I can't believe it's been two months since I've written anything on my blog. Wow, time flies. We had a fabulous trip to Disney World. We can't stop talking about how much fun we had. It was only made possible because of my Mom. Early Christmas gift. It truly was constant fun. The kids were just the perfect age. They were tall enough to ride everything and just old enough to be thrilled by everything we did. Of course, I still haven't downloaded our pictures. Crazy digital cameras (worse thing that ever happened to me). Of course my kids always have funny quotes that I hope to keep with me forever because they make me smile.

Nathan~ as we are leaving Splash Mountain says "those things really should have seat belts". Mr. Cautious

Anna-Marie ~ as we are preparing to get on splash mountain I'm explaining that we will get wet, she looks up at me with a serious look "is the water clean?" Mrs. Cautious

Now we are all back to reality, work work work work work and then just for a little splash of something different we add in a little more work.

Really LIFE IS GOOD.

As we traveled to school this morning we always take this really twisty road. The kids love it, as they rock all around the van exaggerating every turn. We finally get off and Anna-Marie asks "Did they make that road just for kids" .

Of course they did!!!

Oh how thankful I am to the Lord for simple pleasures.

CHILDREN

Sometimes my children absolutely make my heart sing.


While Anna-Marie has been a tremendous trooper about all this vision therapy.

~hour sessions every day

~weekly trips to Atlanta

Nathan - well Nathan is another story. We've noticed lately that he is jealous of all the attention she has been getting. Michael especially has really been trying to take up a lot of time with him. Not to long ago we signed him up for Karate, so we've been trying to make a real big deal out of that for him. But the bottom line is jealousy is a sin. Sin must be dealt with. We have to take it off (or better said) let Jesus take it off, and then we must let Jesus replace it with His righteousness. We prayed with Nathan and confronted him about his sin. He handled it very well. Like any good southern baptist he said "we'll I have been jealous three times"

Three times ?!!? (more like three times one hundred)

But at least he is acknowledging his sin. I read somewhere recently that when a heart is filled with gratitude it has no room for envy. So Michael and I decided each night to have Nathan list out several things he is thankful for and to thank God in prayer. Two things stick out in my mind tonight that he was thankful for. Our neighbors, when I asked him why "they are nice" he simply says ~ watch out neighbors, children notice when you are nice and they will make mention of you in their prayers. (that's pretty convicting stuff). Also, he was thankful for my brother; his uncle James. Why ~ "because he is in the army". We are so thankful to have someone as wonderful as my brother protecting our country. Sweet boy there is hope yet. I call all these type of things growing pains. Children must grow up it is inevitable, and sometimes unfortunately it is a little bit painful. God is good and works it all out as part of his perfect plan.

Today Anna-Marie and I went to an arts and crafts festival with some friends. When we sat down to eat lunch she spoke up and told me that she overhead two women talking and one of them had a sick daughter. She wanted us to pray for her. My heart overflowed. She is my little prayer warrior. Anna-Marie has the prayer life of an age old saint. She believes in prayer and takes EVERYTHING to God in prayer. I was so touched that she desires to pray for the needs of others and not just her personal wants and wishes. She reminded us again at dinner to pray for this sick girl. We will never know who they are and they will never know how we lifted them up in prayer (at least not this side of heaven). God knows! ~ I am so thankful that he has given my daughter a heart for Him and a heart for prayer.

Yes indeed my children make my heart sing.

Anna-Marie during home vision therapy (so cute!!!!!)

Nathan our karate chopping ninja.

what a man!!!!!

Nathan's Birthday

In browsing through my photos I realized I never posted pictures from Nathan's birthday.~ Back in August ~(bad Mom) (Too Busy Mom)

At least we did have a party. Nathan invited all the boys from his class. We brought them all home with us, took them swimming, and then took them to get pizza. We had a blast. Michael was our main source of entertainment. I'm thinking of renting him out for other birthday parties. He threw the boys over and over. He was very sore the next day.

I'm still in disbelief that my little baby is eight years old. It does not seem possible. Where has the time gone. I fret ~have I done all the things with him I needed and hoped to do. Time is slipping out of my hands. Thankfully he is still very affectionate, it doesn't bother his manlyhood at all to hug his Mama. I'm thankful for his buddies. They are very sweet boys. Good friends are a gift from God. I pray he always makes wise choices in his friendships and that he would himself be a good friend.

~Eight years old just seems really old to me. Really, really old.

The View From My Pew

Over the years I've had the opportunity to view the church, the preacher, and the church members from different view points. Of course before I became a Christian I was merely a spectator. Then, after receiving salvation I was like a sponge, soaking up the word of God and loving every minute of it. I couldn't get enough. The view from my pew was very narrow. Not narrow in the negative since. Narrow in that I was only watching the pastor. I wanted to hear what message the Lord had given him for ME. Sunday to Sunday I knew that God had a word specifically for me. Over time unfortunately my view became wider. It hurts to be honest but I must be~ I became critical of others. The wider the view from my pew, the more critical I became. I've worn pews out and I've had pews that saw very little of me, Oh I was at church, but I was so busy working. Over time the Lord has convicted me and I realize that we all need God's grace and mercy every day. Our churches are made up of many different "pews". The pew of self pity, the pew of criticism, the pew of hurt and pain, and like my first pew the most awesome pew, the pew of a brand new believer~ I'll call it the pew of awe. When you are first saved you just have that sense of "awe" over what the Lord has done. Ten years have gone by since I sat in the pew of "awe". Trials and joys have brought us to where we are now. Serving Christ in a small local church. I LOVE IT. Today, this is the view from my pew. I look up to the pulpit and see the godliest man I know. I look up to the pulpit and hear the Word of God. It brings conviction and encouragement. I look up to the pulpit and I see my husband. I'm aware of the wider view, I'm aware now of the dangers of taking my focus off of where it needs to be. The view from my pew is awesome. I know that the man behind the pulpit lives what he preaches. I know that he has the utmost integrity. I also know the hours and hours he pours into studying and praying in order to bring God's message to God's people. My view is awesome. Of course I have to share my pew; there are two little ones in the pew beside me that I have to keep quiet and orderly.
Oh, I know we live in a fishbowl. Take a seat and watch a while. This is what you'll see. Non perfect people who love a perfect God. Michael and I are not perfect, our children are not perfect. I don't tell them to behave because their daddy is the preacher. I tell them to behave because that should be the expectation of any child. I don't live for Jesus because I know people are watching. I live for Jesus because I love Him.

VISION THERAPY

This is just one of those photos that's worthy of a second posting. I've shared with a few people of our struggles with her academics. While she is an awesome reader, she has always struggled with math. (Reversing whole concepts) Okay it's not just a struggle. Over time it has become a very noticeable problem and a big concern .

So after much prayer and the providence of God

(Lisa Smith)~God continues to use her in my life)

we were led to a vision therapist.

Anna-Marie has a spatial perception problem causing her to see double and also causing her to reverse.

Praise the Lord. We now know exactly what the problem is, and there is help and hope. There is always hope because of Jesus.

And Because of Jesus there is also help.

She will have to have therapy on her eyes for the next eight to twelve months, five days a week. Four with me, one in the office in Atlanta. It's a lot, but I am so thankful and she is too.

I wanted to share this with anyone because sometimes we suffer in silence so unnecessarily. I was so guilty of this. I really want a perfect world. I want Michelle's perfect world. I forget God calls the shots. I'm so glad he does. My prayer is that one day Anna-Marie will look back on this and see the mighty hand of God

I do know this Jeremiah 29:11 says "For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

We do not see this spatial perception as a "harm" but as part of God's will for our lives, and if we just let him He will work it all out for good, for His glory.

Best Husband EVER

I am married to the BEST HUSBAND EVER

And this is how he won this title:

Thursday I'm emailed by a friend urgently asking me to stop by after school. She owns a message therapy store, but honestly I think nothing of this because I've got the kids with me and I'm running by right after school. I arrive at 4:00 a few minutes later Michael shows up saying she had called him as well and needed both of us. She asks me to come to the back because she needs to show me something she received and couldn't understand it. I walk into the message room and laying on the table are beautiful roses and a sweet card. Michael sweeps the kids away and I get to enjoy an hour message. Yes, He is the best husband EVER!!!!

Catch up

Anna-Marie finally lost her first tooth. She wasn't too thrilled that night. But by the next day she was excited and couldn't wait to tell her friends and teacher.
Anna-Marie LOVES these shoes. She picked them out herself and insisted that I take a picture of her in them. Pretty snazzy huh!

LOVE

1 John 3:16 gives us a clear definition of love and christian maturity~

"We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."

Today after school Anna-Marie was misbehaving and I told her she would be receiving a spanking. Naturally she began to cry. Nathan came over to me and with the most sincere sweetest spirit asked me to please let him take her punishment. He was so sweet and truly wanted to take that punishment that she deserved and take it away from her and onto himself. I must tell you my heart was so moved and I was so proud of him. He is far from perfect, but He has such a sensitive heart for the Holy Spirit. I told him how much like Jesus that was. He told Michael the other day that God had given him a mission. He was going to go all over the world and tell people to stop doing bad things (he named several "bad" things) but he said I'm going to tell them that the most important thing is that you accept Jesus as your Savior.
~Michael and I will be praying for our little soldier that God will equip him with all he needs to carry out His mission.

as for Anna-Marie punishment was still necessary. She's gotta learn. Nathan informed me tonight that he used to act just like that 'referring to her misbehavior' ; years ago he says, back when he was 6 and 7. But he says "I'm older now and I know better"

Thus the life of any believer ~
we are young, we misbehave, we receive punishment, we learn, we grow Hopefully we grow so much that we take on the attitude of Christ and one that Nathan demonstrated today. Willing to lay down our own lives for our brothers.

TOO BLESSED TO BE STRESSED

"Too blessed to be stressed" that's what I told Michael this morning when I woke up. Yes, my life has been a tad bit stressful. I've got a room full of sweet little second graders and my life has been non stop hopping since the first day of school.
This morning after my sweet time with the Lord, I was reminded of a bumper sticker I've seen before with this quote. Cute and oh so true! I am oh so blessed. And yes, I had a fantastic day! Tonight as I sat with Anna-Marie spending just a few more minutes with her before she drifted off to sleepy town I listened to her pray. What a sweet privilege for a mama to listen to her sweet baby pray to Jesus. She said,(and I must quote so you get the full affect) "Jesus, thank you that I did good on my paper thingy in school today, you know the half page thingy, Jesus thank you that I got all checkses, thank you Lord Jesus." Her prayer was so innocent and from her heart, the sweetest thing is that Jesus knows exactly what "thingy" she is talking about and He cares and she knows He cares. WOW, who am I to be so blessed. Nathan is also geared up and ready to be studious (OK, sometimes) (OK, only when it comes to tests). He wants to make good grades he just doesn't understand why he has to do all that other work in between. Tonight as we study for his spelling test he has that light bulb moment. You know, when it finally clicks, he's so excited "I get it now" he says. Yes, I say I've only been teaching it to you all week. It's not easy teaching your own child. But, he was proud of himself and I was proud for him. He found me in the laundry room after all should have been in bed, but before I could shoo him away, he asked me to pray with him, (boy does he know how to avoid going to bed). We prayed and Nathan just went right on ahead and thanked Jesus that he was going to make a 100 on his spelling test. While there is power in positive thinking, I'm glad he thanked Jesus, and that he knows Jesus deserves our thanks and praise in all we do. I do love my children. As I continue to think how blessed I am of course my ultimate blessing is my salvation. I'm so thankful Jesus loved me so much that He died in my place and offered me eternal life and I'm so thankful that He didn't stop there, that He gives me the gift of the Holy Spirit to help me and to guide me each and every day. I must say though, as I think about how blessed I am, I can't help but turn my thoughts to my dear sweet husband. I am the most blessed women to have such a godly man. I don't deserve him, but he's mine.
I must end with a quote from one of my favorite authors; Henry Blackaby "Jesus did not say that the world will know Him by our miracles, by our grand testimonies, or by our vast Bible knowledge. The world will know Him by the love that Christians show to one another."

Christians it is time that we let that love shine, let others see it and want it for themselves and let's be ready to tell 'em what it is that makes us love each other so much. JESUS

Jesus has worked miracles in my life and yes, the testimony of how the Lord saved me is amazing. I don't know near as much about the Bible as I wish I did. But I haven't meet too many unsaved individuals that wish to hear about my testimony or care to know how much I think I know about the Bible. When I put out there that I'm a follower of Jesus Christ, they are watching to see what makes that so, and they will know it is so if they see me loving others. Truly, sacrificially loving others. Just like Jesus did.

GOOD IS NOT GOOD ENOUGH

On the way to school this week Nathan was thinking about his future and his desire to be in the army. He asked me what I thought his commander would be like. Anna-Marie said "I hope he will be a good person." I said "yes, I hope so to, we will pray that he will be a good person." Nathan says, "NO, Mama you need to pray that he will be a christian. "Wow" I said "buddy, you are exactly right. Anybody can be good, the best is to be a Christian."

Good is not good enough. Anyone can be good. Nathan understands that as Christians we are held to a higher standard of conduct and conviction. Not that we don't fail, because we do. But oh, when I do. Sweet Holy Spirit, bring conviction to my soul. Then Jesus help me to repent and change. Father, thank you for your never ending mercy.

I'm so thankful that my (almost eight year old) understands that good is not good enough. You must be born again.

SWEET TUESDAY

Tonight while I was helping Anna-Marie with her bath she said to me "Mama I know God has a plan for me, I don't know what it is but I know He has one. I do know I'm gonna be His servant."

ahhh what a sweet way to end my day
Praise the Lord for childlike faith. He has a plan for each of our lives. While we don't always know what it is or even understand it all in this moment. We can resolve to be His servant. She didn't just say "I'll serve Him", but "I'll be His servant"

And this is why today was a sweet Tuesday

Blessings

Today Anna-Marie and I went to visit one of our dear sweet elderly widows in our church. She is such a precious women. Anna-Marie and I both enjoy spending time with her. My life stays so hectic sometimes that I neglect to visit her like I should. Today, I was reminded how much I was missing out on when I skip visits with her in persuit of other things. The wisdom that flows from this particular women is that which only comes from a lifetime of living for the Lord. She's not flaunty or showy, it's just who she is. She is simple, her life and home are simple. She simply loves the Lord.
She loved her husband that is evident from the way she speaks of him. She never uses any oppotunity to put him down. It's just real. Her home is small and simple, but when I'm there I feel so comfortable. HOME. That's what I think of. Where you just feel loved. You can't explain it, you just know it. When you leave you are given a kiss with a "ya'll come back now". She really means it too. Her advice and wisdom is so simple yet at the same time so wonderful. She reminded me to make my children earn what they get and to not ever be afraid to correct them. She told me they would thank me for it when they were older. She's right. I think about my own life and though it wasn't always easy, I'm thankful that I did have to work for my first car, it wasn't just given to me. I worked while I was in high school and two jobs while in college. I'm thankful for that now. I thank the Lord for wonderful, Godly older women like this one. She truly is that Titus woman the Bible tells us of: teaching the younger women to love their husbands and to take care of their homes and children. She doesn't hold seminars and charge thousands of dollars to "put on" a conference. She hasn't written any books. Though the wisdom and love she shares far surpasses any that I have ever heard from "professionals". She is a living, breathing, walking example of true godliness. I'm blessed to have her in my life. I sat with her for two hours and when I left I felt so refreshed and loved. I hope that when I have lived for the Lord as long as she has that I will be half as godly as she is.

These are the days of Elijah

I took the kids to my sister's in Loganville, Georgia for a few days. It was our "bonding time". We loved loving on our sweet baby cousin Elijah.

Anna-Marie loved taking care of Elijah.

Aunt Sue took us to Stone Mountain Park where she works. This day we toured the confederate hall. The kids really enjoyed the history lesson. Anna-Marie even gave her daddy a recap after we got back home of all she learned.

This was a very cool water park we took the kids to in Lanora, Georgia. Nathan loved this slide. I did it twice (scared me to death)

Elijah is nine months old. It is so fun to watch life from the view of a nine month old. He has the sweetest disposition. I tried to pack him in my suitcase and bring him back home with me, but for some reason Melissa wasn't so fond of the idea. I think she might be a little attached to him.

We did get him to say "nay nay" and "shell". That's my story anyway and I'm sticking to it.

Vacation

Nathan and Anna-Marie at Fort Clinch

Fort Clinch, Amelia Island

Fernindina Beach AKA fun fun fun

We took the kids to Amelia Island, Florida for a few days of family bonding. We had a blast. Of course playing in the ocean was our favorite. It is amazing when you look out at the vastness of it and the beauty. It's an amazing reminder of how AWESOME God is. How powerful and great He is.

Nathan's favorite was "riding the waves". And boy did he ride the waves over and over and over. He completely wore himself out.

Anna-Marie loves the ocean as well. When the water got too rough I recommended that we build sand castles. She caught on to what I was up to and said, "Mommy, they're just waves, you really need to toughen up." So toughen up I did. I rode the waves until I wore myself out.

We toured the historical Fort Clinch located on the uppermost Florida coastline. The kids were very fascinated and wanted to explore every inch of the place. We also enjoyed a fun round of put-put. (I got my very first ever hole-in-one). Yes, I was excited. God is so good to us, and I am so thankful for my family. Just the simplicity of enjoying the beach together brings so much joy to my heart. I'm so thankful to the Lord for blessing me with Michael, Nathan, and Anna-Marie.

Anna-Marie attended a birthday party on Saturday for princesses.
She had a blast. Each little girl dressed up and of course the occasion called for a horse and carriage. They each felt so special to be driven through the neighborhood in a carriage pulled by a big beautiful horse. Anna-Marie certainly is our little princess. Obviously she enjoyed her cupcake, as evident from her lips on the photo! The joys of being six years old!!!!

This morning the kids and I picked blueberries. We arrived at the blueberry patch at 8:00am. Very early for us to be out and about. I must say we have thoroughly enjoyed the pleasures of our summer vacation, ie: sleeping in. But today we wanted to get some yummy blueberries before it got too hot. The farm we went to belongs to one of our deacons and his sweet wife. Tom and Dorothy Rogers have a large blueberry patch. They are very sweet to share their blueberries with others. They also have several Oreo cows (very cool), horses and Llamas. They love and take very good care of their animals. The kids and I had a great time today. They were convinced that the horses wanted them to stay.


Nathan and Anna-Marie picking blueberries.

Anna-Marie sitting down on the job.

Anna-Marie and I enjoying the "fruits" of our labor.

Nathan showing off all his blueberries. He worked very hard.

Clowning Around

Yes, that is a Llama! Pretty cool, huh!!

What's happening

Right now we are getting packed up to go spend a few days at the beach. I don't know who's more excited, the kids or Michael and I.

Cutie's from the kiddos

Nathan has decided he is going to start a car washing business. He wants some money. He told his Daddy that they could go into business together. Nathan said he would wash the peoples car's while his Daddy preached to them. This might have potential.

Some personal thoughts

I read a daily devotional by Henry Blackaby. Today's message really made me stop and think. He said, "Whenever an unbeliever meets a Christian, the unbeliever ought to be face to face with everything he needs to know in order to follow Christ."

In other words, when they see me, my actions, my attitudes I should completely represent Jesus to them. Sadly, we Christians typically have our lives so filled with sin, bad attitudes and hypocrisy that we often turn unbelievers away instead of drawing them in. Blackaby goes on to say, "Our lives ought to be a highway of holiness, providing easy access to God for anyone around us who seeks Him."

As I continued to ponder these thoughts I was reminded of the hand towels I keep in my bathroom. I have two, one is very pretty and it is for "decor only". Not to be used. The second one is to be used. It's pretty mind you, but a little older then the other and obviously useful. I thought of my Christian walk. As a Christian I can be like the "decor only" towel. Yes, I'm saved. My salvation is sealed and I'm on my way to heaven (look at me ain't I pretty) but it stops there I have no other usefulness, I don't meet the real needs of anyone. Or I can be like the "use me" towel. Sold out and used up for the cause of Christ. Here I am Lord use me. Yes, I get tired, but He renews my energy. When I get dirty and stained with my sins or the sins of others, just like that towels is washed, He washes me.

Well I've been on here too long. Time to go wash some towels.

( This Photo is pretty old, but it shows the kids sporting their army attire)

Happy Fourth of July!

Our plans for today are to get some much needed work done around the house. Michael and Nathan just took off for home depot (hope they're open).

Fourth of July of-course always makes us think of our wonderful military. We are so blessed and privileged to have two faithful heroes in our family. Our nephew Mark is in the army as well as my little brother James. James is in New Mexico, newly married and loving it. Mark is also newly married and loving it I'm sure. It is our privilege to pray for them often. Nathan is particularly proud of his Uncle James. He tells everyone that James is his brother. I don't know why he has this fascination with this. He just thinks that is so "cool" to have an army man for a brother. It's funny because they look so much alike. Little Nathan is the spitting image of James when he was little. James was very sweet too just like Nathan. I have very early memories of "teaching" James. We would sit on the front porch while I taught him his ABC's and how to read and write. I hope I got it right:) I doubt I was old enough to know them myself. He listened though and was a very good student. Guess I was destined to be a teacher. Apparently it's in my blood. I do miss him. He's a great guy.

Proverbs 31 talks of a woman's children rising up and calling her blessed.

These are the moments I live for. Well, that's not all I live for, but I do love those moments.

Yesterday while driving in the car Anna-Marie was talking about something she really didn't need to be talking about. Not a bad word or anything like that. Just a topic a little girl need not be talking about. As she said it, I looked straight ahead and said a quick prayer seeking God's guidance in how to reply so that she would know this wasn't appropriate. Before I could turn to her, she said "Mommy, when I say that, it makes my tummy hurt". ~he he he~ ~ha ha ha~ I think to myself. God you are so good. Of course I explain to her that this is the convicting power of the Holy Spirit. I just didn't quite use those words. She is only six:)

This was a wonderful life lesson. I hope that when I go to say something I shouldn't or do something I shouldn't that the Holy Spirit would make my tummy hurt. I hope I recognize that hurt, and STOP. It is my hope, desire and prayer for myself and family that all we do be to the glory of God. Psalm 19:4 sums it up well

"Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my rock and my Redeemer."

Nathan is so much like his daddy. I love it!!!! He can be so serious, especially when it comes to the things of the Lord. It's black or white. (YES!!) So far so good, lets continue to pray this never changes. Last night at dinner Anna-Marie was yet again worried about the eternal security of our dog, Scooter. Will he go to heaven?her constant question, (the dog is no where near death) She just chooses to concern herself with these things. Nathan told her very matter-of-factly that dogs did not have souls and therefore could not repent of their sins and be saved, so NO they don't go to heaven. Honestly, this was a great answer. Not so great to the "grieving" Anna-Marie. Nathan shrugs his shoulders. In his mind (see I know his mind, because it is so much like Michael's) she'll get over it. You gotta appreciate a man like that. Just shoot it to me straight. Michael though is older and a little wiser he told her that if God wanted Scooter in heaven he would be there. This soothed her bleeding heart. Daddy saved the night and we continued our meal in peace. ~for at least another minute:)

And so in these moments it's as if my children are rising up and calling me "blessed". I am blessed beyong measusre to have children who love the Lord.

And this folks is the wonderful world of the Wingertsahn's

Well this would be my very first blog. I put it off forever, not being exactly techno savvy. I hope this is a great way for our family and friends to keep up with us. I'm horrible about sending out Christmas cards and sending pictures. I do have a wonderful family to brag about. A wonderful husband! Who loves Jesus and adores his wife and two adorable children. Nathan is seven and keeps us laughing with his crazy stories. He is a very sweet boy. He has decided with all his shortness that his sport of choice is now basketball. He's actually pretty good. Our daughter Anna-Marie just turned six. She is beautiful from the inside out. She loves animals and even worries about the bugs we kill, if they will go to heaven or not. We have lots to be thankful for. First and foremost we are thankful to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for cleansing us from all our sins and living inside of us. He guides us and helps us everyday. We don't deserve it, but He loves us more then we could ever imagine. I couldn't imagine my life without Him in it.

This is us

Enjoy!

Nathan is our oldest. He loves to use his imagination, and boy does he have a big one.

He loves anything outdoors . He does bring us constant joy.

He loves the Lord and wants others to love and know Him too.

Anna-Marie just turned six. She just couldn't be any cuter. For example; The Wendy's in our town closed several months back, this really bothers the kids. Earlier this week she asked me what was being done about it. I couldn't really say, she finally asked "Well, have you prayed about it?"

Her question made my heart swell, then her next move made it overflow. She bowed her pretty little head and said "dear Jesus please open Wendy's back up, and Jesus I love you"