I Haven't Forgotten

For those who are daily checking, I have NOT forgotten about what I have promised! I am just not able to get access to the slide show still, but I will make every effort to obtain it in the next 48 hours.

Thank you for being patient!

Happy (Belated) Thanksgiving

I apologize for not getting something out to you sooner to let you know I have not forgotten about the slide show and the final words. Unfortunately the slide show is still not yet available, and I am still mewling (my dad has always liked that word) over how to express to you what my dad wants me to say.

Besides that, we had a very THANKFUL Thanksgiving. For weeks before we had labored over how to have this holiday (a favorite for our family) with Dad but not overwhelm him with all the children around all day. But because Dad celebrated his first Thanksgiving with our Brother, we were able to share this holiday as a whole family, knowing that Jesus AND our father were with us. We thanked God for giving and honoring us with Gary Hundley as a husband, father, father-in-law and Papa for as much time as He gave us. It was a peaceful and beautiful day.

My mother wanted me to express her endless gratitude to all of you and your overwhelming love and kindness you have shown us this past week. It touches our hearts to know Gary had so many who love him so dearly. We know how special he is, and it's nice to see others feel the same way! Special thanks to Ken Chaffin, Jack Hicks, and the Vaughn Forest Baptist Church for honoring Dad so with the celebration service and graveside service. Dad always planned WONDERFUL events, and these were no exceptions!

Please remember that Dad will always love each of you, and I know he will enter the Throne Room and plead for you if and when that time is needed. Just because he is not with us here does not mean he cannot still go to the Father on our behalf. One of the things Dad struggled with all this time was how he was going to "make a difference" with my children's lives (they are 3, 2 and 8 months). He was able to be there for all 4 of his other grand children's baptisms and even baptize Brooke's two youngest. That is why he wanted 10 more years-to baptize my children and lead them to the Lord. But Randy and I assured him that he will make much more of a difference when he is in the Almighty's presence-he can plead on their behalf AT HIS FEET! What more could we want for our children than a witness who will run to the Father when our children need Him the most? And we praise God that Dad can do that now. His legacy will continue for generations to come, should the Lord decide not to come and gather us all before then.

Again, words cannot express how thankful we are for all of you. We prayed for you on Thursday; please know you will hold such a special place in our hearts even though Gary is not here on earth with us. We pray now for a wonderful beginning to this Christmas season; never forget WHY we celebrate it!

Slide show and final words to come, I promise!

Indebted Gratitude

We as Gary's family wanted to sincerely thank all of you who left comments, called, sent notes or food, and came to his visitation last night. What an outpouring of love for us in honor of Dad.

We are blessed last night to have hugged the necks of all those whom Gary has touched over the years. We may not remember your names, but you will forever be in our hearts simply because you love Gary and honored him by loving us too. Thank you.

We look forward to today-the celebration-where we remember Gary as he is NOW. He is with the Lord, at His feet, worshipping. Finally.

We hope to see many of you today, but we know may not be able to attend due to the holiday. Gary definitely would want you to be with family today and not with us-that is his legacy, and he wants it to be the same for you. And Thanksgiving was his favorite time of the year.

Please stay posted for a little longer; we have a slide show of Gary I would like you all to see, but it is not ready. And I was also charged by my father to say a few more words. Please forgive me if I am not yet ready to do that-I miss him so.

We love you and are forever thankful for you and your faithfulness to our Creator.

Arrangements

Final arrangements have been made for Gary.

A celebration of his life will be held Wednesday, November 21, 2007, at 2:00PM at Vaughn Forest Baptist Church. We will have visitation on Tuesday, November 20 from 5-7PM at Alabama Heritage Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Faith Radio (PO Box 210789, Montgomery AL 36121). This was Gary's legacy and his Kingdom work-we can't imagine anything more that he would want than for you to help continue this ministry in his name.

We love you. Please stay posted for details about a special slide show and final words.

Gary Is Finally Home

At 7:10 on November 18, 2007, Gary Hundley went home to receive his inheritance from the Lord. The Lord chose to keep him from suffering too long, and we are so blessed because of that.

We were so grateful that Hope and his two daughters were there to help send him to the one place he longed for. And we can't wait to see him again when the Lord brings us home with him.

There are no set plans for the funeral; please stay posted for those as soon as we know.

Words cannot express the love we have for those of you who prayed for Gary during this journey. We are so honored.

God May Be Calling Gary Home Soon

This morning Hope had to rush Gary to the hospital-he was having a very difficult time breathing.

Yesterday Gary did make it to the doctor for his last visit with his oncologist. Dr. Davidson said there was no more scientifically to do for him. So Dr. Davidson recommended Hospice be brought in to help Hope care for Gary during this time.

We had no idea that the Lord would possibly call Gary home so soon. We knew every day was getting a little worse-Gary struggled to move, to eat, to do any physical activity at all. But when he couldn't breathe this morning, he asked Hope to call an ambulance.

Since he has been admitted, the doctors have sedated him (he was VERY agitated and anxious) and have given him pain medication. Because of this Gary has slept almost the whole day. The doctors suspect he will not be with us much longer than a few more days.

We know and feel the Lord's presence in Gary's room; we know He is holding Gary in his arms. We praise Him for all He has done for Gary through this journey, and we know God can heal Him again on this earth. But we do want what is best for Gary, and he is tired.

We ask for prayers for peace for Gary as he makes his final preparations to go home. He said he is very excited to be going to the Throne Room of the Father, at His feet praising Him. As he has said so many times before, THIS is what he has worked all his life to acheive: to walk with the Father and finally see Him. We know God has many jewels for his crown waiting for Him in His mansion above.

We love you and Gary is so grateful for all of you who have prayed for him through this journey. We know if the Lord wants him to remain on earth longer to do more Kingdom work, HIS HANDS will heal him. And if the Lord wants to bring him home to be with Him, we can't imagine a better place for him. May God forever be praised for all He has done.

Some Prayer Needs

Just wanted to ask you briefly to pray for Gary and Hope right now. Gary's body is degenerating at a rapid rate at this time, and we are not sure there will be a recovery physically at this point.

Gary asks for prayers for the strength and courage for what lay ahead of him, that he continue to run this race set before him. He asks that you pray that he be prepared for whichever path God has chosen for him.

The family simply asks for peace and assurance that God is completely in charge, and He is doing what is best. We KNOW this, but sometimes the heart does not receive the same message as the brain.

God is so good, and we know He has us safely in His arms. May God be praised for what He is doing and is about to do in our lives.

We love you.

No Changes

I just wanted to update you and let you all know that there are really no changes since Gary's transfusion last week. He is still very weak and fatigued. His left arm is still swollen, and his back is still infected.

We were very hopeful that this transfusion would be just the thing to help him begin to heal and gain strength. I must say we have been disappointed that it has been almost the exact opposite.

Please continue to pray for Gary and Hope-the disease and the effects of it are taking its toll on them emotionally and mentally now. We still hope for complete healing here on earth so that he can continue his Kingdom work; God only knows what the future holds.

We love you.

Still "Plugging Away"

Just a quick note to let you know that Gary is still plugging away (as he likes to call it).

Yesterday he received the 2 pints of blood to help raise that hemoglobin level. We see no signs yet that it is working except the color that is back in his cheeks. He is still extremely fatigued and has a hard time getting up and down.

He is, however, healing on his back. He says the wound is not as painful, and he is starting to scab some. This is good news! We pray God continues to heal those sores so that he can be more comfortable.

Beyond that there is nothing new. He is immensely grateful for the comments that you leave-he asks every day if there are new ones. I am getting to know those of you who do leave comments-he gets so excited to hear your names, and he tells me all the stories that he remembers about you! And it is a joy to know that so many godly and loving people have touched my father's life.

Please do not forget about fasting on Friday. I chose this day so you could have time to prepare for it. My mother will also be participating; Dad offered, but we decided it was best to give him all of our food that we are choosing not to eat that day!

We love you all, and please know that those are not just words. We cherish all of you who continue to think of us in this time. As Paul wrote to the Philippians:

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Finally A Visit to the Doctor

Gary and Hope finally saw Dr. Davidson today at the Cancer Center. We are disappointed that there was not much good news that we received.

Gary is not in much pain anymore, but he is suffering from an infection where his radiation burns are on his back. Because of that and his lack of good veins, he won't be able to have any scans in the next two weeks. The doctor is very concerned about what he assumes is an edema in his left arm that is causing that arm to swell about 2 1/2 times the size of his right arm. Gary's blood work was not good either-he was severaly low on hemoglobin and red blood cells but high on his white cell count. The only good news-his oxygenation is at 100% (he is still taking oxygen 24/7).

The results of all of these: Gary goes tomorrow to try to have a pick line put in his good arm that can stay there up to three months. This will help when he needs medication, transfusions, blood drawn and he will finally be able to have a CT scan. After the pick line is inserted, he will have to stay to have a blood transfusion-this time 2 pints. He is on antibiotics for his back and steroids for the swelling in his arm and back.

We were hoping for a better day, but it seems God has something else in mind rather than a miraculous healing (at least for today). What can we do? Gary is going for his transfusion tomorrow, and you can go and give blood in honor of him either at LifeSouth or at the Red Cross. What else? PRAY. And I would like to request something special this week. On Friday, November 9, I am asking all of you (if you can) to fast and pray for my father. And pray for healing-whether earthly or eternal. Pray for peace and hope. If you cannot fast food, I hope you can fast something else to take special time in the throne room with our Lord. I know this is asking a lot, but we honor God when we fast. And I truly believe we can hear God better.

You have been relentless in your prayers and love for my father and our family. Praise God for His saints who rise to action! We are forever grateful, and we know God is glorified because of you. May He bless you this week and especially on Friday. (And please let us know how it goes!) We love you.

Slight Delay in the Update

Unfortunately Gary and Hope did not make it to the Cancer Center today. Hope misread the schedule, and the appointment was earlier than they realized. So Gary will go on Monday morning. We will let you know what happens then.

There is nothing really new to report since the last few blogs. His strength is still lacking, and he is still in pain in the legs and left arm. That arm is swollen, and we are not sure why. And we may not find out why anytime soon-he is unable to do scans since the nurses cannot find a vein in his arm to put in an IV line. But I already told you that!

On a more positive note, Gary told me yesterday he wants you all to know that he has not given up hope that Jesus will pull him through this. He "wants to get back in the pulpit" again. So he is doing what he can to fulfill his dream of preaching again for you. We are joyful that he has something to look forward to, and we will do whatever we can to help him reach this goal. It will be an uphill battle, but we have the Great Physician on our side, so NOTHING is impossible.

We will let you know what happens Monday! We pray an enjoyable first weekend of November for you. May you make wonderful memories with family and friends that will last a lifetime.