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! As predicted, the air is cooler today, and the temp will continue to drop, but right now, the sun is shining, and we are in the low sixties, so it is a beautiful day!
Tomorrow is supposed to be much colder, and I have to get up early and go for a lab test, so I am not too happy about that. I don't mind the lab testing, I mind having to get up earlier. Just lazy, I guess. :o)
My cleaning ladies came yesterday and we shared some good laughs. One is always getting on my case for eating what she calls terrible foods. Since I only indulge once in a while, for instance, I had chili, cheese fries with a grilled chicken sandwich from Wendy's a couple days ago; something I hardly ever eat, Then she thought having a baked potato with broccoli and cheese was bad, I had to counter with the fact that she smokes! That almost stopped her. I also said I am 86 and I can eat anything I want! (So there!) The whole exchange was fun and not serious. Her friend is her total opposite and yet they get along closer than sisters.
The only time I went out yesterday was to the Park, which was almost deserted because of the high winds. I saw a large flock of ibis, including some immature ones, pecking and walking all over the circle, and an anhinga on the weir. We got a little rain last night, but not much, because I did not even hear it come down. But God is good!
From the little devotional book, Knowing God
Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again--rejoice!
Philippians 4:4 NLT
You can't really get to know God until you genuinely experience God's joy for yourself. It's not enough to hear somebody else talk about being a joyful Christian--you must experience Christ's joy in order to understand it. Does that mean that you'll be a joy filled believer 24 hours a day , seven days a week, from this moment on? No, it doesn't mean that. But it does mean that you can experience God's joy personally, frequently, and intensely.
So here's a prescription for better spiritual health: Open the door of your soul to Christ. When you do he will give you peace and joy...heaping helpings of peace and joy.
Great Thoughts
When I think of God, my heart is so full of joy that the notes leap and dance as they leave my pen ; and since God has given me a cheerful heart, I serve him with a cheerful spirit.
Franz Joseph Haydn
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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 wind has already increased and the leaves are falling like raindrops, so the weather forecast was accurate today. This is a result of the long line of severe weather north of us, and which will be turning our summer like weather into a short taste of winter again. I should have swept off the porch before the wind picked up, but it would be an exercise in frustration to try it now. I had thought my yard man would come a couple days ago, like he said, but I guess something came up, so he did not show. It is easier for him to blow the leaves, than for me to sweep.
There was a city car parked outside my house for quite a while this morning, for some reason. I watched for a few minutes, but saw no signs of life, and pretty soon it was gone. Hmm. Wonder what is going on...Speaking of neighborhood goings on,; there is a man who lives a block and a half from me, who drives a long haul truck for a living, He was gone for Thanksgiving, but home for Christmas, and now is gone again. I think he is on the road for a month, and then gets a month off. The cab says he drives out of Chicago, so he must see lots of snow and bad weather., For some reason, I am really interested. I used to see him running full steam all over the area when he was home, but he does not do that any more. Wish I lived closer so I could get acquainted with him and his wife.
When I drove into the park yesterday, I saw two large, flat, black, wet turtles on the bank of the weir...not together. One was on the grassy bank some distance away from the one on the weir, I mean flat on the concrete! Not so many people were there, but the ibis were doing their usual job of pecking all over. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can hope for the future help me live today?
Romans 8:18-25
What we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will give us later. For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to God's curse. All creation anticipates the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all Creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. And even we Christians although we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children. including the new bodies he has promised us. 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.
We have strength and courage to face the trials and suffering of this life because we can look beyond them to the glory God has in store for us.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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! Since the fog has burned off, the sun is shining and we are having another beautiful, warm day! This will be the last one for a couple days, however, because tomorrow we are to maybe get rain in the late afternoon, (which we need) and then another chilly night for a change. Last night I left my window open and took the heavy blanket off the bed, because it was so warm. Back on the bed tomorrow with the blanket!
I did a little cleaning out of old papers and magazines yesterday, Things really do tend to accumulate if I don't keep up with them. I took a trip over to the library to return some books and check some more out. and was surprised to find the shelves full and all the weekend returns filed and put away. I thought Monday would be a bad day, but I was wrong. I am always interested to see all the computers being used in all the different rooms they have. I guess people are still looking for work and using them for research and such. I am very happy to have a branch so close to my house.
I also visited the park and saw the turtles on the bank of the weir and the gopher tortoise sitting at his doorway looking over the situation from a ground level.
Well, I see where Karl Wallenda is walking across U.S. 41 at eleven without a safety device, down in Sarasota, so I will try to remember to watch. Later on this summer, he will walk across the Grand Canyon. What a way to make a living! But God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
How can I be sure God will direct my future in this life?
Psalm 32:8 The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your love. I will advise you and watch over you."
The Lord directs our steps. Though the pathway may lead through dark valleys or seem to take unnecessary detours. we will one day look back and discover the Lord's way was best.
Jeremiah 29:11 "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."
Too often we doubt God's care. We are tempted to think he is neglecting us or giving us the bare minimum. We have hope in the knowledge that God, our loving Creator, will always give us his best.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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 was shining a little while ago, but now the clouds hve taken over, but it is predicted to get up to 80 today! Yay! I think yesterday was about that warm, because I just wore a light jacket to church which is always cold!
As I was driving around Lynch Lake on the way to church I saw a large flock of ibis all huddled together. It is so amazing how all the feathery critters get into the same pose when there is a large flock! After church, I drove to the Park and saw the large, black gator flopped on the bank of the lake and lots of black turtles sunning on the bank of the weir. Lots of people were enjoying being outdoors with a birthday party under the shelter. The gopher tortoise was either entering or leaving his tunnel home, so he had been out , also.
I enjoyed the chatting with different people after a business meeting at church last night. I usually don't stick around that long, but everyone was in a good mood with a lot of laughter, and it was fun mingling with friends.
More azaleas are blooming and soon the jacaranda will be making their lovely lavender show. I really like to see them blooming all over town! My plumbago blooms nearly all year and so does the hibiscus in the back yard.
Ah, yes, spring will be here soon! Come to think of it we really never had a winter! God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 20:1-5
In times of trouble, may the Lord respond to your cry.
May the God of Israel keep you safe from all harm.
May he send you help from his sanctuary
and strengthen you from Jerusalem.
May he remember all your gifts
and look favorably on your burnt offerings.
May he grant your heart's desire
and fulfill all your plans.
May we shout for joy when we hear of your victory,
flying banners to honor our God.
May the Lord answer all your prayers.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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! Still chilly but sunshiny and as yesterday was, warming up in the afternoon. It was really warm yesterday, so, although when I was out shopping and had to park facing the sun, I did not put up my windshield sun screen and the car did not get uncomfortably warm, Which means that the air was still cool enough to keep the heat down.
Speaking of shopping, when I was at Sweetbay (on my quest for canned guava shells, which I did not find), I was ready to pull out of my space, when I saw a lady directly across from me in the next parking lane, pull out, hit the high curb and a shopping cart, back up and try again and this time almost climb the high curb. Unfazed, she backed up, then turned and whizzed off! Shudder! She had a passenger with her, too! Be careful out there!
I have decided to try Walmart for the canned guava shells, because they have a large Hispanic group of people who come in on weekends. Also, I will try online to see who carries them. No big deal, I just would like to have some. Anyway, I drove on to the park and was happy to see the big, fat gator sunning on the bank of the lake. Lots of black turtles were enjoying the sun, and so were the many people, walking and picnicing. God is good!
I memorized Psalm 100 as a child going to SS. but in the KJV. This is from the NLT:
Psalm 100
A psalm of thanksgiving
Shout to the Lord, O earth!
Worship the Lord with gladness.
Come before him, singing with joy.
Acknowledge that the Lord is God!
He made us, and we are his.
We are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
Enter his gates with thanksgiving;
go into his courts with praise.
Give thanks to him and bless his name.
For the Lord is good.
His unfailing love continues forever,
and his faithfulness continues to each generation.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs, Amaryllis
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! Another beautiful, sunshiny, chilly day, but warming up to the seventies soon. Meantime, I have the heat on just to warm the house up. My feet and hands get cold if I sit around, so I am grateful for socks! Can' wear gloves around the house, so I just have to keep the hands busy.
I cooked turkey Spam and eggs with spreadable cream cheese and guava jelly on toast for breakfast, along with my hot cup of tea! Yum!
Well, color has come to the park and my yard! The azaleas are starting to bloom and I have some pretty pink one,. and in the back yard against the house, the prettiest of all, the dark pink bush that is very old has some big blossoms on it! I am so glad to see the colors as they start blooming! The amaryllis should be showing off also, but mine do not do so well, because I don't take care of them. I noticed one had already bloomed and wilted, but the big lubbers get after them and eat all the leaves. Grrr. Working in the yard is too hard for me, now, so I just have to accept what I can do and be glad for it!
My cleaning ladies came yesterday and we had an interesting chat while they worked. They admired my balloons which are still flying high in a colorful cluster against the ceiling next to the fireplace. When they start losing their gas (the balloons not the ladies), they will gradually get lower and lower, until I will have to dispose of them. But the house is clean and the dryer is full of clean towels, which I have to fold, so I can do another load of laundry.
When I drove to the park yesterday, I saw that some of the azaleas have started to bloom, which is good. The hedges are not taken care of since the park has no workers there every day, so since they were not pruned back so far, there should be more flowers this year.. The water is the canal is still up from all the construction which is almost finished and the egrets certainly appreciate that! I saw anhingas and turtles sunning along the bank of the weir, and a young woman taking photos with a large camera. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Lamentations 3:22-26
The unfailing love of the Lord never ends By His mercies
we have been kept from complete destruction. Great
is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each day.
I say to myself ,"The Lord is my inheritance, therefore
I will hope in him!"
The Lord is wonderfully good to those who wait for him
and seek him.
Proverbs 3:21-25
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 the destruction that comes upon the wicked,
for the Lord is your security. He will keep your foot from
being caught in a trap.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
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! Clear skies, chilly breezes and lots of sunshine this morning...a great day in sunny Florida!
I know much of the midwest and north are suffering from below zero temps. Don't think I could stand it! I am a warm-blooded Floridian by birth!
I finally got to the Publix yesterday and got some items I was out of, mainly mikt. I looked again for guava shells in heavy syrup, but they don't carry them. Guess I will have to check out a Mexican market. After going to the supermarket, I drove over to the park and saw a young gator lounging on the bank of the lake, and on the other side, turtles and an anhinga sunning on the bank of the weir. A flock of ibis were slowly pecking and moving down the hillside, and on my way back home, I saw a wood stork and very large flock of ibis by Lynch Lake. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Psalm 86: 5-7
O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive.
so full of unfailing love for all who ask your aid.
Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord, hear my urgent cry.
I will call to you whenever trouble strikes and you will answer me.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
