Key for Success

One day last year, as I was working on the family business, one of my younger brothers came downstairs and asked if it would be a good time to check him out on the memory verses for the Bible Bee. I admit I had to consider it for a minute but I am glad now […]

Pray for Iran

Iran has been making headlines lately. But under its political front, what is Iran like? Like any country it is a country of people! and the people make the country what it is. What would you do if you lived in a country that does not know freedom of speech, press or religion, hasn’t for […]

Substance Amazingly Precious 2012

Mom and I walked out of Wal-mart slower than usual. Not because of extra groceries, but for a very different reason. The winter was coming to an end resulting in drastically-fluctuating temperatures. This caused the sap of the Maple Trees to be pushed through the cambium, which when collected and boiled down produces syrup. Though we […]

Celebrating Michael’s Birthday!

The theme for Michael’s birthday was cowboys! When Michael came in early in the morning and saw the decorations he said he had just been thinking about how the Israelites told the Egyptians that they considered themselves cowboys! Gen. 46:34 “Thy servants’ trade had been about cattle from our youth even until now.” It was […]

The Hope of a Soldier

From “A Mother’s Parting Words to Her Soldier Boy” Ah, my son, if you have no soul to save,—no sins to be forgiven, if Christ did not die for you,—if there is no Heaven, ho hell, no immortality,—then you may live without repentance and salvation. But you have a soul—you are a sinner—Christ shed His […]

A Blessed Weekend!

While our parents began planning for the Family Encouragement Weekends, the rest of the Wilkes came to our house to help us with some projects and visit. This was a very encouraging time for us and we treasure the memories! The Lord really blessed our parents […]

Celebrating Uncle Tim’s Birthday!

The theme for Uncle Tim’s birthday was Florida! Grandpa and Grandma’s dining room was transformed with the beach backdrop, seashore table decorations, and shells from Sanibel. Grandpa’s apple black walnut cake and Aunt Melba’s fresh key lime pie were real treats! We have so much to thank the Lord for including terrific extended family and […]

Rosemary Update

Its has already been four years since I first wrote about growing rosemary outdoors up here in the mountains! I still do not know if anyone else grows rosemary outdoors year-round in north-central West Virginia. But the Creator has given us a treasure in the Rosemary plant with many hygienic, culinary and medicinal uses. Can […]

About the 2012 Calendar: December

The Essence of Christmas A freezing, snowy night + an old, rickety piano + an ancient, homely building = a cozy, fantastic picture! This is what went running through my head as I passed through the deserted Staff Center meeting room at the IBLP Headquarters in Hinsdale, Illinois, that late, wintery night in mid-December 2009. […]

About the 2012 Calendar: November

Morning Light One could hardly have asked for a more marvelous Christmas morning! It was probably the earliest I had ever awoke for a Christmas Day, but what did that matter? On vacation with the family in Sanibel Florida in 2009, we were blessed to follow whatever schedule we pleased. And being in-landers from West […]