“Train up a child in the way he should go, even when he is old he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6
December 6, 1979 was a true turning point in our family. On that day, Ashley Dyan arrived. Life in the Miller family has never been the same since. Today Dana and I celebrate the birthday of our first-born child. We were so thrilled the day she came into our world on a cold, winter day in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
According to the doctor, Ashley arrived later than he expected. As then, and every day since, she has always exceeded our greatest expectations, and been an answer to our deepest prayers.
God brought Ashley to us right on time, we soon discovered twe were the ones who were not ready. God guided her safely through our first attempts at parenting. The first child always has to survive a great deal of well-intentioned parenting before proud parents can take credit for the job the have done. Sorry Ashley. We didn’t know what we were doing. Thank God, He did. You have His handprints all over you, not ours.
Ashley has grown from a beautiful baby into a great Christian lady, but God’s call on her life appeared at a very early age. Ashley fell in love with music and singing. Though she has a beautiful voice, music has always been an expression of her soul. As she sings, she and God commune and exchange hearts with one another. She has been doing this since she was a child.
Dana and I will never forget the many Saturday nights when we held family worship in our home. Ashley would stand on the fireplace hearth and sing to us. When she finished singing, we were ready for worship on Sunday. We also sensed she had taken a baby step forward to God’s call on her life.
When Ashley entered her Middle School talent show, she boldly took her testimony public by singing a praise song before a pretty tough public school audience. You could have heard a pin drop, as God used her to lift His name before her peers, and her teachers. Dana and I knew then that God was doing something very special in her heart. He still is.
From the time Ashley was six years old until she graduated from high school, she and I shared a Daddy / Daughter breakfast date one morning a week. It remains one of the highlights of my parenting journey. We still meet for lunch or to share a Starbucks together. I am always a better Dad for having spent time with my brown-eyed girl.
Throughout college Ashley traveled with a praise team leading worship all over America. After graduation she sang for years on the praise team of a local church, calling people week after week to the throne of God. She still does.
Ashley continues to grow in her expression of God’s call on her life, serving alongside her husband, Brent Warren, as they plant Restoration Church in Fort Worth, Texas. It is a parent’s greatest joy to see their children growing in their personal faith and public walk with God. Dana and I couldn’t be happier.
Happy Birthday, Ashley! We love you. We are proud of you. We are praying for you. The best is yet to come! EX: Grandbabies.
Love,
Dad and Mom (Pops and GiGi)