’m a staff attorney on the Institutional Rights and Civil Liberties team at Disability Rights Texas. Essentially, I advocate for the civil rights of people with mental illnesses and intellectual disabilities in the large, state-run institutions.
Why do you follow Jesus?
Because everything that is worth anything—everything true, beautiful, and good – is His. Because he shouldn’t love me but He does, more than I can possibly fathom.
What is one thing you love about Austin Mustard Seed?
I came to Austin Mustard Seed during what has been, hands down, the hardest year of my life so far. The people at AMS immediately opened their arms and welcomed me like family, no questions asked. It is, without a doubt, one of the safest church communities I have ever found.
How can people get in touch with you?
Twitter and Instagram: ImLisaAnn