The Wilkes Team

 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!

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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!

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With great desire we traveled all day in hopes we would make it to Lake Itasca in time for a potentially stunning sunset across the lakes. Our hopes were dwindling as we looked at the estimated arrival time on our GPS and the ever darkening sky above.

We entered the park. Tall pine trees cascaded over the road as we followed the signs to our cabin. Thinking that the sun had already set (due to the darkness caused by the pine trees) we drove without expectations.  A small clearing appeared  and Dad caught a glimpse of one of the magnificent lakes. Annndddd…to our great surprise the sun had just set leaving beautiful shades of pink, orange, purple, and blue behind.

With great excitement we looked for the next pull off. I grabbed my camera, Kenan grabbed the video camera and prepared for landing. As soon as the car rumbled to a stop we jumped out and began running down the 50 steps to the view of the lake.

Ah….. it was stunning. What a wonderful close to a wonderful day. We all gathered in our cabins that night rejoicing in the goodness of God and overflowing with joy in His great love for us His children. 

   

The next morning we walked to where the Mississippi River begins! It was there that we parted ways with the Wilkes Clan. What an incredible trip we had with them!

 

On the road again.

Next stop Chicago Illinois! The newly weds, Robert and Kendalyn Staddon opened their home for us to come and spend the night. Daniel Staddon came over and joined us too! What a blast we had! Thank you for all the great food and delightful fellowship!

 

Not home yet!!!

One more anticipated stop before rolling into Culpeper, Va ~ The Staddon’s home!!

We stopped in West Virginia for an evening and morning of good wholesome fellowship! Thank you Staddon family for your last minute hospitality. What a great completion to an incredible 10 day trip!!

 

 

Many memories were made and relationships strengthened. We came back refreshed and in awe over what God did!

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Hebrews 12:1-2 

“….let us run with patience the race that is set before us,….. Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; “

 

 

Ephesians 6:14 

Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness;

 

Nehemiah 8:10

“…for this day is holy unto our Lord: neither be ye sorry; for the joy of the LORD is your strength.”

Psalm 56:3 

“What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.”

 

2 Timothy 4:7

“I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course,

I have kept the faith:”

 

Be faithful!

“A faithful man shall abound with blessings:..”

Proverbs 28:20

(These are pictures of Mark Christopher when he was just a little guy!)

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Last week we had the joy of being reuniting with some dear friends from Texas. It never ceases to amaze me how two Christian families can pick up where they left off even if it has been years since their last meeting!

The joy and energy that the Pradia family brought to our home was so contagious! Christ in them lifted and encouraged our spirits greatly.

Here’s a challenge for us all this week!

Let’s look for at least one person each day this week that we can purposely encourage and motivate on to faith and godliness. A negative outlook comes naturally but with Christ’s influence on our lives, we can choose to see the good in others!

 

 

 

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The FedEx lady pulls up our gravel drive way and begins to unload a package. Mom opens the side porch door with a bright smile and gives her a perfect greeting! The lady’s countenance lights up and they begin a wonderful conversation about gardening, animals, and the joys of farm life.

Mom was trying to think of a way she could bless her when the lady made a comment about all the pumpkin squash on the side porch. It was then Mom said “O, take one! It will make the best pumpkin pie!”

A couple weeks latter she pulls up our drive way again. As Mom went out to greet her and receive the package, the lady exclaimed “That pumpkin squash you gave me, made the best Thanksgiving pie ever! Thank you so much!”

Mom is constantly finding ways to reach into peoples lives. Her focus on others motivates and encourages us often. Not only does the FedEx lady enjoy coming to our home but the UPS man says, “You make my job fun!”

When Mom is in a store she often strikes up conversations with people and encourages them on to righteousness. She will notice someone having a rough day but by the time there done talking together she leaves them with a smile on their face and a new perspective on life. Mom is truly an energy-giver!

God has called each one of us to be energy-givers! To be vessels of righteousness we must daily be filling our minds with the truth of God’s word. The truth is what gives us the freedom and the wisdom to bring the message of salvation to this world.

Mom, we praise the Lord for you! Thank you for letting Christ in you encourage, motivate, and inspire us your children.

We love you!

 

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