Och Aye ("Oh Yes") Janette is Okay!

Friends,

A quick blog because I'm pretty tired.

Janette's surgery went well today. They were able to go in laporoscopically (with the little cameras through three "keyholes" that make it easier to heal up) and remove her gall bladder. They found a golf-ball sized gall stone, and a bunch of little gall stones having a disco and karaoke night in her gall bladder.

They broke up the party and disbanded the disco, much to the dismay of the little gall-stoney people, and Janette is now recovering in the ward.

I went down and was able to spend some time with her.

Any of you who know Janette will understand that she just doesn't like to be in hospitals. She left the same day she had Zoe in Oregon City. . .

Well, today, she tried doing the same, but had a bout with nausea (aka the pukies) and the nurses said,

"och aye, why don't ye coom on doon tomorra mornin ta pick up yer wee lassie."

And I said, "okay," since that's the correct response to a nurse when they tell you to do something.

Its late and I'm going to bed.

Thanks for all your prayers. Keep em comin'.

Hopefully, Janette will be home tomorrow at some point, able to rest in a quiet flat the size of a doghouse with two fighting children and a whiny husband.

Nurse: "Och aye, lassie, ye might wanna stae here at the hospital for a wee while, eh?"

Janette: Did I just hear the sound of disco music. I could swear I heard the sound of disco music.

Nurse: Och aye, that's just the wee morphine ye have runnin' in yer veins.

Janette: The little gally stones. They're comin' for me!

Nurse: Dinna ya worry yisself aboot it. Take this and sleep tight.

Janette: Okay. Mmmm. This is good, it tastes kindof like lskjf oim ff s ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.................................

Huggin' on Sister Jenni

IMG_0110, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

Our sister Jenni visited us last week.

This is a picture of us huggin' her.

We had a great time with her, and we really like her "friend" Matt.

We are soooooo glad Jenni came to visit and we will pray to Jesus to keep her safe this fire season when she's fighting forest fires. We'll also pray for Matt, who is a smokejumper. Cool! We wish we could jump out of planes!

Love to you all,
Lily and Zoe

What You Don't See In the Picture. . . .

IMG_0828, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

When Jen and Matt visited a week ago, we borrowed a car for a saturday and drove up to Loch Lomond and Trossachs national park. It turned into a beautiful day, and we had a great time!

What you don't--can't--see in this picture are the things behind the scenes, under the surface. Some of them are. . . .

• That Janette has a bad gallbladder with a gallstone the size of a golf ball. She is due for surgery this friday to remove the gallbladder. Keep her in prayer!
• That Dustin quit a long trip to Norway that is part of his Master's course (would have left today) to stay home and make sure the fam was in good shape and MOST IMPORTANT--Janette was taken care of.
• That Lily is reading "chapter" books now, and getting better every day.
• That Zoe has finally recovered from her bout with pneumonia and wakes up every morning with so much energy, we're inventing a plug-in so that the rest of us can run off of her!
• That Dustin recently led music at a special quiet prayer time during our weekend Church "House Party"--a retreat away in the hills west of Edinburgh.
• That thanks to some of you, we continue to have breakfast, lunch and dinner on the table. Your care for us really, really matters during these days far away. Thank you!
  

Pray Saint Patrick's Prayer With Us. . . .

Happy and Blessed Saint Patrick's Day!

He was a man of the Spirit and God's Call.

We prayed His prayer to start our morning. . . . Here it is if you would like to join us. PRAY IT OUT LOUD!

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness
Of the Creator of creation.

I arise today
Through the strength of Christ’s birth with his baptism,
Through the strength of his crucifixion with his burial,
Through the strength of his resurrection with his ascension,
Through the strength of his descent for the judgment of Doom.

I arise today
Through the strength of the love of Cherubim,
In obedience of angels,
In the service of archangels,
In hope of resurrection to meet with reward,
In prayers of patriarchs,
In predictions of prophets,
In preaching of apostles,
In faith of confessors,
In innocence of holy virgins,
In deeds of righteous men.

I arise today
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendor of fire,
Speed of lightning,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.

I arise today
Through God’s strength to pilot me:
God’s might to uphold me,
God’s wisdom to guide me,
God’s eye to look before me,
God’s ear to hear me,
God’s word to speak for me,
God’s hand to guard me,
God’s way to lie before me,
God’s shield to protect me,
God’s host to save me
From snares of devils,
From temptations of vices,
From everyone who shall wish me ill,
Afar and anear,
Alone and in multitude.

I summon today all these powers between me and those evils,
Against every cruel merciless power that may oppose my body and soul,
Against incantations of false prophets,
Against black laws of pagandom,
Against false laws of heretics,
Against craft of idolatry,
Against spells of witches and smiths and wizards,
Against every knowledge that corrupts man’s body and soul.

Christ to shield me today
Against poison, against burning,
Against drowning, against wounding,
So that there may come to me abundance of reward.
Christ with me, Christ before me, Christ behind me,
Christ in me, Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ on my right, Christ on my left,
Christ when I lie down, Christ when I sit down, Christ when I arise,
Christ in the heart of every man who thinks of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who speaks of me,
Christ in every eye that sees me,
Christ in every ear that hears me.

I arise today
Through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity,
Through belief in the threeness,
Through confession of the oneness,
Of the Creator of Creation.

Pilgrimage to St. Cuthbert's Isle -- A Small Prayer Island Off of Lindisfarne (Holy Island)

IMG_0013, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

(First of all, for real info. on this island, you should google it or look at the links on the right column)

I had my first pilgrimage experience three days ago. I was granted the blessing of traveling for the day to Lindisfarne, also known as Holy Island, with my friend Colin as guide and friend Paul as, well, friend.

All of middle and southern England were brought to faith in Jesus in the 4th and 5th Century by Celtic missionaries who left the isle to share their faith. There is a causeway from the mainland to the island that falls underwater during high tide!

We are standing under the cross in a little concave (where the "prayer hut" used to be) on a smaller island. Saint Cuthbert used to leave Holy Island and cross to the smaller one to pray. He was renowned for preaching, prayers, and healing miracles. People came from far and wide to have him pray for them. He could go out to the prayer island when the tide was out, and people couldn't get to him when the tide came in.

As we walked across the mussels and seaweed and slick rocks and sand, the wind that flew like a knife across the North Sea from the Arctic cut my face, and the snow and sleet bit into my eyes. We could hardly see where to walk, and then I remembered . . . . Colin had told me that Saint Cuthbert was known to stand in the water and pray, sometimes up to his neck!

Although I didn't wade in the water, I asked for Colin and Paul to bless me on the island.

They did, and although no heavens opened, I felt a peace and strength in my sonship and calling. I prayed that God would grant me the grace to carry His god-spell (old English for "good news") back. . . . across that narrow causeway and into the world He loves. I believe He is faithful. He will carry our little family where He desires.

Thank you, Lord, for your saints of old who were faithful to you, and available to your call!

Dear friends, keep us in your hearts and prayers, as we do for you. . . .

Snow Day!

STA60046, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

Just as we thought Spring was here, we got hit with a small snow storm.

It snowed all morning and melted all afternoon.

Just enough time to make a snow man after school!

Do I Have Something On My Face?

STA60007, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

What's that?

Something on my face?

Naaah.

I don't have anything on my face. . . .

Swimsuits in Scotland

Lily and Zoe wanted to wear their swimsuits today although it is
below zero outside! So, we turned up the heat and they paraded around in their swimsuits. We can't wait for warmer weather but it will not come very soon. Although, we have only had five days of rain since September! Zoe is feeling much better! She lost 8 pounds while being sick and you can really see it in her legs in this picture. Lily is doing amazing at reading and enjoys reading to her sister. Today we are making plans for a tea party to have next weekend. There have been many new neighbors moving in over the last month and the girls are excited to invite them. Now if we can just get the list down to ten or fewer mum would be happy as well! We miss you all and wish we could have you over for a tea party!  

Addie's Hope

Addie Hope and Machines, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

This is the picture that Papa Dan references in the email we posted below.

We love you Addie!

Papa Dan's Email to Lily and Zoe on Saint Caedmon's Day

It has been quite a week for Adeline, and many people have been labouring in prayer for her. We have carried on our "night shift" work here interceding during our days while she sleeps through her nights.

Papa Dan sent Lily and Zoe an email this morning, and as we read it together, with the girls sitting on my lap at the computer, I had a sense of great and abiding joy intermixed with sorrow. Life is so full of tragedy, and it is never more bittersweet than when you hold a child on your lap and talk about suffering and death.

Picture this: Dustin and Lily and Zoe grab hands after reading Papa Dan's email, and dance a "ring around the rosie" all the while singing the words to Danase, our favourite family praise song from Ghana:

Danase, Dana-ase. Da Onyamee Nasie.
Danase, Dana-ase. Da Onyamee Nasie.

Efriseh. O-yay!
Nana Doh, Doh So-oh-oh!

Danase, Dana-se. Da Onyame Nasie!

Thank You God, O Thank You God!
You are a wonderful God.
Thank You God, O Thank You God!
You are a wonderful God.

Because You're good,
Your love is FOREVER!

Thank You God, O Thank You God!
You are a wonderful God!

A good friend of mine here who knows the ancient Celtic Church reminded me that today is Saint Caedmon's day. For those who don't know, Caedmon was a quiet cowherd at the monastery who was so afraid of being with people or singing that he would often run and hide in the cowshed. One night, God gave him a song to sing, and when he woke up in the morning, he was singing it. The people were astounded at the song of praise coming from his mouth. And Caedmon was raised up by God to lead His people in praise and thanks--from him came a whole school of Celtic artists and singers who helped build the Church!

Happy Saint Caedmon's Day! May our Lord give us all a song to sing!

Da Onyamee Nasie!

The following is Papa Dan's email to Lily and Zoe. Its a little long, but I left it all in there for those of you who don't know all the details of what Addie's going through:

Dear Lily and Zoe,

This is Papa Dan coming to you with some more words about your cousin Addie after we saw her in the hospital again the past two days.

Now to follow what I’m going to say better, it would help if you take a look again at that second picture of Addie’s transplant day at the FLICKER picture place. That’s the picture where we see Aunt Sara holding Addie in front of a machine with some boxes and tubes and buttons and some tiny sacks hanging all over it. This is what I want to explain a little more to you about.

That machine, or actually it’s a group of machines on two shiny steel poles, has six feet and each foot has a little wheel on it. That’s so that whole thing can move around wherever Addie needs it to go, carrying her food and medicine with her. It can also be plugged into the wall to get more electricity or use its batteries like a battery toy. Isn’t that neat!

Now on those two steel poles you can see some square boxes with buttons and colors and above them some sack-looking things with different colored stuff in them. Those sacks hold food for Addie and also medicine. In fact, do you remember those two tubes that go right into Addie’s chest under her shirt? All those little sacks and all those boxes are working together like a team or like a choir to send every food she needs and every medicine she needs through little tubes (about 5 or 6 or 7) into those two special tubes that go right into the middle of her chest. It’s kind of like little roads going into bigger roads and all heading in one direction.

And guess what, because of that every day Addie gets a new t-shirt! That’s because Uncle Kris and Aunt Sara clean all around where those two tubes go into her chest so she won’t get more bad things attacking her body. And also, because the doctors and nurses and all of us want everything that’s supposed to go into those two special tubes in Addie’s chest to go into her really well and just at the right speed. So they put special tape around the longer tubes that connect to the special machines and boxes to hold them all together so they don’t get tangled up. And guess what else, when they put that new t-shirt on Addie everyday, it’s made of white rubber-band netting like stuff to hold everything tighter to her chest and to help keep her from pulling out those very very special tubes. Because right now, almost everything she needs goes into Addie through them. That’s why Uncle Kris and Aunt Sara keep hugging and holding and kissing her to let her know everything is still okay even though it so strange to be hooked up to all those tubes and boxes and machines all the time. How would you like to drag part of your bed around with you all day long?

Now maybe you’re wondering why they give food from those sacks to Addie through those tubes and not through her mouth? Well, it’s a long story but the shorter story is that she can’t eat because of all the sores in her mouth and throat. In fact the sores go all the way down inside her body into her stomach and even farther (This is not nice at all and we don’t like to talk about this too much!) Those sores come from some of the medicine she was given to kill off the bad army in her old blood so the new army (remember Zoe this was your BIG idea) could start growing inside her and keep those bad army guys from ever coming back again.

Then this week some of that medicine also made Addie’s insides behind her belly-button get bigger and more sore and made Addie feel really yucky. So the doctors and the nurses started using more machines to take pictures inside her body to try and see how yucky the yucky really was. Well, now they tell us that it has started not being so yucky and that’s really good news for Addie and for all of us. And today Addie was finally beginning to look like it was true—just like she looks in that picture. (You can jump up and down and dance and clap your hands and say a thank-you prayer to Jesus right here!)

Oh my, are you wondering where this story is going next? And where everybody is going while they’re in the story? Well, don’t worry because the next part of the story is going to tell us the next good news!

It’s going to tell us that those guys Zoe calls the “good army” inside Addie’s blood have finally unpacked all their stuff and finally moved into their new homes. And that they’ve also set up their offices and workplaces and where they send their kids to school and where they go to church and where they buy groceries and all that. And FINALLY, they are ready to get to work doing what they do!

Now when we all hear that GOOD NEWS it will be another time for all of us to jump up and down and sing and dance and clap and cry and thank Jesus for helping and healing and saving Addie for us!

So Lily and Zoe, we’re so thankful that cousin Addie is still here with us. We so thankful to God she’s in that big hospital with all those special machines and tubes and sacks and very helpful doctors and very nice nurses, because Jesus loves her and all the children of the world, including each and every one of you! And we thank Jesus for watching over both of you every day and night, even when sometimes you’ve been sick and feeling so yucky too!

Finally, when I was in Addie’s hospital room this morning I found a special place where we can put up a picture of you two. It’s right under the white board where they’re counting the days after giving Addie that “new army” for her blood. So please have your dad and mom send a special picture of you both for cousin Addie’s hospital room wall. Maybe they can put all our pictures up there and call that place GOD’S FAMILY OF HOPE AND HEALING. Or, maybe you can think of a better name and let us know!

So let’s all promise to keep our prayers for Addie and Uncle Kris and Aunt Sara going and growing.

Until next time, this is Papa Dan wishing you both the very best and the very most of God’s blessings and care every day in every way!

(P.S.—Your special car’s still on our back porch and waiting for your next ride whenever you come this way!)

Smiles before sickness!

Lily and Zoe got dressed up in their overalls that Grandma Viki sent to them. It's been a great picture to visit over the last couple of weeks as this was taken just days before Zoe got really sick. The night before this pic was taken Lily got 6 inches cut off her hair. A compromise as Lily wanted it shorter to be like "Mulan" and I wanted to keep it long. Zoe also got 3 inches off so this is the after look. They get asked if they are twins all of the time. They like to dress alike and look alike now but will they like it ten years from now? So, a big "Hiya" from Lily and Zoe! 

The Kunkels Make the Newspaper

And what a story!

Check out the link below. . . .


www.seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2002772823_walter31.html

New Adeline "Transplant Day Pictures"

Go to Addie's flickr site to catch new pictures of her transplant day! Click on the attached link. . . .

www.flickr.com/photos/adelinehope

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.

Ringin' in the New Year Scottish Style

STA60046, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

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'