Good Friday on Arthur's Seat

Good Friday on Arthur's Seat, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

The batteries were dying in the camera, so we got a single picture from the service on the top of Arthur's Seat, the highest hill in Edinburgh.

Lily, Zoe, and Dustin walked over from our place and climbed the hill with about 70 other people. Someone carried a cross up and tied it to the survey marker that rests on the crown.

It was a clear day, with clouds carried by the wind like racehorses chasing towards the ocean's horizon in the east. We stood or sat on the top, windblown and wearied from the climb, singing, "Jesus, remember me. . . when You come into Your kingdom."

Thank You for Your Sacrifice Lord.

No work for Janette!

Well, I spoke with the head boss today at work and he says that I can't come back to work until the doctor releases me. Unfortunately my doctor won't release me to go back to work until the 21st of April. I only had two weeks of sick leave and now I am going to have to take one week unpaid unless I can get the doctor to release me sooner. I will go back to the doctor on Thursday and hope she will change her mind. I would use some of my holiday time but it's all used for when my mom comes at the end of this month and takes us to Greece! We are thrilled to go to Greece with Grandma and have that opportunity that we normally wouldn't have unless she was coming! We are faithful that all will work out and God will meet all our needs--He always does.
In the meantime, I am getting in some really good quality time with Lily and Zoe and Dustin too. Thanks to all of you for praying for us!

Janette

Surprise, we were in the neighborhood!

It's not everyday that we pick up the phone at
8:30am and have someone from Oregon on the
other line saying "we were going to be in Edinburgh for the day and thought we might drop in". But this morning was a great surprise! The Stewart's--a family from Trinity--our church body in Oregon City--came by for a quick visit. Carlene and Norm Stewart are in the picture with grandaughter Cathy. Cathy was in our youth group and college group while we were at Trinity and Carlene was my (Janette) class room assistant one day a week. They were such a blessing to a gray rainy day in Scotland. So, if you are in the neighborhood, feel free to drop in. Oh, thanks Stewart's for the butterscotch chips and marshmallows--I know a little birdie named Nance that I am sure told you!! We are missing you all.

PS--I am healing quickly and being a better patient. Lily has the flu now and vomitting and so we are praying that I won't get it--can't imagine it would be too good on the tummy just yet! 

Doin' the Dishes

STA60007, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

We love this picture, it says so much about Zoe, helping, loving, with that twinkle in her eye that says, "Watch Out!"

When was the last time your doctor visited?

Think in the movies where people buzz at the front door and you hear someone on the other end ask who it is and then buzz them in. Well, we have an entryphone system similar to ones you see in the movies. Actually majority of places here have those.

Today, I woke up very sore with a strange pain under my right breast/rib area. I can't breathe very deep without pain and it's a sharp shooting pain that is there all the time. I was a bit worried as this was not listed in any of the side affects. I called our Doctors to see if I could have a wee chat. The nice receptionist took a message and said she would have the doctor call. So, when our entryphone buzzed and I asked who it was and got this reply "it's the doctor" I was a bit thrown off. You see in Scotland, part of the wonderful health care is that the doctors still do house calls for those who are unable to come in. So, here in my living room the doctor listened to me and checked all the vitals then told me to continue taking the pain medicine and rest. I didn't bother telling him I though that I was feeling well enough to not take the pain meds since Monday. Dustin says it's an inherited thing called "Daughter of Viki" syndrome where I try to be too tough and can't let people take care of me too much. I will say that much, my mom is one tough lady!

Well, I am going to go and lay down watch a movie and possibly take some pain meds. My little bubble was burst when the doctor told me no returning to work for three weeks. I do have a lot of letters to catch up on. Too bad I can't catch up on all that house work!

So for all of my complaining about the health care here, it does work! The doctors go out of their way at times to look after you when you most need it.

Oh yeah, some of our Scottish friends are curious about some American things that they see on the Television or read about and one of things that comes up over and over is "What is a twinkie?" So, for anyone wishing to send Twinkies or any other hostess products to the UK---we would welcome them to do some cultural sharing with!!! We do have a small list of things we love to have sent to us if anyone ever feels the need to send a package....Just ask!!

Off to be a good patient as many of you are just thinking of waking up!!
Lot's of love,
Janette

Sore!

Being a bit experienced in having surgery, I thought that this could be no problem. With the removal of my appendix when I was 8 months preg. and lithiotrypsy on my kidney and then the hysterectomy a year ago this last week. Well, "Let me tell you somethin" (just like my grandma would say it) I am not comfortable or pain free in any way. I have had to wait till the drugs wore off to just write a wee bit. With three one inch incisions and air in my belly still from the anesthetics I am uncomfortable.

I thought I would share a bit about how different the experience was in Scotland versus America:

You check in at 8 in the morning with the other 20 people that are to have "day surgery" for that day.
You speak with all parties involved before you get changed or anything.
You have to bring your own robe and slippers--which I had to borrow--thanks Marya!
You get changed and then they take you to "theatre" which is what us Americans would call the surgery or operating room.
You get your IV and all the anethestics in the "theatre" and then they work on you.
When you wake up, you are in a big room "ward" with those 20 other people of mixed sexes whom have all had different operations.
When you are well enough to go to another room, it's ward for just females and there is only 10 beds.
No Phone, no TV and the food is all prepackaged cold food all but the tea of course!
The biggest difference is: I will not get a bill from the hospital, I won't get a bill from the surgeon, I won't get a bill from the anethestist and I won't get a bill for the mound of meds and spare dressings they sent me home with. Of course when I got out my bed at 7:05 this morning to pee they quick stripped my bed and took the pillow away and put me in a less comfortable spot asking "will you have a ride home soon?" Do they know we have two kids in bed still? Do they know we don't have a car and it's a bit early to call the neighbors.....So, all in all, I am alright. The operation went well and the "theatre" was not showing any good movies!

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'

What a "Sign!"

STA60007, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

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!

Of Tents and Stretching Them. . . .

[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. . . .

1. Families don't ever "have it together"--they're messy


2. Families spend time with other families. If you're looking for a way to "share your faith" it has more to do with having dinner together than you thought!


3. Really healthy families are made up of all kinds of people, some of them brand new members, some of them ancient, some of them from other families that didn't want them, some them don't even believe they're a part of the family (even though they are).


4. Much of the time, I may not feel like being in a family. And yet, if I claim my "family-ness" (being a son or daughter of the Father) and do what I know to be true in the face of my failures and feelings, I find new horizons open up in God's grace.

This apartment complex we live in is full of families. And each family has its own struggles and messiness, I'm sure. The Kunkels give and receive grace all the time. There's a wonderful interplay of grace going on. There's dependancy.

In the process of this giving and receiving, I began to think of my family more like an Abrahamic tent than a North Face tent. The first stretches and raises its covering over many. The second is air, water, ice and storm-tight. It’s squeaky-strong and clings to the edge of mountain peaks. It takes care of you and your (one) partner, but it’s not going to help under an avalanche or rock slide. Nor will it save you in a hurricane.

This Christmas, our family celebrated His "tenting" with us in a new way! We opened our hearts and our family-tent to Him once again. We practiced hospitality. And in the act of opening to Him, we opened to others as well. My classmate Jenny stopped by on Christmas eve because she, like us, was missing family. On Christmas day we had a huge dinner with Rika, Nobu and baby Ena Grace--just born!

We stretched the tent. Thank You, Father of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Father of families. Thank you for stretching out Your covering over us, the covering of the blood of Jesus who tented among us, full of Grace and Truth.

Teach us what Your Hospitality means. Teach us how to stretch our family tent.

Mom and the Girls

STA60011, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

Dust and Lil'

STA60005, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

By the way. . . . Go Seahawks!

Downtown Glasgow in the Evening

STA60015, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

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.

Itchy Itchy :(

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

Rudolph the Red-Nosed. . . . wait! where's the nose?

STA60036, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

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!

The Red Rattle: A Christmas Story of Hope

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

Just For Laughs. . . .

STA60033, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

A photo to lighten your day,
A photo just for laughs,
A photo to make you grin,
and crack a wee little smile!

New Links!

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

Thankful at Thanksgiving

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!

Baking with Barney the Bear

STA60018, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

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.

Papa Dan tells Lily and Zoe About Addie . . . .

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

New Jammies

linda's jammies 8, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

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!

Adeline's Got a Web Page!

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.

Hangin' Out with "the Addster"

STA60012, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

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'

Addie and Her Fans

Family Photo, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

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)

Prayers for Precious People

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!

Artsy Photo

STA60002, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

"Mother and Daughters with Evening Flowers"

The 1000 Words the Pictures Cannot Say. . .

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.

Dust at the End of the Spey Trip

STA60112, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

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.

PS. PICTURES OF THE SPEY CANOE TRIP ARE ON THE FLICKR SITE.

Smith and Kunkel, Lmtd., No. 1 Couples Consumption of Quality Italian Food Agency

Kunkels and Smiths, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

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!

Welcome to Bruntsfield M.P., How May I Help You?

STA60072, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

Zoe's 4th Birthday

STA60041, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

Zoe grins it up at her 4th birthday. Extra pics on the flickr site. . . .

It's raining Blessings in Edinburgh!

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!

Glen Affric, Northern Highlands

STA60055.JPG, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

River Croe, North Highlands

STA60062.JPG, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

View from the Top, Looking Towards Skye

STA60114.JPG, originally uploaded by dustkunkel.

Dust's Short List From a Week in the Highlands

• Rain


• 50 lb pack


• 50mph winds (leftover from Hurricane Maria)


• Midges (Scotland’s national bloodsucking insect)


• Wet feet


• Sunshine (on the last day)


• Summitting a Highland Peak


• Getting to know the people in my cohort


• Creation in her splendour (UK spelling!)

Check out photos on the flickr link to the right!    

Heads-up on Dust

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

And now we go to Janette on location in Edinburgh, Scotland....

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