It's A Wonderful Life!

The title says it all ~ no need for more words!

Love,

Noah's Mommy

ps. Yeah, I know it's the same picture as my previous post... but hey ~ I love my kid, and I love this picture!

Soccer, friends & fun...

We had a great day at practise this week. Noah brought his "big" sis Carly, and also a new friend named Bizzie! She is a great new friend and pretty good on the soccer field as well.
Noah working on his dribbling...
Carly, Bizzie and Julie
Bizzie and Julie

R&R in Scottsdale, AZ

Mom & Noah in Scottsdale, AZ

Noah & Dad

Noah water dancing...

Another week gone by...

Hello family & friends,

Well another week has come to and end, and next week will be short. The 3 Winkles are off to Scottsdale, Arizona tomorrow morning and won't be home until Wednesday of next week. We're hoping to get a little R & R if Noah decides that sleeping is a GOOD thing!!!

We had some miles left over and Jack thought a little road trip would be good for all of us. I agree! And I don't have to drive as my hubby LOVES driving! I make a good navigator (naGivator) as Jack affectionately calls me! I'll post some photos when I get home, but until then... know that you all (friends & family) are loved alot, prayed for and cherished deeply in my heart. Thanks for the many times you each brighten my life just by your smile. I pray my actions do the same for you!

Julie

My Dog Daisy...

This is my dog Daisy. I just had to take this picture and show you all...Smart, now that's another matter. Jack and I bought this bed for our cats to sleep on...I'm not sure if Daisy has figured out that she's a bit of a TIGHT squeeze!! Oh well, a dog's day is tiring ~ I guess if the bed fits? Oh that's right, the bed doesn't seem to fit her!! She needs to invite our friends dogs Rusty and Dexter over...they might just be able to squish their dachshund bodies into the small bed... ha ha ha

Life at 29799 Mammoth Lane

The title of my post itself sounds a little like a soap opera, but then again life at 29799 Mammoth Lane IS a little like a soap opera! By God's grace we have gone through the trials and come out on the other side. I don't know what tomorrow or the next day holds, but I know that my Lord holds the future in HIS hands! I was asked a while ago if I could explain my faith in God. I found myself struggling to put into words what I knew was in my heart. I trust completely the Lord of heaven and earth, even though at times I don't see the purpose in His plan for my life.



"But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have." I Peter 3:15



As I sit here writing tonight, I am thinking through all the issues of the last 4 -5 weeks.

• my husband's Uncle Arthur passed away


• Noah was struggling again with his frustration and tantrums


• Jack was diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (thank you Lord, it's very treatable)


• I had a severe infection in my abdomen that wreaked havoc upon me


• my husband's company possibly being bought

There were a few others, but you get the point. So when I was asked about my faith, I thought "How do I respond to that question?" There are times that I feel at a loss for words, and yet my heart beats a beat I cannot fully explain. I know (by faith) that there is someone (God) greater than myself who watches over me and family. He has given me my loving husband and wonderful friends to help carry the burden of my son's autism. He has also given me strength to go on when I truly thought I had nothing left to give... So how do I explain my love for God and faith in someone I can't even see? My son's smile, a brief glimpse into his eyes that melt my heart away, my husband's tears and gentle hand, and my own humanity when things fall apart right in front of me and I am helpless to stop it. These are the things in life that open my eyes to the heart of a Savior who bled for me, died for me, carries me, loves me ~ and yes, holds me tight when all I can do is cry and ask why?

"He heals the brokenhearted, and binds up their wounds." Psalm 147:3