The Wilkes Team

theWilkesTeam.com is about to unveil an exciting project which we hope will encourage and uplift all who partake. Be on the look out over the next day or two for the commencement of ‘Project: Remember.’ The theme verse is, “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations…Deut. 32:7a.”

Our first category in this project will be, “Inviting Your Family to a Blessed Thanksgiving Celebration.” Activities, historical facts, hardly remembered stories, poems, and more are included in this portion of our blog. May the Lord bless you as you take the time to remember!

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This week most of the family is diligently attending a Hunter’s Safety Course. Joshua, Hannah, and I are staying home this week. We have had fun coming up with exciting things to do each night. This evening we decided to make an extra special dessert. Hannah put together the list of ingredients. They are: 1 Apple, 1 Pear (including the seeds), 1 thin Carrot, a small handful of corn, Pineapple chunks, and a box full of toothpicks.

With Thanksgiving coming right around the corner, all three of us decided to create our very own ‘Turkey.’ Using delicately sliced fruits and vegetables with toothpicks, we were able to construct a scrum-dilly-licious looking turkey. We learned some fun things about the turkey:

The frontal caruncle (the large growth that appears from the base of its bill) and the waddle (the skin underneath the turkey’s throat)change colors depending on their mood. When the male turkey struts around the waddle and caruncles become a bright red. When scared, the head take on a pale blue color. When the bird is butchered the head changes to a whitish blue.

The turkey demonstrates availability by preparing itself for the needs and demands of others. Early in the fall, the male turkey spends much time eating and storing up food in its body. Later in the fall, as the hens begin to lay their eggs, the male turkey sets aside his own agenda and needs so he may assist the ones he is called to serve. It listens for a yelp or cluck and then quickly runs to help. Later, after all the eggs have been laid, the Tom can begin to take care of his own needs once again.

That’s all for now – Joshua, Hannah, and Markie signing off!

Availability: Rejecting ambitions that hinder us from being where we are needed.  

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Sunday, our family had the joy of fellowshipping with Dad’s family in St. Mary’s County, Maryland. Monday is known across America as Veterans Day. A day wherein the brave U.S. soldiers standing in harm’s way in the present and times past are remembered and honored. Retired Lt. Col Donald D Wilkes served in the U.S. army for 25+ years as a helicopter pilot. His primary vehicle was the Huey helicopter. He flew the first jet engine powered vehicle into Vietnam during the widely misunderstood Vietnam War. Narrow escapes, fearless leadership, encounters with near-death experiences, love for family and freedom, and recognition of the active hand of Providence pervade the reminiscing of Grandpa. He is a true U.S. veteran of honor, a defender of liberty, and a living patriot.

In his message Sunday morning, Dad analogized U.S. veterans, like Grandpa, with the veterans of our Lord’s army. It bears noting, that success is not usually what marks a great leader, soldier, parent, CEO, etc but rather their response to trying circumstances, failure, and tribulation. What inspires us about Grandpa is the leadership and steadfastness He exemplified amidst his darkest days in Vietnam. Christians are bound closely together through partaking in the sufferings of Christ (2 Cor. 1:5). As hard as they may be to share, the testimonies of tribulation, repentance over failure, and one’s insufficiency are the means of true Christian unity, Spiritual greatness, and life changing discipleship.
 

I close now with this excerpt from former President Reagan’s Veteran’s Day proclomation:

“We’re gathered today, just as we have gathered before, to remember those who served, those who fought, those still missing, and those who gave their last full measure of devotion for our country… One of those who fell wrote, shortly before his death, these words: ‘Take what they have left and what
they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own. And take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.’ Well, today, Veterans Day, as we do every year, we take that moment to embrace the gentle heroes of Vietnam and of all our wars. We remember those who were called upon to give all a person can give, and we remember those who were prepared to make that sacrifice if it were demanded of them in the line of duty, though it never was. Most of all, we remember the devotion and gallantry with which all of them ennobled their nation as they became champions of a noble cause… Our liberties, our values, all for which America stands is safe today because brave men and women have been ready to face the fire at freedom’s front. And we thank God for them.” —Ronald Reagan (http://Reagan2020.US/)

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Tuesday Morning, 5:00, Joshua and I jumped in the truck and drove over to Senator Cuccinelli campaign office to offer our assistance. They put us to work and how fun it was.

 Tuesday, November 6th, was an important day in Virginian History. The democratic regime and machine was putting large amounts of time and resources to outvote the conservatives. Ex-governor Mark Warner and Governor Tim Kane were leaders in this endeavor. One of their primary targets was Mr. Kenneth Cuccinelli. Cuccinelli has been an untiring, unwavering legislator. He’s been a dynamic leader in producing conservative and principled responses to many of the problems or issues the Commonwealth of Virginia is facing. He’s also been a defender of the constitution. Mr. Cuccinelli is not afraid to oppose, not afraid to attack, and not afraid to act. He’s more then just a politician, he’s a Statesman. The Washington Post described him as a “throwback” to a time when republicans truly did desire limited government. This is the type of man we, as a family, saw as essential to the good of Virginia. We saw him as a leader in values we hold extremely dear. We cast our lot and then decided to give our help.

Arriving at the campaign office Tuesday morning  Joshua and I were given the privilege of taking a sign, (4ftx8ft) with “Ken Cuccinelli for senate” printed on it, and another sign with the words, GO VOTE, and holding them at a busy intersection. This proved quite interesting, especially when interaction with drivers and passengers started. Some of these interactions became a little too exciting while others proved exhilarating. Besides just holding signs, Joshua and I put some miles on the car by way of canvassing. We targeted those who had made an incline towards Cuccinelli in the past and then reminded them that it was Election Day and they needed to vote. Near to the closing time of the polls, we were instructed to begin phone calling voters and give the same message. It’s amazing and discouraging how many individuals don’t see the importance of their voting responsibilities. Some were so nonchalant when we talked with them.

Before Joshua and I left the house Tuesday morning, Dad had reminded us of the importance of prayer and that Cuccinelli needed it even more so then physical labor. This was a good reminder. Though campaigning does help we must not put our confidence in it. It must only be in the God who holds all power. In Romans 13, Paul relates that all power comes from God and he ordains who should be in power and who should not. I found it easy to forget this when I became wrapped up in work at hand. Martin Luther once said, (paraphrase) “When I have an important and busy day I make sure I spend at least four or five hours in prayer with God first.” What a different perspective!

The next day, November 7th, we heard that Cuccinelli had won, but only by 92 votes. The democrats are still deciding as to whether they want a recount. It was barely a victory but how thankful we, as a family, were to God. Yes, we along with many other Virginians had gone canvassing, held signs, and phone called but it was God’s ordaining that made it a V-day. We are grateful for his mercy in allowing Cuccinelli another term in the senate.

This was the first campaign I’ve ever had the privilege of working in. I’m excited about doing it again. It’s paramount that we as Christians are influencing our government for good. If we don’t others will.

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