Adding Up the Cost.....Is It Worth It?

A few weeks ago I did a post about our wonderful new puppy "Handy". You can read about him (the post is titled "nothings to trivial for God) And I think I mentioned in another post about the computer cord he ate.

So let's see, what else.....Well, we had to purchase not one, but TWO new cords for the laptop which ran about $100 a piece. Then we finally ended up purchasing a new desktop computer. So that was well...NOT Cheap.

Next we have a chewed up cord that we haven't figured out what it goes to yet. It could be interesting when we finally do figure it out. We just have a piece of cord, chewed in half. Soooo I'm thinking this................

One Chewed up computer cord $100.00

Another Chewed up computer cord $100.00

One new desktop computer approx $400.00
But the love of Unconditional love of Puppy......PRICELESS

So in closing I would say, that while it maybe somewhat aggravating to deal with these puppy behaviors, YES it is worth it. But we are going to be attending puppy behavior classes. Of course that is another cost. lol!

Phil 1:6 One of My Most Favorite Bible Verses!!

For some reason I have been having the blues lately. Not sure why really. Maybe because we have been having some over cast days, and not seeing a lot of sunshine, or the up coming holidays, or just maybe hormones.......

But I love it when, the Holy Spirit prompts my mind with scripture. I was feeling lousy and all of the sudden the Steve Green song "He who began a good work in you" started pouring out of my mouth. Do you ever have that sort of thing happen to you? I went over to www.youtube.com and found this clip. I thought I would share it with you.

The book of Philippians is one of my favorite books too. The Apostle Paul is amazing. No matter what, he knows that Jesus is always there! And I am so thankful that God lead Paul to write this wonderful letter to the ancient church of Phillipi, and also it speaks right to my heart today in 2009! Amen!!

So I hope you enjoy this music and that it speaks to you like it did me. God's not finished with me or you yet!

~~~~Please Pray for Julie~~~~

If you're like me, you care about Breast Cancer, and it's effect on women. You, wear a pink ribbon pin during Breast Cancer awareness month, and you are always prayerful for those that breast cancer touches, and thankful that it isn't someone you know. They say that 1 in 8 women are affected by breast cancer. Thankfully no one close to me has been affected.

But all that changed yesterday evening. I have a dear friend (even though we haven't kept much in touch since we have gotten married and kids have come along) but we were together quite a bit back in the day. Anyway, she has just been diagnosed with an aggressive form of Breast Cancer. She has had a double mastectomy and is getting ready to start Chemo. She is strong in her Christian walk, but times like these can be hard, even for the strongest Christian.

Julie is 2nd for the left.

Her cancer is at Stage 2. Please pray for Julie Pickering and her family. She is married and has 3 little boys. I have been fighting back tears ever since I have heard the news. We communicate mostly through emails and such and wow, what a feeling of disbelief that I am feeling right now.

Thanks so much in advance for your prayers.

KC & The Sunshine Band

Wow, I figured it out. Duhhhh....Sometimes I can be so technically challenged. If my step-son (who is 11) was here, he could have figured it out in 10 seconds.

I was in the garage earlier and I found this old album KC & The Sunshine Band. I was instantly brought back to another time. I could smell the warm summer air and feel the warm sunshine on my face. My friends and I used to go crusin' around in my 1978 Chevette (now there's a car) lOl! We had a blast. The radio was blaring and we were footloose and care free. I was the only one with a car, so everyone chipped in and gave a dollar for the gas fund and we took on the open road...Good Times:-)

I hope you enjoy this music......Happy Thursday......

Help----Having Trouble Posting from YouTube-----

Fiddlesticks......I had this great post all set up for you guys......all from YouTube. But I can't get it to show up on my blog. Everything seems to be in order. I click on the post to blog button and it doesn't show up. If you have any suggestions, I would love to hear them.

~Is There a Such Thing as Comfort TV?~

I'm feeling a little under the weather. Been running a fever, have a cough, sneezing......you get the picture. I just hope it's not the flu!

But at least I am getting to watch some great old movies. We have a DVR so I have been recording some TCM movies. I just love Jimmy Stewart and I got to watch Anatomy of a Murder yesterday. Great movie. I also watched Psycho another great movie.

We also have here in Chicagoland a TV channel WMME or "Me TV" this channel plays all the oldie comedy shows, I have been watching them too. The Partridge Family, McHale's Navy, My Favorite Martian, Bewitched and The Flying Nun, just to name a few.

I wonder if there is comfort TV, you know, like the comfort food. I have my other channels (Lifetime, A&E, HGTV, USA) that I like to watch, but for some reason, when I am feeling sick or a little sad, I like to watch the oldies! Comfort TV!!

I'm missing my Bible study today. I didn't think I should go as long has I have a fever. But I can download the sessions so that's a good thing:-)

Have a great Wednesday!

This~n~That

I hope ya'll had a great Halloween weekend. I can't believe it's November. Thanksgiving is just around the corner. We are having Thanksgiving at our house this year. I am so looking forward to it. I have lots of plans for decorating ideas. I also want to do something fun on Thanksgiving. Maybe have a craft for everyone to make (at least all the females)ha! If you have any ideas for a quick, easy, fun craft I would love to hear them.

As I mentioned in a couple of my earlier post, I am soo lovin' my weekly small group Bible study on Esther. I thought that today I would just share a little of what Christ has been teaching me.

I personally struggle with having a quiet time with the Lord each day. I don't like to get up early and once I do get up, I usually have the TV on or I am having to deal with the puppy, or the cats. They are always begging for my attention. Even Hubby interferes with the quiet time. I really need to work on that area of my Christian walk. Time alone with God is soooo important, I am going to work on that.

Our Bible study is written by Beth Moore. She is such an awesome lady. I get such inspiration from her and the story of her background. Anyway, here is a verse that was in our weekly homework for Esther,

"If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways, so I may know you and continue to find favor with you" Exodus 33:13

I love this verse and I have jotted it down and stuck on the bathroom mirror. I am again working on memorizing scripture. I'm gonna list a few more verses that I have discovered during this journey of study.....

"My salvation and my honor depend on God, he is my mighty rock, my refuge" Psalms 62:7 (Love that verse too!)

"The Lord will fulfill His purpose for me; your love, O Lord, endures forever-do not abandon the works of your hands" Psalms 138:8

"Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." Hebrew 4:13

I have learned soooo much during this season of Bible study. You will be glad to know, (at least I hope so) that I am letting go, of my mental anguish, re:Hubby's children and ex-wife, and all that has transpired between everyone. I am putting all that in God's hands and He will use it all to His glory. He is in control. No matter where the children live, God has His sovereign plan. His will be done.

In the study of Esther, Haman became obsessed with Mordecai and I realized that I was doing the same thing in our situation of the children etc. I feel such relief since I have let go of these things.

I also have recently felt this pressing need to make sure that all my friends know that Jesus is coming. We WILL be before Him and will have to be accountable for all our sins. This in the past has caused me stress, I didn't want to think about it, but I realized that I need to make sure that everyone hears and everyone knows. I recently had a childhood friend pass away, very suddenly. And I realized that I didn't know if she was a Christian or not. My heart hurts because of that. I would like to think that her sweet name was called by the Dear Saviour, Jesus. Please click on this link to hear this wonderful song. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fa8w7mGug0c .

How I long to have my name called one day! My sweet friends, because He overwhelmed the grave it CAN be well with your soul! Do you know Him? Is it well with your soul? How I would love nothing more that to introduce my Jesus to you! Please email me at esparza.renee2@gmail.com so I can share more with you and pray with you. Nothing would thrill me more!!

Happy Halloweenie!!

I hope everyone had a great Halloween! We sure did. It was a busy one, but sooo much fun.

Yesterday morning, Hubby and I got up bright and early and went to church for a Family Life Conference "Teenager....the Turbulent Years" It was a very informative conference featuring Mark Greston and our senior pastor James MacDonald. The conference was from 8a.m to 12:45p.m.

After the conference, we headed home, but had to make a last minute dash into Wal-mart to get Halloween candy......ooppps, I had totally forgotten to by any. So, I got candy and some other last minute costume thingys and headed on home. My sister and nieces were on their way. We were all going trick or treating together.

Kayla went as a whoopie cushion, Kaydee a cat and Joann a scarecrow. I was some kind of creature that I just made up in my head. We took the dog and off we went. Fun times had by all.

Then I realize that oooooopps, I forgot to take pictures. I do have a picture of Handy the dog in his "Cowboy costume".

Have a great rest of the weekend,