Quote of the Day–January 17, 2012
“Are you humbly grateful or grumbly hateful?”
Hymn Arranging Seminar
We’re back-tracking in time, because we just realized that, due to the craziness of other things going on at the same time, 
we never wrote anything about a very important event that occurred last fall! But, keep in mind, that the timing of this post has nothing to do with it’s importance in our lives!
This “event” was a much-anticipated Hymn Arranging Seminar, put on by our wonderful violin teacher, Mr. Pinner (with Pinner Studios). Seeing our interest in learning more about writing, composing, and arranging music, Mr. Pinner graciously put together an exciting weekend for us, complete with sessions, master class opportunities to have our pieces critiqued by guest clinicians from Bob Jones University (Dr. David Rasbach, Mr. Duane Ream, Mrs. Joan Pinkston, and Dr. Dwight Gustafson), productive Q & A, a choral concert written and directed by gifted composer/publisher Craig Courtney of Beckenhorst Press, and a whole morning in the BJU computer lab working on Finale software with Dr. David Parker! We were humbled… honored… amazed by all of the opportunities that weekend presented. The things we learned were tremendously helpful and we look forward to doing more in this field of music in the future. We also came away encouraged by the focus of the clinicians. In everything they did, they stressed our purpose in life: to glorify the Lord.
Thank you, Mr. Pinner!!
Winter Trip to NY
It had been too long since we’d been to NY to visit Mom’s mom and see extended family. Thankfully, even though we hadn’t been up there in a year and a half, we had still seen everyone a couple times…. it had just been south of NY. But all of us Neelys were very excited when Mom and Dad told us we were planning a trip north right after Christmas!! It is such a joy to be able to visit with family, have meaningful conversations, work together, and just enjoy being together!! We are so blessed to have family we can talk over spiritual matters with. It was a time of “iron sharpening iron” and “brethren dwelling together in unity!”
Holiday Breakfast Traditions
Family traditions… aren’t they wonderful?! They give the family unit yet another little bond, an extra piece of security, and over all, family traditions help to build the family’s identity and make them who they are!
I am grateful for parents who have encouraged us to enjoy our family idiosyncrasies, and out of those, have created traditions for us, as well as passed on traditions that their parents established. If you know us very well, you know that we are foody. 
Meal times are tremendously important… and, well, we just enjoy the variations and excitement life offers in the form of palatable delicacies. 
Thus, many of our traditions are in that form… food!! Here are two of our favorite recipes that have become holiday traditions over the years:
Dad’s Breakfast Casserole
1 lb. hamburger, cooked and drained
1/2 c. chopped green onions
1 can (4 oz.) mushroom stems and pieces, drained
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
2 c. (8 oz.) shredded mozzarella cheese
1 c. pancake mix
12 eggs
1 c. milk
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
In a greased 3-qt. baking dish, layer meat, onions, mushrooms, tomatoes, and cheese. In a large bowl, whisk the pancake mix, eggs, milk, oregano, salt, and pepper; pour over cheese.
Bake, uncovered, at 350 F for 45-50 min. or until top is set and lightly browned. Let stand for 10 min. before serving.
Neely Team opinions: Best when served with piping-hot grits and shredded cheddar cheese. Also, some prefer to delete the mushrooms.
Chef’s notes: Can be made ahead and frozen. Take out of freezer the night before, and then bake in the morning, leaving covered for all but the last 15-20 min.
Fabulous Fruit Bowl
2 c. water
1 1/2 c. sugar
1/3 c. lemon or lime juice
1/2 tsp. salt
3 oranges, peeled, sectioned, and chopped bite-size
3 kiwi, peeled and sliced
2 grapefruit, peeled, sectioned, and chopped bite-size
2 large apples, cubed
1 pint strawberries, sliced
1 lb. green grapes
1 can (20 oz.) pineapple chunks, drained
In a medium saucepan, combine water, sugar, lime juice, and salt. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook for 20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Remove from heat; cover and refrigerate for 6 hours or overnight. Combine fruit in large bowl; add dressing and toss to coat. Cover and chill for 1 hour.
Neely Team opinions: We aren’t that fond of grapefruit, so we use one can of canned grapefruit in syrup (but drained) instead of 2 fresh ones.
Chef’s notes: The salad doesn’t have to have the extra 1 hour chill if the dressing has been refrigerated for a day or so and is cold. Can also substitute fresh pineapple for canned.
Oreo Truffles
Problem: Taste buds craving oreo truffles, but no recipe was known.
Solution: Check online!!
A little while back, we were staying with a family who served us a delicious candy — oreo truffles!! Ahhh…. I can almost taste them now… they’re just so good, that is, if you like chocolate. 
If you’re looking for just the perfect snack, appetizer, dessert, hors d’oeuvres, or anything else, this will be sure to sooth an aching sweet tooth. They’re really easy to make, and best when shared with friends and family!! We passed them around at a family get-together around New Years, and one of our aunts suggested that we post the recipe (and insisted on a picture!). Great idea, Aunt Joanna!!
Enjoy!!
Oreo Truffles
1 lb Oreo cookies (3 sleeves)
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 tsp. vanilla extract (or 1 tsp. mint, or almond)
1 lb. chocolate (dark or milk)
1/2 lb. white chocolate
1. Grind cookies to a fine powder in food processor. With a mixer, blend cookie powder, cream cheese, and vanilla extract until thoroughly mixed (there should be no white traces of cream cheese).
2. Roll into small balls and place on waxed paper lined cookie sheets. Refrigerate for 45 min. (or freeze for 15 min.).
3. Dip balls in melted chocolate; place on lined cookie sheets.
4. Drizzle melted white chocolate over chocolate balls. Let cool.
5. Store in refrigerator.
Other thoughts on this delicious treat:
~ We like to also dip in white chocolate and drizzle with dark.
~Can also roll truffles in various mixtures: chopped nuts, chocolate sprinkles, multi-colored candy sprinkles, chocolate shavings, colored sugars, etc.
For those who would like to know the nutrition facts, it was included with the recipe. (These might fluctuate based on the size ball.)
Serving Size: 1 ball
Calories: 128.2
Calories from fat: 70
Total Fat: 7.8g
Sugars: 10.8g
Saturated Fat: 4.4g
Sodium: 54.8mg
Total Carbs: 13.1
Fiber: .5g
Protein: 1.7g
Pecan Pickin’ Up
(written by Susanna and Lauren)
When we went to Grandmama’s house for Thanksgiving, we picked up pecans at a friend’s orchard. Here are some thing’s that we learned:
The pecans grow on huge trees (about 3 feet in diameter).
They use a shaker on a tractor to shake the trees. (It has huge “arms” about 4 feet off the ground to shake it.)
We picked our pecans up by hand…and filled buckets and bags. But the man who owned the orchard did have a gatherer that would rake the pecans up and fill burlap bags.
Once gathered, the pecans are dumped on to a sorter that blew out the sticks, leaves, and empty shells.
After we got them gathered we took them to a business that cracks pecans. They set the machine to the size of our pecans and then it cracked every single pecan one at a time.
After they were cracked, we picked the nut out of the shells. A good return is 50%! If you gather 20 pounds, you’ve done well if you have 10 pounds left to eat.
When you harvest pecans, you must show diligence. It is good to remember this verse: 🙂
“…if any would not work, neither should he eat.” 2 Thess. 3:10
It’s Time to Trim the Tree!
In preparation for this glorious Christmas season, we were blessed with the opportunity to help two dear couples from our church with their Christmas decorations!
The first one took place at the Edward’s home – and we had the added blessing of having two of the Wilkes guys to join in the merriment. They were in town to learn blacksmithing from Mr. Edwards and, of course, added a joyful spark to the party! Pictures are often far better than words, so enjoy! 
The next tree trimming adventure was at the Chapman’s house (known as Grandpa and Grandma to us
). It was a fun-filled evening including delicious soup for dinner, harmonica music, and great fellowship!
Oh the joys of serving others within the body of Christ! These evenings with such dear friends were certainly highlights in our Christmas season.
Braces… from a Different Perspective
Recently Victoria and I got some new hardware!
Sounds exciting, doesn’t it?? Maybe you should try it too. Having it really is a blast!
Well, I guess before you make any decisions, as in all things, you should be well informed. This hardware is small… shiny (most of the time 
)…very productive… has many parts and important terminology… are attached to those supposed-to-be-white-and-pearly thingys in your mouth… but can cause quite a bit of pain and are usually expensive.
Anyway… we are really enjoying having braces together! Some people dread them, but we were both terrifically excited and have not been disappointed. It’s been so fun!
The morning after I got them put on, though, I was spending my time with the Lord and a thought struck me. I was still getting used to them, as you can imagine. Every time I moved my mouth, ate, drank, brushed my teeth, said anything… I was reminded of these pieces of metal now semi-permanently glued to my teeth. At that moment I thought: “These are a pretty important to me. But how can God get glory from braces????”
1 Corinthians 10:31: Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
“Everything in my life is supposed to bring God glory. Eating and drinking can… braces are a lot bigger deal than eating a meal… I know they can too…… but how??”
I started thinking and came up with several different ways that the Lord could potentially get glory from braces! It sounds strange, almost goofy, but if you really stop and ponder it, Scripture teaches that we were created for God’s glory. It follows, then, that everything we do should fulfill that purpose, including the little things!
The first reason I discovered is found in the analogies that can be drawn. Braces cause pain, but that pain produces positive results. It is the same in our hearts. In His gracious sovereignty, the Lord will take us through painful circumstances and trials to draw us closer to Himself and conform us more into His likeness.
Second, having braces together has strengthened Victoria’s and my relationship as we can discover helpful tips, go through similar feelings, and can just relate better because of having yet another thing in common. A special sort of comradery is fostered. (We recommend dual-braces within a family – Amanda and Jessica did it too!)
Third, braces can help to develop patience. You must wait. It takes time to get your teeth straight after years and years of crooked-tivity! (new word 
)
Fourth, braces made me realize how easy it is to get annoyed at little, insignificant things when I’m in constant pain and helped me find the right response. I realized I had to identify the root of the annoyance and seek the Lord in an “SOS” call to receive His help to respond in love and gentleness.
Fifth, we should desire the gaze of others to be drawn to our face, which should glow with the joy of the Lord. Braces help the appearance of the face to be more appealing!
Sixth, braces don’t happen by yourself. You have to come in contact with people … thus presenting another opportunity to shine the Light of Christ into the life of another!
I’m sure you could think of others; those are just the ones that came to mind. But… if we really were created for God’s glory, then why don’t we think more often about how to accomplish that end in the little things? Mr. Dan Horn once described the glory of God as “the indispensible center” of our lives. Do our thoughts, words, motives, and actions communicate that it is such?
After so many years…
Nineteen years ago, a young couple with two small children moved from their warm home in north Georgia, to the shockingly different territory of southern New Hampshire. During their two-winters-long stay in New England, they experienced vast differences between the sunny south and the much-colder north, not the least of which was the necessity of shoveling two feet of snow off of the car many mornings during the long winter months. They also met some new friends, including one couple who had just had their first child, but who held the unusual belief that they would accept as many children as the Lord saw fit to bless them with. Although this idea seemed a bit radical to the newcomers, the couples were soon good friends, and when their paths diverged fourteen months later and the Lord moved the first couple back south (this time to Texas!), the two families continued to keep in touch via annual Christmas letters and pictures. For several years, this was their only means of communication, and meanwhile, many changes took place in both families. The New Englanders’ family grew until they had nine children, and over the years, the Lord changed the hearts of the other couple and eventually blessed them with a total of ten young “arrows.” (See Psalm 127.) Then, early in 2010, the Lord placed in both families the strong desire to reconnect with each other and renew their friendship.
************************************************************************************************
This happened around the time of the first North Carolina FEW Conference, and our excitement was unbounded when we received the news that the Wikmans would be making the 1,000+ mile trek (one-way!) to attend the event! Though our time together was short and extremely busy, we were able to reconnect to a small degree, and each of the few times we’ve seen each other since then has only increased our yearning for a longer and more personal visit.
Finally, last week we were blessed with the opportunity to have the Wikmans in our home for a few days. And what a joy it was! Besides the fun and games that went on, we Neelys were incredibly encouraged by seeing the way the Wikmans interacted with each other. Their sweet spirits and self-sacrificing love were very convicting to us as we watched them serve one another with Christ-like love. We observed in amazement as time and time again, an older sibling would drop whatever they were doing to help with a younger one, or Mr. or Mrs. Wikman would willingly give up fellowship time to care for a child, and always with a smile: there was never a word of complaint! They were also always ready to jump in and help with whatever we were doing, whether it was preparing food, washing dishes, or sweeping the floor. It was a tremendous blessing to us just to have them in our home, and we look forward to the next time we can share fellowship with them!
Thank you, Wikmans, for the blessing you were to our family! You have truly “provoked us unto love and to good works.” (Hebrews 10:24) Thank you for being such a wonderful example of Christ-like service and love!!
Jordan
Dear Jordan,
Psalm 127:3, “Lo, children are an heritage of the Lord, and the fruit of the womb is His reward.” You were a special gift from God, given to our home, to our family, for eight weeks this summer. Though we never got to meet you, you played a vital role in each of our lives. We are so grateful for you! But, as your name proclaims, our gracious Father called you over Jordan before us. You have gone on to glory, there to await us until His perfect timing when we will all be united forever. But during your life, the Lord used you to teach and remind us of many important truths.
Through you, we experienced yet again the indescribable joy of new life! We were delighted to find out that you were on the way. A new sibling, a new member of the Team, baby #11…
Through you, we realized just how uncomplaining and patient our darling mother is as she went through the early stages of pregnancy.
Because of you, we watched the Lord illuminate Mommy’s face with the glowing light that only a woman with child can wear.
We saw the beauty of letting God control the womb.
We were taught again to trust unconditionally in the loving, Sovereign hand of God in all circumstances.
We felt the pain of death and loss, but also felt the growth, grace, inexpressible joy, and deepened sense of God’s presence that always follows.
We understood just how blessed we are that we had never experienced miscarriage before.
We were further prepared for our futures as, Lord willing, fathers and mothers.
We tasted the sweetness of the friendship and love of other believers during a trial.
We were drawn closer together as a family, as a Team.
Our realm of ministry was broadened. “Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we are comforted of God.” II Cor. 1:3-4
We were given yet another reason to look forward to Heaven with great anticipation!
Our hearts, our lives, our characters, our experiences, our trust in God… all were stretched and strengthened by your life. Though the pain is still felt, the results are of eternal significance, and for this, we, your siblings, are eternally grateful. We praise the Lord for your little life. Isaiah 43: 7, “For I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” Baby Jordan, you were created for the glory of God, and your life purpose has been fulfilled. Soli Deo Gloria!
We love you, Jordan!
