The Wilkes Team

We were once again blessed immensely by the Neely Team! God truly knows what we need and when we need it. Being with those in the body of Christ is inspiring, uplifting, edifying, and down right WONDERFUL!!

Whenever we go to the Neely home we are sure to be met by one of the most energetic, enthusiastic and joyful families in all of North Carolina.

And this time to make sure we did not miss the turn to their home, they came down to the edge of the highway and the road we were to turn on to (which is the place we usually get confused at) and waved us in! Is not that what the body of Christ suppose to do? To help one another from stumbling or missing their turn by encouraging them in the ways which we are to go??? 

Those three days went by so fast! We were sad to see the time come to an end but had a delightful time talking about the wonderful memories that were made from family soccer games, to singing and sharing testimonies around the camp fire to learning about the Neely specialty smores, which even some of the Wilkes team were daring enough to try! And then marching and singing up the highest mountain in Georgia together.

We so enjoyed joining you and the other families you fellowship with at your home on Sunday. The message that morning from Luke 14 on “What is your purpose in doing the things you do!” was powerful! I am so glad I took copious notes!

The Lord truly is at work all around the world and what a joy it is to get the privilege of seeing Him impact lives and hear testimonies of Him at work. We need this kind of encouragement, others need this kind of encouragement as well! It is so vital in our Christian walks.  May we all be encouraged to be energy givers today!

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We are so blessed to have you as a sister. God truly new what He was doing when He sent you to be apart of our family. Thank you for your godly example to us. Your love for the Lord. Your desire to be all that God would have you be as a young lady in your Fathers home is such a blessing to each one of us. It is a beautiful thing to behold and a joy to watch as you learn to become the daughter that your Daddy’s heart can safely trust in!

Never think for a moment that what you are doing is weird or wrong because it is the very thing that God has chosen you to be and do! The blessing you are to your family by investing in to them and giving your all to make them successful will not return void. As well as the skills you are learning, they will be a added blessing to your life for years to come. Because you are not doing these things for a earthly crown but for a heavenly one! 1Co 9:25

The plans God has for you are not for evil but are for GOOD to bring you to an expected end. Continue thou in the things thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them. 2Tim 3:14  Be faithful in the tasks you are called to do at this time and you will be blessed.

Hold fast to the promises of God and he will establish your heart. Psalm 10:17 says, LORD, thou hast heard the desire of the humble: thou wilt prepare their heart, thou wilt cause thine ear to hear: Make Christ the one you desire to please in all areas of your life. Allow Christ to mold and prune your heart and keep you under the shadow of His wings. Desire Him above all else!

As I look around I am saddened by the lack of understanding that young ladies seem to have in what God truly desires them to be. This world is pulling on every side to ruin the purity and love for true femininity that God has placed in every young girl’s heart.

How do we keep Christ the center of our lives? I have asked myself this question many times and have truly desired to know the key to keeping myself unspotted from the world. I have found that it truly comes down to making the decisions of who is going to be lord over my life. Is it going to be self or Christ?

It is a choice! You have to desire to do only that which your Heavenly Father would want. Mt 6:24  No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon (fleshly desires and wants). Mt 11:29 says to “Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”

You have to keep your heart stayed on the truth! Who are you in Christ? “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,” 2Tim.1:7,9

Do you truly love repentance? When your sin has been revealed do you long to deal with it and get it right?  Re 2:5  “Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent,…”  and Re 3:3 says  “Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee.” A pure heart and mind that is void of offense brings such peace! Php 4:7  And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

1Ti 4:12  Let no man despise thy youth (Sarah); but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. May this be your calling Sarah! Make Christ your highest aim!

I love you and am so grateful for the choices you are making. ~Jenny

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I enjoy being a part of a large family. When everyone works together and does their part of the work, so much can get done real quick. Everybody is able to encourage each other and the work becomes lots of fun.

One day not too long ago, we had a lot of jobs to do. One job was mowing the lawn. Kenan and Adam had enthusiasm for starting. Markie came out and he followed them around with the wheelbarrow. His job was to collect all the cut grass and take it over to our mulch pile. Soon Joshua came out and he did the weed whacking.

Inside, everyone else was busy folding laundry, fixing a broken bush trimmer, cleaning windows, and cooking. Sarah and Mommy worked hard making pita bread pizzas for everyone – yum, yum! For all the hard workers, Jennifer made a big batch of strawberry smoothies. They tasted so good and cooled us all down. I always feel good after working real hard. Thank you everyone for showing a great example of working together with diligence & cheerfulness.  

From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Ephesians 4:16

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“And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while… (Mark 6:31).”

While much driving took place the last week in May as we traversed over mountains, through valleys, across open plains, and through the hustle and bustle of metropolitan life, our family encountered a week of spiritual rest & refreshment. We were blessed to attend the Institute in Basic Life Principle’s yearly family home school conference in Nashville, TN.

The conference centered around the theme of being anointed for greater works. This complimented well the verse Dad has  been exhorting our family with, “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began (2 Timothy 1:9).

Few expected the immense blessing God had in store for each attendee. From Georgia’s Gov. Sonny Perdue to nationally acclaimed attorney Roger Magnuson, Tom Harmon, Chris Hogan, Bill Federer, and others, each one exhorted the families to, with one accord, fulfill the works they were ordained to perform before the world began.

Pages could be written in summary of the hours of life changing truths received in just 72 hours; however, all too often we find these periods of rest & rejuvenation become mountain top experiences that fade into the scenery of our lives vs. launch pads that energize us to fulfill the Great Commission.

Recognizing this tendency, Dad lead us in a special wisdom search Saturday morning following the conference. Each family member shared one truth they would walk away with to apply. Points of application included developing more enthusiasm, conquering fear with faith, investing time into prayer, and reaching the lost.

It has been humbling to see how quick we are to forget . However, as each works on and is reminded of their specific point of action, the entire family is exhorted in each of the 11 areas. As a result, this conference is fast becoming the most meaningful, inspiring, and applicable one ever for us!

“But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin (Hebrews 3:13)”

For two other exceptional reports on the conference, check out both the Staddon’s family web site and the Paine’s family web site.

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As cold waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news (and friends) from a far country (Proverbs 25:25).

Such was the case of our recent visit with the Sager Team! Since their family moved to Texas, over 3 years have elapsed between seeing them. How wonderful though it was to see the hand of God at work in their midst and to be encouraged once again that God is raising a mighty generation all across the land who will stand for Him.

There were several highlights from our time with them. Years ago when the Wilkes and Sager Teams were much fewer in number, our families drove to the beautiful White Oak Canyon trail within the Shenandoah Mountains near Graves Mountain Lodge in Syria, VA. At the head of the trail is a large rock where our families had taken a picture at over 15 years ago. Almost two times in number this time around, we all climbed to the top for a memorable photo. Recent rain storms throughout the area made the rivers absolutely beautiful as we hiked through the woods, sharing memories and making new ones!

Our time together came to an end all too fast. Games were played, hilarious memories made , inspiring Wisdom Searches had, and spirits encouraged as the Rock of our Salvation, Jesus Christ, was glorified. Thank you Sager Team for blessing our home and for being a testimony to us of Proverbs 17:22.

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.”

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