Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! Happy New Year and Happy Birthday, David! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! It is much warmer today than yesterday, and will be a beautiful day when the sun comes up or even if overcast like yesterday!
I took a walk from the sidewalk to the third bridge yesterday at Sawgrass, about noon and saw a lonely woodstork perched high in a tree overlooking the canal.His whiteness was in stark contrast to the leafless trees behind him, and the dead looking shrubbery, I was shocked at how low the water is in the canal, and wanted to see if Swiftmud had the gates open, which they did. Water goes out, but none comes in.
On my way to the third bridge, I saw a large bird fly in the trees and thought at first it was an eagle, but the wingspan was not big enough, so I decided it was a hawk. I had not seen one for a long time.
Then when I got to the bridge, I looked across the water, and there was a large (about 6 ft.) gator stretched out full length on the bank. The sun was not shining, but it was warm, so he must have been warming up a bit.
When I walked back, the woodstork was still in the tree, moving its head now and then. I only met two people on the boardwalk, both men, so it was a nice, quiet walk, except for the noise of the interstate. God is good!
I have been doing some reflecting since I woke up an hour or so ago, and thinking about all the events that happened this past year. I have never written Christmas letters for certain reasons and like to read them most of the time, but if an honest letter is written, it would contain sad news as well as good.
For me, this past year has had sorrow at the beginning, the friendship of two godly men, the closeness of my sons, and a hospital stay and surgery, and then more sorrow at the loss of a sister-in-law and dear uncle.
But there have been adventures, also, with two motorcycle rides and a Sea-doo ride; all three firsts for me, which just proves that one is never too old to try something new! I, also, have made new friends, and am blessed with a long time friend who, after a day on her feet, came to sit with me while I was hospitalized, cut Louis' hair several times while he was confined to a nursing home and many years ago, while he was in the hospital after hip surgery.
I can see God's hand in all the events of the past year, with kindness and love from the dear people at church. I have been well cared for and I know for sure that God is good!!
I will close this last day of 2010 with my favorite verse from Romans.
Romans 15:13 " May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace, as you trust in him, so you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit."
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
(and again, Happy Birthday, David!)
Amaryllis
