The Lord blessed Daniel with a stunning 6 point buck on opening day of bow season!!

We are rejoicing in the way the Lord provides!

Living on a farm allows you to experience the “joys” of hearing, smelling, and seeing many different things!

Earlier this year, we bought 70+ chicks and 4 ducklings. We knew that a percentage of the chickens would be roosters however, the only problem was we had no need for 21 roosters! We all agreed that we needed to turn them into something that would make them profitable and useful to us. It didn’t take us long to decide to turn them into meat that we could enjoy this winter.

Much thanks goes to our dear friend Benjamin Horevay. Under his tutelage, we set up our own make-shift processing assembly line and by that evening we had butchered 19 roosters as well as one of our ducks!

Our freezer is now full of meat from off our own land!

THANK YOU BENJAMIN!!!!

The place: Chattanooga Tennessee

The event: Southern States Agriculture Groups (SSAWG) conference.

The end result – Synergy developed merging into energy which desperately needs a practical outlet.

The three, Joshua, Daniel, and I, with also our good friend Jon Hynes, were amazed at the amount of information that can be packed into three short days. Daniel and I went on a farm tour to Circle S Farm located in Georgia on the first day. At the same time, Joshua listened to a session on marketing your produce and keeping good records. In the evening, there were eight or so DVD interviews to watch of different farming production, ranging from cheese making, cattle managing, chickens, turkeys, vegetables, and flowers.

The diversity of sessions grew over the next two days. We purposed to divide and conquer as much as possible with the goal of making the most of our time at the Southern SAWG. A fascinating aspect of the conference was that experts were not only the conf. speakers. We found that the audience, the man you talked with in the hall, or the individual you sat with on the bus, were just as prepared to share what they learned from their enterprises. We talked with a chicken farmer processing 10,000 birds a year and learned a wealth of information from him; also the CPA turned Gardener producing food for restaurants; the Auto mechanic/Welder/Farmer/Farmer’s Market President who enjoyed incredible diversity on his farm ranging from chickens, turkeys, fish, 10 acre garden and cattle. He also has compost piles that are so large he’s planning to employ earth movers to turn them for him.

In the end we came away slightly bewildered by the wealth of information but as we’ve started sorting things out a plan has begun to develop. It still needs some further conversations and considerations but were excited about what the future holds.

The way our culture is heading brings us, as a family, to the conclusion of needing to get back to the basics. We need to know how to grow vegetables in a garden, produce fruit, meat, and eggs in a healthy sustainable way. Going to the SSAWG conference helped solidify this conclusion even more and mushroomed an enthusiasm to tackle the first steps and initiate the beginnings of Honey Brook Farms.

I would be remiss without mentioning the additional joy had at the Neely’s home in NC and then also with the Cleator Family in GA. The former before and after the conference. While the latter during the conference. The Cleator family was a joy to meet and get to know. It’s truly wonderful to meet perfect strangers but in a matter of minutes be able to feel like you’ve known them for quite a long time because of the unifying factor of being children in the Family of God. This is how it was with the Cleator family and all four of us were grateful for their wonderful hospitality. The Neely Family also abounded in hospitality and blessed us immensely.

Now the Weekend of Agricultural Synergy Development has become an historical event. Yet it is definitely one we’ll remember and build upon. For in reality, that’s all we can do as the future is engulfed by the present, the present  metamorphoses into the past, and the past quickly grows in proportions.

Did you forget about it?

Maybe you never had one?

Has someone or something stolen your joy for what God has called you to do?

Proverbs 29:18

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

It is important that we know why we are here on this earth. People are perishing all around us because they lack vision and purpose!

We as children of God must remember that we have been called by a holy calling!

We have been sanctified and prepared unto every good work!

The spirit of God rests upon us!

We can boldly say the Lord is our helper, we will not fear what man will do unto us.

We can step forward and do what God has called us to, not because we have it all figured out but because we by faith follow the One who knows all things!

These are just a few of the promises of God that we have. There’s many more which will give us comfort, guidance, perspective, and direction in order to be all that God would have us be.

It is so important as individuals and as families to  take the time and encourage one another in the call that God has upon our lives as Christians. We are in a battle. It’s the battle of the mind! Only the truth will set us free from the lies that so often beset us.

Not too long ago we as a family took a day and spent it re-visiting the vision that God has placed on our family. It is a vision that will only be grasped and made a reality if we walk in the strength of the Lord!

We as a family walked around our property and at different points cried out to God to use this land, home, and family to be a testimony of His grace. We see our lack, our sin, and inability to truly be all that God desires of us. But that does not mean we pull back from what God is calling us to. It calls for us to press all the more into Christ – Through Him we shall be victorious!

If at any point life becomes more about us and pleasing ourselves we pray that God would do whatever it takes to get us back on track with Him. Our goal in life must be only to please our Lord and Savior.

Joy and peace reigned greatly in each heart at the end of that day. What comfort and rest there is in believing the promises of God!

We as Christians must exhort one another to keep Christ in the center of all that we do!

May this encourage you to re-visit the vision that God has placed on your life! His hand is upon you molding you and forming you into a vessel sanctified and ready for His use!

Act 20:24 says, “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”

Press on!

Yes, it is true! The Wilkes team has not one, not two, but three chickens!! It has been a couple of exciting days over here as we have begun to take farming to another level.

Our Aunt had some chickens that she needed to find a home for so she brought them over to the great joy of many!

Mark and Hannah could not be any happier. They are thoroughly enjoying this. Kenan and Adam have spear- headed the building of a chicken coop and yard for them and the rest of us are truly enjoying the farm fresh eggs!

No longer is there just open fields but a home in the making!!! The Wilkes team is looking forward with great anticipation to the day when we truly live on Honey Brook Farm.

God has been so faithful. His mercies are new every single morning. Building a home is not the easiest thing. It can be quite stressful and overwhelming at times but 1Thessalonies 5:24 says it so beautifully, “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.” He will fulfill His work!

This barn is truly from God. It was impossible for us to build it a year ago but then God orchestrated events to make it possible. When God is in it who can stand against it! Praise the Lord! May He receive all the honor and glory for it. We look forward to serving Him on Honey Brook Farm!

Our prayer is that our lives would be channels that the living God can work through to draw many to Himself and to bring the most matchless Honor to His Name!

There has been so many people who have come out and blessed us greatly with the time, knowledge, skill, and fellowship. We are so grateful for you all.

We are right now finishing up the electrical work. The plumbing is done and the HVAC! It is almost time for drywall!!!

We are in the process of taking multiple bushels of apples and turning them into apple sauce, apple jelly, and apple pie filling! Yum!

Last week we had some friends down here in Culpeper tell us about this apple orchard that allows you to glean apples off the ground for only $1.00 a bushel!!! So with great excitement we went in search for this place and found it was true!

We broke up into three teams and off we went gathering apples. There is a saying, “Many hands make light work!” In about an hour and a half we had gathered 6 bushels worth of apples off the ground!

Over the last couple of days we have been hard at work. Some dear friends came over and joined in on the process too which made it extra fun! Thank you to all the great apple sauce producers. You all were a true blessing to us!

12-15 years ago, our family began to develop a vision for living in the country. Driving down the interstate beyond the city and suburbs and off into the breathtaking countryside of Virginia has long been a memorable past time of our family. The rolling Virginia hills, expansive fields, lush forests, rushing streams, and quaint farmsteads are simply awe-inspiring.

The Lord knew our desire but He also knew the purposes for which He had planted us in the Washington DC suburbs of Fairfax. Many astounding opportunities to buy out in the country were presented to us over the years. However, time after time the Lord would gently lead us otherwise and the opportunity would fade away. At one time, a much desired  piece of land came on the market. It was in our preferred location and at a good price. However, to purchase the property would have required us to ignore a decision the Lord had lead Dad to make years ago – never to go into debt again. But it was such a great opportunity and at a good price. However, satan often brings his best just before God’s best appears. Dad let the opportunity go. The Lord had other plans.

In Proverbs 31, the qualities of a virtuous woman are described. How grateful I am for a mother who is a virtuous woman and one who exemplifies the qualities contained in this beautiful chapter. Verse 16 declares, "She considereth a field, and buyeth it.” On one expedition into the country around 9 years ago, Mom came across a beautiful ‘field’ that was on the market for sale. It was a beautiful rolling piece of property located amidst numerous active farms and offered gorgeous views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Within a couple days, our whole family drove out to inspect the premises – absolutely stunning!

In the fall of 2001, we placed a contract on the property. We found out there was at least 5 other interested parties. However, the Lord gave us favor in the eyes of the seller. He, having a desire to see our family live on this land, signed off on our contract. Compared to the other property, this lot was much larger, in a better location for our family’s vision, and through a, then recent, change in tax laws, we were able to purchase the property without debt – a further confirmation of the Lord’s will. After a series of perk tests and soil research, we went to settlement in February of 2002. Excitement grew as we began the next step of meeting with contractors for building a house. (Stay tuned for part 2)

Both of our Grandparents really remember picking potatoes . Up in North Dakota, many farms would grow acres and acres of potatoes. When it would be the time for picking, they would have a tractor go through all the rows and plow up the potatoes. After this, children from town, including our grandparents, would go and pick up many bushels of potatoes. For every bushel picked, they would earn 5 cents. That was a lot of money for them in those days.

We have been looking forward to having Grandpa and Grandma join us for a day at our land. They have played a key role, through their stories and ideas, in creating within us a love for farming and living in the country. For Fathers Day this year, we gave Grandpa a special gift: an invitation to join us for a day on the land.

The Thursday was set and Grandpa & Grandma came out for  the day! How we enjoyed hearing them talk about their   childhood farming adventures as we walked through the garden, drove through the orchard, ate a scrumptious dinner (including some fruit  freshly cut by Grandpa), and watched the sun set. It was extra memorable having Grandpa and Grandma join us for an inspection of the bee hives. The Lord blessed our time together and we look forward to spending more time out there with them in the future!

We talked about it and Mom shared with us how the Lord made if very clear to her the night before that we should do a Farmers Market. Mom’s enthusiasm was very contagious! The success of it was uncertain but we decided to step out and try.

Vegetables, fruit, honey, potatoes, and craft items were prepared for display. Cinnamon rolls were baked and other goodies too!

Matthew, Daniel, and I hopped in the truck and went around and put up signs. Others busily pulled the final things together. There was so much excitement and anticipation for what might happen.

After much team work, diligence, and great encouragement from Mom we were ready to serve the public.

That morning reminded me of the need for us to be willing to step out and do whatever it is that the Lord has called us to do that day. Not knowing what the outcome may be should not stop us from following the leading of the Lord.

He calls us to simply trust Him, obey Him and leave the results in His hands. What joy and peace can come from us doing simply what He has given us the grace to do. 

          May you be encouraged to simply trust and obey the Lord and your authorities today!

Proverbs 3:5~6

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.