2015 was a difficult year. After losing my mother, my job and my cat a miracle occurred! A little background first – during the period of time between 2002 and 2012 my husband and I lost 2 homes as well as thousands of commission dollars in sales to corrupt contractors. We were forced to sell everything we owned, packed up our clothes and the cats and headed to Florida where I had family. We stayed approximately a year. Unable to find work in a difficult economy and unfamiliar locale my husband was offered a job back in New York. He left Florida and drove back to the Northeast with approximately $300.00 given to him by my brother. I stayed behind to tie up loose ends – I knew, however, it would be one of the last times I would see my mother alive but I knew my place was with my husband. Fortunately we have a wonderful son who put him up till he could find an apartment for us. So he was commuting to NYC from Wilkes Barre, PA. Occasionally when he worked late he would sleep in his car unable to make the long commute back to Wilkes Barre. Eventually he found an apartment for us in Delaware Water Gap, PA. It was a second story flat directly across from “The Church of the Mountain” This church has an interesting history – the first pastor there left to serve as pastor to the soldiers fighting at the battle of Gettysburg. In addition, Delaware Water Gap has a very musical history – they are home to music publisher Shawnee-on-Delaware and in the last century had many glamorous musical Jazz Venues. They are also a major hub/stop on the Appalachian Trail. The Church of the Mountain continued the musical tradition by hosting Sunday night concerts with some of the best local talent I have ever heard-playing under their little Gazebo. One Sunday evening my husband and I were sitting on the lawn watching a concert – this was after the events of 2015 which I described earlier. Suddenly the most life changing, world-rocking feeling came over me – everything around me seemed to swirl and dance in light and such peace and clarity came over me. It was an experience not of this world! As though the Lord was saying to me “you are home” Come home to me – I will give you peace.
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” Matthew 11:28-30
He lifted from me the pain of grief, sorrow and disappointment. Sometimes you have to lose everything before you can really have anything worth-having. The following Sunday I joined the Church and the Choir and the music and miracles continue to this day.