Sunday, March 1, 2020

Big News from the Kunkel Family


We have some very exciting news! Many of you have known that we have been in the process of adoption for about two years. Well a few weeks ago we got the phone call we had been waiting for and they presented us with a sweet little girl named, Jimena Sofia. They shared about her story and what she has been through. They shared her age and physical condition which is all good. She is almost 3 years old.

They gave us 10 days to think and pray about it but we knew pretty quick that this was the little girl God had for us. We called them back within two days and said we wanted to proceed.

 This past Friday we got to meet her for the first time. This was our first time meeting her.



She likes to read books and play. So far she has been fairly timid with us. Today she began to show more of her personality. They have told us that she is spunky and very active.


This is the little bed and lavender girl room Jennifer has always dreamed of having!







She seemed to warm up pretty quick with boys. They told us she does not usually connect with people so quickly so we are very grateful!





She enjoyed my sunglasses today.

This Wednesday she will come home with us! We are very excited but also nervous for the transition and praying that she will connect and adjust quickly.

Would you pray with us for this transition?

Also there are a few financials needs that we wanted to share:

  • One time financial needs for bed, clothes, car seat, booster chair, etc. She will also have a lot of different needs for government paperwork etc. in the near future. All this adds up to about $1,000.
  • We will also have some ongoing financial needs with adding another child. This will be about $200 a month.
Thanks for your prayers and support! You can give here and mark as Kunkel Support.

Thank You!


Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Family Trip Stateside

From end of November until the middle of January we were in the US visiting with family and friends. Here are a bunch of pics from our time. It was a good visit but hard to leave behind our son!

 We had a few times of getting together families. These are all the cousins on Jennifer's side.
 These are the cousins on Ben's side.
Mama Jane got lots of snuggle time with Grace, well at least as much as Grace permits.


We tried to take advantage of the nicer days and visit the park. (No parks or libraries in Guatemala so we always make good use of those while visiting)

 Spending some time with these crazies! Taylor and addison my brothers girls.

We spent some time in VA with our friends Kim and also Tom and Cindy (which I apparently did not get any pics of) and many others.


This is us with Allison who interned with us and has become like a daughter.


The boys got some snow to play in. We built igloos, snowmen and went sledding.



Graces' first birthday party. We did not get many good pics.



Of course the boys had to see star wars. We got to meet some friends from Guatemala in Ft Wayne and watch it together and was a good time!


Tony and Janet with Grace



Christmas with Ben's side of the family...never a dull moment.





Levi's new ride.


We were happy that my aunt and uncle came for a visit from OH. Also Aunt Celeste and Uncle Dan came to visit but we did not apparently get any pics of their visit.


 We were able to get away as a family for a few nights to an indoor waterpark. It was fun!



Last snuggles with Uncle matt and mama



Grandma with her grandkids

Packing up to head back.


Levi getting his last snuggles with Grace. We miss him and it has been challenging.

Monday, December 23, 2019

Immanuel: God with Us!

Isaiah 7:14 says, "All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign. Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel (which means ‘God is with us’)."

What an incredible thought that God came to earth to dwell among us, to be with us. This is an impossible thought to comprehend completely, but we should spend some time this season pondering this just as Mary did. What does this mean and how can and should this change us?

The creator of all we see, came to live among us. He came to experience all we experience, to love us and give his life for us. It is hard for me to fathom this kind of love, to understand the father's love that he would send his Son to live in this sinful world and not just live here but become sin for you and me so that we could live in freedom.

It is easy for me to think about and meditate on, but more difficult to follow this example but this is exactly what God calls us to as we meditate on Jesus birth. Meditation should lead to worship and action. God calls us to be sent just as Jesus was sent. (John 20:21) We are to go just as Jesus came. He set aside his rights and privileges to come and be with us and serve us. (Phil 2:7)

So who is it in your world this Christmas season that you are to "be with" and serve? Be careful to not get caught up doing and forget to be. This is what God is teaching me. Be present, love, serve. Immanuel, God with us!

Kunkel Family Pics December 2019

We are grateful to Jessica Ulery, Jennifer's cousin for taking these pics. See them below: