Archive for the 'Trips & Travels' Category

Surfside Beach – Part 2

Posted by Kathryn

Jun

4

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…

Bethany, Amanda, and SusannaJessi and 'Berty - best buds!!100_4336

100_4340100_4351A distant view of Myrtle Beach100_4369100_4375

100_4377100_4384

100_4449The condos close to the shore were like Easter eggs!! :)100_4493

100_4502 100_4496 100_4385

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:

Dear sweet sisters!We rested some too :)Our little dominion-man!!

Little Miss Hannah GraceSusannaWhat joy they all bring to our lives!

LaurenVictoriaWe took a picnic to a local park for supper one night; after grilling, we roasted s'mores! Mmmmm!!

Wwwweeeeeeeeeee!!She just woke up...100_4432

100_4354The palms were just magnificent!! 100_4414

100_4403100_4404I love Daddy!

"Be still and know that I am God..."Mommy and HermanDigging, digging, digging...

 Our little ones wrote lots of messages for us on the sand. This one: "I love Mama!"A baby shark we found :)

…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

Posted by The Neely Team

Jun

2

 

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… 

About to head for a walk along the ocean...... can't wait to get there....... we've reached it at last!!  

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.!!

Lauren, Kathryn, Herman, Victoria, and Titus shared this room. (Of course, Titus's bed - a comfy pack-n-play - isn't pictured here. :) ) Hannah, Jessi, Amanda, Bethany, and Lauren had this room.The Master Suite, complete with Jacuzzi tub!

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!!)

What a blast!!Look at all the colors...

A different angle... So much fun!!

We saw all sorts of marvelous specimens demonstrating our Creator’s design, creativity, and skill!!

This is not your ordinary jelly fish. We saw countless numbers of these creatures... they are actually called jelly balls and are pretty much harmless. We learned that their main predator is the spade fish. A sand crab... pretty formidable, wouldn't you say??! Mommy took this fantastic shot!What we think are sand pipers

This beautiful shell was actually the home of a repulsive old slug. Uuhhhggg!!A wounded sea gull :(Just beautiful!! We saw these geese running around near our condo.

MallardsThis is actually the real, stinging jelly fish. We only saw two of them!! (Yay!!)Amanda found this adorable hermit crab and kept him for most of our stay. We have been reading a book about a hermit crab and so this little one proudly bore the name of the character in our story: Pagoo.

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

Posted by Jessica

May

30

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. 

Waiting in line... 100_4165 Be warned.... two girls on the loose with pistols!!! Intent observers Titus enjoying his new Winchester hatLook out, Herman!! There's a bear behind you!!Mr. Michael McCurry looking over his new Accurate Innovations gun stock Accurate Innovations gun stock for a 500 MDM made of Maple wood -- Beautiful!!Dad and Mr. Wes Chapman representing Accurate Innovations, with Mr. Michael McCurry and his wife and daughter



May

24

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.”

Fixing a yummy breakfast!Two of the wonderful clowns :)David was very attentive to Titus - what a blessing!

The Stelzl Fruit Salads were superb!Mmmmm!Sarah and Victoria made the scrambled eggs for everyone

Sarah and KathrynDavid, Titus, and BethanyWhat a joy to be together!!

 Victoria and BethanyJosiah

For more great pictures of our wonderful stay, visit the Stelzl’s blog!



Austin’s Graduation

Posted by The Neely Team

May

9

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!!

Austin and Jessi - Class of 2010!!!

Congratulations, Austin!! We're glad we could share in your special day!

A special note of encouragement that Austin wrote to his classmates Pleasing both to the eye and to the stomach!!The best invention for serving punch we have ever seen!! Just stick your cup under the fountain!

Austin and Daddy - Buds... BEST BUDS!!A fellow photographer :) (Our cousin Neali - Austin's sister)

We got to see Christina Fisher again - she went to school with Austin.Herman, Berty, and Sunny - great buddies!!

Austin TimothyWe ALL enjoyed the chocolate fondue fountain - Mmmmmm!More yummy food!