The Wilkes Team

What happens when a family of ten and and a family of eleven get together for some fellowship?

This is a hard question to answer! To describe such happenings with all their flavor and difference would be close to impossible. It would demand details which are hard to understand unless you were there and descriptions of such magnitude that it would take a book to write of them. 

Yet when the Staddon family is the family of ten and the Wilkes are able to travel and be that family of eleven, the happenings must be written about. Not writing usually means soon forgotten and soon forgotten is plain not acceptable. Henceforth, an effort will be made to record the events which occurred not too long ago in the wild wonderful hills of West Virginia, off an old country road, nestled in a beautiful hollow, under the roof of the Staddon’s home.

Friday evening we arrived at their place and the conversations started with robustness and joyfulness. It’s always so encouraging to hear what is happening in the lives of the Staddons, how God is at work and how they are being lights to this ever darkening world. Another aspect we appreciate about this family of ten is how they give us opportunity to join them in their ministry endeavors. For this visit, they invited us to unite our voices with theirs and go sing and minister at a prison. Our time at the prison was both sobering and energizing. It left an impact on every member of the Wilkes Team. Choices definitely have consequences!

A highlight of the weekend was singing. Whether it was practicing, at the prison, at their morning Sunday service, or around the home – a joyful harmonious noise was being lifted on a frequent basis. Sunday Evening, at church, we enjoyed some more singing after a heartfelt message given by Michael. This brought closure to our visit – at least we thought this was the case…Early the next morning we jump in the car to head home saying our final goodbyes and the car wouldn’t start.

The Staddon’s graciously brought us back under their roof and out of the cold as we waited for a mechanic. The mechanic did arrive but took a good five or six hours to fix the problem. There were not too many people greatly saddened by this impediment. This was extra time with the Staddons – what a wonderful consequence to a problem.

Finally we did start our trip witnessing the hilltop wave of the Staddons as their property disappeared from our view. Thank you Staddons for your faithfulness to Him that has called you to be His own. Thank you for being such a wonderful family of ten.

3 Comments » | posted in Family News

On a sweltering hot day, a group of railroad workers were diligently repairing a railroad track. Work was going smoothly when an unexpected interruption arrived; a train car stopped near them and out walked the President of the railroad. Surprise was written over many of the workers faces which then only intensified as the President called one of them to have lunch with him. The worker smiled and followed the President into the train leaving the other workers in wonder. A few hours later out stepped the worker, shaking hands with the President and giving a hearty farewell. Joining his fellow workers they asked why he had received such a wonderful opportunity?

He responded: "The President and I are good friends, we both began working for the railroad at the same time over twenty five years ago."

"That doesn’t make sense, why is he the President of the railroad and you are out here working with us?" They asked.

"Well it’s like this" He said, "Twenty five years ago I went to work for $2 an hour while he went to work for the railroad"

I’ve always appreciated this story. Not for the story itself but for the powerful analogy that relates so well to our own lives. The way we live, in a way, is similar to how we work for the railroad or anything else for that matter. We are either living life for ourselves or for something bigger than ourselves. We either are living for worldly achievement or  the advancement of God’s Kingdom. As children of God we are commanded to *"Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you." This commandment leaves us with only one course of action; life is to be lived for the Kingdom of God.  Our purpose is to bring honor and glory to the King of kings and Lord of lords.

On most tombstones, there is a birth date and a death date. In between those two dates is a dash. What will that dash consist of when your tombstone is placed? Will it be full of temporal endeavors, successes, and praise? Or will it consist of eternal relationships, heavenly blessings, and supernatural works of God? The dash’s consistency is dependent on your choices. It is dependent on whether you live for self or live for Christ. The choice is made minute by minute; one to be made now and not tomorrow. When the inclination for passivity rises, reject it and cling to initiating action. Then throw yourself on the grace and wisdom of God to enable you and empower you.

Fellow citizen! You are called to a pilgrimage! Your home is an heavenly kingdom but now your on a journey. Live for your King, live for the advancement of His cause, His glory, and the expansion of His kingdom. Study His laws, understand His vision, and seek His will. Your a pilgrim for such a short time. It’s even as a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Don’t let it be wasted on yourself! Don’t satisfy your foolish desires! Choose to serve Him who created you, gave you life, loves you, and redeemed you. The greatest fulfillment will result from this choice. You won’t look back and regret it. Therefore I write, in agreement with scripture:

Be a faithful pilgrim!

Live for His kingdom!

Live for the Lord – not $2 an hour!

*Matt. 6:33

4 Comments » | posted in Proclaiming the Truth, Tid Bits

Living in an attitude of gratitude requires a choice – a decision. “Whoso is wise, and will observe these things, even they shall understand the lovingkindness of the LORD (Ps. 107:43). It is when we recognize the Providential hand of God in our lives that we come to realize that the working out of His plan in and through us is an act of His lovingkindness.

The Pilgrims endured hardness beyond belief but saw the divine hand of God at work in their midst. 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.

Yesterday was a day of remembering God’s goodness. And what a joy it was to be invited up to the Butler family’s home to celebrate the day with their family and three other precious families from Ukraine. The Butlers did a beautiful job putting together a truly memorable and meaningful Thanksgiving celebration. Thank you Butler family!

There was a plethora of scrumptious meals to include 3 mouth watering turkeys, the tastiest cranberry sauce, mashed potatoes & gravy, stuffing, sweet potato fries, candied yams, mile high apple pie , triple treat tort, pumpkin pie, and much, much more – thanks to the first class team of cooks.

Following the meal, the families gathered together for a time of singing and recounting the blessings of our Heavenly Father.

One father shared of his growing up years in Ukraine. In recounting how little their family had, he communicated the precious perspective this had given. His gratefulness over the physical and spiritual provision of the Lord was an inspiration and timely reminder to count our many blessings. How many divine interventions and blessings from the Lord do we overlook each and every day! Oh may the Lord give us eyes of gratefulness to observe His work in our lives and so understand His loving kindness towards us. There was also much joy over thanking the Lord for His saving grace upon our lives. Insomuch that we ended our time of testimonies with the singing of ‘What Can Wash away my Sins?’ in both the English and Ukrainian language.

May the love wherewith Christ hath loved us motivate in us a spirit of true gratefulness and earnest desire to live our lives in such a way so that others are drawn to Christ and God is glorified.

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

Colossians 3:15 says,

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.”

We have so much to be thankful for!

God has given us so much!

A thankful heart can see the hand of God

no matter where they are or what is going on!

May the Lord bless you and your family as you take time to day to rejoice in the goodness of the Lord.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Love, the Wilkes Team

Psalm 100:4 encourages us to, “Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.”

Leave a Comment » | posted in Family News

Has your vision been lost?

Did you forget about it?

Maybe you never had one?

Has someone or something stolen your joy for what God has called you to do?

Proverbs 29:18

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

It is important that we know why we are here on this earth. People are perishing all around us because they lack vision and purpose!

We as children of God must remember that we have been called by a holy calling!

We have been sanctified and prepared unto every good work!

The spirit of God rests upon us!

We can boldly say the Lord is our helper, we will not fear what man will do unto us.

We can step forward and do what God has called us to, not because we have it all figured out but because we by faith follow the One who knows all things!

These are just a few of the promises of God that we have. There’s many more which will give us comfort, guidance, perspective, and direction in order to be all that God would have us be.

It is so important as individuals and as families to  take the time and encourage one another in the call that God has upon our lives as Christians. We are in a battle. It’s the battle of the mind! Only the truth will set us free from the lies that so often beset us.

Not too long ago we as a family took a day and spent it re-visiting the vision that God has placed on our family. It is a vision that will only be grasped and made a reality if we walk in the strength of the Lord!

We as a family walked around our property and at different points cried out to God to use this land, home, and family to be a testimony of His grace. We see our lack, our sin, and inability to truly be all that God desires of us. But that does not mean we pull back from what God is calling us to. It calls for us to press all the more into Christ – Through Him we shall be victorious!

If at any point life becomes more about us and pleasing ourselves we pray that God would do whatever it takes to get us back on track with Him. Our goal in life must be only to please our Lord and Savior.

Joy and peace reigned greatly in each heart at the end of that day. What comfort and rest there is in believing the promises of God!

We as Christians must exhort one another to keep Christ in the center of all that we do!

May this encourage you to re-visit the vision that God has placed on your life! His hand is upon you molding you and forming you into a vessel sanctified and ready for His use!

Act 20:24 says, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

Press on!

3 Comments » | posted in Family News, Farming 101

Yes, it is true! The Wilkes team has not one, not two, but three chickens!! It has been a couple of exciting days over here as we have begun to take farming to another level.

Our Aunt had some chickens that she needed to find a home for so she brought them over to the great joy of many!

Mark and Hannah could not be any happier. They are thoroughly enjoying this. Kenan and Adam have spear- headed the building of a chicken coop and yard for them and the rest of us are truly enjoying the farm fresh eggs!

3 Comments » | posted in Family News, Farming 101, Outdoor Adventures, Photography