The Wilkes Team

Psalm 19:1 says,

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork.”

Last minute outings can be so fun!!

While Benjamin was visiting us last week, we decided to take a day trip to Virginia Beach! Benjamin had never been to the beach and it had been over three years since we had gone.

Our time there truly exceeded our expectations!The Lord blessed us with absolutely perfect weather, a beach completely to ourselves, and an entire day to just enjoy one another!

It is so important that we take time out of our busy schedules and go spend time with one another. It could be going to the beach, playing a game of croquet in the back yard, or sitting down and having a family read aloud. The most important thing is that you do it all together!

O, the memories we have made together as a family! All because our dear parents have seen the importance of taking the time to be with one another!

The great Seagull Catcher – Adam!!

Have you ever had a desire to catch a seagull? Here’s an easy way to do so.

Instructions: Lie down with a towel over your chest.

Place some type of tempting piece of food on your chest.

Then watch and see what happens………

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Adam decide to try it!

It took no longer than 10 minutes before one couldn’t resist the tempting food! He swooped down to pick up the cheese and to be off again but he was not quick enough for Adam! Adam wrapped the towel around him and quickly secured him in his hands before the seagull knew what happened!

You should have heard the ring of laughter and the looks of amazement from the rest of us as Adam stood there with this seagull in hand!

After getting a picture or two we released him to join his other seagull friends.:-)

Riding the waves was a blast!!

3 Comments » | posted in Family News, Outdoor Adventures, Photography

With great desire we traveled all day in hopes we would make it to Lake Itasca in time for a potentially stunning sunset across the lakes. Our hopes were dwindling as we looked at the estimated arrival time on our GPS and the ever darkening sky above.

We entered the park. Tall pine trees cascaded over the road as we followed the signs to our cabin. Thinking that the sun had already set (due to the darkness caused by the pine trees) we drove without expectations.  A small clearing appeared  and Dad caught a glimpse of one of the magnificent lakes. Annndddd…to our great surprise the sun had just set leaving beautiful shades of pink, orange, purple, and blue behind.

With great excitement we looked for the next pull off. I grabbed my camera, Kenan grabbed the video camera and prepared for landing. As soon as the car rumbled to a stop we jumped out and began running down the 50 steps to the view of the lake.

Ah….. it was stunning. What a wonderful close to a wonderful day. We all gathered in our cabins that night rejoicing in the goodness of God and overflowing with joy in His great love for us His children. 

The next morning we walked to where the Mississippi River begins! It was there that we parted ways with the Wilkes Clan. What an incredible trip we had with them!

On the road again.

Next stop Chicago Illinois! The newly weds, Robert and Kendalyn Staddon opened their home for us to come and spend the night. Daniel Staddon came over and joined us too! What a blast we had! Thank you for all the great food and delightful fellowship!

Not home yet!!!

One more anticipated stop before rolling into Culpeper, Va ~ The Staddon’s home!!

We stopped in West Virginia for an evening and morning of good wholesome fellowship! Thank you Staddon family for your last minute hospitality. What a great completion to an incredible 10 day trip!!

Many memories were made and relationships strengthened. We came back refreshed and in awe over what God did!

1 Comment » | posted in Family News, Outdoor Adventures, Photography

After much team work and fulfilling of responsibilities, our Green Van left Brandy Station, VA for a westerly trip across the US. This has been a trip we have talked about for a couple years now that the Lord has wondrously worked in bringing to fruition. But maybe you are like our family in that often in the days, hours, and moments leading up to departure there seems to be a plethora of opportunities to rejoice, abide content, and yield rights .

Before pulling out of the farm house driveway, Dad turned and exhorted us with the peace that comes from resting in God’ Sovereignty. John 16: 24 reads, “Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” When the Lord is our Shepherd, there is nothing we will want – our plans, our needs, our desires become secondary to His Sovereign will. It is then in such a case that we can ask and receive unto fullness of joy for there are no expectations. We are resting in His perfect way.

Our van pulled up to the Badland National Park of South Dakota just as the sun was rising across the diversified prairie landscape. Evidence for a recent world wide flood (within the last 5000 years) abound throughout this 244,000 acre preserve. Dad declared the glories of our Creator on a number of occasion while driving through the park. We left in awe of our Creator God – then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee – How great Thou art – How great Thou art!

When your family sees the beauties of our world, may they be opportunities to sing the praises of God, declare His wonders to your children, and build an appreciation for the goodness of our Lord unto the declaration of His glory so that the world may know – our God reigns!

7 Comments » | posted in Family News, Outdoor Adventures, Photography

The rich man cried, ” Father Abraham, have mercy on me , and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.”

Abraham said, “Son,…between us and you there is a great gulf fixed; so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.” ~ (Luke 16:19-31)

In eternity there is a great gulf fixed between the children of light and the children of darkness! For those in darkness there is no getting back to the light. Decisions made on earth affect our eternal destiny!

On earth there is no gulf between us and the lost! They are all around us! As ambassadors of Jesus Christ we have been charged with the responsibility to tell them about the marvelous grace that can reconcile them to God through Jesus Christ. Yet too often we do not.

Have we created a gulf on earth between them and us?  Fear of the unknown, lack of faith, an unwillingness to be vulnerable and to risk potentially failing in our presentation, and the list could go on.

All of the above are lies from the enemy! Satan’s goal is to get us focused on ourselves. If successful we become ensnared in a pattern of thinking that breeds fear.

Following Christ calls for us to lay down our life and to deny ourselves. Faith calls for a response! If you have given your life to Christ then by faith you can step forward knowing that Christ will never give you more than you can handle.

~ Last week we as a family joined two other families down on the front steps of the Lincoln Memorial. We gathered with one purpose and desire in mind – to be used by God to touch another life for Christ!

The Beall family with ‘Great Commission Families’ spear-headed this event. They printed over 600 tracks to hand out that day! These tracks shared the story behind the Cherry blossoms of D.C.

Since the cherry trees were in full bloom it was a wonderful way to place in the hands of many the history of the 3,000 cherry trees given to the United States by Japan as a symbol of friendship and reconciliation between our two nations. The track didn’t stop there though! It then lead beautifully into explaining the great price Jesus Christ paid so we might be reconciled to God!

We didn’t know what the afternoon would hold. By faith we stepped out and followed the leading of the Lord. God took each one of us where we were at and encouraged us on to new levels of boldness and delight in seeking the lost.

After spreading the word of God to more than 600 people we gathered around the Washington monument to pray for those who were given the truth.

Thank you Beall family for creating a atmosphere of learning, discipleship, and practical experience in fulfilling the great commission!

5 Comments » | posted in Family News, Ministry Reports, Photography

Eight Wilkes team members plummeted into an automobile. They were off to a battlefield! As the sun moved closer to the horizon, the automobile driver purposed to make the most of each precious minute. You must understand this driver, he had and actually still has a certain propensity which manifests itself at such inopportune times. The propensity most often arises after reading directions. To put it simply, the driver confidently assures himself of reaching the destination with no mishaps but then somehow takes himself, the automobile and all it’s occupants to….well…let’s say…complete confusion!

After handling the confusion and actually regaining proper direction, the automobile with it’s driver and seven patient occupants arrived at their destination – the famed Cedar Mountain Battlefield. Not sure what to expect the team of eight entered the field warily. Of course they couldn’t enter such a place weaponless so one of the members made sure to bring her cannon. Her name soon became “artillery regiment” and because of the number of important shots that needed to be taken  she ended up in the rearward position of our operations. Just in case of possible doubt, I assure all readers, that the artillery regiment performed it’s duties with utmost carefulness and diligence.

The rest of the team attacked the imaginary foe, carried wounded solider’s, considered battle plans, surveyed the landscape, enjoyed conversation, and took part in some rather interesting phenomena’s.

Finally the team meandered their way back to the automobile. And while driving home the eight members were quite unified in the conclusion that the place should be visited again.

“Cedar mountain battlefield is where the great “Stonewall” Jackson almost lost a battle but saved the day by rushing against his retreating troops. He pulled his sword to rally his men but couldn’t get the sword out of the scabbard. Finally he ripped his scabbard off his belt and using scabbard and sword brought order to confusion, stopped the retreat, and in the end proved victorious over his adversary.

(Further info about this battle can be found by clicking the link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Cedar_Mountain)

5 Comments » | posted in Family News, HIS-story, Photography

Are you riding above your circumstances

or are they pulling you down?

Circumstances come and go but your response must remain the same – Christ is sufficient!

No matter what you are facing you can “ride” above it if you keep your eyes fixed on Christ.

Hebrews 12:1-2, & 11 says,

“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

The Lord uses trials to exercise our faith! Each situation you encounter has a God ordained purpose – to mature your faith!  But here lies the question, are you learning the lessons that God is trying to teach you?

  He is more concerned about how you respond to the challenges you face than anything else. Let Christ mold you and form you! Don’t resist Him!

No it is not joyous to go through times of pruning, but if we humble ourselves under his mighty hand our lives will be a testimony of His grace and in time we will begin to yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness. 

When you are willing to do all that Christ asks of you and yield to his prompting’s there is joy unspeakable! At this point you  begin to experience the joy of “riding” above your circumstances because you are seeing life from HIS perspective!

Psalm 61:2-3 says,

“From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong

tower from the enemy.”

Christ is Sufficient!

6 Comments » | posted in Family News, Photography