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."
I will always remember Allen as a very special brother. Very caring and kind. I think about the time when I was in my early teens, he always treated met with respect and kindness and never picked on me. I also remember his first teaching job out in the sticks somewhere. Dad borrowed a car and we drove out to see him. He had a one room school-- I don't know how many students but I was impressed.
ReplyDeleteI also remember the pride I felt about his accomplishments in the Air Force. I think he was a radio repairman for the aircraft and may also have taught at some point. I was thrilled when he sent me a peach colored scarf with the RCAF symbol on it--I still have the scarf.
After moving to Bakersfield we didn't see Allen as often because he was always in school. It was wonderful when he came with his new bride, Luba--we loved them and were always thrilled when Luba sang. She had a beautiful voice,
Allen had many struggles getting through seminary but did it beautifully. I also remember his first pastorate--Cutler. What a challenge.
Al in all I will always remember his dedication and service to God. It was a blessing to hear him speak. I could always sense he had been God's presence--and now he REALLY is. ALLEN WAS A BLESSING.
Love Vi
We had the privilage of being present to Allen's Bible teachings for a few seasons, at Lorne's church in Bellevue, WA.
ReplyDeleteHe and Luba were always quick to extend their hands in friendship to us all and he would lead us in bible study with such ease. There is not space enough to tell about his ministry and how much it meant. His obvious love for the Lord was such a blessing and it seemed that when he spoke about the Word, he became a bit brighter in his spirit. We will forever miss the spark he shared with us, but what comfort that he is with the Lord, being greeted once more by those who have waited for so long to see him again.
R & S from Seattle
Greetings from Korea.
ReplyDeleteI am Joshua, the pastor of the Community of Joy the church where Ken/Charmaine Gunther attend in Daejon, Korea.
We as all of Community of Joy members are so sad because your kind and caring father, husband, friend who died.
We want to be part of your sorrow as well as all of your pain.
I surely believe that he is in Heaven where there is no pain, no suffer but there is always joy and happiness.
I, Joshua, will greet him when I will get there and I will hug him and to say I am Joshua.
We as the Community of Joy will be part of your processing, funeral, sadness, pain in our prayer.
Dear all family.
We want to hear from all of you how things going on so that we can pray for that.
We hope that everything's going well.
May God bless you.
Joshua from Korea.
How blessed I feel to have know Pastor Gunther in better days. What a great ministry he had through the years and to finally be home in Heaven.
ReplyDeleteYou all continue to be in my prayers. Thanks for the beautiful prayer by Peter Marshall. I recall his last words to his wife Catherine Marshall, "I will see you in the morning."
May the strength and love of Christ be your daily companions.