A Day That Almost Turned Out Completely Different…

Linny Saunders104 Comments
Vicki asked if she could do a guest post today.  It is, indeed, a very, very, very special day.  A day, that without God’s intervention would only be a day of great pain.  But instead, it is a day of celebration for those who know Karl Hujus!
And so here is the letter penned by his mom to all of you…
Dear bloggy friends, 
Well it’s been a long time since I have written to update on Karl’s progress. I know Linny has updated here and there with info but today is a very special day. 
Twenty-four years ago Bob and I drove to Durango to give birth to our first child…a son. It was a terrible blizzard and we had 60 miles to go to get to the hospital at 4:00 in the morning. Of course Karl made us wait til 8:15 that night to enter the world!! I remember the doctors words…You have a son.

Six months ago yesterday, a blog post went out with a desperate plea for prayer to save his life. God is amazing. Karl has far exceeded the doctors expectations. 

We prayed for a FULL recovery, a promise that was given to us within the first couple of days by 3 different friends, who felt that God had given them that reassurance. 
At this time Karl is driving…yes driving. But he’s now in a big F-150 that seems to say… get out of my way!! It’s big. It’s solid. He had started back up to work a few weeks back and has worked himself back into fulltime this week. Amazing. He is months ahead of what the doctors had told us. We weren’t expecting any of this til the spring of 2012!

As Linny has shared in the past, Karl does have a separated shoulder {from impact after being thrown 55 feet} and might have to have surgery on it. He sees a specialist in a few weeks. He is in pain everyday which is a hard reminder to him of all he has been through. 

Please continue to pray for his pain and the right direction to go with the specialist. To be in constant pain is hard mentally and physically. He still has some limitations that the doctors have put in place to keep the healing in his brain going but to see him get up everyday and do the things he is doing is truly a MIRACLE. 
Tears of joy are shed when we watch him shoot his bow, play with his dog, hug his sweet Autumn and for all who see his smile!

 Once again Bob and I can’t thank you all enough for the prayers that have gone out for Karl, for us and for his brothers. Please don’t stop as we continue to grow through his time of our lives. 

Blessings a hundred fold. 
With love and gratefulness to each of you,
Bob, Vicki, Karl, Ryan and Derek 
PS….Precious friends, if you would like to wish Karl a happy 24th birthday – please do!  He will smile his shy little smile as he and Autumn read through each and every one!  ~Linny

104 thoughts on “A Day That Almost Turned Out Completely Different…”

  1. Happy birthday, Karl! Every time I see a pic of you & Autumn I give a shout of praise to God. Your life is a miracle & I'm so glad I have had the chance to see it & celebrate with you!

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  3. Happy Birthday Karl! May you celebrate many, many more with those you love. I am so grateful for your miraculous healing and I will continue to pray for you.

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  5. Happy Birthday, Karl! How brave you are to walk this painful journey.

    Happy Karl's Birthday, Autumn! You look like a girl IN LOVE! I love the way you are squeezing Karl's arm in this photo. Like you won't ever let him go!

    Vicki and Bob–It was so nice to be able to visit with you both at Craig in September. We have continued to pray and are so grateful for Karl's healing.

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  9. Happy Happy Birthday Karl!!!! God has an amazing plan for the rest of your life – may you walk fully in that plan!!!
    Blessings and continued prayers from Georgia!!!!

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  11. Happy birthday Karl! I am so thrilled to hear you are doing so well! I have been praying for you and all those who love you, especially Miss Autumn! 🙂 I will continue to pray that you can get this pain under control and that God gives your doctors wisdom in how to treat you. Have a wonderful birthday!!!

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  13. Happy Birthday Karl…you are a walking miracle and we have all been blessed to be a small part of it. Wishing you a year filled with leaps and bounds and endless joy.
    Renee and Joel

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  14. Dear Karl ~ What a Blessing to be able to say "Happy 24th Birthday", to a Miracle Man! I am honored to have been there, to Pray you into Healing. I hope your Birthday was FULL of Joy and Blessings! With Love ~ Jo Moseley

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  15. Praise the Lord for GOOD things for today!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you Karl!! So happy to have been a part of your story through prayer for your recovery. God bless you as you continue to heal!!

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  16. Happy, happy birthday, Karl!!! What a great reason to celebrate! We have a dear friend at our church who has also survived a horrific accident with resulting head trauma; God has been good and faithful. So excited to hear your great news.

    Love from Nebraska!

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  23. Happy Birthday, Karl! You and I share the same birthday (except I am a *few* years older than you-our numbers are reversed)! I have prayed for you throughout the past six months and pray that God will continue to bring healing and blessings to you!

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  26. I am love, love, loving this update! Rejoicing in His goodness!

    Happy 24th Birthday Karl! I stand amazed at your strength and perseverence! What a joy it is to read this update and to see your smiling face, side-by-side with your beautiful Autumn!

    May the Lord bless you and keep you in the coming days, and may He bring complete healing to you!

    Birthday Blessings from San Antonio, Texas~

    Tina

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  28. Happy Birthday Karl! May God pour blessing abundantly upon you and keep you in the palm of his hand. Thank you for keeping your faith too.

    Blessings,
    Melissa

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  30. Karl,
    God is Faithful…I have prayed for you since the accident…To watch what our Father has done in your life through this accident is amazing.
    I know how being in pain daily affects us…I will pray for your shoulder…I go to a medical massage therapist and she is a God-send to me. I will pray that you and your doctors find such a great medical massage therapist who excels in bone healing…
    And, lastly, Happy Birthday!!!!
    Love from NC

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  33. Praise the Lord!!! Happy Birthday Karl…You are a true blessing to all those who know you and you are a testimony to God and His healing power!!! So happy to hear of your progress!!!

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  34. Happy Birthday, Karl! I am so thankful for your progress. I regularly prayed for you at 4 am. That was my time slot.

    May this birthday be the best one yet!

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  35. Happy birthday, special man. I have prayed and prayed for you during the last six months, and your recovery is precious to me. May God continue to strengthen you each day in Him and in your daily tasks. Blessings from Kentucky!

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  39. What an incredible blessing it is to get to wish you a happy birthday, Karl! You are a living, breathing testament to the awesome power of God. Enjoy every minute of your special day, and know that you are still being prayed for on a daily basis. Happy Birthday!

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  43. Happy, Happy Birthday Karl!!! I'm so happy to read this wonderful letter from your mom, and even happier to know how far the Lord has brought your healing. I will continue to pray for complete healing and for wisdom for the Dr's who are going to help fix your shoulder. What a blessing your life is!!! You've touched so many lives!!

    God's Blessings on Your life,
    jenn H

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  44. Happy Birthday Karl, may the next year be filled with so much joy and so many blessings and may the mercies of God continue to rain down on you!!!! What an AMAZING testimony you have!!!! I pray you are able to touch many many more lives as I know your story has touched mine!!

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  45. Happy Birthday, Karl! You are such a miracle! I previously worked in a rehabilitation facility and saw many folks who had endured horrible crashes and traumatic brain injury. The fact that you have gone so far in 6 months shows that many prayers were answered for YOU! God must have a huge mission for you! I hope your 24th birthday was a very special one! Much love and continued healing for you.

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  47. A BIG Happy Birthday to you Karl. God's hand is upon you. His plans are for good even in the midst of your pain. Rest in Him. Thanks for the privilege of praying for you.

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  49. What an extra special birthday! Many of us are grateful for this great update from your Mom after many prayers said for you! Praying for your shoulder pain and a good plan to help with relief.

    Happy Birthday!!

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  50. Happy Birthday Karl from Petaluma, Ca! I remember the night I read the post regarding your accident. I was sitting at the computer reading trying to wipe the tears from my eyes so I can read the words. I remember my husband walking in and asking what was the matter. When I told him the story he said, "oh no" and we began to pray. I signed up serveral times to pray for you while you were in the hospital. I KNOW it is a miracle that you are reading this today. Bless you and Autumn and I pray your birthday is more than you could have ever imagine. Our God is Awesome and Gracious! Praise His name!! Happy Birthday!

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  52. Karl Happy Birthday from me and my 3 little guys that sent up prayers as a family. My kids talk about you all the time became you became such a part of our lives. May your healing continue this year physically and may God keep using you to share His glory. He has so much more for you and I pray you continue to feel Him direct you. Love to our miracle Karl
    Lori and my three

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  56. Happy birthday Karl!! What a blessing to see you doing so well after such a serious accident. All glory to God! Praising God that He spared your life 6 months ago. Praying that you'll be celebrating many, many more birthdays!!

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  59. Happy Birthday Karl. I am a bloggy friend and the first post I read on this blog was of your accident. My sister lives in Durango and is friends with this wonderful family. She asked me to pray for you. And I did. Every day for a long time. I am so glad that God has restored you to health. I'll continue to pray that your shoulder will heal and that you will continue to heal.

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  60. Happy Birthday Karl!! What an extra special day this is! Almighty God performed MANY miracles to bring you to this day! What an honor & privilege it has been to pray for you! I trust that God has an extraordinary plan for your life. I look forward to watching that plan unfold. I rejoice with you on this wonderful day!!

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  61. Happy Happy Birthday, Karl! We have been praying for your recovery and it looks like God has once again shown HIMSELF big!
    YEAH GOD!! Hope you have a wonderful birthday celebrating with those you love and those who love you! Birthday Blessings from Korea!

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  64. Happy Birthday Carl, or Grattis in Swedish. I praise God for your life and the 24 years you have had to live it thus far. Your life is the glory of God!

    Give your special Autumn a great big hug , celebrate, and enjoy the fullness of life on your special day.

    Blessings,
    laurie

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  67. Happy Birthday, Karl! Our family has prayed for you many, many times. It has been a privilege to watch God's miracle unfold. May you be blessed with many years of service for Him, using your miracle as testimony to His mighty hand. Enjoy this day of celebration!

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  74. Happy Birthday, Karl! As a women in love with a man who also suffered a TBI, I wish you continued healing and know that the love of family and Autumn with your own determination and God's grace have brought you to today. My love, now my husband and father to our two beautiful girls also made a recovery that defies the odds. I thank God for him everyday and am certain all who love you will do the same. I will continue to pray for healing for you and your family, for even when the wounds heal, the memories linger and may God keep the fears at bay.

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  76. Happy 24th birthday Karl! May you feel the Lord's love lavishly poured out on you this year, and may your heart today be filled to overflowing as the world celebrates your life.

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  78. Happy Birthday Karl!!! I have watched your story unfold and prayed many hours for you! What a blessing you are to so many people and while Satan did his best to try and kill you GODS plans for you won out!!! May you continue to feel the love of God and all those in your life and live a very LONG and HAPPY LIFE!!!

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  80. Happy Birthday Karl!!

    Can't tell you the number of times I have shared your awesome story!
    Our family is rejoicing with your family! Celebrating God's miraculous work on your birthday!!
    The Watson's

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  81. It was such a joy to meet you in person, knowing what God had done and that a miracle was standing before our eyes. Of course, you were a miracle the day you were born, too! Happy Birthday, Karl, from our family.

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  83. Happy Birthday Karl! We've been praying for you! In fact, even this morning I was going down my prayer list and next to your name I had written to pray for a complete healing on the day Linny told us. So thrilled to see how far the Lord has brought you. May your 24th year be the BEST to date!:)

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  86. Karl, a happiest of birthdays to you! So glad that you have a life so full of people who want to celebrate with you…what a huge blessing. Thanks for allowing your story to be shared with us. It in some ways is a huge invasion into your privacy so thanks for sharing and allowing to be shared – your miracle journey is a blessing to the rest of us!

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  89. Happy Birthday Karl! Praying that you experience a miracle every day this year!

    We all are experiencing one right now as we get to wish you a happy birthday..for sure!

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  91. Happy Birthday Karl! Praising God for the way He answered they prayers of many on your behalf!

    Congrats on doing so well back at work. Praying for your upcoming appointment.

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  92. I am so very excited(actually my whole family is!) that your birthday is a day of blessings and LIFE! God is very good and it is amazing and humbling to watch our prayers be answered in your life. May your day be full of every good thing!love Hezra Moore and Crew in OK

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  96. SO thankful for such an awesome update. I continue to pray for Karl daily. So happy to hear this! 🙂 Good to know that the shoulder is an area of needed prayer, thanks.

    Happy Birthday Karl! Hugs Autumn! Love to the whole family! God bless!

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  100. Happy Birthday Karl!!!!!!!!
    WOO HOO!!!

    Have you ever been to RI Karl?? Well one day Linny and crew are coming 😉 and we're going to eat pie, it would be wonderful if you came too!

    Have a wonderful birthday!! Here's to 100 more!!!!
    God Bless!

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  102. Wow!! So cool to see a picture of a real live miracle! As a nurse, I find it really a true miracle! Linny's stories of that day just blessed my socks off! God is amazing!
    Happy, happy Birthday, Karl! God bless you!
    (sorry about the overuse of !!!, but this story deserves it)

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  103. Blessed Bday Karl! Your life is truly a miracle! Praying for the Great Physician to do what He does best and bring complete healing.
    Autumn dearest though I dont know you I know you've been very instrumental in his healing. Your young life has been marked by many things that you may not have chosen personally but was handpicked by God. I know He's gonna use your life and story to bless many coz it sure has blessed mine! Journey on with Jesus dear sister. You've amazing parents that live it everyday of their lives. Reading their blog is like seeing Jesus at work up close and personal.

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  104. Praising the Lord for his care of you! He is forever merciful and mighty to save! Hope your birthday was wonderful!

    Blessings from us in South Carolina!

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