"This is the day the Lord has made;
We will rejoice and be glad in it."
Psalm 118:24
He knows he can get away with it because I am feeling sorry for him, since it is so cold.
Yes, if you look closely, you will see a skim of ice around the edge of the pond! It was about 23 degrees this morning when we woke up, and it stayed in the 20's for a while...so we were close to having our very own skating pond right here in north central Florida! Well...that might be stretching it a bit, but trust me, it was cold...for us!
But not so much for these Canada Geese. If you look closely enough you can see them out there swimming around on the pond...
There, that's better...
We were sorry that we still didn't feel up to going to church today...just need to give our bodies a few more days of "rest" before we start venturing out among people so closely. But it was nice of God to send us not just the two usual geese but six geese to watch swim around all day long.
The sun was shining and the reflections on the water were golden...
And the geese were very entertaining.
Wait! What's that? That's not a goose! That's a female Ring-necked Duck! I wonder where the rest of her tribe is? One year we had a whole flock of them...but so far she's the only one I'm seeing. I guess we'll just have to keep watching...
Meanwhile, if you'd like, you can hear our Pastor's sermon for today and also listen to our choir sing "Love Lifted Me." This song was recorded some time ago, and that is why I am there singing with them. We've actually had to cancel choir practice for the last couple of weeks because so many of us have been sick. Hopefully we will all be getting back to "normal" soon. Thankfully no one has had the real bad case of Covid...just enough to be annoying. We are very thankful for that.
So, here we are...sing along if you wish...
"I was sinking deep in sin, far from the peaceful shore
Very deeply stained within, sinking to rise no more.
But the Master of the sea heard my despairing cry
From the waters lifted me, now safe am I.
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help, love lifted me!
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help, love lifted me!
All my heart to Him I give, ever to Him I’ll cling.
In His blessed presence live, ever His praises sing.
Love so mighty and so true merits my soul’s best songs.
Faithful, loving service, too, to Him belongs.
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help, love lifted me!
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help, love lifted me!
Souls in danger, look above, Jesus completely saves.
He will lift you by His love out of the angry waves.
He’s the Master of the sea, billows His will obey
He your Savior wants to be, be saved today.
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help, love lifted me!
Love lifted me! Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help, love lifted me!"
I hope you enjoyed this little view of life here on Still Waters Pond, as well as I hope you enjoyed singing along with us. The Pastor's Message was from Numbers 21:1-9, and is also well worth listening to.
Oh, I know I've shown you plenty of pictures already, but here's a couple more of my amaryllis plant. I love the way the light is shining through the petals, and thought you'd enjoy this glowing picture too. They probably won't be this pretty for much longer, so we might as well delight in them while they last, right?
"Ah, Lord God! Behold, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm.
There is nothing too hard for You."
Jeremiah 32:17
Amen!!
I guess that is really cold for you. Up here we have some geese that hang around all winter, as long as there is a small patch of open water, so the cold doesn’t bother them. I love that bright Amaryllis.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ruth. Yes, when it dips down into the 20's and stays there any length of time, it is devastating for the citrus crops and other agriculture. Thankfully, where we live, we are far enough north that there aren't too many orange groves left in this area. They all froze out years ago and haven't been replanted. Citrus growers have had to move further and further south to survive. (So much for global warming! LOL). I guess God created the geese to have plenty of "goose down feathers" to keep them well insulated in all kinds of weather. They are so interesting to watch. And yes, I am enjoying this amaryllis so much. I will miss it when it is done blooming. Have a blessed week.
DeleteI think it is wise to listen to your body. Nice that you can hear the message online. I love the pictures of the geese. Your pond is so amazing! Enjoy your week Pamela!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. Yes, my body has been "talking to me" quite a bit lately...I wish it would quit complaining so much! LOL. Yes, we are thankful for our Pastor taking the time to record his message each week ahead of time. WE don't quite have the technology at our little church to live stream the service, but this is the next best thing. Thank you you...yes we enjoy the geese and the wildlife on the pond. We are very thankful to live here. I hope you have a good week too!
Delete"He knows he can get away with it because I am feeling sorry for him, since it is so cold."
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, but I think he does know. They figure people out real quick. 😄
Oh, yes, they do! Normally I might shoo him away, because there are at least 4 or 5 squirrels here, and they have plenty of natural food in the oak trees (acorns galore) and holly berries...they've stripped the trees bare of berries, and pine cones, but today I had mercy on him. Besides, he was cute and made for a good photo op! LOL. And it was Sunday. Ha Ha. Blessings to you today.
Deletefantastic photos! I love watching squirrels on the bird feeders :) Those geese are so cool, one of my pastimes is watching waterfowl. The sermon was superb, and that is one of my favorite old hymns. Thank you for sharing. PS I have my bw photos posed from day 25 thru today. Loved the idea about writing stories on old houses, my brain is in full force.
ReplyDeleteHmmm...well, I hope you will put that thought to good use!! "If these walls could talk"...just think the stories they would tell. It's fun to make up stories unless you know some of the real ones. I will go check out your pictures. Have a blessed week.
DeleteI really enjoyed seeing all your photos!
ReplyDeleteBlessings~
Thank you for visiting! I am so glad you enjoyed the pictures. I hope you are having a blessed and wonderful Sunday.
DeleteWonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteLove & Blessings. xx
Thank you, Pamela (Sparky). I just saw your message and understand, re: Althea. Praying for you all now.
DeleteGreat photos Pamela! It sure has been cold here in Florida this weekend, colder up there than it was here. I'm so sorry to hear you and your hubby got the virus. Obviously I haven't been around to keep up with posts like I used to. My son, his wife and her whole family have it now too, luckily mild cases. I sure hope you are feeling better soon. Stay warm!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha. We are feeling much better, but it just kind of keeps hanging on a bit, so we are taking it easy and not rushing into anything I hope your family will get well soon. Thankfully it hasn't been as bad as it could have been. And yes, it was pretty chilly here, but thankfully the sun came out and warmed things up a bit. It is winter, after all! LOL. Have a good week.
DeleteThat's one of my favorite hymns, Pam!
ReplyDeleteThank you for blessing us with these photos! The Amaryllis is stunning, and I'm in love with that sweet squirrel. Please keep warm ... and safe!
Oh, I'm glad you enjoyed the song, and the photos...and that squirrel! He's a rascally thing, but somehow irresistible. You stay warm and safe too!! Blessings to you and yours....
DeleteYour amaryllis is sure showing off! Your pond is always so beautiful and the geese are so fun to watch!n Pam, I am so glad you are feeling so much better!! Have a blessed week ahead! xo
ReplyDeleteYes, I've really enjoyed this amaryllis. It was well worth the $6.98 I paid for it! It's one of those gifts that keeps on giving. Thank you...we are better...just not rushing things too much. I hope you have a wonderful week too.
DeleteGod' love has most certainly lifted me over this past grueling month, Pam, and I will ever be grateful! Nothing but His love could help.
ReplyDeleteAnd I'm glad you didn't shoo the hungry squirrel away in this cold they are so not used to in Florida. Danny fed our birds and squirrels today, and they were so happy to get the extra nourishment they need in these cold temps. Racer would tip his hat to you!
Blessings!
Ha Ha ha to Racer! Racer has quite a few little cousins scurrying around here. I sometimes get frustrated with them taking over the bird feeders as soon as I put fresh seeds out. But then I have to stop and realize that they are God's creatures too and they need to be cared for just like the birds. They are fun to watch...but they just keep bringing more and more to our yard! LOL. I guess we might as well enjoy them. Yes, I am glad that God's LOVE has carried you through a most difficult month and beyond. Praying you will know His love will never let go. So happy for you to be healed and set free at the same time. God is so very very good. Love you.
DeleteWow, the amaryllis has turned out to be very stunning! Beautiful! We watch the geese flying around here all the time since we just live a block from the Arkansas River. They will sit on the ice all day long, all night long. Doesn't bother them. They find ways to break through and get their drinks. Seems we've had more of them this year. When we lived over in another city for a few years, we lived 5 houses from the creek. I would always take the grandkids over to the creek and we'd watch the geese and ducks, all year 'round. They're intersting creatures and we all enjoy them. Thank you for the beautiful song and pastor's message! Hugs and blessings to you, Pam!
ReplyDeleteThank you for your visit this morning, Diana. How wonderful to see the geese all year long, and even on the ice! They certainly are interesting and amazing creatures! And God created them exactly the way they needed to be for wherever they may live. I've just been over to your page this morning to visit, and I want you to know I am praying for you and your family. (((hugs)))
DeletePam, that angel silhouette on the birdhouse makes for a striking photo. So pretty!
ReplyDeleteYes, by all means, don't rush back into the public too quickly. While our Lord does not give us the spirit of fear, I am learning from personal experience that He does want us to use appropriate caution and much of that is apparently required in our current culture with the prevalent germs.
So good to hear from you, Barbara! I've been thinking you must have been kidnapped...it's been a while since we've heard from you...but I trust you are having a blessed and wonderful time and we will hear about it in due time. Yes, we are erring on the side of caution...but today is too beautiful a day to stay indoors. The natural vitamin D felt really good on my body while I went outside and took care of my plants, etc. I think that is what I am needing...more fresh air and sunshine! Hope you are doing well. I look forward to hearing more soon!
DeletePam, I pray that you and your fellow Floridians (is that correct???) are staying warm and safe in what is truly cold weather for you. And yes, that little bit of ice on the pond wouldn't begin to be strong enough for skating, walking on, or ice fishing! :)
ReplyDeleteOh...the old hymns, such as the one you shared, touch my heart, my spirit more than contemporary songs.
Love and blessings!
WOW!! Your beautiful Amaryllis plant is thriving. The color is absolutely perfect. Burrrrr for you down south, those are cold temps for sure for you all. The pond photo's are very nice. It does look cold, but oh so peaceful. AND you've really done a nice job capturing mother nature. The squirrel made me laugh, hanging upside down there to get to the seeds.
ReplyDeletePam: That amaryliss is beautiful.
ReplyDelete