Miller Family Christmas Card 2015

Some years are better than others and our 2015 shook out to be a rather joy-filled one.  We were incredibly enriched by the support of family, deepening friendships, challenging books (well, audiobooks :-), and fun adventures.  Much of the time, we found ourselves overwhelmed by God’s goodness.  Luke and I were able to find great joy in our work, the kids had beloved teachers and an amazing daycare provider, and we even got to escape on a vacation with both sets of grandparents, all of us together under one roof for a week in the Redwoods. Even in the best of times, however, we found ourselves fighting those constant battles of schedules too full to successfully juggle, parenting dilemmas, anxiety, unthankfulness, pride, whining, and hindered ability to submit to one another in love. Thankfully though, through the good, bad, and ugly, God has continued to shine His light in our lives and has illuminated places in our hearts where we need His help. 

The text Luke suggested for our Christmas card this year was John 1:5, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” In considering the headlines we read and the events we witnessed this year, it’s understandable to feel that the darkness is actually overcoming the light.  But in those times, these words from John carry an encouraging and powerful truth for us. In them, we are told that Jesus is the light that overcomes!  The God who made the universe and everything in it, including your beautiful and intricate self, loved you so much that on that first Christmas he delighted to give you the most precious and incomprehensible gift - the gift of himself. “The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world…the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth,” (John 1:9,12). God came down to earth as man, lived a perfect life and died to eliminate darkness forever and overcome with his glorious light.  While there continues to be dark acts and dark hearts, we take comfort in our belief that the battle is already won, and that this God that loves more deeply than we can hope, sits on the throne of light and of life. 

Given this truth, our desire for our family this year is to proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvelous light (1Peter 2:9) and to share the ways we have seen Him overcome darkness in our lives and the lives of others (however big or small).  So we are starting here, with this card :-)

This year, in my life, darkness reared its ugly head in my desire to perfectly control every part of my business and my prideful attitude of thinking I actually could.  Fortunately, the Lord shined His light into this blind spot in an unexpected and perfect way.  True to his character, the giver of all good gifts, “who is able to do immeasurably more than we could ever ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20), knew what I needed and delighted to provide me with an amazing woman to fill the role of Director of Operations for TripleCord Real Estate.  Through this, God has filled in gaps in the business I didn’t realize existed, allowed me to better assist clients and friends in their home buying and selling experiences, and has given me back time to invest in my family, friends, and greater community.  I am excited to see how the Lord plans for me to use it!  

Working as a fireman with the Boise Fire Department continues to be a great joy for Luke and the schedule has worked well for our family. He is eager to get out the door to start his 48 hour shifts and then is equally excited to come home for 4 days with us.  He also continues to enjoy practicing the bagpipes and learned to play Amazing Grace (one of our favorites).  The light shone on his heart in many ways this year, but the common theme that wove through all of it was his desire to please people rather than please God.  If you know Luke, I think you would agree that he is pretty good at people pleasing, which is a wonderful quality in many ways.  But, this year he felt he was being continually reminded that his deeper desire should be to do all things “for the Lord and not for men,” (Colossians 3:23). While a desire to please those around him persists, he prays his motivation for doing all things will be directed to the only truly fulfilling goal, to honor his Lord.  

Hadley will turn 8 in January.  She is in second grade this year and it has been fun to see a few of her passions and gifts come to light.  She loves to organize productions with her siblings and any other willing guests that may be in our home.  Darkness shows its face in her when she struggles with unthankfulness, jealousy, and an attitude of “that’s not fair”.  We see the Spirit working on those dark areas, and see Christ’s light shining through her in her caring heart, hospitality, and eagerness to serve those around her. We pray He continues to help her “put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,” (Colossians 3:12).  

Taylor will be 6 in March and is enjoying Kindergarten.  She loves doing gymnastics with Hadley, swimming, pouring over I-Spy books, doing puzzles, learning to read, helping with chores, and as much one-on-one time and cuddle time as she can get!  We see darkness try to overcome her when anxiety or loss of control throw her into fits of anger that render her personality almost unrecognizable.  But we are amazed to see how the Lord’s light (through loving attentiveness of others or a peaceful nudge within her spirit) can instantly wipe away her rage and restore peace in her soul.  “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (2 Timothy 1:7) 

Hutch turns 4 on the 21st of this month.  He continues to be a little man full of many words, dimpled smiles, and sweet hugs.  He enjoys wrestling with Dad, dancing to every tune he hears, anything Spiderman, and playing with his friends and sisters. Darkness tries to get a hold of him by tricking him into thinking whining is the best means of communication and that unnoticed disobedience is okay. Our prayer for this little guy…“Teach me Your way, O LORD; I will walk in Your truth; Unite my heart to fear Your name.” (Psalm 86:11)

Ellie will be 2 in March and we treasure her presence in our family.  She loves to create a mess, show off her dance moves, use new words, and wrestle with her brother and Dad.  Despite her delightfully sweet demeanor, however, we see the same darkness rise in her that rises in us all.  That selfishness that manifests into belief that the world centers around us and the pride that tricks us into thinking our way is the only way, or at least the best way. Thankfully, Jesus has shown Ellie and us that He can overcome our inherent darkness…  “I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” (John 8:12)

This Christmas season, we pray that you will enrich your lives by cracking open a Bible and reading more for yourself about the person for whom we celebrate this holiday, Christ Jesus. (NOTE: www.BibleGateway.com has several translations available to choose from so you can find your favorite and read for free :-). If you’ve never read anything out of the Bible for yourself or haven’t in some time, we recommend starting with the book of John.  It has been a meaningful book for us this year…and obviously the theme of this note to you. Thank you for staying connected with your Christmas cards and updates. May your New Year be marked by knowledge of the Light that shines in the darkness and abounding peace in the truth that whatever darkness may come, it cannot overcome the Light of the World, Jesus Christ our Savior! 

With much love, Luke, Katie, Hadley, Taylor, Hutch, & Ellie