The Wilkes Team

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

The constellation of fifty stars, the thirteen strips, a cloth of red white and blue, rippling from wind’s touch, flying high to be seen of all, is the flag of the United States of America. Signifying a patriotism that has passed from generation to generation for 234 years. Causing remembrance of a momentous occasion when 50 or so stalwart patriots gathered together to bring a group of people into the sphere of nations. Henceforth, establishing themselves to operate according to certain Biblical principles without arrogant tyranny halting their steps. The flag, the occasion, the patriots, all made possible by Divine Providence are the reasons the fourth of July is a holiday. Let them never be forgotten!

Therefore, so as not to forget, the Wilkes Team piled into the van for a quick trip to the city of Culpeper. Being our first fourth of July in both county and city of Culpeper we decided to discover and explore. Joshua did some quick research on the internet, found some interesting events to go to, we looked them over and decided our destination.

Our destination turned out to be right next to the Culpeper courthouse. The Sons of the American Revolution (SAR), the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) were there, the city mayor, and the vice chairman of the city board. The centerpiece of the event was the reading of the Declaration of the Independence.

  Dad had the opportunity of speaking with the gentlemen who helped coordinate the event. The gentlemen actually was from Africa and had only been living in the United States for nine years. When he began figuring out how this nation was started he was inspired and became deeply motivated to remind Americans of their heritage. This was one of the reasons for coordinating the reading of the Declaration of Independence on the court house lawn. From the conversation we were encouraged by a man, not even born in America, holding up those principles and ideals so integral to the founding of America.

The same call is upon the rest of Americans but even more so upon Christian patriots. For too long the principles of God’s word which established this country have been hid behind the curtain and thrown under the rug. The confusing political drama of the last few years has effectively shown the result of such a seeming minor cover up.

Let us do our part so that the joy of seeing the US flag fly, the excitement of celebrating the fourth of July, and the effort of our forefathers won’t be lost to the preceding generations. 

Leave a Comment » | posted in HIS-story, Proclaiming the Truth

The blessings and gifts of God are so numerous and wonderful.  If we could only begin to grasp and cognitively realize what he has poured upon us we would be deeply encouraged. The 2010 North Carolina FEW Conference definitely helped remind all those who attended the never ending energy of Him who blesses, who gives, who promises, and therefore encourages. He is so abundantly able – May we all live in this abundance.

Here are a few pictures capturing certain moments of an inspiring weekend:

Praise the Lord for the great things He hath done!

5 Comments » | posted in Family News

Discouragement can easily come yet may we remember where our joy comes from and how easy it is to grasp and live in…

 Psalms 51: 8-12

“Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”

Christ, our Redeemer is the giver of joy. Trial and problems will always come but what is even more sure then those trying circumstances is the beauty and sublimity of everlasting joy. May we live in this joy! Let it envelope our thoughts, our actions, our words. Ask God for joy – he is abundantly able to provide.

Ps 30:5 ” …weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. “

2 Comments » | posted in Proclaiming the Truth

A few days ago an email landed in our inbox from Virginia’s Attorney General, Kenneth Cuccinelli II. While a state senator he frequently sent out emails titled the Cuccinelli compass. Though not quite as frequent he still sends them out in the midst of fulfilling his new important service to Virginia. The most recent Cuccinelli Compass included an article he had written and then was published in the Washington Examiner.

Reading the article sparked hope within me first of all for my state but then also for  the United States. The essence of it was the checks and balances for Government provided by the constitution. Cuccinelli spoke of horizontal checks and balances- Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. He also mentioned the oft forgotten vertical – federal and states. The impetus for the article is summed up best in the writer’s own words,

“Virginia is moving towards passing legislation that would make it unlawful to implement federal legislation to compel Virginia residents to buy health insurance, a/k/a, Obamacare.  On Monday, February 1st, the Democratic-controlled state senate of Virginia passed a bill that would block the implementation of the individual mandate of Obamacare.”

Simply put, Virginia is in the process of passing legislation to make it illegal, according to state law, to implement an unconstitutional federal legislation. Cuccinelli states that this is pure application of vertical checks and balances. America’s Founding fathers would also of called this interposition – lesser powers standing between the misguided greater power and the people.

It’s easy to think of the federal government as an untouchable and unwieldy giant that only can be influenced through our national elections. However, if the states begin practicing interposition, we the people can deepen our influence on the federal giant through our votes in state elections and our communication with the not so sophisticated state offices.

Virginia until recently was considered a purple state. Obama easily swiped her electoral votes during the 2008 elections. Yet now she is acting very conservative. both through the recent governor race and the opposition of the liberal agenda of Obama. This dynamic and miraculous shift should send thrills of hope to all conservatives across America. If Virginia is making stands any other states can do the same. What happened in Massachusetts just a few weeks ago – the home state of Kennedy and a fortress of liberalism? Republican Scott Brown won a strong victory. New Jersey another Blue state recently voted in a republican Governor.  I pray these steps are not just a change of parties but rather are results of a changing worldview and perspective; a beginning of a reformation. If so and even if not so, let us who are the children of light pray to the Giver Of Light to illuminated the minds and heart of Americans all across these 50 states.

Conservative Government holds no eternal significance for the sake of it’s conservative qualities or even for it’s benefits to economics and business. The reason our founding Father created the Republic of the United States was so that it’s citizens could enjoy and keep the liberties that they were endowed with from God Himself. Those liberties properly applied bear eternal significance. The liberal agendas of the Federal government are taking away the protections of the liberties. The American people’s defense against these agendas is first prayer and second interposition.

I’m burdened with the need to pray for state and local leaders. Being the lesser power, their responsibilities increases when the greater power begins operating unconstitutionally. Attorney General Cuccinelli, with many others are beginning to fulfill this incredible responsibility. Let us pray that they won’t compromise and that their energy for fulfilling this responsibility stems (if not now, will be) from Him who is the Alpha and Omega, He who was at the Beginning and will meet us at the End (Rev.21:6).

7 Comments » | posted in On the Issues

The actors, even before the light illuminated the stage, had begun their performance. Once the lights arrived, an eager and surprised audience watched an incredible display of curiosity and acrobatics. One actor jumped and then sniffed, another licked and enjoyed an oozing blob of peanut butter, they ran hither and then thither and whether else the audience wasn’t sure. A car horn honked – the actors froze – they looked around wonderingly; then continued their interesting performance.

Bodies crammed to the front of our van, for we being the audience watched with surprise as mice, the actors, scampered around our precious bee hives. Earlier they had tried some scavenger practices but now with metal mesh and staples their endeavors have been successfully halted.

Shining the car headlights on the hives, we observed the mice quickly moving around. Our mice hunter, Adam, had placed several traps around the area – one mouse actually tried licking the tempting PB morsel off a trap. The audience was somewhat hoping the trap would spring but it ended up doing otherwise.

Because of time, the van moved away from the hive site, got on the main highway, and began heading back. Occupants were comfortable and ready to enjoy the hour long trip back home, when.”WAIT A MINUTE!” echoed from the back seat, “I FORGOT SOMETHING AT THE LAND” was the conclusion of the outburst.

Finding out what it was and perceiving the importance of retrieving it, the driver took the next available U-turn. Arriving back, we pulled into our property, the hive site not faraway. A skunk lumbered in front of us.  After observing the skunk, the retrieving of the forgotten was quickly accomplished. Then it was decided to take one last look at the hive site. We soon realized there was one less actor on the stage. Somehow, we believe, the PB wasn’t coming off smoothly enough, and.well. the trap was forced to do it’s work, and I have to say, did it in the most efficient and sufficient manner.  

Finally back on the road, no more “wait a minutes” were heard and closure was brought to yet another evening in this fast paced life God has called us to wisely steward and enjoy.

1 Comment » | posted in Outdoor Adventures, Sunny-Side Up

Last night at 9:15PM EST, President Obama gave the The State Of The Union Address. As usual for our 44th president, he spoke eloquently about his plans for the future of America. Directly following was the republican response given by VA Gov. Bob McDonnell. Though the first was an hour and ten minutes while the second only 10 minutes, both hit many of the same topics and both spoke about the need for change and the need for optimism.

The address hit many of the major issues confronting our country. From Health Care, creating job bills, energy alternatives, forgiving student loans to help with education, holding up certain minority groups rights to enter the Military, the recent supreme court decision regarding funding of political campaigns, and the need to rebuild American’s trust in the US government. The president shared how the debt he created in his first year was necessary because of the mess he entered upon when first walking through the doors of the White house. He communicated how he was going to cut deficit spending and truly begin an honest and accountable budgeting of the US Gov. finances. Speaking both to Democrats and Republicans he spoke of the need for greater accountability, broader coverage of congress’s dealings, and the need for bipartisanship in bringing effective reform to America’s failing economy. He said he has hope even amidst the looming problems because of the American enduring spirit. He clearly let it be known that the Federal government will do what it needs to do to bring the necessary reform.

The Republican’s response, was solidly conservative.     McDonnell spoke of the importance of God-given liberties, the right to property, the importance of creating opportunity, and for innovation and enterprise in the private sector. He believes this is where true growth can occur. He agreed at times with the president in regards to education, to energy alternatives and other things. When speaking of the Outreach to Haiti, he mentioned the scripture verse, ” To whom much given, much is required”.  Speaking for the republican party, he had hope and optimism in the American people not the Government.

The basic difference between these two speeches was centered around the debate of Big Government vs. Limited Government. The President, kept connecting solutions to the need for Government expansion. On the other hand, McDonnell, believes the solution lies in freeing the private sector as much as possible. Which solution would be most effective? History clearly gives an answer.

Government expansion for the last 20 years has led to further and further debt, bondage, and future problems while limited Government (Coolidge and Reagan’s Administrations being examples) practiced could help bring down debt or at least stop the accumulation, allow greater money volumes for the private sector and encourage the much needed economic growth.

Of course, those who our faithful students of the Scripture, the written word of God, know that true lasting reform must first begin in the hearts of individual American. The Biblical principles, of Loving your Neighbor, of life, and of liberty, of not serving mammon, and so many others, are such basic building blocks for the proper establishment and longevity of any society. Yet how can these be in a society if they are not applied by the citizens of that society. Taking this thought one step further, how can these principles be applied without faith in the death, resurrection, and person of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 11:6). For it is through Christ’s faith, which strengthens us to obey the word and principles of the bible.

External reformation was clearly communicated in both the State of the Union address and the Republican Response. I believe we should continue working for this external reformation (if done correctly), while also prayerfully and actively pursuing the internal reformation; the turning of hearts to Biblical principles and bringing the lasting change made possible by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

4 Comments » | posted in Family News, On the Issues