1 Timothy

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! Even the weather report said the day will be beautiful, although the humidity is back. But that's okay because the wind is gentle and the sun is shining off and on through the white clouds!

Well, we had quite an adventure Saturday. Brian and I left here shortly after 10 Am to head for Kissimmee to meet up with my cousin from England. Adam had done long and tedious research into our family tree on my father's side, and since there were twelve children, a lot of relatives turned up, which I had no knowledge of. We are scattered all over; CA, Bali, England, and other states. We had planned to meet at a Bob Evans, but found out the it was closed permanently, so Brian was able to call the number we had for Adam and Michelle and left a message for him to meet at the parking lot and change plans. (SIri was a big help)

It all worked out, because there was another Bob Evans about four miles away, so we drove there and had a patient waitress who didn't mind that we talked and talked before ordering. Then we just sat and talked some more. The waitress who was an older Asian lady, joined in and wanted to know where we were from. Afterwards, we adjourned to the entrance and did some more talking on the bench. By that time, the restaurant was mostly empty, so Adam asked the lady at bakery if she could take our pictures, which she was glad to do. She used all our iphones, so we got some great pics!Adam and Michelle are taking off back to Peterborough, UK today, but they have had a marvelous time visiting NYC, and Wash.DC. The time was short, but I am so happy that I got to meet them in person, after almost a year of emailing back and forth with memories and photos from the past of family on the farm in Middlebury, IN.

On the way up, on I-4, we were zipping along with fast heavy, three lane traffic, when all at once a hub cap, or wheel cover came flying by, narrowly missing us. PTL! Then, coming back we were missed by a soft drink can somebody tossed out! Other than those two narrow escapes, our trip was uneventful. But traffic was heavy coming and going, so I was glad to get home!

God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

1 Timothy 6:17-19
Tell those who are rich in this world, not to be
proud and not to trust in their money, which
will soon be gone. But their trust should be in
the Living God, who gives us all we need for
our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to
do good. They should be rich in good works and
should give generously to those in need, always
being ready to share with others whatever God has
given them. By doing this, they will be storing up
their treasure as a good foundation for the future
so that they may take hold of real life.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Paul's Final Advice

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 overcast skies, but the sun is promised for most of the day, and it continues to be warm and humid. That's summer in Florida!

Yesterday, I decided to take a trip to Publix and stock up, because I only shop about every two weeks. Well, it was a good day for me to go. When I went in to the deli, it was totally empty of customers, so I did not have to take a number. I bought a Publix turkey sub and since their lunch foods looked good and fresh, I ordered stuffed peppers and a couple pieces of baked chicken.

I shopped for some fruit and since they always put the chopped pineapple on the top shelf, double stacked, I usually ask for help. Sure enough, God placed a guy in my path who was getting some fruit for his lunch and I asked him to reach one down for me. He said he could barely reach it, so it was high! I was glad to get home and unload everything! I just had time to finish my sub before my cleaning ladies showed up at two. Good timing.

They wanted to know what was new and what happened Mother's Day, so I told them about Mama's Restaurant where we ate, and about our upcoming trip to Kissimmee to meet up with my second cousin and his wife. We are really looking forward to meeting them while they are here celebrating their first year of marriage! Adam is the one who did all the research on my side of the family and discovered I have scads of relatives I did not know existed!

After Kim and Cheryl left I drove over to the Library and exchanged books. On my way there, I went by Lynch Lake and saw that it was so peaceful; just like a mirror, with hardly any ripples. There were a couple of ducks, and as always, the ibis were pecking all around the lake. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

1 Thessalonians 5:14-21
Brothers and sisters, we urge you to warn
those who are lazy. Encourage those who
are timid. Take tender care of those who are
weak. Be patient with everyone.
See that no one pays back evil for evil, but ,
always try to do good to each other and to
everyone else..

Always be joyful. Keep on praying . No matter
what happens, always be thankful, for this is
God's will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.

So not stifle the Holy Spirit. Do not scoff at
prophesies , but test everything that is said. Hold
on to what is good. Keep away from every kind of evil.

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!The weather is much warmer now, and is creeping up daily. I can tell because the A/C is cycling on during the day, when for the past few days it has only come on in the late afternoon. But it is still gorgeous with lots of puffy clouds and sun.

The recycle truck is making its rounds today. I heard a crash and looked out the window and sure enough, there he was! All the cans and bottles and jars are put in the recycle bin and when they are emptied, it is noticed! The garbage man is a lot quieter.

I am expecting my yard man today since he did not show up yesterday. It will be good to have all the twigs and stuff picked up from the rainstorm. Brian carried a large branch over to the trash can and broke it up, so now it is gone. I appreciate his helpfulness.

Well, it looks like it is time to take my winter blanket to the cleaners and get it washed and put away for the summer. It seems like every winter I have to remember where I put the flannel sheets and blankets...memory is not working as fast as it used to! But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 119:1-8
Happy are 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 priorities!
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

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! We have another cool in the morning and very warm in the afternoon day...just about perfect!

On my way to church yesterday, I drove by Lynch Lake and saw a great blue heron enjoying breakfast. It looked like a small fish, so he was out early on Mothers' Day. Speaking of which, I had a wonderful day and the day before. I have two lovely flower arrangements; one from each son, and a prayer from the pastor for all moms of all kinds. many hugs and best wishes. Then Brian took me to lunch at Mama's, a restaurant in Seminole named after a person in Greek history. Prime rib was on the menu so I ordered that, since I hardly ever eat prime rib. It came with beans and carrots, baked sweet potato, salad and hot homemade rolls! Well the slice of prime was so huge three people could have eaten it, so a large portion of mine came home. Brian had the roast turkey with the sides, and he could not eat it all!

After that, we took a ride out to Gulf Blvd. looking at all the condos and lots of people crossing the road to get to the beach access. It was a very warm afternoon, so lots of people were in bathing suits. We drove up past Indian Shores and took the bridge home for a rest. I really enjoyed the day!

I took a drive to the Park and saw where the water had left a lot of debris on the weir from the storm and some trees were down. I know I had a rather large limb broken off from one of my oaks, but Brian broke it up and it went into the trash truck a little while ago. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 15:5-7
May God, who gives this patience and encouragement
help you live in complete harmony with each
other---each with the attitude of Christ Jesus
toward the other. Then all of you can join together
with one voice, giving praise and glory to God,
the Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
So accept each other just as Christ has accepted you,
then God will be glorified...

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

The 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! Well! We Are having very unspring like weather today! The air is actually chilly since the "cold" front came through, and I got out one of my cool weather tops when I dressed. The humidity is low and the breeze is almost still, but the sun is bright, so the warm up is on the way.

My van is back and the air is all fixed! Ray said he spent about two hours online with an app that mechanics use when they have problems to get others opinions and find solutions. That is how he found out the problem with my A/C and was able to order the part to fix it. He said he had never come across this situation in all his years as a mechanic. It was a learning experience for him. I am blessed that he was persistent! Also blessed that it was not the compressor!

I had a nice surprise when a beautiful arrangement of roses, carnations and other flowers was delivered as a gift from Brian! It even had a balloon floating high above it! Love my sons!

As I had the garage door open yesterday, a feisty blue jay came hopping by and stopped and looked at me. So I told him I knew he wanted a peanut. So I took a hand full and threw some out under the oak tree. I am sure the squirrels did not get even one! Bluejays are greedy. But God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

John 15:5-8
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 and 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 disciple 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

And a very Happy Mothers' Day to all the Moms!

Psoaring thru Psalms

Good morning, Dear Friends and Prayer Partners! Happy Cinco de Mayo Day! This is the day that the Lord has made and we will rejoice and be glad in it! After the rainy, dark day yesterday, today we have cooler, dryer, temps and lots of sunshine. Beautiful dry weather! I had to walk out to the end of the driveway to retrieve my paper this morning and saw a large branch that had broken off the oak tree and lots of smaller leaves, twigs and stuff all over the yard and porch. I am very blessed though, because some people had trees topple on cars and the wind took off some roofs!

Well, it looks like I will be without a car for awhile. Another problem with the electric system has turned up, so Ray has to find a solution to that. I feel like my wings are clipped.

But my cleaning ladies came yesterday in the rain and so the house is all spiffy. They said they did not get too wet going in and out of houses with all their equipment. It was just a steady, light rain when they arrived here..

Well, yay! I just got a call from the auto shop and the repairs to the A/C won't be nearly as much as I thought! Thank you, Jesus! He a;ways provides! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 145:13-21
The Lord is faithful in all he says,
he is gracious in all he does.
The Lord helps the fallen and lifts up those
bent beneath their loads.
All eyes look to you for help:
you give them their food as they need it.
When you open your hand,
you satisfy the hunger and thirst of every living
thing.

The Lord is righteous in everything he does;
he is filled with kindness.
The Lord is close to all who call on him sincerely.
He fulfills the desires of those who fear him.
He hears their cries for help and rescues them.
The Lord protects all those who love him, but
he destroys the wicked.

I will praise the Lord,
and everyone on earth will bless his holy name
forever and forever.

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! Wow! What a wild and wet day I woke up to! Actually, the lightning flashing on the curtains woke me first, and then I heard some thunder. I was expecting it because the weather reports yesterday kept showing on radar, the massive clouds of rain heading our way and the reports said it would start at about 5. They were right on the money! It is still raining lightly and water is dripping off the roof, but that's OK because my van is in the shop, so I can't go anywhere. Plus, we will take all the rain we can get!

I enjoyed bacon and eggs for breakfast and will probably have a BLT for lunch minus the lettuce. I already listened to some Trent Harmon songs which started my day off right, but one of the worship songs we sang Sunday keeps going through my mind. I even tried singing it out loud to see if that would help. Not that it's a bad thing to have praise songs in your mind; it's just one of those things...

My cleaning ladies are coming this afternoon. I saw them getting a wet start from Cheryl's house across the street. They had a nice, long weekend, since Cheryl's cousin came for a visit.

 When Ray came for the van last night, he had cleaned up the oil off the garage floor and swept all the leaves off the side I cannot get at when the car is parked. Sweeping is a challenge for me, anyway, since I have trouble with my balance. So I really appreciated Ray's thoughtfulness.

Well, I guess the squirrels are wet today and I don't hear any birds singing, so maybe later, when the sun comes out, all the little critters will get busy about their days. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 3:14-23
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 the 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 power that comes from God.

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

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis