May Newsletter

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4: 16-18

They say that April showers bring May flowers. I heard that the meteorologists have said this year was actually an unusually dry April, but Karen and I still experienced some dark days. The day before Easter my Uncle George passed away very unexpectedly. It has been very hard on the family but yet I see the Lord’s hand in his provision. What a comfort to know that my uncle spent his last moments on this side of heaven doing what he loved best – spending time with his family, in particular, his grandchildren, and working outside, on his fountain.

Then, at the end of the month, Karen’s mother-in-law (June) also passed away. Karen was able to spend a few last moments with her but what she feels the Lord blessed and provided for her were the cherished recent phone calls from June, saying that she loved her, missed her (she was housebound), and missed her singing. June even called Karen’s answering machine several times over the Christmas holidays just to hear Karen singing her message. What a comfort to feel that support – only the Lord knew that this would be the final sweet memories of June for Karen.

Whenever loved ones pass away, it is a very sad and difficult time. It brings us to thinking, wondering… when we will see them again. Our hearts ache because our world, our lives, are changed forever, but yet the rest of the world seems to go on without missing a beat. It seems so cruel. Yet, that is where our faith comes in. We know that God has provided for us an eternity. We were made to live forever – and this place we call earth is only a temporary stop on the way. We are aliens, foreigners here. Have you ever felt homesick, out of place, like something’s missing, even when you were at home? That’s because this is not our home. HEAVEN IS OUR HOME. We miss our loved ones terribly but we are so grateful that our heavenly Father provided his salvation through His Son – to save us and give us a hope in eternity. I know our theme for this year is “Hope in Sight” but yet I seem so drawn to the verses about what is unseen. I guess that’s so that I learn to “see” with my heart and with faith – to trust in God even when it seems so illogical. Even though the events of April were sad, we have hope in the Lord. We eagerly wait the time when we are all together again, the time that we are not only with those we have loved, but most awesomely, with the One who has loved us perfectly, and with an unconditional and infinite love.

The Lord wants us all to be with Him in heaven, for all of eternity. The only way to have the assurance of being there with Him is to recognize that we can’t get there on our own – we can’t live prefect, sinless lives. We need to ask Him for forgiveness. The penalty for sin is death, but Jesus paid that price and bought us back, giving us a way to have eternal LIFE. If you aren’t sure that heaven is where you will spend eternity, ask God to make these things clear to you. He loves you and He will.

I never imagined at the beginning of April that my May newsletter would be about loved ones and eternity, but life is full of unexpected turns. I do believe that Sweet Aroma is being prepared for a very busy May schedule. Although we look to eternity, we have to get through life first and it is not as easy as we’d like. We have many shows in May but I want to point out two in particular. On May 9th we are participating in a Mental Health Awareness Day at Elmer Park in Sayre. The focus is on education about mental wellness and about the stigma that often goes along with mental illnesses. Many people do not even get help with mild depression, for example, because of the stereotypes. We play in the Sayre Theater in the evening, but it is an all-day event. Just in going to the organization meetings we ourselves have learned so much. On May 28th we will be a part of a Relay for Life (Cancer Research) fundraiser at the Owego Moose. There will be bands, food, and fun all afternoon. Like I said, we look to eternity, but getting through life first has many trials. Come show support for these two groups. We are privileged to be a part of their events.

I pray that “the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe.” Ephesians 1: 18
~Marie