Addie's Day

Today is Addie's day.

But her family is with her.

If you have been following her battle (link to her website in the right column) you'll already know that she's getting a bone marrow transplant today.

We woke up this morning and prayed for her, doing what we consider the "night-watch job" for Addie. The rest of you in the States are still sleeping, and we hope that she is too.

As you pray for Addie, remember her cousin Zoe in prayer as well.

Zoe has not been the same since chicken pox a month ago. Her immune system took a massive hit, and a week ago she got the flu, which turned into "walking pneumonia." We had to take her into the E.R. to get quick service, but they basically said there was nothing they could do (since they claimed it was a virus) and sent her home to rest. She is lethargic and sleeps and coughs and throws up a lot. She has a fever that keeps spiking very high and then dropping. She doesn't seem to be getting much better after a week. I (Dustin) have also been flat on my back with the flu for the last 4 days too.

We believe that our whole family is under attack.

If you are into praying, today would be a good day to do it.

May Jesus heal Addie and Zoe completely.

Go Seahawks!!!

krisco, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

Kris Kunkel cheers on his (and our) team to greatness and a Superbowl berth!

Kris and Sara received free tickets thanks to Seahawk pro-bowl tackle Walter Jones who donated some tickets to the Ronald McDonald House.

Keep Addie in your prayers as she prepares for bone marrow transplant next week.

Happy Birthday To Me!

Janette gets flowers for birthday!!, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

My birthday started with one sister calling at midnight the beginning of my birthday and the other sister calling at the end of my birthday with mom my sandwiched in the middle-6:45 am my time! Who has taught them this? No, I just wanted to say thanks so much for all the phone calls and cards. It isn't much fun to be away from everyone on my special day but it made it brighter to be remembered! The flowers I am holding got sent to me at work (which blew my cover, I hadn't told anyone it was my birthday) but it was lovely! About an hour after they arrived, I had to go home because Zoe has been really sick. Now Lily has it too. Some sort of flu bug that we hope will pass as quickly as it came. Dust tried really hard to make the day special but by Zoe's 14th puke we have decided to choose a different day to celebrate! Much love to all with an open invitation to come and visit us!!
Janette

Silent No Longer!

I can remain silent no longer.

This is Dustin writing just now, I have been a good boy and not written about my team until now, but I have two good reasons:

The Seahawks are hosting the NFC championship game in Seattle this Sunday!!! (read on for the 2nd reason).

As a die-hard fan of the team that has not won a playoff game in 21 years, you'd better believe I'm staying up late to watch that game (11PM is kickoff time over here!). Trouble is, I'm not sure yet where I'll be able to watch it. . . .

2nd Reason, and best news of all: my brother Kris (also a 'Hawks fan, and if you measure yelling at the TV ability then he's a bigger fan than me;)) has just won two tickets to go to the game. Bwahaaa!

Kris and Sara have been through so much helping Addie, and this weekend she begins the process to get a bone marrow transplant. They may not have time to write about this so I will: They won tickets to the game this Sunday!!!

Thank you God for Walter Jones (Seahawk Tackle who donated some of his personal tickets to the Ronald McDonald House in Seattle).

And all of you watch the game and look for Kris and Sara!!! They'll be the ones wearing blue.

Married for 10 Years -- and Clingy About It!

Yes, I know, there are people married for 30, 50, and even 75 years.

Have you noticed that most of those couples are "clingy" in a good way: kissing, holding hands, touching in little ways. . . .

It's only 10 years, but its still special to us. And we're learning new ways to define "clingy:" how about just "holding on as if your life depends on it while the hurricane of life rips around you."

We weren't sure if we were going to make it out of town, but it worked out to get a very cheap flight and room in London for the weekend, so we went. What a blast! It takes only about an hour of flying time to arrive. We walked and walked, saw all the touristy sites (from the outside because we were too broke to go in!) and realized without much surprise that we really really like being together.

I suppose we'd HAVE to like being together, considering that in 10 years together we've. . . .

• Directed a camp of over 40 staff while living in a tent (our first summer married)
• Run a home for abused and neglected kids for two years (lived in a tiny single room apartment in the midst of the home)
• Worked as a program director, house parent, vets assistant, preschool teacher, kindergarten teacher, clinic office receptionist (janette); and a program director, house parent, youth guy, construction worker, raft guide, ymca front desk person, director of Christian education, full time student (Dustin)
• Parented and loved children
  
• Not to mention Lily and Zoe ;)
• Kept "open house" and poured out love to anyone who wanted/needed it
  
• Travelled across a continent and ocean together with our girls to be "faithful and available wherever God leads us."

We want to thank each person that has helped us in our marriage. Those of you who had a direct hand, you already know who you are. There are many others who set an example.

Thank you--all of you.

And thanks Lord Jesus, for giving us Your Spirit of life and love.

You are a candle
in the dark
on a windy night.

At other times,
You've warmed us
in Your fire--given friendship,
the security of having a Father of love.

Most of all, You just never let go.

Because of You, we're clingy too.

Our Tenth Wedding Anniversary Self Portrait

STA60044, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

Some say the best of life is found in mansions, some say the best of life is found in fame, some say the best in life is found in far off places, I say, the best in life is . . . .

One word just won't do here!!!!!

Friend, lover, companion, you, my dearest darling. Only you.