The Been Briefing

a prayer request

on tuesday i received an email from my mom with the sad news that my grandmother henrietta clementson (more affectionately known as grandma etta) has a 5.5cm mass in the upper right lobe of her lungs. it is spreading and is terminal. the doctors have given her weeks, perhaps months to live. her four children are in agreement (along with grandma etta herself) that there will not be any more invasive surgeries or treatments. she has returned to her home and will receive hospice care.

i have known that in the past 18-20 months grandma etta's health has been deteriorating, but i have been absent for the majority of the time. therefore, this news comes as quite a shock to me, and i am truly grieving the loss that i know is to come all too soon. grandma etta has been a powerful, godly influence on my life, not to mention the lives of hundreds of people - in our family and throughout christian circles in virginia. she has been a spiritual powerhouse of faith and devotion to the Lord since she became a christian about 40 years ago. i cannot imagine what life will be like without her, though i know she is eager and ready to meet her Savior, and has been for some time.

with this news, i am considering making a short trip home. my cousin elizabeth gets married on june 21st, and her wedding would provide the wonderful opportunity to be with my family and to see etta. please pray for me to make the right decision. i am not sure what i should do. what is best for everyone in this situation? will i regret not going home ten years from now? so, i ask for prayers in this difficult time - prayers for my grandmother, prayers for my whole family, prayers for the doctors, and prayers for me.

my brother luke, escorting etta to her seat, at my wedding
isn't she brilliant?