Tuesday:
Today Håkan had a follow-up visit with the eye doctor here in Uddevalla. The doctor checked Håkan’s right eye, after the eyelid operation at Sahlgrenska on the 21st of August. Håkan is seeing better with his right eye now, after all the help with drops and eye ointments. Thank you, Lord, and all competent staff!
Tomorrow, Wednesday, Håkan will travel down to Sahlgrenska for the left eyelid operation, so please pray for him tomorrow. He’ll be anaesthetized, but they reckon he will be able to come back to his unit here in Uddevalla the same day.
After the operation, Håkan will be bandaged again over the operated eye, and will probably have several follow-up visits, to make sure the operation has been successful.
Håkan had his second overnight leave, from Sunday to Monday. It was so nice to have him home. We were at Johanna and Daniel’s house for dinner, and both Amelie and Bella were with us. Fun for the grandchildren, Nova and Nicole, to have Grandpa at home again. After that, we went to the apartment for a pleasant evening at home with all the teenagers who are living at home. The hard part is that Håkan needs a lot of help, so I only get a few hours of sleep.
This past Saturday, Håkan’s siblings and their families came, so we picked up Håkan and drove to the salmon restaurant in Ljungskile. That was the first time in 7 months that Håkan ate out at a restaurant. Håkan appreciated the initiative. We drove by our beloved house, then continued on to the apartment, where we had coffee, before it was time to take Håkan back to the hospital.
As you understand, everything is moving in the right direction, so THANK YOU for all your love, all thoughts, and the prayers we’ve received during this time. We give God the glory for our lives, and we are happy for Håkan’s new suit of skin, which has healed well. This Sunday was the first day without bandages or some kind of protection on Håkan’s back.
“The LORD will sustain him on his sickbed and restore him from his bed of illness.” Ps. 41:3
God bless you!
Hugs,
Gunilla
Wednesday 30 September 2009
Saturday 26 September 2009
Tearing down has its time – Building has its time
The tearing down took a long time; to get rid of everything burnt and smoke damaged has also taken time. Only the shell of the house was left. Tearing down has its time…
It turned out that the house had sunk, so some of the boards needed to be replaced. Even Håkan’s sauna in the cellar was damaged by moisture and had to be thrown out. Tearing down has its time…
Everything electrical, all radiators, all pipes…yes, tearing down has its time…
But now it’s a new time; the walls are being insulated and walls are being put up…the ceiling in the cellar, underfloor heating is being put in, the floor in the kitchen and living room are on their way…and the electrical is being mounted. Building has its time…
In the Bible it says, “There is a time for everything, …a time to tear down and a time to build,…” Eccl. 3:1a, 3b
Håkan has cautiously gone into the house to see how things are going. I have been in the house essentially every day since I came home from the hospital in the middle of March.
Right now, they are on the roof, replacing it, so please pray for nice weather for us. It will be a new tile roof.
In a few days, we’ll put a new picture presentation about the house on the blog, so you can see what is happening on Sigelhultsvägen in Uddevalla.
Tearing down has its time – Building has its time!
Thank you for your prayers, even for the house!
God bless you!
Hugs,
Gunilla
It turned out that the house had sunk, so some of the boards needed to be replaced. Even Håkan’s sauna in the cellar was damaged by moisture and had to be thrown out. Tearing down has its time…
Everything electrical, all radiators, all pipes…yes, tearing down has its time…
But now it’s a new time; the walls are being insulated and walls are being put up…the ceiling in the cellar, underfloor heating is being put in, the floor in the kitchen and living room are on their way…and the electrical is being mounted. Building has its time…
In the Bible it says, “There is a time for everything, …a time to tear down and a time to build,…” Eccl. 3:1a, 3b
Håkan has cautiously gone into the house to see how things are going. I have been in the house essentially every day since I came home from the hospital in the middle of March.
Right now, they are on the roof, replacing it, so please pray for nice weather for us. It will be a new tile roof.
In a few days, we’ll put a new picture presentation about the house on the blog, so you can see what is happening on Sigelhultsvägen in Uddevalla.
Tearing down has its time – Building has its time!
Thank you for your prayers, even for the house!
God bless you!
Hugs,
Gunilla
Sunday 20 September 2009
New times!
I’m sitting on the sofa in the apartment, and in the same room, Håkan is lying in my bed, ready to sleep his first night at home. In other words, Håkan is on an overnight leave – imagine that! We have good sofas, so I’m lying on one of them. It’s nice to be in the same room, in case he needs anything.
Can you imagine how quick his progress has been? He can walk, he can stand, he can raise himself up, and he’s getting better at using his hands. As they say, “Practice makes perfect.”
There he lies – my husband – on his back, as he’s always done, but now he has some aids to keep him in the right position, with splints on his hands, plastic cups over his eyes, pillow under his legs, and the cute little gauze bandage cap on his head. I’m filled with such thankfulness. Imagine that we can still be together. It’s only by the grace of God that we are all alive.
Tomorrow I will drive Håkan back to his ward, before my music class at the school. After that, there is a care-planning meeting at the hospital, for Håkan’s future, so it’s good that I have a free hour in my schedule.
On Tuesday, there are two appointments at the hospital, one with the social welfare officer, and after that, I will meet a doctor.
Håkan has received an appointment for the eye operation on his left eyelid on the 30th of September, in the morning, down in Gothenburg, at Sahlgrenska. Please pray that the operation will go well.
Today I saw that his eyelashes are starting to come back also.
The hand surgeons’ office at Sahlgrenska has sent Håkan an appointment. Wednesday the 14th of October it’s time for Håkan’s hands. We are so thankful that he got in so quickly. New times for both Håkan’s eyes and hands.
Håkan is listening to the Bible on CD, in Swedish, and yesterday Lena Forsén came with a CD-Bible in English. It’s good for the pastor to take in the Word of God, now by listening.
Now he’s soughing so well. It’s music to my ears; I haven’t heard it for 201 days. New times, as in old times!
All of the kids who live in the area have been at home today with Dad and Grandpa. We notice that Håkan can manage more, but still, he tires quickly of everything happening around him.
“…who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”
Ps. 103:3-5
God bless you all!
Hugs,
Gunilla
Can you imagine how quick his progress has been? He can walk, he can stand, he can raise himself up, and he’s getting better at using his hands. As they say, “Practice makes perfect.”
There he lies – my husband – on his back, as he’s always done, but now he has some aids to keep him in the right position, with splints on his hands, plastic cups over his eyes, pillow under his legs, and the cute little gauze bandage cap on his head. I’m filled with such thankfulness. Imagine that we can still be together. It’s only by the grace of God that we are all alive.
Tomorrow I will drive Håkan back to his ward, before my music class at the school. After that, there is a care-planning meeting at the hospital, for Håkan’s future, so it’s good that I have a free hour in my schedule.
On Tuesday, there are two appointments at the hospital, one with the social welfare officer, and after that, I will meet a doctor.
Håkan has received an appointment for the eye operation on his left eyelid on the 30th of September, in the morning, down in Gothenburg, at Sahlgrenska. Please pray that the operation will go well.
Today I saw that his eyelashes are starting to come back also.
The hand surgeons’ office at Sahlgrenska has sent Håkan an appointment. Wednesday the 14th of October it’s time for Håkan’s hands. We are so thankful that he got in so quickly. New times for both Håkan’s eyes and hands.
Håkan is listening to the Bible on CD, in Swedish, and yesterday Lena Forsén came with a CD-Bible in English. It’s good for the pastor to take in the Word of God, now by listening.
Now he’s soughing so well. It’s music to my ears; I haven’t heard it for 201 days. New times, as in old times!
All of the kids who live in the area have been at home today with Dad and Grandpa. We notice that Håkan can manage more, but still, he tires quickly of everything happening around him.
“…who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion, who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.”
Ps. 103:3-5
God bless you all!
Hugs,
Gunilla
Wednesday 16 September 2009
Friendship in deeper dimensions
Sat here at home today and spoke with a lady. It was the first time she had come to our home. We’ve only met once before, at the hospital, on March 3rd, the same day the house burned…
”It’s so nice here. It wasn’t that long ago – how have you found the time?” ”It was our friends, in different churches in town, who have done this for us. Everything was here when we moved in…” The more I talked, the more I saw her facial expressions, the more I was filled with thankfulness to God, for all our friends who have made life so much easier for us. Friendship in deeper dimensions!
We continued to talk about what we had done these past months, that we’d been to Stockholm and Linköping, to see Håkan, that we could stay with friends who offered. The more we talked, the more I was filled with thankfulness to God, for all our friends who have made it so much easier for us. That is friendship in deeper dimensions!
So, we talked some more, and came to the trip to England that Bella, Amelie and I went on this summer, how friends took care of us, how we stayed with friends. Dave was with us two days in London. The more I told her, the more I was filled with thankfulness to God, for all our friends who have made it much easier for us. Friendship in deeper dimensions!
Then we came to the trip to Uppsala-Stockholm, and on to the island of Gotland, this summer, when I told about all our friends who we got to stay with, and how they arranged things for us, the more I was filled with thankfulness to God, and all our friends who have made life much easier for us. It becomes friendship in deeper dimensions!
Now we both sat with tears in our eyes, I in thankfulness for all our friends… The lady said, ”Imagine that there are friends like that.” I answered, “Yes, there are, so many who have stood by us, during this time.” The answer was, “Then I understand better how you’ve managed as you have.” I answered, “I’m going to write a praise song about friendship…”
Obviously, part of the reason it’s gone so well is that you have been there and supported us in every way. So THANK YOU all our friends for being there. You’ve been a part of making life easier for us… Friendship in deeper dimensions!
“…She was full of good works and kind deeds which she did.” Acts 9:36
Thanks for friendship!
Thanks for your generosity!
God bless you all!
Hugs,
Gunilla
”It’s so nice here. It wasn’t that long ago – how have you found the time?” ”It was our friends, in different churches in town, who have done this for us. Everything was here when we moved in…” The more I talked, the more I saw her facial expressions, the more I was filled with thankfulness to God, for all our friends who have made life so much easier for us. Friendship in deeper dimensions!
We continued to talk about what we had done these past months, that we’d been to Stockholm and Linköping, to see Håkan, that we could stay with friends who offered. The more we talked, the more I was filled with thankfulness to God, for all our friends who have made it so much easier for us. That is friendship in deeper dimensions!
So, we talked some more, and came to the trip to England that Bella, Amelie and I went on this summer, how friends took care of us, how we stayed with friends. Dave was with us two days in London. The more I told her, the more I was filled with thankfulness to God, for all our friends who have made it much easier for us. Friendship in deeper dimensions!
Then we came to the trip to Uppsala-Stockholm, and on to the island of Gotland, this summer, when I told about all our friends who we got to stay with, and how they arranged things for us, the more I was filled with thankfulness to God, and all our friends who have made life much easier for us. It becomes friendship in deeper dimensions!
Now we both sat with tears in our eyes, I in thankfulness for all our friends… The lady said, ”Imagine that there are friends like that.” I answered, “Yes, there are, so many who have stood by us, during this time.” The answer was, “Then I understand better how you’ve managed as you have.” I answered, “I’m going to write a praise song about friendship…”
Obviously, part of the reason it’s gone so well is that you have been there and supported us in every way. So THANK YOU all our friends for being there. You’ve been a part of making life easier for us… Friendship in deeper dimensions!
“…She was full of good works and kind deeds which she did.” Acts 9:36
Thanks for friendship!
Thanks for your generosity!
God bless you all!
Hugs,
Gunilla
Monday 14 September 2009
They come from east and west…
This week Dave and Pauline Tidy from England have been here. They have visited Håkan several times. On Saturday, Håkan was on leave from the hospital, so he was at home in the apartment for dinner. Naturally, it was pork chops, Håkan’s favorite food, with our guests, Dave and Pauline.
Last week Hannah and Eliyahu from Israel came up to the hospital. What an encouragement for Håkan. Two weeks ago, Beckie Baraka, a good friend of the family and church, came from Kenya. She is one of the pastors in a church we’re friends with in Nairobi, Kenya, where Håkan and we have been many times. They are 8000 members, and they’re standing with us in prayer also.
It means so much to us, all you who have contacted us. I sat this week, here at home, with Håkan when he came home for a visit, and read all the greetings on the blog, after he had recorded his latest greeting. You can’t imagine how much it means to Håkan and me, that you are still with us, think about and pray for us. The tears just ran for both of us… Thank you, Lord! Thanks all of you friends!
Thank you also for all the gifts which have been sent to us. I haven’t needed to worry a single day about finances. As soon as a need has come up, someone has sent money to us. Thank you for your love. I can’t find words – don’t know how I can thank you. We feel so loved, by you and our heavenly Father. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Håkan is still on the rehab unit at Uddevalla Hospital, training every day, has a bath and bandage change every other day, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The sores on his body are healing well. It was on its way to getting infected on his head and forehead. The sore is open and because of that, he has a bandage around his head.
Håkan’s gait is getting better and better. He doesn’t need a shadow anymore, and walks totally on his own. He is of course a careful type, by nature, so he doesn’t take any risks and hasn’t fallen once. Thank goodness!
Yesterday I was up with Mikaela and Josefine, two of our youth in the church, who will go to South Africa for a Bible school and outreach in an African country. They wanted to meet Håkan before they left. He prayed for them, and they prayed for Håkan. It was a nice time. They expressed that we are their spiritual parents and their love for everyone in the church. Such moments are precious. Thank you, Jesus!
Eva from Dalsland came up to Håkan with homemade jam and blueberry pie. That was good…they come from east and west…
Thanks for being there…
”Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:16-18
God bless you all!
Hugs
Gunilla
Last week Hannah and Eliyahu from Israel came up to the hospital. What an encouragement for Håkan. Two weeks ago, Beckie Baraka, a good friend of the family and church, came from Kenya. She is one of the pastors in a church we’re friends with in Nairobi, Kenya, where Håkan and we have been many times. They are 8000 members, and they’re standing with us in prayer also.
It means so much to us, all you who have contacted us. I sat this week, here at home, with Håkan when he came home for a visit, and read all the greetings on the blog, after he had recorded his latest greeting. You can’t imagine how much it means to Håkan and me, that you are still with us, think about and pray for us. The tears just ran for both of us… Thank you, Lord! Thanks all of you friends!
Thank you also for all the gifts which have been sent to us. I haven’t needed to worry a single day about finances. As soon as a need has come up, someone has sent money to us. Thank you for your love. I can’t find words – don’t know how I can thank you. We feel so loved, by you and our heavenly Father. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Håkan is still on the rehab unit at Uddevalla Hospital, training every day, has a bath and bandage change every other day, Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The sores on his body are healing well. It was on its way to getting infected on his head and forehead. The sore is open and because of that, he has a bandage around his head.
Håkan’s gait is getting better and better. He doesn’t need a shadow anymore, and walks totally on his own. He is of course a careful type, by nature, so he doesn’t take any risks and hasn’t fallen once. Thank goodness!
Yesterday I was up with Mikaela and Josefine, two of our youth in the church, who will go to South Africa for a Bible school and outreach in an African country. They wanted to meet Håkan before they left. He prayed for them, and they prayed for Håkan. It was a nice time. They expressed that we are their spiritual parents and their love for everyone in the church. Such moments are precious. Thank you, Jesus!
Eva from Dalsland came up to Håkan with homemade jam and blueberry pie. That was good…they come from east and west…
Thanks for being there…
”Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thess. 5:16-18
God bless you all!
Hugs
Gunilla
Tuesday 8 September 2009
Surprise after surprise!
Much has happened, with and around Håkan. The doctor who decided to let Håkan have a chance and sent him to Linköping in a helicopter, came and visited Håkan. It was a time full of thanksgiving, for the right decision and that everything has gone so well.
Håkan was down at Sahlgrenska, and got the stitches taken out from around his eye. It’s healing so well. I got to go along in the ambulance. It felt strange. It was, of course, the first time for me since the fire. Håkan has ridden in an ambulance many times now, so he is used to it. Tomorrow he’ll go down again for a follow-up visit.
The eye doctor in Uddevalla has looked at the left eye and they have decided to operate on the left eyelid, the same way they operated on the right one, which is healing very well now.
Hannah and Eliyahu, old friends of ours from Jerusalem, who we have known for over 20 years, came to visit Håkan. They have followed our journey via the blog. What a surprise for us, to get a prayer and blessing from Jerusalem.
I went in to Håkan and told him that some old friends were there to see him. You should have seen the look on his face – it was priceless. He couldn’t believe his eyes. We didn’t know they were in the country. That was a happy surprise. We are welcome to visit our friends when Håkan is well again.
The best thing that has happened lately is that Håkan walks on his own, without the walker, and can even raise himself up from a chair. All we can do is thank God for all the help Håkan is getting and the strong motivation he has to fully recover!
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done… Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done…” Ps. 105:1, 4-5
Life is full of surprises! Thank God for life!
God bless you!
Thank you for all support and prayers!
Hugs,
Gunilla
Håkan was down at Sahlgrenska, and got the stitches taken out from around his eye. It’s healing so well. I got to go along in the ambulance. It felt strange. It was, of course, the first time for me since the fire. Håkan has ridden in an ambulance many times now, so he is used to it. Tomorrow he’ll go down again for a follow-up visit.
The eye doctor in Uddevalla has looked at the left eye and they have decided to operate on the left eyelid, the same way they operated on the right one, which is healing very well now.
Hannah and Eliyahu, old friends of ours from Jerusalem, who we have known for over 20 years, came to visit Håkan. They have followed our journey via the blog. What a surprise for us, to get a prayer and blessing from Jerusalem.
I went in to Håkan and told him that some old friends were there to see him. You should have seen the look on his face – it was priceless. He couldn’t believe his eyes. We didn’t know they were in the country. That was a happy surprise. We are welcome to visit our friends when Håkan is well again.
The best thing that has happened lately is that Håkan walks on his own, without the walker, and can even raise himself up from a chair. All we can do is thank God for all the help Håkan is getting and the strong motivation he has to fully recover!
“Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name; make known among the nations what he has done… Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done…” Ps. 105:1, 4-5
Life is full of surprises! Thank God for life!
God bless you!
Thank you for all support and prayers!
Hugs,
Gunilla
Sunday 6 September 2009
Yet another visit with my brother
Yesterday we drove up from Varberg. Just as it started to rain, a shower came. Then I thought about the song, “Showers of grace will fall”.
The first thing we saw was Håkan, without his walker, in the corridor. It was so fantastic to see. He didn’t have any problem walking. And he recognized us a long way off. His first comment was, ”My, you’re tall!” He didn’t say that to me, but to Samuel, my son. I’m not any taller than Håkan.
Back to the song, “Showers of grace will fall”. They haven’t been small showers here, but rather DOWNPOURS of grace, over Håkan. What we’re seeing is so fantastic. Just to be able to see him walk, without any assistance. And that he recognizes us from a distance. The great Doctor is there with His showers (downpours) of grace.
We stayed until it was time for Håkan to eat and came back at 1:30 pm, because Dan was going to come then and pick up Håkan for a little outing. We drove to the house and had coffee on the patio. We had a really nice time telling about the things the Gniste brothers had experienced during their childhood as officer’s children in the Salvation Army. (It can be a very funny book.) “The pastor’s children are always the worst.”
When we sat there and talked, Håkan reminded me that I hadn’t written anything about my last visit. I didn’t have a chance – Gunilla beat me to it, and what she wrote was so good. But I thought back and remembered that the time flew by when we were there last.
You could recognize Håkan then, and you could see the teacher in him. We spoke about how the church should function, and what Fristaden had gone through, and about how it was at the Salvation Army in Varberg. Many interesting thoughts were presented by Håkan. I said to Inger, “Now he’s on the ball.” The discussion was based the whole time upon what had been revealed to Håkan through the Word of God. Håkan is really with it. Three hours just disappeared.
Back to yesterday. After being at the house for a while, Håkan took us sightseeing in Uddevalla.
When we got back to the hospital, we stayed a little while in the TV room. There was a program on that showed parts of an old series. It’s been a long time since I last saw Håkan laugh so much. His tear ducts really got a workout. Håkan said that it was probably good to be able to laugh like that.
After 6 hours, we parted and wished each other GOD’S BLESSING.
“Showers of grace will fall.”
Greetings,
Per-Göran Gniste
The first thing we saw was Håkan, without his walker, in the corridor. It was so fantastic to see. He didn’t have any problem walking. And he recognized us a long way off. His first comment was, ”My, you’re tall!” He didn’t say that to me, but to Samuel, my son. I’m not any taller than Håkan.
Back to the song, “Showers of grace will fall”. They haven’t been small showers here, but rather DOWNPOURS of grace, over Håkan. What we’re seeing is so fantastic. Just to be able to see him walk, without any assistance. And that he recognizes us from a distance. The great Doctor is there with His showers (downpours) of grace.
We stayed until it was time for Håkan to eat and came back at 1:30 pm, because Dan was going to come then and pick up Håkan for a little outing. We drove to the house and had coffee on the patio. We had a really nice time telling about the things the Gniste brothers had experienced during their childhood as officer’s children in the Salvation Army. (It can be a very funny book.) “The pastor’s children are always the worst.”
When we sat there and talked, Håkan reminded me that I hadn’t written anything about my last visit. I didn’t have a chance – Gunilla beat me to it, and what she wrote was so good. But I thought back and remembered that the time flew by when we were there last.
You could recognize Håkan then, and you could see the teacher in him. We spoke about how the church should function, and what Fristaden had gone through, and about how it was at the Salvation Army in Varberg. Many interesting thoughts were presented by Håkan. I said to Inger, “Now he’s on the ball.” The discussion was based the whole time upon what had been revealed to Håkan through the Word of God. Håkan is really with it. Three hours just disappeared.
Back to yesterday. After being at the house for a while, Håkan took us sightseeing in Uddevalla.
When we got back to the hospital, we stayed a little while in the TV room. There was a program on that showed parts of an old series. It’s been a long time since I last saw Håkan laugh so much. His tear ducts really got a workout. Håkan said that it was probably good to be able to laugh like that.
After 6 hours, we parted and wished each other GOD’S BLESSING.
“Showers of grace will fall.”
Greetings,
Per-Göran Gniste
Saturday 5 September 2009
Greetings from Håkan...
Håkan sends his greetings to all you English speakers once again! Click on the blue box to the right to listen to the new greeting from Håkan. When you’re finished, click on the small text just above the box to close the window and return to the blog.
Blessings,
Jan
Blessings,
Jan
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