On our way home from the fantastic NY trip, we were blessed to be able to stay with our dear friends, the Wilkes Team, during their final few days in Fairfax, VA! Several years ago, the Lord provided a 90-acre piece of property in Culpepper, VA, and gave them the vision of a huge ministry center barn out there. They have faithfully and very patiently waited for the Lord’s perfect timing, and now it is coming to pass! “The Barn”  is well under way, but not complete, so when their house in Fairfax sold, they realized they would have to find another dwelling for a few months! The Lord provided a beautiful “transition” house only five minutes from the building site. When we arrived, the Fairfax house was almost completely empty… but definitely not desolate!! (How could it be when filled with 23 joyful, energetic people??!) After being expertly divided up into six teams (thanks to the organizational skills of Jenny and Mr. Wilkes!), we spent a morning helping them with some deep cleaning, and then we all went out to Culpepper to see the barn and other house (the “Farm House” :)). What a special time to see their vision being followed through!! We praise the Lord for all He has done!

Being with the Wilkes Team again was an indescribable blessing! A few highlights were: the edifying dinner-time topics of conversation, cleaning house, 🙂 hearing the “8-hands-on-two-pianos” music (Joshua, Daniel, Amanda, and Jessica), eating dinner by the pool, and the morning times around the Word!

Thank you, Wilkes Team, for another wonderful visit… we love you all and are greatly looking forward to witnessing the Lord use you mightily as continually press on with the calling He has given!!

Happy Helpers Washing the mini-blinds  A Happy Hannah Helper Mark Most of the windows folded in so that we could clean them... Mrs. Wilkes and Mrs. Neely Including the little ones in the work! Two hilarious team members! :) Jenny Let's scrub! This one wouldn't fold in, so we cleaned it from the outside! Making lunch Admiring the pool at the new Farm House Important discussions Fun! Part of the cheerful bunch... ... and the rest of it! What sweet time together! This is what happens to those that are bad....

.... They get dunked in the pool!! (No, this really is right side up :-) Well, I think he enjoyed it!! The beautiful view from the Farm House Playing ball We celebrated all of the June birthdays with a delicious ice cream cake :) All the "June people" - Kathryn, Jessica, Grandma Wilkes, Joshua, Kenan, and Sarah Titus finally warmed up!! It started out like this... ...but was much more powerful LIKE THIS!!!!