The Wilkes Team

 

Four days of activity and team work produced 300+ quarts of applesauce, apple jelly, apple butter, and apple pie filling!

We had such a blast working together. Great team work Wilkes Team, Wilkes Clan, Wilkes Team #2, and Thrash family!

Making applesauce with the Thrash family!

 

 

 

Making applesauce with Wilkes Team #2

and the Wilkes Clan!

 

  

2 Comments » | posted in Family News

“It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: GREAT is thy FAITHFULLNESS.” – Lam. 3:22-23

As we traveled to church last Sunday Dad asked us to each share what it was we were thankful for as we looked over our lives. It was so encouraging to hear the hearts of each of my family members.

As different ones were sharing I was thinking – What is it that I am most grateful for? It then hit me. The faithfulness of my God towards me. Who am I to have been so blessed to be called a child of the Most High? Why does His compassion towards me never fail? Without His direct action in my life I would have no true joy or peace. What a gift I have been given! One that I will never be able to repay. The least I can do is to seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, to love repentance, and to never give up!

Failure is an area that Satan likes to deceive us in. He wants us to believe that because of our failures we’re unfit to be used by God to fulfill His work. Because we see our lack we allow discouragement to set in and our hope perishes. This downward spiral can happen so quickly and before we know it, we’re despairing and lost in our emotions and feelings. Our natural man will quickly allow us to go down this path. If we have not been faithful in applying the truths of God’s word to our hearts and lives.

Our sin humbles us and causes us to see what we would truly be without Christ. Yet in the sovereignty of a loving Heavenly Father, even our sin is a tool used by Him to draw us back to Christ! How? By His mercy, He takes His Word hidden in our hearts and through His Holy Spirit, and brings it to mind in our time of need.

What are some of those things He reminds us of when we are fighting for joy, struggling with discouragement, or overwhelmed by our failure to obey? 

• His faithfulness!
• His mercy towards us is new every morning!
• He is our portion (inheritance)! Our joy and peace is found in Him not in people, things, or situations going the way we want them to go.
• We must seek the Lord with our whole heart. He promises to settle and strengthen us.
• Hope and quietly wait for the salvation (deliverance, victory) of the Lord.
• The struggles we face are designed for one purpose – to draw us closer to Christ.
• Don’t resist the working of God in our hearts. We must humble ourselves under His mighty hand and let Him establish, strengthen, and settle us. – 1Peter 5:6

Lamentations 3:18-26 shares the struggle that man has but then beautifully exhorts us to hope and wait till the Salvation of the Lord comes!

“And I said, My strength and my hope is perished from the LORD:
Remembering mine affliction and my misery, the wormwood and the gall.
My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in me.
This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope.
It is of the LORD’S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
The LORD is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.
It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the LORD.”

This has been a passage lately that God has used to encourage and strength my walk with Him. How blessed we are to have the ability to read, believe, and dwell in the truth of God’s Word!

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

 

Psalm 19:1 says,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”

 

Last minute outings can be so fun!!

While Benjamin was visiting us last week, we decided to take a day trip to Virginia Beach! Benjamin had never been to the beach and it had been over three years since we had gone.

Our time there truly exceeded our expectations!The Lord blessed us with absolutely perfect weather, a beach completely to ourselves, and an entire day to just enjoy one another!

It is so important that we take time out of our busy schedules and go spend time with one another. It could be going to the beach, playing a game of croquet in the back yard, or sitting down and having a family read aloud. The most important thing is that you do it all together!

O, the memories we have made together as a family! All because our dear parents have seen the importance of taking the time to be with one another!

 

 

  

 

 

The great Seagull Catcher – Adam!!

Have you ever had a desire to catch a seagull? Here’s an easy way to do so.

Instructions: Lie down with a towel over your chest.

Place some type of tempting piece of food on your chest.

Then watch and see what happens………

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Adam decide to try it!

It took no longer than 10 minutes before one couldn’t resist the tempting food! He swooped down to pick up the cheese and to be off again but he was not quick enough for Adam! Adam wrapped the towel around him and quickly secured him in his hands before the seagull knew what happened!

You should have heard the ring of laughter and the looks of amazement from the rest of us as Adam stood there with this seagull in hand!

After getting a picture or two we released him to join his other seagull friends.:-)

    

Riding the waves was a blast!!

 

 

 

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

God truly makes all things beautiful in His time!

Friday the 16th of September you would have seen many willing and helpful hands setting up and decorating the wedding site for a glorious celebration which would occur the following day.

What a joyous day we had walking through the ceremony, fellowshipping with near and distant family and friends, and basking in the goodness of our Lord!

Here are a some pictures from the day!

 

 

 

  

 

 

 

  

 

   

 

     

 

A few pictures from Josh and Lisa’s past!!!

 

 

More recent past…..

3 Comments » | posted in Family News

 Friday Morning:

A Tour of the Civil War Battle of Brandy Station. Largest Calvary battle in the Western hemisphere held many analogies to our every day living as Christians.

 

 

 

Friday evening:

Are the truths of God’s word having an impact on your children? Are you passing on the baton? Fathers, are your children grasping the vision that God has placed on your heart for your family?

  Praise the Lord for  those who are centering their present life and future around Christ! Joshua Wilkes shared how God has been clearly directing him as he walks towards the marriage alter with his bride-to-be!

Michael Staddon shared the struggle he had in giving up all for Christ. But then testified of the fruit of surrendering his life, expectations, future, and desires to the Lord!

 

Saturday:

Patrick Neely shared about the importance of making special memories as a family. He exhorted us to guard our family time. There are so many good things out there to be doing but is it what the Lord wants you to be doing?

 

How does God want you to succeed in the business world?

What’s your purpose for living? How does that fit into your business? 

How is God honored and glorified through your work?

David Stelzl stressed on the importance of choosing your business field with great carefulness. He gave key steps to follow in order to discern the best course of action.

 

 

 

Fellowship and games!

Oh the importance of making your siblings your best friends. Friends will come and go throughout your life time but your siblings will always be there! Don’t take them for granted!

 

 

Christ says, come to me as little children!

Children love unconditionally, they trust their earthly protectors to guide them and meet their needs. They delight in pleasing their authorities and find great comfort by running to their parents for solace in times of trouble.

As a child depends on his earthly parents for his survival, we as children of the most High must see our great need for our Savior!

Are we humbling ourselves daily and coming before the mercy seat of God seeking forgiveness? It is so important that we keep short accounts and stay close to Christ.

Misunderstandings, hurtful comments, looks, and pre-conceived ideas of others will get us into trouble if we allow them to take ownership of our minds. The truth will set us free but we must be in the truth daily to be able to see the error of our ways.  

The power of investing into those

that are younger than you!

Don’t ever under estimate your words and actions expressed to others. Especially those that are younger than you. I can remember at the age of 10 having a couple young people that were quite a bit older than myself invest into me and purposely build me up in the ways of the Lord!

This left a huge impact on me and I have thought back to my interactions with them many times. Look around you, there are needs everywhere. Don’t be so focused on yourself that you miss the opportunity to touch a life!

5 Comments » | posted in Family News

Shhh…. It’s a surprise!!! Lisa is getting married and the Butler’s are holding a bridal shower for her. Don’t let her know!

For a couple weeks this was the message we past around!

The morning of the shower Lisa was whisked away in order to keep it a surprise.

Mid afternoon, Lisa came back to a house full of joyous mothers, daughters, family and friends to rejoice and celebrate with her during this very exciting time of her life!

 

 

The Butler ladies put together a lovely spread of food, games, and a time of sharing. Thank you Butler family for all you did to make it such a beautiful afternoon.

 

 

The Designing began!!

Who can make the most beautiful and creative wedding dress out of toilet paper in 15 minutes!

On your mark get set ……GO!!!

 

A time of sharing and encouraging Lisa as

she steps into marriage!

 

Count your blessings!

2 Comments » | posted in Family News