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.
A trip to my mother and father’s home area in the hills of West Virginia provided visits with many of my cousins. At my age I am learning the importance of spending quality time with family. We reminisced about memories of growing up and visiting grandparents, aunts and uncles and some of the mischief we got into as children. I cherish those memories.
While I was gone the men at the hunting camp in WV were all successful in getting their deer and thankfully everyone had an enjoyable and safe time. Sam truly enjoys spending time with our son and his sons, along with the rest of the hunting camp crew, carrying on the tradition of hunting comradery.
Every year we try to give back. One of my favorite ways is to join thousands of volunteers who travel to Charlotte NC and work at the Operation Christmas Child Processing Center. Sam, myself, our granddaughters, Gabby & Corinn and Gabby’s boyfriend, Shane, took this trip together. Our job is to prepare beautifully packed shoeboxes to be sent all over the world to children who live in war torn or underprivileged countries. The boxes they receive hold gifts of love, these gifts may be the only gifts they receive during the year. For some it may be the only gifts they ever receive. With these boxes they are also giving the word of Jesus Christ. They also have the opportunity to participate in a program that provides them with tools to take that word and share it with their family and their village and become missionaries. Franklin Graham and Samaritan’s Purse is a great non-profit organization that not only ministers to those here in the US but all over the world. If you’ve never heard of this organization you really should Google it! What a blessing to participate and work along with other people who feel the same way.
This year while processing I ran across some boxes that were packed by a church I knew well, Mt. Zion COB. I took a few pictures and was happy to send them to my friend Jennifer, who facilitates the packing party there, and it made her day! Another sweet blessing.
We had a gathering of Sam’s siblings and all of their families as our Christmas celebration. We brought lots of good food and stuffed ourselves.
We heard there was a winter storm heading our way so we snowbirds headed on down here to Florida and will winter here. We left just before the ice storm hit that left many without power.
On the trip down we visited Keystone Tractor and Truck Museum in Colonial Heights, VA. Sam loves old trucks! We are hoping to take in some more of the beauty we’ve yet to experience here in the sunshine state.
We’ve also experienced some loss this last month. My sister lost her husband to cancer. Tracy and Mark Snyder celebrated a year of being married and a total of three years of being together and my sister told me she feels blessed to have had that time with Mark.
A very dear friend of ours, Don Hupp, passed suddenly. We attended school with him, he and Sam were in the Army Reserves and drove for Sheetz together. We are grateful for many memories with him and his family.
Please remember both families in your prayers. Tomorrow is not promised! Spend time together now! Take the time to show love now!
Blessings till next time.
Kim
