Good Morning!  Just a quick update: Brandon completed all his evaluations and is doing very well. He began his first full week of therapies last week and the therapists were very pleased with his work and progress.  His short term memory still needs some work but other than that, he has surprised everyone with his quick recovery from such a traumatic accident! We believe it was because God was gracious in answering the prayers of so many on behalf of Brandon.  Thank you again for all the prayers you offered to our God and King!

In the midst of all of this, Brandon's grandfather's (Andy's father) health took a downward turn during the week of Thanksgiving and on December 1st, he exchanged addresses from this world to his home that Christ prepared for him. Papaw Dean, as Brandon and all his grandchildren knew him, was a believer in Jesus Christ. He firmly believed that Jesus is "the way, the truth and the life." He trusted in what Christ had done for him, dying in his place, for his sins and believed the promise that he would inherit eternal life, in the place Jesus prepared for him.  We will certainly miss Papaw Dean but trust me, he is experiencing something far greater than we are experiencing now and for that we are grateful. I was reminded of an old song written by Don Wyrtzen called "Finally Home" as I sat by my father's side as he took his last breath on this earth.  The chorus says,
                              Just think of stepping on shore and finding it heaven, 
                              Of touching a hand and finding it God's.
                              Of breathing new air and finding it celestial,
                              of waking up in glory - and finding it home!
He woke to breathe heavenly air in his heavenly home.  For those who believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior, we rest assured that we will see our loved ones again.  Yet, tragically, for those who do not trust Christ to save them from their sins and give them eternal life, they will never see their loved ones who trusted Christ as their Savior - ever again. What haunting words . . . ever again!  Unbelievers do not breathe celestial air, nor experience heaven, nor touch a hand and find it God's upon their death.  They, according to Jesus, will be "cast into outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 22:13)  Dear friend, at this time of year, we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus who, according to the Scripture,  . . .'will save His people from their sins'.  He came to die for your sins so you can have eternal life.  Have you realized that your sins have separated you from God? Will you, this day, repent and trust what He did for you?   Upon your death, will you wake up in glory or in outer darkness?  

May your day be blessed!