A few weeks ago we were able to spend several days in Northern VA with our dear, dear friends, the Wilkes Team. One thing we have always appreciated about them is their heart for ministry, whether that be to each other, their neighbors, their community, their church family, or us! We were with them for the 4th of July, and once again they concocted an idea to reach out and minister to those around: through a Family Encouragement Float at the Culpeper Parade!
Keep in mind that none of us had ever done this before. Thus, as it got down “to the wire” and we had only an hour and a half left before it was time to be lining up at the parade, we saw a very obvious manifestation of the Lord’s blessing and what team work can do when the team is of one heart and mind! Lunch had yet to be finished, signs to be made, people to be dressed, candy to be attached to flyers of encouragement, a plan for how the float would actually look to be arranged (kinda important
), and much more, but all got done in record time as each individual pitched in with their unique giftings and abilities and worked with the joy of the Lord flowing from them! Our goal was to have the float communicate a message of hope and encouragement to families, since they are the indispensible building block of society! As goes the family, so goes the nation…
There is nothing like working together as families to encourage other families! Praise the Lord for holding off the rain for the parade and allowing us the opportunity to reach out to the people of Culpeper! God is good!
Thank you, Wilkes Team, Uncle Nathan and Aunt Summer, and Grandpa and Grandma Wilkes for including us in your family and letting us be a part of this wonderful occasion!
Great pictures! It looks like y’all were a blessing to the Culpeper folks! It was good to see y’all while you were in VA.
Thank you Thank you Thank you Neely Team for being such a blessing to our lives. You all made the float extra special by just being there! We love you all and look forward to seeing you at the VA FEW Conference. Yippee!!!
That was a blast!!! I love the pictures.
Thank you Neely team for coming and blessing our home once again. We love you all dearly.
What an incredible way to encourage families, promote righteousness and celebrate the 4th at the same time! It sure would have been fun to join you all. Maybe next time. 🙂
What a wonderful idea!!!!! I love how creative and bold you all are in your witness for Christ. 🙂
How precious!