On the Journey With
Gayla Miller
It is with a heavy heart that I share this story about some friends I served in Columbia, MO, as their pastor at Woodcrest Chapel. Gayla Miller lost her battle with cancer last week, but she is now in her eternal home, free from all her pain and sorrow. I honor her faith, which held strong until the end, and I grieve with her family, who will sorely miss her courageous kind-hearted spirit.
Gayla went peacefully to be with Jesus on November 9, 2024, with her husband Rich, of thirty-three years, by her side. Gayla was born in Columbia, Missouri to Gary (Skip) and Daisy Grossnickle on May 31, 1968. She attended the University of Missouri and Arizona State, then finished her degree in Individual Studies from Columbia College.
Gayla and Rich met at Arizona State University where he was a fellow student and her aerobics instructor. They were best friends and spent a lot of meaningful time together after they first met, which built a foundation for a thriving marriage to come. On July 27, 1991, they were married in Columbia, Missouri at a spectacular wedding that people still talk about today.
Gayla’s greatest desire was to be a wife and a mom. They wasted no time and welcomed Justin 10 months later, breathing new purpose into Gayla’s life. Four years later, their hearts doubled in size when their second son Skip was born. Gayla loved nothing more than being a young mom pouring into her boys and she spent her days doing that well. On April 22, 2003, Rich and Gayla learned the blessing of adoption when Sophie Grace Miller entered the world. Their family was complete.
Gayla loved her home. It was her favorite place to be. She had a gift for hospitality and effortlessly entertained and welcomed people constantly. The door was always open at the Miller house inviting people in to be encouraged and loved. A regular in her kitchen was her baking stone where she frequently made her famous iced oatmeal cookies and shared them lovingly with neighbors and friends. She devoted herself to making the spaces around her beautiful and comfortable. The combination of her incredible eye for design and inviting atmosphere made their home a place people wanted to be. Creating a safe and peaceful environment was the foundation for her ministry – Creating Refuge.
Over the years, Gayla led many Bible studies out of her home, where she shared her love for Jesus and encouraged and taught many women. This evolved into her understanding that life change happens around the kitchen table which became the impetus for her ministry, Creating Refuge. She honed all her experiences around the kitchen table into a study that she taught a number of times at her church where many women were greatly impacted. She grew in her knowledge and understanding of the significance of the message of creating refuge both biblically and practically. In 2022, she created a non-profit ministry and is completing a book titled Creating Refuge: The Experience which will be available soon.
In addition to her focus on Creating Refuge, Gayla had a large impact on her community through the years. She created a program called Mothers of Pre-Schoolers/MOPS in the 90’s that is still running strong today, started Grandparents’ Day at Christian Fellowship School, alongside Rich was among the Founders of the Columbia Independent School, opened two successful Pure Barre studios – a boutique fitness franchise for women, and established the Daisy Willis Grossnickle Honors College Scholarship at Columbia College. Her reach expanded greatly through all of these good endeavors, and continue to today.
Over the past 10 years, the Miller family has expanded with the boys’ marriages to Samantha and Bayli. The relationship Gayla had with who she would call her daughter- in-loves was treasured beyond measure. Becoming a grandma to four beautiful grandchildren gave her great joy. She was a precious Gigi who poured her love into her grandkids.
It is fair to say that no one ever encountered Gayla who didn’t come away uplifted. She had a way of making you feel like you were the only thing that mattered when you were with her. She was intentional in her conversations and relationships. Her authenticity showed in how she treated all people with respect and kindness, always. People were drawn to her outward beauty, but her inward beauty is what made the biggest impact on others. She made everyone feel valued and bettered countless lives.
Although Gayla has left us earlier than we would have liked, she and Rich have instilled the most important thing that they prayed for as young parents – for their kids to know and love Jesus. Her greatest legacy is that they do.
Soul Care with
Pastor Jenn
To Pastor (verb): to shepherd, advise, and guide into a place of deeper spiritual understanding
“The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”
~ B B King
I was challenged recently by a group of friends to set aside 20 hours in the new year to learn something new. I must admit, when I first read the challenge, all I could think was, “Here we go. Something else to put on the to-do list.” Because life can feel like that sometimes. Busyness takes over and, before we know it, another week has gone by.
The truth is I do want to learn new things, I just feel overwhelmed by the thought of choosing what it is I should be learning. Some of the people in my friend group set very ambitious learning goals for next year. I respect that, I’m just not in that season. I needed to choose something enjoyable and achievable, or I knew I’d never even try. (It’s good to know one’s self – no?)
In essence, I had to change my mind set a little bit. First, I had to realize that learning is good and can be fun and isn’t just another thing to spend time doing. Second, I had to put away the word “should”. What should I be learning? I could probably fill a whole page with answers to that question. But in this season, what do I want to learn?
That answer looks very different.
I know in this season I need to tap into the creative side of my brain – something that’s been dormant for quite a while. I need to intentionally seed my life with moments of enjoyment. Once I had that set, I knew exactly what I was going to learn in the new year.
Learning may feel like a chore to you right now and I get it. But I encourage to put away “should” and give yourself permission to create moments of joy through learning in your own life.
“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Romans 15:13
Caregivers Corner with
Lori Smith
To Support (noun): to provide assistance that enables one to function or act.
And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:18
Prayer was a difficult thing when my husband was sick. I had moments where I could fall on my face and cry out to God on his behalf, begging that God would bring healing on this earth. Then there were days when I couldn’t utter anything because I truly had nothing left to give. On those days I hoped that the prayers of family and friends would intercede on my behalf because I couldn’t. In fact, I was counting on others to be praying for us because I was so weary of begging and crying out for healing and wholeness.
I also called to mind Romans 8:26-27.
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.
It was such an amazing promise that I used often, and still use today. I would tell the Lord, “I don’t know what else to say, Holy Spirit intervene.” And, I was able to take comfort knowing that the Spirit himself was interceding on our behalf. But, I can’t recall a time that I thought prayer as a whole was pointless. In fact, many days it was the MOST I could do for my husband and our family. It was all I had sometimes.
If you don’t know what else to do, and you’re weary from begging the Lord to heal your person, take heart that the Spirit and other people are intervening on your behalf. It’s ok to not know what to say or to feel like you’ve prayed all the prayers and you just need answers now, please! A prayer can be as simple as, “God I’ve got nothing, please take it from here.” It’s the faith behind the prayer that really makes the difference. God looks at the heart. He knows your deepest hopes and desires, and He sees you. Keep going.
Worship Moment with
Joel Salabarria
To Inspire (verb): to fill someone with the urge or ability to do or feel something, especially to do something creative.
Song: See A Victory (Spotify, YouTube and Apple Music)
Band: Jonathan Traylor
From: Worship Together (2021)
I love this song in this season. The confidence I have in knowing that no matter what comes my way I will see the victory.
It’s already been decided and it has been declared that God takes what the enemy meant for evil and turns it for my good! So my mind set now is that when trials come I’m encouraged because it’s an opportunity for God to TURN IT!
I’m gonna see a victory
I’m gonna see a victory
For the battle belongs to You Lord
I’m gonna see a victory
I’m gonna see a victory
For the battle belongs to You Lord
There’s power in the mighty name of Jesus
Every war He wages, He will win
Oh, I’m not backing down from any giant’
Cause, I know how this story ends
Yes, I know how this story ends
Death could not hold You
The veil tore before You
You silenced the boast of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring
The praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again
You have no rival
You have no equal
Now and forever, God You reign
Yours is the kingdom
Yours is the glory
Yours is the name above all names
Poetic Encouragement with
Julie Clarke
To Encourage (noun): to give support and hope to someone so that they will do or continue to do something.
Capturing Kenya
On a wet and rutted, muddy road
Bumping along as you travel home
You’re surrendered to the rolling paces
Still hiding the tired on your faces
But with excitement you arrive
To this new place where hope’s alive
Built by grace and peace
A place where hearts can find release
Hidden among your neighbors and friends
You find a land where love defends
All of the parched dry places
With lines of life in barren spaces
Hidden among acacia trees
You find beautiful barbs of legacy
built here, with out knowing
Which time revealed, and God is showing
Here what does your love look like?
Help me see you on this hike
What do I hear when you call?
Your prayers are like music sung for all
Such beautiful details danced to life
Colors of courage, hunger and strife
You let us see your tears
You revealed your deepest fears
And you experienced bravery
With strong and courageous expectancy
And received a new perspective of the pain
And learned how to appreciate the rain
So let’s make new tracks on this dirt road
When water runs the ruts and flows
Into the hard dry ground
Because here is where your precious life is found.
Nutrition Nuggets with
Suzanna Hake
To Nourish (verb): the act or process of being nourished.
Something I had not considered before, but what we breathe has a significant impact on our overall health. Did you know that EPA studies have shown that indoor air pollution levels are often 2-5x higher than outdoor air pollution levels.?
Where does indoor pollution come from?
❗Plug-ins and other air fresheners
❗Scented candles
❗Scented trash bags
❗Cleaning products
❗Laundry products
❗Dust
❗Wearing shoes in the house
❗Pesticides
❗Furniture, carpet, and fabric off-gassing (that “new smell” is actually chemicals!)
❗Moldy/dusty air ducts
Here’s how you can drastically lower indoor air pollution:
✅Take shoes off inside
✅Use an Air filtration machine
✅Wet dust regularly
✅Mop regularly
✅Vacuum with a HEPA vacuum regularly
✅Open windows daily to flush home air
✅Change air filters regularly
✅Swap out convention cleaning/laundry products for non-toxic ones
✅Remove all scented candles, plug-ins, air fresheners, etc.
✅Buy unscented trash bags
Piet's Ponderings
To Ponder (verb): to think about something carefully, especially before making a decision or reaching a conclusion.
Ugh!
It’s so true though – isn’t it?
We work our way past one bad habit and then another rears its ugly head.
There is always room to grow.
It is easy to get resentful about the process and we invariably wish we could just let it be (cue Beatles classic). But when we really stop and think about it, we did kinda ask for it. How often have we prayed the prayer, “Lord, I want to be a better person. I want to honor you with my life”?
In response to that prayer, God graciously reveals those points/places that can sabotage our success. Not as a point of condemnation, but as a response to our prayer for a better and richer life.
It is a gift that he does so.
So yes Lord, continue your good work in me. AND give me the maturity and courage not to resist it!
Prayer of the Week
adapted from David Jeremiah’s Warrior Prayer
To Pray (verb): Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer ad petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God )Philippians 4:6)
Heavenly Father, your warrior prepares for battle. Today I claim victory over Satan by putting on the whole armor of God.
I put on the girdle of truth! May I stand firm in the truth of your Word, so I will not fall victim to Satan’s lies.
I put on the breastplate of righteousness! May it guard my heart from evil, so I may remain pure and holy, protected under the blood of Jesus Christ.
I put on the shoes of peace! May I stand firm in the Good News of the Gospel so your peace will shine through me and be a light to all I encounter.
I take up the shield of faith! I am ready for the fiery darts of the enemy. May he not be able to sidetrack me with doubt, denial and deceit. Instead, might I stand strong against every spiritual attack.
I put on the helmet of salvation! By your grace, I keep my mind focused on you, so that there will be no room for any kind of stronghold in my thoughts.
I take up the sword of the Spirit. Prepare me to wield the two-edged sword of your Word, that I might expose and defeat those temptations that are designed to trip me up.
With the full armor of God, I am your warrior, adequately prepared to live today in spiritual victory.
Upcoming Book Party Dates
- 11/20 Book-signing Party (Six Mile Ordinary) Columbia, MO
- 11/22 Book Party (David and Toni Fowler’s home) Tulsa, OK
Interested in supporting this new initative?
The Van Waarde Foundation underwrites and supports a variety of projects and team members committed to supporting, educating, and encouraging fellow cancer warriors and their families. As we look to the future, we are excited about creating a variety of new resources that will provide pastoral support to those battling cancer. This initiative will include this newsletter AND a host of other resources including a new podcast providing helpful information on health and fitness, fresh pocket prayers delivered daily to fellow cancer warriors, a new page on the website “heal” Heal – Piet Van Waarde with weekly reflections on navigating the “dailyness” of the journey, plus a soon-coming book Keep on Healing that will address the top 50 questions people face when confronted by a cancer diagnosis. We want to make these resources available at little/no cost to those who need them, and your support through the Foundation (https://www.patreon.com/pietvanwaarde) makes that possible.
Thank you in advance for your prayerful consideration.
