The Wilkes Team

Creativity is the name of the game when you live in a big family! Money can only go so far. But when you use a little creativity and resourcefulness, it is AMAZING what you can come up with.
We were in need of updating our family picture and individual shots. Going to the local photo studio was an option but they can be kind of expensive when it comes to doing eleven people!

So we decided to take on the building of our own studio! Dad had some great books on lighting which came in handy. The boys had the perfect construction lights to give the right lighting effect. And Daniel, Adam and Kenan were my right and left hands in setting up the back drops and changing the scenes.
We had a blast! The living room was transformed into a stunning set up for picture taking. Pictures were removed from the wall, and furniture relocated. Sheets were ironed and taped in place for the perfect backdrop. Folding tables were brought in and covered with coordinating sheets to make a stage for the younger ones to sit on. Props from blankets, child size rocking chairs, flowers from the back yard, to flags were found to add the final touch to the scenes! We now were ready to begin shooting!

Creativity is approaching a need or a task from a new perspective. That means there are many things that we can do that will cut the cost of living expenses if we would only take the time. We were greatly encouraged after this experience to look out for more opportunities and situations in which we could view from a new perspective.

May you be encouraged also to take the time and think outside of the box. Be creative! And may the Lord bless us with His wisdom in using the resources that He has given us to bless our families, those He has placed in our lives, and to further His Kingdom!

9 Comments » | posted in Family News, Photography

Late Friday evening, our van rumbled to a stop in our driveway after being absent for almost 8 days in New England’s fine countryside. Traveling for an extended period of time can be either a joyous occasion or trying experience. What makes your trips memorable? We would love to hear your ideas. Here are a few things we have done that make these times together extra special.

As far as logistics are concerned, each person takes responsibility for having a small bag/container for small items that will be used during the trip. This keeps unpacking of the trunk to a minimum and reduces clutter. On this last trip, Kenan printed out a fill in the blank meal schedule. This greatly aided planning what food to bring. Large plastic containers have become a necessity on every trip due to their stack ability and high capacity.

Dad has always made the trips extra profitable by bringing along quality cds/tapes. We would recommend the following: The Pilgrim’s Progress from Vision Forum Ministries, The Best of the 2006 Entrepreneurial Bootcamp, Your Story Hour (while we haven’t heard them all, almost every story has been God honoring with an excellent lesson), the History of the World by Vision Forum and more!

In between naps, giggles, cds, sights and more, there is always room for a good game or two. Some great family games for in the car include: Mindtrap, Taboo, Bible Baseball (we have a wonderful list of questions that we could send your way), Dad created scavenger hunts, I Spy, the car alphabet game (a race to see who can find all the letters of the alphabet in order using signs, license plates, and more outside the car), license plate game, and some downloadable activities.

When we take periodic rest stops, different ones are assigned specific tasks ranging from checking the air pressure to inspecting the oil level to cleaning windows and filling the car with gas. And of course, there is generally a minute or two for tossing a football or looking at postcards.

These simple activities have helped make family vacations memorable, exciting, and an event we look forward to!

4 Comments » | posted in Family News, Tid Bits

Printing, labeling, filling, sealing, and stamping! For many hours spanning several days, these were the primary activities of the Wilkes Team as each one rapidly performed their part in the preparation of several hundred mailings. Towards the end of December and on into the New Year, Dad sends out calendars to friends and clients throughout the United States. The calendars provide contact information on the real estate services offered by both Dad and Grandpa. It is a joy to be able to contibute to the success of their business. An added bonus this year was the opportunity to also prepare Grandpa’s calendars. Each participant was assigned a specific task including applying address labels, stamping the bulk mail stamp on each envelope, sticking on return labels, inserting Dad’s yearly letter, and sorting the envelopes according to zip codes.

Two things stand out from this family project. Each participant exhibited cheerful, teachable attitudes and allowed much to be accomplished in a little bit of time. The other is Dad’s boldness in proclaiming Christ. In his business letter sent to clients of all walks of life, he followed the principle of Proverbs 25:25 (As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.) and shared the “Good News” of Jesus Christ. The tendency would be to avoid using ‘Jesus Christ’ in the letter so as not to offend others and possibly hinder business. Dad’s trust in the Lord vs. man’s approval is a testimony of Matthew 6:33, “But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.”

3 Comments » | posted in Family News

Change, change, change! Both Barak Obama and Mike Huckabee spoke of change. They said the Americans made their decision, they want change. If this is so, how will the change look? I remember hearing Mayor Rudy Giulliani say in his address to the value voters of Florida, that his foundation for right and wrong is what feels right. Rep. Ron Paul uses the law: our constitution. With the way Gov. Mitt Romney has flip flopped over the years on homosexuality and abortion, he appears to use the will of the people to influence political decisions. Are these worthy foundations for deciding change upon?

I recently read the accounts of two other prominent men who spoke of making change. What was their message? Repent for the kingdom of God is at hand. The foundation of both John the Baptist and Christ’s message of change lay in turning to the Lord. Their basis was the Principles of God’s Word.

Unless the change these presidential candidates are speaking of stems from the moral principles found in God’s Word, America will not move forward. America may improve economically, defensively, and diplomatically with the ideas expressed by different candidates, but these will not be long lasting without a surefooted foundation. The shifting sands of culture and public opinion will unsettle any attempt for prolonged stability.

Even as Christians with the solid rock of Christ at our core, we must take heed that we do not allow the world to influence us. Just recently, we watched a portion of Vision Forum’s excellent DVD series entitled, ‘Christianity, Law, and Culture.’ Doug Phillips laid out the essential foundation for change in what he portrayed as the ‘Desert Island Challenge.’ Imagine for a minute, that you live on a distant desert island completely seperated from culture, books, people, and ideas. Your only resource for basing decisions upon is the Bible – how would your life look?

4 Comments » | posted in On the Issues

Yesterday marked the first of 50 presidential nominations for the 2008 presidential election. The polls have kept all candidates with little margin. Last night, the poll results for the Iowa Caucus came in with a 34% win for Mike Huckabee of Arkansas. Mitt Romney came in second with 25%, and third place is too close to call with a seeming tie between John McCaine and Fred Thompson.

On the Democrat side, Barack Obama pulled out ahead with a 36% win. John Edwards took second place with 30% and Hillary Clinton came in 3rd with 29%.

For a transcript of Mike Huckabee’s victory speech, click here. Though many have accused him including the Judicial Watch (article one & two)of having some problems with his record and being weak on public policies including taxes & public policy, he continues to stand strong for life and marriage. The voters of Iowa appear to appreciate his message of change. We look forward to continuing to watch how he will respond to success. Thompson will need to pull ahead and with 3rd place to have any hope of continuing. While this race was significant for the seeming underdogs (Huckabee and Obama), it still remains to be seen who will be the final victor for 2008.

For links to campaign speeches and recent media ads, visit C-span’s Campaign Network.

3 Comments » | posted in On the Issues

The Washington family’s historic British Coat of Arms reads, “Exitus Acta Probat”. This, in English means “the end proves the deed.” George Washington truly understood this concept; a motto for his life was “Deeds not Words”.

In a letter to an acquaintance, Washington wrote:

“A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man, that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of his friends, and that the most liberal professions of good will are very far from being the surest marks of it.”

At another time, he wrote:

“If a person only sees, or directs from day to day what is to be done, business can never go on methodically or well, for in case of sickness, or the absence of the Director, delays must follow. System to all things is the soul of business. To deliberate maturely, and execute promptly is the way to conduct it to advantage. With me, it has always been a maxim, rather to let my designs appear from my works than by my expressions.”

He learned a lesson the hard way, with word communication, during the French and Indian war. It began, when he sent a letter to his brother and wrote: “I heard bullets whistle and believe me there was something charming in the sound”. Unfortunately, instead of his brother receiving it the French intercepted then published the letter throughout the Western World. Eventually the English King, George the II, heard of it, and commented: “He (Washington) would not say so, if he had been used to hear many.” Many years later, Washington was asked if he had said the above words. He solemnly replied with, “If I said so, it was when I was young.” This lesson with others constructed in Washington an attitude of “less said the better”. Instead of defending and explaining himself in a torrent of words he decided to faithfully perform his duty and let his actions be the presentation of who he truly was. When words were necessary, he would back them up with action. During the Revolutionary War, he would give his men a command and then he would jump right down with them, whether it was digging trenches or moving cannons.

There’s the old saying: “Actions speak louder than words”. Washington is definite proof of this maxim. He stayed true to his motto—Deeds not Words.

3 Comments » | posted in HIS-story