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 our string of cool nights and very warm days! Just gorgeous weather! No rain is in sight and the humidity is lower, so we enjoy while we can!
I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving...Brian and I had a nice trip to Dunnellon with a calm drive up the Suncoast Parkway to where it ends at Crystal River, where the traffic is usually heavy, but this time it was not, so we made it to our destination in two hours. My niece,, Kim, had prepared a wonderful meal, so my sister and other niece and great nephew stuffed ourselves with all the goodies! Suddenly, Spencer noticed it was raining! That was unexpected, but it soon stopped, the sun came out and it was very warm again.
We had a good trip back, going down 41 this time. It is just a two lane highway, but a beautiful drive going past cow pastures and horse farms; a part of rural Florida not visible very much any more with all the growth. We drove through historic Brooksville, with all the old Victorian homes...a nice little town. And then we came closer to home, traffic picked up and once more we were in the city! It was a good Thanksgiving and we were thankful for safe travel and family.
It was a good church service yesterday, even though Pastor Kevin did not preach. Instead, Pastor Dave, our interim brought the message. I think I had heard that one before, but maybe not. Anyway, I was met at the door with Billy holding one door open and Dan the other one.. Dan said he would walk me in, and so I took his arm, which helped me navigate the crowds in the hallway. We discussed the sorry state of the Gators and hopes for improvement and I expressed my feelings about not being independent so much any more and how to rely on other people. Dan gave me something to think about, by saying what a good feeling it gives people when they are able to help someone, so I don't feel like I am imposing any more. Dan is so thoughtful and a great friend. I am blessed!
I drove through Sawgrass later and saw a few wet turtles sunning on the banks of the weir. and further down, a large brown tortoise sitting by his home and preparing to crawl in, which he did. God is good!
From the Promise Bible NLT:
Where does Joy come from?
Nehemiah 8:10 Nehemiah continued, " Go and celebrate
with a feast of choice foods and sweet drinks, and share
gifts of food with people who have nothing prepared.
This is a sacred day before our Lord. Don't be dejected
and sad, for the joy of the Lord is your strength."
Zephaniah 3:17
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 exalt over you by singing a happy song.
Our joy springs from God's love, which is not dependent on
circumstance nor on our performance. When we trust in his
love for us , we are far less vulnerable to the depression and
despair that could come from our problems and disappointments.
I always give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers with thanksgiving, joy and love!
Love and hugs,
Amaryllis
