Casey and David Millot
Casey and David admit that their early adult years, before marriage and kids, paved the way for them to be the intentional parents they are today. Both used their time as single adults to build a rich personal relationship with the Lord that led to growth and creating healthy habits they would carry into parenthood.
Having met at Chico State through Campus Crusade for Christ (Cru) and being in the same social circle, things slowly developed into something deeper than a friendship. Around the time the two started dating, Casey’s father passed away. In order to be with her family during that time, she took a break from school and the two took a break from their relationship for about a year. During that time apart, both spent intentional time growing deeper in their relationship with the Lord. In hindsight, they see how their breakup was a catalyst for both of them developing healthy habits and a dependence on God that has helped them later in life. The hard things they walked through and the decisions they made during that season, shaped them to continue honoring the Lord in future seasons - as husband and wife, and as parents.
The two were married in 2011. Struggling to get pregnant with their oldest, Bennett, Casey recalls sitting in her car one day, crying out to God for a baby. In that prayer, she specifically asked for twin girls. She wasn’t exactly sure why she thought to pray for that, but she felt prompted to pray in faith. Shortly after she discovered she was pregnant with Bennett, who arrived in 2015. Along came Reagan in 2016. It wasn't until the news of the twins' arrival, and their scary prognosis years later that she recalled that moment in her car.
Identical twin pregnancies often result in an increased risk of complications. At 17 weeks, the Millots were told their babies had developed a “twin to twin transfusion” - a condition in which the blood flows unequally between twins that share a placenta. In addition to this news, doctors shared there was difficulty in locating one of the twins’ left arm. They immediately shared this news with their community and were surrounded with prayer. Eventually, Casey was sent up to Seattle for a special surgery that was risky but critical for both babies' survival. Before undergoing the surgery, an ultrasound showed Casey had miraculously shifted out of the high-risk category, with Doctors and nurses calling it a miracle. It was at that moment the Millots felt God confirming their girls were supposed to be here. It was a clear, undeniable working of God. The twins were carried to full term and born healthy; a testament to God’s faithfulness.
Casey and David felt a confident peace from God during that season. Not necessarily a peace that the girls were going to be healed, but a peace that no matter what, God was in control. Casey, having already walked through grief with the loss of her dad, could look back and see how God walked faithfully with her through that. She knew He would do it again for them - whether the outcome was what they were praying for or not. The Millots remained anchored to the Lord, knowing He was good even when circumstances were not.
Bryce (4), Reagan (7), Bennett (8), Reese (4)
Casey and David have continued to be authentic and genuine in their own faith walks, as an example to their kids. Joshua 24v15 has been their backbone for raising children who love the Lord. They admit the habits that formed in their early adult years can be hard to continue with littles at home, but they’re aware one of the best ways to learn about Jesus is by watching others live their lives for Him. Their teaching about Jesus often springs from the overflow of their own relationship with Him as individuals. As their kids grow, they are able to see and understand what a personal relationship with Jesus looks like by watching their parents live it out day-to-day.
The Millots have challenged their kids with the “real stuff” from a young age. At just 8 years old, Bennett is reading through the Bible in a year. They believe it’s good to be strategic about the content you are sharing with your kids, but we as adults also need to realize that kids can understand a lot more than we tend to give them credit for. We read about the Israelite children memorizing scripture from a young age, so why not encourage our children to do the same? This is why the Millots have made it a daily practice for their family to be in God’s word each day - whether it be one verse or a whole passage. But more than that, they allow room for conversation about what they’re reading.
Dinnertime is an intentional point in the day to connect as a family in the Millot household. The time around the table is used as a time to talk about highs and lows, to ask the kids if they heard something at school they didn’t understand, and to pray for others. This time paves the way to authentic conversations around life and Jesus. It allows space for the kids to raise questions, and find answers in a safe space. It teaches them from a young age to think about others and how to pray for them. It’s a time of habit-building and learning to do life with Jesus on a daily basis.
Having kids has been a true test of faith for Casey and David. From the twins’ pregnancy and birth, to their kids making the choice to follow Jesus on their own, they have had to learn their kids are not their own, and have fully surrender them to the Lord. They can try their best to lead Jesus-centered lives and encourage their kids to do the same, but it’s not a guarantee they will make that decision for themselves. Which makes it all the more special when they see their kids take steps of faith, like Bennett choosing to be baptized on Easter Sunday. It was a huge milestone in his faith walk, and they celebrate that with him. Yet they know their job as parents isn’t over. This is just the beginning for Bennett. They have to keep up with forming habits with their kids, they have to keep conversation open and safe, and they have to continue being faithful stewards of the children God has entrusted to them.
The Millots share that raising kids has been a sanctifying experience. Their kids have pushed them to discover and deal with their own brokenness. Casey and David admit that parenting has revealed their own sin. Sin they didn’t even know existed before having kids. For David, who wasn't raised in a Christian home, parenthood has become a journey of understanding what it truly means to be a husband and father who follows Jesus. They say raising kids has led them to know Jesus on a deeper level. Through the challenges and joys of parenting, they have encountered a richness in their spiritual lives that has illuminated the depths of God's boundless love in ways they had not experienced before.
Even if you're not yet in the stage of raising children, there are valuable ways to prepare. Prior to starting their own family, Casey and David sought wisdom by surrounding themselves with families they admired. They made a deliberate effort to ask questions and observe parenting practices from those they respected. They encourage anyone hoping to become a parent to seize the opportunity to learn from others during the waiting period. Preparation starts before you have children of your own. If you press in and allow Him, God can use your current season to equip you for what lies ahead.
Casey and David's journey from their early adult years to parenthood is a testament to the transformative power of faith and intentional living. Through their shared commitment to nurturing their personal relationships with the Lord, they laid the foundation for building a family centered on Jesus. They know that they could do none of it in their own strength, and are constantly asking God to lead them. By authentically living out their faith, they've provided a tangible example of what it means to walk with Jesus daily, inspiring their kids to follow suit. As they navigate the complexities of parenthood, they recognize the sanctifying role their children play in revealing and refining their own brokenness, while also deepening their understanding of Jesus' abundant love and grace.
You can find the Millots in various places throughout our church. David serves on the Men’s Leadership team, and Casey has recently joined our staff as our Coordinator of Women’s Events. Together they serve as community group leaders.
How can you grow in intentionality with your own family or friends around the table this week? If you aren’t in the season of kids, what practices can you start taking today to prepare for your future seasons that the Lord may have for you?
“But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24v15