Reminder

Just a reminder, Ladies...time is ticking away as we prepare to launch our two new Bible studies.
Look for sign up sheets on the Aroma table on Sunday, or you may contact me by email at
jeffamy111@netzero.net to sign up. Don't miss this opportunity to dig into God's word together on Sunday nights or Tues. nights. I promise you, this time will be the highlight of your summer and you will build some long lasting relationships. Look at the post below for information on both Bible studies. Childcare will be provided for both, but you must make a note that you need childcare when signing up.
Looking forward to walking through God's word with you this summer. Serving you...Amy

Summer Opportunities for You

I apologize for the lack of blogging about upcoming events lately. As you can imagine from (most of you) being moms yourself, our Aroma team has very busy everyday lives and sometimes we get out of sync in our planning. Do not take that as our hearts not looking out for you, though. We very much want to provide opportunities for you every week, every month, or every time we can, but sometimes we just need to take a break and let God show us which way to go.
In the coming days, Aroma will be meeting and planning things for you to participate in this summer. More than that, however, we would love to just give you some ideas that you can even implement in your day to day life as you "pay it forward" in your investment in others. I want to make you aware of some things we have planned thus far so that you can be making plans to attend yourself, or invite someone you know to attend. A couple of things require your participation.
As Pastor Jeff encouraged us on Sunday... we are to make everything we do point to the Cross. That is our goal as we invest in your life. You, or even Aroma, may not be able to attend everything we have planned, but we desire to provide as many opportunities for you so that you have some options. I ask that you bear with us as, once again Pastor Jeff said, we are in a process of growth. God is molding us and shaping us as we go, so that one day we will truly do everything we put our hands to with excellency. So, that being said, mark these things on your calendar. Also, any interests you have for Aroma to promote, please give us your ideas...or better yet, let God use you to lead whatever it is you have in mind!

June Bible Studies:
"Surrendering the Secret" - by Pat Layton...This study will be led by Amy Hickman, and is for anyone that has suffered an abortion and desires God to heal their past. We will meet on Tuesday nights, beginning June 10th at LifeSong Church at 7pm. Your anonymity will be protected. You may contact Amy at jeffamy111@netzero.net to sign up or ask any questions. Please read the following description of this Bible study, and share it with any friends you know that may be interested...
Many women hide the secret of abortion deep in their hearts, and they are suffering severe consequences. They carry a great burden of shame and failure afraid to reveal their hidden pain, and by doing so are forced to endure the long-lasting effects in isolation. Surrendering the Secret will allow women to release this burden and find freedom through 'redemptive community' while experiencing hope and joy as shame and failure are replaced with beauty.


"No Other Gods" - by Kelly Minter...This study will be led by Amy Hickman on Sunday nights, beginning on June 8th and is open to women only. This is an 8 session study that will lead you to placing God right in the center of your day to day life, amidst the busyness and chaos. We will enjoy a warm atmosphere together of sharing in the recipes the author offers (sharing a meal), as well as a living room atmosphere. This book is the first of Minter's "Living Room Series." Cost of book is $10. Please bring any friends interested. Look for sign-ups at the Aroma table, or you may contact Amy at jeffamy111@netzero.net


This Night...Our second This Night will be on Monday, June 30th. Our theme is "This Night...a night to reach our community". Our guest speaker will be Susan High, who is bringing Wellspring Living SC to Lyman. We will be participating in providing a registry item for the new Wellspring House in Lyman. Here's a little info from Wellspring's site, www.wellspringlivingsc.org

Wellspring Living connects a caring community with women seeking a way out of unhealthy behaviors, promoting healing, wholeness, independence and family restoration through Biblical principals.

At Wellspring, our desire is to expand our vision of God's transformational power, unify cultures and denominations, provide connection between issues and solutions, restore women, protect children and challenge people to live dangerously for God.

Susan is an awesome speaker because she is a woman with a heart of passion and compassion. You don't want to miss all she has to share, and how we, too, can touch the lives of these women she desires to reach.
We are now taking names of anyone that would like to hostess a table of eight. For our summer This Night, you will only be asked to provide a summertime centerpiece and party favors for each of your guests. We will give you your color scheme when you sign up. You will need to set up your table the night before after Sunday evening worship. Tickets are $10/person. Proceeds will also go to help give a love gift to Wellspring. For more info about Wellspring, check out their website and read Susan's blog! Link to www.wellspringlivingsc.org
Please contact Amy Hickman at jeffamy111@netzero.net if you would like to be a hostess. You may ask a friend to help you. Deadline for hostess sign up is June 15th.

Just Be Still

How many times have you heard yourself saying to your child, "Would you just be still?" I know that this mom here says it every, single morning as I am putting hair in ponytails. "Don't squirm." "Just be still." When things get uncomfortable or chaotic, we just want to move around a little and squirm, don't we? Truth is, life is just plain, ole uncomfortable all the time, isn't it? If it's not busyness, it's sickness. If it's not rushing, it's confusion. It's really always something.

This has been on my mind alot today. As we were sitting at lunch today, we were discussing the good, ole days when our Mamas made Sunday lunch. This is a tradition that I still very much like to hold on to. Grant it, there are times when we like to go out after church with friends, but usually you will find me getting up on Sunday mornings and putting something in the Crock Pot, or defrosting some meat to prepare when I get home. I truly enjoy the feel of Sunday lunch with your family. Here lately, I haven't had the opportunity to prepare Sunday lunch for my family due to various meetings or birthday celebrations that we've had, and chances are, I won't be fixin' lunch this Sunday because I am pretty sure there is some Scripture in the Bible that says, "Mama ought not cook on Mother's Day," so ok...I won't, then! Anyhow, where have those days of just being still gone to? I, for one, am getting almost perturbed at the number of people I talk to that just can't seem to catch up with themselves. I might be one of those. No matter when you see them, they are busy...their lives are chaos...they are always negative about the "next thing" they have to do. Well, I'm here to proclaim, "Chill out!" It's time for us to be doin' some be stillin' and knowin'. This might hurt a little, but no matter what you have on your agenda, take some time to just "Be still and know that He is God." He, ladies, is the knower of all things...the peacespeaker....the calm in our raging sea. I know that my soul craves this peace. I crave it for you. Gone are the days of our parents. We can learn from them on this. There is nothing more important....NOTHING...that should come in the way of being still and knowing that He is God...of being still and knowing that our family, our KIDS are right here in front of us just wanting a little piece of us....of listening to that friend that is hurting...of chucking that chore you said you were going to do today, and just having a little quiet instead with some hot tea. Do you see my point? I feel burdened for those of you who are just getting caught up in the chaos and you're missing the blessings staring you right in the face. Take a little encouragement from me and from the One who loves you most. Stop what you are doing right now, take a deep breath and just BE STILL!