A beautiful view across the rolling fields of a farm owned by a dear elderly couple in Madison County. What a blessing it was to join most of the Wilkes Team for a visit to this couple’s home. The dear gentleman, now in his late 80s, has been diagnosed with a lemon size tumor that is malignant. The future of his physical body is unknown but he has a peace that to be absent from this body is to be present with the Lord.

Seeing the joy of this man as he shared of God’s goodness to Him, recounted the story of his salvation (while milking a cow…), reminiscing of old time tent revivals, and singing his heart out to the Lord left an impact upon us. I desire to be like that dear saint and to come to such a precious state of blessedness in my old age – the peace and joy that exuded from his wearied body rejuvenated our spirits and was a precious picture of a life in harmony with Christ.

Following out glorious encounter with this precious child of God, we had the joy of accompanying his grandson to look at a two month old calf. Another first for Josiah!

…..and sometimes……

…… a hearty laugh!

Over the recent months, we have heard several dear parents comment on how fast little ones grow and so the importance of cherishing the moments of raising children. The years tick ever so quickly by.

How easily do the seemingly urgent matters of life crowd out the important moments. Phone calls can be made later, emails can wait….for time does not stop. Today our little one is in our arms but the tomorrow will come when he holds his little one for the first time. Taking the time to make investments into the lives of our children and grandchildren and siblings will lay up eternal rewards. Walks to go on, special outings together, a word of encouragement, the passing on of a legacy gift, reading together, planning the future, praying for our dear ones.

Oh to cherish the moments and end our life having no regrets.

Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.  Ps. 71:18

Have you considered recently the spectacular diversity which with God created the world? He could of made all flowers the same color or all birds to sound the same but chose rather to display His abundant glory through the world around us. And yet….even all the breath taking intricacies of Creation pale in comparison to the glory that shall be revealed when our faith is made sight and we are eternally in the presence of our Creator, Jesus Christ.

Consider though but an aspect of His majesty: the perfect symmetry of a flower – the varying styles of petals, the distinct scents, the complementing green stem and leaves….oh how much we overlook and simply take for granted. And then to step back and realize the great gift you have in being able to enjoy the beauty of Creation. The more we mature in our relationship with Christ, the greater will grow our awareness of God’s glory in Creation and in the lives of His children. His children are daily being conformed into His image – this is a work we should rejoice for in the lives of our brothers and sisters in Christ.

A roadside scene that we just had to stop by and take pictures at….

Praise ye the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary: praise him in the firmament of his power. Praise him for his mighty acts: praise him according to his excellent greatness. Ps. 150:1-2

In just a few hours our potatoes and onions were planted, gardens edged, weeds removed, mulch spread, and insulation repaired in our crawl space. A true labor of love. Thank you Wilkes Team and Stelzl family! We are so grateful for you.

The Lord has blessed me beyond measure through giving life to my precious wife. How grateful I am for her love for Christ, her passion for being my helpmeet, and her joy in being a mother.

How special it was to be able to go away for a night together over on the Eastern Shore of Maryland.

A beautiful bike ride just before sunset…so refreshing

A wonderful breakfast at a little Bed & Breakfast on Solomon’s Island was the perfect start to a great day!

Happy Birthday Sweetie!

It is with great joy that we announce the engagement of our brother (and Josiah’s Uncle) Matthew to Amanda Neely!

I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. Ps. 89:1

May the Lord abundantly bless you Matthew and Amanda as you step forward to become one unto the establishment of many Godly generations. We rejoice over God’s great mercy in your lives!

O LORD, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. Ps 104:24

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! Ro 11:33

Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Ps 107:8

That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, & unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; Col 2:2

We love you and are praying for you. Singing the mercies of God – Joshua, Lisa, & Josiah Bradford

Read & rejoice more at:

theNeelyTeam.com and theWilkesTeam.com

And how special it was for Lisa and I to take Josiah there for the first time since he was born. We hiked to the precious place where our marriage covenant was officially established and my dear wife received her ring from me. Remembering that day, recounting the commitments we shared and the covenant established was a precious reminder of God’s unmerited favor and great goodness.

One of the greatest highlights of the escapade was posing on the family rock (a rock that photos have been on by the Wilkes family since before I was born).

Like unto the Rock upon which our family is building upon, this large rock has been there all these years amidst drought, through snow, through storm and floods.  Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His compassions they fail not. He that heareth the sayings of Christ and doeth them {is liken unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock.

We are constantly amazed at the goodness of our Lord in what He hath done, is doing, and promises to do! The Lord has truly blessed.

I love you sweetie and look forward with much anticipation to our second year together, united as one, for the fulfillment of God’s pre-ordained purpose for us unto His great glory.

O the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! how unsearchable are his judgments, & his ways past finding out! Rom. 11:33

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: And I will make an everlasting covenant with them. Jer. 32:39-40a

The Lord Blessed us with a very special evening together! A picture of the three of us on the night of our anniversary!

Josiah is a precious gift that has been entrusted to us by our Heavenly Father to be raised in the fear and admonition of the Lord. Our greatest desire for Josiah is that he would love and choose to follow the Lord with all his heart. August 20th marked Josiah’s 40th day. 

Surrounded by family, we lifted Josiah up in prayer and dedicated him to the work of the Lord. We prayed for his salvation. We prayed that he would love the Lord with all his heart.

I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3John 1:14

This is a day we will tell Josiah about. He will know the work he was dedicated to and of the prayers and Scriptures spoken over him that day.

Why? That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children: That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments. Psalms 78:6-7

Therefore, my beloved (Josiah), be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1Cor. 15:58

And they that shall be of thee shall build the old waste places: thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations; and thou shalt be called, The repairer of the breach, The restorer of paths to dwell in. Is. 58:12

After reading the following verse from Deuteronomy the other day, my precious wife realized the blessing that it is to be able to enjoy the gift of children.

Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity. (De 28:41)

True contentment and joy comes when we are able to rejoice in the cute, cuddly, happy moments of life along with the trying, tiring, long days. Newborns change so quickly, then they are toddlers, children, young adults, and married. Cherish and enjoy each and every of those precious moments of life – the smiles, the coos, the diaper changes, the late nights, the wondering eyes. Children truly are a blessing to enjoy.