Update on "The Branch"

I wanted to give you guys a quick update on the preparation for our transition to Jackson and The Branch Ministry...

We have not sold our house yet but do have a couple who is very interested, but there has been no offer as of yet. Nothing you can really do except commit it to the Lord and trust He will sell it soon.

We had a productive weekend in Jackson, TN last weekend. We met with a recommended lawyer to set up the corporation for The Branch. I really liked him and we ended up having a great conversation after the legalities about this ministry. He will continue to be in contact with my friend Taylor as this goes through the process of confirmation from the IRS.

We have also set up a bank account for the ministry. The way it works, people can write checks to The Branch and it will be considered tax deductible even before the IRS "officially" recognizes it as such. As soon as you get the number for the bank account for The Branch, it is considered "birthed" at that time. We have been blessed to have have several people already wanting to make significant donations.

We have found a location for The Branch ministry! It's located on the downtown square in Jackson in a building called Cornerstone. It has an easy entrance off one of the most well known roads in Jackson and a big parking lot next to it that is the only free parking lot downtown. The owners of the building are giving us half off the lease price for the 3,000 square feet area on the second floor. It's a great lay out of free open space with room for offices, prayer rooms, and a kitchen area. The big open area has enough area for a coffee/resource area when you come in; an area with couches and big flat screen on the wall for games; a big area in the middle for teaching/worship; a nice area for ping pong and pool tables; and a couple more rooms to break off in to small groups. The owners are doing us a favor as they are excited about what we're going to do. The entrance into The Branch is open downstairs from 8 to 5 and automatically locks at 5. There is an elevator and stairs you go up and then a nice glass door entrance into our area that can be locked. We know we will need wireless internet, cable (with Espn), and a phone. So...that's pretty exciting as they will let us paint the area as well. We start paying that lease in March.

We don't know where we are living yet in Jackson, but are feeling peace about that as well. We went to the community church we will probably be going to on Sunday morning and were blessed. As you know, the website is a work in progress, but a good start that I'll start updating in March. I have also made a brochure that we will hand out to churches and businesses. Now that we have a location, I can mail those to our partners and make business cards.

Last, but not least, it has been going as well as it possibly can down here. I want to finish strong and the process of finding two quality interns and a youth minister to replace me is a bit exhausting with interviews at the moment, but Father is pulling us through. The people down here have been very gracious and confirming and the teens have been great. Trying to make the most of our time as February 28th will get here soon. Our boys are doing better than expected and keep them and Marcie in your prayers during this transition time. Marcie keeps speaking truth to all of us. We love you guys! If God is for us, who can be against us? Grace and peace to all of you and I hope this update helps. www.thebranchministry.org

The Miller's

Christmas photos from 2009...Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

We celebrated our family Christmas this morning and enjoyed our Christmas Eve as a family at home last night. I love this time of the year and it was fun to celebrate the "Advent Conspiracy" at church as we gave the boys less presents while getting to bless an orphanage in Mexico. The boys still got plenty as God loves to give us good gifts and for us to bless others. On to the yummy cookie decorating from last night...

The more icing the better...that's my boy!!

We read our traditional Night before Christmas books to the boys.

Here are the boys ready to come downstairs to start Christmas morning.

Star Wars stocking stuffers...

You can't tell, but these light up like light sabers.

Andrew loves Yoda

Here are the swords they have waited on that we bought at Pioneer Days.

Ready to tear into some gifts!

Easton made a Larry Boy from construction paper for Owen.

Andrew wanted to give this to Isaac as he said, "Jesus is the Rock"!

Owen with his new backpack, coloring book, markers, and portable desk from Gma Stracke.

May we all have deeper revelation of God's love for us this Christmas as we tend to love ourselves and others according to how we view God's love for us. Love you guys!

Winter 09'

We went to the mall today so Owen could use the money Nana and Papaw gave him for Christmas. The process of his Build a (Tiger) is here in a little bit (mainly for Nana). I have sprinkled in a couple of pictures from our Thanksgiving trip and here at home. Blessings to everyone! Oh yea, this first picture will have to serve as our Christmas card photo this year...sorry, it's been a little crazy.

All of Lee and Becky's kids chipped in and got them this nice hot tub for their 60th birthday's, 40th wedding anniversary, and Christmas all put together! It was worth it and fun for all of us.
I don't want to hear any complaining of our boys being loud at Christmas!! It was fun, but after 4 or 5 days...it was time to come home lol. Look at all of them...wow!

Our only photo of putting the tree up...we had a fun night.

The process of build a bear (tiger) starts...

Owen kissing his heart for "Bama"...

Fill him up!!

His first chance to hug "Bama" after being filled.

Giving Bama an air bath.

Dressing him up...

He actually chose the "football" outfit from Alabama.

Thank you Nana and Papaw!! Can't wait to see you and my cousins, aunts, and uncles!!

See you soon in Springfield...