Surfside Beach – Part 2
One of the highlights of every day was an early morning walk on the beach. We walked mile after mile after mile… on Wednesday alone we did a total of six!! Somehow it just doesn’t seem laborious when you are walking with your best friends and are experiencing the beauty and refreshment of the ocean, sky, sand, wind, and sun. I carried the camera a lot and had fun with different shots…
“Sing unto the Lord a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof… Let them give glory unto the Lord, and declare His praise in the islands.” (Isaiah 42:10, 12)
Some of my favorite individual/small group/misc. scenery shots from the week:
“…the Lord is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king… He hath made the earth by his power, he hath established the world by His wisdom, and hath stretched out the heavens by his discretion. When He uttereth His voice, there is a multitude of waters in the heavens, and He causeth the vapors to ascend from the ends of the earth; he maketh lightnings with rain, and bringeth forth the wind out of His treasures.” (Jeremiah 10:10, 12-13)
Surfside Beach – Part 1
The next step on our trip was a long-awaited family vacation at Surfside Beach, SC!! As we looked back over the last several years, we realized that this would be the first time since Dad and Mom were married that the Neely Team had spent a whole week away – just us – for nothing but time together, relaxation, and refreshment! Sure, we have definitely had many, many, many amazing trips and have loved every moment of every one of them, but again, every one has been connected in some way or another with a visit to friends, ministry opportunities, missions trips, business outings, conferences, family camps, etc. Not just a solid, week-long VACATION!! After a extremely wonderful but extremely busy winter and spring, we were all ready for and needing some time to reconnect and just rest!! The Lord provided this in His perfect timing when some friends offered for us their time-share about a mile off of Surfside Beach. How excited we were! We arrived Saturday afternoon after a splendid stay at the Stelzl’s house and attending the NRA show. We were able to spend the next seven days listening to messages on CD, reading the Word and a few other encouraging books, taking mile-after-mile walks along the shore :), swimming, having family discussions, sharing joyful fellowship around the scrumptious meals Mommy prepared at the condo, resting, memorizing Psalm 91, and many other adventures that you’ll just have take part in by the hundreds of pictures we took!! 🙂 We praise the Lord for providing this opportunity for spiritual and physical rejuvenation. The Lord is good!!
Our first night on the beach…
The condo was perfect – all we could have asked for: three bedrooms, three bathrooms, Jacuzzi tub, a large kitchen, nice living room, back deck, etc., etc.!!
Before we left, Mommy got us all flipflops – a worthy investment for going to the beach. They were such fun we couldn’t resist a bunch of pictures. 🙂 (Thanks, Daddy, for being the photographer!!)
We saw all sorts of marvelous specimens demonstrating our Creator’s design, creativity, and skill!!
If we don’t stop here, it will take three days to upload this post loaded with pictures. 🙂 Ha ha!! Check back for more soon…
NRA Show – Charlotte, NC
We’d been looking forward to going to the NRA show for a long time. We were there on Friday, May 14, and enjoyed every minute of it!! We all wore hunter-orange logo shirts, advertising for Accurate Innovations. It was a wonderful day, and we would all highly recommend attending one of these shows!
Here are some pictures from the day.
Behold, How Good and Pleasant!!
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity…” (Psalm 133:1)
“By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” (John 13:35)
Two weekend’s ago, we had the delightful opportunity to experience the love and fellowship of the Stelzl family when we stayed in their home while attending the 2010 NRA Show in Charlotte, NC. The Stelzl’s are a admirable example of a family that works together as a team to bless many through quality time spent in their home. Though we have only known them for a few years, they have become good friends and we are always thrilled with a chance to see them! They made us feel right at home by their gracious hospitality and attention to even the tiniest details (like having a pitcher of water and little cups in our room for middle-of-the-night thirstiness 🙂 ) and made our stay as special as it possibly could have been! One of the highlights for me of our time together was the fellowship and the edifying conversation we shared. On our last morning together, Sarah and I were able to spend an hour and a half on the porch swing reading the Word, discussing what the Lord has been teaching us, and praying. I came away inspired!!
Thank you, Stelzls, for taking the time out of your busy schedule to let us come and be encouraged by your love for the Lord and His Church. It was definitely “good and pleasant” to spend time with you!! May you continue to shine your lights so that “men may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.”
For more great pictures of our wonderful stay, visit the Stelzl’s blog!
Finally Done… but Just Beginning!!
Ahhh, the satisfaction of completing fourteen years of schooling!!! This past Saturday was a day I’ve been waiting for and dreaming about for many years. And when it had finally come after all that waiting, I couldn’t believe it was here!! Such a hard feeling to describe…
Saturday morning was very busy. We cleaned, prepared, practiced, organized… and enjoyed all of it!! Before people started arriving, Dad and Mom presented me with my diploma… WOW! I know that it is just a credential and doesn’t mean that I’m done learning, but it is a huge milestone and testimony of the Lord’s grace and faithfulness!!
Anyway, friends and family started arriving at 1:45, and the party began! It was a wonderful day of fellowship and visiting with many people we hadn’t seen in a very long time. One of the biggest highlights was having both grandmothers there, which was a big surprise! What a joy!!
I praise the Lord for all He has done for me… for parents who have willingly taught me all these years, for the wonderful “support group” I have in my family, and for the blessing of completing high school. God is so good! Great is His faithfulness!
“Sugar Cookie” Granola
I thought I would share this healthy granola recipe… it has become one of our family favorites, and surprisingly, the “sugar cookie” twist to it resulted from another flop! I made it once and forgot two of the ingredients, and after I pulled 
it from the oven I was feeling slightly down because I don’t like it when my cooking experiences don’t go well. 🙂 I moved on to something else while it cooled, and expected nobody to really care for this semi-tolerable granola I had just concocted. But suddenly I realized that there were these glowing comments coming from the kitchen about how wonderful it was (amid MUCH crunching, munching, and numerous Mmmmm’s, of course!). Inwardly I was thinking “It’s not really that good; they’re just being nice. I forgot two important things!” Finally, Amanda came right out and said “It tastes like sugar cookies! Kathryn, this stuff is wonderful!” I was thrilled that they liked it, and now it’s MY FAVORITE too!! The special flavorings give it that unique sugar cookie taste. I
especially love this recipe because it’s super easy to whip up (making it ideal for baking with little siblings – Susanna helped me last time :)) and there’s NOTHING bad for you in it. 🙂 It is extremely filling, and makes a fantastic breakfast, snack, supper, ice cream topping… anytime you need a healthy treat! We often serve it with fresh fruit and yogurt. Enjoy!
Sugar Cookie Granola
2 cups whole wheat flour
6 cups rolled oats
1 cup coconut
1 cup chopped pecans (optional)
1 cup flax seed
1/2 cup water
1 cup oil
1 cup honey
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1 tsp. coconut extract
1 tsp. almond extract
1 Tbsp. salt
Dried fruit (raisins, dried cranberries, apples, etc.) (optional)
Combine flour, oats, coconut, and chopped pecans in large mixing bowl. Set aside.
Put flax seed in blender and grind into a course powder. Add water, oil, honey, flavors, and salt. Blend for 30 seconds or until well-mixed. Pour mixture over dry ingredients and mix well. Spread on 3 baking sheets and bake @ 200 for 1 hour, stirring every 15-20 minutes. Cool completely. Sprinkle with dried fruit if desired and store in air-tight container.
Notes:
This is another one of those “spatula” recipes. You have to keep one close by to swat any little (but usually big) fingers that just happen to find their way to the bowl for a little snitch. 🙂
Austin’s Graduation
On Thursday we had the privilege of attending the graduation of our cousin Austin from the Bob Jones Academy. Afterwards, we enjoyed a lot of great family time at his reception. Enjoy the pictures!!
Gray and Sommer Wedding!!
Last week we had the privilege of attending the wedding of Heather Gray and 
Eugene Sommers. We met the Gray family two years ago at a conference in 
VA, and have greatly enjoyed getting to know their family better since then. When Heather and Eugene got engaged, they asked us to do the music for
their wedding. What an honor and a blessing!! We had fun preparing for it, and the wedding itself went wonderfully. It was indeed a lovely portrayal of unity, purity, and love designed by the Giver of every good and perfect gift (James 1). As we watched these two share their first kiss at the altar, we were reminded 
that God’s way of purity is richly rewarding! He promises to bless 
those who put Him first and are willing to wait for His perfect timing. We witnessed two become joined 
as one – a picture of Christ and His bride, the Church. Will we, His bride, be presented “without spot 
or wrinkle” at His imminent and glorious appearing?
We look forward to 
seeing how the Lord will use this couple to bring Him glory as they honor Him with their lives. 
What He Is To Me
As I behold the wonders of the flow’ring, blooming tree,
I pause, in awe, to ponder what the Creator is to me.
He’s Joy and Hope at each new morn; He’s Mercy when I fall;
The Giver of sweet rest at night; the Hearer of my call.
The Craftsmen of the flow’rs that bud; the Divider of the sea;
He calls the stars by name above, yet holds me tenderly.
Giver of grace in my deep need; and much more than can be told!
But, more than these, He is to me – the Keeper of my soul.
What is He to YOU?
The Big Gun
Here is a short video that we recently put together as an advertisement for Accurate Innovations. It’s our first attempt at anything like this, but we enjoyed it, and hope to be able to post more videos in the future. For more information about custom rifle stocks, visit AccurateInnovations.com.
