Welcome, Valiance!!
Today marks the two-month birthday of the newest member of the Neely Team — Valiance (German Shepherd)! She came to us through a series of unexpected and pleasurable events, including a renewed contact, a family discussion, and a shocking(!) conclusion. Arriving as a small bundle of squirming fir, Valiance brightened our day and lives with her many bright and winsome ways. We love having a puppy around again, with all of the entertainment, opportunities, challenges, and joys that she brings.
Wonderful bedmates 
“Be of good courage, and let us behave ourselves valiantly for our people, and for the cities of our God: and let the LORD do that which is good in his sight.”
~ I Chronicles 19:13
Barn Blessings
My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise… I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds. Psalm 57:7,9-10
A few weekends ago we were blessed to take a trip down to south GA with Matthew to see Grandmama and Uncle Fudge, as well as our adopted grandparents, “Uncle” Bill and “Aunt” Peggy. Besides getting to spend quality time with these precious, godly older couples, our missions for the journey were to re-roof Grandmama’s barn, a rather daunting task when you consider that you only have two days to accomplish it, and to take some time to go hunting.
The blessing of the Lord was upon the entire weekend. Early Friday morning, Matthew had the joy of helping his beloved Amanda take two deer from the woods! Following that excitement, work on the barn began in real earnest, and the Team set in motion.
It’s amazing what a man can accomplish… when he has a hardy helpmeet by his side!
Working together, the project was successfully completed in time to drop everything, clean up, and race off to a singing commitment we had Saturday night. (Whew! 
) Praise the Lord!
Before heading home, we couldn’t resist the opportunity to take a couple group shots. How grateful we are for the time to fellowship with and glean wisdom from these dear people!
The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness. Proverbs 16:31
He that walketh with wise men shall be wise… Proverbs 13:20
As we left Bainbridge, we took Matthew by the cemetery where Grandpapa is buried.
Grandpapa’s life verses were found in Psalm 34, and following the Lord’s abundant blessings on our weekend, they seem very appropriate. What a heritage we’ve been handed!
I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. Psalm 34:1-3
The Existence of God
Renaissance chemist Robert Boyle is attributed to have said the following:
“The vastness, beauty, orderliness of heavenly bodies; the excellent structure of animals and plants; and other phenomena of nature justly induce an intelligent, unprejudiced observer to conclude a supreme, powerful, just and good Author.”
Wear a Red Hat
Sometimes you need an extra smile. Sometimes those around you need an extra laugh. Sometimes you need to make extra memories.
Sometimes… you need to wear a red hat.
Last Wednesday evening, feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, and rather emotional, I talked with Dad and Mom about all I needed to get accomplished the next day. A ginormous amount of Christmas-candy (supposed-to-be-fun-stuff!) to be prepared, a messy house to clean and tidy, two days worth of laundry to be washed and put away, meals to think-through and concoct, a home to manage, music ministry opportunities for which to practice… All of this crowded my tired brain, along with the thought that Mom and Amanda would be unavailable due to important wedding preparations, and Jessi was taking Victoria, Susanna, and the littles out to run errands for the morning and possibly a portion of the afternoon. That left Lauren and I. Hmmmm.
As we neared the end of our conversation, knowing the lack of joy I was feeling, Dad gave me one of his gentle, almost mischievous smiles and said “You know what? While you do all of that, I think it would be really cool if you wore one of Cocoa’s chef hats!”
Now, to be brutally honest, the idea was not my first choice. I have never considered myself to be a hat person… and… a chef’s hat?! You know, one of those tall things that makes your head appear as though it were an acre of mushy earth under a host of rotting leaves in a damp forest that has sprouted one of those nasty, smushy, gray species of fungus. Uggghh!
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But, as always, Dad’s little piece of advice was a good one. Lauren and I had so much fun that day, working together to bless our precious family.
And, you might be interested to know, the hat wasn’t so awful after all. It sparked many giggles and memories, and helped keep me reminded to enjoy the special moments the Lord gives me.
So, maybe today you need to wear a red hat. Or a purple one. Or maybe even a florescent, hurt-your-eyes-when-you-glance-at-it orange one! Maybe today you need a rekindling of joy in your heart as you labor for those you love.
The blessings of the Lord are all around you. Find something for which to be grateful and smile at it.
Or… wear a red hat.
Matthew & Amanda’s Testimonies
For all of you who have patiently waited to hear the details of how the Lord brought Matthew and Amanda together, their testimonies are now available for viewing! Click here!
“Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” Psalm 31:19
Pecan Pickin’ Days
A couple weeks ago we took a journey to South Georgia to visit Grandmama and Uncle Fudge. While we were there we did some projects, two of which were cleaning pecans and removing a dead pecan tree out of the yard. It was good to spend some time with grandparents and other family.
It was a monstrous-sized project — 160 pounds of pecans. Do you know just how many that is? Approximately 19 gallon bags of shelled nuts. Just plain deliciousness. 
This huge pecan tree has been in there for many, many years. We older ones remember gathering pecans from this beautiful tree. Dad and Grandpapa would hit the branches with long bamboo poles, making the nuts fall to the ground, then we would all crawl around on the leaf-y ground gathering them into buckets. Fond memories of special times together. The tree was struck by lightning over 10 years ago, and the time had come that it was too dangerous to leave it standing. It was sad to see it fall, but we’re so thankful that it came down without any dangerous complications. Praise the Lord!
Thanksgiving…
A precious time with family… a time of rejoicing… a time of memory-making… a time to recall the goodness of the Lord.
This year we had the blessing of hosting some of Mom’s family in our home. A variety of activities transpired, from pulling turkey to cutting hair to playing music to taking pictures to a whole myriad of other things, including eating a delicious dinner. We were sad that not all of the extended family could come, but we thoroughly enjoyed fellowshipping with those who could.
We rejoice in the tremendous gift that the Lord has given us in grandparents/aunts/uncles/cousins with whom we share the common bond of Christ. Thank you, Conns and Mercks, for making the effort to come, and for all the sweet times of fellowship! We love you all!
Games – some louder than others, but all equally enjoyed.
Some activities create opportunity to have some close bonding time.
Fall Activities…
Isn’t fall such a glorious, spectacular season??! The stunning colors, cool temperatures, and overall cozy atmosphere make one eager for some memorable times as a family.
From the (embarrassing) lack of posts going up, you may be wondering where we have been for most of this delightful season. Let’s see…
One highlight was certainly hosting our annual Fall Family Fun Night. Years ago, rather than participating in Halloween, Dad and Mom began a special tradition: a fun, action-packed activity night for us as a creative, wholesome, and family-building alternative. At first, it was just us… then a family or two from church too… then it grew to a few more… and then the Lord grew it into a much greater ministry opportunity than we ever imagined – this year there were nearly 85 attendees! What a joy to see so many from our community take the time to be together!
Another highlight was camping with some long-time friends from the Atlanta area. The Lord blessed us with beautiful weather and a weekend of sweet, encouraging fellowship.
O praise the LORD, all ye nations: praise him, all ye people. For his merciful kindness is great toward us: and the truth of the LORD endureth for ever. Praise ye the LORD. Psalm 117
A Quote for the Election
“Always vote for principle, though you may vote alone, and you may cherish the sweetest reflection that your vote is never lost.”
~John Quincy Adams
Waiting = Blessing
“My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him. He only is my rock and my salvation: he is my defense; I shall not be moved. In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us.” Psalm 62:5-8
For several years now, I have had a growing interest in midwifery… or should I term it, an intense desire to study the beautiful process of bringing new life into the world! Two and a half years ago, however, Dad asked me to put a hold on my study. He didn’t really articulate his feelings on it all, but he just felt that at that point, I should wait and concentrate on other things. When I chose to submit to his gentle guidance, the Lord gave me grace and true joy in following his leading, and He filled my time with an abundance of other areas to expand my knowledge in.
“…thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me.” Isaiah 49:23
Following my high school graduation this year, I broached the subject to Dad again and he gave me his full approval for once more commencing my study, and in these couple months, what a blessed time it has been! This past weekend, the Lord orchestrated timing perfectly around a camping trip we were on, so as to allow Amanda, Jessica, and me to be present at the delivery of a friend of ours. My “first birth” was most certainly a wonderful experience, but as I think about it, I believe the Lord has greatly magnified my joy in this whole study simply because I went through a period of waiting for it.
So if you are going through a particular season of waiting, be encouraged to keep your eyes on Christ. Trust Him. There are blessings in store on the other side, if you are just willing to wait.
“And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you; for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.” Isaiah 30:18
Special thanks to the new parents for allowing us to be present!
