Introducing Mr. and Mrs. Rex Neely

Over the past few years, I've written quite a few blogs, which many of you have read, and therefore have been included on my journey in a round-about-way.  The last few years have been quite a process, but looking back, there was always a bigger picture. What I didn't know when I started this blog was that it was giving me a voice that turned out to be a ministry of sorts, proving that God really can use any and all things to do His work.  There have been so many tears shed by me and on behalf of me in the past, so I'm finally glad to have something happy to report!  In 2011 alone, there have been so many full circle moments and "AH-HAs" that God has used to teach me some valuable lessons...mainly that His ways are better than my ways all the time! 

The biggest light-bulb moment thus far happened on October 22nd as I stood on the white, sandy beach of Destin, Florida and said "I Do!" to the love of my life, Mr. Rex Neely.  All of my mistakes, hurts and questions of the past got answered on that day.  I knew without a shadow of a doubt that the Lord had been preparing me for that moment for quite awhile.  Our wedding was a celebration of our trust in the Lord, even in some dark times, and hanging on to His promises in the good times and the bad. During our ceremony, I had this sense of cherishing every second and not wanting to forget one thing that was said or was happening as it was all so very surreal.  I remember thinking as we got towards the end that I never wanted it to end and I wanted the minister to slow down!  I was so enjoying every moment!  We both really wanted to feel God's presence on our special day and several things happened that made us both smile and reassure us that He was most certainly smiling down upon us.

First off, the weather was absolutely perfect.  Not too cold, not too hot, not windy, not humid, not a cloud in the sky...absolutely perfect.  I had worried about that part of it, and I had to smile as I walked down the "aisle" that God had created the perfect day.  Later, my sister told me that all during the ceremony and while we were having pictures made after, there was a Monarch butterfly following me around, to the point of people beginning to notice (everyone except me!)...I like to think of it as a little guardian angel fluttering about and protecting us! Despite being on a public beach, we had picked a remote place in hopes that the wedding would not be gawking-material for every random tourist.  There were people at a distance in their beach chairs soaking up the sun but they were SILENT during the ceremony.  I could see several of them hanging on our every word!  After the minister pronounced us 'Mr. and Mrs. Neely', we turned around to the sound of our "guests" clapping, which was sweet, unexpected and made us laugh.  Later, after the cake was cut and we were relaxing before dinner, two of the beach goers came over to our table and introduced themselves.  They had been laying on the beach all day and when they saw the area being set up for the wedding earlier in the day, they decided they should pray for whoever was getting married later.  As we visited with these complete strangers, they said after hearing our vows, then knew we were Christians and they could just tell how much we loved one another, how happy we were and they knew God had asked them in advance to cover us in prayer.  What do you say to that?!  (That caused me and my sister to cry yet again!).  We never saw them again, but I will always remember their sweet words and how they allowed God to use them.  Besides those two sweet ladies, I can not tell you how many phone calls, texts, emails and Facebook messages we got from friends and family saying they were praying at 3pm for us, which was the time of the wedding.  I can tell you, however, that each of those prayers were felt.  We are so blessed to have such wonderful support!  And lastly, that night as we sat on the beach for our private "toes in the sand" dinner, God delivered the most gorgeous sunset I have ever seen in my life-to-date.  It truly was a work of art that felt like it has been hand-painted just for us.  Even though I know there isn't much perfect in this fallen, messed-up world we live in, that day felt perfect.  It was all we hoped for, looked forward to and so much more!  I know that did not happen by accident...it was because God was there in some mighty ways making sure of it.

For all of you who have prayed for me over the years, thank you from the bottom of my heart.  God answered so many prayers and redeemed the pain of the past on October 22nd for both Rex and I...and He's not done yet!  This truly marks a beginning for the two of us, not just as husband and wife, but in how the Lord is going to use us to do His work in the future.   Exciting times for the Neely Family!

 Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

JOY

Rex & Joy Neely