Good  morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the  Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! The promise of rain  this afternoon sounds good to me for this afternoon. We will see if it  really happens. Also, the prediction of temps of 92 today is one I  really believe! Thank God for A/C! I count this as one of my blessings!
We had a cloudy, afternoon yesterday and later in the day, I decided  maybe it was a good time to go to the park and take a short walk. So I  did, and there was the young gator in the same spot at the shelter at  the entrance bridge. I stood and watched him lazily swim a short  distance and a family came with a little girl who was very shrill in her  excitement at seeing him. From watching large Mama gators through the  years, I have come to the conclusion that the gators don't like the  noise of loud voices, just from their reactions. I don't really know if  they can hear or even if they have ears, but they just appear uneasy to  me. But then, I'm no expert, just an observer.
I also enjoyed the beauty of seeing a few egrets along the canal and a  small flock of ibis, busily pecking. There was an egret with neck  stretched as far as it could go, under the willow tree right by the  canal. Maybe looking for a lizard...It all looked like a calendar photo  of Florida! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Jeremiah 17:7 Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence. 
We  are tempted to base our hope and confidence on worldly circumstances  such as a good job or financial security. But these cannot compare to  the promises that we have in God, the creator of heaven and earth. Put  your hope where it cannot and will not be shaken.
How does the promise of blessing affect us when we are weary or discouraged?
 
1  Corinthians 15:57-58 How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin  and death through Jesus Christ our Lord! So, my dear brothers and  sisters, be strong and steady, always enthusiastic about the Lord's  work, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.
Galatians 6:9 Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get  discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the  appropriate time.
 
When we are tempted to give up, new resolve comes from remembering that God promises to bring a harvest in his perfect time.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, 
Amaryllis