The Wilkes Team

As the leaves were falling this autumn, some of the Wilkes Team put their minds together and came up with a creative idea. Our yard was covered with an abundance of leaves. We decided to make use of this wonderful resource.

Using rakes, we began creating trails that zigzagged back and forth all across the yard in what became a maze full of many trails and dead ends .

After the raking, we played a game of freeze tag. During the game, one person would go around and either open up or close trails making the game full of much adventure and unexpected’s.

It was a blast watching both the older and younger ones run up and down the trails having so much fun. We’re looking forward to next fall already!

4 Comments » | posted in Family News, Outdoor Adventures

This past week, our nation celebrated the Thanksgiving. Our family found great joy in this precious time of yes, gathering with dear family, but more importantly as a time for giving our  thanks to Divine Providence – our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. During the Thanksgiving meal, Grandma had two glass bowls situated on the table. On each plate were 5 kernels of corn (popcorn kernels) in commemoration of the hardship of the Pilgrims in 1620. After hearing the poem, “Five Kernels of Corn by Hezekiah Butterworth,” we were told to drop a kernel of corn into the glass bowls throughout the meal when we recalled something to be grateful for. And so it was that during our joyous conversations around the abundant dinner table, a little ‘ping’ here and there were heard thus providing a divine opportunity to turn our attention heavenward unto the giver of all good things.  

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On the Wednesday preceding Thanksgiving, our President proclaimed a national day of Thanksgiving but for what purpose? President Obama says it is set aside, “to express appreciation to those whose lives enrich our own and to share our bounty with others.”

Former President George Bush proclaimed the 2008 Thanksgiving Celebration to be a time to, “give thanks to God who blessed our Nation’s first days and who blesses us today. May He continue to guide and watch over our families and our country always.”

President George Washington gave the first Thanksgiving proclamation in the fall of 1789. He unashamedly declared that, “It is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor.” President Washington went on to give the two purposes for this day: 

1. Be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation “

2. Unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions

(read the entire proclamation in December’s Facts for Patriots)

What an impacting focus for this most significant holiday!

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

Happy Thanksgiving from the Wilkes Team! We pray the Lord’s richest blessings on each one of you. Today, as you gather together as families with friends and relatives from near and far may all eyes be upon the abundant goodness of our Lord.

When asked this morning about his thoughts regarding Thanksgiving, Mark Christopher shared the following. After recently reading in, “The Light and the Glory,” he recalls the importance of the message from chapter two entitled, “If Gold is Your Almighty.” Some of the early explorers to America lost the focus of bringing Jesus to the new world and began focusing on riches. From this, Mark shared that, “We need to make sure we are not wanting more than what God has given us but be grateful for what He has given us.”

What has He given us? Salvation, a Relationship with Him, the gift of repentance, Family, the Body of Christ, freedom to worship God, and so much more!

Numbering less than a couple hundred among the thousands in England, the Pilgrims of the 1600s were the subject of mmense persecution and the king’s direct attacks. King James was determined to induce submission to his regime or he’d harry them out of the land. The future looked bleak for this small devoted body. What inspired them onward? What gave birth to courage amidst great fear? It was the unchanging principles, promises, and truths of God’s Word. Emboldened by these, they reached out by faith unto their Heavenly Father, they opened their mouth wide and God sufficiently filled, they were lead up upon the high Rock.

Read more at: Project Remember

May we count our many blessings on this Thanksgiving Day!

This is where true joy comes!

Here are a few joyous shots from this Thanksgiving morning

Looking for some creative Family focused Thanksgiving Ideas? Be sure to check out “Project Remember” where you will find poems, recipes (how to make Fruit Turkeys), historical accounts, coloring pages, and much more!

5 Comments » | posted in Family News

Have you taken the time this week to really think about where you have come from and how much you have been given?

In the spirit of Thanksgiving, our morning Bible reading came from two different chapters: 1 Chronicles 16:8-36 and Psalm 105. Written on the occasion of Israel moving the ark of the covenant to Jerusalem, they are beautiful reminders of how much we have been given and to not take what we have for granted.

1 Chronicles 16:15 says,

“Be ye mindful always of his covenant; the word which he commanded to a thousand generations; Even of the covenant which he made with Abraham, and of his oath unto Isaac;”

What was that covenant which was given to us through Abraham?

Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee:

And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed (Genesis 12:1-3).

The Lord has truly blessed and given us so much. He has given salvation, health, family, homes, hope and the list could go on and on….. But as 1Chronicles 16:15 says we must be mindful and not forget what we have been given. For when we forget, we loose our heavenly perspective on life.

See things from God’s perspective because He works all things together for good! We serve a Lord who brings peace and comfort to one’s heart. He is one who gives hope to the faint hearted. He strengthens the weak then enables them to press on in this faith walk.

May you have a blessed Thanksgiving! May it be a season of rejoicing over what God has so graciously given to you as well as a time of remembrance of where you have come from!

5 Comments » | posted in Tid Bits

Have you ever found that upon meeting a fellow believer in Jesus Christ there seems to be instant fellowship? He or she might be a perfect stranger yet though physically disconnected there is a spiritual connection which occurs almost instantly. It could result from a phone call, a plane ride, entering an elevator, or even when observing a chicken butchering station. I’m quite serious about this last point. You could be observing the butchering station, noticing chicken feathers everywhere and wondering if you’d want to see the place in action when your cordially greeted by a fine young gentlemen who introduces himself as Benjamin.

This exact scene materialized right in front of us and very quickly, though perfect strangers, the spiritual connection occurred. From our conversation with Benjamin we were encouraged by his character and joy. How the Lord was working in him and leading him was motivating.

Happily this conversation was not one of those described as "it was the first and last". Benjamin came up to our place for a good many days and we enjoyed true Christian fellowship with a true fellow Christian.

The fellowship maneuvered in and out of apple sauce productions, mountain hiking, a visit to D.C., dinner tables, music , leaf raking, and hearing of salvation testimonies. It was sure kept busy yet never tired.

I personally appreciated getting to know Benjamin. His enthusiasm and energy giving attitude was quite contagious. Hearing about how the Lord was directing him was also inspiring. Thank you Benjamin for letting God use you to be a blessing. We are grateful for that meeting in that Poultry butchery.

It was in the midst of those scattered feathers that we met an energy giving fellow Soldier plodding through this life in service to Christ Jesus.

3 Comments » | posted in Family News

Over the past couple weeks, our family has been made aware of two exceptional products being offered by dear friends that we know will be a blessing to your family!

First, a spectacular awe-inspiring 2010 calendar entitled, “The Inspiration of Creation.” With a beautiful touch of creativity, James Staddon has truly brought out the glories of God’s marvelous Creation through the photographs within the calendar. With each passing month, you will come face to face with a breath taking photo highlighted with timely Scripture verses and stanzas from some of the dearest hymns. This resource is a wonderful way to be about, as Paul said in Ephesians, “Redeeming the time for the days are evil. ” And so while you are numbering your days that you may apply your heart unto wisdom, do so with one of these memorable calendars currently available for a discounted price at www.staddonfamily.com/onlines-store .

Secondly, we would like to recommend a Christmas CD that the whole family is bound to enjoy and want to hear, “just one more time.” We have seldom recommended any particular Christmas CD but upon receiving, “Let the Joy Begin” by the Neely Team , everyone would call it their all time favorite. Your heart will be filled with joy as you listen to this dear family sing and play the songs of our Savior’s birth with God honoring music. They are a beautiful testimony of an imperfect family seeking to glorify their Creator through working together in harmony, as a family. The CD is now available and offered for sale at: www.theneelyteam.com/online-store . 

We hope these resources are as encouraging to you as they have been to us!

3 Comments » | posted in Tid Bits

Psalm 16:11 says,

" Thou  (God) wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore."

Why do we fear the future? Why do we worry about the unknown? We must remember that the thoughts that the Lord has towards us are not evil but peace, to bring us to an expected end. (Jer 29:11)

We can boldly step forward and do what God has called us to do. Not because we feel like we have it all figured out but because we know the one who does! Be willing to do the not so popular thing. Be  men and women of your word. Stand for truth sell it not!

The world is looking for answers. We as followers of Jesus Christ must be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation. Why? So we may shine as lights in the world! (Php 2:15)  This will only be possible once we allow the truth of God’s word dwell in us richly, then apply it to our every day living!

Isaiah 30:21 says, "And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left."  Praise the Lord that we have the promises and the truths of God’s word!

These thoughts were spurred by this picture below. We are all on this faith walk together! We must continue to lift each other up in prayer before the throne of grace.

Earlier this month we took a hike with some dear friends through a section of the Shenandoah Mountains known as White Oak Canyon. It was absolutely stunning, and breath taking!

As we were pulling out Dad said " Here we are overwhelmed and delighted by the beauty of God’s Creation, can you even imagine how beautiful this world must have been before the fall?"

One day we will see Him in all of His beauty! What a glorious day that will be!!

9 Comments » | posted in Outdoor Adventures, Photography