This morning as part of my day as a substitute, I was privileged to hear comments from students about the importance of finding your passion and hoping that one day that passion can turn into your job or at least offer you joy in your life. It was a great reminder whether you were a …
As I sat watching the girls play in the Chick-fil-A play center searching desperately in my purse for my headphones amidst the discarded princess crown that “just wasn’t staying on” at Boo at the Zoo and empty candy wrappers, I realized that when my husband and I celebrated our 1 year anniversary last weekend it …
It’s Saturday at 5:00 p.m. I politely explain that I have to be getting home after a fun birthday celebration. Oh you don’t have to go yet, do you? Well, there’s still a sermon to prepare, and I have a bit of a drive. *Silence* Oh that’s right tomorrow’s Sunday. I mean how do you …
One of the legends in the Neely household growing up about me is that I was always complaining to my parents that I wanted to live in a neighborhood. One of the main reasons I wanted to live in a neighborhood in high school was because my friends did, but also because during the summer, …
I’ve experienced this first hand: In the face of this reality, a new opportunity is emerging. In fact, there’s growing evidence this new generation will bring the greatest opportunity for small church ministry in 2,000 years. Why? Because, as the first generation with a majority born and raised outside traditional marriage, genuine relationships and intimate …
Today, I went running for the first time in a really long time without the pups. After Tuesday’s 3 mile run and a dog yappy hour, Waylon has been limping a little bit. I’ve realized as much as I have been sitting over the past three years each week in class and commuting, I just …
There was a point in my journey as Mama 2 that I always felt 5 years behind because I didn’t join our girls’ lives until our oldest was 5. It seemed I always scheduled meals out or meet ups with grandparents during nap time, and I never had the needed stuff in my mom bag …
Over the last two drives home from seminary, I’ve found myself neglecting my usual radio or podcast distractions. Instead, I’ve found myself thinking about the last three years in numbers (something that doesn’t happen often for me). Here’s what I’ve put together for my seminary journey in numbers: I’ve lived in 3 different cities. I’ve …
The night brought more ice and refrozen ice and power outages. Our power was fine, but when my phone dinged with the Civil Emergency Notice, I knew it was time to start checking on my congregants. Already one missed call as I fixed my first cup of coffee. Yup, one person without power. Thinking …
Of course the ice storm happened on a Wednesday, again. I looked outside and it was clear that this one was worse than the last one. There was no way I was getting my car out and our road had not been scraped. I was stuck. So, Wednesday morning started with being sure that the …
