The Wilkes Team

"He hath made every thing beautiful in his time… (Eccl. 3:11)."

How I rejoice over the faithful prayers of parents for their children. Oh the precious thoughts of a father and mother towards their newly born baby. The vision and desires they hold for this new life. Such love for the dear little one turns their hearts to fervent prayer – prayers for salvation, a tender heart, a love for God’s Word. These prayers continue as the baby grows. They realize the day will come when their precious son or daughter follows the leading of the Lord unto the establishment of the next generation. The day seems so distant, but the loving father & mother lift their hearts in prayer for the future spouse and children of this little one who now sits upon their lap.

The Scriptures say that, ‘Except the Lord build the house they labor in vain that build it (Ps. 127:1).’ ‘For he established a testimony……that they should make them known to their children: That the generation to come might know them…. (Ps. 78:5-6).’

Several months ago, I had the joy of approaching a father and sharing with him my heart and how I believed it was the Lord’s will for me to marry his daughter. This began a season of waiting on the Lord’s direction and His perfect timing. His daughter – she had desires but rather than leaning upon her own understanding, she purposed to rest in the loving arms of her Savior. She was at peace with how the Lord would guide and direct.

In God’s timing, He makes everything beautiful. We rejoice to say that through the leading of the Lord and our precious parents, the Lord has confirmed that it is His will for Lisa Butler and I to be united together in marriage.

We are grateful for the way our parents fervently seek the will of the Lord and for the way they have faithfully prayed for their children and the generations to come.

Thank you for the legacy you are laying for the future generations.

27 Comments » | posted in Family News, HIS-story, Photography, Tid Bits

The attacks on the family will only increase with the passing of time. Praise the Lord that He is raising a mighty generation to stand in the ever widening gap within our land. He is preserving a remnant – oh may we as families be sober, vigilant, and having done all to stand.

One of the purposes behind the Family Encouragement Weekend is to encourage families to work together, impact their local communities for Christ, and to leave a Godly legacy for the generations to come. Each FEW Conference contains rich seasons of prayer, exhortation, and fellowship with families whose desire is to live according to the Word of God.

What a blessed weekend this was! We walked away from this conference so encouraged, inspired, uplifted, and ready to continue on in the small corner of the world that God has placed us!

There are several other meaningful reports on this past weekend:

- From the Neely Team – From the Girotti Family

- From the Hynes Family

We also look forward to having a copy of the messages uploaded to: www.FEWconference.com. This will be provided shortly.

6 Comments » | posted in Ministry Reports

Oh the magnificent displays of God’s character to splendidly declared in the world of nature around us. Yet how often do we rush past these little tributes to God’s glory. What a blessing to have siblings who are alert to the beauty of God at work around them, especially in the world of nature.

During a recent dinner hour and while Kenan was walking into the kitchen, he suddenly exclaimed with joy and wonder, the spectacular setting sun. Amidst the shades of vivid pink, red, and orange, we marveled over the bold rays of sunlight emitting from behind the mountains. The wonder was magnificent to behold and a timely reminder to take the time to notice the hand of our loving Creator throughout His creation.

1 Comment » | posted in Outdoor Adventures, Photography

When a recent opportunity arose for Mom, Jennifer, and Sarah to attend a special course that amounted to 9 days of travel, Hannah was placed in the position of ‘lady of the Wilkes Team house.’ This came as a new experience to her but one for which she had been prepared by the loving and caring direction of our wonderful mother.

Through her faithfulness, joy, and submission, Hannah graciously stepped into the new role. All 7 young men in our home were blessed immensely by her diligence, organization, and scrum-dilly-licious meals. She was a true support and blessing to all seven of us! Thank you Mom, Jennifer, and Sarah for your beautiful examples and excellent job training Hannah. We were 7 blessed young men.

5 Comments » | posted in Family News

Time was passing quickly by. The deadline fast approaching. We were less than two weeks away, yet the 2010 VA Family Encouragement Weekend had no conference location. Door after door closed. Many prayers were lifted up. Without a location, the conference would inevitably be canceled. Travel plans were being made….should the conference be canceled?

The Lord had lead us thus far – He was trustworthy.

"And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you…(Is. 30:18)." "Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee… (Ps. 31:19)." His goodness and graciousness towards us is so undeserved.

His goodness and graciousness may involve more waiting or circumstances contrary to our desires but oh the joy of knowing we are in the center of His will though our emotions be unsettled.

Just in God’s time, He directed our steps and guided us to call a local church. Our phone call was answered by the man who we later discovered was the Pastor of the church. When he heard the vision behind the conference and of our pressing need, he graciously offered us the use of the faciliy, even before we had met face to face. This clear testimony of God’s direct action further confirmed the hand of the Lord upon the conference. In His perfect timing, he opened the doors of this precious church and so provided an avenue unto the needful encouragement of families.

He is trustworthy – praise be to God!

3 Comments » | posted in Family News

On a wonderful Thursday morning an allotment of the Wilkes team headed down to Liberty Hill Farm for an enjoyable afternoon of  farm work. Liberty Hill Farm is run by our good friends the Matich family. Situated in Berryville VA they initiated this year into a full fledge agricultural enterprise. The enterprise is growing healthy, grass-fed chickens and taking them to farmer’s market to sell.

We arrived to a bustling team of workers preparing for a  productive day. After some hardy greetings we helped move some 100 chicks or so from the coop to a mobile chicken shelter.

Next we moved to the butchering station. Here the Matich family had set up a very efficient system for butchering their  chickens. First they were placed into cones, and the main arteries along their neck were cut. After the blood had drained the chickens were placed into boiling water to prepare for the plucking machine. After a minutes or so in the steamer the plucker was turned on and four chickens quickly became featherless.

Taken from the plucker, Mr. Matich gave clear instruction on how the dressing of them should be performed. Carefully following his lead we dressed the first batch of chicken and prepared them for the “quality control” station. At this station, the chickens were meticulously studied for any possible parts which needed cleaning.

It was a wonderful process to take part in. By noon we had taken care of 50 or so chickens all ready for freezing and then selling. Liberty Hills Farm has a growing reputation for very clean and nicely butchered chickens. They clearly deserved this reputation based on their butchering of the chickens in a very meticulous manner.

At the end of the day, the Matich family graciously gave us three of their chickens. Since then I believe we’ve enjoyed at least one of them. Therefore I can honestly recommend that all those who enjoy the meat of a chicken if you can possibly fit it into your schedule please go to the Liberty hills farm website. There you’ll find the means of contacting the Matich family and possible reap the benefit of meat that is grass-fed, healthy, and wonderfully delicious.

3 Comments » | posted in Family News