The Miller Gazette

 Christmas 2008

Greetings from Mississippi!  Thanks for visiting my website, I just didn’t have time this year to print out 100+ newsletters in color.  But since many of you are so technologically savvy, I thought … why not just have you visit our website?

           Our Christmas tree looks great at night, but during the day it’s unfortunately already turned yellow and brown.  Our dying Christmas tree has only a few presents under it, this year we agreed to less presents.  Instead we would look for opportunities to serve others in need, in particular giving to the poor in the name of someone.  If you look closely, you’ll see envelopes in the tree.  This year Chad received a couple of pigs, Tamara literature tracts, and the kids everything from bunnies, to chickens, to blankets, tambourines and bibles.  Although these items might not mean much to us here in the “land of plenty”, they mean survival to people in other countries and the missionaries are able to spread the gospel.  Christmas is celebrating Jesus’ birthday and this year we are striving to stay more focused on the “reason for the season”.

 

 

 

           On Taylor’s 9th birthday (Dec. 20th), she gave a piano recital at Mississippi College and the whole family turned out to cheer her on.  Here’s a picture of her on stage as well as afterwards.

           This week we headed up to the Canton, MS “the movie capitol of MS” and during Christmas it’s called the “City of Lights”.  The whole town is lit up in lights along with train rides, carousels, horse & buggy rides, etc.  It was cold that night, so we headed indoors to an animatronics Christmas museum that took you through time.  Some photos on the right.

           This past year, like yours, has been busy.  We’ve finally started to paint our bathrooms and we done some landscaping.  However, we would love to build a dock on our lake and get a boat of some type for exercise.  One of these days, I might take in some bass fishing.  Our two labs (Cocomo is black and Willie is cinnamon), love to run around the property and jump in the lake.  We’ve really come to love these dogs, they are so easy going and lovable.  The church we attend, Pinelake, has built a smaller church nearby and we are excited about driving only 10 minutes to get to church.  I am serving as a decision counselor and Mike as an usher.  The grand opening was tonight’s Christmas Eve service and it was pretty packed.  We are excited to see what God will do right here in our little town of Clinton, MS. 

           I’m still working at the law firm and love the job.  However lately, I’ve had some coworkers leave the firm and it’s been sad to see friends go.   Our new 13-story building right along the freeway is still going strong and we hope to move in next Fall.  We are anxious for a new building, getting out of downtown, less time driving, no traffic and easy parking. Next year will be challenging for me as a trainer, we are rolling out some new technologies firm wide.

           Mike is still working remote from our home office as an engineer with the Crom Corp.  He loves taking 5 steps to work, working in his pajamas, and having the flexibility to work any hours as long as the jobs get done.  He’s also a volunteer fireman and gets called out on some fires to put out and tragic medical emergencies.

           Arin, our 23-year old son, is finishing up a degree in Cardiology Technology and will be doing rotations at area hospitals in Georgia and Florida for a few months.  Once he graduates in June, I’m sure he’ll have no trouble landing a job.  He’s here with us now this Christmas and we've been taking in quite few Christmas events that have really put us in the Christmas spirit.

           My brother, Alan, moved from California to Mississippi in March and is currently staying with us.  He is the CIO of a company based in Australia that has just released a software program called “Vistime” (see www.vistime.com).  We are jealous that he gets to head out yet again to Australia next month for another visit.  We are having a great time catching up and doing things together… it’s been a long time.

           My mother lives about 11 miles away in a nice new apartment complex.  We get together as often as we can and take in some sightseeing now and then.  Being so close, my brother and I make sure her needs are met and that all is well.  

           The Wallace family: Tamara, Chad, Taylor, Caleb, Rachel, Hannah and Micah are all doing great.   Chad still works for MDOT as an engineer and Tamara home schools all five children.  They still live on a 50-acre farm 3 miles from us, complete with cows, horses, goats, chickens, etc. and they grow various crops during the year.  They have a nice new lake, huge playground with a basketball court, and an enormous area to play with all their neighbor friends.  Tamara now has a big bell she rings when she wants to call the kids.  The photo below has everyone except Arin in it, taken at their farm.

           Life for us in Mississippi has a nice blend of fast paced work and the slow pace of the country.   You are cordially invited to stop by and visit us anytime.  There is plenty of room and we’d love to see you.   If you can’t come, be sure to drop me a line and let me know how you are. 

           In closing, Jesus is the perfect gift that fits the size of every heart.  Most people I talk to just want peace: financial peace, peace in their jobs, peace with the kids, peace with their spouse, within their families, in the world.  I pray that God will bless you with the gift of His perfect peace.  Only He can give you the calm peace you seek.  If you haven’t received it, please read this.  If you’ve already received His free gift, then I hope you can sense His presence in your heart each and every day. 

Wishing you a blessed Christmas and New Year!