Well…..our 2nd attempt at adopting a new Siberian Husky has been successful!!! Welcome to your forever home, our precious pure white, wolf-looking, almost 2 yr. old, Siberian/Malamute mix doggie!! George & I picked her up at the shelter…& then Casey came home from work to give & get love & kisses! Her name was Everest, but Casey, gave her 3 other names: “Maya,” which means water in Hebrew…”Yuki,” which means snow in Japanese…& “Siku,” which means ice in Alaskan.
Jan22
Category Archives: Family Life with a Siberian Husky
Nov8
I’m Blessed And Highly Favored By God!!
Ephesians 1:15-16
“For this reason,
ever since I heard about your faith in
the Lord Jesus
and your love for all God’s people,
I have not stopped giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers.”
Between the season’s…
Candy-giving…
And Gift-giving holidays is…
Thanks-giving!!
So I’m taking a moment to…
Give Thanks To God!!!
For…
My Italian grandparents who came to America…
My parents who raised me to be a Christian…
My two brothers and their families…
And my sister…
Who all serve the Lord…
My family of aunts, uncles, and cousins who taught me to trust God always…
To know Jesus…
To spread the Gospel…
To believe that God takes care of what concerns us…
My husband…
Our health…
Our son, who we adore…
Watching as he continues to serve the Lord…
And the dog that we spoil…
Our family, our friends, our home, our cars, our finances…
Our neighbors, our churches, our schools, our communities, our country…
Giving me a love of learning, teaching, and sharing God’s Word…
Giving me a love of kids, teens, and young adults…
To encourage them to use all the gifts and talents God gives them…
To glorify His Name!
Placing young people in my life…
Who also want to praise Him with all their gifts and talents…
Teaching me how to pray and walk in faith…
To know that God’s Holy Spirit is with me…
And in me…
Guiding me…
And giving me wisdom…
Amen!!
So, why don’t you…
Stop…
With me…
This Thanksgiving season…
To express thankfulness to God…
For His Presence in our lives…
Let’s Praise Him…
And Worship Him…
Because…
He makes every day joyful for us…
Who believe and trust in Him!
1 Chronicles 16:34
“Give thanks to the Lord,
For He is good;
His love endures forever.”
May5
Is 65 The New 45??? Gee, I Hope So!!
Happy Birthday To Me!!
I recently celebrated a BIG Birthday!
(Me with Sandy and Elle!)
And I now get to show my golden Medicare “ticket” everywhere..
But, now that I’m “mature,” I forget to do it!!
Hubby’s already on it, so I know it’s fine…
I’ll get used to it!
We already had good insurance…
Thanks to the NJ Public Schools…
My plan after college was to get married,
Teach for two years,
Have 4 kids…
Done!
But, since my son took 14 years to arrive!
I just kept on teaching…
And, as my sister-in-law advised,
“Stay in teaching long enough to get all the benefits you deserve!!”
So, I stayed!
After 26 years, I retired…
One kid, a pension, and my health insurance…
God is good!
Because of so many years…
Of being blessed with God’s wisdom…
My years of experience…
And my mistakes…
(Thank you for “redos,” Lord!)
I’m such a wealth of information!
Ha!
So, what do you want to know about???
Growing up in a constantly fast-talking Italian family…
With lots of aunts, uncles, and cousins???
So much fun going to church together…
Everyone talking at the same time…
Very loudly!!
With lots and lots of food!!!
Growing up Pentecostal???
Lots of “You can’t do that!”
But, lots of faith, love, and strong trust in God, too!!
I learned to teach my son about all the things we can do in Christ!
And the joy we experience!
Growing up with an older brother???
“Stitches” in my side as he walked too fast on our way to school…
Joe always said my younger brother, John, and I had “piercing voices!”
Growing up with a younger brother???
Who, as I mentioned in another post…
https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2013/09/07/oh-by-the-way-…have-any-gauze/
Slashed my lip with a snow shovel…
While we were shoveling snow in NJ…
When I was in 6th grade!
But, we never wanted to be apart!
Praying for a sister???
My Mom was 38…
I had to have a sister…
Having two brothers was just too much…
I was eleven when Tina was born!
She went everywhere with me!
So special to me to this day!!
Amen!
God answers prayers!
Wanting to be a teacher since the first grade???
My cousin, Phyllis, who was three years older…
Lived next door…
And was always the teacher…
I was the best student there ever was!
Dating????
Long term dating…
Too early, too intense…
I would not recommend it today!!
College and Master’s Education???
Let me just say…
The tassel is definitely worth the hassle…
Do your homework…
Get an education!!!
Then, ask God to give you a job you’re passionate about!
First Marriage???
Moved to Texas to live with my older brother and his wife…
Married two and a half years…
Divorced…
Came home to NJ!
Divorce???
Low, low point…
Feels like someone took a photo of the two of you…
Tore it in two…
And ripped your heart out…
You’re deeply changed…
I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone!
Second Marriage
To my high school sweetheart…
Thirty-seven years…
Through the best of the best…
And the worst of the worst…
The key is to go through it…
TOGETHER…
That’s what marriage is all about…
Even when “LOVE” is strong…
But, “LIKE” is not!!
Amen!
Oh,Yes…
I am difficult to live with…
More than just sometimes!!
Good quote on Facebook:
“In every marriage more than a week old,
there are grounds for divorce…
the trick is to find, and continue to find,
the grounds for marriage!!”
Thank you, Jesus!
Amen!!
Ten years of Infertility???
Why me?
All my cousins and friends had kids…
But, God turned my attitude to…
“Why not me?”
And I received a miracle gift from God!
It was totally worth the huge cost and effort…
Of in-vitro…
To have our son!!!
Thank God for insurance!
Coming back to God???
Spent twenty years doing “my own thing!”
But could not fathom…
Raising my son without faith…
He loved Jesus…
Going to church…
Lively worship music…
And Veggie Tales…
And he led me back to Jesus!
Raising a great kid???
What a ministry…
To pour Jesus into your child!!!
Life???
Yes, they’ll be trials…
But, always accept the Lord’s…
Joy!
Death???
So sad to lose loved ones…
But, we can celebrate their life…
Because of our Hope of Heaven…
And say, “See you soon!”
Parents???
We do our best…
So remember…
Your parents did their best, too!!
Forgive…
Don’t hold onto grudges…
Love!
Friends and family???
While you can’t pick your family…
You can love, encourage, and minister to the family that God gave you!
Friends…
Chose wisely and love deeply!
Siberian Huskies???
Only God could make such a beautiful face…
My Crazy, Precious Little Girl…
Is lots of work…
And brings, oh, so much joy!!
See her Birthday post!
https://godssceneryandpromises.wordpress.com/2014/01/03/guess-whos-turning-seven/
Seeing through God’s eyes???
Is beautiful…
And difficult…
Be prepared to listen…
Be prepared to obey!
Religion???
Faith is better than no faith…
Our relationship with Jesus is everything!
Being retired???
Not HAVING to work is soooo good…
Retirement with a pension is the best!
Ministering to others???
Accountability…
Teaching others keeps you on your toes!
Keep on going for God!!
Eternal Life???
1 Timothy 4:8
“For physical training is of some value,
but godliness has value for all things,
holding promise for both the present life
and the life to come.”
Amen!
Mar1
This Just Says It all!!
Ahhh…I needed that!!!
This is not my Crazy Siberian, but it could very well be!! Ha!!
She knows a good thing when she feels it!!
Ahhhhh…I gotta get me ones of those!!!!
Jan3
Guess Who’s Turning Seven?!?!
Yup, Our Precious Little Girl!!
(a.k.a. Our Crazy Siberian!)
This Is What They Look Like!!
(Photo received through e-mail-photographer unknown)
When they’re puppies!!
(Photo received through e-mail-photographer unknown)
When they have blue eyes!!
When they’re caged!!
When they’re giving love!!
When they’re trying to sneak some Thanksgiving dinner!!
When they’re definitely spoiled!!
When they want, “More, Please!”
When they’re part of the family now!!
Just like another child!!
When we can’t remember what life was like without her!!
Even though she knows she runs the show around here!
Hey, wait a minute…what’s that?!?!
That wasn’t here before!
Is it Christmas, already???
And when they turn seven…
And they’ve had a big day!!
Happy Birthday, Crazy Girl!!
We love you soooo much!
Thank you for all the joy and love you give us!
We pray for your health!
And thank you for taking such good care of us!!
Amen!
Dec18
Family Christmas Photos!!
Hey Everyone!
Merry Christmas!
Welcome to our home!!
We’ll be in Longboat Key at the beach for Christmas to relax…
It’s been a busy “work/school/drama team, etc.” year so far!!
Here are some photos of Casey as Santa in our Christmas drama on Sunday at our church!!
He’s not in the “Ho! Ho! Ho! Jolly Santa” character, yet!
Oh, that’s better!! Ha!
He had to learn the real meaning of Christmas…
Through the song…
“This Is Christmas”
By Kutless
What is Christmas?!?”
It’s all about a Savior wrapped in a manger!!
What is Christmas???
Without Christ??
Also, some photos of our Pre-Christmas Italian Dinner…
Hubby stirring the huge pot of sauce, meatballs, and boiled eggs I made!!
Yes, boiled eggs!
My Mom put everything in our sauce!!
Yum!!!
Dig in!!!
And…add lots of Parmesan/Romano Cheese!!!
Come on in and join us!!
Don’t forget the Crazy Siberian!!!!
Since we’ll be away on Christmas Day…
We opened presents early!!
When did sneakers become toys?!?!
Let’s read the Christmas story!!!
Luke 2
“…For unto you is born this day in the city of David
a Saviour,
which is Christ the Lord.
And this shall be a sign unto you;
Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.
And suddenly there was with the angel
a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,
“Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth Peace, Good Will toward men…
And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds…
And the shepherds returned, glorifying
and praising God
for all the things that they had heard and seen,
as it was told unto them….”
The doggie wants to hear, too!!!
Praying you and your family have a…
Very Blessed and Merry Christmas
And a…
Healthy and Happy New Year!!
Love! Love! Love!!
God Bless!!
From All Of Us!!
From Our House to Yours!
Love, Mom, Dad, Son, Dog, and Snake!!!
Amen!
Aug26
There’s A 23 Year-Old Man Living In Our House!!
Jeremiah 29:11
“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.”
1 Timothy 4:12
“Don’t let anyone look down on you
because you are young,
but set an example for the believers in speech,
in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.”
My son will be 23 years-old on Labor Day!
We celebrated his Birthday today…
Because he’ll be away for his Birthday weekend…
That’s what happens when they grow up…
They do things independently of their parents!!
Happy Birthday, Casey!
We love you!
All God’s Blessings!
How did those years go by soooo fast?!?!
You’re an amazing gift from God to us!!
Here’s my prayer for you!!
That you will build your life…
And future home of your own…
On the strong foundation of Jesus Christ!
So you can lead!
Isaiah 54:13
“All your children will be taught by the Lord,
and great will be their peace.”
2 Timothy 3:14-15
“But as for you,
continue in what you have learned
and have become convinced of,
because you know those from whom you learned it,
and how from infancy
you have known the Holy Scriptures,
which are able to make you wise for salvation
through faith in Christ Jesus.”
Here’s a link to Holley Gerth’s blog post today:
http://holleygerth.com/when-god-changes-your-plans-an-infertility-update/
Please read it…
Be prepared to cry and rejoice!!
Here’s my comment to her:
Holley, I read this post this morning…
As we were getting ready to celebrate my son’s 23rd Birthday…
We did the 10-year “infertility roller-coaster” years ago to have him…
I had him when I was 41…
He’s the light of our lives…
And our gift from God!
There was a point where we came to the same moment you and your husband came to…
We were only going to be able to afford one more round of in-vitro…
and my very blunt Mom said to me,
“Maybe it’s not God’s will for you to have a child!”
That shocked me…
I stopped in my tracks thinking about it!!
Then, I knew I believed that it WAS God’s will for me to have a child!
We had a miscarriage before my son,
Lost the other two embryos that were transferred with him,
And had a miscarriage after him!!
Though I wanted all those babies we lost,
I know I’ll see them in Heaven!
Now I direct a Drama Team at church,
And I’m “Drama Mama” to so many kids, teens, and young adults!!
God is so good!!
We each need to ask God the hard questions as you did…
And His answers are the BEST for our lives!
May God richly bless you always!!”
The Birthday Boy Man!!!
That face always makes me smile!!!!
Proverbs 1:8
“Listen, my son,
to your father’s instruction
and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.
Father and Son!
Proverbs 29:17
“Correct thy son,
and he shall give thee rest;
yea,
he shall give delight unto thy soul.”
My son makes “Mothering” so easy and lots of fun!!
Psalm 127:3
“Children are a heritage from the Lord,
offspring a reward from Him.
Yeah!!
Birthday money to buy stuff!!!
John 16:21
“A woman giving birth to a child
has pain because her time has come;
but when her baby is born
she forgets the anguish
because of her joy
that a child is born into the world.”
We brought our Precious Little Girl…
A chewy treat from Petco on our way home from Outback…
Obviously, she cares more about that treat…
Than taking a Birthday photo with Casey!!
Proverbs 3:1-6
“My son, do not forget My teaching,
but keep My commands in your heart,
for they will prolong your life many years
and bring you peace and prosperity.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you;
bind them around your neck,
write them on the tablet of your heart.
Then you will win favor and a good name
in the sight of God and man.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart
and lean not on your own understanding;
in all your ways submit to Him,
and He will make your paths straight.”
It’s so hard to get a good photo of our Crazy Siberian…
‘Cause she’s constantly moving…
That’s why I love landscape photography…
Most things stand still!!
Romans 12:2
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world,
but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.
Then you will be able to test
and approve what God’s will is—
His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
My two “Babies!”
He always smiles…
She’s smiling…
But she still has the chewy treat in her mouth!
She always thinks we’re going to take it from her!!
What would we want with that yucky chewy???
James 1:17
“Every good and perfect gift
is from above,
coming down from the Father of the Heavenly Lights,
who does not change like shifting shadows.”
Psalm 115:14
“May the Lord cause you to flourish,
both you and your children.”
Deuteronomy 4:9
“Only be careful,
and watch yourselves closely
so that you do not forget
the things your eyes have seen
or let them fade from your heart
as long as you live.
Teach them to your children
and to their children after them.”
Jesus I pray…
-Your Word will prevail over our children…
-Your Peace will embrace them…
-They seek Your Wisdom and Understanding …
-They’re quick to obey You…
-They’re Holy in all conduct…
-They hunger and thirst for more of You each day…
-They’re content with what they have…
-They grow in the grace and knowledge of You, Lord…
-They’re clothed with humility…
-They cast their cares upon You, Father, for You care for them…
-They’re doers of the Word, and not hearers only…
-They learn to effectively share their faith…
-They don’t have a spirit of fear…
-But of power, love, and a sound mind…
-You save them…
-You call them with a Holy Calling…
-You provide safety for them, day and night…
-They walk in the Light as You are in the Light…
-You purify their hearts…
-They follow after righteousness, faith, love, and peace.
-They have favor and high esteem with God and man.
Amen!
2 Timothy 2:22-25
“Run from temptations that capture young people.
Always do the right thing.
Be faithful, loving, and easy to get along with.
Worship with people whose hearts are pure.
Stay away from stupid and senseless arguments.
These only lead to trouble,
and God’s servants must not be troublemakers.
They must be kind to everyone,
and they must be good teachers and very patient.
Be humble when you correct people who oppose you.
Maybe God will lead them to turn to Him and learn the truth.”
Casey, you are all these things…
Praise the Lord!
God did a great job raising you!!
Thank you everyone who prayed with us…
All those long years of waiting…
For God to give us the desire of our hearts!
Happy Birthday, You are Loved!
Jul27
It’s A Pug’s Life!!
My hairdresser is a Pug fanatic!!
Here are a few photos she took of her precious babies!!!
“What’s with all this healthy food???
Where are all the tasty dog treats???”
“Why does she have to take up the whole couch???
And where’s MY blanket???”
“I just want to be left alone!!!
Is that too much to ask???”
“I know…
I look really cute!!
But, they make my paws sweat!”
I just love her pugs!
This one is “Captain”
“Morgan,” her black Pug…
Didn’t wish to be photographed today!!
So let’s see if my Crazy Siberian…
Can be polite…
And say, “Hello!”
Good girl!!
Thank you all for praying for my Crazy Siberian…
She’s feeling like her old-self again…
Crazy as ever!!
Amen!
Exodus 23:25
“Worship the Lord your God,
and His blessing will be on your food and water.
I will take away sickness from among you…”
Thank you, Jesus!!
Jul4
Don’t Stress Out!!
Happy 4th of July!!
Our Crazy Siberian and I are just chillin’ today!
While hubby’s watching the Yankee game…
And our son’s out of town…
Our Precious Little Girl’s been feeling better lately…
And is actually letting me type this post!
Yipee!!
See?
She doesn’t look stressed out!
Ha!
I received this e-mail this morning!
“A Great Lesson on Stress”
(author unknown)
A young lady confidently walked around the room…
While leading and explaining stress management to an audience…
With a raised glass of water…
Everyone knew she was going to ask the ultimate question…
“Half empty???
Or half full???”
She fooled them all…
“How heavy is this glass of water?”
She inquired with a smile…
Answers that were called out…
Ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz…
She replied…
“The absolute weight doesn’t matter…
It depends on how long I hold it….
If I hold it for a minute…
That’s not a problem…
If I hold it for an hour…
I’ll have an ache in my arm….
If I hold it for a day…
I’ll have to call an ambulance…
In each case it’s the same weight…
But the longer I hold it…
The heavier it becomes!”
She continued…
“And that’s the way it is with stress…
If we carry our burdens all the time…
Sooner or later,
As the burden becomes increasingly heavy…
We won’t be able to carry on!”
Here’s where I strongly disagree…
With the rest of this…
Worldly attitude!!
As she continues…
“As with the glass of water…
You have to put it down for a while…
And rest before holding it again…
When we’re refreshed…
We can carry on with the burden…
Holding stress longer…
And better each time practiced…
So, as early in the evening as you can…
Put all your burdens down…
Don’t carry them through the evening…
And into the night…
Pick them up tomorrow.”
But as a Christian,
I must say,
“Lay those burdens down at the feet of Jesus,
And NEVER pick them up again!!!
Wake up refreshed!!”
Psalm 68:19
“Praise be to the Lord,
to God our Savior,
who daily bears our burdens.”
Matthew 6:34b
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow,
for tomorrow will worry about itself.
Each day has enough trouble of its own.”
Matthew 11:28-30
“Come to Me,
all you who are weary and burdened,
and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you
and learn from Me,
for I am gentle and humble in heart,
and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy
and My burden is light.”
Psalm 55:22
“Cast your cares on the Lord
and He will sustain you;
He will never let
the righteous be shaken.”
1 Peter 5:7
“Cast all your anxiety on Him
because He cares for you.”
Psalm 121:1-2
“I lift up my eyes to the mountains—
where does my help come from
My help comes from the Lord,
the Maker of Heaven and earth.”
I John 5:3
“In fact,
this is love for God:
to keep His commands.
And His commands are not burdensome,”
Savor these verses…
Let’s NOT stress out!!
Give it ALL to God…
He can handle it…
And leave us stress-free!!
Amen!
Jun8
When Did Going On Vacation Become So Difficult???
Apparently…
When I became an adult…
With responsibilities…
A family…
A job…
A house…
And a dog!!
When we were children…
We just hopped in the car…
And we left!
Okay, so we are packed…
But, it was a rough road to get to this point!!
This vacation has been planned well in advance…
I’ve been looking forward to it all year…
You know how much I love the beach…
You know how much I love to be at the beach…
To read, to write, to do whatever I feel like doing, or nothing at all!!
But, working part-time this year…
As much of a ministry opportunity as it was…
Has put quite a crimp in my retired lifestyle…
Where all my ministries were challenging…
But, I was a volunteer…
And the beauty of that is that I still had control over my time…
I’m feeling drained…
I’m really stressed…
I just don’t feel like going on vacation right now…
That’s crazy, I know!!
Plus, my poor, precious Crazy Siberian has not been feeling well lately…
We certainly all love her deeply…
But, we’ve all lost sleep…
Lots of sleep…
We’ve all cleaned up pee, poop, and throw-up…
More times than we care to…
We’ve made multiple runs to the vet with her…
And she definitely, ridiculously, horridly hates the car ride to see the vet!
It’s exhausting!!
We now have a calendar on our kitchen counter…
Just for her…
So we can keep track of all the medicines she’s on…
It’s just like living with a newborn, needy baby…
Which I remember so well…
Or, an ornery, elderly person…
Which I also remember!!
Teaching was so crazy at the end of the year…
That I lost my cool…
And it ceased to be fun…
I had to apologize for my grouchiness to everyone…
There, and at home, too!
I really just want to stay home…
And vegetate on the couch!
But, no…
Not me!
I decided to tackle the humongous job of cleaning my house from top to bottom!
Starting with the ceiling fans the day after school got out…
My son, the one actually cleaning those fans…
Was not elated!
Well, that’s as far as we got…
When I had to stop cleaning to start packing for this vacation…
While dealing with a sick dog…
I hate packing…
Why can’t all my “stuff” just be there when I get there…
And I don’t do well with unfinished jobs…
So I’ll be planning my next cleaning job…
The blinds and windows…
For when we get back from vacation!
Rats!
Why do I do this to myself?
Please tell me to stop!
Take a deep breath…
Count to ten…
And enjoy my blessings of a wonderful beach vacation…
With my wonderful family…
And the whole summer off from work!
Just tell me, Lord…
I’ll listen to You!!
“My son, if you receive My words and treasure up My commandments with you,
making your ear attentive to wisdom and inclining your heart to understanding;
yes, if you call out for insight and raise your voice for understanding,
if you seek it like silver and search for it as for hidden treasures,
then you will understand the fear of the Lord
and find the knowledge of God.
Proverbs 2:1-5
“Be anxious for nothing,
but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known to God.
And the peace of God,
which surpasses all comprehension,
will guard your hearts
and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6-7
Thank you, Lord!!
Amen!
“Blessings crown the head of the righteous…”
Proverbs 10:6
I love the refrain of the old hymn:
“Count Your Many Blessings”
Count your blessings, name them one by one…
Count your blessings, see what God hath done…
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done!!
godssceneryandpromises 