Friday, January 31, 2014

Psoaring thru Psalm 84

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! Once again the water is dripping off the roof! I thought we were to be through with that today, but guess it has been put off for another day. The prediction is still for 80 throughout the next week. That will be a welcome change, but I have enjoyed the rain.

It was overcast and dismal yesterday with a chilly wind blowing, so I bundled up and went to the library, and checked out a few more books, after I had nice, hot soup for lunch. Then I stopped by the hearing aid office but found out I could not get an appointment until next Wed.! Looks like our winter visitors are in town. I just need to have one of my aids checked. Then I drove on to the park and saw a great white heron and an anhinga on the weir and by the weir. Both were huddled up and looking very depressed. Must have been because the sun was not shining. There were very few people in the park, but I saw a couple guys tossing a baseball back and forth. Reminds me that spring is coming and soon the Rays will be playing again! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 84:9-12
O God, look with favor upon the king, our protector!
Have mercy on the one you have anointed.

A single day in your courts
is better that a thousand anywhere else!
I would rather be a gatekeeper in the house
of my God,than live the good life in the
houses of the wicked.

For the Lord God is our light and protector.
He gives us grace and glory.
No good thing will the Lord withhold from
those who do what is right O Lord Almighty,
happy are those who trust in you!

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers
with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Thursday, January 30, 2014

Roamin' thru Romans

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! I haven't seen any signs of sunshine yet and rain is dripping off the roof again, but although it is still 49 temp. it will warm up soon and we will have a good weekend!

I did not go out yesterday, since after I got through with laundry and waiting for my cleaning ladies who were running late, it was raining and cold, so I just decided to stay home and finish up some chores and read. But, God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 8:5-11
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit If your sinful nature controls your mind, there is death. But if the Holy Spirit controls your mind there is life and peace. For the sinful is always hostile to God. It never did obey God's laws, and it never will. That's why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God.

But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you....
The  Spirit of God who raised Jesus from the dead lives in you. And just as he raised
 Christ from the dead. he will give life to your mortal body by the same Spirit living in you.


I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Psoaring thru Psalm 91

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!  Raindrops are dripping off the roof, although it is not raining at this moment. That was the prediction for today, along with falling temps all day and a low in the middle fifties tomorrow. But then, on Sunday, we will be in the eighties again for all week. Yay!

I was watching the weather channel this morning and even on Facebook, pics were shown of hundreds of cars stranded in Atlanta, with some people inside the cars for 10 hours. Makes me think of what they did for sanitary needs... also, people were sleeping on the floor at CVS.! Daryl was sending photos of snow covered cars and about two inches or more on cars and the ground. Schools are closed and a lot of businesses did not open. As I said yesterday, I am glad I live in St. Petersburg!

I had to go shopping yesterday and the sun was so warm, I did not even need a sweater! In fact, I had the A/C on in the car. After I finished, I drove to the Park, and saw the gopher tortoise munching on the sparse grass where he hangs out. He looked like he was smiling. I also saw lots of people enjoying the sun and exercise. The canal is low on water, so it looks like we need more rain to help fill it up! But all in God's timing! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 91:1-10

Those who live in the shelter of the Most High
will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
This I declare of the Lord.
He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is
my God and I am trusting him.
For he will rescue you from every trap
and protect you from the fatal plague.
He will shield you with his wings.
He will shelter you with his feathers.
His faithful promises are your armor and protection.
Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night,
nor fear the dangers of the day,
nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness,
nor the disaster that strikes at midday....

If you make the Lord your refuge
If you make the Most High your shelter, no
evil will  conquer you.


I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Purpose

Good Morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! Yes, it is still morning for another hour! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I was watching the weather channel while eating breakfast and saw the snow warnings, extreme cold in some states and even extending to the Outer Banks and Virginia!

Then Daryl sent a pic of the snow covered parking lot where he works in Cleveland    TN. I know that cold weather is expected here, but today it is warm and sunny and I am glad I live in St. Petersburg!

Today is a contrast to yesterday, which was overcast and sprinkly most of the day. I like those days once in a while, but like the sun much better! When I went to the park, after finishing my laundry, There were quite a few cars there, even though it was not a nice day. I saw the usual anhinga drying out on the weir and the family of moorhens on the other side busily paddling about in the lake. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 12:1-2 Dear Brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice--the kind he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing  and perfect his will really is.

Discovering God's purpose begins with a wholehearted commitment to God. We give ourselves to the Lord because he has given everything to us. God promises to make his will known to us as we make ourselves available to him.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Monday, January 27, 2014

Hoppin' thru Hebrews

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! It was raining lightly at 6:30, but then the sun came out, and now it is overcast , so I guess this will be a changing day.

We need the rain, so I am not complaining, but it affects outdoor workers. My yard man sometimes comes just to edge and blow, but he has not shown up so far today..maybe tomorrow. The grass really does not grow much in the cold weather, so it is not necessary for him to come each week. However, that is the schedule.

After a good church service yesterday, I stayed chatting awhile with some friends and then headed to Boston Market for lunch. I used up most of my gift card from Christmas this time.

I was coming home from shopping Saturday and as I drove down the road by Turner's creek, I saw two vultures crouched on the bank, and across the canal, some more perched in a pine tree. Kind of spooky. They were just waiting....I see them circling high in the sky many times, but on the ground, they are big!  But God created them for a purpose, and God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Hebrews 13:13-21
With Jesus' help, let us continually offer our sacrifice of praise to God by proclaiming
the glory of his name. Don't forget to do good and to share what you have with those
in need, for such sacrifices are very pleasing to God.


Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your
souls and they know they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this
joyfully and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be to your benefit....

And now, may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead, our Lord Jesus,
equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the
power of Jesus  Christ, all that is pleasing  to him. Jesus is the great shepherd of the
sheep by an everlasting covenant, signed with his blood. To him be glory forever
and ever. Amen


I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Friday, January 24, 2014

Changes

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! Brrr! again! This is another cold morning, and I am waiting for the warmer weather to come back, but it may be a very long wait according to the weather prediction! My feet and hands are nearly always cold, so I like to keep them covered, but I am thankful for a warm house.  When I go shopping I don't even put the sun deflector up in the windshield, because the car does not get too hot even when the sun is shining!

When I was out driving yesterday, I noticed two very unusual cloud formations in the otherwise blue sky. They looked like ribs...very distinct lines of clouds, one smaller than the other. I think I had seen this on Paul Dellagatto's Facebook page, but when I got home I looked up cloud formations on the internet and saw lots of unusual formations, but none quite like what I saw. It's a wonderful world!

There were not many people at the park when I stopped in, but some dog walkers and runners were out getting exercise. Squirrels were scampering across in front of the car, and an anhinga was on the weir, but everything else was quiet. God is good!

To celebrate the change coming in Brian's career path I chose the following from the Promise Bible NLT:

Change

Where can I find security and hope in the midst of tumult and change?

Lamentations 5:19 Lord, you remain the same forever  Your throne continues
from generation to generation.


Malachi 3:6 I am the Lord and I do not change. That is why you descendants of
Jacob are not already completely destroyed.


James 1:7 Whatever is good and perfect comes to us from God above, who creates
all heaven's lights. Unlike them, he never changes or casts shifting shadows.
Both our security and hope are rooted in God's unchanging character. People will
make promises one day, but disappoint us the next. Sin or circumstances beyond
their control prevent  them from keeping their promises. God's faithfulness and love,
however, are not subject to the fluctuation of  time,. space or human mortality. We will
never suffer because of God's fickle whims, irrational mood swings, or inability to handle
the circumstances.


I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Thursday, January 23, 2014

More words of Wisdom

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! Brrr! Again! Temp read 48 when I got up this morning, and tomorrow is supposed to be another freezing night! Seems like January is going to end up being a really cold month, but I am thankful December was so warm, especially around Christmas while Daryl and Matthew were here.

 I waited until my cleaning ladies came yesterday afternoon, before I ventured out, and then returned some books to the library and checked out some more, then left for the park. There were not a lot of people at the park, but on the way, I saw lots of ducks floating in Lynch Lake. A few ibis were at the park and I was amused to see one fly up onto a shaky limb over the canal. He looked very awkward as he did his best to balance next to his buddy, who was already secure on the limb. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Proverbs 9:11-12 Wisdom will multiply your days and add years to your life.
If you become wise, you will be the one to benefit. If you scorn wisdom, you
will be the one to suffer.


Psalm 25:8-9 The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper
path to those who go astray. He leads the humble in what is right, teaching
them his way.


Proverbs 3:5,6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not depend on your own
understanding. Seek your will in all you do , and he will direct your paths.


Proverbs 24:5 A wise man is mightier than a strong man, and a man of  knowledge
is more powerful than a strong man.


Wisdom will give us a richer, fuller life.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

Prowling thru Proverbs

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! Brrr! I don't know what the wind chill factor is, but the temp itself is in the fifties, so it is cold! I was looking at the different cities on the weather reports this morning, and snow is just about everywhere, with offices closed and schools closed. Daryl said large flakes fell for a short time in Cleveland, TN yesterday. Matthew was hoping the schools would be closed, but no such luck!

I stayed around the house yesterday, and caught up on laundry and all the birthday greetings still coming in on Facebook. I am blessed and God is good! I did get out a little bit to look at the rippley clouds that always are seen before a cold front. I need to study the different cloud formations because they are so interesting. We live in a wonderful world!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Wisdom
What are the benefits of wisdom?

Proverbs 9:10
Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Knowledge of the Holy One results in
understanding.


Proverbs 3:21-26
My child, don't lose sight of good planning and insight. Hang on to them, for they
fill you with life and bring you honor and respect. They keep you safe on your way
and keep your feet from stumbling. You can lie down without fear and enjoy
pleasant dreams. You need not be afraid of disaster or destruction that comes
upon the wicked.


Wisdom produces honor in our lives and protects us from trouble. Wise people know
the difference from right and wrong and choose to do what's right. More than that,
wisdom is choosing to apply God's truth and principles to your daily relationships and
situations.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

Integrity

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 sun is bright and the wind is blowing slightly, but I read the warning that the wind will pick up and it is turning cold with a frost warning for Levy County for tonight!! Hard to believe when it is almost seventy right now!

Well, I could not have had a better day yesterday! Once again, I was completely in the dark about the surprise lunch planned by friend, Mari. Brian is so good at keeping secrets that when he said we were going to Cheddars for lunch, I thought that was a little much since we had reservations for Texas Cattle Co. for dinner. So I had a late breakfast and was taking my time when he called and said he was coming, I rushed to dress and when we got to Cheddar's was completely surprised to find my friends, Gil, David and Cheryl, Mari and Kris waiting for the birthday girl!! Lots of balloons, and gifts and best of all, lots of catching up and chatting. I felt very much loved! Thanks to all for keeping secrets! I also got the promise of another Great Adventure coming up in the near future. Details later...

I took me a long time to read and answer all the best wishes coming in on Facebook! What a lot of friends I have! I am blessed and God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:
Integrity

How does God respond to my commitment to integrity?

Psalm18:20-25
The Lord rewarded me for doing right; he compensated me because
of my innocence. For I have kept the ways of the Lord; I have not turned
from my God to follow evil. For all his laws are constantly before me; I
have never abandoned his principles. I am blameless before God; I have
kept myself from sin. The Lord rewarded me for doing right because of the
innocence of my hands in his sight. To the faithful you show yourself
faithful; to those with integrity, you show integrity.


I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Monday, January 20, 2014

The Greatest of these...

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! This is another beautiful, sunshiny, cool day  and from my window I cannot see any clouds. I was impressed yesterday when I drove to church in lots of sun and when I came out about an hour and a half later, it was all cloudy! But what impressed me, was that I could see where the shelf of the overcast ended and the sky was blue and sun was shining downtown! There was a definite division! It was awesome!

I drove on to the park and saw an anhinga trying to swallow a fish, by flipping and turning, so it would get in the right direction to go straight down. It is a lot of work for a tasty tid bit!

Well, it looks like the whole country is celebrating my birthday today! Parades, no mail delivery,banks are closed, or could it be just a little thing like M. L. King, Jr. is having a celebration, too? :o) Anyway, God is good! And I am grateful for all the messages and best wishes on my FB timeline! Thanks to all!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

1 Corinthians 13:4
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud
or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable,
and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged. It is never glad
about injustice, but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never
gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful and endures through
every circumstance.....


There are three things that will endure---faith, hope and love---and the
greatest of these is love.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with
thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Friday, January 17, 2014

Roamin' thru Romans

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! Although it has warmed up to 55 outside, my hands are cold inside and I am having difficulty typing. If I could type with gloves on, I would! Well, we are still warmer than some places, and we do not have snow on the ground...in my case, just a pile of leaves!

After doing some shopping yesterday, and buying stamps, which are going up in price, soon, I wandered over to the park and saw a anhinga with spread wings, alongside several black turtles sunning on the banks of the weir. There were a few cars. but not as many as earlier in the week. But it was a beautiful day and people were enjoying the outdoors.

I am having a problem keeping a bulb burning in the light on my front porch...seems like it burns out in a hurry,. I called Brian as he was on his way home and he stopped by to change the bulb once again, (which I cannot reach), so we will see how long this one lasts.

Cheryl, across the street, usually calls me to tell me it is out, but she did not call this time. She usually knows everything that goes on in the neighborhood, and looks out for me. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 12:1-2
And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your
bodies to God. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice ---the kind
he will accept. When you think of what he has done for you, is this
too much to ask? Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world,
but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way
you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and
you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is.


I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with
thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Love from John

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! Brrr! It is in the fifties and sunny, but the wind is blowing which makes the temps seem even colder! The oak trees are still shedding and the porch has a hundred acorns on it even though it was cleaned off Monday. Oh, well, the cleaning does not last! I like the way my yard men "rake" the yard with their blowers. They blow everything in the driveway and get a big pile, then rake the piles into the dumpster. A lot less time and effort than raking by hand and bagging! And the lawn looks pretty good afterwards.

Well, I got my ironing done yesterday! I had been putting it off for about three weeks and decided not to procrastinate any more, so I spent about twenty minutes away from a book , (I enjoy reading) just long enough to get a big task finished. Of course, I will have more ironing after I do laundry today, but that's life!

I went to the park after running a couple errands, and saw more alien cars there, that is, from the northern states...Maine, , New York, several local cars and of course, Ontario. Lots of ibis were about and the squirrels were fat and sassy. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

John 15:5-9
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me,
and I , in them, will produce much fruit, for apart from me, you
can do nothing. Anyone who parts from me, is thrown away like a
useless branch, and withers. Such branches are gathered up into
a pile to be burned, but if you stay joined to me , and my words
remain in you, you may ask any request you like and it will be
granted! My true disciples produce much fruit. This brings much
glory to my Father!


I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Jogging thru Jeremiah

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! After the rain brought another cold front in last night, the temp is cooler than I like it, but once again, the heat is on. My indoor thermometer says 68 inside and only up to 60 outside! That is ideal for some, but too cool for these old bones!

My cleaning ladies came yesterday, instead of the usual Wednesday, because Cheryl is having her second cataract surgery today. She is amazed at what a difference seeing well does for her! She has to wear sunglasses, now, but did not before, because the brightness bothers her.

We were discussing the man who came to my door about five minutes after I arrived home Monday and had closed the garage door right away, something I don't usually do. He rang the doorbell and pounded on the door. I could see who it was out the window and was hesitant to open the door, but did, after he pounded again. He looked like a homeless man with scruffy clothes and gray in his curly black beard, Right away, he started talking about being new in the neighborhood, the economy, etc, etc, then asked for work and finally food. I told him sorry, no, and shut the door. I did not have a good feeling about him. Cheryl was watching from across the street and said there were two men; both walking down the street concentrating on this side. I saw no car, and had not noticed anything unusual when I drove in, so, anyway, they are gone! All agreed, I should not have opened the door. Lesson learned!

On a happier note, I drove to the park and saw the happy squirrels zipping around the trees seemingly without a care, and a flock of ibis pecking their way along the ground. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Jeremiah 29:11-13
For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. "They are plans for good and not
for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. In those days when you pray, I will
listen. If you look for me in earnest, you will find me when you seek me. I will be
found by you", says the Lord.


I always give thanks for you. remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Monday, January 13, 2014

Worry

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! Seems like our weather is up and down...yesterday was sunny and just a little cool but today is chilly, but still sunshiny! Just right for a lot of folks, even for those whose work takes them outside.

We met our retired interim pastor yesterday, and, of course, there was a reception with cake in between services! Our church people like to eat! I saw some more new faces in the crowd and I don't know how many were at first service, but I have a lot of gratitude and respect for all the volunteers who are giving service in any capacity needed, while we are searching for a new pastor. We are blessed with talented people!

I visited the park over the weekend and saw the large gopher tortoise, hurrying on all fours to a spot overgrown near the drive.I don't often see them walking, since they are usually nibbling as the meander along. They look as comical as gators with their short legs. A lot of people were out and I thought there must have been a celebration under the shelter, but no one was there, so the boardwalk must have been crowded with people walking and enjoying the beautiful day! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

What do I do with the problems that worry me?

Psalm 55:22 Give your burdens to the Lord and he will take care of you. He will not
permit the godly to slip and fall.


Philippians 4:6 Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God
what you need, and thank him for all he has done.


1 Peter 5:7 Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens
to you.


Prayers and a godly perspective drive worry from our minds and hearts. Peace
comes when we pray, release all our cares to the Lord, and focus our minds
on the promise of God.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Friday, January 10, 2014

Easin' thru Ephesians

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! What a difference a day makes! While yesterday was overcast and rainy nearly all day, today there are few clouds and the sun is bright! It has also warmed up and the temp is in the low seventies and will climb higher this afternoon. According to the weatherman, there was a heavy fog bank early today, but no sign of it now.

Since it was such a gloomy day yesterday, I saw no need for going out, so I stayed busy with reading, and doing a few chores, and listening to the phone ring numerous times. Since Christmas, the soliciting calls have started up again. I am so glad I have caller ID!

I have to be out and about today with two appointments scheduled, so I will find out the results of the tests I had done last week! When the tech. was doing the ultrasound of my heart, I could hear the swish, thump of the heartbeat, and I told the lady, I was fearfully and wonderfully made.She just said, "Hmmm." I don't think she knew I was quoting from Psalms. But God is wonderfully good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Ephesians 3:14-
Paul's Prayer for Spiritual Empowering

When I think of the wisdom and scope of God's plan I fall to my knees and pray to
the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his
glorious, unlimited resources, he will give you mighty, inner strength through his
Holy Spirit. And I pray that Christ will be more and more at home in your hearts
as you trust in him. May your roots go down deep into the soil of God's marvelous
love. And may you have the power  to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love really is. May you experience the love of Christ. though it is so great you will never fully understand it . Then you will be filled with the fullness of life and the power  that comes from God.


Now glory be to God! By the mighty power at work within us, he is able to accomplish
infinitely more than we could ever dare to ask or hope. May he be given glory in
the church and in Christ Jesus forever and ever through countless ages.  Amen.

I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Easin' thru Ephesians

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 rain is dripping off the roof and the shower ended just a few minutes ago. The porch was wet when I retrieved the Times, so we also had a shower during the night. This is all good, because we still need the rain.

My crape myrtle, which was trimmed drastically a couple months ago, has healthy, shiny shoots growing from the top, so I think it will have many blooms, this spring and summer. I don't know what is the right time to prune, but the school near me, just trimmed their crape myrtle trees a couple weeks ago. But they always thrive and bloom beautifully with lovely white flowers!

I have mentioned this before, but once again, it is a pleasure to drive by Dolin's Nursery, because they have planted another profusion of flowers along the curb, and they are such a bright contrast to the busy street full of cars! A feast for the eyes!

I noticed, when I was shopping the other day, that another osprey is building a nest on the pole in the parking lot between Publix and CVS. I saw the bird sitting on top of the pole the windy day we had that brought the front in. Maybe he was trying to hold the very messy twigs in place!

I drove to the park yesterday and saw a few more people than the day before, because the weather has warmed up and school is back in session. I watched a great white heron carefully fishing from the place where the gator likes to sun. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

 Ephesians 3:8-10

God saved you by his special favor when you believed. And you can't take
credit for this; it is a gift from God. Salvation is not a reward for the good
things we have done, so none of us can boast about it. For we are God's
masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so that we can do
the great things He planned for us long ago...


I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

Cruisin' thru Colossians

Good late morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! I have been lazy so far, having a late breakfast and taking my time doing things. The day is overcast and the temp is in the upper forties, so the house is still chilly, even though the heat is on. Could be because I am not moving very much!

I had a nice visit from my friend, David, yesterday, which was much appreciated, and we had a good chat catching up. Friends are the best!

One of my cleaning ladies is having cataract surgery today, so I told her I would pray for her that all goes well and she would recover quickly. Yesterday I kept an appointment with my doc. and shortly after I arrived the nurse came out and told me that the computer was down and while it was being worked on, they had no idea when or if, it would be fixed. Therefore, since the records are totally on the PC now, the Dr. cannot see a patient's history. That is one big disadvantage to having everything on computer, now. I rescheduled for Friday. Hopefully, everything will be healed by then! (Meaning the doc's computer.) This was just a check-up for me.

So, I went shopping at CVS, and then to the park, which was almost deserted, because the wind was quite chilly, as was the temp. I did not see even one squirrel, which is very unusual, but saw an egret and that was all the wildlife visible! But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Colossians 4:12-15

Since God chose you to be the holy people whom he loves, you must
clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy. Kindness, humility, gentleness
and patience. You must make allowance for each other's faults and forgive
the person who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must
forgive others. And the most important piece of clothing you must wear
is love. Love is what binds us all together in perfect harmony. And let the
peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. For as members of one
body you are all called to live in peace. And always be thankful.


I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

Zipping thru Zephania

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! Well, my hands are so cold, I can hardly type and gloves are too clumsy.  I was warm and cozy last night, though, because I had layers of blankets over me and a warm sheet blanket under me! My thermometer says 42 outside and 65 inside, so I turned up the thermostat a while ago, to try to get the temp up to 70, at least!

I should have gone outside yesterday morning, when the sun was shining and the temp was 70. That did not last long, though, as the clouds rolled in and the winds brought steadily colder weather.

I did not stay up to watch the big game last night, instead going to bed at half time, afraid that Auburn was going to win, because the Noles made so many mistakes. But I was surprised when I looked at the headlines and saw that they pulled it out and the Noles won! Tim Tebow made his debut as an analyst for ESPN and he predicted the score to be Noles 35-Auburn 31. He was one point off! I thought he did a pretty good job for the first time!

My yard guys were here yesterday and mowed and blew off all the leaves, but due to the wind, just a half hour after they left, the porch was full again! Oh, well, God is still good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Zephania 3:17

Cheer up, Zion! Don't be afraid! For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you.
He is a mighty savior. He will rejoice over you with great gladness. With his love,
he will calm all your fears. He will exult over you by singing a happy song."


I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Monday, January 6, 2014

Roamin' thru Romans

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! So far, it is a good morning, 71 when I got up later than usual, and yet, the extreme cold front is on the way and the temp is supposed to start dropping  around noon. I hope it holds off for the cross tossing at Spring Bayou, for all the boys who will be diving in that cold water!

It was such a treat to hear our former pastor and friend, Rock Doddridge, speak at church yesterday! He brought up many names of people who have passed on and those who are still active in church, who were there in the nineties when he was there, and I was serving on Council. He also brought a good message aimed at the situation FCC is in right now, searching for a new pastor...the vision of the church.

I had a very enjoyable Christmas with Daryl and Matthew here from frozen TN. The weather was very warm and sunny and they really enjoyed getting out and about. I had forgotten how much and often a teen age boy eats! Matthew has grown into a very sturdy, strong young man and is gifted in automotive skills. He really wants to be a mechanic, when he graduates.

Well, I managed to get to the park several times while they were here, and afterwards. I saw a lot of turtles sunning on the weir yesterday, and a couple days before that, a gator was sunning on the bank of the lake. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 8:24-28

Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you
already have something, you don't need to hope for it. But if we look forward
to something we don't have yet, we must wait patiently and confidently.

And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what we should\
pray for , nor how we should pray. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with
groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all
hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers
in harmony with God's own will. And we know that God causes everything to
work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to
his purpose for them...


I always thank God for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis