Memorial Services

A Memorial Service for Allen Gunther will be held on Saturday, November 21 at 10:30 am.

The service will be at:

Community Bible Church
555 E Memory Lane
Santa Ana, CA
(Church entrance is on N. Lawson Way at the corner of Memory Ln & N Lawson Way)

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to;
Instituto InterGlobal
P.O. Box 1526
Big Bear Lake, CA 92315-1526

InterGlobal Institute is a missionary endeavor InterGlobal  for training and supporting workers and evangelical Christian ministries around the world.

Their goal is to promote the advancement of the Kingdom of God, supporting the Church in the ministerial work.  We use a technology platform and environment as a means for carrying out various proposals for education Bible – Theology.

InterGlobal

A family reception will follow afterwards.  If you are a family member and which to attend the reception please contact Keith and Nancy.

November 13, 2009

Yesterday afternoon dad went to sleep.  This morning he awoke early around 4:15am in the presence of his Lord and Savior.  He will be missed.

This morning a group of us (Luba his wife of 61 years, granddaughter Katie and her husband Isaac, grandson Timothy and his wife Amy, Luba's good friend Joan Law, Nancy and myself with our dear friend and Hospice Chaplain Judy Kenagy) sat together in a circle crying, laughing and remembering stories about Allen.

 To each of us he was something different; a husband, a father, a father-in-law, a grandfather and a friend.

And each of us was touched by his life in a different way. At the same time we both grieve and rejoice - missing him but knowing that he's finally in the very presence of Jesus. Peter Marshall - former Chaplain for the U S Senate wrote the following prayer:

   "Father I am only human.  I need the touch of human companionship.  Sorely I miss those I love who are with Thee.
   I pray, O Jesus, that Thou wilt reveal to me unseen presences.  Help me to know how close my loved ones are.  For if they are with Thee, and Thou with me, I know that they cannot be far away.
        Make real for me that contact of spirit with spirit that will re-establish the lost fellowship for which my heart yearns.
        Give to me faith shining through my tears.
        Plant peace and hope within my heart.
        Point me with joy to the great reunion.
   But until then, enable me to live happily and worthily of those who are with Thee.  In the Name of Him who is Lord of Life, I pray, Amen."

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Dad was very quiet today.  We spent some 3 hours with him this afternoon during which he never opened his eyes.  We spent time reading, talking to him and trying to make him comfortable.  I think he knows we're there - but just couldn't respond.

In response to yesterday's question, the responses from Ken and from Ruth are what I had always thought.  Eleanor says that even though this Canadian Farm Boy had never been in a plane let alone flown one prior to being in the Air Force, he was an instructor in the Royal Canadian Air Force's Flight School.  In reality, it's quite likely he did some of both.  It was something I hadn't heard and found it interesting enough to pass along.

Dad graduated from the University of Saskatchewan with a degree in Biology / Science.  Prior to his call to ministry it was his desire to become a medical doctor.  Instead, he spent over 40 years pastoring churches, mostly in So. California.  As most know, he attended Fuller Seminary in Pasadena.  Today's question is, how many times did he attend Fuller and do you know the degrees he earned there?

Regarding Posting Comments: some of you have been successful in posting comments while others have found this a frustrating and impossible task.  Katie and I spent over an hour this morning working on this - and with virtually no success.  So if you get stuck, send me an email and I'll post it for you.  You can email me at: keith@mgmfinancialgroup.net.

Wednesday, November 12, 2009

Today was a pretty quiet day. We listened to music and read scripture, talked with Luba about her and Allen. Dad was not too responsive though he would open his eyes from time to time. His breathing was much more labored today - the most we've seen so far. Today we read the book of Ephesians together, taking turns reading chapters to him. Knowing how much he loved the Bible, it is such a joy to read to him. Mom is doing pretty good with all this and enjoys her visits with dad each afternoon.

Since there's not much else to write, how about some Allen trivia? After dad graduated from High School in Hepburn he went and lived with a family in Saskatoon while he attended Normal School. A year of training in Normal School provided a teaching credential that allowed him to take on his first teaching position. As his sister remembers it, shortly after his first school year began his Draft Notice was received at his parent's home. His father called him and dad decided to enlist in the Royal Canadian Air Force rather than serve in the Infantry, doing so very quickly before formally receiving the official Draft Notice himself.

I had always thought that we was a Radio Operator and Repairman. But accordingly to Eleanor - that's not correct. So what did a Canadian Farm Boy do in the Royal Canadian Air Force?


Post your answers so we can all see what you think and tomorrow I'll let you know what I learned about my dad today.

Tuesday November 10

God knows just what we need...

Today my visit with Dad ended with a precious gift. Since he has been sick I have longed to hear him say just one more time, "I love you." He did not speak at all for the whole time we were there and my heart was mourning to just have the silence. As we were all saying good-bye all but Katie and I were left in the room and as we were turning to leave Dad opened his eyes so I held his hand to say good-bye again and he said, "I love you." He had such a tender look on his face and his words were the clearest he has spoken in over a week. What a precious gift I will cherish forever.

Love,

Nancy

Monday, November 9, 2009

One of my most vivid memories occurred on a cold, blustery evening in Santa Monica. I was perhaps 5 or 6 years of age and had been playing at a friend's apartment. During the afternoon a storm blew in and I was stranded. When dad came to retrieve me he was wearing his long, brown wool tweed overcoat. On our way home he wrapped it around me and to this day I can remember its damp smell, the course wool fabric and the warmth and covering from the wind and the rain. On our walk home I remember a feeling of complete safety and protection as he held me close with only my face peering out to see where we walked.

Katie and I visited dad and grandpa this afternoon. He appeared a bit weaker than yesterday and was much quieter. His face was flushed and he looked a bit feverish. It was clear that his body ached from laying still for these past several days. As we tried to bring comfort to him with a rub on the neck, his arms and his legs the above memory resurfaced and I was grateful for the opportunity to give something back to him.

Today we read the book of Philippians to him before leaving. I need to remember to bring my own Bible next time. His "old" King James version is a bit tough to read. I've had enough of 'betwixt' and 'waxing' and need something I understand and can read more easily.

Dad seemed to appreciate Heidi and Britt's notes - so keep it up.

Sunday, November 8, 2009

Nancy and I took mom over to see dad again today. It's been nice to see them most everyday for the past week. Mom is enjoying the opportunity to spend time with him. Now that she's pretty much wheelchair bound and in Skilled Nursing herself, about the only way she gets to see him is if we take her over.

Dad seems to have plateaued. He is generally comfortable though complains of pains. He's pretty confused so one time it's his head that hurts, then his feet, or his stomach, etc. I think it's mostly the laying and not moving much seems to make everything a bit touchy after a time. He is pretty quiet and responds mostly when he's asked a direct question. He is eating less and less. Today he only drank water and then only enough to take his pills.

The one thing that seems to work the best to calm him is reading the Bible to him. It is amazing to see the peace come over him as we begin to read. I read a good number of Psalms for him today and finished with the last two chapters of Revelation. We will continue this practice so if you have any scriptures - whole chapters is fine and actually better that you'd like us to read him, let us know.

Thanks Britt and Heidi for your comments. I'll certainly pass those notes on to him.

Saturday, November 7, 2009

Allen has had a long and tough week. On Monday we spent most of the day at the hospital in the ER. He had become "non-responsive" due to low oxygen levels. The doctor diagnosed him with Pneumonia. We returned him to Care House where he has been staying for the last 2 years. On Wednesday we got things set up for Hospice assistance and they have been a great help.

Since Tuesday night he has stabilized and as of Friday night his condition has remained about the same. He is awake, recognizes us and is able to communicate with a word or two. He clearly understands things. What seems to calm him most is listening to us read him scripture or two CD's of hymns and praise music. For the most part he sleeps.

I'll post notes to this each evening and if things change will let you know. If you would like us to tell him something, simply post a note and we'll read it to him.