The Wilkes Team

Meaningful presents can come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. I remember recently hearing family radio describe what they thought a meaningful present was: time. I’ve also heard it said that love is spelled, “T-I-M-E.”

Matthew, Daniel, and I would definitely agree that the gift of time is meaningful and memorable, especially when spent with those you appreciate the most. Dad surprised the 3 of us with an early Christmas gift: the opportunity to take a woodworking class. The class, “Fundamentals of Woodworking,” hosted by Woodcraft in Springfield consisted of 4 full evenings of both lecture and hand’s-on work.

The instructor of the class, Mr. Rance Rupp, is a skilled woodworker with a wonderful sense of humor and a love for the Lord. He was very methodical, strongly emphasized the need for safety, and helped each student (5 of us in all) build on our current skill level. Most importantly, he helped to instill a joy for woodworking and a new way of looking at lumber. It’s amazing how one person’s scrap wood can easily be turned into an expensive pen, a small box, etc with a little creativity.

• Some ‘Did You Knows’ we learned:
   Wood glue, when properly applied between two surfaces of wood, will not give way to pressure. Should a crack in your wood craft take place, it will not be at the glue joint.
•  Wood dries at the approximate rate of 1 inch per year. However, if placed in a kiln a 150 degrees, the wood will completely dry in just 6 weeks (imagine how much energy or fuel this would require!).
• Never leave a rag that is wet with linseed oil in a small, non-ventilated room. It is highly combustible. A fellow student in the class had a shed blow up this past summer after leaving 2 linseed oil soaked rags inside.
• Wood that is completely immersed in water and has no contact with oxygen can be preserved for decades (we saw and touched a piece of wood that had been immersed underwater for over 150 years).

2 Comments » | posted in Family News

Adam’s long awaited day began at 5am when he and Dad gathered their hunting gear and made a trip out to Culpeper for a morning hunt. While sitting in the stand with rapt attention, a gentle snow began to fall thus adding to the ambiance of this beautiful morning, but also the cold.  However, one thing we appreciate about Adam is the endurance he continually exhibits. Though the task may be difficult, Adam will persevere unto completion. In our house we call that bull dog tenacity! Though nothing was harvested, memories were made and excitement continued to build. Later that morning, the truck rounded the bend into our court where a big banner, a chorus of voices, and birthday balloons awaited.

Then, the day went on like normal……for Adam. However, unbeknowns to him, a surprise party was being prepared for that very night. Jennifer, Kenan, Markie, and several others diligently labored on a remarkable birthday cake while Adam was out. Presents were wrapped, phone calls made, and the secret was kept.

Good friends of ours were coming over that very evening for a time of fellowship and Bible study. The surprise party was to follow. Grandpa and Grandma called when they were about 10 minutes away. At this point, Dad asked Daniel and Adam to take Princess on a walk. In the mean time, we changed gears and switched from the Bible Study to hurriedly bringing out decorations. Grandpa and Grandma quietly entered the house. Kenan called Daniel & Adam in while we silently waited in the kitchen. Daniel had come up with some very creative ways to make the longer than usual dog walk seem like normal . Then, the garage door opened…….lights dimmed….cameras were focused…….Adam entered……and, SURPRISE! We sure appreciate the efforts of Grandpa, Grandma, and the Hynes in making Adam’s birthday a memorable one.

We appreciate you Adam. The Lord has His hand upon your life. We look forward to seeing how God will have you stand in the gap one day!

3 Comments » | posted in Family News

This is the title to a book written by Arkansas ex-governor Mike Huckabee, now running for the Republican presidential nomination. I think it’s awesome when a possible president has written a book. It’s a way to get behind his polished speeches and TV ads to learn more of the true person. It possibly will help to better understand what he thinks is important, and what guides his life. After reading ‘Character is the issue,’ I have to say I was deeply encouraged. Huckabee seems to present himself honestly and truthfully. His conclusions are not vague, soft, or wishy-washy. But, on the contrary, he clearly manifest where he’s coming from; that there are principles which guide his life, that there is a God in heaven who controls the universe, and that men and women need to have Character and integrity united with true love to their neighbor. He doesn’t water down his message but instead presents it in a clear and compelling way.

The subtitle to this book is, “How people with integrity can revolutionize America.” Huckabee confidently believes that this is possible. At the conclusion of his book he writes these words, “Billy Graham’s message was, “you can touch the world. One person can make a difference. At the end of his message, the stadium lights went out. I was sitting at the other end of the stadium from Rev. Graham. Even at such a distance with that vast darkness all around, I could see when he lit his candle. One tiny match brought the whole stadium from darkness in to light. Everyone in the stadium had been given a candle. As the people up front lit the candles of eight people in the audience, the light spread exponentially. And I realized, more than anything, that the darker things are, the more difference even tiniest light will make. The darkness, no matter how great can never swallow even the smallest light. Your spiritual light, your light of integrity, character, and a God-centered worldview is just as invincible. We live in a dark spiritual age. All the more reason for you to hold your candle high and hold it out to others! The darker the world gets, the brighter your light will shine.”

Besides Character is the issue, Huckabee has also written:

Quite Digging Your Grave with a Knife and Fork

Living Beyond Your Life Time

From Hope to Higher Ground

Character Makes a Difference

Kids Who Kill: Confronting Our Culture…
It’s important we understand our presidential candidates; our vote should be cast wisely not flippantly. I think, in addition to listening to speeches, debates, and watching polls we must read what these men have written in their past. This will then help us better know where they stand today.

6 Comments » | posted in On the Issues

Lately, I have been trying out different recipes for ice cream. Here is one that I’d like to share with you. What is nice about this recipie is you do not need an ice cream maker.

Ingredients:

1. 1 cup of milk (any type of milk should be fine)

2. 2 tablespoons of sugar

3. 1 teaspoon of vanilla

4. 3 cups of ice cube

5. 1/4 cup of salt (any type of will work)

6. Add any extra flavors at this time. We like to add either strawberries or crumbled oreos.

In a quart size ziploc bag, mix together the milk, sugar and vanilla. Seal the bag tightly, without leaving lots of air inside (If you are a little concerned about it leaking out, feel free to tape it up!). In a gallon-sized ziploc bag, mix the ice and salt. Place the sealed quart-bag inside the gallon-sized one.

Now comes the teamwork part. For the next 10-15 minutes thoroughly shake the bags (the more the better). Continue until you have a milk-shake consistency. I have been blessed to have many helpers every time I make the ice cream. Everyone works hard for the tasty treat at the end. Usually, the end result is more like a milk-shake but still extra tasty!

4 Comments » | posted in Recipes

Sometimes it is fun to make meals extra special by adding a little creativity. Just recently Jennifer and Daniel made ordinary food extraordinary.

One night, we made pancakes. They were looking really good. Then Jennifer had an idea. She pulled out a couple small bottles of food coloring, and began dripping little drops of the coloring on the pancakes. She made a lady bug pancake , a smiley face pancake, a swirl pancake, and a heart pancake. They looked so neat.

A couple days later, Daniel surprised us with extraordinary eggs. He took metal cookie cutters, put them in the pan, and cracked the egg inside the cutter. They turned out really well. He made Christmas Trees, Angels, Camels, and Gingerbread eggs.

Using ordinary things for extraordinary purposes reminds me that God can use an ordinary person like me to do extraordinary things with Him.

4 Comments » | posted in Family News

Two recent encounters remind me of the importance for being vigilant. One involved an encounter with creation and the other with a clever marketing scheme.

Daniel and Sarah had been cleaning up one of the gardens in our yard. A small rock wall surrounding the garden was in need of weed and debris removal. As Sarah moved along, a black spider darted out from within the crevice of the rocks. Closer observation revealed a small red X under the spider’s body. Daniel identified it as the notorious Black Widow spider. After taking a few pictures, we quickly did away with the dangerous insect.

Around the same time, I was informed that a package had been mailed to me. Whoopee – mail for me – what an uncommon occurrence! According to the letter within, I had been “chosen from thousands of handy people to become an official product tester and Member of the Handyman Club of America.” What an ego booster! Not only was I “uniquely chosen,” but they also said I was a handy person . My job would be to give a professional opinion on various tools. They would compensate me for my time with the possession of all tested tools. These could vary from battery operated drills to electric saws, and more. With limited resources and a desire for diverse tools, such a prospect was appealing. On top of all this, the free handyman notepad, handyman drill bit guide, panel box labels, and more, I would receive a quarterly handyman’s magazine and a unique multi-tool. Besides the urgency of having to respond within 10 days, they asked for a nominal fee of $10. Before jumping aboard, a thought crossed my mind that it may be good to read a review or two on the “Handyman Club of America.” Within 10-15 minutes of internet research, I was stunned by the numerous ill reviews. The tools were cheap, the magazine worthless, and cancellation of any subscription could only be done with great difficulty. However, through appealing to man’s pride and his lust for riches and possessions, many have been lead into this and similar schemes. Whew – what a mess had been adverted! In the multitude of counselors there is much safety.

Recollecting on these two encounters, I am reminded of Peter’s timely reminder to, “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour.” How will we know to recognize the evil of our day? It is not through familiarity with evil but rather a concentrated diet of truth – God’s Word. And remember, all may look fine but that hidden check in your spirit should be all that is necessary for direction. “Others may, I cannot” must be our motto.

Alertness: Being aware of what is taking place around me, so I can have the right responses.

3 Comments » | posted in Tid Bits