Monday, August 27, 2007

Church Update

Well, Timberline Church had it's first annual "church business meeting" where we reflected on and praised the Lord for all the wonders and heart-changing works He's done over the past few months. And, WOW! Praise the Lord for His mercy and grace to us all!

Monte and I prayed for a long time over what role the Lord wanted Monte to fill at Timberline. He has been serving on the leadership team up until now, but he felt the Lord tugging us in a little different direction. Monte and I are both passionate about the body of Christ functioning as it should, growing in maturity, and reaching those who don't know God yet! So, Monte will be heading up the small groups ministry starting in September. We are excited to see how God will use us.

So, we are beginning phase three of our church plant- "going public". Up until now, we've mostly been inviting the people who were natural connections in our lives-- friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, etc. via word-of-mouth. And, we've seen God at work in our lives and in those relationships. Now that we have had a few months together and have worked some of the administrative kinks out, we are ready to tell the whole Timberline area that we are here. We are putting up signs, broadcasting on some radio stations, and canvassing the neighborhoods. We'll kick of the fall with Church In the Park on Sept 9th at 9:30am followed by food and lots of family fun including inflatables, Miss Missy the Clown!

Thanks again for all of you who are praying for us and for Timberline Church. I'd love to fill anyone in on more specific things the Lord is doing, but it would be way too long for this blog post. So, e-mail if you're curious!

Saturday, August 04, 2007

Nienna turns two!


Well, our current "baby" of the family just turned the corner into toddlerhood. Nienna Joy turned two on Wednesday. She blew out all . . . well, both of her candles out all by herself. She received her own booster seat and can now join the rest of the family at the table, which she loves (although it's a lot more mess for mom).


She's really started to develop her own personality, which is so fun to see. She is generally shy around strangers and will just stare at them with a "don't talk to me" face. But, if they hold her, she doesn't cry. She's pretty serious and straight faced most of the time, but can really ham it up when she thinks she's being funny. She loves her big siblings and copies everything they do with great enthusiasm. She's mastered the phrase, "Beren took away from me. I had it first!" When asked how old she is, she responds with five splayed fingers and says "TWO"!


So, now that our youngest is a big girl, I guess it's about time to have another baby. Number four is due to arrive December 11th or so. Nienna, I hope you're ready!

Friday, August 03, 2007

Andy and Angela's Wedding

Andy's big day finally came. The whole family gathered in Colorado Springs for Andy and Angela's wedding. Since we got there a little early, we took a day to see the sights also. We all went to a museum, at some ethnic food (pizza), and hiked in the hills behind Andy's house.

The day of the wedding we all got ready, divided up in cars, and took off into the mountains. It was about an hours drive, and after several wrong turns, we arrived. The wedding was held in a really beautiful ranch in a valley with streams and lakes around, and mountains on all sides.

The ceremony was short but nice, ending with the expected result (marriage). Then the real fun began. There was horseshoes, ladder golf, fishing, canoing, and several rounds of eating. We're Miller's after all.

That evening we all took off back to Andy's house, but for some reason Andy and Angela stayed at a hotel, so we didn't seem them again. Then it was back to the cornfields and humidity of Iowa.