The Wilkes Team

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!

4 Comments » | posted in Family News, Farming 101, Outdoor Adventures

Oh the magnificent displays of God’s character to splendidly declared in the world of nature around us. Yet how often do we rush past these little tributes to God’s glory. What a blessing to have siblings who are alert to the beauty of God at work around them, especially in the world of nature.

During a recent dinner hour and while Kenan was walking into the kitchen, he suddenly exclaimed with joy and wonder, the spectacular setting sun. Amidst the shades of vivid pink, red, and orange, we marveled over the bold rays of sunlight emitting from behind the mountains. The wonder was magnificent to behold and a timely reminder to take the time to notice the hand of our loving Creator throughout His creation.

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Much joy was had in all the labor (Eccl. 2:10) of the weekend. Our time camping together culminated with a blessed day of fellowship with almost all the families from church.

There is something special about singing songs like ‘How Great thou Art’ while standing beneath the whispering sounds of blowing leaves, the friendly chirps of the birds, and the babbling creek.

Our hearts were drawn closer to the Savior while sitting on rows of hay bales beneath the welcomed shade of the trees. The day further emphasized the fact that church is not the building but rather the body of Christ gathered together for worship before our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

5 Comments » | posted in Family News, Outdoor Adventures

Oh the memories, the adventures, the camaraderie, the   opportunities, the giggles, the fun, and the way life wondrously slows down as the snow descends!

Northern Virginia has weathered seven fantastic snow storms this winter: breaking all time national weather service snow accumulation records (since their inception in the late 1800s) across the region. Our little corner of Virginia has seen close to 75 unprecedented inches of snow.

Reports and stories have come from far and wide! And though there were the long lists of canceled appointments, changed plans, and government, school, & business closings, it was the resulting family time, Providential protection, reaching out to neighbors, and enduring hardness through somewhat extenuating circumstances that resulted in opportunities for families to draw closer to each other, serve their local communities, and rejoice in the  marvelous doings of our Creator God!

God thundereth marvellously with his voice; great things doeth he, which we cannot comprehend. For he saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth; likewise to the small rain, and to the great rain of his strength (Job 37:5-6).

A Highlight of the last big snow was having our cousins over to sled on the big tubing hill which was created under the creative leadership of Daniel & Dad!

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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

As the leaves were falling this autumn, some of the Wilkes Team put their minds together and came up with a creative idea. Our yard was covered with an abundance of leaves. We decided to make use of this wonderful resource.

Using rakes, we began creating trails that zigzagged back and forth all across the yard in what became a maze full of many trails and dead ends .

After the raking, we played a game of freeze tag. During the game, one person would go around and either open up or close trails making the game full of much adventure and unexpected’s.

It was a blast watching both the older and younger ones run up and down the trails having so much fun. We’re looking forward to next fall already!

4 Comments » | posted in Family News, Outdoor Adventures