Changing Plans

Don’t worry, we are still scheduled to bring our little girl home as planned.  The Grubbs will still be flying to China on Thursday at midnight.  What has changed are the days leading up to our departure.  The banner over all of this of course is that God knows what He’s doing - and for this we are grateful!  Many of you know that early this week the Grubbs van ventured to Texas to see family and settle in our boys with Natalie’s parents (Mumsy and Pops).  Due to varied circumstances, we’ve decided it best to bring the boys back to Georgia to stay with friends.  

This Texas trip has been one big reminder that our world is broken and we need a Redeemer.  The last two days has included visiting with family, playing with cousins, holding our brand new nephew, and attending our niece’s softball game.  But it has also included visiting and praying with ailing family members.  Natalie’s grandmother’s health is waning and my uncle is fighting an ugly battle with colon cancer.  In times like these, we are grateful for many things:

1. A Savior has come!  And in His coming sin and death has been conquered (1 Cor 15:51-58).
2. A Savior is coming again!  And in His coming sin, cancer, broken bodies, and yes even orphans will be no more (Rev 21:4).     

Natalie and I thank you for so faithfully praying for our family.  Prayer Requests:

1. The salvation of my Uncle David.  His greatest need is not the removal of cancer but the receiving of life through Jesus Christ (John 11:25-26)
2. The spirit of Gloria Fletcher.  Her body is failing but her hope is in Christ.  There is a glory that awaits and for this our family rejoices. (Titus 3:4-7; 2 Cor 4:16-18)
3. The strength of Pamela Dowd (Nat’s mom) and Cindy Brandon (my mom).  Here is a daughter and sister who love their family very much.  Pray for God-enabled endurance to care for their loved ones in the coming days.
4. The shepherding of Lawson & Fletcher.  The next two weeks will look a little different than originally planned.  Wonderful opportunity for their parents to communicate the sovereignty of God over all things and to exhibit what it is to trust in Him.

Revelation 21:1-7 Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea. 

2 And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, made ready as a bride adorned for her husband. 

3 And I heard a loud voice from the throne, saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is among men, and He will dwell among them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself will be among them, 

4 and He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” 

5 And He who sits on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” And He said, “Write, for these words are faithful and true.” 

6 Then He said to me, “It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost. 

7 “He who overcomes will inherit these things, and I will be his God and he will be My son.