Our 2014 Word of the Year

2013 was all about TRUSTING the Lord.

Let me show you how we got there...

On January 1, 2013, Jimmy and I celebrated New Years Day with our friends the Shuttlesworths at their lake house at Canyon Lake. It was a wonderful getaway from life in Dallas, and we were honored to have been invited for the holiday. After breakfast, Jimmy and I decided to hop in the car and head back to Dallas due to having to work the next day.

Since Canyon Lake was about five hours away from Dallas, we were geared up to make the trek back home. Ten minutes after hitting the road, our car decided to stop moving. The more Jimmy pressed the gas, the more we felt like something was terribly wrong with the engine. 

Seeing that it was New Years Day and every auto body shop was closed in our 20 mile radius, we decided to call a tow truck and be taken to a place about 25 miles away to be worked on the next day. During those three hours of waiting for the tow truck, a sweet couple we had met earlier in the week staying at the Shuttlesworths drove past, saw us, turned around and asked if we were alright. By this time I had been crying (because girls have that right when the car breaks down...) and we told them that something was terribly wrong with the engine. They were so sweet and let us sit in their warm car as we waited for the tow truck. Jimmy and the nice gentleman chatted outside while looking at the engine, and I was blubbering to the sweet woman (I seriously couldn't stop crying). 

Eventually, the tow truck came, we thanked the nice couple and waved goodbye, rode with the tow truck driver to the shop, had our dear friend Oliver pick us up and were driven back to the lake house to stay put another day until our car was fixed. Little did I know the nice gentleman had secretly given Jimmy cash to help cover the tow truck costs. What a blessing! ALSO - throughout this car saga, we found a $100 dollar bill in my purse. We don't know who put it in or WHEN they did, but we see it as a anonymous gift from the Lord to help cover car costs...Whoever that person was at the time, Thank You for helping provide!

To make a very long story short, we eventually made it home to Dallas after being towed two more times along this trip since one of our gaskets kept on blowing out. It was a hard, hard day, but somehow we made it home by borrowing my brother's truck while my parents had our car fixed at their shop close to home. Luckily we were close enough to Waco the last time it broke down to have my dad come meet me and help assess the engine situation! 

Why do I tell you this long story? Because we know God was teaching us to TRUST him. 2013 was about learning how to trust our sovereign Lord when the future was unclear. The verse we kept on writing on our chalkboard was "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6 

So, as this 2014 year is already one month down, Jimmy and I have thought hard about what our word may be this year. Responsibility continues to come up in our conversations...so I believe the Lord is teaching us how to be responsible this year. Whether it's our finances, health, relationships, work/school efforts, etc., we both feel that this year's area of improvement is in a much more practical light. We're called to be good stewards of what He has given us.

Although it's overdue, let's raise a glass and say "Happy New Year!" Who knows what the Lord will teach you in the months ahead. Isn't life exciting?

Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith; if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching; the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans 12:6-8

In Him,
The Millers

Top 8 Winter Essentials

Many of you reading this blog have never experienced a New England winter: The biting winds, the chill that cuts to the bone, the constant change of of precipitation, the process of having your car scraped, shoveled out, defrosted and unstuck each morning...

To be fair, I haven't entirely experienced a full winter in Boston either. However, if you have any plans of coming to visit the northeast during the winter months, here are my top eight must-pack items!

Before I jump in, let's get one thing straight: Function over Form during winter...always. If you try to be a fashionista in -15 degree weather, there's a 2% chance you'll be able to pull it off (and if your name happens to be Jennifer Aniston). Winter isn't the time to bring your style A-game - that's what spring, summer and fall are for!

Okay, back to the list....

1. A Down, Long Winter Coat

 

 

You could wear a skimpy swimsuit underneath one of these babies and be toastier than freshly baked cookie. They may not be flattering on your figure, but they're a MUST for survival. 

2. Warm Gloves

Although you may feel like you have LEGO hands while wearing them, the warm 'ski' gloves will keep your fingers from hating you. I'm a fan of the fashionable brown leather gloves - are they the warmest? Nope, but I'd rather have slightly cold fingers than not be able to hold my Dunkin' Donuts coffee.

3. Dunkin' Donuts Coffee

It is definitely  gross coffee, but there's nothing better than sipping medium (not grande, this isn't Starbucks, people!) coffee with cream and two Splendas during my morning walk from the train station to work. Bring on the watered-down brown water! I digress...

4. Leggingz 

Thankfully, for Christmas I got 4 pairs of black leggings and I COULDN'T BE HAPPIER! I wear these under my pants almost every. single. day. They're also more comfortable than you even know. 

5. Wool Socks

They may not be the prettiest, but wool socks are a MUST. When wearing these, you'll be glad to know you can feel your toesies all day!

6. Waterproof Boots

For my birthday in June, my dearest mother got me these exact boots with fleece liners. They are perfect for tromping through snow and rain, and keep me super warm! I DO feel fashionable in these guys. Thank you, Hunter boots!

7. Infinity Scarf

I LOVE my new collection of infinity scarves. Not only are they cute, you can wrap them around your entire face to protect it from the wind (this is an odd sight to see, trust me. I get a lot of stares)! Sipping coffee can be a hazard, so beware. 

8. Winter Hats

It's amazing how warm your head can be with a wool hat on. I may have hat hair for the next two months...but at least my brain won't be frozen. 

 Happy Winter, folks!

Love,

Emily 

The Ups and Downs of being a Realistic Dreamer

I like to refer to myself as a Realistic Dreamer.

In my own words, a "Realistic Dreamer" is someone who is content with her surroundings and situations while waiting in expectation for what's around the corner. She is learning to be thankful for every season while not settling for the monotony of a regimented schedule or routine. She has high expectations of herself while understanding  (and wrestling with) the Lord's timing in all things.

Yes, my friends, I am a Realistic Dreamer.

There are some serious downsides to this. 

F. Scott Fitzgerald puts it well.

“It was always the becoming he dreamed of, never the being.” 

― F. Scott Fitzgerald, This Side of Paradise

Oftentimes, it's hard to stay still long enough to reflect on the past and present. I tend to meditate on what God has for us on the horizon rather than savor God's faithfulness today and in my 25 years on earth. Always reaching, waiting and hoping for the next new adventure, I struggle with peace and contentment in all things. If I'm not in His word, I can get disappointed quickly. I can hear Satan say, "How does you life measure up with your friends? You're not starting a family...you don't even have a home...you had to start your career ALL over, poor you..."

Shut up, Satan.

Needless to say, this is an area of my life I'm constantly learning to lay at His feet.

SEGUE ----
My dearest best friend whom I look up to and admire shines in this. She is always at peace with where God has her. She doesn't compare herself to others and is full of JOY always. I thank the Lord for placing her in my life as a steady example of a godly woman who exemplifies peace and absolute trust in Her father. 

Where was I? Oh yes...

Did I always envision myself living on a seminary college campus and unsure of my husband's exact career future at 25 years old? Definitely not. Did I know God would place me with a man who didn't quite have his "career ducks in a row" and a serious cash flow (isn't that hilarious?)? Nope. Did I assume I'd be starting a family right about now and planning for that next chapter? You betcha.

But God, in His sovereignty, knows exactly what my life needs to look like in order for Him to be at the very center.

He is the one who gives me ultimate satisfaction and peace, not man. He is my provider and solid rock. He is the Giver of Life, not a Giver-of-what-my-petty-heart-wants-today God because, frankly, I am an utter mess when it comes to the "What I Want" department (Burberry scarf, anyone?). My wants tend to shift and change depending on the seasons!

He is a faithful God who has provided a loving, godly husband who pursues our Father with every fiber. Jimmy is seeking after where God is leading Him, and I am honored to run the race with him. God has also placed incredible family and friends in our midst who support, uplift and encourage us. We are totally and completely blessed.

So, is being a Realistic Dreamer a bad thing? No, it's part of who I am in Christ! Yet, there are movements in my heart that can push and prod me out of contentment in Him that I must always be aware of. Satan can be more powerful than I sometimes think, yet praise Him that we have a God who is our Rock, Refuge, Shield, Salvation, Stronghold, Savior.

My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge,

my shield, and the horn of my salvation,

my stronghold and my refuge, my savior; 

you save me from violence.

I call upon the LORD, who is worthy to be praised,

and I am saved from my enemies.

- 2 Samuel 22:3-4 -

I love you all dearly. 

In Him,
Emily

Excuse the Hiatus!

Hello friends and family,

Let me begin by apologizing for the void of new blog posts during the past two months. Holidays, events and travel happily consumed November and December, and my attention was directed towards finishing 2013 well and strong! 

These past few months have been a tremendous blessing. We've been provided for and blessed by family and friends in humbling ways. Never in my life have I seen His love and kindness through the church body and family more plainly. Whether it be unannounced checks arriving in our mailbox or plane tickets paid for, we feel loved and taken care of by the people God has chosen to put in our life. Thank you for being a constant source of sustenance and encouragement. 

My prayer and hope is to someday bless young couples in our life who are living the "Seminary Life" for Jesus. Experiencing this humbling season excites me for what our future holds! 

November was a month full of steady thankfulness and loving community. With December feeling as if it was still in the distance, we learned how to be thankful for the place we were in and find beauty in our every day lives. We missed our family dearly and were sad to not be home, yet didn't feel all alone in this feeling. Most of our community stayed in Massachusetts, and celebrated the holiday with our Bell Hall community on campus.

Our Thanksgiving feast consisted of foods from all over the culinary spectrum: Fried Alabama turkeys, Californian stuffing, Georgian mashed potatoes, Coloradoan cranberry sauce, Japanese sushi, Korean kimchi, and a Texan pecan pie (to name a few). It  was quite a memorable plate of food! True to Thanksgiving food form, it all somehow tasted delicious together...

The beauty of living with many different cultures is experiencing life (and holidays) together. These are sweet memories we'll never forget and are thankful for. 

These incredible women have been a God-send!

Our Thanksgiving Family (minus a few)

December seemed like a blur of Christmas cheer and plane schedules! Mine and Jimmy's families blessed us with tickets home for Christmas. We were definitely ready to be home for the holidays. We couldn't have been more excited to be on Texas soil!

To start the month off, Boston experienced its first snowfall! At one point, snow seemed to be over two feet tall! Y'all, that's a lot of snow. We learned how to maneuver our cars in the icy, snowy conditions, and Jimmy became a shoveling stud by the end of our first encounter with the White Devil! Snow is all fun and games until you try to drive or walk to work in the morning...

Jimmy, the ice scraping stud

However, snow DOES promise the adventure of SLEDDING! Our sweet neighbors, the Mays, invited us to sled with them and we had an absolute blast! Did I mention they're fellow Texans? 

Me and "Coco" about to sled down the hill!

It just kept fallin'...

Our Christmas break was kicked off by landing in Dallas on December 22 and seeing our wonderful lifegroup. It was refreshing catching up with sweet friends who continue to pray for us. It was a time of fellowship, storytelling and the celebration of new babies! We also got to meet our sweet niece, Arabella! I was in baby heaven...

Me and Arabella - the best niece of all!

Can you tell I didn't want to let her go? :)

We had a breakfast feast at the Griggs the next morning! I also got to see sweet friends and coworkers from St. Jude the next day, as well as have Christmas with my family at my Uncle James & Aunt Laura's house in McKinney! I treasure seeing my grandparents, cousins and entire family all together. It's always a riot when we get together. It made me realize how much I miss going to my aunt and uncle's place - they are two incredibly kind, gracious people. Jimmy and I feel so blessed by them! 

Christmas Eve was a special time to see everyone at Christ Fellowship during the Christmas Eve service. It was an interesting feeling walking back into church - it felt like no time had gone by! Had Massachusetts been a dream? It was a funny feeling getting back into the Texan swing of things...

Christmas Eve night we drove to China Spring to surprise my family by coming in a day early! Our family loves fun traditions, and Christmas morning is a really special time for us to be together. None of the McMeans kids live in Texas anymore, so it's rare to have us in the same room!  

We celebrated Christmas lunch with the Millers at Grammy and Granddad's house. This year marks the last Christmas at the house on Willow Lane. The Millers have lived in this house for more than 20 years - it was special to get to be there! 

Posin' in the backyard at Grammy and Granddad's

These two people bless us beyond measure!

The remainder of our Christmas break was primarily spent in China Spring seeing family and relaxing at home. There's nothing sweeter than snuggling up by the fire pit singing songs to Jesus with my family! What a blessing it is to share our faith in Jesus Christ together. I often take this for granted, but am learning to appreciate the beauty of God's faithfulness in my family's lives. 

Eventually, we drove back up to Dallas to drop my siblings off at the airport and spend some time with Monica, Andrew and Eleanor McKinney before flying out on Sunday morning back to Boston! Can you say WHIRLWIND trip to Texas!? It was a joy seeing everyone - but we could have spent a few more weeks and still not seen enough people!

Bruce and Tamara came up to Boston the following day, and we loved exploring the city with them! We got to see the Freedom Trail, Quincy Market, the North End, Harvard and Harvard Square! Showing off our fun city is something we love to do - especially to our family!

Outside Quincy Market

Unfortunately...this is about the time I got the SWINE FLU! Jimmy was able to spend good quality time with Bruce and Tamara will I recovered. 

On January 2, the four of us bundled up and drove northwest for Vermont for the Miller Ski Vacation Extravaganza (coined "Ski-Market Ver-Montgomery...inside joke). The ENTIRE Miller fam was able to fly/drive to Vermont and stay in a wonderful condo right by the mountain. To say there weren't any hiccups during the trip would be an oversight, yet it was sweet to spend time together.(This deserves an entirely separate blog post)

Uncle David and Arabella concentrating on playing dominos

Arabella fell asleep on Uncle Jimmy - she looooves Uncle Jimmy!

Mount Snow in Vermont was a beautiful ski resort, and we loved skiing together! I was still recovering from being very sick, but I still had a blast. Jimmy was able to ski all three days (even in -27 degree temperatures)! I had forgotten how much I love to ski! 

"Mountain Selfie"

The past two months have been so eventfull with family, friends and travel, but we're glad to be getting back into our routine. Needless to say, we are already missing our Texan family! The spring semester ahead promises warmer temperatures, new adventures and continued blessings from Him. 

Taken during our first Sunday back from break. We've missed our sweet church!

Thank you for your prayers and encouragement. Please let us know how we can be praying for YOU! 

We love you all.

In Him,

The Millers