Do You Have a Book in You? Perhaps It's Time to Give Birth.

I wanted to write a book, but I didn't have a clue how to write a book until I found you -- Montrose Christian Writer's Conference. There I learned much of what one needs to know about the writing life and publishing business.  

Four published books later, I am eager to return to the 35th Annual Montrose Christian Writer's Conference (beginning July 15 dinner and ending July 19 at 10 a.m.) and teach others from my 20+ years of continued learning and experience as an author.

I join three editors and five best-selling authors as well as numerous workshop leaders in a fabulous week of fun and learning.

From drama, poetry, novels, non-fiction, and all in between you'll learn from the classes you choose to attend as well as from the new author friends who surround you. 

 I am teaching three workshops. 

Shining God's Light on Your Writing Career

Avoiding the Pitfalls of Poor Writing

My Book is Finished. Now What?

 Reflecting on the many writer's conferences I've attended at Montrose and elsewhere, I am thankful for those who came along and helped me see the fruit of years of writing. Most of all, I am thankful for the friendships which began there and remain until this day. It's all precious and special in my heart. 

There are a few rooms left! See you there!  

More info at:   https://www.montrosebible.org/OurEvents/tabid/113/page_550/1/eventid_550/1413/Default.aspx

Dan and I Share the Better and the Worse of our 51 Years Together

Lots of great marriage help here as Dan and I share the ups and downs of married life. 

 

May your marriage be blessed!

My Journey with Covid-19 — Hallucinations

God provided entertainment along my covid way and during my hospital stay in the form of hallucinations. 

Covid-19 hits people in many ways. There is no rhyme or reason to this disease. Some lose lung function, others have heart damage, and  not a few have brain impairment. Fortunately, when covid enters the brain, it does not stay. There is no permanent brain damage. Just some stories to tell your grandkids along the way. Enjoy my three run-ins with hallucinations:

1. Honestly, the hundreds of frogs on my ceiling were adorable. They entertained me through some long covid days. 

2. When a friend visited, I was surprised and happy to see her. How did she evade the isolation guards? Visitors were prohibited. But, there she was at my bedside ready to put some fun in my day. 

"Your bed looks too small. Let's make it bigger. In fact, let's turn it into a big boat!"

Next thing I knew, my friend and I were flying around the room in a beautiful and colorful boat. What fun!!! After a time, I grew tired and dizzy and asked my friend to stop the boat.

"Alright," she said reluctantly. "But look at this room. It's a mess! I'm going to move all the furniture around and make your room beautiful!"

When I woke up, my furniture was all in a different place. I have no idea how that happened. The nurses accused me of getting out of bed and moving the furniture, although they had no explanation how I had the strength.  Or, perhaps, that was an hallucination too!

3. Waking up, I had no idea who I was, where I was, or why I was? The walls were bare, the furniture unfamiliar. Where am I? What's my name? Why am I here? I had no clue. My eyes roamed the room until I saw the person at the top of this blog post. (She was not an hallucination). I realized then that I had been abducted by space aliens! Yikes. My nurse was kind and assured me I was Elaine in Corning Hospital being treated for covid-19.

God reminded me, and I want to remind you:

God knows your name.

He knows the walls about you.

He holds you and He will never let you go.

"Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my  hands;

Your walls are continually before me."

Isaiah 49:16

God is not an hallucination.

God is not a space alien.

God is real.

He will knock down those walls of doubt and fear.

Cling to Jesus.

He'll get you through all of life's crises.

Further reading on Covid-19 hallucinations:

According to a recent review of studies in Psychology Research and Behavior Management, COVID-19 infections have been triggering such hallucinations . . .  

It's not fully understood why this happens, but one idea is that patients with severe COVID-19 infection “may have a little brain damage from chronically low levels of oxygen going to the brain, due to COVID causing the lungs not to oxygenate the blood as well,” explains Pravin George, a staff neurointensivist at Cleveland Clinic. “It could also be that COVID itself is attacking the brain directly in certain patients.”

The good news is the brain damage is temporary. I am now in control of all my thoughts. The frogs are gone. My furniture isn't moving. And I know who I am, where I am, and why I am here. Hallelujah! 

Have a splashes of serenity kind of day! 

What My Grandson Taught Me About Jesus

If you've heard me speak, you, most likely, remember the lessons my Grandson Garrett taught me about Jesus. These stories have brought hundreds to Christ around the world and across the United States. Thanking God for the words of Jesus,

"Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, 

you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven. 

Therefore, whoever humbles himself like this child

 is the greatest in the kingdom in Heaven."

Matthew 18:3-4

 I share some Garrett stories here. Be blessed.

 Congratulations on your High School graduation, dear Garrett. Your grandma's prayers will always be with you.

May a child splash serenity on your day,

Is Your Spouse Getting on Your Nerves?

While you and your honey shelter in place, are you thinking I'm ready to shelter my honey off to another place! Be encouraged today as I share the first chapter from We All Married Idiots: Three Things You Will Never Change About Your Marriage and Ten Things You Can. 

My gift to you as Dan and I celebrate the 50th anniversary of the day we met!



Treasure your days together!

Elaine Shares Her Story as a Guest at the Extraordinary Faith Summit

 

What a blessing to share my faith, my writing, my marriage, and my cancer journey with Patricia Durgin at the Extraordinary Faith Summit. Thank you, Patricia, for this opportunity to show the world the power of Christ in a life. You can see and listen to the interview right here:

https://www.facebook.com/MarketersOnAMission/videos/138224097502294/

May these words bring a splash of serenity to your day!

2020 Extraordinary Faith Summit

Has your marriage hit the wall? Ours did. I'm excited to share how an extraordinary God kept us running our marriage race through the obstacles and through the wall to glorify Him with our marriage. #Married50Years this year! #SoGladWeStayed 

You won't want to miss this two week conference of extraordinary speakers and writers who trusted an extraordinary God to pull them through extraordinary circumstances (beginning March 2, 2020). My segment is live on Wednesday, March 4, 2020 at 3:00 EST. Details below.

Here's a Sneak Peek at The 2020 Extraordinary Faith Summit hosted by Marketers On A Mission​. It begins Monday, March 2nd / ends on Friday, March 13th. (Click image to enlarge.)

Please welcome our guests Dr. Michelle Bengtson, Linda Evans Shepherd, Elaine W. Miller, Shonda Savage Whitworth, Twila Belk - The Gotta Tell Somebody Gal, Melinda V Inman, Evelyn Kraemer Mann, Eva Marie Everson's Southern Novels, Katherine B. Barner, and Lynne Hartke, Author.

You can enroll (it's FREE!) and be encouraged by these sessions all year long! Details at: https://marketersonamission.com/ext-faith-2020/ — with Michelle Bengtson, Melinda Inman, Linda Evans Shepherd, Elaine W. Miller, Shonda Savage Whitworth, Lynne Hartke and Twila Belk.

The Merry Miller Moments of 2019

In a moment, my life changed. 

My eyes opened! My heart burst! Joy filled me! 

In a moment, a cancer diagnosis revealed Christ in ways I've never known as 

my eyes, my heart, and my joy 

focused on the eternal and not the earthly, 

on the hope of Heaven and not the heaviness of this world. 

Dan and I rejoice in God's healing and in the fruit of cancer research, because 

in a few months of moments 

my prognosis went from terminal to terrific.  

God uses these moments to teach me lessons I am thrilled to share with audiences. 

Doors open to minister to and pray with cancer patients —

 opportunities  I never wanted or planned for,

 but I am honored to own. 

This Christmas I reflect on the moments of life and pray none of us ever miss the times God planned for us.

Dan and I treasure the moments of our marriage.  

Because of cancer, now, even more so. 

Summers in the Adirondacks create moments with our children and grandchildren. 

A 49th Anniversary trip retracing our honeymoon in Maine created 

wonderful moments and memories of years gone by and hopes of years to come. 

We enjoyed a momentous time in North Carolina with all of Elaine's siblings 

(some of whom have not been together for five years). 

Don't wait for those moments to happen. 

Make them happen now!

Our children fill us with moments of joy and fun. We are blessed that Joanna and Bob and Elizabeth and Joe with ten of our thirteen grandchildren live close by. 

We enjoyed the moments with all the Price's 

watching Ryan's baseball team, coached by Bob,

 win the District Little League championship.

Sailor Noble blessed the Sliwa family and ours with his newborn love and smiles.

 Elizabeth and Joe and their nine children have a quiver filled with moments!  

Moments.

 Those special moments when big brother Connor takes leave from the Marine Corps

 to meet his baby brother.

Sam and Katie, Lily and Jack continue serving our country in Alabama. 
Sam was promoted to Lt. Colonel with the US Air Force JAG Corp. 
A proud moment for us to witness.

Seize moments this Christmas to ponder 

God's great love for you, 

the blessings of being alive, 

the treasure of family and friends,

 Christ's birth, 

and the hope of eternal life for those who believe.  

Pray and let Christ change your life. 

It will only take a moment.

"Today . . . a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord."

Luke 2:11

Merry Christmas from the merry Millers!

A Mother Smiles From Heaven as Her Prayers are Answered on Earth

I love Divine Appointments! Many years before I knew I would have leukemia, I met a young mom with terminal cancer. On a three-hour airplane ride she shared her prayers and her dreams for her children, as well as lessons God taught her on her cancer journey. I asked if I could write her story and she gave permission. I wrote

A Mother's Day Message from a Dying Mommy 

to All Mothers of the World 

 (see below) 

In 2018, years after Paige's death, my book Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo: A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality was published. Paige's wisdom deserved two chapters in my book.

Before the book was released,
I searched for Paige's children in hopes of sharing their mother's thoughts.  

 I found no contact information. 

Just the lovely picture of three special kids with sweet Paige.

    

Then, this winter I received an email from California.

"I am Paige's cousin. 
I googled Paige's name and found your blog." 

What a thrill for me and for the cousin. She connected me with Paige's parents who communicated  their appreciation of reading Paige's words. I sent Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo to Paige's cousin, parents, and best yet, to each one of Paige's children along with a personal note of hopes Paige had for each child. (not included in the blog or book).

 Isn't God amazing and good!

Paige is smiling from Heaven

as I see her prayers answered on earth.

I pray Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo is a blessing to her family as I thank God for nudging me to write about Paige. She is gone, but her words live on and will impact mothers this Mother's Day. For the glory of God!

Don't you just love Divine Appointments!

A Mother's Day Message from a Dying Mommy 

to All Mothers of the World

Paige E. Hilfer was born on December 18, 1967 and died on March 22, 2012 at the age of 44.

Her beauty stood out more than her baldness. We didn't speak, and I didn't stare, but I sat in the airport terminal and wrote in my writing pad: 

"A true beauty is one whose features are so fine that she retains her loveliness 

even when her hair is gone."

Sad. So young.

Nestled in my assigned airplane seat, I hoped whoever sat next to me was prepared to sleep for the next three hours for I had a manuscript to edit. Oh yes, I did have work to do. Work God prepared for me to do before I was ever born.

Sweet bald-headed beauty stopped at my row and slid into the seat next to me.  I was quick to keep my eyes on the papers scattered in front of me.

"Hi. My name is Paige. Are you writing a book?"

Now that's a sentence that grabs a writer's attention. We started talking.

She had cancer. 

Deadly. 

And three children. 

Lively.

Eager to talk, she shared how her life and her parenting changed when she learned she had little time to impact the lives of her children. I told her I would write her thoughts and share them with the world. So, here is Paige's bucket list in her own words:

Meaningful moments will replace materialism as the goal for the day.

Family celebrations will not be missed.

My children are no longer my world. 
Instead, 
I want to show the world to my children.

Teach my children that  life is about real people who need real people
 — not about video games and the latest toys.

My days of selfishness 
— of materialism — 
are gone and 
my life giving back has begun.

Show my children the hurting in the world 
so compassion grows in their hearts
 and they see 
the world consists of more than 
what they see on video games.

Grow my children to be kind instead of selfish.

Grow my children to care more about people than possessions.

Teach my children that they are on this earth to be angels — messengers from God.

My new friend shared  how cancer changed her heart.

 I was such a selfish person, 
then cancer  hit 
and the angels arrived.

Angels without wings 
showed up daily at my door.

Angels handed me their tickets 
when they realized I was sick 
and there was no seat for me on the airplane.

Angels surrounded me 
with weeks of prepared meals 
and child care.

Angels gave $20,000 
to help with my medical expenses.

She smiled and said, 
"And God placed an angel 
in the airplane seat beside me today."

I felt the same way. God gave me the honor of sitting beside an angel named Paige.

Cancer was a gift that changed her thinking from

Let's see how many toys I can accumulate

to

Let's see how many lives I can touch before I die.

I'm thankful she touched mine.

I promised her I would write this Mother's Day message from her to you. May it live  on in your heart and in the lives of your children.as you teach them their purpose on earth:

To be Angels.

Happy Mother's Day dear moms! Cherish your babies every second God gives you to hold them and to teach them that  God has them on earth to be an angel to someone today.

Please pray for Paige's family on this Mother's Day. May they somehow find this post and be comforted.  Pray for all children who miss their mommy today and every day. May God splash serenity and 10,000 angels on their lives. And the dear  moms who watch their children die. May this Mother's Day be a day of beauty and peace that can only come from You, dear God.

"For we are God's workmanship, 

created in Christ Jesus to do good works, 

which God prepared in advance for us to do." 

Ephesians 2:20

Be an angel to a hurting mom this Mother's Day,

Why God Allows Suffering

My Pastor Dave Bretch asked if he could interview me and Barry Karschner regarding my suffering with cancer and the Karschner's struggle with infertility. Be blessed as Barry and I share our stories, our sorrows, and our joys in the Sunday morning services at Beartown Road Alliance Church.

Keep your eyes fixed on Jesus, always,

Elaine Shares Her Life, Her Marriage, Her Cancer, Her Books, and Her God

What a treat sharing my heart and God story with Patricia Durgin, on Marketers on a Mission. Enjoy some laughs and some tears! Be blessed. Be encouraged.





Splashes of Serenity,

Has God Put A Cancer Patient in Your Life or at Your Market?

https://www.amazon.com/Praise-Lord-Pass-Chemo-Response/dp/1945976012/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1540390079&sr=1-1&keywords=praise+the+lord+and+pass+the+chemo

Tears! Those are the drops I shed when I realize what God is doing with the work He placed in my heart. Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo has reached across the States and into El Salvador.

My friend from El Salvador ordered two copies of Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo: A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality.

She writes:

Both copies of Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo have been given away spontaneously. I'm glad I quickly read it before the second copy flew out of my hands about an hour ago— to a cancer patient. 

I have been watching her for a couple of years, now. She owns a little corner convenience store that sells fruit and vegetables. Our favorite goodies are the homemade Salvadorean sweet and savory breads and fresh bread. 

Obviously under treatment, I have occasionally asked how she was doing. Radiation markers and a port site have faded and her beautiful head scarves have been set aside as her hair is filling in. A puffy extremity is covered by a compression sleeve. 

A smile and a polite conversation led me to be forward... “Is there any chance you could read a book in English?” I was surprised at my lack of thought before those words escaped me. 

“I have something just for you!" I left my fresh bread and produce on the counter and went to the car to get the book.

 “Here! This is for you! It is nourishment for the soul!”  

I explained in Spanish that you are one of my dearest friends and a pastor’s wife. I also told her that your husband officiated at my wedding to my Salvadorean beloved, the very reason why I reside in El Salvador.

 I explained that your response to your diagnosis was, “For the glory of God” and that you released your book only a couple of weeks ago and that I wanted her to have it. An educated, middle class lady, she told me that she would try very hard to read the English. We clasped hands. So, off for the glory of God goes your book!

Wow! I love these God stories. Please pray this dear El Salvadorean cancer patient will be able to read the book and God would speak to her through it.

I'd love to hear your God stories and how Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo is impacting the world with hope. Has God put a cancer patient in your life or at your market? Perhaps you will be surprised how quickly God opens doors for a conversation and a gift of hope.

Bring a Splash of Serenity to a cancer patient in your life,

A Spiritual Makeover of the Heart

Yikes! This is me enjoying a 70th birthday treat at the Spa (thanks to two sweet children). Wow! Fabulous! But Wow! Ouch!!! The massage hurt so good. The therapist found muscles I didn't know existed.

Made me wonder???

If I had a massage of my heart, what sins would be found lurking within me?  Sins I didn't even know were there, just lurking around (standing in the shadowy corner of my heart) and keeping me spiritually unfit.

"So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you . . . ." (Colossians 3:5 NLT). 

"Drink lots of water to wash out all the impurities I stirred up during the massage" the massage therapist said as I left. 

Whoa! As H-2-0 flushes out physical impurities, so too God's living water cleanses us of spiritual impurities. 

""Whoever believes in me, as the Scriptures has said, 

'Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water'" (John 7:38 ESV).

I want that living water (rivers of water, not a clogged up stream) flowing through my heart, don't you? Drink in God's Word, Ask God to reveal the sinful, earthly sins lurking inside, and put them to death. Kill them. Getting rid of  impurities will allow us to live the abundant life God promised. 

Will you join me? 

 A heart massage will hurt so good!!!

May God give us splashes of serenity as He gives us a spiritual makeover of our hearts,

Elaine Shares Her Cancer Journey with Dianne Barker, WHCB Radio

Dianne Barker

Speaker, radio host, and author

I Don't Chase the Garbage Truck Down the Street in My Bathrobe Anymore!

Organizing for the Maximum in Life

 Dianne Barker and I sat down for a heart-to-heart about my cancer journey and my new book Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo: A Hopeful Response to a Hard Diagnosis on her radio show "At the Library."

Dianne's "At the Library" two-part chat with Elaine W. Miller will be aired one time for the next two Saturday's. 

Part I

Saturday, October 20, 2018 

 at 3:30 EST 

on WHCB Radio, 91.5 FM in Tennessee

or www.whcbradio.org

 Part II

Saturday, October 27, 2018

 at 3:30 EST 

on WHCB Radio, 91.5 FM in Tennessee

 or www.whcbradio.org

Dianne edited Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo. Her belief in this book and her love for cancer patients shines through in the final product. She made me look really good! Thank you, Dianne!!!

She writes in her endorsement:

"A contagious joy infects the pages of Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo. Elaine W. Miller refuses to let a leukemia diagnosis steal her joy. Trusting God and believing he fights for her, she knows her eternity in heaven is secure. That puts her in a win-win position—surrendered to whatever God pleases to do. Her faith-filled perspective facing a potential death sentence offers encouragement and 

hope to others walking through dark, uncertain places. They will learn to laugh at cancer and find unexpected blessings in the journey. This sweet book by my precious friend is a shout-out to the Lord she loves with all her heart." ~ Dianne Barker

My 70th Birthday Surprise!

Celebrate with me the gift of life, health, and a new book God gave to me on my 70th birthday! One miracle after another!

 "I will praise the Lord at all times.

I will constantly speak his praises.I will boast only in the Lord;

let all who are helpless take heart.

Come, let us tell of the Lord's greatness;

let us exalt his name together.

I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me.

He freed me from all my fears.

Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy;"

Psalm 34:1-5

Let us exalt his name together! What are you praising the Lord for today?

It's My 70th Birthday and God Gave Me a Gift

Happy Birthday to me! Oh, I love my birthday and I especially love this birthday—my 70th!

Twice in the last two years oncologists indicated I would not see my 70th birthday. But, here I am!!! Alive! Well! Blood counts normal! Praising the Lord! Doctors telling me I should live many more years! Hallelujah!!! Thanking Him for the gift of life. For my 70th Birthday!!!

 "The length of our days is seventy years—or eighty, if we have the strength."

Psalm 90:10

I've got the strength!!!

God also gifted me with a new book! I prayed Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo would release  on my 70th birthday. Impossible, if you know the publishing business. But God did it for me. His gift to me and to those with cancer and to those who love someone with cancer. 

Celebrate with me the release of Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo: A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality. I need your help to spread the word to your network of friends. We all know people with cancer. For my birthday would you consider gifting me by:

Praying for a cancer patient today.

Praying for oncologists and cancer center employees today.

Praying for cancer research—for a cure.

Posting Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo on your social media pages.

Posting a review of Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo on Amazon.

Buying a copy of Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo.

Gifting Praise the Lord and Pass the Chemo to someone with cancer.

Please join my team encouraging cancer warriors and those who love them to see cancer not as an obstacle, but as an opportunity to love deeper, live fuller, laugh louder, sing sweeter, and shine brighter.  Please help me show cancer patients there is A Hopeful Response to a Hard Reality.

If the Lord leads, please copy and paste the following address on your social media. Costs you nothing, and blesses many. Thank you!!!  https://www.amazon.com/Praise-Lord-Pass-Chemo-Response/dp/1945976012/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1537661399&sr=1-1&keywords=praise+the+lord+and+pass+the+chemo

Praise the Lord! And pass me another piece of birthday cake! Happy Birthday to me!!! Each day is a Happy Birthday to all cancer warriors everywhere. We are family. I love you and God loves you too. He will never let us go.

My love and prayers always that each day is a splash of serenity as we rest in Jesus' Arms,