Falling

Fall is my favorite!

1+1=1

Joey and Nicole are married!!!! October,10 2009. Mr. And Mrs. Joey Juedes.

The Stripey family

I need to get out somewhere and take pictures of something else, other than my 1,000 cats and my dog.... Oh, I wish I could drop everything and travel whenever and wherever I want!

But the cats are really cute... And so is Jack...

Glorious Fall

God never stops showing off... And He shouldn't...

My favorite season is starting and things are changing....

I am so, so, excited for fall....

Now that I've let Jesus into my life - I even see the changing of the seasons so much differently. Although I am going through a bit of a "season" myself, it's impossible to deny our Creator in everything I see...

Even the leaves seem to feel victory over death. They don't just rot away and mourn, falling off the trees and to the ground without a fight. No, they transform and celebrate- putting on a firework show for us... Laughing, showcasing God's beauty- Yes they rest for a season, but every year they grow back and put on the same show fall, after fall, after fall... Constant... Just like Our Lord... We can rely on the seasons changing, just as we can rely on Jesus to get us through our own "seasons" in our faith and walk with Him.

It's times like these where I wish I was a poet and had a way with words. But Praise the LORD I don't have to be one, because His beauty and His Splendor and His glory- speaks for itself.

Zoo continued....

More info at http://www.thedeyoungfamilyzoo.com/

The Deyoung Family Zoo.... aka- my dream job!

Oh. My. GOODNESS! I had the most amazing day yesterday!

I went with Keren and the rest of the Dietz/Cooksey family to the Deyoung Family Zoo in Upper Michigan...

If you are an animal lover like I am... GO THERE! I wanted to stay ,forever in that amazing animal world.

I would love to volunteer there ! It would be such a dream to be able to work with those amazing animals on a regular basis. Also, the owners are such cool people- they are so passionate about what they're doing and they are extremely welcoming to all of the visitors.

I got to hold a baby Kangaroo and a baby Cougar (well not hold, but sit by) and had Monkeys crawl all over me.

I watched them feed the big cats and play hide and seek with bears.

It was amazing. I would go there every day if I could.

I'm in a hurry to get ready for church but I just wanted to upload a couple pictures from the day yesterday.

ENJOY!

1 John 1: 5-10

Coping with some emotional family stuff and sinfulness- This encouraged me today. I hope it blesses you.

5 This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, His Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives.

Psalm 19

1 The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
The skies display his craftsmanship.

2 Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.

3 They speak without a sound or word;
their voice is never heard.

4 Yet their message has gone throughout the earth,
and their words to all the world.
God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.

5 It bursts forth like a radiant bridegroom after his wedding.
It rejoices like a great athlete eager to run the race.

6 The sun rises at one end of the heavens
and follows its course to the other end.
Nothing can hide from its heat.

7 The instructions of the Lord are perfect,
reviving the soul.
The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy,
making wise the simple.

8 The commandments of the Lord are right,
bringing joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are clear,
giving insight for living.

9 Reverence for the Lord is pure,
lasting forever.
The laws of the Lord are true;
each one is fair.

10 They are more desirable than gold,
even the finest gold.
They are sweeter than honey,
even honey dripping from the comb.

11 They are a warning to your servant,
a great reward for those who obey them.

12 How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart?
Cleanse me from these hidden faults.

13 Keep your servant from deliberate sins!
Don’t let them control me.
Then I will be free of guilt
and innocent of great sin.

14 May the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

Pond. Dogs. Camera

Tempo and Jack playing at the pond.

One of my new favorite things to do now, is to take Jack down to the pond and watch the sun go down while he swims and chases birds.... And anything else that moves.

Ho hum...

I am MISSING CHICAGO....
Portillos
Walking
People watching
Window shopping
The horses on Michigan Avenue
The beautiful Lake view
Tourists
Activity
Variety
Greek town
Moody Church
The Brown Line
Millennium Park
The Art Institute
Grant park
Taking pictures
AmaAaaaazing Chicago deep dish pizza
Gene and Giorgetti
People
Treasure Island free bread samples
Knowing North, South, East, and West
Being able to give directions
People from Everywhere
The Lights
Borders
CVS
Kathleen
My Friends
MBI
Independence
Freedom
Everything....

I love home... Don't get me wrong. It's just a tough time at the Schneider residence and I'm a little claustrophobic.

It's been a month and 3 days...
God is Sovereign....

Meet Jack

After we got home from putting Bunker down, my dad asked me if I wanted to go with him and mom to the Humane society to pick out a new dog... He didn't waste any time. I wasn't sure how I felt about it but decided to go with my parents anyway. My sister e-mailed my dad information about an English Springer Spaniel named Jack who was brought into the shelter for economic reasons.

Before Bunker, we had a Springer named Rocky- He was by far my dad's favorite dog of ours and Springers are his favorite breed. he wanted to go meet Jack before someone scooped him up.

We made our first stop at the Green bay animal shelter since we were in the area. I felt so bad leaving all of those animals there! Ugh, they break your heart! Then, after no luck in finding "the dog" we made our way to Appleton to meet Jack.

When we got there we were greeted politely by all of the shelter staff. we made our way down the Kennel hall and saw a variety of dogs and cats. I was determined not to get attached to another dog after losing Bunker so when I saw Jack, I pretended he wasn't the cutest dog I've ever seen and hurried down to the next kennel. I ended up going back to meet him and I just fell in love with him. He was drooling and wagging all over, he could not hold still because he was so excited to see us!

He became a member of our family instantly. We ended up being able to take him home the same day, which normally never happens because there's a 24 hour waiting period/ reference check and vet records etc. But they sped up the process ( probably due to my dad's businessman persistence) so we didn't have to wait till today to get him.

He is already such a little companion. He's eager to please and loves being around people. My MOM even likes him! That's a miracle if you ask me. she even agreed to let him in the house if we train him not to go on the carpet.

So, this week has been a bit of a roller coaster. I'm grieving Bunker, but celebrating Jack. I lost a gentle, loving companion and gained a drooly wiggle worm who's ears hang in his water dish.

I praise God for both of them.

Where did my dog go?

So... Yesterday.

We had to let our sweet Bunker go... He had lymphoma.
My dad wanted to wait until I graduated and moved home so I could say goodbye. Then, once I did get home, he waited another week. During that time, I saw Bunker progressively get worse. He was so skinny, weak and tired. He was given a steroid shot a few weeks ago to reduce inflammation and to alleviate some of the pain. He kept looking up at us as if saying " What's going on with me? Why can't I run or bark or eat?" It was heartbreaking. I spent so much time by his side and so much time crying. I think it was mostly because I don't know what happens to animals when they die... Where do they go?

I kept telling myself, God is good. He loves all His creation... He takes care of everything on the earth. He's in control.... But, watching my dog die didn't get any easier with that reassurance. I kept hearing " he's going to a better place." But who really knows for sure if he goes anywhere at all?

I want animals to go to heaven. I do. I know, I sound like a six-year-old. One of my reasons for being such a pathetic animal lover is this: they love us unconditionally. If we love them, they love us. They want our love. They love our love.

They don't care how we smell, how we look, how much money we make, or debt we owe, or how good we are at scrabble. They just want to have your love, affection,food and some belly-rubs.
I know I sound childish. I know I shouldn't get so attached to animals. I know they are put here a short while and then they die. But I do get attached. I don't think I can help it.

Anyway. I'm not sure what my point is... I rarely even have one. I'm not sure anyone will even, ever read this. But, I do know that I love my dog and I trust that God loves him more and God's hands are the safest hands to ever be held in... I hope that will be enough assurance for me.