Easter Fun!

 We had a wonderful Easter!

He is not here!

 1After the Sabbath, at dawn on the first day of the week,a Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb.

2Suddenly there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, rolled away the stone, and sat on it. 3His appearance was like lightning, and his clothes were white as snow. 4The guards trembled in fear of him and became like dead men.

5But the angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified. 6He is not here; He has risen, just as He said! Come, see the place where He lay.b 7Then go quickly and tell His disciples, ‘He has risen from the dead and is going ahead of you into Galilee. There you will see Him.’ See, I have told you.”

8So they hurried away from the tomb in fear and great joy, and ran to tell His disciples. 9Suddenlyc Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him. 10“Do not be afraid,” said Jesus. “Go and tell My brothers to go to Galilee. There they will see Me.”

The Book of Common Prayer

 We have a big week here and by the end of the week, Lord willing, we will be unpacking and fully residing in our new home, in our new town.

As I was thinking about what I could share this week, I kept thinking of the book of common prayer.  This is not something I was exposed to as a child because I was not raised in the Episcopal church, but I have heard a few excerpts from this book from a dear friend from graduate prayer whose father is an Episcopalian Priest, but also from the Mitford books by Jan Karon, in which, the main character, Father Tim will frequently reference The Book of Common Prayer.

I love the reverent language, and I love that there are so many prayers for so many unique situations.

All that said, I did not find a prayer in the Online Book Of Common Prayer over those who are moving, or to bless a new home... but I was drawn to one prayer over Towns and Rural Areas.

Please join me in prayer:

Lord Christ, when you came among us, you proclaimed the
kingdom of God in villages, towns, and lonely places: Grant
that your presence and power may be known throughout this
land. Have mercy upon all of us who live and work in rural
areas [especially Rangely, Colorado]; and grant that all the people
of our nation may give thanks to you for food and drink and
all other bodily necessities of life, respect those who labor to
produce them, and honor the land and the water from which
these good things come. All this we ask in your holy Name.
Amen.

Word in Season

 

He's Alive!

 He's Alive!

Message For Now

 My sister-in-law gave us a light-up message board sign for Christmas to hang on our wall.

I change the message on it every other month or so.

Coming into this Spring, this is our message for now:

Merry Christmas!

 

Happy Easter!

 He Is Risen!

Lee Lee's New Song

 Lee Lee does not go to preschool anymore, and this is nothing new.

She (like all our children) came home from school on Friday, March 13, 2020... and she never went back.  Our other children did not go back to school (in person) until August of this year... but they did go back to school.  Tracey started first grade, and the twins enrolled in PreK... but Lee Lee was too young to enroll in the same school as the twins, and she has stayed home with Hunter ever since March 13, 2020.

The world shut down due to COVID, and for our little Lee Lee, that meant the end of school for a long time.

It's a little sad to think about, but, like all parents in the world right now, we are doing our best and making the best decision possible given our options and current realities.  Hopefully it will not significantly impact her long-term ambition, or her short-term happiness.

All that said, Lee Lee LOVES attending her big girl Sunday School class at church, and we LOVE taking her.

She came home from church this past Sunday having learned a new song, and she pretty much hasn't stopped signing it since.

Merry Christmas!

 

God's Plan

The Mountain Millers have quite a bit up in the air when it comes to this fall.

Well, let me back up... I feel safe in saying that nearly every single family in the country with school-aged children has quite a bit up in the air when it comes to this fall.  Specifically, what schooling will look like in every district around the country for the 2020-21 school year.

Well, the Mountain Millers are no exception to wondering what schools will look like this fall, and wondering if we will want to send our children to school or if we will have other options.

In addition, other factors are unknown to us at this time that I have not shared on this blog, and will not be sharing at this time.

All that to say, I have been praying like crazy since early May regarding all of the unknowns of which I am aware, but I've pretty much been figuring out some plans in my own head and asking God to follow through with those plans I've created.

Well... so far, He has not been listening.

My plans do not seem to be His plans.

So, as we enter July, I have changed the way I am praying about this fall... I am trying to pray for His plan.  I am trying to accept that He has a plan that I CANNOT see.  He has a plan that is already in the works, and I cannot even begin to imagine what it is... but He does have the plan, and His plan will be revealed in His time.

Now, I will admit, this is not the way I like to pray because local schools are supposed to start on August 18, and Hubby and I are supposed to sign contracts and report for work duties WEEKS before then... so I REALLY REALLY pray that God's timing coincides with the school district calendars... but I am trying to increase my faith and trust that He has a plan, He is guiding our steps, and He will open doors that I do not even know are there.

I'd appreciate your keeping us in your prayers during this time of prayer and waiting on God and I'll certainly keep you posted when there is news to share.

Happy Resurrection Day!

Today, the churches are empty... but the tomb was empty too because of the resurrection!  The Christian faith and the promise of eternal life is because of an empty tomb.  An empty church does not mean we are not celebrating!

Christmas Eve

The stockings were hung by the chimney with care...

in hopes that St. Nicholas soon would be there. 

But of course we know that the real gift this Christmas is the arrival of a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.

 

Easter Sunday!

Happy Easter!

Good Friday

So often we are happy it is Friday and we tell each other to "Have a good Friday."

But the truth is, there has only been one GOOD Friday.

Such a Gift

Something amazing happened on Monday.  

Tracey asked Jesus into her heart.

I have been trying to make a point to read more Bible stories with the kids -- especially the staples I want them to know as best as a child can.  So David and Goliath, Daniel and the Lion's Den,  Noah's Arc, and the Christmas story... but I realized the other day that I've never read them the story of Moses or many stories about the miracles that Jesus performed.

So Monday I sat down on our family room floor in the afternoon and started reading about the story of baby Moses -- how Pharaoh ordered all the baby boys to be killed but Moses' mother hid him, and then put him in a basket down the river.  That led to talking about how God saved Moses because God had a plan for his life.

Then, Tracey was really excited to learn about the plan God had for Moses' life -- so we read about the Burning Bush (which she called the Fire Plant).  Then we talked about Moses' message to Pharaoh -- "Let my people go!"  And her Sunday school has been singing the song "Pharaoh, Pharaoh" lately so we were able to build on those lyrics a little.

Then we talked about how Pharaoh disobeyed God and wouldn't let the Hebrews go and so there were consequences.  We talked about that Pharaoh said, "No" to God 10 times and there were 10 punishments for disobeying God.

By the time we talked about the last and worst punishment when God killed the oldest child in every family, Tracey's eyes were so wide and she said, "What happened next?"

Then we read about the Hebrews' leaving Egypt and Pharaoh chasing them and the parting of the Red Sea.

She was enthralled by the stories... and the only reason we had to stop was because the twins and Lee Lee were requiring more of my attention.

As we had dinner a little later, she was still talking about Moses.  She mentioned that she didn't like the sad parts of the story... but that its going to be okay to die someday when she's really old because she'll see Jesus.

That's what opened the door to asking her if she has invited Jesus into her heart.  She said she knew he lived in her heart... but when we talked about it she realized she hadn't specifically asked him.  So she and I prayed together and she asked Jesus into her heart.

Then we called Grammie and Memaw and Daddy to tell them the great news!

Then, later that night, she kept talking about Moses and how he was saved.  I reminded her that God had a plan for Moses' life.

She thought about that... then looked at me so intensely and asked, "Does God have a plan for my life?"

It was such a beautiful night and such a gift to experience with my daughter.

As the night when on and Howard and Caroline realized what a big deal this was, they each said they wanted Jesus in their hearts, and I prayed with each of them.  I certainly hope they had an understand of what they were asking... but I have an assurance that Tracey is truly understanding the magnitude of what she has asked.

Thank you, God for this child, and for writing Your name on her heart and recording her name in the book of life!  

 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Our Christmas Card 2018

 Christmas Letter 2018

The Mountain Millers have had a terrific year in 2018. After a few years where leaving the house with our twin babies and toddler felt like a game of Russian roulette, Chris and I seem to have hit our parenting stride this year with our “four under five” and leaving the house for errands, adventures, and routine activities seems much more manageable. With that, we’ve been able to become involved in more church and community activities, which has been fun for our children and for us. 

Tracey Ann turned four this year and played on two soccer teams, took swimming lessons, performed in her first dance recital, and is proving to be quite a social butterfly at school. She is certainly the ringleader at our house with three younger siblings looking up to her ready to actively participate in any game, show, or idea she can imagine. 

Our Howard James has so much energy. “Why walk or sit when you can jump and run?” seems to be his motto. With that motto came six stitches this year – three in January and three in July and all on his head due to falls or collisions. He is taking dance with his sisters, but really wants to play any activity with a ball. Baseball, football, volleyball, soccer, or simple games of catch are staples in our house as per Howard‘s request. 

It has been so fun to watch our sweet Caroline Christine become her own person this year. She loves being a helpful big sister to Lee Lee and helping Mama or Daddy around the house any chance she can. A favorite activity is loading and unloading the dishwasher.  She also loves dance class this year and seems to be quite a little fish anytime we have the chance to go swimming. 

As our fourth child, Addallee Marigold, lives a very happy and busy life in hand-me-downs, she is truly a joyful addition to our family. She chases after her older siblings in an effort to be included as fast as her little legs will toddle her, and her two sisters and brother love her to pieces. 

Our lives very much revolve around our tiny humans, and Chris and I couldn’t be happier about it. Chris continues to work for the Garfield RE2 school district as Dean and Athletic Director of Rifle Middle School and serves on various district committees. He has also started taking local security jobs for an organization in our area on nights and weekends. My priority is of course Chris, and our four children, but I continue to work part time as a Teacher for students with Visual Impairments in our area. I also teach a few classes at the community college, and have started to take a more active role in children’s ministry at our church. 

We continue to pray for our community, state, country, and world and in such a broken place, we cherish you, our dear friends, nearby and across the miles. We’d love to host you in Rifle anytime life could bring you our way, but are so grateful for your friendship until we meet again.

We wish you the Merriest of Christmases as you celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and great health and happiness in the New Year.

Much Love,

The Mountain Millers 2018

Chris, Brooke, Tracey, Howard, Caroline and Addallee

(and animals, Lexie and Lloyd)

 

Fear Not!

"The angel said, 'Fear not!  I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be for all people.  For unto you is born this day in the City of David a Savior who is Christ the Lord and this shall be a sign until you.  Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and laying in a manager.'  And there was suddenly with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and singing, 'Glory to God in the highest heaven and on earth peace goodwill to men.'"

Luke 2:10-14

HE LIVES!

Happy Easter Sunday!  Happy Resurrection Day!

Hallelujah!  Jesus Lives!  Christ is Risen!

On a beautiful Spring morning like today it is so easy to reflect on our earthly blessings and say, whole-heartedly that we have been blessed beyond measure... but the truth is nothing compares to the gift of eternal life provided for us through Jesus Christ.  Today we make a point to celebrate that gift!

Jesus Christ is victorious over death.  Jesus has conquered the grave.  The door of Heaven is opened to us through Jesus' sacrifice and resurrection, and we can be called children of God. 

Joy To The World

A few weeks ago, our Pastor preached a message at church which included some information about the Christmas Carole, Joy To The World.  I love this Christmas Carol and look forward to singing it at church each year.

Apparently, this hymn was not written for Jesus' birth, but is actually written about Jesus' second coming.

I will now have a very different heart when I sing this song... and really I'll feel like I can sing it year round.  Take a look at the lyrics, now with the idea of Jesus' return to Earth, for His Eternal Kingdom in the future:

Joy to the World, the Lord is come!
Let earth receive her King;
Let every heart prepare Him room,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven and nature sing,
And Heaven, and Heaven, and nature sing.

Joy to the World, the Savior reigns!
Let men their songs employ;
While fields and floods, rocks, hills and plains
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat the sounding joy,
Repeat, repeat, the sounding joy.

No more let sins and sorrows grow,
Nor thorns infest the ground;
He comes to make His blessings flow
Far as the curse is found,
Far as the curse is found,
Far as, far as, the curse is found.

He rules the world with truth and grace,
And makes the nations prove
The glories of His righteousness,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders of His love,
And wonders, wonders, of His love.
 

Joy To The World...