The Wilkes Team

Over the years, Mommy has been teaching us girls how to sew. Proverbs 31:13 says, “She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.” We all enjoy sewing with our hands and are grateful for Mommy’s encouragement.

A couple months ago we found out about a craft fair that was being put on in our neighborhood. Jennifer and Sarah have been diligently making many different items out of fabric. They decided to try selling items that they were making. They made winter hats, fleece blankets, casserole carriers, oven mitts, wash cloths, and more.

We had a lot of fun. I enjoyed watching all the people come by. The Lord answered our prayer and gave us a very good place for our table. We met several very sweet ladies who were also selling things. The whole afternoon was a big blessing to us. We learned a lot and look forward to maybe going to another craft fair.

Afterwards, Joshua, Sarah, Adam, and Markie helped clean up the clubhouse. It was neat having everyone work together as a team. It is a joy to serve others.

This is one web site Jennifer is using to look for local craft fairs: www.craftlister.com .

5 Comments » | posted in Family News

The 2008 Presidential election is shaping up to be one of America’s most significant. Worldviews are clashing all across the nation as Christians debate who they should nominate. With Dr. James Dobson expressing concern over Fred Thompson of the Church of Christ, Bob Jones III endorsing Mitt Romney (a mormon), Rudy Giuliani attempting to woo Christians with acknowledgements of prior error and a hope for a better future, and many other similar broadcasts, who’s a Christian to vote for in 2008? 

One thing I’ve been thinking much about is whether one should vote for a president that supports all the right values (pro-life, pro-marriage, freedom of religion) apart from a foundation in the Word of God? The question must be raised, at what point would this man’s position change? If his basis for these moral principles is not in God’s Word, will he stand the test of political pressure. Though I respect him & did vote for him, I have major concerns with our current president who, though he appears to walk Godly has clearly waffled, especially recently. Would a non-Christian president with high morals begin promoting abortion or homosexuality if the majority of Republicans suddenly supported it? Apart from what they claim their values are, I wonder where the foundation of the top Republican presidential nominees lies.

Some state that a vote for a candidate who “doesn’t stand a chance” is a vote for the liberals. Individually though, we are responsible for the politicians we elect to office. Over the years, many Christians have chosen ‘middle of the road’ candidates who had a chance and could talk the talk. Former Supreme Court Chief Justice John Jay did not mince words when he said, “Providence has given to our people the choice of their rulers, and it is the duty, as well as the privilege and interest of our Christian nation to select and prefer Christians for their rulers.”

“I have been alternately called an aristocrat and a democrat. I am now neither. I am a Christocrat.” Benjamin Rush
May we follow the leading of the Lord and not compromise, remembering that, ‘Promotion cometh neither from the east or the west, but God is the judge, He putteth down one and setteth up another (Psalms).’

8 Comments » | posted in HIS-story, On the Issues

Yesterday, we were able to visit a Colonial Park in Mclean, VA. Our good friends, the Sutphins, graciously invited us to go with them. The park took you back to the late 1700’s when there was alot of work that needed to be done by hand. We toured a house with two ladies inside who told us how they were living. I enjoyed watching how they lived during that time and seeing how they made things.

When we went to the market, Hannah and I were taught how to make yarn out of sheep’s wool.  They showed us how to card the wool, roll it up, and then turn it into yarn with a spinning wheel. The patience of the colonial women as they instructed us inspired me to be more patient as I teach my own siblings at home.

Colonial women back in the 1700s had the desire to learn practical skills which would enable them to be keepers at home. There are many activities that take away the precious time God has given us to prepare for the future. May the Lord direct us to wisely use our time now so we will be ready for His plan.

A resource that I have been encouraged by recently is, ‘Home is Where the Heart Is‘ by the Bradrick ladies.

6 Comments » | posted in Family News, HIS-story

Time was ticking quickly by. K&M Rentals would be arriving sometime soon. Round and round I went on the Kubota tractor with the bush hog trailing immediately behind. Every newly toppled stand of thorns or weeds rendered the passing on of seeds impossible for the invasive plants. What a thrill to see the surrounding area take on a clean, clear look. Whoa! Watch out for that stump! Look out for that large stick! Not everything could pass under the tractor and bushhog. The tractor and I were clipping right along. Thankfully the turning radius allowed me to miss undesirable obstacles. All was going well….

One morning on our recent trip to Culpeper, I took an early hike around the property. Amidst breathing in the fresh cool country air, I was prompted to ask the Lord to teach me the lessons now that I will need for life. I simply desired what each of us, as Christians, seek after: spiritual maturity. Little did I know the blessed, but trying lessons God had in the works for me that very weekend.

Back to the story:

The tractor continued zipping through the dense brush. My faithful ground’s crew hustled around pulling out large sticks that could potentially damage the tractor. At one point a thought, more like a caution, wiggled its way into my head. “Perhaps I should avoid this thick area up ahead. There may be some obstacles that could damage the tractor.” The warning sticker on the tractor read that the customer was responsible for all tire damage.

Have you ever received one of those promptings and then ignored and viewed it as an inopportune distraction? I really believe it is the Lord who sends those. He desires to see us be so in tuned with Him that He can direct every little step of our way from what type of tooth paste to buy to where to drive a tractor to how to make an important financial or ministry decision. No situation is too small or large for the Lord to work through. Of course we know that, but how often to we exemplify it?

I overlooked the prompting and for some time had great success as more and more land was cleared. With only about 15 minutes left I made what became my final pass and suddenly noticed a spray of fluid emitting from under the tractor. Someone yelled out, Joshua the tractor is cleaning itself. I wish that was the case. I hurried to a stop and with an uncertainty of the fluid that had begun to spray me, jumped off. A closer evaluation revealed that I had popped off the inner tube air valve on the large back left tire. The liquid was some sort of calcium mixture which aided in keeping the tractor balanced. I had damaged the tractor! How I groaned within as I slowly walked to the campsite to tell everyone what had happened.

This self-inflicted trial of my faith was not what I wanted. I was grieved over my lack of sensitivity. However, amidst the aweful situation, what did excite me was the recognition that this was a lesson sent straight from the Heavenly Father. How many times have I overlooked His hand at work in my life? God is constantly working on the behalf of those who seek Him, even in our physical day to day life. When we acknowledge the Lord, He directs our steps (Prov. 3:5-6). Furthermore, His mercy and love include correction. Let us not despise His chastenings, for whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth (Heb. 12). May we be alert to God’s classrooms.

Self-control: Instant obedience to the initial promptings of God’s Spirit.

5 Comments » | posted in Farming 101, Outdoor Adventures

 Our Good News Club has begun!! What a joy it is to serve the Lord in such a wonderful and God honoring way! Going and sharing the good news of our Lord and Savior in the public schools has been such a blessing.

As we were driving home from the CEF kick off meeting at the beginning of the school year, Josh, Matthew,and I began to share what the Lord was leading each one of us to do individually for the club. It was very encouraging to see that the Lord had answered our prayer to mightily bless our day. For lo and behold, after walking away from that meeting, the Lord had given us the same vision and focus for the year!

Since we are all one with Christ, it should not be too surprising that Christ should give us all a spirit of one accord in this area of service. Praise His name! We would be very grateful for your prayers especially in the following areas. Christ is mightily at work in this school yet Satan’s darts are being hurled.

We need prayer that:

1.  Christ would be made known in this school through the way we interact with each individual. From the teachers, and janitors to the children.
2.  That we would be very careful to study to show ourselves approved. That we would be open to the Lord’s direction in what to share and how to share.
3.   May the Lord give us eyes to see Him at work so we may testify of His goodness!
4.   Wisdom in presenting the gospel. This message is way to often watered down and made insignificant. Receiving Christ is a continual life changing experience! May Christ reveal this to these children. It is not a one time occurence.

God has some exciting things in store for us this year. Let Christ’s name be lifted high! May His truths shine forth and leave us in utter amazement of His goodness toward us.

What a joy to serve a God who has a direct purpose for each one of us. May we heed His still small voice!

6 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports