Natural Remedy for Spring Pollen Allergies

Ah-choo!! Sniffle, sniffle. Ah-CHOO!! AH-CHOOO!!!! I blow my nose. I can’t talk to anyone more than a sentence without stopping to sneeze. My eyes are red and watering, and sometimes unbearably itchy. Ugh!! I love Spring-time… but the pollen is terrible!! Can’t anybody tell me of a way to stop this reaction, OTHER than with regular allergy medication???

That was my story several years ago. Actually, that was me last year. Well, I have to admit, that was me just last week.

Don’t get me wrong; I love Spring – I really do! I love the smell of the cool, refreshing breezes that blow on otherwise warm days, watching the grass grow greener daily, seeing the flowers that are popping up everywhere, observing the birds that are “house shopping”, preparing their nests, hearing the pitter patter of the rejuvenating rains on the porch roof as I watch the storms blow across the mountains, anticipating just when the little knobs on the tree branches will burst into bloom……… I love the excitement, the thrill, the newness of it all! But along with all of the beauty comes… yep: pollen.

Some people are blessed to not be allergic to pollen. We have some of those people in our family. But we also have several who, like me, have strong reactions to it. And it can take away from a lot of the enjoyment of spring. For a LONG time, I have been wondering, What can I do about this? I don’t like to take all the expensive, chemical-laden, commercially produced, temporarily-symptom-fixing products that we can buy at the store. Granted, I think those things have their place, and I’m all for using them at the right time. There has been many a time, even this week, when they come in extremely handy for “emergencies” – those times when I would really rather not be blowing my nose and crying and sneezing all the time… like when I’m singing special music in church or teaching piano lessons. But to live on them all through the pollen season??? Well, that’s not my first preference.

So that’s why I’m writing this: to let you know about something that I’ve found just within the past several days. It’s an amazing substance. It’s sweet (although slightly sticky, as most sweets are), delicious, good for you, and 100% natural!!! How much better can it get?? Would you like to know the name of this wonderful stuff? Actually, you probably use it all the time; you certainly know what it is; it’s usually a “pantry item” in most homes. At our house, we jokingly call it “partially digested bee food.” But the more common (and certainly more appetizing!) name is: honey. That’s right! Just plain old, regular honey. I love it. So when I looked up a remedy for allergies in a home remedies book, I was delighted to find this listed first. Actually, the book says to take a 1-inch cube of honeycomb, swallow the honey, and chew on the waxy part for about ten minutes. (This HAS to be local honey – the stuff produced by the bees in YOUR area – so that the allergens  it contains can build your immune system against the pollen that you deal with in your area.) Do this every day for a month or two before the pollen season, so that when it starts, you already have built an immunity to at least some of the problem.

Well, I didn’t discover this until a few days ago. And I was reading the page between sneezes and through watery eyes. But I decided that it was worth it to give it a try. We don’t currently have any honey in the comb, so I used the next best thing – a spoon. No, I didn’t chew the spoon. 😉 But I stuck it in the jar, pulled it out, spun it around several times until it quit dripping, and then enjoyed the wonderful sensation of eating something that I really enjoy, and hoping that it would help my problem! I did this four or five times the first day, three or four the next, once the next, and once or twice every day since. And guess what? My symptoms have pretty much all disappeared!!! It’s been several days now; I’ve been able to take walks, work in the yard, and flop on the grass, with everything blooming and a strong breeze blowing right in my face, and I usually only have a tiny bit of trouble (if any) when I come back inside later! It’s such a relief, and I’m just praising the Lord for every clear breath I take!!

Now I’m not going to dogmatically say that the honey is what did it. And even if it was, I’m not going to declare that it will do it for you, too. But I just wanted to let you know, because if you are at the point where I was (and usually am every spring), you’ll probably want to at least give it a try!!!

Proverbs 24:13 – “My son, eat thou honey, because it is good; and the honeycomb, which is sweet to thy taste…”

 

(P.S. And if it works, let me know. I’d be really interested in hearing if this helps anyone else!!) 🙂

My Favorite French Toast

A few weeks ago, Daddy and Mommy went on a date. Kitty was making French toast for supper (my favorite!), so I asked if I could help. We had lots of fun Chef Hermantogether. She rolled the bread in the goopy stuff and then put it in the pan. Then we let it cook for a little Mmmmmm...while. We had two pans going so that we could  get it   made faster, so she flipped the bread on the square pan and I flipped the bread on Buddies forever :)the circle one. I learned that you have to be very careful and keep your hand away from the hot sides of the pan, because I accidently burned myself! Ouch! I still got to help finish making supper, though. I like to cook!

When it was all done, all of us kids ate it with maple syrup. Yummy! Here is the recipe:

French Toast

3 beaten eggs

¾ cup milk

1 Tbsp. sugar

1/8 tsp. cinnamon (optional)

¼ tsp. salt

10 slices of dry white bread

Maple syrup

In a shallow bowl, beat eggs, milk, sugar, cinnamon, and salt. Dip bread in egg mixture, coating both sides. In a greased skillet, cook bread on both sides over medium heat until golden brown. Serve with syrup.

Notes from the cook:

The French toast is best (and better for you) when made with Mommy’s homemade whole wheat bread. It fills hungry boys like me up faster that way.:)

It is also yummy when eaten with powdered sugar instead of syrup.

Kitty doubled the recipe for our family, but used a few more pieces of bread than the double batch called for, just to use up the goopy stuff.

Mayfield Dairy Tour in Braselton, GA

Doesn’t everybody know about Mayfield Dairy products?? Aren’t they just a normal part of every American’s everyday life???

This is what we used to think, as Mayfield has been one of our favorite ice 100_3182cream sources for a long time :), but about two years ago we were shocked to find out that not everyone has had the opportunity to experience the fantabulistical taste of  Mayfield’s ice creamier and milk. Why? As we soon discovered, Mayfield is only in the Southeast! There are Mayfield's 'famous' logothree processing/packaging plants: one in Athens, Tennessee (we toured it in 2009), one  in Birmingham, Alabama, and one in Braselton, Georgia. Mayfield has a commitment to only delivering their products to stores that can be reached easily – without too much time spent in transit – to ensure that their products are always fresh and The Mayfield Cowhave a The peak of one of the production buildings longer shelf life.

This last weekend during a short family “get-away,” we had the opportunity to tour the Mayfield Dairy plant in GA. Having loved our tour of the one in TN, we were  curious to see how much of Their flowers even matched the dairy's colors! a difference there would be, how much more of the process we would be able to witness firsthand, etc. We arrived just in time for the last tour of the day, and thoroughly enjoyed it! If you ever get the opportunity to tour one of the three plants, take advantage of it! The tours are free and absolutely fascinating, the gift shops are fun (for those of us who enjoy things like that :)), but, of course, the best part is the ice cream parlor!  The gigantic milk storage units Another view... the milk is pumped into these after leaving the trucks and kept at 23 degrees until it is needed for packaging.Mmmmm…. you have to experience it to know exactly what we’re talking about…

While touring, we found out some incredible facts that were absolutely too interesting to not share. Some of them apply to the dairy industry in general, but most One of the delivery trucks returning from it's route are individual to Mayfield.

~ Mayfield milk contains no artificial growth hormones

~ The plant can process and package 150,000 gallons of milk on an average day

~ 1 milk truck (you know, the ones you see on the highway that just look like sparkly-clean gasoline carriers) holds 6000 gallons of fresh milk

~ The milk trucks have no cooling system, but are insulated, like a thermos

~ The average cow can give 8 gallons of milk every day

~ It takes all the milk given in a day by 750 cows to fill just one milk truck

~ The plant gets about 20 full trucks every day

~ The milk for this particular plant can come from farms as far away as Indiana, but can only be transported a maximum of 96 hours

~ Milk, arriving in the trucks at above 42 degrees F, is rejected (If that does happen sometime, doesn’t it make you wonder what they would do with 6000 gallons of warm milk?? 🙂 We didn’t get a chance to ask that question…)

~ Once arriving at the plant, the milk is transferred from the trucks into gigantic, metal towers that are kept exactly 23 degrees F even on sweltering summer days (talk about a powerful refrigeration system!!)

~ Mayfield milk gets it’s “distinctly-fresh-all-year-long” taste from a system unique to them, called Aro-Vac. It is a process that heats the milk and removes the steam, which actually serves to withdraw all unusual flavors in the milk that result from undesirable things the cow has eaten (such a onion grass, etc.). Even though this plant packages milk for other brands (particularly Great Value – from Wal-mart), the Aro-Vac system is still used exclusively on the milk labeled Mayfield.

~ Mayfield milk is always packaged in yellow jugs, which keep UV light rays from affecting the taste and decreasing the nutrients

~ The bottling system at Mayfield can produce 6000 sealed, “ready to purchase” gallon jugs every hour, or up to 300 pints a minute

~ Mayfield stamps an expiration date for exactly 18 days after the milk is sealed inside the jug, but the milk is usually still good for 5-10 days after the expiration date

~ After the milk is processed and packaged, it is sent to a giant refrigerator that holds approximately 600,000 gallons

~ Mayfield milk isn’t processed on Wednesday and Sunday

~ Mayfield’s total annual production is 69 million gallons of milk, and 28 million gallons of ice cream!

DON'T LAUGH!! They make you wear these for the tour. :):) OK, never mind; you can laugh... I guess it really is comical! We thoroughly enjoyed our “get-away,” and learned a lot in the process! For your information, Mayfield tours make great home school field trips! 🙂

An interesting thought: next time you have the opportunity to visit or tour any sort of factory, plant, museum, etc., TAKE NOTES and ASK QUESTIONS on what you hear and learn. In our individualistic society, this can have a great impact. No one is used to seeing and meeting people who are interested in the lives of others or things other than themselves. We found that when the guide saw that we were actually interested enough in what he was showing us to WRITE IT DOWN, he was noticeably impacted and we were able to have a more powerful influence for Christ. Plus, I think he threw in a little more interesting trivia, just for the notepad!! 🙂

Wisdom from Mrs. Botkin

For several weeks Mommy and we older girls have been listening to “Evenings with Victoria Botkin,” an online class for women and their daughters. It has been a special experience to listen to the wise, godly counsel and instruction from such a sweet woman. This last week, Mrs. Botkin challenged us to be someone that is easy to love and one who is pleasant to be around. She outlined three distinct areas to help us do this. These have been both thought provoking and convicting to me when I applied them to how I relate to my parents and siblings. Once these areas are learned in the home, they will naturally overflow to everyone else around us and will increase our effectiveness for Christ.

I. Personality

-Your personality is the kind of person you are, based on your outlook on life.

-Others appreciate it when your personality reflects respect, gratitude, cheerfulness, courage, faith, love, praise, enthusiasm, and sympathy.

-Show respect by: greeting politely, not interrupting, being a ready listener, serving, making comfortable and happy, and choosing not to use annoying physical motions or gestures.

-SMILE at those around you. We are commanded to be joyful. (Deuteronomy 28; Philippians 4)

-When it is hard to be joyful, encourage yourself in the Lord your God by meditating on His Word. (1 Samuel 30:6)

II. Speech

-Words are some of the most powerful things in the universe. (Proverbs 18:21; Psalm 33:6-9)

-We will give account for all of our words. (James 3:2)

-Tone of voice is vital in speaking.

-Read aloud to learn to use appropriate voice inflection and gain control over the voice.

III. Deeds

-In every day, find special ways to make those around you feel special.

-When we do not feel like reaching out to those around us and making their day special, it is often because of deep-rooted pride and bitterness in our hearts.

Happy Resurrection Day!!

The morning is beautiful here – looks like it’ll be perfect weather for Resurrection Sunday, when we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! It’s as if the whole earth is rejoicing in the glory and power of it’s Creator, just as I am rejoicing in His unfathomable love in reaching down and rescuing me from the power of death and sin!!! As one of my all-time favorite Easter hymns proclaims:

Christ the Lord is risen today; Alleluia!

Sons of men and angels say, Alleluia!

Raise your joys and triumphs high, Alleluia!

Sing, ye heavens, and earth reply, Alleluia!

 

Lives again our glorious King, Alleluia!

Where, O death, is now thy sting? Alleluia!

Once He died, our souls to save, Alleluia!

Where’s thy victory, O grave? Alleluia!

 

Love’s redeeming work is done, Alleluia!

Fought the fight, the battle won, Alleluia!

Death in vain forbids Him rise, Alleluia!

Christ hath opened paradise, Alleluia!

 

Soar we now where Christ has led, Alleluia!

Following our exalted Head, Alleluia!

Made like Him, like Him we rise, Alleluia!

Ours the cross, the grave, the skies, Alleluia!

 

1Co 15:54, 55, 57 – “So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? … But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

 

ALLELUIA!!!! Praise the Lord!!!

100_9419

2010 FEW Conference in North Carolina

Last weekend, we were blessed with the privilege of hosting a Family One of those rare moments when Titus allowed Daniel to hold him!Susanna, Hannah, and LaurenEncouragement Weekend Conference (FEW Conference) here in our area. A FEW  Conference is a time for imperfect families to  come Hannah, Sarah, Kathryn, Bethanytogether to be encouraged and inspired in their walk with the Lord and their relationships each other. In August of 2008, and then again in 2009, we Wow! A vanload on our way to the churchwere able to attendWe were blessed and challenged by the messages (Mark Wilkes) the first two conferences in  northern VA, and ever  since the first one, we had been praying about having one here in North Carolina. Finally, the right time came, we picked the date, and planning and preparations  began in late January. A girls party :)

There were LOTS of supplies involved... As the date of the conference drew closer, it was simply remarkable to watch as the Lord lined up the details. First, when we  They wrapped LOTS of plasticware! (Daniel, Kathryn, Sarah, Jessica, Esther)picked the date (March 27-28), He allowed the Wilkes and  Staddon families – our Meanwhile, the final planning meeting involved eight computers!! dear friends who helped us host it – to both have that weekend available! Then The registration crew - Sarah, Kathryn, VictoriaHe miraculously provided the perfect facilities for it.  Throughout the entire process, we saw numerous  “little” James - one of the photographers miracles  as the Lord led andFellowship time was a big part of the weekend blessed the project: everything from guiding us to  the right theme song, to orchestrating exactly who He wanted us to invite, to providing the heart preparation that we

View More help!!

We sang a family song needed, to stretching the amount of tapeTalking again :) that we used to roll the silverware! As we watched His plans unfold, we were amazed and excited The Hynes family to see how He brought the families About 150 people attended the conferencetogether and worked in everyone’s hearts.

“God’s will, done  God’s way, will never lack God’s supply.”

View Misc shots

Jessi, Amanda, & Kathryn shared testimoniesThe weekend finally arrived, and after much  The younger ones enjoyed the playground after sessionsenthusiastic preparation, everything was in order and the conference began. During the course of the weekend, we Energy levels ran low at times...heard sessions on Why Encouragement is Vital, Marriage  Harmony, A Form of Godliness, Blessing Your Children, and Developing Character in Your Children.King of the ... playhouse? There  were also many testimonies from many young  people about how the Lord has been working in their lives, Food also played a big part in the weekend!and in between times, we had encouraging Herman - our little man!fellowship with the attending families, group prayer  times, music, outside activities, and a few scrumptious meals. [Click here to listen to the messages and testimonies from the weekend.]It wasn't just the little ones who played afterward!!

Some enjoyed playing soccer One of the most encouraging parts of the  conference  was simply hearing Talking some more!the hearts of the Kathryn and Catherineattending families and seeing  how God is working within them. Though we live in a society that is Fun around the pianodestitute of  the knowledge and fear of God, our  Heavenly Tanley and BethanyFather is  still in control and continues to work amongst His Storytime with "Mr. Josh"people. “Behold, the LORD’S hand is not  shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear…” (Isaiah 59:1) How inspiring Joshua & Christina with Amanda & Jessica it was to  realize again that we are not alone in this battle; there are many who are still fighting and living Kris and Sheri faithfully for  the Lord. Because we all need to be reminded of this, we must be constantly encouraging each other The Wilkes and Neely Teams, Sunday nightin  the Lord our God (1 Daddy spoke on "Blessing Your Children" Samuel 30:6), being confident that “he which hath begun a good work in [us] will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ.” (Philippians 1:6).

May we all continue in the things that we have learned, knowing that it will be worth it all when we see Jesus!!

 

*For more reviews and some great photos, visit the Hynes’, Wilkes’ (Part 1 & Part 2), and  Staddons’ blogs!

The Cookie Marathon

A few nights ago, while Mom and Dad were out for the evening, we kids decided to spend our time by having a “cookie marathon,” trying to make as many batches of cookies as we could while they were gone. Soon, butter, sugar, flour, and chocolate chips covered the counters, while each person assumed the role that they would be playing in the grand process. We had the “head chef,” “official dishwasher,” “baker,” and numerous “assistant chefs.” And all total, we mixed up two batches of peanut butter cookies, one batch of oatmeal raisin, and two more of chocolate chip. (We ran out of time to bake them all that evening, so what we didn’t finish was completed on Thursday.) It was an evening of great fun, coupled with a spirit of teamwork that I thoroughly enjoyed. I thank the Lord for my siblings!!

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

 

The Cookie Marathon team members!

Rules for Travel

After spending an entire afternoon cleaning out our “home away from home” a couple years ago, Amanda and I penned this giggle instigator. 🙂 For a long time it hung on our van window. I just happened to spend another entire afternoon The Neely Team "Land Yacht" - truly our "home away from home" :)cleaning it again today, and I remembered it, so I decided to hang it up again and then share it with all of you. Have fun! (BTW, feel free to use this in your own cars. It is a humorous way to get people to think about the mess they are leaving in their area, and hopefully change their ways. 🙂 )

Rules for Travel

If you wish to take a journey

In this family van of ours,

You must memorize these principles

To preserve the happy hours:

1. If you spill crumbs on the floor-board

You must brush them all away

In consideration of the ones

Who cleaned it yesterday.

2. Be sure you never touch the windows

With a sticky, greasy finger

Because the nasty stain you leave

Will always seem to linger.

3. If you want some entertainment

As we travel the world around

You must put it in a tidy bag

Not exceeding twenty pounds.

4. When you wish for something to eat or drink

Don’t ask in a whiny way.

Take a moment to stop and think

What you are going to say.

5. The secret for a peaceful van

Is “Never scream or yell.”

Be sure to consider others’ ears

When you have something to tell.

6. The last rule (certainly not least)

When you board this van of brown

Is put on your best smile

And leave behind your frown.

Wisdom from Grandpapa Neely

  Daddy & Grandpapa, November 2000Several years ago, on January 1, 2001, Grandpapa Neely (my Dad’s father) remarked to his family as we were all gathered to  celebrate the new year, “I have a feeling that the year 2001 will be different from any other year we’ve ever Kathryn & Grandpapalived.” Little did we know that his prediction would be true in more than just one way! For just a few months later,  while visiting his daughter and her family (our aunt), he was diagnosed with a  Stage 4 cancerous brain tumor. After the first surgery to remove it, he was told that he would have, at most, eighteen months to live. Three more surgeries and seemingly endless chemo and radiation Grandpapa made it a priority to invest in the lives of his grandchildren!treatments later, the Lord finally called Grandpapa with his children: Miriam (my aunt) & Patrick (Dad)Grandpapa home to Himself, in July 2002.  We had been blessed with the full eighteen months that they predicted, and we were left with an unbelievable spiritual heritage. Though we grieved for his loss upon earth, and though we still miss him greatly, we rejoice in the hope that one day we will be reunited in Heaven through the grace of our Savior!

100_2331 Last Wednesday marked what would have been Grandpapa’s 76th birthday. That evening, as we sat around the table after supper, Dad pulled Grandpapa’s Bible off of 100_2318 the shelf. The cover is worn; the binding falling apart; the pages are yellowed and wrinkled with age and frequent use. However, it is a treasure beyond calculation, not only for the sake of the Word of God, but also because of the countless insights that are marked along its pages, and the numerous quotes, poems, and thoughts that he wrote on the Grandpapa with Sunnyflyleaves.  Sadly, almost half of my little siblings never had the privilege of knowing Grandpapa, and some were too young when he died to really remember  him well. But what a TREASURE, a wealth of spiritual  RICHES we have in his Bible!!! So even the ones who never knew him can still partake of the incredible legacy he left for us – how I thank the Lord for that blessing!!!!!!! Picking pecans, November 1999

But getting back to my story… When one of our little ones observed that Daddy had “the wrong Bible” (instead of the chronological Bible that we usually read after supper), he replied, “Well, today was your Grandpapa Neely’s birthday. So I thought that we would read some out of his Bible tonight, and see what he has to say to us.” Immediately, I felt a choking sensation in my throat, and I wondered if I would be able to make it through this without crying. As we read through some of the the things that he had printed inside, some things brought a smile upon recollection; others even made us laugh; many were very thought-provoking; and a few even moved us to tears. As I sat there, I felt as if I had stepped back into time and was once again sitting with Grandpapa, hearing him read or quote these very things…

FAITH – Forsaking All, I Trust Him”

 

If a sermon pricks your conscience, it must have some good points.”

 

“Some will hate you, some will love you;

Some will flatter, some will slight.

Cease from man and look above you;

Trust in God and do what’s right.

Though the road be rough and dreary,

And its end far out of sight,

Foot it bravely, strong or weary;

Trust in God and do what’s right.

Perish policy and cunning,

Perish all that fears the light;

Whether losing, whether winning,

Trust in God and do what’s right.

Simple rule and safest guiding,

Inward peace and inward might;

Star upon our path abiding,

Trust in God and do what’s right!” 

 

If we please God, does it matter whom we displease? And if we displease God, does it matter whom we please?”

 

One poem that is not written in his Bible, but which he quoted to us regularly, still makes us laugh:

Whenever you feel like a grump, and you look like you’re down in the dump,

Oh, how I dread when you get out of bed, and go moping around like a frump!

BUT… When you can get up and say, “My! What a wonderful day!”

It’s hard to be sad; you’ll surely be glad, for God is Who made it that way!”

 

Don’t be afraid of opposition. Remember, a kite rises against, not with, the wind.”    – Dr. Harvey Springer

 

Nothing is ever settled until it is settled right; and nothing is ever settled right until it is settled with God!”

  

My fear is not that I will fail, but that I will succeed in things that do not matter in eternity.”

  

“The Clock of Life” by George H. Chandler

“The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power

To tell just when the hands will stop, at late or early hour.

To lose one’s wealth is sad indeed; to lose one’s health is more;

To lose one’s soul is such a loss as no man can restore.

The present only is our own; live, love, toil with a will.

Place no faith in the future – for the clock may then be still.”

 

Death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the lamp because the dawn has come.”

 

These are just a very few of the things that are written in Grandpapa’s Bible. However, probably my favorite is a poem called, “We’re Home,” by Willard Thomas. Daddy read this one at Grandpapa’s funeral, and to this day, I cannot read it or hear it being read without the tears coming to my eyes. That night around the table, Dad started to read it, but tears forced him to stop at the end of the first six words. Then he looked around the table, and, sure enough, we were all crying! After some shaky laughter and much debate over whether to finish reading it or not, he finally mustered up the will-power, and read the sweet, heart-stirring lines. This was the heart cry of Grandpapa; one which my parents have taken up and still press untiringly on toward; one which is my heart’s desire for my children someday; and one which I pray will continue to be striven for in our family until the Lord returns!

Over the years when the children would come in, they would call out, “Mom, Dad, we’re home.”

I guess we just always assumed it would be like that, we would never be alone.

But with the passing of time, circumstances, life, and duty robbed our home of this youthful beauty.

Oh, they still drop by from time to time, or call us on the phone.

They stay a while and then they leave because this is no longer home.

Now when Mama and I go out and drive around and roam,

In jest I open the door and call out, “Children, we’re home.”

It just echoes through and empty house and brings my eyes to tears.

They no longer run on little feet to meet us, and fill our hearts with cheer.

Precious memories of two fine girls and a boy,

Thank God memories are one gift of God that time cannot destroy.

One last request I would make to my God, that beyond Jordan’s dashing foam;

That Mama and I could hear our children call out, “Mom, Dad, we’re Home.”

 

Grandpapa & Grandmama Neely Reuben Herman Neely, our beloved Grandpapa Psalm 16:6 – “The lines are fallen unto me  in pleasant places; yea, I have a goodly heritage.”

Memories with the Wilkes Team!

Preparing for the grand rendition of "Shadrach, Meshach, & Abednego" After a long six months of waiting, the Daniel & Titus spent a lot of time playing the pianoWilkes Team was finally able to make it   down to North Carolina! The meeting, after  so long, was, on a small scale, what our meeting in  Heaven will surely be like  when we meet Sarah and Kathryn - it was snowing!all of  Gggrrrrrrrrrrrr :)our loved ones, and most importantly, our dear Savior! We are thankful for such encouraging, uplifting friends with whom we can fellowship.

  Hmmm... what can we say to explain this one??One of the blessings of being around the Wilkes Team is their constant pointing  of everything back to the Lord. In our fast-paced world, it is very easy to take our The mighty giants with their preyeyes off Christ and become distracted with temporal cares. They are a living example of the  principle found in Proverbs 3:6 – the command to acknowledge God in everything we Looks like the "king's" (Herman's) "herald" (Matthew) was shocked about something!!do. Even in games, at the table, or just simply laughing over a funny incident, when we are with the Wilkes Team there is almost always a   comment, story, analogy, or special insight that  turns everyone’s hearts and minds back to our all-mighty Creator. What a  desirable testimony to have!

Much of our time during the weekend was spent praying Accurate Innovations does a huge variety of colors, designs, and sizes. Daniel wasn't too crazy about the pink and green laminate one! :) about and planning for FEW conference planning - what a joy!NC Family Encouragement Weekend conference,  which will, Lord willing, be taking place near our home on March 26-27. What a blessing it was to Ready... aim... DON'T FIRE at the photographer!give ideas, plan, organize,  and just Titus immediately warmed up to Mr. Wilkes - they enjoyed their "man-talk" about oranges and clementines :)work together to accomplish the common goal  of getting everything in order for this upcoming ministry opportunity.

One of the fun points of their visit happened rather unexpectedly on SaturdayThe rich, snooty ladies and the old servant in the skit we did for children's choir Herman and Adamafternoon. Someone came down after looking out our upstairs window and announced that something had been caught in Herman’s live-trap. Several went and looked again, More actors...discovering that it  was a cat. Upon  closer observation, it was  realized that we had actually caught a young female bobcat!! "Daniel" (a.k.a. Mark Christopher) faithfully prayingWe enjoyed looking at it, hearing it growl and snarl a gracious plenty for our liking. 🙂 A "King Darius" and two of his soldierslittle later, a trapper/friend who sells animal pelts  came and took care of it for us.

The lions!  Sunday evening all of the young people worked together to act out a silent  demonstration of Daniel and the Lion’s Den for the parents. Jessi, Daniel, and Kenan - one of the teams when we played occupation. (If you look close, it appears that something embarrassing just happened to Kenan! :) )Complete with  everything Titus and Daniel were the servants of the king who delivered his messagesfrom  nobles, townspeople, a king, the king’s page, soldiers, and even lions, we had a blast and made quite a few side-splittingly-hilarious Story time with Matthew!memories.

We love you, Wilkes Team, and pray God’s richest  blessings on you for your faithful service to Him and  others. Looking forward to many more such times  together!   

The next generation of arrows - is that really only two families??!