OCTOBER 2

We are back up at the hospital today but not because of Gary. Gary is feeling pretty good today. Yesterday, we had to come to Mayo to have blood work done and as we were leaving the hospital, I received a call from a young girl whose husband had received a bone marrow transplant. Luwella and I became fast friends sharing with each other about our husbands. Her husband Bill is a Baptist pastor in Michigan. They have two girls, 2 and 7 that they have had to leave with friends for over two months now. Bill is just 36 yrs. old and Luwella 28. Luwella called to tell us he was having a hard time and so we said we would come back up to see him. After visiting awhile, Gary prayed for Bill and then immediately Bill prayed for Gary! Too funny to see two preachers still wanting to minister to someone! We left their room and as we went to the elevators, I told Gary we had to stop on the 7th floor because I wanted a diet pepsi from the vending machine. He teased me about my addiction, but agreed. As we were getting my "drug of choice" we noticed Marge sitting off to the side. Marge and her husband Bob were on our floor the first week Gary was in the hospital. She said that when Bob came back in for another treatment the day before, he told Marge, he needed to look for Gary and started walking up and down the halls. He was getting his treatment and sleeping, so we told her we would come today. We spent at least an hour and half with Bob today. He wouldn't let us go and was so thrilled that we came by. For me, as a pastor's wife, I understand how hard this year has been for Gary, not to be able to preach and minister. For those of you that are preachers, you can understand. It was such a blessing to see how God brought opportunities to Gary, to be able to do a part of what God has called him to do, in between the days he was receiving medical treatment. "Thank you Lord, for giving us these opportunities."