The Wilkes Team

This past week in Wisdom booklet, we were studying the  song ’Just As I Am’ written by Charlotte Eliot.

Before Charlotte became a Christain she had a bitter heart towards the Lord. One day someone came to her and asked why she was so bitter twoards the Lord. She then realized her bitter spirit and said she needed salvation. So Charlotte said I give my life to the Lord ‘Just as I Am.’ Throughout her life time she wrote 150 hymns. One of her famous hymns is ‘Just As I Am.’

Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid’st me come to Thee,
O Lamb of God, I come! I come!

5 Comments » | posted in HIS-story

“And God said, Let the earth bring forth grass, the herb yielding seed, and the fruit tree yielding fruit after his kind, whose seed is in itself, upon the earth: and it was so. Genesis 1:11″

Over the past month Daniel and I have taken 3 different classes on planning, raising, pruning, caring for, and grafting apple trees, pear trees, peach trees‚ and others. Vintage Virginia Apple Farm just south of Charlottesville, VA host these classes once a year for beginning and even experienced orchardists.

Our goal was to begin an orchard on our land in Culpeper, VA. While we still have much to learn since experience is usually the best instructor, Mr. Tom Burford and the Shelton Family did a fabulous job answering questions, offering hindsight experience, and invaluable tid bits during these apple classes. One look at their 130 acre farm was enough to inspire anyone to begin growing apple trees. They currently have over 200 different varieties. By the way, would any one like to venture a guess as to roughly how many different known varieties of apple trees there are in the world?

With the Shelton’s inspiration and some voracious apple appetites in our household, the decision was made to commence our own orchard. Our dear farmer friend, Mr. Mocarski, provided the usage of his tractor and auger for us to dig 31 holes. Over the past 10 days the whole Wilkes Team enthusiastically chipped in with digging, assembling wire fencing, and gathering mulch. An unexpected visit from our good friends, the Klawas, added all the more to the productivity.

What adventures, unexpecteds, and achievements lay ahead in our orchard? Only time will tell! But for now 25 apple trees (20 different varieties), 4 peach trees (Georgia Belle & Indian Blood Cling), and 2 pear trees (all from Vintage Virginia Apple Farm) are currently beginning life in Culpeper!

8 Comments » | posted in Farming 101