What an incredible blessing a baby is to a mother, father, and family! As we wait to hold our newest little member of the family we continue to lift praises to God for the blessing of life!

Each year our local Pregnancy Center hosts a walk for life in downtown Culpeper. It was with great joy and desire that we as a family went and served this powerful, life changing ministry in this endeavor.

What a blessing it was to see so many individuals from different churches represented that day. We all linked arms together in a cause worthy of our prayers, time, and resources.

It is sobering to realize that 42% of women have aborted at least once. 21% of those 42% have aborted more than once. We must be crying out to God that He would have mercy on us and bring a revival to our nation! Abortions wont stop till the needs, hurts, fears, and pain that women are facing in our culture are enveloped in the love of the Giver of Life -Jesus Christ. Through Christ, we can be used to bring that message of peace, love and life.

How will the world know us? By the love we have one towards another.

John 13:35  By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.

Revival must start in our hearts first. May God give us a burden for the needy. They are all around us. Are we willing to walk along side them and help them carry their burden to the foot of the cross? 

The world is crying out for answers. People need help walking through their past. They are desperately seeking peace, hope, and joy. But where are the laborers? Do we see the need?

I have been extremely convicted lately of my lack of fervency for the lost. It is so easy to get caught up in my day to day activities that the bigger picture can become foggy. We must do a reality check often. We must ask ourselves – Why are we here? Christ could come at any moment! Are we fulfilling the work of God?    

Christ himself read these verses to the Jews present that day in the synagogue, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4:18-19)

This is what we are to be about! Go forward living by faith. Establish yourself in the truth. Live like it is your last day. Love the unlovable. Then watch God strengthen, establish, and settle you as you understand more and more His nature.

There are times in life when we need to slow down and remember the Lord’s faithfulness.  Our family was in need of one of these times when God blessed us by bringing the Wikman family to our home for a couple days of refreshing Christian fellowship!

Although our time with them was much too short, we were so encouraged and blessed by their family.

Their continuous reliance on the grace and mercy of the Lord was an inspiration to all of us.

We had a delightful time laughing about life’s joys, talking about our wonderful Savior, playing games, and making melody in our hearts to the Lord. We praise the Lord for this time of refreshment. We were  encouraged to keep pressing on remembering that Christ will guide and direct us as we continue to wait for His leading.

Psalms 133:1-“ Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

Thank you Wikman Family for blessing our home once again!

Sweet little baby still in the womb

Hands so small and cares so few

Your precious face we long to see

A large family is waiting for you

We look forward to the day

When our eyes first meet each other

It will be a glorious day I’m sure

When all the family around you gather

We love you already dear baby

Can’t wait to see who you really are

You are being made by a loving God

A God who loves you both wide and far

We are waiting for you baby

With ever such patience and zeal

You will be loved and cherished by all

No matter how fussy or happy you feel

You are a highly desired little member

Although we do not know you

Your cute kicks, bumps, and twirls in the womb

Make all of us think you’ll be a nephew

Now you must know dear little baby

That you’ll be hugged, squeezed and loved on

Don’t worry about not getting attention

There will be always someone coming along

We love you already dear little member

Can’t wait to hear your sweet voice call us

We pray that you will be obedient to your parents

And accept God’s precious Son Christ Jesus

Now my dear little one

Keep growing big and strong

Your mommy is protecting you

With her is where you belong

We love you little niece or nephew

Your family is excitedly waiting for you

With love by: Auntie Sarah

What a glorious time of the year! There are so many reminders of the incredible gift of life during this beautiful season of spring!

I look outside and I see our flower gardens bursting out with fresh green shoots. Tulips standing straight and tall with their stark colors of purple, pink, white, and red contrasting against the green around them. Iris’s dancing in the wind, and the clematis beginning it’s upward climb on the garden arbor. What an incredible Creator we have!

Yet, the gift of life doesn’t stop in the garden…….. Life expresses it’s self in many different ways and forms.

Along with the gift of life comes the responsibility of life. We will face challenges, joys, trials, trying circumstance, temptations to sin, opportunities to forgive, the ability to experience the beauty of God’s mercy and love, and the list could go on and on.

As we fulfill our daily responsibilities may we not forget to see the beauty of what God has given us. Take the time to express your gratefulness to God and others. Take time to enjoy the beauty of His creation

We have been given so much! Praise the Lord for the family He has placed you in. We all were given life at this time in history, born to specific families, and have been called by God to be ambassadors of Jesus Christ.

Rejoice in your salvation! This is the most precious and meaningful gift ever offered to mankind! We have been given so much through Jesus Christ. May we never cease to sing His praises!

“In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God

in Christ Jesus concerning you.”

1 Thessalonians 5:18

Did you tackle the trouble that came your way

With a resolute heart and cheerful

Or hid your face from the light of day

With a craven soul and fearful?

Oh, a trouble’s a ton, or a trouble’s an ounce,

Or a trouble is what you make it,

And it isn’t the fact that you’re hurt that counts,

But only how did you take it?

You are beaten to earth? Well, well, what’s that?

Come up with a smiling face.

It’s nothing against you to fall down flat,

But to lie there—that’s disgrace

The harder you’re thrown, why the higher you bounce;

Be proud of you blackened eye

It isn’t the fact that you’re licked that counts,

It’s how did you fight—and why?

And though you be done to the death, what then?

If you battled the best you could,

If you played your part in the world of men,

Why, the Critic will call it good,

Death comes with a crawl, or comes with a pounce

And whether slow or spry,

It isn’t the fact that you’re dead that counts,

But only how did you die?

                               Edmund Vance Cooke

Our first arrival in 2012 was a furry white pup. Even before her landing she was named Liberty. Her friend in the future will be Justice, and the pups that will come from them will be for all. Or in other words: Liberty and Justice for all.

Also in the future she will our guard animal; protecting the livestock around her from skunks, foxes, and all those other unwanted creatures. For now she is a puppy, full of spunk and life, yet quickly learning the importance of obedience from her faithful trainer Jennifer.

Next in line came two goats. Nibbles the elder will be giving birth to one of her kind in a month or so. The first night on our property was quite rough for her. It also was quite rough for us first time goat farmers. We stayed up till way past midnight trying to calm her down. This proved totally futile and she ended up declaring her miserable state to all within hearing for the remainder of the night hours. Poor poor Nibbles! Poor tired farmers!

Now she is doing so much better; only has jumped the fence half a dozen times and only returns to her bleating (much shorter in length) two or three times a day. She is such a friendly animal that to be left alone is quite hard for her to take. When we are with her, she is the most tame and happy animal you’d ever see. Yet the absence of human bodies for some reason causes a state of panic leading to problematic results.

The last of the trio is Charlotte.  It’s hard to describe this spirited animal. For one thing you can never be sure what her next move will be. The possibilities are almost endless: eating a forbidden shrub,  frolicking, jumping in the air with a clang of her meeting hoofs, stubbornly resisting the leash, chasing with every ounce of her strength, or climbing on top of a loaded wheelbarrow.

The last additions, thus far, have been the egg layers, broilers, meat turkeys, and laying ducks. With these arrivals came the need for building new structures and putting up of new fences.

Frisky continues to bring excitement to us all. Whether he’s out catching mice, birds, or baby rabbits or snuggled up in a blanket with Hannah!

These animals and birds have been fun to enjoy and be with. It has truly been a blessing to work together and take care of these creatures of our Creator, learn from them, and see the similarities between them to us and us to God.

The joy, enthusiasm, and energy that everyone had in their labor was contagious!

The goal was to plant all the berry plants that day. We were a little doubtful as to if that was possible but we committed ourselves and our plans to the Lord and resolved to proceed with diligence. Knowing if God permitted, it would be accomplished!

The Dunn family came over and linked arms with us in this endeavor. What an unexpected blessing their help, fellowship and unending energy was!

God loves to show Himself strong! Especially when we by faith step out to do something that we think is beyond our ability.

By God’s grace we planted the 150th blueberry plant just as the sun was setting on the Shenandoah mountains.

Is this not how God likes to work?

He gives us a challenge and teaches us to walk by faith and not by sight.

He requires diligence and faithfulness from us but tells us to leave the results in His hands.

He reminds us not to focus on the outcome but on listening and heeding the still small voice of the Lord.

So when we see our Savoir face to face we can say with joy, “It was worth it all!”

We rejoice over the goodness of the Lord demonstrated at the recent FEW Conference in North Carolina. Through the leading of the Lord, families gathered together for a truly uplifting weekend full of encouragement, exhortation, and wholesome fellowship. We all left the weekend full of joy and with renewed purpose and vision in re-entering the precious corners of the world that God has called us to.
There are still three more to go this year. We would love to have you join us. Feel free to contact with any questions, for additional details, or to register for any one of these conferences:

• Salem, WV – July 6-7
• Culpeper, VA – August 10-11
• Greenfield, NH – September 7-8

When we as families come to recognize our desperate need for our all sufficient Savior and surrender ourselves to His lead, the Lord gives us His grace to live our lives in such a way that others are drawn to Christ and God is glorified. During the weekend of the NC FEW, families were challenged and exhorted to seek God’s best and be prepared to give an answer for the hope that lies within us. There is hope when our eyes are fixed on Christ. There is hope when we follow His ways. 
Trust ye in the Lord for ever for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength. Persevere! Christ promised that in this world there would be trial and tribulation but we can be of good cheer for Christ has won the victory and given us exceeding great and precious promises to keep us from the corruption of this world. 
We look forward to the upcoming conferences and hope you are able to come. May the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with and upon you all.

A Mother and Daughter Session!

www.FEWConference.com       info@FEWConference.com

It is called time!

Time is quite incorrigible. Nothing changes it from its designed purpose. No tyrant can sway it. No president can have it vetoed. Time is time and can be no different. With perfect amicability, it operates inside the guidelines of it’s Creator. There is never a lingering, never a retreat, and never a complacent moment. Whether experiencing a peaceful night or amidst a hectic day – time assiduously accomplishes it’s task. The sprinter hopes it will be slower. The weary young traveler wants it faster. The busy person demands more. The sluggard wishes it would stop. Yet time never has and never will bend and flex to the frivolous notions of man. It’s adverse to any manipulation.

Have you ever considered that time is always on time? Never a second too late nor a second too early. It’s responsibilities are simple and understandable. The parameters firmly fixed.  Because of these facts, time is never overwhelmed with too much to do in too little of time. Neither is there a reaction to those not keeping up with its momentum. On the contrary, it just keeps setting the standard for others to follow. Whether ticking on the wall, digitized on your wrist, or keeping in motion with the fiery sun, time does it’s work faithfully and consistently. It’s a dependable factor of life performing it’s role in accordance with the designs of it’s Creator.

You and I would do well to often contemplate this valuable factor called time. Especially as Christians, when we view it  through the framework of faith. Realizing that all occurring in time is subject to Him who is not subject to time. Furthermore, it is God that divinely predestined us before time, establishes us in His grace to live through time, and then builds in us a lasting hope for the end of time; where we will enjoy an heavenly habitation situated in the liberty of timeless eternity.

  “To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:” (Ec 3:1)

“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” (Eph 5:16)

“And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth… that there should be time no longer:” (Rev. 10:6)

Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his wife hath made herself ready (Rev. 19:7).

On this day six months ago, the Lord established a marriage union (click here for wedding photos). Two imperfect individuals were joined together unto the glory of God, the fulfillment of His plan, and the raising up of many generations.  This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church (Eph. 5:32).

“Sweeter as the {days} go by…” The words of that beloved hymn seem ever fitting to summarize our first six months of married life. Each day has been so precious and abounding in precious opportunities to learn more about one another unto the binding, ever more closely, of our hearts together.

Here is a quick picture update – a brief synopsis of a few highlights from our first six months.

In His Perfect Time, He truly makes all things beautiful. Whether awaiting marriage, healing, financial aid, wisdom, direction, etc, we all will consistently have opportunities to wait on the Lord. But it is not as significant what we are waiting for as much as how we wait for it. May we ever be challenged by the words of the Apostle Paul to have patience and longsuffering with joyfulness (Col. 1:9-11).

It is with great joy that we report, the Lord revealed to us another opportunity to await one of the specific things He describes in the Bible as a reward and manifestation of His blessing. (If you need a hint before reading the next sentence, you can read Psalms 127:3 or Psalms 128:4) .

The Lord is blessing Wilkes Team #2 with a baby! Within the womb of my wife, a new life is being fearfully and wonderfully made by our Heavenly Father. We are ecstatic, amazed, and also humbled over the realization of the gift the Lord is giving. 

Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it… Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward. (Ps. 127:1-2)

We look forward to sharing more of this wonderful journey the Lord has us on here and at: www.InHisPerfectTime.com.