(picture is from Precept Ministries)

Where Do You Go When Life Gets Hard?

One simple verse, but it says so much.

In Acts chapter 4, Peter and John had just been arrested because they were boldly preaching about Jesus. They were questioned, threatened, and warned to stop speaking His name. What should have been a reason to become fearful only strengthened their resolve.

Then verse 23 tells us something important:

"When they were released, they went to their friends..."

After everything they had endured, they knew exactly where to go.

They went to people who shared their faith.

They went to people who would understand.

They went to people who would pray with them and encourage them.

That challenges me to ask myself a question: Where do I go when life gets hard?

When I'm discouraged, overwhelmed, or facing uncertainty, do I isolate myself? Do I try to carry every burden alone? Or do I seek out the people God has placed in my life for encouragement and support?

I've learned that some of the greatest blessings God gives us are faithful friends and family members who point us back to Him. They may not have all the answers, but they can pray with us, listen to us, and remind us that we're not walking through life's struggles alone.

There have been seasons in my life when I desperately needed that kind of support. Times when circumstances felt heavy, when decisions were difficult, or when I simply needed someone to remind me that God was still in control. Looking back, I can see how God used others to strengthen my faith when I was weary.

Peter and John didn't return to their friends to seek pity. They returned to share what God had done and to join together in prayer. The very next verses show believers lifting their voices to God with confidence and faith.

What a reminder for us today.

We weren't created to walk this journey alone. God designed us for fellowship, encouragement, and community. When challenges come—and they will—we need people around us who will help us keep our eyes on Christ instead of our circumstances.

So today, I'm thankful for the people God has placed in my life. The ones who pray, encourage, listen, and walk beside me through both the joys and the struggles.

And I'm reminded that when life gets difficult, the best place to run is not away from God's people, but toward them.

Because sometimes the strength we need comes through the very people God has placed in our path.

Got Our Jarvys Concrete Cups...

We made a special trip to Goodberrys to get our Jarvis cups, and of course, we couldn't leave without some concretes too! They were absolutely delicious and definitely worth the drive in. We picked them up after Tim finished his recovery therapy next door.

I meant to post this last week when we got them. It was the day after Jarvis scored the game-winning goal, which made it even more exciting. The timing couldn't have been much better! 🏒🍦😊

Do We Ever Truly Own Our Home?

I recently came across the statement in the picture above, and it really made me stop and think.

The more I thought about it, the more it made me reflect on our own situation.

In less than ten years, if all goes according to plan, Scot and I will have our home completely paid off. No mortgage. No monthly payment to a bank. The house that we've worked for, sacrificed for, and poured years of our lives into will finally be ours.

Or will it?

The reality is that even after the mortgage is paid, there will still be property taxes. If those taxes aren't paid, the government can place a lien on the property and, in some cases, eventually take it. That means that while the bank may no longer own a piece of our home, there will always be an ongoing cost attached to the land we live on.

Now, I understand that taxes help fund schools, roads, emergency services, and other public needs. This isn't about arguing whether those services are important. It's simply about the interesting reality that "paid off" doesn't necessarily mean "free."

For many families, paying off a home is one of life's greatest milestones. It represents years of hard work, discipline, delayed gratification, and perseverance. It's the reward at the end of decades of budgeting, making sacrifices, and choosing needs over wants.

When I think about our own journey, I realize that a house is so much more than lumber, bricks, and drywall. It's where memories are made. It's where we've celebrated birthdays, gathered around the dinner table, welcomed family and friends, and weathered life's storms together. It's where we've laughed, cried, prayed, and dreamed about the future.

Like many families, we've had seasons where money was tight and unexpected expenses seemed to come out of nowhere. There have been repairs, maintenance projects, rising costs, and all the responsibilities that come with homeownership. Yet through every season, God has faithfully provided what we needed.

That's why the thought of making that final mortgage payment is exciting. Not because it means we'll never have another expense, but because it marks the completion of a long journey. It represents years of commitment and sacrifice. It represents choosing financial responsibility when it would have been easier to spend elsewhere. It represents staying the course even when progress felt slow.

At the same time, the statement above serves as a reminder that true security isn't found in a house, a deed, a bank account, or even a paid-off mortgage. Any of those things can change in an instant.

Scripture reminds us in Psalm 127:1:

"Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain."

That verse has taken on greater meaning for me over the years. We can work hard, make plans, and strive toward financial goals—and we should—but ultimately everything we have comes from God. He is the One who provides opportunities, strength, wisdom, and blessings.

The older I get, the more I realize that ownership is often an illusion. We spend our lives accumulating things, maintaining things, and protecting things. Yet none of it truly belongs to us forever. We are simply caretakers for a season.

Our home is a blessing. The land we live on is a blessing. Every mortgage payment we've been able to make has been a blessing. Every improvement we've made and every memory we've created within these walls has been a blessing.

So while I may still find myself pondering the question of whether we ever truly "own" our homes, I know this much: I am grateful. Grateful for a roof over our heads. Grateful for God's provision. Grateful for the opportunity to work toward a goal that once seemed so far away.

Ten years from now, when we stand in our paid-off home, I hope I'll remember not just the financial accomplishment, but the journey that got us there—the lessons learned, the sacrifices made, the prayers prayed, and God's faithfulness through every season.

Because at the end of the day, everything we have is His anyway. We are simply stewards of the blessings He has entrusted to us.

And perhaps that's the most important lesson of all: our true security isn't found in what we own, but in the One who owns it all.

We are Officially Done with Homeschooling....

We are Officially Done with Homeschooling.... 

Today feels like a turning point in our home.

I officially closed our homeschool—there’s a 30-day window after graduation to wrap everything up, and today I marked that final step. It’s one of those moments that doesn’t feel loud on the outside, but inside it carries a lot of weight. One chapter really is over now.

Homeschooling has been part of our everyday rhythm, our identity, our routines, and honestly, our lives for so long that it’s hard to explain what it feels like to close that door. There’s pride in it, yes. So much pride. But there’s also this quiet mix of emotions that comes when something you’ve poured years into is complete. You don’t just “finish school”—you finish a season of life.

And now we’re stepping into something new.

Tim is moving forward in a direction that feels both exciting and deeply intentional. He’s working alongside his dad, learning, growing, and building a strong foundation through real-world experience. At the same time, he’s continuing his weightlifting training and competitions with a level of focus that’s been building for years.

There’s something powerful about watching him chase something bigger than just the next meet or the next lift. His goal is clear: to one day wear “USA” across his chest. And as a parent, you don’t always get moments like this where you can see a dream forming so clearly and so steadily in front of you.

What makes this season special isn’t just the goals—it’s the work behind them. The early mornings, the discipline, the consistency when no one is watching. Those are the things that don’t always make headlines, but they build the kind of foundation that lasts.

So while one chapter closes today, another is already unfolding.

Different pace. Different structure. Same heart behind it all—faith, hard work, and a hope that what’s being built now will carry him exactly where he’s meant to go.

We’re grateful for what’s been completed. And we’re hopeful for what’s ahead.

Mom's Recovery Update...

Mom had her follow-up appointment with her surgeon yesterday, and we received some great news. He wants her to finish out her physical therapy—which only has two weeks remaining—and he also told her she could return to work if she feels ready.

Needless to say, that made her incredibly happy.

Anyone who knows Mom knows she isn't one to sit still for very long. Being able to get back to some of her normal routines is something she's been looking forward to for quite a while.

Today marked another major milestone in her recovery journey. She packed up her things and headed back to her own house. She's driving well on her own now and has regained enough independence to return home confidently. It was a big day and one she has been working hard toward since the day of her surgery.

June 7th will mark two months since her knee replacement surgery. Looking back, it's amazing how much progress she's made in such a short amount of time. During those first few weeks, the recovery process felt long and sometimes overwhelming. Physical therapy was hard work, and there were days when progress seemed slow.

But as is often the case, healing happens one day at a time.

When you're living through recovery, it can feel like you'll never get to the finish line. Then one day you realize you're walking better, driving again, regaining your independence, and doing things you couldn't do just a few weeks earlier.

That's exactly where Mom is now.

We are incredibly proud of how hard she has worked throughout this entire process. She has approached every challenge with determination, grit, and a positive attitude. Even when therapy was difficult, she kept showing up and doing the work.

She's a trooper, that's for sure.

We're thankful for the progress she's made, grateful for everyone who has prayed for her and encouraged her along the way, and excited to see her continue getting stronger in the weeks ahead.

The recovery journey isn't quite finished yet, but she's come a long way—and we're celebrating every milestone.

Another Milestone Moment...

Another Milestone Moment...

Another milestone moment is officially in the books!

In the span of just one month, Tim has checked off several major life milestones. First, he turned 18. Then he graduated from high school. And Friday, he went from a provisional driver's license to a full Class C license.

It's amazing how quickly these moments arrive. For years, you're teaching, guiding, encouraging, and preparing your child for adulthood. Then suddenly, one milestone after another begins to stack up, and you realize they're stepping into a whole new season of life.

Watching Tim reach these accomplishments has been both exciting and bittersweet. We are incredibly proud of the young man he has become and grateful for the hard work, responsibility, and determination he has shown along the way.

A full Class C license may seem like a small thing to some, but it's another reminder that he is growing up and gaining more independence. It represents responsibility, maturity, and another step toward the future God has planned for him.

So here we are—just a couple of weeks after celebrating his 18th birthday and high school graduation, adding yet another milestone to the list.

Congratulations, Tim! We are proud of you and look forward to seeing what comes next. One chapter is closing, another is beginning, and the adventure continues.

Here's to the milestones already achieved and more still to come.

Mom is Making Great Progress...

Mom is Making Great Progress...

Mom did sled pushes and pulls yesterday at her therapy session. She has hardly any pain at all now—PT does make it a little sore. Ice has managed her pain quite well though. She’s driving some now too. She’s not doing a lot of driving yet but it shouldn’t take her long to build up to being able to do normal drives again. After her appointment with her surgeon on June 4th she's hoping to go back to her house for a couple of weeks prior to coming back to mine to watch our pets while we go with Tim to USA Weightlifting National's. There's nothing quite like sleeping in your own bed which I'm sure she has missed. 

Next stop: addressing her other knee. Once we’re back home from Nationals, we’ll evaluate our options and figure out the best plan for getting her left knee replacement done.

Mom's Recovery...

Mom's Recovery...

Mom has been doing amazing in her recovery from total knee replacement surgery. PT has been focusing heavily on strength exercises to help strengthen both her surgery knee and the supporting leg. She faithfully does every exercise they give her to do at home each and every day.

Her gait is looking better than I’ve seen it in years—as long as she doesn’t fall back into the bad habits her body naturally wants to return to she'll be golden. I love that she only uses the cane now. She’s even getting in and out of the shower on her own without needing the shower chair anymore.

The scar has healed so nicely. It took right at the two-month mark for the swelling to go down enough that her surgery knee actually looks better than her other knee—which also needs to be replaced. Her surgery knee still gets hot at times, so she continues using the ice machine for pain management.

Getting to this point hasn’t been easy, and there have definitely been some hiccups along the way, but she’s truly getting to the other side of this surgery now.

Once Scot finishes fixing her car—which has been a challenge to say the least—I’m going to take her to an empty parking lot so she can practice driving again on the new knee. It’s one of the last big steps we need to take to help her regain her independence—and it's so exciting to see this moment approaching.

Graduation Pictures with Family & Friends...

We had fun getting pictures with family and friends after the graduation ceremony.

Graduation Video...

Here's Tim's graduation video:

We Have a Graduate in Our Home...

This is the official graduation announcement of Tim from our homeschool:

Happy Graduation Day Tim!

Watching you turn 18 five days ago & graduating High School today gives us a mix of emotions—along with pride, excitement, and just a little bit of "how did we get here so fast?"

You're stepping into your independence, making your own choices, and finding your way—and that's exactly what you're supposed to do.

Just remember:

        You don't have to have it all figured out.

        You're allowed to learn as you go.

        And no matter how grown you are...

        You will always have a place to land, a voice to call, 

        & people who love you more than you know.

We are so proud of you😊.

Mixed Emotion Day...

Today is one of those days filled with both celebration and remembrance. It marks the 2nd anniversary of Popsie’s passing, while also being the day Tim graduates from high school. The emotions feel bittersweet because neither of Tim’s grandparents on his dad’s side are here physically to witness this milestone. But we hold onto the comfort that they are watching from heaven—whole, healed, and free from pain.

Today, we choose to celebrate. We don’t allow the sadness of loss to overshadow the joy of this moment because we know that’s exactly what Pop would have wanted. Family meant everything to Pop and Nan. They poured their lives into their children and grandchildren, and that same love and devotion is something Scot and I have always tried to give Tim as well.

Tim has been incredibly blessed to grow up in a family that truly loves deeply and values one another. That kind of love is rare, and there’s no price you can put on it. Even though today is a day of accomplishment and excitement for Tim, I didn’t want it to pass without honoring the amazing man Popsie was.

Pop loved his family with his whole heart. He made it a priority to create memories and spend meaningful time with the people he loved most. Whether it was family vacations, outings, holidays, or simply everyday moments together, he treasured it all. He could sit for hours telling stories about the memories they made together—laughing, reminiscing, and reliving every detail. To him, those moments were life’s greatest treasures.

Pop never took his blessings for granted. He understood the value of family, the gift of time, and the importance of making memories that would last long after he was gone. He lived fully, loved deeply, and left behind a legacy of love that continues through his children and grandchildren.

So today, we celebrate Tim and this huge milestone in his life, while also remembering Popsie with grateful hearts. What a beautiful legacy it is to have someone who loved so well that their presence is still deeply felt, even after they’re gone. ❤️

This Boy Has My Heart...

I meant to post this picture on Mother’s Day, but we had such an incredibly busy day. Then yesterday was Tim’s birthday, so I’m just now getting around to posting it.

I’m so thankful for all the years the Lord has given me as his mom—and for all the years still ahead that He has in store for Scot and I as his parents.

He’s an amazing kid—young man—and we couldn’t be more proud of who he’s become.

Happy 18th Birthday!

You’re 18 today—and somehow that feels both impossible and exactly right. It truly feels like just yesterday you were a baby in our arms, and now here you are, stepping fully into manhood.

From the very beginning, we made a choice to be intentional with you—to cherish every moment, to pour into you, to raise you with purpose. Watching you grow into the man you are today has been one of the greatest blessings of our lives. You were a gift from God, and we have never taken that for granted. Even the timing of it all—our marriage, having you—reminds us that God’s plan is always right on time.

We haven’t done everything perfectly, but one thing has never wavered for even a second: our love for you. You are, and always will be, deeply loved beyond words.

On this milestone birthday, I want you to hear this clearly—no matter where life takes you or what path you choose, you will always have us in your corner. Always. We are so incredibly proud of you—your perseverance, your resilience, your determination. It’s a joy to watch you set goals and go after them, and an even greater joy to stand beside you, cheering you on every step of the way.

Keep pushing forward. Don’t let life hold you back. Walk boldly in your purpose, stay focused on what matters, and don’t be afraid to go after everything you want out of life. Be true to who you are, and never lose sight of where you’re headed. Celebrating you is one of our greatest joys. You are an amazing young man with so much life ahead of you, and we cannot wait to see all that you will become.

You are cherished—always and forever.

We love you to the moon and beyond.

Happy 18th Birthday. May this be a day you’ll always remember—and be a reminder of just how deeply you are loved—now and always!

And even though you haven't officially graduated yet—not until Saturday—you have officially finished high school. We wanted to celebrate both milestone moments on your birthday because this is the day you are officially done with high school. 

Happy Mother's Day!

My mom had me at 17. I can’t even imagine becoming a parent that young, but that was the reality for many women then—marry, raise children, and keep a home while the men worked to provide. In so many ways, she was still a child herself, learning how to raise children.

And yet, she did the very best she could with what she had.

We never went without food. We always had clothes on our backs—even if they came from Goodwill or Kmart. She stretched every dollar, living within her means to make sure our needs were met. We didn’t have much in the way of money, but we had enough to get by, because she made sure of it.

She sacrificed more times than I can count, going without so that we wouldn’t have to. We didn’t hear “I love you” all the time, but she showed it—in her sacrifices, her consistency, and her care.

With her ongoing health issues, I’m reminded more than ever that time isn’t something we can take for granted. We don’t know how many more years we’ll have with her, and that reality makes me hold even tighter to the moments we do have.

I hope she knows how deeply she is loved and appreciated, especially on this Mother’s Day.

This sweet lady—our “Nan”—is missed more than words could ever express. This is our first Mother’s Day without her here to celebrate, and that absence is deeply felt. But we take comfort in knowing she’s exactly where she longed to be—back with Popsie in heaven.

Life threw us a curveball after Popsie passed. We never imagined our time with Nan would be so short—just a year and two months without him. It still doesn’t feel like enough.

That last year was especially hard, because we didn’t fully understand what she was going through. Nan wasn’t one to go to the doctor—she hadn’t been in decades. So when we finally learned near the end that she had lung cancer, it was devastating for all of us.

Nan was an incredible mom and grandmother. She always put her children and grandchildren before herself, cherishing every moment she had with them. The love she poured out when she was with her family spoke louder than words ever could. We knew how special she was, and we didn’t take that for granted. We made the time, we made the memories—and I’m so grateful we did. Those moments will stay with us forever.

We miss her deeply, but we also have peace in knowing she is no longer in pain—that she is whole, healed, and happy again. And that means everything.

Happy Heavenly Mother’s Day to the most amazing mom, grandmother, and mother-in-law the Neal family could have ever been blessed with.

Last but certainly not least, there’s this incredible woman—Anne. She has been like a second mom to me ever since I met her at just 8 years old.

She and her husband, John, moved from Georgia to pastor the church I was attending at the time—thanks to a sweet older neighbor who made sure we kids were there every Sunday. That year, they were leading VBS, and something in Anne’s love drew me in. She loved me in a way I had never experienced before, and I held onto that—honestly, I still do.

Anne has had an immeasurable impact on my life and my walk with Christ. Her love for the Lord radiates from every part of who she is, and it’s evident in the way she loves and pours into others.

The ways she has shaped my life are too many to count. Her influence has never left me—it’s something I carry with me every single day. I truly don’t know where I would be without her. My life would look very different if God hadn’t placed an “Anne” in it, and I’m forever grateful that He did.

God blessed me richly when He brought her into my life.

 --------------------------------------------

In my life, there have been three women who have shaped me in a motherly way and left a lasting impact on who I am today. Because of them, I have been incredibly blessed. The value of that kind of influence in a person’s life can’t really be measured—it’s beyond what words are able to fully capture.

I hope and pray that you have had mothers or mother figures like that in your own life—women who have poured into you, guided you, and left a lasting imprint on your heart. And if you haven’t, I pray that God brings someone into your life who will. Someone who will love, shape, and impact you in a way that stays with you forever, just like these women have done for me.

Happy Mother's Day!

May All  Mom's Feel Loved & Appreciated 

Today & Always!

1 Day to go...

Tomorrow will be here in the blink of an eye, and just like that, Tim will officially go from our boy to a man. Truthfully though, he’s been showing us his maturity and character long before now. The positivity and strength with which he approaches life is contagious, and he continues to amaze us more every year. He truly is an incredible young man, and we are so excited to celebrate this special moment with him.

We love everything about this kid—and honestly, we still would even if he weren’t ours. Everyone who meets him always comments on how mature he is for his age. The level of wisdom, perspective, and maturity Tim carries is something many people don’t reach until much later in life. Some of that has come through life experiences and challenges that forced him to grow up faster than most, but through it all he has handled himself with strength, grace, and determination.

Tim is such a treasure to us, and we never take that for granted. Watching him grow into someone who values life, family, faith, and purpose the way his father and I do has been one of our greatest joys. He has big goals, strong dreams, and a drive within him that we know will take him far. We truly believe he can accomplish anything he sets his mind to.

So go after it all, son. Dream big, work hard, and take life by the horns. The world is waiting for everything you have to offer, and we cannot wait to watch the amazing man you continue to become🩵.

Part of Tim's Birthday/Graduation Gift...

So we did a thing—we got Tim the AMD Radeon RX 9070 XT graphics card along with the Ryzen 7 AMD 9800X3D. To say he’s elated would be an understatement. According to him, his computer is an absolute beast now😂.

Tim is a huge gamer in the little spare time he actually has, so this was a pretty big deal for him.

The other thing he asked for was for us to swap rooms so he could have the entire upstairs to himself. And honestly, at my age, I’m more than willing to comply because stairs and getting older do not mix well😂. It’ll give him his own space, privacy, and room to spread out.

Most kids want a car for milestone moments like this, but our kid wanted his own space and computer upgrades instead. So somewhere in between Mom’s knee surgeries, we’ll be doing a full room swap. Sounds simple, right? Not even close...LOL!

We’ll have to take everything off the walls, patch all the holes, repaint, and completely empty one room before we can even start moving things around. Definitely more work than it sounds like. Plus we will be setting him up with his own small kitchenette area so that he has a small fridge/coffee maker/microwave. 

Truthfully, he already knows my car is basically his anyway since he drives it more than I do😂. So in his mind, upgrading his setup and getting his own space was a much better deal.

He’s such an amazing young man that we don’t mind doing this for him in the slightest. Of course, I’ll still be making weekly trips upstairs to make sure he keeps it clean because he already knows I don’t tolerate a dirty house😂.

That will probably be the one thing he dislikes about still living at home while doing online computer science courses and continuing to pursue his goals in Olympic weightlifting. But honestly, we’re proud of the young man he’s becoming and love being able to support his dreams however we can.

2 Days to go...

Oh my goodness😱! Oh my goodness😱! It's almost here. Just two more days & it will be time to celebrate. We are so excited to be celebrating this milestone moment as a family. 

Life is precious folks. Make the most of every moment you have with those you love. Don't take even one moment for granted. Love deeply. Laugh more than you cry. Enjoy life to the fullest. 

3 Days to go...

There’s honestly not much more we can say about this amazing kid who is about to be a kid no more. Watching him grow into the young man he is today has been one of the greatest blessings of our lives.

He knows who he is, whose he is, and the kind of man he wants to become—and that already puts him ahead of so many people his age. There’s something powerful about having direction, purpose, and a clear vision for your life. Knowing where you’re headed and what you want to accomplish gives you a foundation that keeps you grounded no matter what life throws your way.

We are so proud of the heart, strength, and maturity Tim has shown over the years. The future is bright for him, and we can’t wait to celebrate this incredible milestone and all that lies ahead🩵.