We are Sam and Kim Wilkins, and we are retired full time RVers in search of 70 degree weather. Our home is now a 42-foot fifth wheel.
We sold our home and most of our belongings in order to see what this great United States has to offer by way of beautiful scenery. Along the way we have met some of the nicest people.
It is hard to believe this will be my last article for 2024 and that we will soon be headed south to warmer weather. It has been a very busy summer.
My friend, Barbara, and her sister, Becky, invited me to Gwynn’s Island for a ladies weekend. We had fun visiting the historic towns and seeing a beautiful lighthouse. We managed to put together a 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle in 3 days. It was so good and relaxing to be with Christian friends to lift each other up and enjoy each other’s company.
I visited my sister, Dawn, and spent the day full of conversation and catching up. We have so many memories together and love bringing them back to remembrance. She is scheduled for an MRI to measure how her chemo treatments are affecting the little bit of tumor that remains in her brain. Thank you for praying with me to let her be on this earth as long as the Lord sees fit.
November is a happy month for me for many reasons. One of my favorite things is the beautiful fall foliage in this great state of West Virginia and they have lasted such a long time this year. Another favorite thing is Thanksgiving, taking time to give thanks for the many blessings God has bestowed on me. Lastly, this month is busy preparing, packing and gathering Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes. I’ve been packing shoeboxes since 1993 which was the beginning of Samaritan’s Purse creation of OCC and my passion for this organization is still strong. My daughter-in-law, Katie, heads up the project at Broadway Baptist Church, where we attend, and has done such a fabulous job of collecting items for the packing party. All tolled there were 456 packed to send to one of the processing centers.
On our way down to Florida for the last few years we’ve enjoyed staying in Fort Mills SC to travel to Charlotte NC just down the road to the OCC Processing Center there. We have 3 days scheduled to work with volunteers from all around. It always amazes me, with so many businesses needing employees just to show up to work. that so many people go to the processing centers to give of their time and their own money to work, and it is hard work, providing Gospel Opportunities to be shipped all over the world through a simple little shoebox full of gifts and the Word of God. I also hope to go to the Baltimore MD processing center with a group from BBC before we leave. This is such a labor of love for me. If you are interested in giving of your time and talents, please go to www.samaritanspurse.org and check it out for yourself. It can bring an immeasurable blessing to you as it has me.
I was able to fit in the ringing of the Salvation Army bell in the mall. Unfortunately, the mall doesn’t allow the actual ringing of the bell but just standing there and wishing passersby and those donating money a Very Merry Christmas lifted my soul. They still need volunteers so if you are looking for a way to volunteer in the area visit www.salvationarmy.org.
We still have our Christmas get together with family at a local Ruritan Hall so we can exchange gifts and enjoy a wonderful meal with fried oysters and steamed shrimp along with many covered dishes and desserts.
Please continue praying with me for our grandson, Matthew, as he recovers from his first of several treatments and that he has the strength to enjoy his passion for deer season.
Blessings till next time.
Kim
