 Our
Lord has poured his abundant blessings on our family this
year. 
It has been an exciting year for all of us. You all know by
now of the blessing of our first child on February 11, Ella
Grace Miller. Our lives have changed so much it is already
difficult to remember how it used to be before our beautiful
daughter came along. She was born weighing 5 pounds 12 ¾
ounces and still is a petite little gal at 10 months.
Ella was baptized at two
months; an event Ben did not make it through with dry eyes.
We enjoyed friends and family who helped celebrate this
second “birthday.” Ella has had her share of winter
colds and a bout with RSV (a short trip to the hospital for
that one) but on the whole she’s a strong, happy, and
talkative little girl. She has a delightful laugh. At the
time of this letter, Ella is “cruising” or standing up
using furniture and
walking around the room holding on to things.
 Sisko
and Evie have adopted Ella into the family and are as
loving, playful, and protective of her as the rest of us.
Ella has used both dogs at times for assistance in standing,
much to their discomfort (tiny little hands clutching
fistfuls of fur), but they have taken it in stride without
much complaint.
Angela has been on leave
since Ella was born. Well, at least “leave” from her
office job. She’s been working longer hours at home taking
care of Ella and running the household. We often wonder how
we managed when she was working outside the home 40+ hours a
week. We miss the income, but it is well worth the sacrifice
so that Ella is being raised and taught by her family.
Angela’s family is doing well. Currently, none of the
three Wise children are employed. Kevin is finishing a Ph.D.
at Stanford; Corey just started an MBA at Northwestern’s
Kellogg School of Management; and Angela is raising Ella and
enjoys volunteering for many roles at church including
singing and maintaining the church’s website.
Angela’s mom and dad are
extremely proud grandparents. Angela’s mom continues to
teach at Indiana University and play tennis on the side (or
is it the other way around?) Angela’s dad has gone into
the picture printing business as his favorite hobby and the
subject of all his pictures is Ella.
This year we helped Angela’s
Grandma Mohlke move into an independent care home where we’re
sure she won’t break another leg shoveling snow! It was
difficult for all of the family, especially Grandma, to pack
up and move her from her home of 60 years; however she is
living in a wonderful place with many opportunities to meet
people and stay busy in the numerous activities offered.
 Another
happy occasion took us to
Fall Creek Falls State Park in
Tennessee for an extended weekend to witness Angela’s
cousin Karen’s wedding to Bob Wray. The park was beautiful
with many natural attractions such as the water falls and
mountains. We all had a great time and Ella enjoyed “hiking”
along with the family on the trails and suspended bridges.
 The
end of 2001 was a difficult time for Ben’s work, DCC. Like
most companies it was hit by the rough economy. However,
beginning in January 2002, there has been a steady climb in
business, which has reached a fevered pitch of successful
activity at the end of the year. In February, Ben took
a couple weeks off to help Angela and Ella. Fatherhood fits
Ben well, and he is embracing the new role wholeheartedly.
Ben is convinced that there has never been a little girl as
beautiful as Ella. Ben fully expects that when she asks for
a pony someday soon, he will simply ask “What Color?” He
has been practicing “Go ask your mother” for quite some
time now.
With another grandchild in
the family and so many miles between Indianapolis and
Cleveland, Grandpa and Grandma Miller decided to pick up
roots and see if there was a church in Indianapolis that
needed a pastor. The Lord in his infinite wisdom already had
a plan and within a few short
months Pastor Miller was installed at Mt. Calvary Lutheran
Church in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. Mt. Calvary had been searching
for a Senior Pastor position for over a year and Pastor
Miller was the fit that had been planned.
We have truly enjoyed having both sets of Grandparents just
1.5-hours drive away.
 Ben’s
brother Ken has also been busy, piloting DCC through the “dot
com” bust and lagging economy. However, the business is
doing well and keeps growing. Ken and Christy have another
reason to celebrate. They are going to become parents once
again in March 2003 with a little sister for Julia. Everyone
is excited and can’t wait to welcome this new family
member.
 We
are looking forward to celebrating this Christmas with Ella
and getting to share this season through her little eyes.
The gift of God’s son and the sacrifice he made for us has
a new depth of meaning to new parents with their own
first-born. We pray that this letter finds you all well and
that you have a blessed Christmas and 2003.
In God’s Grace,
Ben, Angela, and Ella
(and Sisko and Evie)
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