Dust Gets Job -- Family Plans to Move Home!

For many of you, this is what you have been waiting to hear. . . . after applying for work in Australia and California and other places . . . it seems rather ironic, that. . . .

Dustin and Janette found work back in the U.S.

We will be returning on November 1st to the Pacific Northwest. Dustin begins work at Camp Lutherhaven in Idaho two weeks later as "Interim Manager of Outdoor Education." Janette will work as the "Part-time Day Camp Manager." These positions are firm until the end of May, at which point we will review and decide direction with the Lutherhaven leadership. Hence the term, "interim." Lutherhaven's call was unexpected. A real surprise. We're excited to work within an organization that passionately and creatively serves communities all over the inland Northwest.

As a family, we had already decided (prior to hearing from Lutherhaven) to return in November with or without work. We felt that we had reached our limit both emotionally and financially, and it was time to return. Our major goals had been achieved. They were:

1. Share an international experience together
2. Gain further education to expand our options as leaders and educators
3. See what the church is up to in another country
4. Step away from "professional church work" to gain perspective
   
5. Share Jesus' love with people who don't know Him
6. Listen the the Spirit as He directs our family forward through word, prayer, and circumstance.
   

What is most interesting in all of this is that after truly remaining open to the Spirit, knocking on many doors that could have led us anywhere in the world (and having them stay completely shut), the only door that opened was back in the Pacific Northwest. For this reason: we are sure this call can only be from the Lord.

As a friend of ours recently said, "Wow...and to think you had to go to Scotland to work at Lutherhaven....what a round-about trek for something that was available to you all along!!!!" Ironic, yes. Unlooked for, absolutely. Spirit-driven? We think so!

As a family this has been a wild ride. The closest picture we have to describe it is being in a tiny boat in a great storm, with no land in sight. It's dark, a night without stars. The wind and waves are high. We know Jesus is in the boat, but it seems that he is sleeping. We have been tested and pushed beyond endurance in every way. Many of you have also had a year of trial and testing. We've had times of severe doubt. God seemed silent. His ways darkened to us. But we took the example of faithful people who have gone before us, and we just didn't let go. Abraham, Jacob, Joseph, David, Esther, Job, Daniel, Mary, the list goes on and on and we sure needed to hear their stories.

Now as we step forward, we are aware stories have a lovely way of looping around like pathways and crossing one another between valleys, across hilltops, at springs. Here's hoping yours and ours intersect more than once!

Important!

• We are still definitely in need of financial and prayer support. There are many details to take care of during these major transitions.
  
• Stay tuned for the schedule for our "house gigs" around the Northwest. These will be gatherings in homes where we'll meet friends, Dust will play some tunes, we'll share "key learnings" from our time away.
  
• We can't wait to see you, hear how you've been!
  

Zoe is Five!!!

STA60019, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

Zoe turned five on September 21st!

We had a wonderful little family party, with Ryan and Janna attending and Emily showing up a little late (because of work).

Zoe loved her gifts, and loved the cards and messages of love from so many of you!

Thank you for remembering her!

Live in the Present, Plan for the Future. . . .

THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE KUNKS!

Dustin has been recently put in a lot of effort seeking work while simultaneously completing his Masters dissertation research.

A couple of potential jobs as a Director of Environmental Education did not work out, so we are continuing on with the "default" option with which we began our adventure: to return to the U.S. once the degree was completed (official date is Nov. 30th). This is primarily for financial reasons as the dollar continues to be weak compared to the pound, and our money does not buy much here. The second reason is that Janette has worked very hard for our family as a receptionist at a local clinic, but she's ready for that to be done and ready for being a full-time mother. As a family, we are very ready to return and see all of our loved ones -- family, friends, cheerleaders, encouragers, financial supporters, prayer warriors!

The plans are in the very early stage of development, but we are planning to return home for the holidays. Stay tuned for developments on this site as we determine what will work out the best for us.

One of our goals will be to visit some key people who have supported us on this adventure. More on that also in future blogs!

For now, continue to lift us up in your hearts to God and ask Him to do His will in our lives. Dustin will be working long hours on his dissertation, with the hope that he can complete it and return with the family (date yet to be set).

Pray that we are open to the leading of God. . . He's at work in His world, and we're listening for His whispers. . . .

Peace and Joy from Dustin, Janette, Lily, and Zoe.

A Much-Needed, Long-Awaited Family Get-Away

STA60157, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

Thanks to the gift of a family friend, we had the opportunity to get away for the weekend! The girls had an extra day off of school, and we took off for the Northeast coast of Scotland. As a family we have never been up to the highlands together, even though we've been in Scotland over a year!

It was a good time to do so, as many of you know, Dustin was awaiting word on a job possibility in the United States. After waiting over a month for word regarding a position as Director of Outdoor and Environmental Education, he found out he did not get the job. . . We needed a little time as a family to regroup and figure out what comes next.

We found cheap room and board at "the best youth hostel in the world" -- Carbisdale Castle. The girls enjoyed dancing in the upper storey ballroom which you see in this picture.

For more pictures of our time, click on the link to Kunky pics in the right column and then watch the slide show in the "Weekend Away" Set at the top of the page. Amazingly, the sun was out all of the days and -- as they say here -- we had a lovely time.

A Visit from Friends!

STA60003, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

We had a lovely visit from Marjorie and Sheila a few days ago.

We showed them a little of Edinburgh and they took us to dinner. Then, the next evening, we had them over for Italian dinner at our flat.

The girls had a wonderful time showing them around, and you can see in this picture the weather cooperated too!

The Edinburgh Festival

Danuta and Ian Perform at the Festival, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

The greatest festival of arts (so they claim) in the world came to an end last week. We didn't make it to any of the indoor venues, but we caught some street acts by some amazing artists.

Our very own friend, Danuta (the one holding the pose in the air) is an "Acro" professional performance artist. With her partner, Ian, they held us spellbound for a half hour with some incredible, mind (and body) bending art.

The kids loved it -- and so did Lily and Zoe ;)

Lost Dogs!

The Amazing, Scintillating, Beautiful, Musically-Geniusastical Lost Dogs are coming to Washington and California to play their tunes. If you live in or near those states you should go.

I highly recommend you check them out, since I (Dust) can't!

Click on their link in the right column under "artists" and then check out where their shows will be. . . .