Welcome!

Dear Readers,

For those of you who are my faithful readers, you may have noticed that much of my blog has changed! Welcome back! This is the new, revamped blog. It marks the dawn of a "new era," if you will, for my blog. I am going to attempt to blog more frequently and deliberately. I hope to share my thoughts, beliefs, and passions with you. For those of you who are visiting for the first time, welcome! I hope you like the new look and the new blog. Hopefully, everyone of you, former or new reader, will find this blog interesting and thought-provoking. I am not here to impart wisdom, but merely to share thoughts and ideas.

Stay tuned for the first post entitled "To Dwell or not to Dwell." We'll look at staying in tune with God from a biblical perspective, and a practical perspective.

Until next time!

Forever in His Arms,
-Cayla

The Southern Genteel-Men and Belles Before Me

Dear Readers,

Today. I've been thinking a lot about my darling grandmother. She was a woman of Class: a true Southern Belle. She raised my father to be one of the best men I've ever met. She was loving, perceptive, the life of the party, a wonderful storyteller, everyone's confidante, funny, feisty, fiery, independent, fiercely loyal, and incredibly protective. She could put you in your place faster than you could spell it. But she would turn right around and do absolutely anything for you. She was smart, a PK, and very much ADD. She was a working mother and devoted wife. She was witty, quick on her feet, and full of tact.

It made me think of days gone by: when people lived a simpler life, and knew the meaning of Class- women never cussed, men held the door open for women, no one cut their grass on Sundays. People understood the importance of family, Christian living, and a God-fearing country. Children were taught to respect authority, work, and help their neighbor. Everyone respected the building blocks of their community: school teachers, police officers, and minsters. Veterans were taken care of, respected, and loved. People understood that the true heroes of America were those who had served their country- those men and women who lived, fought, and died protecting the freedom their mothers and fathers had passed down to them.

One of those men who fought to guarantee that freedom for me, was my grandfather. He gave so much of himself to protect our nation- part of him was lost in Korea. He suffered from PTSD upon returning to the States. But overcame and was truly a great man. He taught my father what being a man meant, how to treat a woman, and how to protect a family. He was brilliant, musically inclined, and proper to a fault. He was tender-hearted, loved all animals, and could make a dog do anything he asked. He was a poet, a writer, and a musician. He taught me to love literature and poetry and classical music. I was his little darling, and he was my dear, dear Papaw.

My great-aunt and great-uncle took the place of my grandmother and grandfather when they died. They've taught me so much about academics, life, God, and loving all people. They have always been there for me with a loving word, teaching spirit, and an answer to every question. They are the epitome of Southern class, intelligence, and manners. Being brilliant people, they are always in high demand with many people from around the world- but always have had time for me.

These people taught me to love, honor, and respect all people- no matter their color, language, religion, culture, or values. These people taught me what class meant. These people taught me how to be Southern educated and not redneck. These people taught me how to be a Christian, a Girl with a Mind, a Woman with Attitude, and a Lady with Class. They taught me to be....a Southern Belle.

So here's to the Southern Genteel-Men and Belles before me.....

Joe Miller- 1924 - 2001
Suzie Miller- 1928 - 1988
Jenny Beaty- 1921 - 2015
James Beaty- 1925 -

May your Legacies live on in me, my children, my children's children, and for many generations to come.

Always in His Arms,
-Cayla

Wake Up and Smell the Roses- you are something to not only be loved, but to be liked.

Dear Readers,

Self image. I have been doing so much thinking about this issue. In the last six months, or so, I seem to have had this conversation with so many of my friends. Many more people than admit have problems with self-esteem and self-worth.

So I have decided to start a new series on my blog- "Wake Up and Smell the Roses." The last time I did a series everyone seemed to enjoy it, and asked me to do another one. This one is going to be on self image. I am going to put my neck out there and tell my testimony; what my self image was and how that's changed; conversations I've had with friends on self image; what the world says about self image and how we, as Christians, should view that; and look at what Scripture says about self image (not in that order).

So stick around for some interesting posts. It's going to be a bit of a wild ride; but hopefully you will laugh and cry with me as I share what I have learned, through more life experiences than many of you know. I think you'll see a little more of why I am the woman I am. And perhaps, you will see something of yourself in my story...

Come back soon to read...

"I see that magazine workin' that photoshop, I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream, Sayin' that you made me like I was your Cinderella, and other cultural norms"

Always in His Arms,

-Cayla

I Have a Problem....

Dear Readers,


My name is Cayla, and I have a problem. I  like to be in control. Not of other people- just of myself, my life, and my little bubble. I'm not a control freak, but I like having things planned and mapped out, and it going close to the plan. It doesn't have to be exact, just close. But I, have a problem.

Over the past few weeks, since arriving at school, I have had a few curve-balls hit my little bubble: some small, some big- but curve-balls nonetheless. Sometimes my little timeline isn't the one God has for me. Sometimes I make big mistakes. Sometimes bad things happen, and sometimes good things happen. It's apart of life. It's a day-by-day occurrence. And it's okay, because God is in complete control. And you know, really, I'm not in control at all....

So I've learned a few valuable lessons the past 6 weeks in giving God everything, because sometimes (okay, pretty much all the time) I have no idea why things happen the way they do...but isn't it a comfort that He does?

So my name is Cayla, and I have a God bigger than my problem.

~*Joshua 1:9*~


Always in His Arms,

-Cayla

The Blessings of Thanksgiving

Dear Readers,

What an awesome week!

I went to my grandparents' a day early and helped them set up their new house. I got to hang out a ton with my Sissy, Leah Gunter <3. Saw the rest of my awesome family at Thanksgiving. :D I also talked to those dear ones in TN. <3 Daddy I then continued our 11 year old tradition of joining the ranks of lunatics looking for great deals on Black Friday (and all night Thursday night). We had a blast eating ice cream, drinking coffee, shopping, and talking to literally EVERYONE we could! As usual, we saw old friends and those we've met and only see on Black Friday. Also, after being ragged to DEATH about going shopping on Black Friday, by someone who claims to be my best friend,  ::mumbles:: Luke Clark,  much to my delight, I was informed that he was also out fighting the crowds..... }:) To top it all it off!? While out shopping at Barnes and Noble I heard someone shout my name and turned around to see Flynn Lancaster walking toward me with open arms. Considering I haven't seen him for almost 6 months- that was awesome! And then surprise, surprise.....who do you think walked up behind him? Yep, Liam Lancaster!! I hadn't seen him  in a year and a half! It was great to catch him on leave! Then on the way home from it all I got a call from John Christian Kuehnert just to catch up. :D  

Took some fun pics with Leah, got the sweetest texts from my best friend- Joanna Paul, was thoroughly (and sometimes a bit messily ;) ) loved on by my little cousins, (Marissa, Emma, Travis, and Elizabeth) talked over college plans with the whole family, and had many theological and relationship conversations with Daddy. (And a whole lot of cutting up....) ;)

All this to say- all of these little things reminded of just how blessed I am, and how much I truly do have to be thankful for. :D Thank you all for being the most wonderful friends anyone could ask for. :)

A special shout out to: Joanna Paul, Luke Clark, Caleb Paul, Lenzi Jo Winslow, Leah Gunter, Sarah Johannes, John Christian Kuehnert, Emma Lancaster, Abigail Cotton, Sierra Patterson, Savannah Patterson, Emily Arensman, Ryan Black, Flynn Lancaster,  Liam Lancaster, Daniel Cotton, Preston Black, Caroline Byrd, Razi Lane, Riaz Lane,  Abbey Sweetman, Josh Arnold, Bryan Stokke, and Daniel Grubbs for being there for me in different (or sometimes ALL) of the hard times, and helping me get through things I never thought I would. I have a different story with each of you....but they all end with me thanking God and wondering what I did to be blessed with such AMAZING friends.  

Love y'all!!! :D 

(Oh, and one more thing to be very thankful for- IT ALL HAPPENED IN THE SOUTH.....whew......) 

American by birth, Southern by the grace of God! :D

Always in His Arms,

-Cayla

"I'm dreaming of a white Christmas. . . ."

Dear Readers,

I know what you're thinking.... "CHRISTMAS?!" But, yes, that's what I said- CHRISTMAS!! :D I absolutely adore Christmas!! In our family- it's the biggest, most special time of the year. (Followed by the Fourth of July for a close second; but that's another post.) Anyway, our family always goes all out at Christmas. (Not in money and gifts, necessarily, but in traditions, decorations, food, activities, ect.) And I love it so much that I always get this "Christmas itch" right about the end of September/beginning of October. (For instance, right now I'm listening to Bing Crosby's dreamy voice sing White Christmas. [Which, by the way, was totally coincidence.])

Now that it's the end of September- I'm working on making Christmas presents. Whew...I got a bit of a late start to be making presents. Yarn, material, crochet hooks, knitting needles, and all sorts of items of that nature are scattered across my room. Not to mention, I'm about to start my senior Home-Ec project. (My mother said she'd give me a Home-Ec credit if I did a senior project.) So I'm also getting "geared up" to make a 50's style dress. Lots of work there....

But back to the topic- Christmas presents. (Forgive the ADD rabbit trail there.) I certainly hope I haven't
bitten off more than I can chew- I have a way of doing that. Hahaha. I'm making afghans and dish cloths and scarves and toboggans and other things that I can't put on here due to the eyes that read this blog. I'm also writing some Christmas presents. But I can't go anymore into that either. ;) The bottom line is, creativity takes a long time! ...And I really hope I have enough. Then again, time seems to be something that I have less and less of lately. :P But! I shall persevere and try to get it all done!

I'm also trying to revive the Miller Homestead tradition of sending a picture and letter from the family to our friends and family. But I'm beginning to see why it got to be too much for my mother to do when I was little. We know entirely too many people....I'm totally serious here! When you're parents have been married for 28 years, moved over 25 times, in 5 different states, and it's all been ministry related (plus the fact that my parents are extremely outgoing and have always been super popular)- that adds up to a lot of people! Not to mention all the close ministry friends we have overseas, whether they be missionaries or actually from that country, are causing me a lot of troubles with international mail. I haven't done it one time, and I'm already considering giving up. :P But whether I do that all depends on postage prices. (They're ridiculous these days!)

Also, for the first time....EVER.....I don't know what I'm going to do for my parents for Christmas. I usually have it all planned back in June/July...but this year I'm just stumped! I must think harder about this. ::makes note to self::

As Christmas approaches I'll share some of our family traditions and recipes. Perhaps, you will like some of them and adopt them for your very own. :)

The Holiday season is quickly drawing near. My mind dwells on the Christmas memories of my childhood, when the entire family lived close to my grandparents and everyone was coming and going constantly. Though I love where we live now, my heart is slightly saddened by the thought of the difference in this year- the distance and the fact that this will, most likely, be my last Christmas- full time living at home. For that reason, it is my goal to make this the most memorable Christmas of my life!

Once again as in olden days/ Happy golden days of yore/ Faithful friends who are dear to us. Will be near to us once more/ Someday soon, we all will be together/ If the Fates allow/ Until then, we'll just have to muddle through somehow/ So have yourself a merry little Christmas now. 

Always in His Arms,
-Cayla

Thoughts on the End of the Beginning. . . .

Dear Readers,

Two days ago I started my first day of my senior year. It's incredibly hard to believe. It's completely surreal. Where did the time go? As cliche as it sounds- time has flown. Though it's something one hears all the time, as a child you think you're never going to "grow up" and that you will be attending school for the rest. of. your. life. Your parents always tell you to just trust them but time will fly by faster than you want it to fly. Yet we all have internally "rolled our eyes" and thought yeah right. Despite the fact that I was one of those "internal-eye-rollers," they were absolutely right...

I can't believe that this is the beginning of the end. My best friend and I were discussing it, last week. She reminded me of one very important fact that I keep trying to remind myself. She said: "Cayla remember that it isn't the end of everything good. It's just the beginning of something greater." I keep reminding myself of that, this week. And I have to say, it's made me feel so much better! I've been so much more peaceful. I have decided that I'm going to try to resist the urge of saying "I wish I could just hurry up and get to college" OR "Man, I wish I could go back and do it all over again."

God has placed me in the season I'm in, and when I'm in it, for a reason. I need to learn to enjoy the time I'm in and use it to the best of my ability to glorify Him. So this week my challenge has been resisting impatience to speed into the future and/or being melancholy about "old times." In summary- I'm trying to be less melodramatic. ;)

I know what you're thinking.... How have you succeeded? Wellllll.....good intentions do not necessarily mean effective actions. :P But the will power is there. I'm trying with all my might to be content and work hard.

The bane in my good intentions has been stress and fear of the future. Fear is a direct lack of faith. I have to say, I've been greatly convicted over it the past few weeks. I seem to be constantly worrying about what college I'm supposed to attend, where I'm supposed to go, and how I'm going to pay for my education. It is ever present in my mind. Yet, this week I was told by another best friend to take a step back and examine the eternal consequences of the decisions I'm faced with. He said: "Lately however, I've gained some fortitude by realizing the bigger picture. All of our choices for our education are important to our futures, but what does it really mean in light of the eternal? For example, if you spend this year studying as hard as you can, yet still don't get your school finished, will God no longer use you? I can tell you for sure, that He still can and will. All this to say, results aren't always going to go the way we want. It's just a fact of life. Still, God will always use outcomes for His plan. Work as hard and as diligently as you can on your school and finding a college, and God picks out what happens." (I have great, solid best friends, huh?) :D

So this evening as I sit drinking my hot tea, listening to the rain patter against the window pane, and pouring my hear out in writing.... I am reminded of the words of the song that just came on- "I Look to You" by Selah:

"'Bout to lose my breath, there's no more fighting left. Sinking to rise no more, searching for that open door. And every road I'm taking, led to my regret. I don't know if I'm gonna make it. Nothing to do but lift my head. I look to You, I look to You. After all my strength is gone, in You I can be strong. I look to You, I look to You. And when melodies are gone- in You I hear a song. I look to You."

Let's finish this!

Go Class of 2014!!

Always in His Arms,

-Cayla