Giving Thanks

Good Morning, Dear friends and Prayer Partners! This is the day the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! The rain has almost stopped, although the sky is overcast and it has really cooled off, so we will have a chilly Thanksgiving.

This is just a short note today, to give thanks for Jesus saving me with all my faults, and for my family who love me, and for tomorrow, which would have been the 66th anniversary of the day I married my one true love, Louis.

It will be a happy day filled with love and lots of talk and catching up, but also a little sad.
I wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and pray for safety for those on the road, including Brian and me.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalms

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 looks like we are in for a rainy, breezy day. Already the skies are cloudy, but they lighten up periodically, and then comes more rain. I am hoping it will let up some later on, so I can do some errands and then scoot home. I am having a ketchup crisis here. I am almost out and that is a staple!

So, it looks like Thanksgiving will be  a bit chilly this year, as we go over the river and through the woods to my niece's  house in Dunnellon. We have been there with family for the past couple years and it is always good to get together while we are still able to get around. (My sister and I, not the young'uns.)

I usually mute commercials, especially the ones selling cars that always have someone yelling, but each time the Publix commercial comes on, I have to admit I get a little teary eyed. "It may not be flawless, the soft spoken narrator says, "but it is always perfect." Happy Thanksgiving from Publix, where shopping is a pleasure.!  That one and the Budweiser commercial at Christmas, grab my attention.
God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 147:7-11

Sing out your thanks to the Lord;
sing praises to our God, accompanied by harps.
He covers the heavens with clouds,
provides rain for the earth,
and makes the green grass grow
in mountain pastures.
He feeds the wild animals
and the young ravens cry to him for food.

The strength of a horse does not impress him,
how puny in his sight is the strength of a man.
Rather, the Lord's delight is in those who honor him,
those who put their hope in his unfailing love.
Praise the Lord!

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalms

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! There has been no sun so far, but fog and humidity. It was so warm yesterday that I turned the A/C on when Brian came over. Then he mentioned that he was off the day after Thanksgiving and we could begin to decorate for Christmas! I had not given that a thought,even though I saw a house being strung with lights just a couple days ago! Time is flying!

I am so looking forward to February, because Brian secured tickets for us to see Harry Connick, Jr,'s concert at REH ! For those of you who don't know who he is, he is a judge for American Idol, an accomplished singer and piano player, and starred in the two Winter the Dolphin, series of films! He is one of my favorites!

We had an excellent sermon with some humor throughout yesterday. Pastor Dave has so many funny stories that have happened to him over all the years he has spent in the pulpit. I will miss him when he is gone.But I am also looking forward to seeing Pastor Kevin and Lori 's arrival, with great anticipation!

I saw an osprey perched high on a light pole as I was coming home yesterday and also saw wood storks, lots of ibis, mature and immature, and the usual ducks in Lynch Lake as I was on my way to church. God is good!

Psoaring thru Psalms

Psalm 119:1-8

Happy are the people of integrity.
who follow the Law of the Lord.
Happy are those who obey his decrees
and search for him with all their hearts.
They do not compromise with evil,
and they walk only in his paths.
You have charged us to keep
your commandments carefully.
Oh, that my actions would consistently
reflect your principles!
Then I will not be disgraced,
when I compare my life with your commands.
When I learn your righteous laws,
I will thank you by living as I should.!
I will obey your principles,
Please don't give up on me!

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

Love and hugs
 Amaryllis

All Christians

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 weather is slowly warming up, but this morning it was 59 which to me is chilly, especially when the wind is blowing. However, it is good to see the sun shining.

I kept my doctor's appointment yesterday afternoon and was in and out in less than an hour, which is great time. I like to have an appointment right after lunch so I am the first one in. Dr. H. was full of talk about all the snow in Buffalo and said he would have liked to fly up there on the weekend, just to see it and then come right back. I told him about my pilot friend who was just in Buffalo and did not see any snow where he was. However, I see where the Bills are holding their game  in Detroit on Sunday because the field is covered.  One more reason I am happy to be in Florida!

After I left the Doc's office, I zipped across 9th St. and drove on to Wendy's for a cheeseburger, and was pleased to discover that they have .99 cent burgers. I know Burger King has Junior Whoppers, but did not know Wendy's also has a small burger. So I bought that and headed home to have a late lunch. After that, I headed for Walmart to gas up the van, and stopped on the way at the Park, where I saw anhingas sunning and way down the canal, a beautiful splash of pink once again. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

1 Peter 3:8-12
Finally, all of you should be of one mind,
full of sympathy toward each other, loving
one another with tender hearts and humble minds.
Don't repay evil for evil. Don't retaliate when people
 say unkind things about you. Instead, pay them
 back with a blessing  That is what God wants you
to do and he will bless you for it. For the Scriptures
say, "If you want a happy life and good days,
keep your tongue from speaking evil,
and keep your lips from telling lies.
Turn away from evil and do good.
Work hard at living in peace with others.
The eyes of the Lord watch over those who do right,
and his ears are open to their prayers.'But the Lord turns his face
against those who do evil."

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

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis12

Faith and Endurance

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 a couple degrees warmer today than yesterday, but 51 is still cold to me. The temp. inside was 68 and that still seems chilly to me, if I am not moving around much. It seems strange that we are supposed to be using the A/C by Sunday...I will have to wait and see about that!

My ladies came to clean yesterday and for once, Cheryl did not have flip-flops on. Instead, she was wearing sneakers. I kid her, because she is so warm natured, but she and Kim were both wearing coats and long sleeved shirts. That wind was icy when I was sweeping the trash off the porch. Kim has been getting estimates for roof replacement and I was totally surprised by how much it costs now days to get a new roof! I have a 25 year warranty on my roof, and it is in its 14th year, so I will probably not be around when it has to be replaced.

I shopped at CVS yesterday, and loaded up on tissues, which were on sale. I have such allergies, that I use tissues by the ton, it seems. Nearly every other day, I have a sneezing fit and sneeze for about a dozen times, then I'm done for a good long time. I think I am allergic to my house.

When I drove on to the Park, I saw some bundled up people on the bridge and further down toward the second bridge, some beautiful pink was showing as a couple of spoonbills were busy in the middle of the canal. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

James 1:2-8

Dear Brothers and Sisters, whenever trouble comes your
way. let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith
is tested your endurance has a chance to grow. So let
it grow for when your endurance is fully developed, you
will be strong in character and ready for anything.

If you need wisdom---if you want to know what God wants
you to do---, ask him and he will gladly tell you. He will
not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure
that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind
is an unsettled as a wave of the sea, that is driven and tossed
by the wind. People like that should not expect to receive
anything from the Lord. they can't make up their minds.
They waver back and forth in everything they do.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Love

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 have to keep rubbing my hands together to keep them warm, because the temp. was 45 when I arose ,(not inside) and 67 in the bedroom. Now the sun is shining sometimes, and we have climbed up to 49. That is still cold, especially with the wind blowing. Oh, well, at least we do not have to shovel white stuff off the sidewalks!

Seems like today would be a good day to do my ironing, since I definitely will not get too warm! After doing laundry, I went to the library, to check out more books and drop off the six I had finished. There was what looked like a homeless person bundled up on a bench out front. I couldn't tell if it was a man or woman, but I really hope they found shelter indoors someplace last night. That time of day was a busy one for the usually fairly calm library, but school was out and the parking lot was almost full. My particular branch is a very busy place!

Afterwards, I drove on to the Park, and, since it was late in the afternoon, not many people were there and none walking dogs, which is very unusual. there were a lot of ducks gathered on the weir, looking very cold, as they were all huddled up. That was the same situation around Lynch Lake, with a flock of seagulls and ducks and once again, the lone beauty of the roseate spoonbill outstanding amongst the white feathers of the other birds. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

1 Corinthians 13
Love is the Greatest
If I could speak in any language in heaven or in earth,
but didn't love others, I would only be making meaningless
noise like a loud gong or a changing cymbal. If I had the gift
of prophecy, and I knew all the mysteries of the future and
knew everything about everything, but didn't love others, what
good would I be? And if I had the gift of faith so that I could speak
to a mountain and make it move, without love I would be no good
to anybody. If I gave everything I have to the poor and even sacrificed
my body, I could boast about it, but if I didn't love others, I would
be of no value whatsoever.

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.
Love will last forever, but prophecy and speaking in unknown languages
and special knowledge will all disappear.

It's like this: when I was a child, I spoke and thought and reasoned as a child
does. But when I grew up, I put away childish things. Now we see things
imperfectly as is a poor mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect
clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know
everything completely, just as God knows me now.
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

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! The sun is not shining, the sky is overcast, a cold breeze is blowing , but still, I am thankful that I have a warm house, and a roof over my head to keep me dry! Daryl texted that it is snowing in Cleveland, TN, so, at least we don't have that to contend with.

My front porch is a mess from the high winds yesterday...the yard guys came and blew everything off nice and clean, but after they had left, the winds and rain started and now branches , leaves, acorns and a large poinsettia potted plant has blown over. I will have to go clean things up when I finish here.

I enjoyed a quiet day at home yesterday, because after I had washed and dried the sheets and got the bed made up, it was noon and the rain had already started. Since I had an unfinished book to read, I ignored the ironing and when I sat down I sort of zoned out and dozed for an hour. It was as dark at 4 as it usually is at 6 because of the tornado watch. But we needed the rain, so God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 8:35-

Can anything ever separate us from Christ's love?
Does it mean he no longer loves us if we have trouble or
calamity, or are persecuted , or are hungry or cold
or in danger or threatened with death?( Even the Scriptures
say, "For your sake we are killed every day, we are being slaughtered
like sheep.) No, despite all these things, overwhelming victory
is ours through Christ who loved us.

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his
love. Death can't and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons
can't. Our fears for today. our worries about tomorrow and even
the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we
are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all
creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God
that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

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! The day started out with sunshine and was warm, but one look at the weather map and I see where the cloud covering came from, as a cold front is moving through. The temp. should be dropping today, and we will have a couple cold nights,but then a nice warm up will happen again and, once again, it will be nice!

I watched a couple football games yesterday that were played in below freezing weather. While the players were exercising with bare arms by playing the game, the spectators were sitting in the cold, and actually acted like they were enjoying it! Of course, if you live in Green Bay, I guess you have the clothes for weather like that! Brrr! That's not for me!

In 1958, Louis and I bought our burial plots at a local cemetery, but since he was in the service, he was eligible for interment at Bay Pines National Cemetery, where I am eligible, also. So, I called the cemetery to see about the procedure for transfering the plots to my sons. I was told there was no need, because upon my demise, they would automatically go to Brian and Daryl as my heirs. When I told Daryl he would be a property owner in Florida, he said maybe he could build a tiny condo on it. When I told a friend at church about it, he laughed and suggested perhaps like the pier..(inverted pyramid).  It is good to laugh about the future!

As I drove around Lynch Lake yesterday, I noticed lots of ibis, several woodstorks, another flock of seagulls and, of course, ducks. And one outstanding beauty, a roseate spoonbill! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 8:26-30
And the Holy Spirit helps us in our distress. For we don't even know what
we should pray for. 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. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose
them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn, with
many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to
come to him. And He gave them right standing with himself, and he promised
them his glory.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

The True Vine

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, we have a perfect day, with sun and a few clouds and temps in the low seventies already! When I see the weather maps with snow and below freezing temps over most of the rest of the country, I am thankful once again that I live in this part of Florida!

I had a quiet day yesterday. My cleaning ladies came in the middle of the day, and caught me up on the neighborhood news. It seems an ambulance came at 3:30 Tues. Morning to my next door neighbors and took someone to the hospital. I know the two women who live there, Mother and daughter, are both disabled, but they keep to themselves and don't make an effort to stay in touch with the friends around, so, even though the son still lives there, also, I have no idea how they are. I have been friends with them in the past, but because I don't walk well on uneven grass, I cannot get over there, any more. It is sad.

I have been enjoying pictures on Facebook of my new step great-granddaughter, born 11/11 in Tenn. She looks a little like her mother right now, but I am sure she will be changing. She already has three half sisters, so she will be well loved.

I swept the acorns off the porch, along with the leaves and watched a squirrel peeking around the oak tree at me . His nest and tummy should be full with all the bounty of the acorns now falling. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

John 15:5-13

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 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 great glory to my Father.

I have loved you even as the Father has loved me.
Remain in my love. When you obey me, you remain
in my love, just as I obey my Father  and remain in
his love. I have told you this so that  you will be filled
with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! I command
you to love each other in the same way that I love you.
And here is how to measure it--the greatest love is
shown when people lay down their lives for their friends.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving,
joy and love!

 Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalms

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 am always chilly in the house when I roll out of bed, but other people think it is just right with no heat and no air. Of course, this weather is perfect, compared to the rest of the country with the early snowfall! I am just wimpy when it comes to getting in the shower. After I move around a bit, I am fine and warmed up. Just old bones, I guess.

Yesterday, while I was sitting here typing, I heard a loud blower, and wondered who was doing it. I got up to see if the lawn guy's truck was out front, but did not see anything. However, when I opened the front door later, I saw that the driveway and porch had been blown off. Most of the acorns and leaves were gone. So, someone had come and done the good deed, but it was Tuesday, and my lawn guys come on Monday. Well, I am not complaining! It will just remain a mystery.

I drove out to the Disston Shopping Plaza yesterday, which is always busy, but found a parking space right in front of LIttle Italy. The tantalizing smells of pizza and other goodies were tempting, but it was the middle of the afternoon and I was not hungry. Sigh. Wouldn't you know?

On the way back home, I stopped at the park and saw the turtles once again sunning on the bank of the weir and, further on, a couple taking pictures of the very large, brown gopher tortoise. They were standing right in front of him, and he is so used to people that he sometimes does not even pull his head in. A couple of egrets were in the canal, which is still really overgrown, and people were strolling around. One couple was sitting on a bench totally engrossed in each other. Ah, Love! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 139:23,24  Psalm 141 :3,4

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
test me and know my thoughts.
Point out anything in me that offends you,
and lead me along the path of everlasting life.

Psalm 141: 3,4
Take control of what I say, O Lord,
and keep my lips sealed.
Don't let me lust for evil things.
Don't let me participate in acts of wickedness.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Psoaring thru Psalms

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! While we still have temps in the sixties and climbing into the seventies today, I see photos of all the snow in Minn. and Wyoming. People shoveling white stuff and traffic all tied up, and here it isn't even January! Give me Florida, any day!

Well, it was time for me to do my two week grocery shopping, so, yesterday, I headed up to my Publix and saw the most adorable little baby with his mama . He must have been about four months old, with strawberry blond hair. I wanted to touch his hair, but held back because you just don't do that with someone else's child. Of course, I would have asked permission. But, anyway, each time he saw me, he gave me a big smile, and we kept running into each other all through the store. He was so interested in all the people that walked by and only started to fuss when Mom was almost through with her shopping. He was a bright spot in the day! He made shopping a pleasure, because the new cashier and new stock man did not know much about what they were doing. Oh, well, everyone has to learn!

I have my appointment with the plastic surgeon for Dec. 2. That will be for a consultation, I am thinking, then will follow the date for the surgery. Her office is in Largo, which is only a little over 6 miles from here. I think that is as the crow flies!

After I got through with putting groceries away, I took off for the park and saw lots of turtles sunning on the bank of the weir, along with a couple of anhingas. But while the canal had more water in it, because of the rain, I did not see any ibis or herons in it. It must have been the wrong time of day for me to be there. But it was peaceful and quiet and I enjoyed just absorbing. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 112

Happy are those who fear the Lord.
Yes, happy are those who delight in doing what he commands.
Their children will be successful everywhere,
and entire generation of godly people will be blessed.
They themselves will be wealthy,
and their good deeds will never be forgotten.
When darkness overtakes the godly, light will come bursting in.
They are generous, compassionate, and righteous.
All goes well for those who are generous,
who lend freely and conduct their business  fairly.
Such people will not be overcome by evil  circumstances.
Those who are righteous will be long remembered.
They do not fear bad news,
they confidently trust the Lord to care for them.
They are confident and fearless
and can face their foes triumphantly.
They give generously to those in need.
Their good deeds will never be forgotten.
They will have influence and honor.
The wicked will be infuriated when they see this.
They will grind their teeth in anger;
they will slink away, their hopes thwarted.

I always remember you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love! And I remember the men and women who served us in all the wars. God bless them!

Love and hugs,
Amaryllis

Love for Enemies

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! While it is still cool to me, the sun is shining and not a cloud in the sky. With a slight breeze , the weather just looks perfect. This morning I heard about the Arctic chill headed for the northeast, and it's snowing in Minneapolis! I am so happy I live here!

I hope everyone had a good weekend. Brian took me to William Dean chocolates in Belleair Bluffs Sat. for the first time. I indulged and bought myself 8 delightful pieces of colorful chocolates and a lemon tart. They have four tables where they serve tea by reservation only, but to me, it does not seem like a tea room. I think of a tea room as having frilly, tablecloths, flowery cups and tea pots, etc. but this one did not, although I did not stare to see what everyone had on the tables. It is right in the commercial selling area. Very small.They also have some delightful looking gelatos. (sp) I was excited to be there.

Then we went on to check out the plastic surgeon's office complex. I am very inept when it comes to directions...directionally challenged, I call it, so scouting out unfamiliar places works for me! The way Brian took me seems very simple, but he will also print out a map for me when it is time for me to go see her.

Daryl says it was in the mid thirties yesterday morning in TN, so once again I am happy to be here. When I drove through the park yesterday, I noticed the yellow leaves on the trees which are falling fast, and looking like the north during autumn. Lots of people were out enjoying the weather, even though there was a light sprinkle falling. The canal had its share of ibis and herons and I saw one man on his hands and knees, peering down into the gophers tunnel. Funny sight! But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Luke 6:22-31

But if you are willing to listen, I say, love
your enemies. Do good to those who hate you.
Pray for the happiness of those who curse you.
Pray for those who hurt you.
If someone slaps you on one cheek, then turn
the other cheek. If someone demands your coat,
offer your shirt also. Give what you have to anyone
 who asks you for it, and when things are taken
away from you, don't try to get them back. Do for
others as you would like them to do for you.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

A Simple Prayer for November

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 shining, the temp is already in the middle seventies and it is a beautiful day!

My gals came to clean yesterday and we talked about places to eat. They always have lunch some place before they come and so they know a lot of the restaurants around here. Which is good information for me, since I don't get out that much. Yesterday they ate at a Chinese restaurant in the Tyrone area and raved about how good the food was. I had not eaten yet when they came, so it made me hungry.

After they left, I went to Rogers Cleaners to pick up my Amish quilt I had left there and then checked out the parking for St. Pete Bakery, but did not go in. It looked like Sunken Gardens had a good crowd. Carrabbas (sp) not so much.  From there I stopped at the Salvation Army and dropped off the stuff I had cleaned out of my closet a couple months ago. I still have a lot more to clean oiut!

Then I drove on to the Park, and while there were not so many people , still the canal had roseate spoonbills, ibis and herons busy walking in the mud and apparently finding lots to eat. I also watched the large brown gopher tortoise ambling around. God is good!

( I will not be posting tomorrow, due to taking Brian for a procedure.)

From the Guideposts Daily Planner

My heart is filled with thanks, Lord,
For the harvest You bestow,
Not only for the grains and fruits
That You caused to grow,
But for the harvest of the soul.
The good things that I feel,
the closeness of my family,
the friendships that are real...
And thank you, Lord for planting
those seeds within me, too,
A thirst for knowledge,
cherished dreams.
A faith that's deep and true.
     -Alice Joyce Davidson

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

The Beatitudes

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! There are a lot more clouds today than yesterday, so right now although the sun is shining, it is dimmed in some places by a nice, white clouds. But the temp is still cool and nice!

I had a nice shopping day at Walgreen's yesterday. I don't usually go there because CVS is closer and more convenient, but I must say, the service at Walgreen's is outstanding, almost like Publix. Plus, it was Senior Day, which I did not know, so I got 20% off all my purchases. That is always good news.

After leaving Walgreen's, I went on to the park, and was so amazed at the many varieties of water fowl in the canal! Wood storks, ibis, a very large great blue heron, and roseate spoonbills, all very intent on gathering whatever food was available in the mud and shallow water. It was such a pretty picture...an artist would have loved it! I saw a person with a very large telephoto lens on his camera taking shots of all the wildlife. On the way out of the park, I stopped to watch a very large gator on the bank by the weir. He was just resting, beside turtles and one anhinga. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Matthew 5:1-12

One day as the crowds were gathering, Jesus went up the
mountainside with his disciples and sat down to teach them.

The Beatitudes

This is what he taught them:

"God blesses those who realize their need
for him, for the Kingdom of heaven is given to them.
God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
God blesses those who are gentle and lowly,
for the whole earth will belong to them.
God blesses those who are hungry and thirsty
for justice, for they will receive it in full.
God blesses those who are merciful for they will be shown mercy.
God blesses those whose hearts are pure,
for they will see God.
God blesses those who work for peace for they
will be called the children of God.
God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God.
for the Kingdom of heaven is theirs.

God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about
because you are my followers. Be happy about it! Be very glad! For a
great reward awaits you in heaven. And remember, the ancient prophets
 were persecuted, too.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Time for Everything

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! We have another in the string of perfect weather days...lots of sunshine, cool in the morning and warming up in the afternoon. Just beautiful!

I had a cute visitor all day yesterday. Peter Cottontail was huddled up in the mulch just behind the azaleas in front of the house, and every time I opened the door to peek at him, he was just looking at me with his big, brown eye. Since he was facing the house, I could only see one eye. He uncurled himself and was sort of stretched out from the furry ball in the morning, but never moved from the spot. This morning he is gone, but the mulch is all flattened down where he was curled up. I miss him.

After I left the Pierce Clinic yesterday afternoon, I drove out to Walmart to gas the van up, and was pleasantly surprised to see gas is still going down. On the way, I stopped at the Park, and saw turtles sunning on the banks of the weir, lots of people, and since the canal is down to a trickle, more egrets and roseate spoonbills pecking in the mud. It was a beautiful day for bird watching and people watching. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

 Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

There is a time for everything,
a season for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die.
A time to plant and a time to harvest.
A time to kill and a time to heal.
A time to tear down and a time to rebuild.
A time to cry and a time to laugh.
A time to grieve and a time to dance.
A time to scatter stones and a time to gather stones.
A time to embrace and a time to turn away.
A time to search and a time to lose.
A time to keep and a time to throw away.
A time to tear and a time to mend.
A time to be quiet and a time to speak up.
A time to love and a time to hate.
A time for war and a time for peace.

And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it
or taken from it. God's purpose in this is that people should fear him.
Whatever exists today and whatever will exist in the future has already existed
in the past. For God calls each event back in its turn.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Faith and endurance

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 know most people love this cool weather, but I do not like to wear a vest or something to keep me warm in the house without heating indoors too much. I have to admit that the blue skies and sunshine are truly beautiful, but I am waiting for the weather to warm up some, which should be in a couple days.

Well, all the clocks and watches were reset over the weekend, and I made it to church at 9:30 for the exciting sermon by our lead pastor candidate. I must say, I thought it was a dynamic sermon and I was looking forward with anticipation to hearing the vote last night in favor of calling him to FCC. Of course, the fact that I have known him since he was 14 did not have much to do with my vote. So, I see an exciting future in store for my church!

Not so exciting news...I received my tax bill Friday. Oh, well," render unto Caesar what is Caesar's"...or words to that effect.

I still have not heard back from Dr. Nelson's office about the plastic surgeon for my nose. There was one listed in my provider directory who seemed highly rated, so I will see what he thinks. The ones I would like to contact do not accept my insurance, so I have to go with the one that will. I just have to wait to hear what the verdict will be. But God is in control and I know it will turn out all right.

I visited the Park yesterday and Saturday and both times there were many visitors. The large gopher tortoise was ambling about and another one was trying to get into his tunnel.  A very wet anhinga was drying out on the weir and a large flock of ibis was walking around on the canal bottom, since the water is almost gone. But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

James 1:2-8,13

Dear Brothers and Sisters, whenever trouble comes your way,
let it be an opportunity for joy. For when your faith is tested,
your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when
your endurance is fully developed, you will be strong in character
and ready for anything.
 If you need wisdom--if you want to know what God wants you to
do--ask him and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your
asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect
him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of
the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. People like that
should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. They can't
make up their minds. They waver back and forth in everything
they do....

God blesses the people who patiently endure testing. Afterward,
they will receive the Crown of life that God has promised to those
who love him.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis