Changes In The Wind

For those of you who have been following the "adventures" of the Miller family, there has been yet another recent occurrance in and for our family. I don't just mean our "at home" family, but our church family as well. Our pastor, who has served this church for 17 years, announced his retirement two weeks ago, and his final Sunday with us will be October 8th! Some of the congregation knew about it, but for most of us it came as a major shock. How severely this will affect our church still remains to be seen, but at the very least, the board has some serious business ahead of them. By the Lord's grace, there are at least 4 people available to our congregation who are able to preach (myself included), without even having to bring in "outside assistance" unless we choose to do so. So whether we go onto a rotating basis for a time, call an interrim pastor, or find a full-time pastor, the church has the promise of changes in the wind, as I indicated by the title of this letter.

As many of you may know, Rebecca and I went to Tanzania with the intention of seeking the Lord's will as to whether our family should go into long-term missions work over there. He lovingly answered our prayer during those three weeks, but His reply was a firm "No". We still maintain a missionary heart, but we also deeply desire to see people grow in the Lord, stretching their spiritual muscles and gaining greater and deeper maturity in Him. Perhaps this is the very reason He said no to our desire to serve in east Africa. Maybe we can better serve Him and His people in this area, instead of overseas. We shall see.... As it is, I will continue to teach the adult SS class, even as Rebecca does such a wonderful job teaching the children's class.

In a real surprise to me, God gave me a sermon for some unforseen time in the future, which He had me entitle, "Leaving A Legacy". My original idea was to possibly preach it while our children are all here this coming weekend, with family heritage in mind, as well as Biblical (positivie and negative) legacies which were left by people throughout the ages. Now, right after rough drafting that message, Pastor Bob announces his retirement - and he too leaves a legacy of service behind him. God is so cool! He provides for our needs even before we know we have them, and I look forward to sharing this sermon with our little church soon after pastor moves on.

On to a lighter note: our Ohio family has had two new additions! No, not the "people" kind, but that in the form of two new kittens into our household and hearts. They are named Merry and Pippin, so if we refer to them at some point in the future, you'll know of whom we speak. We love them a lot already, and they will be welcome helpers here on the farm, catching mice for us (we expect).

Bwana Asafiwe! (which is "Praise God!" in Swahili)

DL Miller

September 2006

Wow, this is a Big month here for us at the Miller's.

a very sad part of this month is that our precious Susan was killed a year ago on the 29th. we all miss her so much and are praying daily for her mom, dad, brother and sister as they go through this hard time.

A very happy part of this month is that my mom, Dorothy Hutchins, is visiting with us here on our farm for two or three weeks! She will be 90 on Oct. 12 and I am sooooooooooo blessed to still have her so healthy and able to travel and visit! She is staying in our guest room which I specifically decorated for her. It is like stepping into a little taste of Maine as I decorated it with Maine maps, lighthouses and special trinkets. She loves it and says that she may just stay for the winter, hehe. Actually she will be flying out to NM during the first week of October, to be with her sister so they can celebrate their birthdays together.

Another very happy part of this month is that we are having a Family Reunion on the 30th because Jim, Sarah and new grandson, Kiah and Tammy, Josh and new granddaughter, Eowyn are able to all come for a visit!!!! Yipee!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We have not even gotten to meet and hold Kiah yet, so we are all excited about that. And we all can't wait to hold Eowyn again! We already have 22 people coming for the Potluck dinner part and some drop ins. We are hoping that Tammy and Jim will get to introduce lots of friends and family to their precious firstborns.

Still not sure if anyone is reading this so i may send out an email invitation to everyone in my address book. lol.

Rebecca/Mama/Grammie

So Much is Happening!

We are enjoying a wonderful end of summer here on the farm that the Lord has allowed us to rent. We have begun the 06-07 school year for Stephen and Ezra and are having fun plowing thru each day together. We study, ride bikes, bake, clean, play basketball and football, watch educational movies (some we have really learned a lot from are Selma, Lord, Selma; Rudy; and The Earnest Green Story), enjoy board games (Stephen beat me at Stratego the other day!), play computer and write on our blogs! :>) They are 13 and 11 this year and I am finding math to be scary and challenging for me, so please pray that the Lord will help me find a tutor for them. We are also checking into a drum teacher for Ezra and a guitar teacher for Stephen! They both LOVE music and it is a huge part of who they are.

We are very excited because we have lots of special company coming! On Sept. 11th my mom, who will be 90 this Oct. 12th, is traveling here for a three week visit. I have such a wonderful time everytime she comes to visit and we just wish she would stay longer! Then on Sept. 29th, Tammy, Josh and Eowyn will arrive from NY and On the 30th, Jim, Sarah and Kiah will arrive from Colorado!!! Needless to say, we are planning a big family/friends get together on the evening of the 30th while they are all here with us! We are so blessed to be in a house with plenty of room and that they are all going to be here with us!

If any family members or friends are reading this who live close enough to come, please call and i will give you the details of time and place.

well, i need to get some other things accomplished. I don't know if anyone reads this, but if not, it makes for a good diary.

blessings in Jesus!
Rebecca