JOYful Christmas Letter

JOY! wished for you this Christmas!

JOY! We welcome the Baby Jesus this Christmas. Because of Him, our sins are forgiven, we are reconciled to God, we have eternal life in Heaven and abundant life on earth. So many reasons to celebrate Christmas with JOY!

JOY! Dan and I continue serving as District Superintendent and wife of the C&MA Northeastern District. We pray our encouragement and prayers bring JOY! to Pastors and wives and congregants of nearly 80 churches. Our annual trips to Bosnia as Pastoral Care Couple are times we receive and prayerfully give JOY! to International Workers there.

JOY! I received a publishing contract for my third book, We All Married Idiots: Three Things You'll Never Change About Your Marriage and Ten Things You Can to be released April 1, 2012. JOY! My speaking and writing ministry continues to grow. You can catch up with me and my ministry on Facebook, twitter, my website, www.SplashesofSerenity.com or my blog, www.ElaineWMiller.blogspot.com.

JOY! Joanna and Bob continue their work as a reading teacher and the News Director with the Family Life Network. Gracie and Ryan fill their home with daily bounces of JOY!

JOY! Elizabeth and Joe will welcome their sixth child due December 27.

JOY! Joe and Elizabeth started a business making goat milk soaps, lotions, salves, scrubs and more. Check out their website, www.DandelionsAcre.com. Homeschooling, nursing, window cleaning, and rearing JOY!ful kids gives them reason to celebrate daily the JOY! of life.

JOY! Sam and Katie enJOY! the beaches of Florida in their new assignment with the U.S. Air Force JAG. JOY! We are thankful Sam is spending another Christmas on this side of the Atlantic.

JOY! We celebrated my mother's 90th birthday. JOY! She beats me at Bananagrams, and that is an accomplishment.

JOY! We hope you received God's gift of JOY! He sent to you that first Christmas when the Angels proclaimed, "I bring you Good News that will bring great JOY! to all people. The Savior--yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David!" Without Christ, there would be no Christmas and no JOY!

Praying for you a Christmas filled with JOY! and Splashes of Serenity!
Elaine

Why I Love Delta Lake Family Camp!

Splash! Tubing on Delta Lake is fun and refreshing. It gives a whole new perspective to a hot day. I'm looking forward to enjoying Delta Lake and the Bible Conference Center in my back yard. Won't you enjoy it too at Family Camp, July 1-9! Here are just a few things I look forward to during Delta Lake Bible Conference Center's Family Camp:

Dr. John Stumbo will immerse us in God's Word as our evening speaker. After hearing Dr.Stumbo speak at Council in Kansas City, I’m hungry to hear more of the awesome truths God is teaching him through his healing process. If you’ve missed John’s blog, you’ve missed a blessing. Check it out at www.JohnStumbo.org.

Alliance Women’s Summer Renew Celebration on July 3 at 3:00 has me eager to hear from the many International Workers I love and pray for! We welcome Becky Dyke from the Dominican Republic, Becky Mindek from Black Forest Academy and Macedonia, Kathy Eikost from Bosnia/Herzegovina, Sue Stern from Argentina, and Missy Davis from Dalat School. Woo Hoo!!! This is going to be good.

I look forward to welcoming Pastors’ Wives and Women Official Workers to my home at 8933 Lakeview Drive for tea on Tuesday, July 5 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. This annual event is a highlight for me. Come and fellowship together and hear Kathy Eikost share from her heart especially to women in ministry.

The Second Annual Upstate New York Christian Writers’ Gathering is happening July 7-8! I look forward to the line up of speakers as well as teaching a seminar myself on “A Writer Speaks.” Last year’s Gathering bore much fruit for God's Kingdom. Writers came out of their shells and are winning the race toward publication for the glory of God. For information on this Gathering, please contact Debbie Tuthill at dtuthill@hotmail.com or call her at 607-829-8531.

And to top it all off, what would Family Camp be without my grandchildren! You’ll hear them, I’m sure. Bring it on!!! Tubing, here we come!

There is so much more happening. Don’t miss the fun, the teaching, the campfires, the 4th of July celebration, the worship of our King! I thank God for Delta Lake and it’s ministry to our District Family and to me personally. July 1 – 9 are days at Delta you won’t want to miss. For more information please see www.Deltalake.org.

I'd love to hear why you love Delta Lake.

A blessed summer to you,
Elaine