The Wilkes Team

 The Neely Team arrived at our house on a late Friday evening. It was such a blessing to have them here. Every time we’re with the Neely Team, I ‘m encouraged by their joyful servant spirits. They know how to make hard tasks a lot of fun! We took them to one of the famous hymn sings put on by the Hynes Family. It was a joyful time of singing and playing music to the Lord.

Whenever we get together with the Neelys, there is always music. One of our favorite things to do is gather around the piano and sing all together. We also had the joy of hearing a wonderful report on their recent family trip to Lithuania for mission work.

The Bible says that where two or three (or twenty-two) are gathered together in the Lord’s name, He is there (Matthew 18:20). The Lord was there and richly blessed our time.

8 Comments » | posted in Family News

Over the past weeks we have been VERY busy in the kitchen cooking up cookies, fudge, lemon cream loaves, snicker doodles, chocolate crinkle cookies, candy cane bark, and more! A favorite family tradition of ours is giving out Christmas goodies to family, friends, and neighbors. We all enjoy making the special treats. This year I was able to make fudge for my very first time. It can be very tedious work and requires that you don’t give up!

When everything was finally ready we piled into the car and spent yesterday afternoon making the special deliveries. There was not enough time to make it to every house we wanted to so we may do a New Years Delivery too. I was encouraged by all the effort that was put into baking and shopping for needed supplies. Thank you Wilkes Team for the joy that you put into this special tradition. I can’t wait till next year.

NEVER FAIL FUDGE

5 cups of sugar
1 can of evaporated milk (12 oz.)
1/4LB. butter of margarine
12oz. Marshmallow puff
1 teaspoon salt
————————————————–
1 teaspoon Vanilla
2 large packages (12 oz.) of Semi-sweet Chocolate chips

Combine first five ingredients in large sauce pan. Stir over low heat until blended.

Bring to boil over moderate heat  being careful not to mistake escaping air bubbles for boiling, THEN BOIL SLOWLY , STIRRING CONSTANTLY FOR 5 MINUTES.(use soft ball test)

Remove from heat, stir in chocolate and vanilla until chocolate is melted. Pour into 2 buttered 9 by 9 inch pans and cool.

Tips: I usually put the fudge in a 15 by 9 inch pan instead of two 9 by 9 inch pans. This will yield approximately 5 pounds.

2 Comments » | posted in Family News, Recipes

Yesterday, we were able to visit a Colonial Park in Mclean, VA. Our good friends, the Sutphins, graciously invited us to go with them. The park took you back to the late 1700′s when there was alot of work that needed to be done by hand. We toured a house with two ladies inside who told us how they were living. I enjoyed watching how they lived during that time and seeing how they made things.

When we went to the market, Hannah and I were taught how to make yarn out of sheep’s wool.  They showed us how to card the wool, roll it up, and then turn it into yarn with a spinning wheel. The patience of the colonial women as they instructed us inspired me to be more patient as I teach my own siblings at home.

Colonial women back in the 1700s had the desire to learn practical skills which would enable them to be keepers at home. There are many activities that take away the precious time God has given us to prepare for the future. May the Lord direct us to wisely use our time now so we will be ready for His plan.

A resource that I have been encouraged by recently is, ‘Home is Where the Heart Is‘ by the Bradrick ladies.

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

The morning of October 3 was Jennifers birthday. Usually every birthday we have oven pancakes, but this was a different morning. We decided to have Daddy take Jennifer out to eat for breakfast. Then the rest of us got streamers, balloons, banners, cake, and headed to the bowling alley. Jennifer probably thought we were decorating the house. 

When the Bowling alley opened at 10:00, we took the far end of the alley and decorated the wall with balloons,banners,and streamers. Daddy and Jennifer arrived around 10:15. She didn’t have any idea we were going to be there. It was fun to surprise her and sing Happy Birthday. 

When we started bowling, it was difficult to make sure my ball rolled straight down the lane. At first some of us used gutter guards to keep the ball from going into the gutter. 

It reminds me of how a baby Christian needs guidance and direction to avoid falling. When we put the gutter guards down I saw how careful I had to be in throwing the ball down the lane. Jesus wants us to be ready always. 1 Peter 5:8 says, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

8 Comments » | posted in Family News

Last night Mommy read us a book from the Lamp Lighter Company called Jessica’s First Prayer. It was about a little ragged beggar girl who was inspired by a cold hearted, but gentle man named Mr. Daniel. He owned a small coffee shop in London where he sold hot buns and coffee every morning for 1 pence each. Through a series of scary, sad, and sometimes funny events, Jessica warmed Mr. Daniel’s heart and not only received physical nourishment but also spiritual nourishment. You will enjoy hearing of her desire to understand three spritual things. What I was encouraged about was her faithfulness in not focusing on personal needs, but in praying for others.

4 Comments » | posted in Book Reports

Our family was able to go and pick blueberries at a farm called Muskrat Haven. Mommy gave us some wise instructions before picking. We were told to only pick the big blue ones and make sure they weren’t hard. It was amazing to find out that there were big ones in very peculiar places. First we found out that the big ones were under the leaves where the birds don’t look. Second we found that the big ones were closer to the back of the orchard. I was grateful for Mommy’s wise instructions, because the big ripe ones always taste better .

Just a few days ago we went to the Hynes house and picked thornless blackberries. The Hynes family has worked together to create an amazing garden in their own backyard. Earlier this year they sold blackberry plants to the public. Last weekend they let us be their first pick-your-own customers.  It is really neat to see a family working together to begin a home business. Picking thornless blackberries was a lot like picking blueberries & wild blackberries except these were much bigger. In about 25 minutes we picked almost 10 pounds! We look forward to making blackberry cobbler and jelly. If you are in the area, stop by and try some.

7 Comments » | posted in Farming 101, Outdoor Adventures