his first scarf, his second Christmas..

So it is that time of year again, time for the home projects and decorations.. Well, we don't really do those things around here.. I have, however, been able to learn how to crochet a little bit.. So here is it, Josiah's first scarf..

He loves it.. He has always loved my scarf and I really wanted to make him one of his own, and he just lit up when I gave it to him..

Also, my mom sent some gifts for Josiah which again made our little Christmas look a little bigger..

It is a good thing that she has decided to do this these last few years, because Bethany and I probably won't be the ones to get him tons of gifts on Christmas..

So I hope that you all have a great time with your friends and family!.

working..

So the last few weeks have been a bit crazy.. but finally things are sort of slowing down. I have been pushing myself to get things down for so long that I forgot what it is like to go at a slower pace.. I want to get used to this.

The other day I was hanging out with my wife and son and just enjoying their company.. I love my family. Bethany and I have been having a hard time these last few weeks, and then last night we had a sort of epiphany.. Things are going a little better now, but we could always use prayer.. This Christmas, for us, is going to be quiet and small.. Just us, and maybe a present or two, but that is it.. I am looking forward to that.

I hope that everyone has a great holiday season and hopefully people remember why we are celebrating and getting together with family.. This is the day (or around the time) that JESUS was born!..

So have a very Happy Christmas!.

P.S.
If you are in Redding, CA come to the Cascade Theatre Christmas Eve @ 5pm or 7pm.. See you there.

four years ago.

Four years ago I said I do.. It was a small ceremony, but it was a huge step of faith.. God has been so good to us.. I can't even begin to unpack the many many things that we have been through and the things that God has done in these last four years.. We are so grateful for the many people in our lives, friends and family, who have helped us get to where we are today.. Thanks to you all.

I love my wife, and I love our son.. We are so excited to be able to live and grow together.. I was just laying in bed with Josiah the other day trying to get him to sleep and thinking about what a blessing it is to have him as a part of our lives..

God, I thank you for allowing me to be a part of Bethany's life and I pray that you would just protect our relationship.. Help us to make more time for each other and for you.. I pray that you would be the center of our marriage and we thank you that you have been for these last four years.. Amen..

Randy Miller.

So of you may already know, but for those who don't, watch this video.. Afterward go to this site and then give whatever you can, prayer, money, encouragement.. Thanks.

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."
- Matthew 19:26

i need to blog more.

Wow, I have been hearing this a lot as of late.. Well, there is a new series coming up called "Simple".. I am ready for it.. Things in my life need to be more simple. Today was a great example of the way things have been going lately. It starts out by me having a few things to do for the whole day and then ends with me doing a dozen more things and feeling exhausted at the end of the day..

Weird it never starts that way..

On an entirely different note, I am leading worship this Sunday for the Stirring at the Eureka Way campus.. I am totally stoked, and I have been thinking about doing a few songs that we haven't done in a while. It is going to be fun, God will be there.. Environment..

For the last few years I have really been able to say, I love what God is doing in my church community.. Have you been able to say that?

I just want to say, in case you didn't already know, God has something big in store for those who really want to seek his face.. I love Jeremiah 29:11-13

11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Let's start seeking God out.. He is waiting for us to find him and listen.

Poll: When was the last time that you have found yourself not busy.?

scarves and sweaters.

Yep. It is that time or year again.. Time to break out the winter wear, the sweaters, the scarves, the beanies, the blazers with the zip-up hoodies underneath.. You know what I am talking about.

I love this time of the year, in fact, Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday [turkey, pumpkin pie, family.. what more could you want..]. It is kind of weird here in Redding, CA when it comes to fall and winter. The thing is, it like never snows, it rains a lot, and it is usually warmer longer.. I am just not used to that, but at least it is not slushy like in Cincinnati, OH.

Anyhoo.. I just wanted to let the world know that I am ready for the colder weather!

Poll: Who else out there is ready for the cold? What is your favorite holiday?

Voting..

I found this make your own poster and thought that it would be a good picture for this post..

So this weekend at the Stirring we are going to be talking about the political elephant.. This topic is really hard for me.. I have never really been into politics, like at all. When it comes to what is going on in and around the White House I have no clue what to talk about. I have never really been involved in intelligent conversations about this either.. When it comes down to it, I really don't want to know anything. I think that we get into too many arguments about things that don't really mater, and to me politics is just one more of those in my life.

I know that there are really passionate people out there that really are on top of things and have really intelligent things to say about the issues, but I just can't get excited about politics.. I love to talk about what God is doing in people's lives, and in my own.. I love to talk about what is going on it the world as well, but i just can't speak intellectually about political issues.

I say all this, not just to start up a conversation, but to let you know that just because I am not going to vote doesn't mean that I will not support whoever is elected. I, by giving up my right to choose, am giving up my right to be angry..

I have always been a huge advocate for praying for our leaders, and people in power.. I know that it must be really hard to be in their position [constantly under the microscope]. Also, they may make mistakes, but they are still human like you and I, and will not be perfect [no matter what we think].. This can be applied to our pastors, teachers, and principals as well.

So as you head to the voting poles please keep in mind, no matter what happens, that the person that you don't like could be elected and think about how you will respond when that happens.. Will you be like the rest of the world and complain and argue [kill] that person, or will you respect, support and pray for that person..

Poll: Who is/isn't voting, why?