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!
