Miller Family Christmas Card 2025

For several years now, Luke has cast his vote for our Christmas letter theme to be “Repeat the Sounding Joy.” Each time, though, another theme seemed more suited, and he has graciously gone along. But this year, we both agreed—his long-requested theme felt especially fitting. As with every year, this one has held its share of ups and downs.  For the ups, we have sweet memories, a healthy family, laughter, enjoyment in our work, and provision for all we need. For the downs, we’ve walked through our first full year without my dad, the escalation of a wearisome ordeal with a couple seeking the destruction of our family and others in our church body (both are now in jail awaiting trial), the political polarization and hateful rhetoric that’s tearing our nation apart, the difficulty of friends and family experiencing sickness, depression, and loss, and the ordinary but very real stressors of everyday life. Yet, through it all, we have found our souls continuing to rejoice—yes, even to repeat the sounding joy—because our Savior has been near to us, and ever so gracious, good, and faithful.

One of my favorite verses and a theme verse for our church is Psalm 16:11, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”   Indeed, as we have sought to follow Jesus,  leaned into Him in our weakness, lifted our worries to Him, and placed our trust in Him, we’ve found the fullness of joy, again and again, in every circumstance.  As we reflect on the year, our hope is that Christ will be seen as the true and unfailing source of joy that He is, and that we may repeat the sounding joy by sharing it with others.  If we haven’t had the chance to do that with you in person, we pray this letter does it in part—“that His joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full” (John 15:11).

Much of Luke’s year was spent faithfully investing in his work, church, and family. I am especially grateful for his steady leadership through the difficult situation with the couple mentioned above—he stayed grounded in the Lord and guided others with a remarkable mix of wisdom, calm, and right concern. At Boise Fire, he devoted many hours to improving systems and processes for the dive team, making things safer for his coworkers and our community. He and I have also continued teaching Launch Pad at Timberline High School this year and have loved this class’s eagerness to learn, grow, and apply the Bible in their lives.  Amid his responsibilities, he has remained a present and warm dad, husband, son, and friend, while still finding time to enjoy woodworking, fly fishing, Fortnite, bagpipes, and projects around our home and church. Through it all, he has held fast to the truth that none of this is possible apart from the Spirit’s work in his life. As it says in the lyrics of one of our favorite songs, “Yet not I but through Christ in me.” He frequently reflects, with gratitude and great joy, on the incredible gift of this—that God would love him, call him, equip him, and be with him always, and that it does not rely on his own strength.  

For me, this year has been a steady effort to balance my roles as broker of TripleCord Real Estate, Deacon of Operations and Finance at Table Rock Church, Launch Pad teacher, friend, daughter, mom, wife, and manager of family operations and the household calendar.  Though I generally enjoy the things I get to do (minus the grocery shopping and cooking part=-), they require more time than I ever feel I have.  With so many tasks to juggle, I was especially thankful when the Lord introduced me to a tool called “Todoist.” It helps remind me that only so much can be done in a day, that some things can simply move to tomorrow, that I need His strength for all of it, and that my greatest joy will always come when I’m resting in Him.  As stated so beautifully in two of my other favorite songs, “I trade my treasures and all my rewards, Jesus, to know You, then know You more” for “in You alone, my joy is found.”  I still love making time for walks on the river or coffee with friends to share in each other’s joys and sorrows.  So, if you’re in town and want to connect, reach out, and let’s put a date on the calendar!  

Hadley is a senior this year and will officially become an adult in January! As she’s wrestled through what comes next, she’s found joy in surrendering her plans to the Lord. After seeing Him crack open potential doors for both her ceramics and coffee-shop dreams here in Boise, she has committed to Boise State for the fall and plans to live in the dorms and major in entrepreneurial management. She relished another summer working at Camp Perkins and has loved opportunities throughout the year to share joy with her peers and community through her Wolf Connection class, younger students as she led youth group, kids she babysat, campers she cared for, and our family as we soak in this final year with her under our roof.  We are excited to see her launch out—grounded in the joy she knows she can only find in Jesus and eager to share that with others.  

Taylor is in 10th grade—loving high school and eagerly awaiting her 16th birthday in March.  Though she experienced the disappointment of not getting into a program she had hoped for, we loved seeing her readiness to embrace joy in other areas.   She got her driver’s license and delights in driving herself to hang out with friends or participate in school activities.  But, she also finds joy in quiet hours at home—watching a show, making bracelets, working on puzzles, playing piano, sharing MarcoPolo videos, and enjoying late-night chats with her siblings (and with Mom and Dad when we can stay up). This summer, she spent a few weeks volunteering at Camp Perkins and loves new opportunities to babysit whenever she can. She’s also been mastering her craft in doing hair and nails—something incredibly impressive to Luke and me and a real gift to her sisters. 

Hutch turns 14 on the 21st of this month and is in the 8th grade.  Like most teens, he’s learning responsibility—which involves mistakes, grace, and growth—but we’re grateful for the young man the Lord is shaping in the process.  He continues to enjoy baseball, snowboarding, biking, youth group, video games, and time with friends, but has added a new passion—fishing.  Whenever there’s downtime, he’s eager to get on the water and see what he can reel in.  One highlight of his summer was sharing that love with Luke on their father-son backpacking trip to the clear mountain lakes of the Sawtooths.  Hutch continually finds joy in God’s creation—whether it be landscapes, wildlife, our dog (Mazie), or the people and friends he cherishes.  And, he brings joy wherever he goes—donning his signature dimpled smile, now brace-free since October.

Ellie will be 12 in March and is thriving in 6th grade, loving the role of being in the oldest class at her school. She continues to grow in her soccer skills with North Boise Futbol Club and has become quite the fast, tenacious player—while somehow still maintaining her incredible kindness on the field. She loves spending time with her teammates, playing her clarinet, hanging out with friends, holding babies, watching her favorite shows, swimming, and bringing joy to others through her artwork and the thoughtful, encouraging cards she makes.  She also loves youth group and her week away at Camp Perkins.  Though she still experiences moments of anger and anxiety, she was baptized this past spring, and we’ve seen such clear evidence of the Spirit’s work in her life—growing her peace, deepening her compassion, and filling her life with a joy that only Christ can give.

Brooks, now 7½ and in first grade, is full of energy and a joy that shines in everything he does. His signature phrase—“Yet’s go!” (his version of “Let’s go!”)—captures his eagerness for every new adventure and his love of doing life with others. Along with his usual favorites—SWAT, military, Minecraft, biking, rocks, and other “cool” stuff—he added drums, Taekwondo, wilderness survival, and flag football to his ever-shifting list of interests. We’ve learned to wait until the last minute to sign up for sports, choose costumes, or purchase gifts because his passions change so quickly. His “always-on” personality also shows up in a seemingly insatiable need for attention, good or bad. Our prayer is that he’ll become increasingly grounded in who he is in Christ—a beloved child of a God who will never leave or forsake him—and that this unshakable identity will become the steady, unceasing source of his joy.  

For our family, we were grateful to experience the joy of the Lord in moments of more somber remembrance as well as in a few fun adventures. Though my dad passed away last November, we waited until summer to hold his Celebration of Life. In late July, my brother’s family joined us as we visited some of my dad’s favorite places in Idaho to scatter his ashes and share in the things he loved most. We ended the trip with a gathering of friends and family in Pocatello. Remembering him with people who knew him in many different contexts was a sweet reminder of how one life can touch so many. We all agreed he would have loved the celebration!  We also experienced other meaningful moments of remembrance: Luke’s 20-year reunion with those he deployed to Iraq with, the Marine Corps 250th Birthday Ball, and a summer celebration with Camp Perkins alumni. We had some wonderful visits.  Luke’s brother Daniel and his wife Sarah came, giving us an opportunity to celebrate their soon-to-arrive Christmas baby (due 12/23). Brooks’ birth mom, Amber, also visited, and we cherished the chance to share the beauty of Camp Perkins and the Idaho mountains with her. Other adventures included a spring-break trip to the Oregon Coast with my mom, church retreats, several camping trips (including one to Garden Valley with a delightful opportunity to see “Shrek” at Starlight Mountain Theater), and a short but refreshing getaway to Sun Valley for a firefighter conference.

As we close out this year, we’re rejoicing in the truth that—even in our sin and sorrow—God faithfully meets us with saving grace. That grace makes the joy of Christmas ring all the sweeter—joy that began in a manger, flowed through a cross and an empty tomb, and continues to repeat through every season of our lives until it finally crescendos into eternity. We cling to the promise that “the joy of the Lord is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Because Christ came—because He is our joy—we look ahead with hope, eager to be faithful in every calling and place He leads us until we see Him face to face.

Thank you for caring enough to read this long update. Your presence in our lives is a true joy and blessing. If you’re sending holiday cards this year, we’d be happy recipients—we love staying connected. And, if cards aren’t your thing, a text, email, or picture would mean just as much. As we step into a new year with all its hills and valleys, may your heart be lifted to Jesus—the One who came to fill all those who call on Him with His everlasting joy. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing” (Romans 15:13) as His goodness, we pray, echoes through every part of your life.

With Love--Luke, Katie, Hadley, Taylor, Hutch, Ellie, & Brooks