Miller Family Christmas Card 2023
Often, when people ask, “How’s life?” our answer is, “It’s full.” The word “full” in this response has a dual meaning—on the one hand, it feels “full” like a cup brimming with blessing and, at the very same time, “full” like a plate on which one more thing might send it all tumbling. Yet, in both our contentment and our chaos, we continue to find an unchanging, steady, and sure footing in Christ. For this reason, 1 Corinthians 3:11 felt like a fitting verse for our Christmas card this year: “For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” As we celebrate Jesus’ birth this season, we are encouraged again by the bedrock of our faith—that is Christ, our Savior. Despite sin separating us from God’s holiness, His profound love drove Him to come for us! He left His throne of endless glory to live among us in humble flesh—revealing God’s character tangibly through a life of holiness and sacrificial love. Then, He died for us—paying the penalty His justice required for our sins, making a way for us to be right with God, and promising that anyone who trusts that His sacrifice accomplished this would indeed be saved. Finally, He sealed this promise by rising from the grave—conquering death and darkness and inviting all who would accept the invitation to a never-ending life of joy by His side. How incredible! We accept! For us, this is not just a sweet story that brings superficial cheer around the holidays. This is a real event with real, life-changing, and life-giving outcomes for us and, we hope, for you as well! We praise God with thankfulness that whether our life this past year has felt ‘full’ of joy, chaos, family, work, contentment, sorrow, challenge, or some crazy combination of them all, Christ’s love for us, presence with us, and future with Him are secure. He has been, is now, and always will be an unwavering and sure foundation.
Seeking to balance responsibilities in many roles, Luke has leaned daily on the Lord for strength and stability. He continues to love his job with the Boise Fire Department and recently took an assignment as Captain of Station 1. This position has allowed him to continue learning how to lead well, to shape culture at the firehouse, and to expand the crew’s skills in their many first-responder duties. Additionally, he no longer has to live out of a suitcase—packing his gear to different stations each shift—and Station 1 is close enough to our home for the kids and me to easily swing by for a visit. On top of his paid job, Luke continues to give of his time serving as a lay pastor at Table Rock Church, team-teaching Launch Pad at Timberline High School, fixing things in our house, maintaining our yard, tutoring the kids in math, taking us camping, and being available to care for the needs of our family. Though rare, he’s still able to find time for the occasional woodworking project, bagpiping gig, fishing excursion, or round of Fortnite. His desire this year has been to grow in how to better use the gifts and time God has given him to love and serve others well and to encourage the people in his life on how they can do the same (Romans 12:3-8).
As one who often feels like one more thing on my plate might cause everything to come crashing in, I too have sought the Lord much in how to better manage my time as well as to find rest and contentment in Him no matter what the day may bring. Due to a slower housing market, managing TripleCord Real Estate took up less of my day than in years past. But, those hours were easily filled with helping team-teach Launch Pad, volunteering as an admin and bookkeeper for our church, and juggling the many appointments, activities, meals, playdates, laundry loads, questions, car drives, and events that make up any given day in our household of 7. Though sometimes overwhelming and likely adding to my head of gray hairs, I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve in these roles and for the many joys they bring. I continue to treasure stolen moments for walks along the river with Mazie and friends, cleaning to the tune of a good audiobook, and unscheduled evenings at home that allow for the enjoyment of a good show or deeper conversation with Luke and the kids. Whether in quiet or chaos, I want to earnestly cling to the truth that “God will supply for all my needs according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).
Hadley is in the 10th grade and will turn 16 in January. Three major highlights this year were 5-weeks at Camp Perkins (3 of which she volunteered as a Leader-in-Training), transitioning to Timberline High School, and earning her driver's license. Though maybe not a highlight, she also got her wisdom teeth out and survived our attempts to prank her while she was loopy. Hadley remains a responsible teen who loves being at Camp, adventuring outdoors, listening to music or podcasts, spending time with family, playing her guitar or ukelele, babysitting, photography, and hanging out at Starbucks or school events with friends or siblings. Though eager to prioritize others, Hadley has noticed it’s not her strong suit and has been seeking this year to grow in valuing people above herself, shedding selfish ambitions, and clothing herself in humility (Philippians 2:3).
Taylor is enjoying 8th grade and will turn 14 in March. She’s a great student with a kind and bubbly personality that’s appreciated at school by peers and teachers alike. But, when she gets home, she loves her downtime--usually involving a quiet room, Oreos, and a favorite show, podcast, or puzzle. Highlights this year included her week at camp and her father-daughter backpacking trip with Luke through the serene and majestic Sawtooth Mountains. Playing piano, painting, making bracelets, being creative, baking, sharing stories about her day, and hearing stories from others remain among her favorite things to do. This year, Taylor recognized that her pursuit of fairness often stems from a sense of selfish control. To confront this, she’s seeking to remember it’s better to “be generous, expecting nothing in return” (Luke 6:35).
Hutch turns 12 on the 21st of this month and has been reveling in being a 6th grader—the oldest class in elementary school. He has an adventurous spirit and greatly enjoys time playing outside with friends, hanging with his siblings, Camp Perkins, fishing, paddleboarding, camping, or “defending the family name” on Fortnite. He participated in East Boise Baseball again last spring and Y-Basketball this fall/winter. Milestones reached included losing all his baby teeth—which kept the tooth fairy busy and initiated his journey in orthodontics—and completing his Hunters Ed program. Although his zest for life is an endearing quality, it often leads him to rush through tasks and not do his best. This has prompted us to encourage him to s-l-o-w-d-o-w-n and avoid the missteps of those who "make haste with their feet and miss their way"(Proverbs 19:2).
Ellie will be 10 in March, is in the 4th grade, and enjoys school, spending time with friends, and playing soccer. This year, she was able to play alongside some of her dearest friends in both the spring and fall seasons with North Boise Futbol Club. It was fun to see how much her team improved as they learned and grew together. Other joys of Ellie’s include painting, swimming, riding her bike, reading, making smoothies, creating, and organizing. Oh, and, of course, she loves her week away at Camp. Though she is an incredibly kind, warm, caring, and helpful young girl in almost every setting imaginable, she’s got an anger switch (like her mama) that can get hot fast. Thus, we’ve been seeking the Spirit’s help together to turn from our impulsive tendencies and instead “be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry” (James 1:19-20).
Brooks, 5 ½, is growing like crazy, as evidenced by our frequent purchase of longer pants. After opting for another year of PreK post his half-day graduation, he began all-day PreK at Trinity Learning Center. It was a rough start and he missed Mama Jo’s, but he now seems to thrive, sharing at the end of most school days that his “high” was “Everything!” Except for when he’s frustrated by siblings or facing discipline, his cheerful nature consistently radiates through his smile. He’s into superheroes, firefighters, police, Nerf guns, DIY projects, and (to his delight and our dismay) making ALL the sounds associated with those activities. Brooks has struggled to obey without arguing or delaying. With our guidance and the Spirit’s help, we hope he will begin to experience the joy of obedience, for “Joyful are those who obey and seek God wholeheartedly” (Psalm 119:2).
As a family, our year was full of ups and downs, joys and sorrows, rest and rigor. Yet, amidst the whirlwind, our sure footing in Christ provided the grounding we needed. Gratitude fills our hearts for the many memorable adventures we experienced. In June, we ventured to the East Coast to spend time with my brother and his family as well as Luke’s brother, Daniel, and his fiancé. We visited the Baltimore Aquarium, strolled around the DC monuments, toured the Capitol and Smithsonian museums, and even got to visit the White House. Our annual camping retreat at Challis Hot Springs doubled as a celebration for my parents’ 50th anniversary. It was a beautiful tribute to the many ways the Lord has used their marriage to touch the lives of those around them and used their community to enrich our lives as well. As you might have assumed from above, our summer consisted of lots of trips to drop off kids at Camp Perkins, which were often accompanied by weekends camping in the Sawtooths. Luke and I were also able to enjoy a two-night getaway in McCall, and the whole family enjoyed a visit from Brooks’ birth mom. I especially enjoyed this visit, as Amber treated us to delectable homemade dinners each night. As the year came to a close, we drove to Seattle for Daniel and Sarah’s wedding. We enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner with Sarah’s family, spent a day adventuring in the city, delighted in some good aunt/uncle/cousin/grandparent time, and reveled in the beauty of this new union. Luke had the honor of officiating, and the kids each enjoyed playing a meaningful role in the ceremony.
Thank you for caring enough about us to read through this letter. I know it’s long! Your presence in our lives is truly a gift. If you're sending out Christmas cards, and we’re not already included on your list, we’d love to be. We greatly value staying connected through shared moments captured in pictures and updates. However, if cards aren't your thing, a quick text or email would be just as welcome! As we move into the new year, we pray that God’s unwavering love and the opportunity to embrace a joyful relationship with Him through the gift of Jesus will be your constant source of strength and refuge through whatever unexpected joys or trials lie ahead.
Standing on a Sure Foundation--Luke, Katie, Hadley, Taylor, Hutch, Ellie & Brooks