Getting Ready For What Lies Ahead

There are preparations of all kinds going on here in Pooler. 

WEDDING PREPARATIONS

Before I speak of the preparations at hand, let's talk about weddings!

I'm sure you heard that Mikaela & Ethan are now engaged. We've started some preparations for their wedding day in May. Mikaela had an opportunity to go with a friend to check out some wedding dresses. We saw some very beautiful dresses. But clearly, that is way outside of our budget but it was fun to go try some different styles to see what she liked.

Grandma & Grandpa's Wedding Day

In truth, Mikaela has always wanted to wear my wedding gown which happened to also be my mother's dress handmade by Grandma in 1956. So we searched to find a seamstress who could work with antique fabrics and make the gown into a dream gown for Mikaela. Mike's family in Waycross suggested a lady they use. So we made the 2-hour trek to meet with her. 

We loved her instantly.

Me in the gown - 1989

Ms. Tammie is an accomplished seamstress and was recently featured in the Okefenokee Living Magazine (Look for "She said 'Yes" to her Mother's Dress) for a transformation she recently did remaking a 1980s gown into something stylish for the 21st century. She has some wonderful ideas for our dress as well and we are very excited to see what she does. You MUST come in May to see it!

 Mikaela & Ethan - Aren't they cute?

We also met with a friend of mine that has offered to do the catering and to help us design and hand-create the invitations. We're still working on the final decisions on the Save the Date card. In the meantime, you can go ahead and pencil in on your calendar Saturday, May 19, 2018 here in Savannah, GA. Do you think you might come? Make sure I have your address to send the invite.

STORM PREPARATIONS

Of course, everyone is talking about the hurricanes lately. It was so sad to see all the damage in Houston. And now, even as I type the entire state of Florida is under Hurricane Warning. And it's coming to Georiga!

Flooding in Houston

Here in Savannah, we were under mandatory evacuation, but now that the hurricane is headed up the middle of Georgia, the governor has lowered the evacuation to voluntary .. except for the coastline. We'll still get some tropical force winds and surge though.

We were going to run across the state to our cousin. But since the storm is headed their way, we decided to stay put and weather the tropical storm forces here. So now we are getting things together to be prepared for losing electricity for sure. You know, water, batteries, candles, important papers.

Preparing our Souls

I got to thinking about all the tragic things happening in our world. It certainly seems that "all creation is groaning" under the evil. Here are just a few of the world wide events that are going on.

Mudslides 

Sierre Leone

Flooding and Mud Slides in Peru

Monsoons in Asia

Monsoons in Asia

Disease

Dengue Fever

Hurricanes

Hurricanes Katia, Irma, & Jose

Earthquakes

Mexico Earthquake after math

Does This Remind You of Anything?

All of these things cause me to think that we are very near the end. Jesus describes all these things in the book of Matthew.

30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. 31 And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other. 32 Now learn a parable of the fig tree; When his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh: 33 So likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors. 34 Verily I say unto you,

This generation shall not pass, till all these things be fulfilled.

 So I must ask you,

 "Have you prepared your soul for the coming day?"

"Do you believe that Jesus, the Son of God, came to die for your sins and give you eternal life?"

"Have you accepted this free gift of life by believing and trusting in him?"

"Have you turned your heart and life over to His control?"

The Day Is Near

11 And do this, understanding the present time: The hour has already come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. Romans 13:11New International Version (NIV)

"I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation."   2 Corinthians 6:2 

It's as Easy as A, B, C

ACCEPT that you are a sinner.
BELIEVE in the Lord Jesus Christ.
CONFESS your sins to Him.

It's that simple. Do this and receive eternal life in heaven with Jesus.

1 John 1:9New International Version (NIV)9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

So how about it? Are you prepared for the day of His return for His Bride?

Look up! For our redemption draws nigh!

P.S.  I'm hosting a Q&A event about fibromyalgia this fall. Go to my special Facebook page to follow along. I'm actually working to put all this in a book! Here's the link www.facebook.com/ggmandy2

                            "FIBROMYALGIA - IS IT FOR REAL?"