I set the camera on "slow" for the fireworks that were exploding on the seven hills of Edinburgh, and caught this expression on Lily's face.
We had just come from a Ceilidh (traditional Scottish dance-athon get together pronounced "Kaylee") where the girls danced all night. More pictures on flickr.
Here's hoping your new year is full of His incredible presence, power, and peace. In Jesus' name, no surrender, no retreat.
Dust, Jan, Lil' and Zo'
Those of you who've been following our blog, will also be following the struggles of our dear niece and god-daughter, Adeline Hope Kunkel. We call her Addie. (You can still get updates on her battle with H.L.H. in the link in the right column).
I like to call Addie our little "battle maiden." She is a fighter. Even little people have a spirit to them, a nature that grabs God's hand and fights and struggles with tragedy and suffering.
We had no way of knowing it, but one of the little towns between Edinburgh and Glasgow on the trainline is called "Addiewell." What a name! We found this out yesterday on our train trip to Glasgow (see more pictures below).
Say a prayer for our little battle maiden right now. And keep checking her site for updates!
[As of this morning, I'm back to reading, writing papers, studying. I won't have time to share on the blog (besides photos) for a while. Janette might have some things to say, though! I decided I'd better share NOW what I consider to be the most important thing we've been learning since we've come to Edinburgh.]
"He has helped His servant Israel, remembering to be merciful to Abraham and his descendants forever, even as he said to our fathers" (from Mary's Song) Luke 1:54,55.
Our experience in Edinburgh is that God enjoys living in lowly families.
When He sent His son, He did not send Him to be born in the castle as the king. Neither was the Son born into a rich Pharisee or Sadducee family. He didn't come to a trading corporation or even to a not-for-profit group that does good things for people.
He came to a little family--one that looked on the outside like it was unravelling before it started! The girl got pregnant before the wedding, the guy was going to get rid of her! John says "he made his dwelling--literally, tented-- among us" (John 1:14). It almost sounds like God implied an extra phrase in that sentence: "tented among us. . . . the broken, messed up, who-don't-have-it-together, living-in-torn-up-tent ones."
And Mary sang about this: She remembered Abraham and his messiness; she remembered Israel (Jacob) and his lying, cheating and stealing. She remembered that God chose those men and their families to enshrine His very Self through their faith.
Back to tents: ever slept in one that was a little too tight? Ever had to share one with extra people? I have. When camping, I often prefer to take a big tarp to accommodate a lot of people if need be. Abraham's tent was like this--there were all kinds of people that ended up sharing Abraham's tent. He probably had to stretch it out a bit over the years. Hold that picture in your head. . . .
God loves to live with families. Simple. . . yet complex in a society that wants to accomplish “good” without families at the center. Maybe its because. . . .
Dustin, Lily and Zoe had never ridden on a train, so when Janette got a day off, we jumped on the one that runs between Edinburgh and Glasgow. It takes about 2 hours including all the stops. The wide streets downtown were crammed with shoppers, and the skies were clear--rare for the west side of Scotland.
Yesterday Zoe wasn't herself. We know this, when she insists on sitting still for more than, say 2 minutes, that she isn't well. She wanted to cuddle and watch movies. By mid afternoon she was breaking out in little red bumps --chicken pox!--and today they're everywhere!!
She was immunized in USA so we thought for sure that she'ld be free of them but here we go!! We gave her a bath with warm water and baking soda (which is bicarbonate soda over here) to help with the itching, and later she said "when do I get another bath in diet soda?" We thought it was cute. She was to be one of the wisemen today in our church children's Christmas "play," but they had to make do with only two . . . no one to bring the frankincense or as Zoe calls it "Frankin- something".
Should be a interesting week for Mr.Mom as I am working all week. Pray for quick healing and that Lily will be able to dodge the virus. We miss all of you so much. Thanks to those of you who have sent cards or packages. It really helps us feel like we aren't so far away from home. One friend from Trinity, Paula Bennett, sent us a package with Christmas decorations in it...it was an incredible gift because as she guessed, we had nothing here. Thanks for remembering us this time of the year!
Peace and Joy from Scotland!
Janette
Zoe had a great time in her nursery play as rudolph. We found a little nose that lights up when you wear it, but that only stayed on for five minutes before it hung around her neck. They sang carols and Santa visited at the end of it all. She was very happy, as you can see!
What follows is an email we received yesterday from Kris and Sara. It brought a smile, a little tear, and blossoming hope to our lives. We hope it does for you too. . . .
dust and jan,
a little story to brighten your day. first, do you remember the
little red maracas rattle you gave Addie when she was just a
whee little tike? this story is about that.
last week we were having difficulty getting addie to relax, rest
and sleep, so we were trying all kinds of things. we found that
one thing worked---her red rattle. when she had it in her hands
she would relax. she didn't really shake it that much, just
held on to it very tight. kinda her "security blanket" deal.
it was very cute.
the cutest part to the whole thing is that she went for about 3
days straight where that was all she wanted and she wouldnt' let
go of it--even at night. there she was asleep in her bed
holding tight to her red rattle snorring away!! ;) very
cute!!!
she's ventured off into other things this week but she still
likes her rattle. i thought of this again last night when i
couldn't get her to sleep after sara left, i remembered the
rattle. so i scrounged around for it, found it and gave it to
her. as soon as she saw it she got all excited, grabbed it
tightly and pulled it close to her chest. immediately she
relaxed, settled down and began starting to sleep.
so thought i'd share that with you guys. have a great day!
Lotsa love and hugs and kisses from US 2 U!
Kris and Sara
A photo to lighten your day,
A photo just for laughs,
A photo to make you grin,
and crack a wee little smile!
For those of you who wonder what the ancient Celtic Christians had that transformed a pagan island in a single century, I've placed some links in the right hand column. A new friend of mine, Colin Symes, has spent a considerable amount of time and energy in the research and has written a rivetting introduction to their life in Christ. I believe these pagan days are ripe for a rediscovery of the passion our ancient brothers and sisters felt for Jesus.
Check the links under "Going Deeper" on the right panel.
If you've got questions, I'm sure Colin wouldn't mind an email or two!
Dust
Yesterday we celebrated Thanksgiving in Scotland. For those of you who can't think outside of the US--Thanksgiving is purely an American holiday! Yes, we had thanksgiving here with 30 other Americans. It wasn't family and it wasn't by any means "traditional" but it was turkey with all the fixings. We thought we would share some of the things we have been especially thankful for in the last 5 months.
*Visitors
*mail of all kinds
*letters
*packages
*emails
*posts on our tagboard
*prayer support
*financial gifts
*no TV
*making friends here
*opportunities and chances to be salt and light
*Community Church Edinburgh
*work for Janette
*people who move out of our flats and leave us with all kinds of fun stuff
*no car
*phone calls (even in the middle of the night!)
*web camera & video emails
*food from back home that we can't get here
*Monday night tea with the ladies
*free health care
*IKEA
*Shayna (babysitter who was a total God-thing)
*multi cultural living experiences for all of us
*great schools for the girls
*our flat (as much as we have complained about our 564 square feet of nothing we have grown to love it)
*our parents and siblings who love and encourage us from afar no matter how bad they want us home.
And for you, whoever you are, wherever you are. Thank you!
Lily brought her P1 classroom bear home with her last weekend and they did all kinds of things together--including making cookies! From left to right: Zoe, Chiersten, Lily, Caitlin, and Tabitha.
What follows below is an email "Papa Dan" sent to Lily and Zoe to share what's going on with Addie with them. They've had lots of questions since they pray for her often. We felt it was just as good for Lily and Zoe's parents, and may be helpful for some of you as well:
Dear Lily and Zoe,
This is papa telling you what Addie has hooked to her body right now, just as I saw her resting on Auntie Sara’s lap in the hospital this morning:
In her nose: oxygen tube (one little tub for each nostril) hooked to a machine
feeding tube also in left nostril hooked to a machine
patches to hold tubes in place on cheeks
On her chest there are round sensors at least 2 under patches
Into her left arm: a PICC line by inside of elbow under big white patch with IV tubes junction attached for at least three different kinds of inputs
Into her right leg foot: a PICC line on top of foot under big patch with IV junction for at least two (maybe its three now) inputs
Left foot, big toe: Oxygen in blood sensor with a little red light that’s on all the time and blinking
Left lower leg: Blood pressure cuff (works most of the time, sometime they replace it!)
Addie is wearing a special hospital shirt, a children’s long shirt (gown) with ties in the back and with nice pictures of animals and things that are bright and cheery as you know, Addie’s eyes are also trying to watch everyone and everything, because so much has happened and keeps happening to her. She is tired-looking and starting to lose some hair from the medicines, but she’s not giving up. She moves her arms and legs and lets us know she’s still there because Jesus lives inside her heart—and she is HIS precious child.
Pray the new medicine Addie is getting this week will give her calm and fewer “owies.” Keep thanking God that His eyes are always on Addie, just like they are on each of you everywhere you are. And Lily and Zoe, just keep praying for Jesus to hold cousin Addie with His special hands and loving arms like the Bible story about Jesus the Good Shepherd and the little lambs.
And every time you pray for her, you can make the same motions to show how you are keeping her in your hearts and prayers—and looking ahead with HOPE to the day your hands and arms and faces will touch each other again.
Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world—red and yellow, black, and white--all are precious in HIS sight!
love,
Papa Dan
We love our new jammies from our friend Linda Forsythe!
If you look close, you'll see the little monsters on them:)
Lily and Zoe
PS more silly pictures on the flickr site, we had fun making faces at dad!
For those of you who have been praying for Addie and supporting her parents in a variety of ways, you can now check out the latest info on her and sign the guest book at her new site!
Give it a try--just click on the link to the right.
Keep healing Addie Hope!
D,J,L, and Z.
This picture was taken a few months ago with Uncle Kris and Addie. You can tell the girls really love their cousin and uncle.
We wanted to put this picture up as another reminder to keep praying for Adeline who remains in ICU. She seems to not need as many blood transfusions as a week ago, but the chemotherapy and other drugs are very hard on a little person, and her blood continues to "fight itself."
KEEP PRAYING!
We love you Addie!
Dust, Jan, Lil' and Zo'
Many of you know that our niece little Adeline Hope has been fighting for her life on this earth for that last two weeks. She has a disorder that the doctors are still trying to figure out. Her blood is being attacked by her system, and she is now in the ICU. Things look grim, and all of us who love her would give anything to see her pull through. Many prayers are going up for her, and in this time of hurting, it is hard to know what to do or say. Each of us expresses sorrow and struggle, hope and faith, in our own way. The following is my Dad's way of doing that. . . .
Whose Child Is This Whose Savior’s Near?
October 28, 2005
Melody: Greensleeves
Whose child is this, who lies so ill,
On mother’s lap is resting!
Whose father greets with words so sweet,
While tubes and wires are beeping.
She’s, she’s our Addie Hope
Fighting fierce with her upmost.
She’s, she’s our Addie Hope
The babe we want to carry.
What child is this but Addie dear,
On all our hearts is staying,
With mother’s tears and father’s fears
For whom the Spirit is pleading.
She’s, she’s our Addie dear
Fighting fierce with her upmost.
She’s, she’s our Addie dear
The babe we pray will tarry.
Whose child is this whose Savior’s near,
His life for her ever flowing.
Whose child is this whose Savior’s near,
Who’ll ne’er leave or forsake her.
He’s, He’s our Savior true
Reviving her, and me, and you.
He’s, He’s our Savior true,
The Sun for us always rising.
(By Dan Kunkel)
We are so thankful to our faithful family and friends who are praying for us as we are on this adventure!
If you would lift prayers up for the following two people we would appreciate it!
Adeline Hope Kunkel-(our niece)-Kris & Sara's girl--she's 9 months old. She has been in the hospital for over a week now and there seems to be no answers as of yet. She has had numerous blood/platelet and now plasma transfustions in the last week and her levels are still dangerously low. Prayer for answers and for healing. Pray for Kris & Sara to have strength and trust.
Jason Montoya--husband of Bre Montoya(Johnson)-good friend from Camp Lutherwood. He is having heart troubles and it has been recomended that he have open heart surgery.
Pray for both of these families! It's hard for us to be so far away from our family in times like this. We love you and are praying for you!
Thanks!
Its easy to look at the pictures on this site and the flickr site and stop there, thinking (maybe) that you've seen what we're about.
Here are some things that pictures can't say:
Sitting on the late-night steps of the university's outdoor center in the Highlands and faced with the question from a fellow student, "What IS Grace?" Pictures don't show the hour-long conversation in the dark that led up to that question. Pictures can't show my trembling heart as I prayed, "Spirit, I'll say what I can, but I know its up to You." I think I began with something like, "Grace is God taking it on the chin for me. . . ."
The strength and loneliness of a wife who holds on and works hard and mothers well while her husband is gone for days at a time.
The look in her eyes when she gets a call, or email, or letter that reminds her of all the people who love us.
The little-girl squeals of joy I get when I walk through the door from a trip.
Waking up each morning wondering how our needs will be met today, praying over breakfast in thanks for what we have, and waiting in expectation to see how He comes through.
How true it is that so much can be stripped away, and you're still family, still whole, still full of life, and love, and all the 1000 things that pictures can't say.
By the way, how would you answer the question, "What is Grace?"
May you be open to the joy of living--and answering, if called upon--Grace-fully.
Highlights: 67 miles down the world-renowned Spey River in a canoe. . . .
Learning all the skills you need to pull that off on a river flooded the highest its been in 10 years. . . .
ending in sunshine . . . .
Lowlights: Rain and weather-nastiness the first few days. . . .
having to watch fish jump and not being allowed to catch them. . . .
missing Jan and the girls each moment. . . .
Spey Poem:
When the yellowing willow
leaves
fell in a stormcloud of
flashes and ripples,
breeze at our backs,
boats slammed sideways by
the stormwind,
and the peat-brown river lapped
my fingers
in rain
and sun
you were there
with me.
Our friends Stephen and Rebecca were our first visitors to Edinburgh. We had a wonderful time (Dust was gone for much of it) and sent them off yesterday to Guinea where they'll see our dear friends Tim and Heidi Norton. Safe journeys Smiths!
It has been two weeks of well, I should just say it's been quite stressful and much uncertainty.
Dustin left for his first "away" trip for the week last week. This was fantastic for him but for me it meant that I was alone. Sink or Swim. It's a good thing I know how to tread water holding a brick above my head (thanks to that lifegaurd training in college) because that is what it felt like!
I was living day to day trusting that the Lord was going to bring someone by to help with the girls in the afternoon and of course He did. But to tell you the truth, trusting is a bit of a downfall for me. Okay, so if you know me, I like to have the details worked out.
Dustin got home on Friday after me being a single mum for a week (thanks mom by the way!) and when he asked "how was your week?" I didn't know if I should slug him or cry on his shoulder. I refrained from both just saying "we have to figure out a better solution with the girls".
On Sunday we were in church and Pastor Colin was talking about being in the centre of your circumstances and sometimes the circumstance is not going to change but that the Lord will penetrate right through that centre and go beyond. So, I gave it to the Lord. I prayed for God to provide in whatever way He saw fit. I promised to try to stop attempting to changing the circumstances but to allow Him to penetrate to the centre.
On Monday it was a bank holiday. Not for the UK, not for Scotland, just for Edinburgh. It seems there really is no reason for the holiday but just that people need a break. It was great to have no work or school for us all but that also meant that everything else to help us be productive would be closed.
Monday evening I went for tea with my North American Lady Friends. These women have become so dear to me and a huge encouragement in my journey. Denise is a Canadian who is just the "salt of the earth" type person. She came in with a wee paper and a phone number scrawled on it "Shayna 0131......." Denise shared that a friend of hers knew this girl who was looking for a job and had just finished up nannying for a family here.
I couldn't even drink my tea I was so excited! I tried to sit there and be a part of the group but I finally excused myself and came home to call this angel!
I was about 10 minutes into my conversation with Shayna when I realized I was having no problem understanding anything she was saying. Either I have gotten so good at listening to Scottish people or she was ....no could it be.....yes, she's American! Not that we were looking for an American but it was like finding another friend (which I pray is part of this blessing).
To make a long story a bit longer....Shayna came over on Tuesday, we chatted, walked to see each of the girls' schools and that was it. I knew that God had penetrated my circumstances! He had not only provided for me, he provided; a loving person who will love our girls, she's a Christian, she's a teacher and I am sure she is so much more! She and her husband are in the same boat,he's a post grad student and they are fully trusting God for all their needs.
What a blessing! Not to mention that a neighbor moved out and we got a microwave and a washing machine! Stephen and Rebecca Smith (dear college friends) are here to visit and see Scotland. Zoe had a great 4 year old birthday. I got to connect with Pastor Mike, Stephanie Haas, Marjorie Olsen, my younger sister Tiff and my mum and my sister in law Karalyn on the phone just in the last two days! God is good....all the time!
A quick note to friends who might be expecting to hear from Dustin in the next two or three weeks. . . . don't expect too much!
I'm in the middle of my first week of school and already the work is starting. I've found that as a Masters Student in the OE programme, I'm not only expected to carry the full workload that any other Masters student would carry across the disciplines at the University; I'm also off-site half the time doing "competency" modules.
This makes for a very, very busy schedule of being in the wild, and then finding shelter to go to "regular" class, read from thick journals and write feverishly long papers (4,000 words with full citations according to the American Psychological Association). Mmm mm. Fun. This doesn't include the 20,000 word dissertation I'll be writing next spring/summer.
This means some important things:
I have a lot of fun outdoors in the Scottish Highlands for the next two months while the weather is good (ie. windy, rainy, but slightly warmer than the winter).
I will not have as much time to respond to some of you as I used to.
Pray for my safety. Pray for my family while I'm gone. And call my wife when you feel like it. She'll never turn down a phone call. She loves 'em!
Dust
PS STAY TUNED FOR COOL PICTURES ON THIS SITE FROM THE HIGHLANDS
I have now been working at Bruntsfield Medical Practice for two weeks and am loving it. It is a great job with many great people in a great location. More than that, I love it because it causes me to pray.
You see, when you are in a medical centre dealing with 12,500 patient's names, pulling files, putting files back, making appointments etc. I hear or see names all the time that cause me to think of people in my life. So, after a couple of days at work and my attention being drawn to many people (some a bit random) I decided to try something. Each time someone came to my mind I would say a little prayer for them. The first day I did this I tried to keep track of who and how many names I prayed for. After 38 I gave up and just prayed. So, you can pretty much bet that I am praying for you!
Other than the blessing of a good job, we had a wonderful weekend BBQ here with our North American (we have to include our Candadian friends too!) neighbors. Since we don't get Labor day off we did it on Sunday. It was really great fun to have everyone out in the gardens eating, talking and being "family" to one another. My friend Ann nominated me as the "social committee chair" but I graciously declined and said I was having a break from organized event-planning for now but would love to help. Go figure--me doing social events!
The girls both love school. Lily is now reading! Zoe is learning to spell her name in a new way since they don't say "zee" for the letter 'Z.' Instead, they say "zed" so now Zoe will say "my name is spelled "zed-O-ee" in her most distinguished "I know more than you" voice! I can't believe she is going to be 4 in a couple of weeks! She learned to ride her bike last week without ever using "stabilizers" (the British term for training wheels).
We are preparing for our good friends, Stephen and Rebecca Smith, to come and visit. It will come at a good time since they will be here for Zoe's birthday (they are one set of her god-parents) and for Dustin's first away-trip so I have some support.
Dustin started school today and I have not seen him so enthused about something in so long. He came home just like a little boy on his first day of elementary school wanting to tell me all about it--in detail!
Finally--I've found a place here in Edinburgh where I truly feel at home. It's amazing! When you step through the door, flash your membership card it's almost like being transported back to the states. Costco is everywhere isn't it!? We can even get those great muffins if we want! Try this out though, go to Costco, buy a load of stuff and push your "trolley" (British word for cart) out to the "car park" and realize, I took the bus here....I walked 1/4 a mile from the bus.....Costco doesn't "bag" the groceries and now what am I to do? Thankfully my friend Rachel was with me and we were able to split the price of a taxi! For just a "wee hour" I pretended I was back in Clackamas shopping.
Homesickness is a reality that I fight each day. I love my life here. I love my job. I love the routine my family is getting into but I don't love being so far away from all of you. So here's the solution...COME AND VISIT US!
Missing you, loving you and praying for you,
Janette
You have got to check these out!
Some new artist links of some of our favorite artists. . . . all of them share one thing in common: INTEGRITY. To the music, to saying it like it is, to their fans.
One sentence descriptions:
Bill Mallonee: Indie Americana Songster with a voice that grabs your t-shirt in a dark alley to remind you he's been hobo-ing on the Truth Train much too long to let you get away with "easy."
Aimee Mann: Deceptively smooth voice describes the depth of the world's emptiness but refuses to blow out the last candle.
Jars: No one sounds like them. That should be enough to listen.
POD: Front-line, hard-core--blasting the rock-rap before it was cool--warriors who will be reggae-ing the globe when it becomes cool. They write songs for fighting, and we all need a little of that.
You'll need Quicktime or Windows media player for the POD site, but its worth it. You'll also have to wait for the download, but then a real treat: watching them record with a Hasidic Reggae artist. They claim their new album coming out late fall, "Testify," will be the album of their career. BIG CLAIM. But these guys have always backed up what they say with action. They're being produced by the same guy who gave Alanis Morrisette her jagged little pill.
Enjoy.
D
If you're leaving a comment on a post in the main column, you'll notice there's an extra step called "word verification." I hate extra steps!
But we've been getting spammed in our comment columns by computers leaving stupid advertisements. . . . can you believe it?!!
So please bear with the extra step. It keeps this site clean from robots (and businesses), and only allows humans (and friends) to speak.
There’s a little box (called a “tag board” or “chat box”) in the sidebar to the right where you can write general comments or messages to the Kunkel Fam or other friends!
Please be aware that we may not be able to write back, but we WILL read them.
The “tagboard” is a great little invention to increase a sense of community on this site. Is that really possible?!! Community through computer screens? I’m not so sure about it, but we’ll give it a try.
Give it a shot. . . . say what you think. . . . make a comment. . . . begin a discussion with others . . . . (We retain the right to remove any “offensive” material from the board).
Happy bloggage!
For those who are actually interesting in this kind of thing. . . .
I've created a site to handle the stuff I'm working on regarding the wild, boys and men who like to be in it, and the stories we tell.
You can click on the new link in the right column called "Hero Tracks" and read the first piece.
Sometimes, you have to tell yourself what you really think. . . . write it out so you can see it. . . . that's what this was all about. I needed to figure out my philosophy, and this is my first shot at it. Some of you may recognize the story from another article I wrote, but its changed a little.
Out of this, I hope, comes a direction in research. And out of that comes, I hope, a perspective that encourages and strengthens boys and men within their families and communities.
There you go! No more of that on this "family" site. But if you're interested, check it out.
Dust
Check out some new links in the right column. . .
After hearing from a friend who took my "Magnolia" suggestion and tried watching the film and was disgusted, I put a link to a review that has other people's thoughts about the film as well. I love what the film has to say about forgiveness, and the truth that no one is lost no matter how depraved. But to make that point, you have to watch the first part of the film to see the depravity--it's a set up. I stand by what the film says and believe it says it unlike anything else I've watched in my life.
Also. . . .
New links to some books I've read lately:
"Bono on Bono" is a must read for anyone interested in the developing world's nations and what we're doing since Bono is on the forefront of that. However, he's an amazing poet and artist and to use Bob Dylan's words, "Spending time with Bono is like eating dinner on a train--feels like you're moving, going somewhere. Bono's got the soul of an ancient poet and you have to be careful around him. He can roar 'til the earth shakes. He's also a closet philosopher."
Well said, Bob!
Dust
I went downtown today and played my guitar and harmonica and sang for about 3 1/2 hours non-stop. A LONG time to do that kind of thing. (Sorry, no pictures. Janette and the girls stayed home for the regular Monday "tea time" with the women at the flat) The Kunkel family is extremely tight on the finances these days--girls need school uniforms, we all need to eat, and the student loan was held up because of some computer or technical issue. So I decided to go use the only real skill I've got and make a few "quid" for the fam. I can't carpenter, plumb, or lawyerize. But I can play the guitar and harmonica, and sing.
It's not something I necessarily really wanted to do -- stand on a street with my guitar case open and 100's of people walking by, most of them not stopping to listen or even look.
How do you give away something precious when people won't stop to receive it?
But I sang and played anyway, watched the people walk by, literally every color and size and type of person you could imagine under the sun. . . .
The children would always look. Many would want to stop and listen, if even for a little bit. Some parents would relent and stop with their children. Most would pull them along--"we have something to do, somewhere to go. . ."
I got into the groove, and fell into "the zone" which is a wonderful place to go-- the music and song swell within you and you just ride the wave of the tune and the feeling in it, and you reach out with it to anyone who goes by. I'll always enjoy that, no matter where I'm at.
But I noticed something interesting: I got money from very few people. And of those who gave, none of them dressed rich, or well, or looked like they had much to give.
There were people eating on the sidewalk at two restaurants nearby. Many of them sat there for over an hour eating and listening to me play. Most of them gave nothing.
A young woman was sitting with her friends, and I could tell she was listening intently. In fact, she started mouthing the words to the Alison Kraus song, "When You Say Nothing At All," when I sang it. I couldn't believe it! I didn't think there would be anyone who knew that in Edinburgh.
She came over as they were leaving, and in her hands were two apples and 1/2 of a russian chocolate bar. She said, "I have no money left. But would you take these?"
I said, "Yes. I have two daughters who'll love the apples and chocolate."
She smiled and put them in the guitar case next to the few pence people had thrown in.
I said, "Cheers." (for those who don't know, a term used loosely in the UK for everything from saying thanks to goodbye to excuse me)
I played a lot of harmonica with the songs, just because for the average passer-by it adds so much to a tune. . . . that, and I love doing it anyway. As I got more and more tired, and it seemed that more and more people were walking by not paying any attention, I got more and more bluesy.
This culminated in a rip-roaring rendition of an old bluesy rock n' roll tune that I cut my teeth on when I taught myself to play the guitar at age 14. The infamous "I'm going to Kansas City."
My favorite line is singing, ". . . they've got some crazy little women there and I'm gonna get me one."
By the time I was done with that, my fingers were like pieces of raw meat and had passed beyond the "oh man it hurts bad" stage. They just throbbed. The beer that people were drinking at the outdoor tables looked really, really good. I'd forgotten to bring water.
A bum came rambling up during the next song, with his dog. He was drunk. The bum, not the dog. But the dog--a cute little half-grown mutt of some kind--started sniffing at my harmonicas on the ground to the right of my feet. I slid over, still playing and singing, and pushed the harmonicas between my feet. I like dogs. I don't like dog slobber on my harmonicas.
The bum stood--swayed--next to me and kept offering me a cigarette from a pack that was empty because he was smoking the last one. I kept nodding at him, but I decided the song was too good to just stop. A young couple over at the cafe were pulling out their camera. The dog started sniffing in the guitar case. I was thinking to myself, as I kept time on the guitar and leaped into the harmonica bridge, "Please don't throw up or pee in my case." When a dog has to pee, it can happen suddenly. You know, the old "mark my territory" quick lift. . . . He didn't do it, but he did stick his nose in the case and snozzle it.
The couple at the cafe took a picture, laughing.
They didn't put any money in the case either.
And the bum and his pup tottered off. The pup wanted to stay, but for the sake of the guitar case (and the health of the pup) I'm glad they went.
It was an interesting day.
At least I didn't get rained on.
And I made minimum wage (5 pounds an hour) for doing something that I love to do--at least, I think I love to do it on a sidewalk with people walking by and dogs eagerly trying to do something illegal in my guitar case.
Dust
14 people interviewed. . . .
1 chosen. . . .
We just got the call today: Janette has work as an administrative receptionist and assistant at a large medical clinic!
Incredible--considering most businesses here will hire a native Scot over a North American. Incredible--considering there were many, many applicants, and still many interviewees.
The phone rang, but I was in the other room in thanks and praise listening and agreeing with the song on the stereo in the kitchen:
". . . . Famine or feast,
I'm on my knees.
Lookin' for the answers
To things I can't see.
In times of jubilation,
Or waiting for release,
Time we all pray to the Lord--famine or feast.
You may say,
time to pray
is every now & then.
I tell you twice,
Jesus Christ--
He's no fair-weather friend.
He ain't no fair weather friend."
Steve Wiggins says it much better than I could. He was singin' the words and backin' it with some old-school rock n'roll, and I was hollerin' along, and the phone rang and Janette went to answer it, and she got the job.
Famine or feast.
One thing we're learning is that God isn't a fair-weather friend.
We don't need to be either.
We praise Him for Who He is and thank Him through all things. And ALL things means famine as well as feast.
I told Janette the other day, "I'll bet you didn't realize when you said 'for richer or poorer' you were agreeing to this."
She just smiled at me.
"Yeah," she answered, "For poorer or poorer would be more accurate."
Famine or feast, my friends.
Dust
PS. What this new job does for us, in case you were wondering about the hard numbers, is that we still need about $500/month to meet our minimal budget. But that's much better than what we needed before Janette got the job!
A few days ago I took each daughter (separately) on what has come to be known as "Daddy-Daughter Day."
Components of a D.D.D.:
Walking
Holding hands
Going into any store she chooses
Buying sweets (candy)
Drinking hot chocolate
Eating at least one ice cream cone
Talking
Riding for at least half the time on Daddy's shoulders (Zoe has a habit of exclaiming to passers-by, "I'm taller than you!" as we walk by them)
Handling dresses and picking up ballerina outfits and using words like "Oooh," and "Wow!" and "You make that dress look incredible."
Pointing out weird people to each other
Dancing at least once to a bagpiper (there's one on most corners downtown these days)
Staring into each other's eyes and saying "I love you" every chance we get.
The great thing about Edinburgh is that you don't have to load into a car to go to a mall to experience time with your daughter!
You just walk and talk and window shop and enjoy each other.
With that said, its amazing how different the two of them are.
Lily was all about checking out the stores with beads, bracelets, earrings, head bands, dresses and so on.
Zoe just wanted ice cream, and the topic kept coming up every minute or so until we got some. Of course, by then, she had also eaten fries, so the ice cream sat in the cup, melting slowly, slopping all over Dad's hand as he carried it through the crowds hoping that she would want to eat it at some point--every parent hates to waste an uneaten ice cream!
I often wonder what Dads can give little girls. According to many people these days, we're not really necessary. Little girls can get along without us.
But. . . .
Who would run out to the playground and threaten bodily harm to the child that just pushed you over? Mom? She would look funny doing it.
Who would sweep you off your feet and hold you in a crowd of strangers and tell you, "Its okay. I've got you"?
Who would look at you and say these precious words: "YOU make that dress look beautiful!"? (not, "that dress makes you look beautiful.") After all, I've seen you running around like Eve in the garden, and you ARE beautiful without any dress at all.
Who would carry you for hours on his shoulders when you're tired?
Who will grab you as you fall from the bike, a 1/2 second before your knee scrapes across the pavement?
Who would take the brunt of life squarely on his chin so you can play with your friends, go to school, make 5-hour long phone calls, and do all the other things that little girls do?
Who will be the mirror -- by patient presence reflects your inner beauty back to you. A beauty not built on what boys think, or built on what the World tells you you should be, or even what your friends think about you. . . .
I'm not patting myself on the back.
More like reminding myself that my purpose is essential, not secondary. Mom builds the shelter and the roof of love in your life. But I'll be the foundation. And because I'm just a silly, absent-minded man, I forget that sometimes, and need reminding.
So here's to Daddy-Daughter Day!
And all the daddys out there makin' it happen, or any daddys that need a little remindin'.
Dust
On the phone with her friend from Oregon, Lily tells her:
"We went to the Queen's palace. . . well, we only saw half of it, BUT we saw her real sword and her real crown and her real scepter. And the scepter still works!"
There was much rejoicing today when the modem finally arrived . . . . no more buying a coffee or tea at the cafe to pay for the "free" wi fi. . . .
There is some new stuff for you to check out, if you're into the Kunkys:
1. Check out the flickr site (picture link to the right) and see new pictures as well as "sets" which are groups of pictures with a common theme. You can even watch them as a slide show.
2. Both companion sites to the this one have new posts (see the right column for the links)
3. Lift up thoughts and prayers for Janette who has experienced a mysterious rash on her arms and legs--very painful and keeps her up at nights--for over two weeks now. She's trying some new allergy meds and hopefully that will help, but prayers are always better and more effectual!
4. Lily rode her bike yesterday for the first time, with pedals. Dust took off the pedals when we first got it, so she learned to balance and use both brakes going downhill before she ever pedalled. The amazing thing is that once the pedals were on, she was riding within 10 minutes because she had the balance-thing down!
A quick update for anyone who's checking this site regularly:
We've found that it takes much longer here to set up internet than in the States. We're still "in process" and hopefully will be much more able to update the site and blog some more photos in another week or two when we're connected in our flat.
Until then, stay tuned, and keep us in your thoughts and prayers.
Jan's looking for work and I'm meeting with all the university people in the different departments to make sure things are ready for the term when it begins. That and having a pint every now and then!
There's no escaping it--there's a pub on every corner, it seems!
The good news is that we live very close to "Arthur's Seat," the extinct volcano at the heart of the city, and I'm working off the extra carbs on runs around the hill.
Peace!
Dust
The following is an excerpt from my journal three days after we arrived in Edinburgh. . . .
And then finally, the descent into Edinburgh, and looking out over the left wing of the plane and seeing in the distance all the landmarks we’ve read about and studied for so long: the great fortress on the Hill (castle Edinburgh) and Arthur’s Seat, the volcanic leftover that heaps above the town. Walking through customs and not having to do a thing. . . . incredible surprise and joy! Whatever we had to do was done in Dublin when we entered. Catching two taxis because we had so much stuff, and the warm welcome we got from the elderly taxi driver who wouldn’t leave the girls in the rain with the luggage until I got there with the keys for the apartment (I had to stop at the housing allocations office). He then proceeded to tell us over and over that he thought we should not go to IKEA tonight because it was already getting late but that there were other stores in the area that we could get a few things at until tomorrow.
Of course, there’s no stopping Janette, who once she’d put her feet down in the flat, moved a couple of beds into different positions and smelled the air and declared it needing some freshener led us down the street to the bus stop and with Jodi’s help found the bus to IKEA that sits 20 miles south of town. We were in—wandered around like rats in a maze, following arrows, is this the right way honey?--and back home in a four hours with bedding and necessities and fell asleep at 9PM Edinburgh time. I’d still be sleeping if Lily and Janette hadn’t conspired together to rise at 3 AM!
The city: how best to describe it? We have spent days looking at it online and in guide books preparing to be here. We knew the names of streets and buildings and neighborhoods and even some of the history before we ever got here. But then, on the ground, its entirely different. The weight of the centuries and the heaviness of the cobbled streets and the soaring steeples and chimneys and gables give the entire city a presence like none other I’ve been in.
It’s a tangible weight that envelopes you, and you realize you’re finally IN the city--but its getting IN to you. Every street you look down is a vast treasury of beauty. Every where you look you’re utterly surrounded by curves and angles and shadows and stone and depth and this great weight that a mighty city carries like a heavy mantle, a personal presence. THAT’s my first impressions.
The brogue? I’m already starting to sound like them, my African ears catch the tones and ups and downs of the speech, but I have to admit its more musical than any language I’ve heard so far. Reminds me of the James Taylor line from one of his songs: “to me the words are nice the way they sound.” I catch myself not listening for content but listening instead to the rise and fall and harmony of words in the native Scots.
Dust
(I'm sitting in the coffee shop again and have a quick moment to throw something on the blog and I thought this was most appropriate. We should be online from our flat sometime early next week. Until then, enjoy this. . ..)
* You are standing next a middle-aged gentleman in the grocery line and he's wearing a polo shirt. But it's not just any polo shirt. The little crest over his heart says this: "Royal Musselburgh Golf Club. Established 1774" Yeah, a golf club older than the United States of America!
* Your daughter says to a man standing on the sidewalk, "Nice kilt." To which he winks and says, "Its a good thing she didn't call it a skirt."
* Your other daughter gets into the back of a taxi and looks up at the front left seat (in which no one is sitting because the driver is over on the right side) and says, "who's driving the taxi?!"
* You ask for a pound of cheese and get cheese that costs a pound.
* You plug your computer into the wall through two adapters and still end up blowing out the speakers.
* You go for a "drive in the country" and stop by a little country church in the middle of some farmer's field--and find out that it was built in 1550.
* You walk into a cigar shop and ask the question (foolishly): "which ones are the Cubans?" to which the proprieter answers with a little bit of a smile, "Sir, they're ALL Cubans."
* Your kitchen is plumbed for your washing machine.
* When you finally get that when people are walking up to you and saying "HiYa!" they are not getting ready to judo chop you, but are just saying "Hi!"
* When the Whiskey smells like old socks and the sea.
* "Going to the Post" means you are actually paying every bill you've got, picking up some milk and fruit, getting cash, finding a paper, AND mailing your letters.
* The beer is flatter but better.
* You can tell native Scots by the sweat pouring off their brow and nose, the red cheeks and the swearing at the heat--in 70-degree weather.
There's lots more, but this will have to do. Hope you enjoyed! This has all been part of the adventure of getting used to living here!
Dust
A quick post since I'm sitting in a free wi fi coffee shop. We are waiting for internet to be set up in our flat, so you won't hear from us as regularly on this site for the next couple of weeks.
SUFFICE TO SAY THAT WE HAVE BEEN CARED FOR BY OUR FATHER IN WAYS THAT SURPASS IMAGINATION ALREADY! THERE'LL BE MUCH MORE IN OUR NEWSLETTER COMING OUT WITHIN THE NEXT 4 WEEKS OR SO. . . .
We'll be adding more impressions of our time here once we have better access to the internet.
For now, I've uploaded all the pictures we took the first week we were here onto the flickr website.
Click the link to the right for "kunky pics" and check them all out.
You can even copy and save your favorite picture of us and put it on your computer desktop!
Peace!
Dust
Over the last three weeks we made a big loop through Oregon, Washington, Idaho, a little bit of Montana, back through Idaho and then to Oregon. 1000's of miles in a truck that grunted like a tired buffalo.
I've tried and tried to write about the last 3 weeks and can't find words. I've sat down 3 times at the computer and don't even know where to start, so I'll just make a list:
We saw. . . .
friends.
We saw family.
We saw . . .
sunsets
and mountains
and tears
and smiles
and rivers and trouts
and birthday cakes
and batman begins and cinderella man
and stars
and darkness
and ponderosa trees like great columns in the cathedral of the forest
and sisters and wives flyfishing for the first time--oh, what a sight!
We heard . . . .
laughs
and cries
and chuckles
and bad jokes
and prayers
and one million "are we there yets?".
We felt . . . .
arms around us,
horse noses cold in the early morning,
the silky touch of a daughter's hair,
the rough embrace of more than one cold river,
the tightness of the sun's warmth on our skin,
And the breeze, oh, the June breeze blew gently most days.
We felt the Spirit gently working in each of you, and changing us too. Gently guiding us into Jesus' love.
We tasted . . .
good beer and better wine and clear water
and probably too many Mcdonald's happy meals and soft-serve ice cream,
and Momma's home-made enchilada casserole,
Ghanaian groundnut soup and rice balls
and Grandma's snickerdoodles and pies and fresh, fresh, cantelope, Graham's home-made Italian cream sauce, and steak and BBQ and . . .
tears.
We drove and laughed in the truck, listened to dear friends and family, and found this to be true: when you're "members of one another" in the Body of Christ, the encouragement and help goes both ways.
Thanks friends for delightful days of rest and evenings filled with conversation that mattered.
What a joy!
And now. . . .
EDINBURGH.
By now many of you will have received a "friend raising" letter from us. Maybe you're checking out the blog for the first time. . . . the format is basically like a journal or diary (with pictures) with our favorite links in the right hand column, but don't get caught in immediacy and think the "most recent" blogs are better than ones in the archives. . . . In some ways, the date stamp has nothing to do with our blog other than to give you an idea where we're at (give or take a week!).
One of the fun (and helpful) things about a blog is that you can sift through the journal entries like digging through old pages in the attic, reading sentences that shine beams on other sentences in other entries until you begin to get a good picture of what the person was all about.
If you've got the time, and want to learn about us, the only thing better would be to pop into our flat in Edinburgh for a cup of tea and a visit.
And by the way, God's blessed us with an extra bed, so feel free:)
Dust
We're back in Portland, able to check email again for a little bit, and upload pictures from our journey this last month. We have 4 days and then . . . climb on a plane and fly to Scotland. . .
Its hard to express what a wonderful experience it has been. Each stop along the way with friends and family was a universe of wonders. Where to start. . . ? The writing of it would take too long even if we were to summarize what each of you has meant to us. We WILL share some highlights soon to come, but until then. . . .
How about pictures, which supposedly "say a 1000 words." Check them out on the flickr account and notice Lily and Zoe--they're smiling. They had a great time! When your children are enjoying the adventure, you can too!
Dust
Those of you who want to follow our adventure and have the web capability, just click on the link to the right titled "Get Kunky Pics!"
The flickr account gives us the capability of uploading and storing ALL our digital pics. You can look at the latest, or click on the "tags" to search for something particular.
We'll be updating the pictures often as we travel and live (of course this depends on having internet access, but we'll try our best).
All of them are "downloadable" so if you find something that you want to print out or put on your computer desktop, please do so. We figure it's a great way for you to remember us, and feel as if you're a part of what's going on in our family.
Peace!
D&J
PS we've been out of 'net range lately, but there'll be some new posts added to the site soon. stay tuned. . .
There's no way we can name all of the people who should be in the following post. . . If you've ever done something for us, or helped us, or stepped up for us without being asked, this ones for you. . . .
Here's a quick "shout out" to great friends who've shown lately that "friendship" is all about doing things for you without being asked:
The Behnkster for giving us the chance to get away. . .
Todd and Shari McKay for the keys that opened up a week of rest. . . .
The Dickster for being yourself. If only I was half as cool. I'd start slicking my hair back but I'm not worthy.
Matt for a ride from the airport and movie nights!
Mike for taking a chance with me as the DCE, even if I wasn't one officially.
Brenda, for a shot at musical stardom from my humble beginnings at The Rabbit Hole, and. . . for everything else you've done.
Dave Forsythe asking to care for my guitar--and trade me one of his that has a strong travelling case while he watches mine. Dave, I have to say, it hurt a little to give up Ya to you . . . but I couldn't think of a better man to play my guitar, keep her safe, and treat her with the love she deserves. Thanks for the loaner too. A Taylor isn't too bad a trade!
Troy and Tania for throwing a great party. . . . opening their home to a bunch of crazies. . . . and loaning a truck how many times? You HAD to get tired of hearing, "Uh, do you think I could borrow the truck this weekend?!!"
Mike and Denise, Brent and Karen, Jim and Sharon: for great conversation, free meals, and lots of laughter. When I think of you I smile and hope for more. . . . I think that means we're friends. Either that, or I really like to eat free food!
Linda Forsythe for painstakingly creating two Raggedy Anne dolls out of fabric and thread for the girls. I heard you started working on those in 1992.
Val for the great memory book (and all of you who put your words of encouragement in there)--thanks!
Carter for the mechanic's poem that made me almost soil my drawers. . . not only was it witty, it was deep. It was poetry.
Boryska and Steele womyn for watching Lil' and Zo' while we did the graduation open house thing for our youth.
Dawn and the Pegnone's for playing and swimmin' with the girls.
Phil and Patti for lovin' and livin' with us!
Miriam for a vision that gave me the picture I needed to stand firm for Jesus.
Jodi who calls often, sends cards, and does little "I love you" things all the time.
Thanks all of you. . . . and those who aren't in here. . . you know who you are.
Good friends are hard to find.
But you have made it easy.
(Dust)
