mourning

Brother Aurel Macsin

/ Carmen McKnight / Leave a comment

For the one who is loved is never forgotten.

Brother Aurel Macsin, passed away yesterday after bravely fighting the tumor discovered in December of 2018. I never knew him personally and met Summer a few times before she got married, but I did listen to some of his Facebook live videos and was proud to see how hard he fought and how passionate he was about God. Our indirect connection to them is through John and Paulette Stabb, Aurel’s parents-in-laws. I met Chet in Romania, back in 1993, through one of John Stabb’s missionary trips and six months later we were married. Once I arrived in America Chet and I attended the same church and got to know John and Paulette better. That’s where we met Summer, their daughter and a collage student at the time, and Toby Stabb their youngest.

We’ve prayed for Aurel like many of you did, and continue to pray for Summer, Summer’s family, Aurel’s family and their friends. May God’s peace that passes all human understanding fill the colossal void their hearts and souls feel during this season of sorrow. There are many invisible faces praying fo you during this time.

Praying for Michelle and her family as well, who have been a great support for Summer and Aurel lately.

One day your tears will be replaced by the joy a reunion brings beyond flesh and bone limits.

God Bless.

Pastor Gordon Calmeyer

/ Carmen McKnight / Leave a comment

Today Pastor Gordon Calmeyer passed away after a life well lived. I love his wife’s words, Stella, on Facebook, and I’ll add them here:

“Choose to make today count.

Even if we find ourselves in unpleasant places or going through tough or hard times, or even if we feel like we could give up because of trying circumstances, let’s use the power of choice which we all have at our disposal, and choose to benefit from bad times and allow them to cause spiritual growth and development. Let us wait for the Lord, staying strong and allowing our hearts to be filled with courage so that we will finish the race strong! (Psalm 27: 13-14) Have a blessed weekend everyone!”

Beautiful.

Chet and I met both Stella and Gordon during our volunteering times at CFC (Christian Faith Center Church) and right away we were taken (like everyone else) with Stella’s sweet personality, and pastor Gordon’t charismatic personality, warmth, and vulnerability. Their short time at CFC as pastors were full of richness and they walked away loving and being loved.

Both Chet and I will miss him because he touched our lives with love and authenticity. I ache because he died, but I’m grateful that I had the privilege to know both him and his wife, I’m richer because of that. His good humor and love for life will be missed. It only hurts because we loved, we’ll never regret loving.

I’m sorry to hear about the suicides of both Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, condolences to their family and loved ones, it’s hard when departure from this life happens in such a state of despair and sadness. I’m truly sorry for that. If anyone reading this blog is suffering from depression, please reach out to someone and ask for help. You’re welcome to reach out to me anytime you want.

Thank you, God, for all people from all walks of life. Being human is beautiful and precious.

God Bless.IMG_1318