The Neely Team

We have known the Sorensen family for a few years now, and what an encouragement they have been to us! Enthusiasm, energy, joy, creativity, educated refinement… these traits combined with a wholehearted love for Jesus Christ make this family a shining example for the Lord. They are just… well, simply Sorensen.

With great anticipation we looked forward to a visit with them for several months, and finally, it happened! The hospitality of the Sorensen Lodge was incredible. We came away immensely blessed and refreshed.

Playing Airsoft and walking the perimeter of their property:

Fun with the swing:

The Sorensen’s treated us like royalty. On Saturday, we took a trip to a local bowling alley for an afternoon loaded with strikes and spares… well, not exactly. A sparing few were so blessed, but the rest of us just realized how strikingly rusty our bowling techniques are. At any rate…

Then… they took us to a Japanese Steakhouse for a special birthday celebration. Most of us had never visited one before, and what an interesting, delightful meal awaited us!

On Sunday, we attended church with them and were privileged to be there on a week when Mr. Sorensen was preaching. He spoke from the life of Peter; we saw the perfect timing of the Lord played out again as the message seemed tailored to the current events of our lives. Praise the Lord! Thank you, Mr. Sorensen, for letting the Word dwell in you richly, and for standing boldly to make an impact for the Kingdom of God.

Thank you, Sorensens!

The FEW Conference “season” for 2012 is beginning!

Please be in prayer for our family, as well as for the Wilkes and Staddon families, as we prepare for the 2012 conferences. Pray that God would grant us wisdom, direction, and unity; that the He would go before us and work out every little detail in His perfect way; that we would trust in His sovereignty; that families would be encouraged,strengthened, and drawn closer to the Lord; and most importantly, that Jesus Christ alone would receive the glory and honor due His Name!

“But thou, O man of God…follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness. Fight the good fight of faith…” 1 Timothy 6:11-12

If you would like to receive more information about the FEW Conference ministry or about upcoming conferences and locations, please contact us.

For several years now we have had the privilege of knowing the Walker family. What a delight it is to watch them grow in numbers and in the Lord, being conformed into His likeness as they seek to pattern their family after the truth of Scripture! A few weeks ago, they invited us over to their home for dinner (which, I must point out, is quite a remarkable undertaking, as not many are brave enough to let twelve people invade them for any length of time. ). Delicious dinner, a to-die-for dessert, time to learn from the Word and sing, and sweet fellowship made a joyful and encouraging evening. Thank you, Walkers, for opening your home, but especially for your love for our Lord! May you continue to let Christ’s light in you shine brightly! (Matt. 5:16)

A few weeks back Mrs. Tammy, a sweet friend of ours, came over for two days and instructed Amanda, Jessi, and I in beginning haircutting! For a while we have been wanting to learn this skill to bless our family and our future families. It was fun, educational, and character-building – it was great character training for Mrs. Tammy, anyway, who learned more about patience in those two mornings than she probably has in a while! 

Thank you, Mrs. Tammy, for so willingly giving of your time and expertise! You truly model the verse from Matthew 10: “… freely ye have received, freely give…”

101: Practice with the mannequins

By the way, your victims must have names, so let me introduce you to Ventura, Charalina, and Jemima.

102: Practice with the mannequins and the live mannequins

(Special thanks to our dear brothers for being such great guinea-pigs! )

Crossroads — seasons of life when we desperately need direction for decisions, particularly relating to the next phase of our lives.

Red-lights — a time when we wait on the Lord (possibly for extended periods of time) to make His way clear before our eyes as we seek His will.

Waiting…. waiting to start school… waiting to graduate…. waiting for answers to prayer…. waiting for direction in life… waiting for a job… waiting for a spouse…. waiting for children…. waiting for grandchildren…. waiting for Christ’s return… waiting for………. whatever it might be. Everyone is in some sort of waiting period, and often we’re waiting for more than one thing at a time. When God says, “Wait,” what is your response?

Waiting on the Lord with joyful expectation of what He has in store for us is not always an easy task, but our gracious Heavenly Father promises blessings to those who will. When these seasons of perseverance arise, cling to the promises of God. Hope in His Word. Depend on His grace. His plan is infallible. His timing is perfect. His love is sure. His faithfulness is unending. His mercy is new.

“A sober mind is that which accommodates itself to every estate of life and every event of providence, so that whatever changes happen, it preserves the possession and enjoyment of itself… What pleases Him ought to please us. He knows what is fit to be done and what is fit far better than we do. Let this check all disquieting, discontented thoughts. Should it be according to thy mind? Shalt thou who art but of yesterday control Him, quarrel with Him, or prescribe Him, Whose counsels were of old from everlasting? It is folly to direct the divine disposals, but wisdom to acquiesce in them… Fret not at the place God’s providence has put you in. Make yourselves easy in it and make the best of it, as those who are satisfied that all is well that God doth… Possess your minds with a reverence for the divine providence – its sovereignty, wisdom, and goodness.” (Matthew Henry, from “Sober Mindedness Recommended to the Young,” in The Miscellaneous Works of the Rev. Matthew Henry, Vol. 1)

“Wait on the Lord; be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.” Psalm 27:14

“My soul, wait Thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.” Psalm 62:5

So what crossroads are you waiting at, waiting for the light to turn green — waiting for the Lord’s will to be revealed? Or maybe instead of a red-light there is a stop sign, and the Lord may be preparing to reveal to you a route that you hadn’t seen before. Or maybe there’s fog on the road, and you don’t know where to go, or if there is even a crossroad. Whatever the test, remember that “the Lord our God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.” (Psalm 84:11)