These pictures are a sneak peak to the new CD that we expect back THIS WEEK - hopefully in time for the Owego Strawberry Festival and the Waverly Farmer’s Market!  To celebrate this new release we are going to have a drawing.  Since our theme for this year, as well as the title of the new CD, is New Beginnings, simply send us a short note telling us about a new beginning that you have had in your life, a time when the Lord provided a second chance.  We love to hear about how God is working in people’s lives.  We would also like to have feedback about Sweet Aroma’s songs or a particular time that we played.  Let us know what your favorite song is and why.  If you came to hear us but did not purchase a CD, you can listen to the song clips on our website: www.sweetaromaband.com, or just tell us about what brought you to hear us.  Of all the responses, both e-mail and snail mail, we will draw three (3) winners on July 15^th  and each will receive a copy of the new CD.  We would like to have an actual CD release party when we play at the Sayre Concert in the Park (Elmer Park, Sayre PA) on August 8^th.  We’ll let you know as the date draws near.   

            There are so many new beginnings in the Bible that I always have a hard time choosing just one to focus on for each newsletter.  Lately Isaiah 43:18-19 has really stuck with me:  Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.  What humbling promises!  Many of us may be in difficult situations right now, with work, family relationships, struggles with sin… it seems like we are in a desert, parched, dried up, even useless.  God, however, sees the “big picture.”  He knows what is going on in with us and just what to work in our lives for our ultimate good.  As we release the past, and close the old chapter of hurts and even sin, He tells us to look ahead, set new priorities, and focus on the new beginning.  It seems strange, but He uses our brokenness to make us stronger, closer to Him, and more equipped to help others.  Wow!  It’s awesome to think that while we may be in a wasteland in our situations, He is already planning refreshing streams for us.   

In listening to Franklin Graham this past weekend, I was reminded how simple it is to draw near to God.  He has made the provision, all we need to do is ask Him to forgive us and He will.  As we receive Him, He comes into our hearts and lives and makes us new:

Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!  2 Corinthians 5:17 

Blessings,           

Take a look at our website!  We have recently made several updates andchanges.  Don’t forget to send us those entries for the New Beginnings CD drawing at: sweet_aroma3@yahoo.com, as well.   

June 16 Strawberry Festival - 1:00 pm Owego, NY
June 18 Waverly Farmer’s Market – Muldoon Park – 5:50 pm Waverly, NY
Jul 7 Summer Music Christian Festival - Courthouse Gazebo - 5 pm Owego, NY
Jul 24 Teen Praise-His Thousand Hills Campground - 7pm Wellsboro, PA

Repent, then and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out,
that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. Acts 3:19