Two whirlwind weekends in a row! How can we summarize such a wonderful time?

November 20th was a large Craft Show in Fairfax, Virginia. It was the largest craft show we had ever been a part of and all together with the Wilkes we had close to fifty different things for sale. Each one was unique and people showed a lot of interest, particularly in Michael’s pure West Virginia honey.

Saturday evening we had the chance to go and see the progress on the Wilkes’ barn. With eyes of faith, they shared the vision God is giving them for using the property to it’s fullest. From the highest story in the barn we looked out to see the sunset over the mountains to the west and afterwards enjoyed HUGE s’mores around the bonfire under a bright full moon. (Perhaps best of all we were there as witnesses when the good news came that Matthew had brought in a big doe. Daniel helped him track it down and we assisted with the field dressing.) On Sunday we joined the Thrashes and Halbauchs for a message from Luke and uplifting fellowship. The Lord united our hearts.

The week of Thanksgiving flew quickly by. Robert, James and Daniel came in from Chicago along with our friend Barak Lundberg. His initiative and availability helped us throughout the week processing our deer meat and tending beehives. Thanksgiving Day finally arrived and we were happy to celebrate with Grandma Brown, Uncle George and Aunt Joyce. There has been so much for which to be grateful.

With Friday came the Wilkes! and their enthusiastic everyday-type-of-encouragement. They joined us for our first visit to Pruntytown, working with the Glick Family in their prison ministry: singing, playing instruments, and sharing words of encouragement with the men. That night we sang even more for our church.

On the way home in the car that night we couldn’t stop singing and finished out the time with some grand Christmas caroling. May it continue as we enter this joyful time of remembering the inestimable gift given to us in the birth of Christ. Thank you for ministering with us Wilkesteam! “Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord” (Psalm 150:6).