Celebrations

Last week was super busy, but there wasn't one thing we would've cut out. We wanted to do everything, and had fun doing it, but it would have to all come at once. When it rains, it pours!
Here is a glimpse at just some of the things we did-

First of all, we celebrated Arianna's birthday. Because we were planning a surprise birthday party for her, I tampered with her work schedule, and she ended up having to work on Tuesday, her birthday. She wasn't thrilled about that, so Ang & I picked up KFC & doughnuts to surprise her at work on her birthday at lunchtime.

 

All the Miller ladies... (with lil Miss Avery looking annoyed)

Wednesday Ang & I took Arianna shopping & out to eat. When we arrived at the restaurant, there was another surprise- a dozen friends waiting to celebrate with her. 

 

 She got the free dessert, but she had to endure us singing for her first. 

Happy birthday, Arianna! We are proud of the young lady you have become and we look forward to seeing what God has in store for you in the coming year, your last teen year. 

A couple weeks ago my brother posted on FB looking for a place to go primitive camping, fishing and I don't remember what all. I replied that we have all that and he knows where we live. I didn't expect him to take me serious, but he did. He made plans to come out for the weekend and camp in our back 30. He planned the menu for the whole weekend, which helped me out. (To me, half the work of hosting guests is deciding what to feed them.)

When my parents, brother & SIL arrived Friday evening, we had the camper set up and a fire blazing to make mountain pies. A thunderstorm chased us inside until it blew over, then most of the crowd went back out and got the fire going again to finish eating. 

 Avery wanted to help Jeremy play guitar 🙂

 The rain drove out the humidity and we needed jackets Saturday morning. Perfect for cooking a big breakfast over a fire!

We've never camped on the Back 30 before- this was a first, but probably not the last.

A license isn't needed for fishing at a private pond so the men fished at the Miller pond. 

(The Mennonite mantra- free is good!)

 Josh & Gerald with the catch. We have so much fish in the freezer that we really didn't need these for supper, but living off the land and all...

 Avery loved the 4-wheeler ride with uncle Jeremy! 

Meanwhile we ladies took mom for her 1st latte. 

 The men did some target shooting. I don't know how many boxes of clays they went through, but they were having fun. Poor Tessa had to be tied up because she just wanted to retrieve!

 

It wasn't until it got too dark to shoot that the men came in to grill the steaks & fry the fish for us. Josh really knows how to prepare fish! He never measures ingredients- he just dumps, but it's delicious.

 On Sunday Arianna was baptized. For the rest of the parents of this class, it was their first time having a son/daughter baptized, but for us this was our last one. We are so happy she has chosen to take this step. And we were glad for family that was able to be there to support her.

These lyrics are my desire for Arianna as she lives for the Lord...

Live Like That

-Sidewalk Prophets

Sometimes I think

What will people say of me

When I'm only just a memory

When I'm home where my soul belongs

Was I love

When no one else would show up

Was I Jesus to the least of those

Was my worship more than just a song

I want to live like that

And give it all I have

So that everything I say and do

Points to You

If love is who I am

Then this is where I'll stand

Recklessly abandoned

Never holding back

I want to live like that

I want to live like that

Am I proof

That You are who you say You are

That grace can really change a heart

Do I live like Your love is true

People pass

And even if they don't know my name

Is there evidence that I've been changed

When they see me, do they see You

I want to live like that

And give it all I have

So that everything I say and do

Points to You

If love is who I am

Then this is where I'll stand

Recklessly abandoned

Never holding back

I want to live like that

I want to live like that

I want to show the world the love You gave for me

I'm longing for the world to know the glory of the King

I want to live like that

And give it all I have

So that everything I say and do

Points to You

If love is who I am

Then this is where I'll stand

Recklessly abandoned

Never holding back

I want to live like that

I want to live like that