The Wilkes Team

With Matthew’s approaching wedding to his dear Amanda Neely, we wanted to take Matthew away for the day and spend some special Wilkes Team time with him.

A favorite place that we all have loved to go ever since we were little is ‘White Oak Canyon’ in the Shenandoah Mountains.

It truly was a blessed and God ordained time. We are so excited for Matthew and Amanda! God truly makes all things beautiful in His time!

We love you, Matthew!

Our dear brother!

He finally fell asleep…..

Family picture on the rock! Mom and Dad came here 28 years ago and started a tradition of taking a picture on the rock. We have come back and had a family picture on it every time God has blessed us with another Wilkes Team member.

This rock sits in the middle of a stream bed.  As the years have gone by it has become a reminder to us of our spiritual rock: Jesus Christ. For at least the past 28 years this rock has been in the same place. No matter how bad the storms have been, it has remained steadfast.

Lu 6:48  He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock

As we build our lives on the rock, which is Jesus Christ, we too will not be shaken no matter what comes our way.

1Co 10:4  And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.

We are grateful to the Lord that He has given us our brother Matthew. We are also grateful that Matthew has built his life on the Rock. We are confident that Christ in him will continue to guide and direct him. 

Dinner at the Lodge!

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Psalm 127:3 

“Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.”

Proverbs 17:6 

“Children’s children are the crown of old men; and the glory of children are their fathers.”

Isaiah 54:13 

“And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children.”

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The farm has been bustling with activity!

One of the greatest joys of living on land, living in a large family, and learning how to farm is that you get to work together!

Team work is the name of the game! Diligence, creativity, joy, and enthusiasm are a must for success.

With the onset of spring, our farm has come alive. Here is a little glimpse of what we have been up to!

Farmers Markets!

We are now at three different Markets – Haymarket, Ashburn, and South Riding.

Honey Brook Farms Chicken and eggs! This chicken is the BEST and we have never tasted more delicious eggs. 

It truly is a joy to provide such wholesome and healthy meat and eggs.

4 Comments » | posted in Family News, Farming 101

Can’t make it to the wedding? Lord willing, Matthew and Amanda’s wedding ceremony will be broadcasted live!

To view, tune into the Neely Team blog on Saturday, May 18th, 2013 at 12:30pm.

“Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” Psalm 31:19

1 Comment » | posted in Family News, Matthew and Amanda

This truly is a very exciting time for us! Watching God draw Matthew and Amanda to each other has been a joy to behold.

God truly does all things well! He makes all things beautiful in His perfect time. (Ecc. 3:11)

In honor of Amanda and Matthew, we hosted a special day at our home where people gathered from far and near. Together we rejoiced and encouraged this dear couple as they approach the wedding alter next month.

While the ladies were having tea and enjoying each other’s company. The men were enjoying some manly activities out back.

Ladies Tea

The guys time:

A couple days later Matthew drove Amanda and her dear mother back home. What a blessed visit we had!

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The working out of Christ’s ‘life changing power’ in our lives comes through the daily, moment by moment times given to prayer, reading of His word, fasting, and obeying His still small voice.

Matthew 5:16 says, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”

Our whole reason for living on this earth is to glorify Christ till that glorious day when we shall honor him face to face!

What a day that will be when my Jesus I shall see,
And I look upon His face the One who saved me by His grace;
When He takes me by the hand and leads me thro’ the promised Land,
What a day, glorious day that will be!

Setting up for the conference:

Philippians 3:13-14

Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

2Th 3:13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

The conference in action!

1Peter 3:8-9 says,

“Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:

Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world.”

Press on fellow Christians!

We are looking forward to the Virginia FEW!

Dates: August 16-17, 2013

1 Comment » | posted in Family News