And Megan turned 19 on June 12 ...
Birthday cakes:
Sunday, July 4, 2010
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Father's Day
"What's your favorite thing about Dad?"
Lydia: "That he takes us to see deehr and wabbits."
Ben: "When he takes me on dates."
Joey, Matthew, and Daniel: "He takes us hunting."
Robbie: "He spends a lot of time with us."
Megan: "When he does Bible studies and preaches."
Mom: "All of the above!!!" (With three exclamation points, of course. :)
Picture from last night and today:
Lydia: "That he takes us to see deehr and wabbits."
Ben: "When he takes me on dates."
Joey, Matthew, and Daniel: "He takes us hunting."
Robbie: "He spends a lot of time with us."
Megan: "When he does Bible studies and preaches."
Mom: "All of the above!!!" (With three exclamation points, of course. :)
Picture from last night and today:
Friday, May 28, 2010
Piano Recital
Some of you may have already seen these videos or were at the recital, but I figured I'd put 'em on here anyways. :) This was my fourth student piano recital, and there were 20 of us who played. :)
Joey played 'Malaguena' and 'Camptown Races', by Stephen Foster.
Matthew played 'Jesus Loves Me', arranged by Faye Lopez, and 'Loch Lomond'.
Emily played 'Trumpet Tune', by Henry Purcell, and 'Puck', by Edvard Grieg. Mom said she's really glad that recital's over so she doesn't have to hear Puck banged out constantly! ;-)
Daniel played 'Flight of the Bumblebees' by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Daniel played this music for the first time 22 days before the recital - he seriously spent hours working on this piece.
Then Robbie and I played C.S. Theme and Variations, by Randall Compton. I heard this piece while I was at music camp last year, and I knew I had to get the music so Robbie and I could play it. :)
Joey played 'Malaguena' and 'Camptown Races', by Stephen Foster.
Matthew played 'Jesus Loves Me', arranged by Faye Lopez, and 'Loch Lomond'.
Emily played 'Trumpet Tune', by Henry Purcell, and 'Puck', by Edvard Grieg. Mom said she's really glad that recital's over so she doesn't have to hear Puck banged out constantly! ;-)
Daniel played 'Flight of the Bumblebees' by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov. Daniel played this music for the first time 22 days before the recital - he seriously spent hours working on this piece.
Then Robbie and I played C.S. Theme and Variations, by Randall Compton. I heard this piece while I was at music camp last year, and I knew I had to get the music so Robbie and I could play it. :)
Thursday, May 27, 2010
New day, new mercies!
Today turned out to be pretty exciting! I had my heart check up with the Dr. who did my ASD closure it's been 7 months. They did an ultra sound and an EKG to make sure there were no problems, no leaks or overflows, and all looks good! Their is now scar tissue surrounding the amplatzer forming a good seal.
Before my surgery my right side of my heart was enlarged. Usually when they seal a hole in a child's heart as they grow their heart adapts and gets back to normal rather quickly. They didn't think this would happen to me because I'm done growing and changing. However, by the grace of God, mine has gone back to normal! The Dr. was very impressed! ;-) This is very good news!
I'm down to 4 symptoms now, migraines, chest pain, dizziness, and fluttering, but they all seem to be gradually getting better with time for which I am so grateful for! So I'm excited to see what the next 6 months will bring!
It is so humbling being in a children's hospital. I can only pray for those who I see are bearing far worse hardships and greater trials. It breaks my heart to see so many children suffer and I pray that God will use such things to bring them closer to His Word and to saving faith. I don't have any idea how we would have made it through this without Him!
So thank you Jesus for each new day! God has done and is doing amazing things!
Lamentations 3:22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end;
2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
Before my surgery my right side of my heart was enlarged. Usually when they seal a hole in a child's heart as they grow their heart adapts and gets back to normal rather quickly. They didn't think this would happen to me because I'm done growing and changing. However, by the grace of God, mine has gone back to normal! The Dr. was very impressed! ;-) This is very good news!
I'm down to 4 symptoms now, migraines, chest pain, dizziness, and fluttering, but they all seem to be gradually getting better with time for which I am so grateful for! So I'm excited to see what the next 6 months will bring!
It is so humbling being in a children's hospital. I can only pray for those who I see are bearing far worse hardships and greater trials. It breaks my heart to see so many children suffer and I pray that God will use such things to bring them closer to His Word and to saving faith. I don't have any idea how we would have made it through this without Him!
So thank you Jesus for each new day! God has done and is doing amazing things!
Lamentations 3:22 The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; His mercies never come to an end;
2 Corinthians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
Friday, May 21, 2010
Urgent!
This past week friends of ours buried their 23 year old son. He collided with a pedestrian on a bike. He left this earth with an incredible testimony for knowing and living for Jesus Christ. What peace it brings to know that a sweet reunion is in their future! His family has strong hope and faith that brings a peace that passes all understanding.
So it causes me to be a bit bolder, more serious in my witness. I refuse to feel guilty for sharing such truth about salvation, and what the Bible really says about how to get to heaven. I can no longer tolerate the ache in my stomach when I hear of someone professing to go to heaven, but are not living a life evident of a relationship with Jesus Christ. I can't stand it when a church will spread lies from Satan himself that contradicts what the Bible says is true. Though I know that everyone is accountable to read God's Word, examine themselves that they be in the faith, I do not want to stand before God with regret that I should have told someone the truth that He directly put in my path to do so.
Matthew 7:13-23 "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
"For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
"Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves.
"You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?
"So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit.
"A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.
"Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire.
"Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
"On that day many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?'
"And then will I declare to them, 'I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.'
Even Satan 'believes' in Christ. James 2:10 "For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all." If you are in a church that teaches any deviance from the Bible - get out! Find a Bible believing church that believes all of God's Word is true, teaches it and lives by it. 2 Timothy 3:16 "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
So it's out of love that I will continue to stand for truth. I am ever grateful for those who shared it with me! I will take a cold shoulder, blatant persecution, if it will help save a soul from hell. Please take the little bit of time to watch this video. It's not me speaking, but it comes from my heart! Life is way too short not to tell everyone you love, everyone, the truth!
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Church
Dad started a church on May 16th. We were renting a vacant church building that was part of the underground railroad. It's small and antiquish! We love hearing Dad preach!
~Emily
This is Ben and Lydia sitting in the bay window at the church building
<
We passed out flags at the 4th of July parade, thanks to our good friends who helped us make them!
In September we are moving to a new, permanent building in town, right off the main highway, and will be able to meet during the week as well. Jeff has a heart to reach and disciple men. He is starting a M.I.T. (Men In Training) program working with teenage boys, their dads or other men, and discipling them. One man already got saved so we're excited to see what the Lord will do!
~Karen
~Emily
This is Ben and Lydia sitting in the bay window at the church building
<
We passed out flags at the 4th of July parade, thanks to our good friends who helped us make them!
In September we are moving to a new, permanent building in town, right off the main highway, and will be able to meet during the week as well. Jeff has a heart to reach and disciple men. He is starting a M.I.T. (Men In Training) program working with teenage boys, their dads or other men, and discipling them. One man already got saved so we're excited to see what the Lord will do!
~Karen
Monday, May 10, 2010
Ben's Birthday!
Ben turned 5 on April 11! That means we're only one month behind in posting birthdays, here. :P
We made an alligator cake for his birthday party, and then cupcakes for the actual day. Ben and Lydia did the decorating - they had so much fun! I honestly think they ate more candy then they put on the cupcakes ... and by the time we were done, they both had smidges of blue, yellow, and green frosting from head to foot!
Love you, Benny boy!!
We made an alligator cake for his birthday party, and then cupcakes for the actual day. Ben and Lydia did the decorating - they had so much fun! I honestly think they ate more candy then they put on the cupcakes ... and by the time we were done, they both had smidges of blue, yellow, and green frosting from head to foot!
Love you, Benny boy!!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
6 Months
Jeff will often say to me, "Guess what we were doing 26 years ago today?" of course I never have any idea, but he can usually rouse my memory by his accurate details, and delight my heart with a wonderful memory.
However I do remember 6 months ago today, and this marks the day I had my ASD closure. It's been one of the most trying times of my life, only bearable because God was so evident. I'm really not one to dwell much in the past, and I get teary if I think too much about it. I don't understand how or why I am even alive, but I am ever so thankful and to God be the glory! God protected me before anyone else on earth even knew I had a hole in my heart. No one else even knew to pray, it was God alone.
I wonder how I could have ever kissed all my children goodbye, not knowing if I would ever see them again, as Jeff rushed me to the ER 90 miles an hour. Had to do that 5 times. I would not want to relive any of those moments again, the pain and heartache seemed too much at times, but I never felt He wasn't with me.
But just in the past couple of weeks I was put on a new medicine and I am so happy to announce that I feel good! Not great, not quite back to normal, but not in pain from my chest or migraines. And I haven't lost my vision in 6 weeks so I think that is behind me - praise the Lord!
We have gone back to singing at the piano at night, whistling and lights don't bother me so much, and I feel like I can function better and be a better wife and mother. It's amazing, and I never want to take for granted or miss a moment that God has given me! My heart is full to overflowing with thanksgiving and praises, and appreciation for all the ways we have been ministered to by His people!
So I will continue to trust, continue to praise, and continue to serve the Great Jehovah, creator of heaven and earth, you and me, as long as He allows! Rejoicing in every day!
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
John 16:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
John 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
Act 2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore.
However I do remember 6 months ago today, and this marks the day I had my ASD closure. It's been one of the most trying times of my life, only bearable because God was so evident. I'm really not one to dwell much in the past, and I get teary if I think too much about it. I don't understand how or why I am even alive, but I am ever so thankful and to God be the glory! God protected me before anyone else on earth even knew I had a hole in my heart. No one else even knew to pray, it was God alone.
I wonder how I could have ever kissed all my children goodbye, not knowing if I would ever see them again, as Jeff rushed me to the ER 90 miles an hour. Had to do that 5 times. I would not want to relive any of those moments again, the pain and heartache seemed too much at times, but I never felt He wasn't with me.
But just in the past couple of weeks I was put on a new medicine and I am so happy to announce that I feel good! Not great, not quite back to normal, but not in pain from my chest or migraines. And I haven't lost my vision in 6 weeks so I think that is behind me - praise the Lord!
We have gone back to singing at the piano at night, whistling and lights don't bother me so much, and I feel like I can function better and be a better wife and mother. It's amazing, and I never want to take for granted or miss a moment that God has given me! My heart is full to overflowing with thanksgiving and praises, and appreciation for all the ways we have been ministered to by His people!
So I will continue to trust, continue to praise, and continue to serve the Great Jehovah, creator of heaven and earth, you and me, as long as He allows! Rejoicing in every day!
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ's sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
John 16:20 Verily, verily, I say unto you, That ye shall weep and lament, but the world shall rejoice: and ye shall be sorrowful, but your sorrow shall be turned into joy.
John 16:22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.
Act 2:26 Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
1 Thessalonians 5:16 Rejoice evermore.
Arbor Week
We had a family project of planting trees. It was Dad's planning, but we all participated in the planting process. We had an automatic post hole digger so that was a huge help! He is 16 and runs on food! Robbie dug all the holes and everyone else helped in the process of planting, screening and mulching. It took us 9 days. We had so much fun! Emily was saying how much fun it's going to be to play hide and seek in these trees. Mom said, "Oh, honey, your children will play hide and seek in these trees!" Robbie said how neat it will be to show their children that they planted these trees when they were knee high, "That was back when we could walk!". We talked and laughed, shared jokes and stories, moaned, made great memories, and as a family worked together to accomplished a huge task.
Then we all got poison ivy from the mulch we put around the trees. And on top of that, Ben got the Chicken Pox, again. He had them when he was 8 or 9 months old, but just a mild case. When a friend called mom a couple of weeks ago apologizing for exposing us to it we thought nothing of it, "No worries, we've all had them!". But his spots were very different from the poison ivy the rest of us had, and it was exactly 2 weeks after his exposure. Our counter has held an array of every itch remedy imaginable!
Part of the 363 trees:
The two cherry trees:
The peach tree over 6' tall:
The fruit trees we planted 2 years ago.
Then we all got poison ivy from the mulch we put around the trees. And on top of that, Ben got the Chicken Pox, again. He had them when he was 8 or 9 months old, but just a mild case. When a friend called mom a couple of weeks ago apologizing for exposing us to it we thought nothing of it, "No worries, we've all had them!". But his spots were very different from the poison ivy the rest of us had, and it was exactly 2 weeks after his exposure. Our counter has held an array of every itch remedy imaginable!
Part of the 363 trees:
The two cherry trees:
The peach tree over 6' tall:
The fruit trees we planted 2 years ago.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Lydia Faith
Megan writing here ...
I spent about 45 minutes of uninterrupted time with my 2-year-old sister yesterday. I hadn't done that in a while. It was fun, though. We played with my rabbit for awhile, then we went over to the swing set. She comes up with the funniest things.
"I don't yike (like) it when people come ovuh (over) and play basketball. They should go inside.... But wabbits don't have any hands to play basketball."
Why she cares if people came over to play basketball I haven't the slightest idea. :)
"Can we go to my fwing now?"
I tried to get her to pronounce 'swing' for a few minutes but apparently she liked 'fwing' better. So we went over to the 'fwing' and ... 'fwung'?
Lydia: "Can you fwing on you's belly?"
Me: "Nope."
Lydia: "Is it too hard?"
Me: "I'm too big."
Lydia: "Oh."
~~~
I never got around to actually finishing this blog post the day it happened, so here's a bit more to add to it. :)
~~~
Last week:
Lydia: "Can I take my baby outside?"
Mom: "Sure."
Lydia: "I appreciate you."
~~~
Today:
Lydia: "So, how are you doin'?"
Me: "I'm doin' good; how are you doin'?
Lydia: *sweet little grin* "I'm doin' better!"
I spent about 45 minutes of uninterrupted time with my 2-year-old sister yesterday. I hadn't done that in a while. It was fun, though. We played with my rabbit for awhile, then we went over to the swing set. She comes up with the funniest things.
"I don't yike (like) it when people come ovuh (over) and play basketball. They should go inside.... But wabbits don't have any hands to play basketball."
Why she cares if people came over to play basketball I haven't the slightest idea. :)
"Can we go to my fwing now?"
I tried to get her to pronounce 'swing' for a few minutes but apparently she liked 'fwing' better. So we went over to the 'fwing' and ... 'fwung'?
Lydia: "Can you fwing on you's belly?"
Me: "Nope."
Lydia: "Is it too hard?"
Me: "I'm too big."
Lydia: "Oh."
~~~
I never got around to actually finishing this blog post the day it happened, so here's a bit more to add to it. :)
~~~
Last week:
Lydia: "Can I take my baby outside?"
Mom: "Sure."
Lydia: "I appreciate you."
~~~
Today:
Lydia: "So, how are you doin'?"
Me: "I'm doin' good; how are you doin'?
Lydia: *sweet little grin* "I'm doin' better!"
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Joey's Birthday!
Joey turned 7 a couple of weeks ago!
Joey's favorite sweatshirt says "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" ... and he certainly is! Joey loves practicing piano and playing outside. He also loves reading and playing outside with his brothers. We love you Joe-man!
Joey's favorite sweatshirt says "I am fearfully and wonderfully made" ... and he certainly is! Joey loves practicing piano and playing outside. He also loves reading and playing outside with his brothers. We love you Joe-man!
The Eye's have it
20 children and three mothers congregated in the Kunkel family's garage armed with scalpels and hand wipes. The object - dissect a bunch of cows eyes, and hopefully learn something in the process.
To read Megan's more detailed account of the dissection go here.
I LOVE Emily's face here! :P
To read Megan's more detailed account of the dissection go here.
I LOVE Emily's face here! :P
Wednesday, April 7, 2010
This blog needs heeeeelp ....
Look, people, I'm just hoping to get up pictures from Joey's birthday before Ben's this weekend, 'kay?
Pictures I have galore, but getting them on this blog seems to be a bit of an issue. So here's a few from the 600 I snapped this weekend (no, I'm not kidding)
Happy Wednesday!
Megan
Look, people, I'm just hoping to get up pictures from Joey's birthday before Ben's this weekend, 'kay?
Pictures I have galore, but getting them on this blog seems to be a bit of an issue. So here's a few from the 600 I snapped this weekend (no, I'm not kidding)
Happy Wednesday!
Megan
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