Just being together…

Our outing for the month of May included a stop at Colonial Williamsburg. Rich in American history and beautiful colonial architecture, our afternoon & evening in the town was another wonderful season of time together.

These special monthly outings throughout this year have each been wonderful opportunities to strengthen our relationship, create special memories, and talk through the wonderful adventure that is about to begin called parenting. We just love being together! As our parent’s so beautifully modeled for us, whether a quiet evening at home, a mountain top hike, a car ride, or even a stroll through the grocery store, spending time with each other – our best earthly friends is a rewarding experience that truly grows sweeter as the days go by. We look forward to many more in the months, years, and decades to come!

This may be our last ‘monthly’ outing before the baby comes – oh how eager we are for his or her arrival! 

A memorable stop at the candy store in the Yankee Candle Mall!

The landscape and architecture of Williamsburg is such a beautiful display of order, symmetry, diversity, and color.

An exciting Colonial Williamsburg re-enactment!

A trip across the James River on a ferry followed by an unexpected strawberry picking excursion – yum! Then we were off to visit Lisa’s brother and his family’s home for a couple fun filled days that included making strawberry jam, canoeing, and lots of great time together as family! We can’t wait until the next time and are so grateful for the big load of baby items we received – thank you!!

How wonderful to be able to stop by and visit the Fuhrman family of Our Father’s Farm on Sunday. We enjoyed a sweet time of fellowship with their body of believers, wholesome conversations with the family, and an inspiring tour around their farm – honey bees, cattle, chickens, edible landscaping, dairy cows, and more! Thank you Fuhrman family for being such a wonderful example of a Godly family who loves the Lord and each other. You are a blessing to us!  Looking forward to the next time.

Remembering those who have fallen…

Memorial Day was established to remember and honor our military veterans who have fallen in the line of duty. We the people of America enjoy liberties which are seemingly unfathomable in many parts of the world because of those who were willing to place themselves in harm’s way in defense of these liberties.

On this day, families all across the nation gather together to celebrate and remember. As we gathered for this day with family and friends, gratefulness was expressed for those who have gone before us, especially our founding fathers. Men who willingly laid down their lives, fortunes, and sacred honor to lay the foundation for the United States of America.

We then turned our attention to another group of people. And before acknowledging the Lord for our Memorial Day dinner read of dear brothers and sisters in the Lord who are giving their lives for the cause of Christ to reach lost and dying souls with the Gospel.

The Voice of the Martyrs sends out monthly reports of the persecuted church to encourage those who are in freedom to not forget those who suffer and to be ready should we one day face persecution. Hearing the accounts of those suffering for their faith was a sobering admonition to us all – how much do we love the Lord Jesus? Are we willing to forsake all to take up our cross and follow Him?

Our First Camping Trip

Our special outing for the month of April involved a memorable expedition deep into George Washington National Forest. Few things compare to the sounds of a babbling brook, the distant call of a whippoorwill, a crackling fire, the smells of camp food and bonfire smoke, the sight of towering hemlock trees, wildflowers,  mountain top vistas, and star filled skies – so serene, so wonderful – simply beautiful. The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork.

Hone Quarry of George Washington National Park is a fantastic destination to the one desiring remote camping and quiet nights amidst miles of thick, beautiful forest undisturbed by modern urbanism. And such was the location for our first camping trip together. We were blessed with beautiful weather and a truly refreshing couple days – sitting by the babbling brook behind our tent, hiking to the top of a nearby mountain, fishing at Hone Quarry Lake, cooking camp style, just simply being together.

It was a time to come apart and rest a while. We returned inspired, energized, and drawn closer to our Heavenly Father and each other.

“And he said unto them, Come ye yourselves apart into a desert place, and rest a while…” Mark 6:31

Many Hands Make Light Work

Love is demonstrated in a multitude of ways – encouraging words, acts of service, quality time, embracing, gift giving, and more! It has been said that LOVE is spelled, “T-I-M-E.” In the busyness of the 21st century, time is all the more a meaningful way to demonstrate love.

We were recently blessed by the love of Wilkes Team #1 through the gift of time! There were several pressing projects to tend to and with great joy the team descended upon our place for a season of hearty work and fellowship! Trees were felled, gravel broadcasted, paint applied, branches pruned, driveway edged, and more!

Thank you Wilkes Team – We love you all! 

A Test of Spiritual Maturity

During a recent trip to Washington, DC, my precious wife pointed out this quote engraved in a newly opened memorial. Feeling greatly inspired, my camera was quickly retrieved. However, this quote should be modified with a challenge not to the stamina of man but rather an introspective view of one’s spiritual standing that stems from one’s relationship with Christ. For the ultimate test of one’s Spiritual maturity and relationship with Christ is his response to the trials of life.

How convenient it is to talk the talk and even walk the walk of a follower of Christ when the pastures are green and the waters are still. However, the ultimate test lies not amidst such times of comfort but when walking through the valley of the shadow of death. It is at those times when fear is on the rise, men’s hearts failing them, in the face of failure, when rejection is all around that the measure of one’s spiritual maturity is tested to the core. Who are you really following and for what purpose?

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We recently had the joy of hearing the testimony of a young Korean father who works in evangelism here in the United States. Five years ago, the Lord led him to this country as a missionary. With much fear and trepidation and yet a faith in the Lord and reliance upon God’s Word, he commenced a season of training for the work God had called Him to.  Two weeks into the training, great fear, discouragement, and doubt began to overwhelm his soul. Here he was, all alone in a new country, amidst new people and a new culture. How he longed to be back in the safety of his Korean comfort zone on the other side of the world. How he longed for relief. Fear and anxiety began to build. However, not knowing where to turn but unto His Lord and Savior, he cried out, and with tears streaming down his face, this young man poured out His heart to the only One who could help. And God encouraged His heart. Through the grace of God, he pressed forward against his feelings, enduring the hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. God had called Him to this work and God would lead Him through.

And to God be the glory for now five years later, hundreds of people, families,  and communities have been reached with the Gospel and many Christians and churches equipped and discipled to go forth bearing the precious seed of the Word. Why? because one man chose to press on by faith though through the pathway of adversity. This is Spiritual maturity!

What is God calling you to walk through? Press on fellow Christian! God’s will for your life will not lead you where His grace cannot keep you.