Oh, it has been so long since any of us has written. I would like to think that it is because we are talking more, but is that true? All of us have many issues that need to be prayed for. All of us need prayers on direction and keeping our feet to the path that God has set before us. All of us know that that path is put before us and God promises to lead us. But to be lead we have to give up control. Sometimes I think that we equate contol with using our inteligence. And yet in not asking God for our path we sometimes show our selfishness. I think that all sin stems from a form of selfishnes. I am missing all of you tonight! It tends to make me reflective! Could I ask all of you to pray for Kristi tonight? She needs the Lord to lead her, or at the very least to use her where she is put! Andrew needs us. How will we as a family rise to the challenge of praying. I am sorry that I have been so caught in the day to day that I have not invested in the future of our family by writing. Let's make this a daily habit! I love you all!
Mom

A HUGE SHOUT OUT!

Thank you to all of you special people who helped to make our Shin Dig a success! I was so thrilled with all the details--from the paper lanterns, to the centerpeices, to the excellent choice of food, to the games set up in the front yard. We are so thankful that we have a family who all chipped in and helped to create an atmosphere of celebration!

We love all of you, every single person, with our whole hearts. We continue to overflow with love and thankfulness this week and are already counting the days until you are here with us again!

Thank you for loving us so much!

Love,
Kristi & Ryan

Gideon's Prayer

Another funny Gideon story from this morning...

We're sitting on the couch and he is looking sleepy.  So we often pray right before he goes to sleep, and I said, "Should we pray?"

He said, "Bible book?" (We usually read the Bible before he goes to sleep at night.)

I had the book of Luke up on the computer, so I said, "Yea, Daddy is reading the Bible.  And then I'm talking with Jesus."

Gideon looked blankly and sleepily, so I continued, "Yea, prayer is just talking to Jesus."

Gideon nodded.

"What do you want to say to Jesus," I asked.

"Jeez-a?" Gideon asked, "Peez."

"Please what?" I wondered what he was going to say.  I was waiting for something profound.  You know, please save me.  Please help.  Please with me.  Something amazing and theologically deep for a eighteen month old.  Gideon's eyes brightened, got real big, and he said...

"Pleez crackers!"  He clapped his hands and laughed and I gave him a big hug.

Please Jesus, send us some crackers.

Hello my wonderful family, time for one of dad's rare blog's. First of all I want to thank Ryan for his nice words -I agree with Rob that u are part of that family u talk about and we are thankful for that. We trust that u will only bless our family and enrich the family as Kristine and Courtney have already done. We are thankful that God has given us new daughters and a son to enjoy. ok maybe it's not official yet but close enough. Also congrat's to Matt and Court today on their 6'th wedding anniversary-it only seems like yesterday. We celebrate with u and praise God for the 6 years past and the many more ahead-and also for the young grandson your marriage has produced.
I wanted to also thank each of u for making my Father's Day so special last weekend. To all be together for the day was the best gift ever and I know it will not always be possible as u all have other dad's u must honor as well. But thanks so much for the love u all showed me last Sunday. Especially I want to say thank you to Andrew and Kristine for giving up time on their 1'st wedding anniversary to spend with us. I realize that was a sacrifice and I appreciate it very much. I love u all. Also thanks for the ipod clock/radio-it came this week and is perfect and dad was even able to figure it out and get it set up by our bed. I'll show u all when u are home.
Last I would like to ask for prayer for my dad as he get's worse and for mom as she takes care of him. I think often of them-I miss my dad and mom needs strength. I also need for u to pray that I put 1'st things 1'st in my life. I am sorry that I did not spend enough time with Kristi when she was home as I let other things crowd in on my time with her-I'm sorry my wonderful daughter! Life is busy but I need to make sure I keep my priorities straight and am available to my family and not let other events or things take their place. Sometimes things come up we can't control but often it is the choices we must make. Please forgive me when I have chosen poorly I will try to do better as u pray for me!!! I want my choices to reflect what I believe to be most important and that is my God and my family.
I love u all and look forward to our next time when we will all be together over the Labor Day weekend. Send me your prayer requests!!!

Love and Hugs DAD

Your Amazing Family!

I wanted to thank all of you for the wonderful Sunday spent in Indy. Your family is truly amazing and I just wanted to let you know that from an outsider looking in the love and strong commitment to one another is visible in all you do. I feel so lucky to be joining what I believe to be the epitome of "the ideal family unit."
I was not brought up in the best or worst of family situations but what I see happening in the Miller family as a whole and also on individual levels with Andrew and Kristine, and Matt, Court, and Gid is inspiring to say the least. Thanks so much for making me feel welcome and I also want you all to know that I love you very much!
Ryan

HONEYMOONIN'

Ryan and I made a decision and put our deposit down on the amazing locale below! We got a deal that was 35% off the room--and this place is AMAZING! Now, if you could all be praying for great weather (we're at the end of hurricane season when we go), that would be fantastic! Enjoy looking at our amazing resort! You can also watch videos on it on YouTube.

http://www.excellence-resorts.com/all-inclusive-resorts/playa-mujeres-mexico/playa-overview.htm

Love,
Kristi & Ryan

Coming Home Soon! (& some other details).

This is the soon to be Mrs. Murphy! I haven't written since we got engaged, and it feels so good to be marrying the love of my life in just about 4 months. We've been busy wedding planning, but have gotten a lot of the details taken care of for now. Please pray that we can decide on a caterer soon and that we find a great honeymoon deal. Any suggestions? We have no clue what kind of price range we should be looking for. We'd like to get these two things taken care of soon.

Mom asked me what I wanted my week at home to look like. I fly into Chicago on the 13th and will be spending a night there with my girlfriends who are throwing me a party to celebrate the engagement. I will then be coming home on Sunday the 14th and will be there until Thursday morning when I head to Indy. I'm up for anything as long as it includes time by the pool and mom's homecookin'.

I'd like to stop at Matt & Court's on the way home from Chicago to have dinner, catch up, and play with Gideon! Then, we have the shower on Tuesday night. Andrew & Kristine--what are your plans like that week? Basically, I'd like to see all my siblings as much as possible. The offer still stands for whoever can make it to come to Indy on Sunday, June 21st to see Ryan & I before we head back to Denver. Let me know what you guys have going on during that week so we can match up schedules. I'm sure we'll be talking wedding details, etc.....

I think that's it for now! I love you all so much and can't wait to spend some quality time at home with you!