This past weekend we had the wonderful privilege of hosting the Neely Team for a short visit! They were passing through on their way to the beach for a family vacation, and were planning to participate in the NRA (National Rifle Association) gun show, representing Accurate Innovations. They arrived late Thursday evening around 10:00, bringing joy to the close of one of our busiest days ever! Although they were absent nearly all day Friday, we willingly took advantage of every spare moment in between, including late night conversations that lasted into the early morning hours

On Friday we prepared one of our favorite meals that we often share with guests. The Neely Team arrived back from the gun show just in time for scalloped potato special (made with an Italian tomato and herb mixture rather than cream sauce), grilled chicken, salad, and brownie-ice-cream-desert. To top off the meal, 15 of us kids played “beat the clock” to get the kitchen sparkling in just 5 minutes! Although the dish scrubbing line got a little behind, we certainly had the most experienced of dish-washers hard at work with great and amazing effort! Way to go Amanda, Bethany, and David (and all others who were involved with other jobs as well  )! It is simply amazing how normal tasks like wiping crumbs off the tables, sweeping floors, and scrubbing dishes can be SO much fun when individuals become a team and willingly pitch in with joyful determination!

Saturday morning provided opportunity for much needed sleep as we prepared to fix a big breakfast on the later side – 9:00. The Neely Team hoped to get on the road before lunch in order to arrive at the beach for their family vacation in good time. A few of us decided to forgo sleep for the joy of extra precious hours together! I enjoyed my devotional time outside with Kathryn immensely and later wrote about the wonderful memories we made together in my journal. There is nothing like the sweet lasting fellowship between like-minded believers in Christ, and the blessings that come from sharing and praying together!

Overall, we had a perfect visit with our dear friends the Neelys! They are such a beautiful example to us with their willingness to serve, their radiant joy, and their sincere love for Jesus Christ! We eagerly await the time when our paths will cross again…wherever, whenever, however that may be. We praise the Lord for drawing our families together in such a special and unique way…as sisters and brothers in Christ!

Photography by Hannah & Sarah Stelzl

Today my feet hit the ground running as the old saying goes! Everybody scattered to do their part as we got ready to have a couple over at 9:30 AM to begin viewing the basic seminar. These were two “new” friends. We were meeting the wife for the first time. Bethany and I headed for the bonus room with Timmy in tow to clean and iron. David put away the mini trampoline in the bonus room and then headed for his cleaning assignment in the girl’s room and the boy’s bathroom. Sarah went off to clean the girl’s bathroom. Hannah began Josiah’s phonics lesson. By 9:30 we were ready with a clean bonus room, snacks, beverages, registration form and workbooks and a comfortable atmosphere. Our new friends arrived and were ushered upstairs to see the first two sessions.

Meanwhile…the weekly cleaning and schooling continued while I put the finishing touches on my outline for this afternoon when I would be speaking to a class of girls about hospitality. I finished 2 minutes before our friends finished watching the seminar tapes and came down for lunch with us. We had a nice lunch as we got to know them better and talked about the seminar contents.

At 1:00 David’s friends were arriving for a birthday play day while Sarah and I dashed off to my speaking engagement. When we got there, things were getting started a little late, and there was some concern about finishing the class on time. There was going to be a meal, so I offered to speak while they all ate instead of eating and then speaking (since I had just eaten with our new friends I wasn’t hungry anyway!) I really enjoyed sharing with the girls about hospitality!

We returned home at about 3:00 to see the boys all playing football in the backyard. I came in and checked on the status of the home bacause you see, our dear friends the Neely’s are coming tonight to spend the next two nights with us. They are a precious family of 12 who are coming for the Charlotte NRA conference. We can’t wait to see them! I found that Hannah and Bethany had done a great job setting up the bonus room with an air mattress, a twin mattress,  several sleeping bags and pads, towels, porta crib, etc. Whew, what a relief! Soon it was time to cut the birthday cake and open presents with the boys. I had a brief visit with my dear friend Sonja while the boys ate their cake. We said goodbye to all the boys and were on to the next phase of our day.

Back in the kitchen, Sarah and I made a giant fruit salad for tomorrows breakfast for 21 Hannah and David ran to the store for more fruit (didn’t you know Hannah is driving now?  ) After the fruit salad was complete, I sat down (for the first time today?) to write this post.

So why did I plan all of this into one day? Well, it’s because I enjoy hospitality so much! Today most people think hospitality is having friends over and “hanging out.” The word hospitality actually means “stranger, hostile stranger, loving strangers.” God showed us hospitality when he died for us in our state of hostility toward Him. He wants us to follow His example. According to this root word meaning, hospitality is reaching out, meeting needs, putting others before yourself, and not only toward our closest friends, but toward hostile strangers. Did you know that hospitality is not a gift or a talent, but it is a command! If a widow has not shown hospitality she can not be considered a “widow indeed,” and is not qualified to be cared for by the church. The Proverbs 31 woman is characterized by this kind of hospitality. A man cannot qualify for the position of elder if he is not “given to hospitality.” And finally, Paul says to “the brethren” (that is ALL Believers,) be given to hospitality! To be given to something is to be characterized by it, to be known for it, to be consumed with it. There is no person excluded from this command, not men, not elderly, not children, not any believer. This is not a “female” thing. It is a believer’s duty, to be joyfully carried out so we can be examples of the love and hospitality of God toward us.

I personally love hospitality because I am an exhorter and I love to see people grow in their walk with the LORD. I also love meeting needs and just being able to host people making them comfortable and doing special things for them. Was today busy? Was today a little crazy? Was I out of my mind to do all of this in one day? Perhaps, but it has been fun and oh so gratifying knowing my efforts have made a difference in the lives of people.

I have to thank my family for the privilege of showing hospitality, because without my family members working as a team, I would be in a puddle of tears on the floor somewhere trying to get it all done. If it were not for them, I could only dream of having the kind of hospitality ministry we have. There was a time I used to cry, because Dave did not want to have people over. (I have permission to share this ) He would say, “A man’s home is his castle, and I want to enjoy mine in peace and solitude.” God transformed him, and today he is soooo hospitable. He loves it almost as much as I do. What is the key to this kind of hospitality? It all begins with our attitudes. Do we have a selfish attitude, only thinking of our personal comfort and convenience? Or do we love our neighbor and desire to impact the lives of others by serving and sacrifice? Dave did not know the satisfaction and wonderful feeling of accomplishment he was missing as he was “enjoying” his peace and solitude. As God changed his attitude, he began to see the magnitude of what he was missing out on. I am so thankful those years of selfish solitude are over, my tears are dried, and I can spend a wonderful day like today!

Today was a very busy day! Today was one of the most wonderful, gratifying, satisfying days! And it is not over. Our friends are on their way, and today will end with smiles of welcome and warm fellowship. What could be better? Thanks to Dave, Hannah, Sarah, David, Bethany, Jonathan, Josiah, and yes, even not-so-tiny-Timmy for enabling me as the lady of the house to be hospitable!

“What does our country need? Not armies standing

With sabres gleaming ready for the fight;

Not increased navies, skillful and commanding,

To bound the waters with an iron might;

Not haughty men with glutted purses trying

To purchase souls, and keep the power of place;

Not jeweled dolls with one another vying

For palms of beauty, elegance, and grace.

But we want women, strong of soul, yet lowly

With that rare meekness. Born of gentleness;

Women whose  lives are pure and clean and holy,

The women whom all little children bless;

Brave, earnest women, helpful to each other,

With finest scorn for all things low and mean;

Women who hold the names of wife and mother

Far nobler than the title of a queen.”

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Truly the role of motherhood IS a precious gift of far greater value than any other to be attained – and yet how often and easily overlooked it is to a rapidly changing society! We so desperately lack the presence of these women who are willing to lay aside all the world to grasp that which is eternal. Wealth, career, friends…all will fade away in a moment; the gentle touch of a mother, the love and care she invests in her children over a lifetime…this will never die away but will reap rewards that will last for eternity! American poet William Wallace wrote a famous poem entitled “The Hand that Rocks the Cradle is the Hand that Rules the World.” I don’t believe the majority of mothers today realize the inffluence that they have on a nation through their love and commitment, or lack of it. And many children don’t and will not ever come to understand the precious value of a Godly mother. I am both blessed, and greatly humbled, to be the daughter of a Godly mother who has chosen to look beyond human reasoning and logic. Her selflessness and giving spirit is forever a testimony of how much she loved and continues to love.

She could have had a life to herself - but she chose to accept and love each of the 14 that God brought to our family in His perfect timing. She could have lived a life of wealth and popularity with friends – but she exchanged her title of a successful busineswoman tothat of a mother. She could have spent her life traveling and adventuring with her husband – but she stayed home to raise, love, and care for her children. She could have had “it all” in life – but what is that when life is only a fleeting moment? Instead, she looked beyond the present into the future- there was so much more there to be had…the joy of eternal reward in Heaven…generations of Godly children rising up to bless her…the heritage of Godly descendants committed to following Christ unto death…

Don’t you think there ought to be more than one day to celebrate the gift of our mothers? It is a day that should motivate us to think more often about how precious and priceless they are… to rise up and bless them… to make them feel loved and cherished and understood… to put aside self and just spend time serving them!

We had the wonderful opportunity of spending this glorious day with our mother in the NC mountains! Needless to say, we have this habit of taking family daytrips to visit a favorite scenic place for photo-shooting, hiking, or adventuring around town… Mother’s day gave us the perfect chance to visit South Mountain State Park and hike up to the waterfall for the first time! <An activity mama loves to do!> The temperature was perfect (ranging from high 50s to mid 60s) for some and a bit chilly for others, but the sunshine and wind made our trip more than worthwhile We spent time sharing, picnicing, hiking, photographing, and having fun!

What would it be like to not have a mother – or even a mother who is not at all interested in understanding me, caring for me, and raising me up in a Godly way? What would mother’s day mean to me then? What would the title motherhood bring to my mind? This is something that I think Godly sons and daughters are tempted to forget far too often! <I know I do!> Some people will never know just how much they love something <or someone>, desire it, and long for it to always be present…until it is gone <or they>. I am reminded that God HAS given me a Godly, loving mother, and I need to conside her a rare and precious jewel to serve and love and bless!

“She gave the best of her life, with joy, for me;

She robbed herself with loving heart, unstintingly,

For me, with willing hands she toiled from day to day;

For me, she prayed, when headstrong youth would have its way.

Her loving arms, my cradle once, are weary now;

And time has set the seal of care upon her brow,

And though no other eyes than mine their meaning trace,

I read my histroy in the lines of her dear face.

‘Mongst gems of Him who showers gifts on shining sands,

I count her days as pears that fall from His kind hands.”

ANONYMOUS

Have you ever felt perfectly worn out…like you’ve gone waaaaay too many places in one week? well, this past week was lots of fun, but the word overwhelming is a good description to go along with “good.” Monday morning of last week, my mom and I set out for a long overdue trip to Savannah GA…just the two of us. I of course am studying to become a photographer and am throwing web-design in there too, so Savannah seemed like an appropriate place to put blooming talent to work with the camera It was great. Since I am graduating this summer, my mom also wanted to try to take some senior pictures which turned out really well! I have to admit that since my mom takes very few pictures, I was skeptical at first, but pleased and surprised when, after a few tries, she got it down and was taking pictures like the ones my fellow classmates and I have been producing lately.

While in Savannah, we enjoyed lots of homemade candy…probably not too good for our teeth as well as a carriage ride, LOTS of good exercise and walking, a lovely morning on a very cold windy beach, a night trip across the waterway to take pictures of the lights in the water, and a dolphin tour which actually ended up being a perfect waste of two hours and fifty dollars <sigh>. Oh well. On the way home, we went two hours out of our way to Charleston to go to Boone Plantation and enjoyed a yummy lunch nearby at a cafe that was run by the plantation owners. I think I shot over 1000 pictures during the three full days we were there. Wow…that is a lot of pictures!

One day after getting home, I had just downloaded all my pictures, and before being able to edit any of them, had to go to a friend’s wedding where I shot 1000 more pictures. So…all I have been doing for the past two days is editing thousands of photographs Ok…I have managed to get a little more than that in! The wedding was beautifully done, very God-honoring, and fun. I was exhausted by the end of that day, but I learned a lot about indoor photography, how to use natural lighting in a building with no windows, and how to take pictures that were appealing to a bride and groom. It was very interesting, helpful, and challenging all at once. That was also my birthday. It wasn’t the most eventful birthday I’ve had, but that evening I took a nap, we had pizza and ice cream, opened presents, and watched a movie. It was fun. Besides, now I have lots of journals, two good books to read, and five CD’s…a whole new library from every aspect!

Monday morning I nervously waited in line at the DMV to get my drivers license. After waiting two and a half years to be a fully licensed driver, I was finally here!!! I did take it in the van…with much fear and trembling. Folks who run the DMV aren’t known for their hospitality towards drivers in buses <grin>. My teacher was very nice and thanks to the prayers of my mom and my dear friend Katie, I did pass the test. The instructor was amazed and pleased and I think my head was inflated beyond it’s own good

In the last two days since then, I have driven to the Vet’s office, the grocery store, and the movie store. Sarah has gone with me most of the time and when I asked her if she was nervous, she replied, “Of course not. Should I be?” Bethany on the other hand was like “It’s SO weird driving around with you without mommy!!!” My poor siblings are going to have to get used to this. I still laugh when I drive alone. Hmmm…when does that wear off?

Although it has been a very trying week, I can see God working patience in me! It is not easy to have a million things to do and be happy about it. Currently, I am working on building several blogs for clients of my dad and so far, so good. I have been feeling a bit stressed over Algebra which I am trying to quickly finish and don’t seem to be making any progress on. Please pray that God would show himself strong and help me to be a over-comer!!! It is through him that we do all things right???!!! My advice to those of you who read this is to first of all know…I have lost my temper way too much this week…but hey, God is mercy and grace…AND truth!!! He is teaching me every day that no matter how much I have to do, he is always most important. Take time for God today, and don’t forget that without him, you will never accomplish all that you need to do!

Anyone who wants to see pictures from Savannah and the wedding are welcome to check out my Picasa albums!