The Neely Team

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! 

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.

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!!

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. 

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?