Saturday, December 23, 2017

Merry Christmas from the Miller's

Merry Christmas
from
the Miller's

Some of the Highlights of the year.

Family Photo taken at Gary's Wedding. 
We retired officially at the end of 2016 and were recognized by the church at the General Board meetings in Kansas City for our 27 yeas of work in the Asia Pacific region. There are things that we miss about each of the three countries that we served in; we miss the warm weather (and are thankful for a house with a good heating system in Bethany), some of the different foods are missed but most importantly we miss the relationships that we had with the people.

At the beginning of the year George had two people from Papua New Guinea ask if he would help them get to General Assembly. In June we hosted 12 people at our house and in our church, Western Oaks Church of the Nazarene. The four women stayed in our house and the men slept at the church. They visited and spoke at many different churches in Oklahoma before they left for the road trip to Indianapolis.   (The photo is the delegates on there way to General Assembly and we stopped to visit Nancy's mother who was extremely helpful in organizing their USA trip on 2 previous General Assemblies.)  Also one of these Mrs. Regina Kintak went to be with the Lord a few months after their return to Papau New Guinea.  Regina is standing on right side of Nancy,

At the end of their time in Oklahoma they fixed a meal for our family. Gary invited a young woman to meet his extended family. 

(This photo is Gary's first meeting with his new wife.  Taken at the meal. When our PNG brothers met her one of them commented, "Yumi kisim em nau."  Translated, "Let's get her now.")

The PNG family approved and gave their blessing. Gary and Beth were married in November.

 

After the General Conventions a friend from the Solomon Islands came to our house to wait for the Assembly to be over. We had a great time visiting with Salome Karibule.

(Photo of our 2 Solomon Island Delegates to General Assembly Salome and Dolasi Baesi)






In November a young woman from the Philippines came to visit with us for about one week. She was here during the time Gary got married and so she saw the way that things are done here in the USA. She loved doing the dishes with warm water. She said it was like having a massage.

( Photo of Cara and her visit.)


Nancy was able to purchase an electric scooter before the General Assembly (thanks to the extra medical/health funds that the church provided upon retirement). Without the scooter it would have been impossible for her to attend the assembly. She managed to remain out of the hospital until October but was admitted a couple of times after that.

News about our kids:
Scott and Gloria: 
Still live in Nevada Texas.  If you remember two years ago on December 26, 2015 their home was destroyed by a tornado.  We were so thankful that all 25 of the family and friends at their home that day were not injured.  This year their home was rebuilt on the same location and it was built with a "safe-room".  They moved back into their rebuilt house in March or April.

They are busy in Scott's medical practice as well as in their church.  Zach, their first born, is a senior at Southern Nazarene University, and is a youth minister at Williams Church of the Nazarene in Bethany, Oklahoma. Geoffrey turned 16 this year and is starting to drive. Geoffrey and Joshua are both very involved with Teen Bible Quizzing on the local and district levels, Gloria also coaches their quiz team.

Greg and Wendy:
Greg has, within the past week, accepted an employment with the Oklahoma Science Museum, formerly the Omniplex, a hands-on science museum in OKC .  He will begin this employment after New Years.  His new position will be Director of Education Program.  Wendy is busy with her home school coop and with the kids.  They are actively involved in church and their children are active in Bible Quizzing. Justus also turned 16 and has completed almost all the hours she needs to take her driving test.

Geoffrey and Churie:
Geoffrey and Churie accepted positions this year at the Church of he Nazarene in Woodward, Oklahoma.  Churie is the Children's minister and Geoffrey is the Youth minister.  They have recently put their house located in Bethany Oklahoma on the market.  Geoffrey has been commuting weekly back to Bethany where he still works as a paint contractor with Southern Nazarene University. Their girls are very active in quizzing. At some of the invitational quizzes they will make up a family team. We now have 7 grandchildren in Teen Quizzing.
Raina, their first-born, has had many health challenges during this year.  She was diagnosed a few years ago as type-1 diabetic, but now she has other problems that are not due to the diabetes.  It has been tough on them as it seems doctors are unable to find the cause of her sickness.  Continue to be in prayer for her.

The most exciting or unexpected event in our family this year was the marriage of Gary and Beth. 
Dad and Mom with Gary and Beth



Gary with Best Man Gabe Ward and Groomsmen
Brother Geoffrey; Cousin Seth Sides; & Brother Greg
And the Ring Barrer 'girl' Tessa. 
A family Wedding Tradition, push the bride in
a wheel chair.













Gabe Ward and Gary






Gabe Ward, a MK from PNG who was Gary's best friend, came to be his best man. 









Gary and his family






Beth came with a ready-made family including 2 pre-teen girls, Lillie and Ella, so with this addition it brings our grandchildren count to 14. 












We have enjoyed our retirement this year. We are active in ARMM (Association of Retired Ministers and Missionaries) and the District Prime Time events. Both of us have been working on making old-fashioned Christmas presents. We are enjoying every day that God gives us.

We want to wish you and all you care about a joyous and Christ blessed Christmas.


George and Nancy Miller