Cooking Creations

With more time at home, and fewer visits to the store, we are making making more of our food instead of purchasing it.  Yummy rolls that used to come from Costco, have now become homemade rolls......recipe from amber'skitchen (Amber Egget)

Thanks to Katherine Galvin for being todays hairstyle inspiration

And from In N Out fries to homemade fries in our oven that take waaaaaay to long to get crispy.

We're adjusting, we're adapting, and most importantly, we're still eating.

Ways to Serve????

We have been thinking hard about how to serve without coming in contact with People (and People are our FAVORITES).  We love sending texts, emails, Marco Polo's and all the other options technology gives us to connect, but today we wanted something tangible, something to swish around our creative juices.  This is today's  'Service Creation' 

Not only are we not coming in contact with people for the past week, but we haven't been going to the store regularly for the past few weeks, so we only have 'supplies on hand' to work with.  Here in Utah, there has been a lot of focus on missionaries coming home from all over the world, so we thought today we would focus on the 2 missionaries that are currently serving our stake here in Utah. 

We are constantly seeking new ideas and inspritation, so please feel free to comment or connect with us with anything you got???Maybe we can turn it into a blessing for someone else. Lots of love!

Unusual Finds

Tonight we all ventured out in the car to drive by our local temples.  It has been over 17 months since Kayla has seen the temples and it was so good for all of us to see them standing like a beacon of light on a hill surrounding our neighbohoord.  What a tender mercy it was for Kayla to serve in a mission that had a temple within it's boundaries and to be able to be there often.

A few other fun finds on our drive around town

We love having Sinclair dinosaurs (gas station mascots) around us and watching how their outfits evolve throughout the year. Dino is usually dressed up like a bunny holding a basket full of eggs this time of here, but tonight he was donning a quarantine outifit with a mask and extra toilet paper, with a sign reading "Dino's got your Back Side".

Next we stumbled upon something we were not expecting:

A Great and Spacious Building.....right here in South Jordan.

Learn more about the signifigance of this in our day 1 Nephi Chapter 8 

This building is lifting up in the air, not attached to any foundation at this time,

You can read more about it here: Moving an 18,000 sqaure foot building

Our Dora the Explorer's could not stand to simple look from the car, and with no other humans in site (social distancing) they went under the building to explore what the inside was like.  Sounds like it was hollow, like the shell of a building, with no floors and no foundation.  

Just a fun, unexpected adventure on our peaceful drive tonight, but one with lots of symbolism for our day and one we will probably all remember for years to come. 

Sushi Night

Sushi Night!  Our friend's own a Sushi restaurant, so we ordered sushi for dinner

Dad helping Kai practice his chopstick skills. 

Lice Treatment

Kayla's first full day home and it's time to start the Lice treatments.  Keepin' it real here!

Friend Parade

With Kayla's arrival back from the Philippines, she is required to quaratine in the house for 14 days, and we have all decided to join her in that.  A few of her friends decided to through her a small parade to welcome her home and say 'Hello' from a distance. 

I know it is all a little overwhelming for her right now, but for her to see some of her friends, even if it was 'from a distance'

Kayla is HOME

Kayla is home! It has been a joyous/somber reunion. She wore her feet out walking the islands, wore her knees out in prayer, and wore her heart out loving and serving alongside the most wonderful people. Thank you for the prayers, notes, phone calls, texts, flowers, food, signs, and all that has been provided to our family. May we continue to love and support those around us - both near and far.

Kayla's Arrival Home Video

Thank you to @meganconradphotography for creating thiswonderful memory for us, with little notice and with lots of  distance.   We will always treasure this sacred time in our lives.

Kai's New Bed

Aubrey saw a picture of a bed that she thought would be perfect for Kai

It is made of wood and has an opening that would allow him to get in and out of bed by himself, without the risk of falling

She brought the idea over to Robert and they started working away.

Papa was a wood shop teacher years ago and will be so proud to see Robert & Aubs using their skills.

Elan & Kai watched the progress

Here is a picture of the final project!  

Baby Eggs

We have baby bird eggs growing on our front door.  I replaced the Valentine's wreath with these new flowers and a bird decided it would be a great place to build a nest.  

At first there were 3 eggs......

then 4.....

then 5......

The Mama is this cute little bird and she sits on the egs most of the day, but when we open the front door, she quickly flies to a nearby tree in the yard.  We sure hope these eggs are getting all the Mama time and sunshine they need they grow healthy babies.  We'll be watching for them to hatch during the Spring

TUESDAY AM Update 3/17

Update from Kayla's mission president:

"The Church has decided that all non-local missionaries serving in the 23 missions in the Philippines will be returned to their home country. As you might imagine, we are working against a closing window of time to move a great number of missionaries.  It is possible that some will not be able to secure flights within the window of opportunity.  If your missionary is not able to fly home, they will be returned to the mission field.  In that case, be please assured that your missionary will be safe, but may be limited to the apartment for some time, where there will be adequate food and water."

As a family, we are looking to the scriptures to help us better understand God's work in this time of turmoil and unrest. What a wonderful week to be studying Jacob 5 in the Book of Mormon, that teaches us about God's work and glory.  We recognize His love and concern for ALL of his children individually as we learn, grow, and progress through this mortal life.  Sometimes that learning and growth is painful and we can not understand it, but we know that God is the Master Gardner and He will always do what is best for His children. We also take comfort in our Trek scripture from several years ago.

D&C 6:36 'Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not'

We are praying not so much that Kayla makes a flight home, but that she will be filled with God's love wherever she is and that we will accept the Lord's will, whatever that may be. Leaving the Philippines, leaving the people she loves so dearly and the work she is so passionate about, especially on such short notice, will be the hardest thing Kayla has ever had to do.  Thank you for your prayers on behalf of ALL missionaries and their families.

Lots of love,

The Miller Crew

Temple with Lindsay

Today was one of those "special days' that we will always remember. We were able to join Lindsay as she attended the temple for the first time to receive her Endownment and come to know the Lord better by making sacred covenenats with Him in His Holy House. She has been preparing for this day for many years, and has put in a lot of time these past few weeks reading and studying about God's plan for His children here on earth, so that she could better understand the ordinance she would be participating in today.  

I love seeing these two walking together discussing the importance of the temple.

Welcome to the House of the Lord

It was such a tender mercy that Lindsay was able to go to the temple today.  Our area, and the world, has just started to shut down due to the effects of the Coronavirus, which is spreading quickly.  Lindsay had planned to be in Colorado this weekend for a lacrosse tournament, but it was cncelled at the last minute due to Covid-19 health concerns.  As soon as she ;earned she would not be traveling, she called the Provo City Center Temple to see if they had an openings that she could go through the temple for the first time this weekend.  There was 1 appointment available and she took it.  

Upon our arrival, we learned that today would be the last day the temples in Utah will be open due to the impending pandemic. Such a blessing to get to be in the Lord's Holy House this day.

So glad Aubrey could come down and be a part of theis speical day with Lindsay.  I can not say enough about the goodness of Sisters!  These girls are such good friends and supporters of one another.  They always know that their sisters have their backs and will do anything for them. They love them for who they are and see the big picture in how they treat and care for one another. 

They are definintely some of Gods greatest blessings to each other.

Oh how I love this girl!  She has a heart of gold and is known for her kind disposition and gentle heart. 

Temples teach us about God, his son Jesus Christ and prepare us to one day be in their presence. The ordinances that take place within temples allow family's to be sealed together forever and for individuals to receive additional power and strength as we go through the trials and triumphs of this mortal life.

Grateful to the Lord for this opportunity to be in the tenple with Lindsay today!