96 Years of Faithfulness
In a nation where marriages seem to be crumbling on every hand; where the glorious privilege of mirroring the relationship between Christ and His Bride before the world is desperately undervalued; where husbands and wives are losing sight of their calling to oneness in Christ…
… it is with heartfelt gratitude to the Lord that we have recently had opportunities to celebrate the marriage anniversaries of two very special couples!
~ Our dear, precious parents… We are the blessed beneficiaries of your choice, and of your daily choices, to remain faithful to each other, to love one another with self-sacrificing commitment and devotion, to display before all who are watching what it means to bring glory to the Lord through the relationship of two individuals made one in Him. We love you dearly!
Happy 26th Anniversary!!
~Uncle Willis and Aunt Myrtle Smith… It doesn’t seem like five years ago that we were in GA to help celebrate your 65th anniversary, but what a joy it was to be there again a few weeks ago to celebrate your 70th! You two are a lovely example of love in Christ that has not grown dim even through the passing of many years. We love you!
Happy 70th Anniversary!!
(And, for those of you who like interesting little details, in the past two weeks we’ve celebrated 96 years of faithfulness! 
Hip, hip… HOORAH!)
Proverbs 14:34
Blueberries & Special Thanks
For many years we have waited for our blueberry bushes to bear fruit, and at last, due to the unfailing goodness of the Lord and the experienced skill of Michael Staddon, the first deliciously fresh blueberry pie made it to the table.
Thank you, Michael!
Praise waiteth for thee, O God… Thou visitest the earth, and waterest it: thou greatly enrichest it with the river of God… Thou waterest the ridges thereof abundantly: thou settles the furrows thereof: thou makest it soft with showers: thou blessest the springing thereof. Thou crownest the year with thy goodness…
Psalm 65
Thoughts on the Impossible
“You do not test the resources of God till you try the impossible.”
F.B. Meyer
“God loves with a great love the man whose heart is bursting with a passion for the impossible.”
W. Booth
“For with God nothing shall be impossible.”
Additional Wedding Photos #3
Come, behold the works of the LORD… Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth.
He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.
The king’s daughter is all glorious within: her clothing is of wrought gold.
I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations. For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.
Additional Wedding Photos #2
And I will give them one heart, and one way, that they may fear me for ever, for the good of them, and of their children after them…
Additional Wedding Photos #1
Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
For those of you who have so patiently waited for additional wedding photos, here they are at last. We hope to do a series of posts about that glorious day… so keep checking back!
Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Wilkes!
My beloved is mine, and I am his.
Behold, thou art fair, my love…
My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD: and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.
Blessed be the LORD God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things.
The Week of May 18, 2013
Manicures and pedicures for the bridesmaids and mothers… a wonderful time to make sisterly memories!
At the church, making further preparations for the big day!
The Morning of May 18, 2013
250 K!
Milestones serve as excellent “stopping points” along the path of life at which to recall and communicate the providence and mercy of our Heavenly Father. Yesterday, shortly after we left home to enjoy an evening together at Wayah Bald, we encountered one of these important milestones: our van turned over 250, 000 miles! All those miles traveled together, and in safety, over the past 10 years, remind us of the beautiful truth that “Faithful is He that calleth you, Who also will do it.” The Lord has directed each trip, each opportunity for ministry, and He has faithfully provided and sustained. To Him be praise!
Following that excitement and celebration (which we were privileged to enjoy along with Wes Barnes, loaned to us from his family for a few days), we spent the evening marveling the breathtaking scenery of Wayah Bald. As we stood looking out over the vast expanse visible from such a height, one person accurately summed up our feelings with the quiet reminder that “We serve a great Artist.”
Memorial Day Picnic at the Brown’s Farm
The wedding is over. The bins are put away. The bride and groom are on their honeymoon. All the extended family have returned home. And a holiday around the corner….
What is something we can do, to make some extra special memories as a family?
Mom and Dad had an idea! And an exciting one it was!!
So, the plan?? A trip to Wake Forest, NC for the Memorial Day Picnic at the Brown family farm! This annual event was attended by hundreds of people, the Gospel was clearly presented, and our veterans were honored. What a blessing it was to be there, and to enjoy the sweet fellowship with dear friends, and to meet new friends!
The idea was a success. As we drove home that evening, our hearts were encouraged, and gratitude filled us as we were reminded of the great sacrifice that thousands have given for our freedom. May we be faithful to the Lord, and stand for truth, for sake of generations to come and for the glory of our Lord!
