The Wilkes Team

The fourth of July, 2007, proved an exciting day for the entire Wilkes team. From beginning to end, we enjoyed it. Here now beginneth an imperfect but I hope adequate description of that memorial day.

That morning the Lord blessed us with a delightful wisdom search and breakfast (french toast). Afterwards the preparations for a picnic dinner were undertaken. All working together, with Mom as the leader, we moved with alacrity and anticipation.

Upon completion of these preparations, we headed outside for an exciting game of soccer. Energy was suspended at quick rates with the wonderful heat and humidity. Nevertheless we continued at it for around an hour, enjoying every minute.

Tired and exhausted, from the great exertions, the soccer teams dispersed and secured for themselves relaxing and, most importantly, air-conditioned quarters. This peaceful time proved enjoyable for many in reading and playing board games.

When adequately recovered from our soccer games, further preparations were performed for the evening. For you see, we had visitors to prepare for. To let you know up-front these visitors were not any ordinary people. They were accomplished, talented, and courageous individuals who had done much in their years of living. They understood what the celebrations of American independence were all about. We were eager to meet and hear from them all they knew and had done.

Around 6:30, dinner began on the patio. The visitors were not to arrive till later in the evening so we as a family enjoyed a wonderful feast of hamburgers, hotdogs, salads, and chips.

Finally the anticipated moment arrived. Our notable guests came:

Molly Pitcher

Betsy Ross

and Pastor John Peter Muhlenberg

These American heros gave amazing stories (Muhlenberg, with some slight assistance) about themselves and the roles they played during the beginnings of our country. We definitely enjoyed listening to them.

Finishing the day off we went out to the drive way and watched fireworks being shot off in different locations. The final count was somewhere around 90 fireworks.

This year’s fourth of July will definitely be remebered for many years to come by the whole Wilkes team. I hope you can now slightly picture the incredible fun we all had together as a family.

5 Comments » | posted in HIS-story

How much would you be willing to pay for advice from a wise person? Have you ever received advice that you thought was worth $100, $1,000, or how about $250,000?

Former Bethlehem Steel president Charles Schwab (1920s) once interviewed pioneer management consultant Ivy Lee. Schwab asked Lee a question, “Show me a way to get more things done with my time, and I’ll pay you anything within reason.” Lee gave an answer and Schwab left to apply it. 3 or 4 weeks later Ivy Lee received a check from Charles Schwab for $25,000 (worth $250,000 today) as payment for the advice.

The advice had transformed Schwab’s life. Now if you’re like me, curiosity is on the rise.  But lest I give you unproven advice, I will seek to apply it this week and then both reveal the results & this secret. Check back in next Wednesday for $250,000 worth of advice!

5 Comments » | posted in Tid Bits

Just recently Daddy took the boys down to our 90 acres to go camping with some other fathers and sons. This was an Alert cadet campout. God provided beautiful weather, which we had prayed for fervently. While down there, we played some exciting games, sat around the fire, sang songs, practiced shooting guns, and learned about edible plants.

The most important thing I remember was, spending time with Daddy.  I had a great time walking with him in the woods and looking at God’s creation.It was encouraging to see other fathers and sons working on projects, and cooking, and just being together. God truely blessed our time out there. It was a great memory. Thank you Daddy for making it a wonderful time.

3 Comments » | posted in Family News, Ministry Reports

I have been watching some baby sparrows these past few weeks in one of our bushes. It has been fun seeing them grow. We saw them when they were just eggs, then when they were just born, and when they were hopping out of the nest. One time I was able to get a picture with the last baby bird that was just coming out of its nest. They were so cute! 

The mommy and daddy birds were very alert to their babies. When Joshua and I were trying to take pictures, the mommy and daddy were always close by. They wanted to make sure their little ones had eveything they needed. I think one reason God created the birds was to teach us to be alert to the needs of others, like our brothers and sisters.

Alertness: Being aware of that which is taking place around me so I can have the right response to it.

7 Comments » | posted in Family News

The rain had ceased, all was calm, all was dark. The ‘night we won’t forget’ was coming to a fast end. Stars were popping out in brilliant splendor across the sky and 6 tired, but dry (simple pleasures of life) guys were wrapping themselves in sleeping bags.

Accompanied by the brightly beaming sun, a choir of hundreds of birds warmly greeted us the next morning. I was just beginning to stretch and slowly move myself off the hard ground when a new choir of voices chimed in with the song ‘Happy Birthday!’ A new year had begun! During my quiet time that morning I took a few moments to review Scripture verses the Lord has used over the years to bring encouragement and direction. What a joy it is to know His merices are new every morning. He is faithful.  

I was expecting a fulfilling day of work as we prepared for a weekend campout with the Alert Cadets of Northern Virginia. Dad delegated the different jobs out and all was coming together beautifully. Little did I know but a secret party of planners was plotting a surprise never seen before this side of Culpeper . Following lunch, Adam and I made a quick run to town and were on our way back when a sighting of a green van moving across the 90 acres was made. Proceeding on with wonder and a hint of excitement, we ascended the hill on our land only to be welcomed on the other side by a “Party Van” decorated with streamers, balloons, and a spectacular banner. Mom, Jennifer, Sarah, Hannah, and Markie totally surprised our crew. As I rumbled to a stop, 10 smiling faces greeted me with ‘Happy Birthday,’ balloons, rice crispie bars, and a memory I’ll never forget! Spiced with creativity and a big pile of joy, a special group of people sacrificed their day and turned an ordinary afternoon into an extra-ordinary production, never seen before this side of Culpeper.

3 Comments » | posted in Family News

This phrase, popularized by authors Norman L. Geisler and Thomas Howe in their book, “When Critics Ask,” echos the challenge of 1 Peter 3:15 to “be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear.” There are 2 methods of responding to critics in our world. One way is revealed in 1 Peter 3:15 and the other is by the love we have one for another (John 13:35).

Yesterday afternoon during our time of sharing and discussing the Sunday morning message, this very topic came up. We were blessed to have Mr. Mark Dematteo, a long time friend of Dads with an overwhelming zeal for the Lord, in our company. Mr. Dematteo has a boldness for sharing truth that impacts those who fellowship with him. In response to the topic of responding to critics, both Dad & Mr. Dematteo shared a convincing defense of Christianity/Creation which they have used multiple time when witnessing.

1. A Question: When you get ready to make a decision on whether something is right or wrong, what foundation or principles do you base that decision on? Possible ensuing answers have included: the law (example response: If a group of people start a civilization on a desert island and legalize murder, is that right? Why, or why not?), one’s upbringing (example resonse: Some African cultures have been raised with the teaching that cannibalism is acceptable, is it? Why or why not?), what one feels is right (example response: I don’t always feel like going to work. What if someone feels like stealing, does that make it alright?), etc, etc. Dad has found that this question a non-confrontational way to lead one to recognize their “foundation” (or lack thereof) for life.

2. Obejct Lesson: Show an arrowhead or a picture one one and begin asking: Did this arrowhead just happen? Were you there when the arrowhead was created? Do you know who made this arrowhead? So was there a creator? Mr. Dematteo has used this simple object lesson many times in defense of Creationism.

How about you? Have you discovered or learned a creative approach/question for responding when critics ask? The world cries out for those who will listen intently, respond lovingly, and offer truth sincerely. Our understanding will grow as our knowledge of Christ increases. The knowledge of the Holy One brings understanding!

4 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports