You Never Let Go...

What an amazing thought that is. It is such a comfort to know that God never lets go. In times when I feel like I'm losing my grip on Him, and no longer holding on with both hands, He NEVER lets go. When I feel like this world has it in for me, nothing is going right, it's just trial, after trial, after trial, He reminds me, I never let go. Or, when I am lonely, and don't have a friend in this world, I need to say to myself, "God, You never let go".

Here is David Crowder's song "You Never Let Go". It is such a wonderful song, and it paints such a beautiful picture of God's love for us. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DCkELeTg4hA

That's My Brother?...

Up and at 'em bright and early
I'm all business in my suit
Yeah, I'm dressed up for success
From my head down to my boots


I don't do it for the money
There's bills that I can't pay
I don't do it for the glory
I just do it anyway


Providing for our future's my responsibility
Yeah I'm real good under pressure
Being all that I can be
I can't call in sick on Mondays
When the weekend's been too strong
I just work straight through the holidays
Sometimes all night long


You can bet that I stand ready
When the wolf growls at the door
Yeah I'm solid, yeah I'm steady
Hey I'm true down to the core


And I will always do my duty
No matter what the price
I've counted up the cost
I know the sacrifice
Oh and I don't wanna die for you
But if dying's asked of me
I'll bear that cross with honor
Cause freedom don't come free


I'm an American soldier
An American
Beside my brothers and my sisters
I will proudly take a stand
When liberty's in jeopardy
I'll always do what's right
I'm out here on the front line
Sleep in peace tonight
American soldier

I'm an American soldier

That is TOTALLY my brother. I love you Justin, and I miss you so much. I can't wait to see you!

I Hugged A Rock, You Should Too.

I'd tell people that I hugged a rock while camping up in Mammoth, but what really happened was, while climbing up a waterfall I misjudged the closeness of the rock in front of me to my face, and stood up. In doing so, I got these two beautiful scrapes, and a massive headache...and I mean MASSIVE, it was hard to think clearly for a little bit.

A Sad Goodbye

This past Monday was the Sayonara Party, and the last day to spend with our students. Having Tomomi and Arisa stay with us was such a tremendous blessing. They are both such sweet girls and so fun to be around. The girls and I told told each other that we couldn't cry until the goodbye letters were being read, and that's when the flood started. When Arisa said to us that she really liked that we brought her into our family and treated her just like a Miller (which they both are) I started to cry, and then when Tomomi said that I was like an older sister, and that I was her best friend, I couldn't help but cry. It's funny because I'm not that much of a crier, but these past two years of HMI, my eyes would still be swollen the next day from crying so much when saying goodbye the night before. It was a fun time that we had with them, and we look forward to the future, and hope and pray that that it is God's will for us to go to Japan in the Spring. We all miss Tomomi and Arisa, and know that if we don't see them again on this earth, we will see them for sure in Heaven.

This was our last lunch together, we ate at Taco Bell, which surprisingly, the girls liked the food.

Tomomi and Arisa all ready to go the the Sayonara
Best Friends

Haruka and I

Eric asleep on Don's chair. Was the party really that boring?

Don just about to open a gift from Bridget.

OHHHH, It's a t-shirt!!!

"Next it's the Miller's"

Arisa, is obviously saying something about Julia, can you tell by the look on Julia's face?

Tomomi reading her precious letter.

Ok everyone, group hug.

Our last picture as a family. There we three camera's going at once, so we're not all looking at the same one.

A Week of Fun

The Students spent their last week in America going to the beach, having a pool/slumber party, and going shopping in San Diego. It was so much fun to spend that time with them. It's so true that when you're having fun, time really does go fast.

The Beach Party:

Daichi getting burried in the sand. How's it goin' there Daich?
Mahoko and baby Sofia (who's not so "baby" anymore)
Cooking the hot dogs A nice picture totally ruined by Julia's bunny ears behind Bonnie...but then again, people do say "Bunny" instead of Bonnie.
AWWWWW!! SOFIA IS SO CUTE!!

A beautiful Summer sunset

The Pool/Slumber Party:

Cooling off in the Tingler's pool. Haruka and Arisa
The last "Class and Chapel"
The only worth while picture taken at the sleep over. Dance it Dawn, Dance it!!

Shopping in San Diego:

Haruka's with her heart and Shiori (aka Crazy Chicken) with her crazy looks-more-like-a-duck-than-chicken chicken...made upon request of course. Thanks Baloon Man!!

A Big Trip Aventure

Every year when we have Japanese students, we go on a nine day camping trip, we call it "THE BIG TRIP". This year the group went to Yosemite for the first three days, and the next six were at Mammoth. This trip was blessed once again by having the Scott family and the Holst family join. They live up in Oregon, and we all love when they come down, it makes the trip so much more fun. It was such a wonderful time of fellowship with one another. It was so nice to be out in the beautiful nature that God has blessed us with. We camped in a group campground that was way back in the woods. It was so nice to be surrounded by so many trees, hear the creek running in the distance, and at night have the stars so bright and beautiful overhead. At night we would gather around the fire and sing worship songs, and hear someone give a talk. Three Japanese students accepted Christ on this trip. Two of them are my students. It is so amazing to see how God works in their hearts. This year was especially amazing, because we only had one translator, and he left a day or two before the trip was over. Thank You God for working in ways that our human minds cannot even begin to comprehend.

This was on our way up to Mammoth. How gorgeous!!

Tomomi, Arisa, and Emi after a hike and some Frisbee

My precious friends. Lacey and Bonnie.

Jack and Jarret were inseparable. It was so cute.
.One more interesting thing that happened on our trip was that on our drive home our tent trailer tire blew out. Something was bound to happen because the trip ran so smoothly, and that never happens. Our "pit crew" was my dad, Josh Miller, and Mr. Tingler. THANKS GUYS! The tire was totally shredded, it was crazy. Thankfully nothing serious happened, and the HMI van had the right tools to change it.

Here is where our tire blew...in the middle of nowhere

The lovely tire.

A Fun Time With Friends

Our good friends the Stepanians came out to visit us for a few days late last month. The three girls and their mom came out, and left the guys at home. It was nice see them again and go fun places together. Julia and I went to Knott's Berry Farm on the second day they were with us, and we all had a grand time. We all hope that there's not too much time in between our next visit. WE LOVE YOU STEPANIAN'S!!!

Priscilla and I making dessert...is she going to hit me?

Who will be the "Uno Master"?
Lisa, Priscilla, me, and Julia, just after entering Knotts. Where's Anna (she doesn't really like pictures)?Getting ready to be taken up on Supreme Scream.
Right about here is where your heart is racing, you're have a crazy adrenaline rush, and your stomach is...well you're just hoping your stomach and what's in it stays put.
AHHH, boredom strikes while waiting in line for Ghostrider...time to break out the camera and take self-portraits.
Julia and I waiting to get on the Log Ride. Julia got so many compliments on her shirt. I think it was nine or ten.

Our last picture of the night. We all had a wonderful time riding the rides, and spending time together. Thank you Stepanian's for such a fun day.