Monday, December 14, 2015

The Story From Luke

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 wind, and overcast skies with bursts of sun today. We really need rain, but that probably will not come until the weekend when Daryl and Matthew are due to drive down from TN.

We had another good message from Pastor Kevin and the choir sounded great, also. Good music from the worship team, good preaching, and a crowd to appreciate and listen. I saw a lot of faces that I did not recognize, so it looks like new people are still coming. This is good!

As I was on my way home from shopping, Saturday, I saw an osprey fly directly in front of the van with something in its claws. It kept swooping and since there were no other cars on the street, I took my time looking at it. I think it was a mouse the osprey was holding. It disappeared from my sight as I drove along, but I was really trying to see its nest.
I also saw a tiny wren flitting in and out of a crape myrtle that had lost it leaves as mine has. I had not seen a wren in a long time. Guess they are staying up north longer since the weather is warm everywhere, except in the northwest!

This will be my last blog before Christmas. I have a lot to do this week, so I am wishing all of you a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Luke 2:8-14
That night some shepherds were in the fields
outside the village, guarding their flocks of sheep.
Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them,
and the radiance of the Lord's glory surrounded
them. They were terribly frightened, but the angel
reassured them. "Don't be afraid!" he said. " I bring
you good news of great joy for everyone!" The Savior,--
yes, the Messiah, the Lord--has been born tonight
in Bethlehem, the city of David! And this is how you
will recognize him: You will find a baby lying in a
manger, wrapped snugly in strips of cloth!"
Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others---
the armies of heaven praising God:
"Glory to God in the highest heaven,
and peace on earth to all whom God favors."


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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Friday, December 11, 2015

A Prayer of Praise

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 sky is blue , the sun is shining, and the temp will be up to 81 soon, and it is just a couple weeks before Christmas! No one is dreaming of a white Christmas around here!

I think the plants are confused by the warm weather...flowers that are supposed to be dormant now, are still blooming, the azaleas are early, and my poinsettia on the front porch is still very green, instead of having red leaves. While lots of oak leaves are still falling, most of the trees are still full of leaves and the sycamore trees have shed only a few in the neighborhoods. We don't have any of those near here, I am happy to say, because their leaves are large and messy.

My cleaning team came yesterday, so I thought today should be Thurs. instead of Friday, because their regular day is Wed. But I am confused easily. I glanced through some pics taken in 1991 at the Devil's Millhopper, near Gainesville. That was back in the day when I was slender, and agile! There are over 200 steps down into a jungle like sinkhole that reminds me of North Carolina. Always cool and lots of greenery. Of course, going down is not all that hard, but it's the coming back up that is tough!. Sort of like mountain climbing! It was one of the fun weekend trips that Louis and I used to take. Ah, memories!

Well, it is time for me to get busy and try to get ready for Daryl and Matthew's coming next weekend! God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Jude 24,25
And now, all glory to God, who is able to
keep you from stumbling, and who will bring
you into his glorious presence innocent of sin
and with great joy. All glory to him, who alone
is God our Savior, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Yes, glory, majesty, power, and authority belong
to him, in the beginning, now and forevermore.
Amen.

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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Thursday, December 10, 2015

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! According to the weather report, we will be above average for the next seven days, but maybe it will turn cooler next weekend. And that's a big "Maybe"! Sun and cool breezes rule!

I saw an unusual sight on my drive yesterday. Coming down the neighborhood street toward me was and E Z Go cart like the ones in the park that have an open back for hauling stuff. It looked like a man in an UPS uniform was driving and the back was full of packages, which he was delivering.. To my knowledge, UPS doesn't use golf carts, but maybe this is something new...

I was on my way to CVS where I bought a lot of stuff I needed. It looks like their clinic is being made good use of, because there were several people waiting to get in to see the nurse, and I heard coughing. I made sure to steer clear of any sick people!


I was on my way to Subway, where I bought my favorite sandwich---a chicken teryacki (sp)
. I also stopped in at the park and stopped to watch a roseate spoonbill fluffing its feathers while perched on the weir. I was so pleased to see the pretty pink feathers close up God is good!.

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 145:1-7
I will praise you, my God and King,
and bless your name forever and ever.
I will bless you every day,
and I will praise you forever.
Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise!
His greatness is beyond discovery!

Let each generation tell its children
of your mighty acts.
I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor
and your wonderful miracles.
Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue;
I will proclaim your greatness.
Everyone will share the story of your
wonderful goodness;
they will sing with joy of your righteousness.


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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

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 is overcast but the sun is trying to peek through and the temp is predicted to be in the high seventies, so it will be another beautiful day in St. Petersburg.

I stayed busy most of the day yesterday,..got my laundry done and as I was taking towels out of the dryer, I heard the rumble of the recycle bin coming up from the curb. this time I caught Cheryl, my across the street friend, bringing my bin back. She is so thoughtful to do that! Some days are good walking/balance days for me and some not so good, but I was going to try to drag it up myself, so she saved me the trouble.

I got out later on and visited the park which had quite a lot of activity going on, with lots of people on the bridge, and others walking and pushing strollers, etc.. A man in a pick up was feeding the squirrels, who were sitting in a circle in the street, waiting for him to throw out food. This is a no-no, but people do it anyway. I even saw a woman feeding the alligators many years ago, but she denied it saying she was feeding the fish and could not help it if the gators ate it!

On the way back home, I saw a flock of seagulls and ibis at Lynch Lake with ducks resting under the clump of trees . God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 145:15-18
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...


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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Tuesday, December 8, 2015

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! This is another perfect day as was yesterday, A little chilly for me because I am sitting and not getting my blood warmed up, but outside the sun is shining and the temp has warmed up to the low seventies. Very invigorating!

I have a lot to do today, including shopping, but first I have laundry to do. Brian came over to help me get more decorations out, and he also put the recycle bin at the curb. It was full this time.

Last night I was in the living room reading the paper, when I heard a loud "beep, beep.." it sounded like it was coming from the bedroom, so I got up and checked and all was quiet. I had had a happening with the computer a couple nights ago when it had the same loud beep and a full screen warning came on telling me to call an 888 number for tech help. I thought it was the same problem, but then I heard the same thing while having breakfast this morning. It turns out that it was the car across the street and the noise came from the alarm!  Maybe a child is playing with the keys...

I was on the road a lot for me yesterday, with stops at the library, the cleaners...dropping off my summer Amish quilt for its annual cleaning, and then back to the library to choose a few more books. As I was coming out a woman with two elementary children with her complimented me on my pink and black top. Unexpected things like that are day brighteners!

After leaving the library, I drove to the Park and saw lots of activity with the middle sized gopher  escaping into the underbrush and an anhinga on his favorite perch drying out the wings. On the way home, I passed Lynch Lake where a large flock of ibis was resting and ducks were taking a siesta. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Psalm 138:6-8
Though the Lord is great, he cares for the humble,
but he keeps his distance from the proud.
Though I am surrounded by troubles,
you will preserve me against the anger of my
enemies.
You will clench your fist against my angry enemies!
Your power will save me.
The Lord will work out his plans for my life---
for your faithful love , O Lord, endures forever.
Don't abandon me, for you made me.


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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Monday, December 7, 2015

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 was surprised to feel the cool air this morning when I arose...did not expect it. The weather is in the high sixties and the sky is blue with a few white clouds. Still dry, though,  and, once again, we will be in the fifties tomorrow morning, but warming up to the high seventies. Just perfect weather!

I heard a buzzing noise which I thought was coming from the fridge, while I was eating a bowl of oatmeal, but got up to check and found out my yard crew was here early. They just edged, blew off the leaves and left, but I was glad they blew all the leaves off the front porch. I'm sure they love this weather!

We had another good worship service yesterday. Seems the closer it gets to Christmas, the more people come, which is good!   I like the singing and am happy they are including the Christmas carols, now. Pastor Kevin had a very funny story about sliding down a snowy, icy hill in Minn. one winter with all the family, which led to his sermon about JOY!  I love the fact that his voice is loud and clear and I have no trouble understanding him.

I visited the Park Saturday and yesterday. Sat. there were very few people there, but yesterday it was a good crowd, because the weather was so good. A few visitors are showing up now, but still a lot of natives use the park. I saw the large gopher tortoise again and a large flock of ibis. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Romans 15:13 
(one of my favorite verses)
And I pray that the God who gives you hope
will keep you happy and full of peace as you
trust in him. May you overflow  with hope
through the power of the Holy Spirit.


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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis

Friday, December 4, 2015

The Lord's Prayer

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! When I got up I thought it was raining, everything was so dark, but it was just cloudy and soon the sun came out. Now, it is cool with temps only in the low seventies, and a cooler breeze blowing, so, to me, that means long sleeves.

Well, the Hallmark Christmas stories have been keeping me up beyond my usual bedtime, but last night, it was the Packers! What a nail biting ending to the game! Go Packers!

I did a little shopping yesterday and still forgot a couple things on my list, so will have to go out again today. ( I just took a break to watch a bluejay peeking in and out of the thick hedge outside my window. He is looking for berries, which are all gone.)

My dumpster was full of branches and trimmings that Rick had put in it, so after it was emptied I did not think I was up to dragging it back to its usual place, so it was sitting there when I left to shop, but when I got back it was put in its spot outside the garage. I called the "good fairy" who lives across the street, and thanked her for putting it back. She is so thoughtful to do that! Brian had told me to text him if I needed him to put it back. I am blessed with helpers.

I drove to the Park and noticed very few people there. I think they were all shopping because the parking lots I drove by, were pretty busy!  The canal was full and cool looking with the leaning oak trees shedding their leaves on their reflections, and the squirrels were running about, zipping up the trees. I saw an anhinga perched on a bush by the entrance lake just airing out his wings. God is good!

From the Promise Bible NLT:

Matthew 6:9-13
Our Father in heaven,
May your name be honored.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done here on earth,
just as it is in heaven.
Give us our food for today,
and forgive us our sins,
just as we have forgiven those who
have sinned against us.
And don't let us yield to temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.
Amen


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

Love and hugs,
 Amaryllis