Hello!

The last couple of months have really been something else.  I almost don’t know where to start, but here seems as good as any place.  As many of you already know, I moved to Alexandria, Virginia around the first of August to serve as the Director of Intelligence for the Air Force District of Washington.  The move wasn’t easy since we made a family decision for Bobbi and the boys to stay behind in Summerville, SC, while I finish up what will be my last assignment in the Air Force. It was a tough decision, but those of you who are familiar with the special needs of our autistic sons, especially Marcus, understand why moving him for just a year is not a very practical or beneficial thing to do.  The good news is, a couple of weeks ago, the Air Force accepted my application for retirement, so I should be back home by Spring! 

I don’t claim to know how all this fits into God’s plan for us, but what I’ve purposed in my heart to do is use this time to grow spiritually and to fill up my time with worthwhile endeavors while I’m apart from my family, and as I look back on some of the highlights over the last two months, I’m a little overwhelmed.  I can’t help but name drop just a little (okay a lot), so please don’t misunderstand me as I write this because I’m not boasting...I’m just amazed and want to share.  I have no other explanation except to say that what I’ve experienced is a gift, and as Proverbs 18:16 says, “A man's gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.”  So what exactly am I talking about here?  Well, how about chatting with Phil Keaggy about his tune Castle Talk at a church in Richmond, for starters. I’ve carried guitars for Doyle Dykes while he introduced me to the man who founded S.W.A.T, and another, Special Agent, John Hall, who is responsible for improving the FBI’s firepower by introducing a groundbreaking 10mm hand gun to the agency….and they’re fine musicians on top of that!  I met these guys and the rest of the members of The Free Agents after their concert in Warsaw, VA, last Friday and got to hang out with Doyle’s talented daughter,  recording artist,  and great friend Haley, while she and her Dad presented me with CDs as a 40^th birthday gift!  How Cool is that?

Now I’m just getting started here folks, so hang in there.  Just a couple of weeks back, one of my best friends, Steven Givler, Major, USAF, invited me to a book release party at the Library of Congress, and it was a night I’ll never forget.  Steven was published in a new Random House collection called Operation Homecoming.  While there, I met three time N.Y. Times best selling editor, Andrew Carroll, The Deputy Librarian of Congress, General Donald Scott, and the Chairman of the NEA, Dana Gioia.  Many of the contributing authors were present, so they had a book signing after a moving ceremony to launch the book.  While in line for the book signing, I was startled by a lady behind me asking the authors to sign a book for First Lady, Laura Bush.  Turns out she is the wife of the Attorney General, Alberto Gonzales, who also happens to be standing right behind me in line!  So yep, I was quite literally rubbing elbows and casually chatting with one of the most powerful men in Washington D.C. The night was extraordinary, but the best part was getting to be there with my close friend Steven…a friend I’m convinced is a man of destiny.  He’s a true renaissance man.  To get a sense of what I mean, just visit one of his websites, stevengivler.blogspot.com.  Okay, now I have to brag just a little; Steven recently presented me with two of his original watercolor paintings!  I’m still in shock…they’re wonderful.

What else have I been up to?  Glad you asked…  I’ve walked the halls past the Air Force Chief of Staff’s office while exploring the corridors of the Pentagon, and last month I stood inches away from the original U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence.  Just Saturday I stood right outside of the hall where it was signed in Philadelphia.  And to top off a great weekend, yesterday, I performed one of my original tunes for National Fingerstyle Guitar Champion and recording artist, Chris Proctor.  For a couple of hours, we discussed the craft of musical composition, performance and advanced technique.  Then last evening, I had a cup of orange black tea while he played an entire set for just me and a couple of new friends at the Westside Café in Frederick, Maryland.  He performed for us as if we were an audience of 1000…I was stunned.

In addition to these amazing happenings, in just the last two months, I’ve toured Mount Vernon, Fredricksburg and Chancellorsville Battlefields, Harpers Ferry, Antietam and Gettysburg Battlefields, the National Archives, Fort McHenry, and Independence Hall.  I’ve rode my bike along the banks of the Potomac, and I’ve browsed Bran Dillard’s, owner of Picker’s Supply in Fredricksburg, VA, vintage collection of stringed instruments…in his private office no less, while swapping tunes with store manager and performer Peter Mealy.  I’ve played open mic at Tiffany Tavern in Old Town Alexandria a half dozen times…all this and I’ve been able to serve the nation in a capacity that I never thought possible.

God is good.  I’ve been able to come home a couple of times and go bike riding and shark tooth hunting with Nathan, have dinner with Bobbi at Olive Garden AND Outback, give Marcus an overdue shave, and go sightseeing around Charleston with Kristin, Bobbi, Nathan and Kristin’s Atlanta roomie, Katy.  

Everyday seems to bring a new adventure.  I miss my family, but God has been there and has been busy increasing my territory.  Thanks for reading this!  I just had so many things happening that I felt compelled to share them.  At this rate, by Christmas I could have enough items to post a chapter two to what one could aptly entitle, The Keith Miller Blessings Report!  By just reading this, you already qualify for an entry!

God Bless always,

Keith