Off Again

Please Visist Our New Blog!

2009-12-01T21:05:00.003-05:00

Thank you for visiting! As I am now a mother of a toddler, I can no longer keep up with two blogs. I started http://www.babykunes.blogspot.com/ when our son was conceived, and since he's now the most popular person in our family, so is his blog. So from now on, I will use that blog for all of our family news, which, let's face it, is mostly about him anyway!

So check it out: http://www.babykunes.blogspot.com/

R.I.P. Cole Cottage

2009-04-04T14:26:00.002-05:00

Here's a picture of Cole Cottage that I found from our first trip ever to Nashotah House.

Cole Cottage Burns to the Ground

2009-04-03T10:17:00.002-05:00

Historic Cole Cottage, on the Nashotah House campus, burned to the ground last night. Thank God that Father Henery and his family moved out last year! Nobody was currently living there. It was a really old, cool house, but it really was in disrepair. We used it for our rumage sale this past Fall, just after the Henery's moved out. As you can see from the picture, it was a raging fire. They have not found the cause, yet. Thank God that the firemen contained it and it did not spread to any of the other buildings near it!

Congratulations Rob!

2009-01-16T10:44:00.003-05:00

Isn't this South Carolina Diocese flag the coolest ever! It was custom designed--the first of its kind--for us! Thank you so much to Rob's mom for arranging it all and giving it to us as a Christmas present. If you are interested in having one made for yourself, email me, and I will get you the details.

Congratulations to Rob who was recommended by the Commission on Ministry to be a Candidate for Holy Orders. This is a huge step in the process!

Zion Church, Oconomowoc, Wisconsin

2008-10-23T07:21:00.002-05:00

Praise God! We have a church! Since Rob is in his Middler year, he does his field parish study at a local church, which means we can stop church-hopping and get plugged in somewhere! Yay! We loved Zion Church from the moment we first attended last year, and thankfully Rob was placed here for his field study. He will be mentored by the Rector, Fr. Thad Butcher, serve in various ways on Sun. morning, and help in any way needed throughout the year. This church is full of the Holy Spirit and growing. Fr. Thad is an awesome preacher; I really learn a lot from his sermons. He actually has a connection to South Carolina, too! His daughter is married to the Rev. Iain Boyd, Assistant Rector of Trinity Church Myrtle Beach. It just feels so good to attend a church that is similar to our home church, St. Michael's Charleston. Check out Zion's website if you get a chance: http://zionpoint.org/index.htm

I know I say this in every post, but it's true--Rob is busier than ever these days. His work in the chapel along with his schoolwork is exhausting. In the next week his chapel work includes a matriculation, ordination, convocation, and a graduation. And yes, he still has classes and schoolwork on top of being a part of organizing all of that. It's during these times that the "f-word" gets thrown around a lot here. No, not the one that immediately comes to mind. Rather, formation, formation, formation. Around here it's got the same reputation as that other word, but it is poignant and true to life here. Rob will be more than prepared to serve as a parish priest (Robert as a P.K. and I as a P.W.). I mean really, could it get any crazier?

Thank you for your prayers!

Study, Daddy, Study!!

2008-09-16T20:43:00.002-05:00

Daddy is slowly but surely figuring out that it's not always either/or, it's sometimes both! You don't have to either be a daddy OR be a student, you can sometimes be both at the same time! This works until the baby wakes up and starts getting all wiggly. Somehow The Moral Vision of the New Testament doesn't make as much sense when holding a squirmy baby as it does when holding a sleeping baby! Thank God for grandmothers, though. "Nona" is here for a visit and ready to take Robert in any condition whatsoever!

School Has Started!

2008-09-03T07:04:00.002-05:00

Rob heads off to his second day of school this morning. Yesterday went well, and he seems excited about the new semester. He is taking the following classes:

Old Testament 1
Greek 3
Hebrew 1
Systematic Theology
Parish Ministry 2
Ethics and Moral Theology

He also continues his positions as Chapel Scholar and as a member of the chapel work crew. As I mentioned before, all students are members of some kind of work crew (outside, library, classrooms, chapel, etc.), and most students have some sort of scholarship position (Chapel Scholar, Choir Scholar, Dish Scholar Library Scholar, etc.). These positions, along with class, chapel services, Bible study, and other meetings and such that seem to pop up, keep Rob very busy during the days. His study/reading time doesn't usually start until after supper. And now, Rob has also to find time to spend with his new son, not to mention his wife! Please keep Rob in your prayers as he prioritizes and works out his schedule.

Baby, Baby, Baby

2008-08-03T21:31:00.003-05:00

For those of you who have been diligently checking this blog for updates, thank you! I'm posting to tell you that this summer has been all about baby, baby, baby. SO, at least until school starts and we have non-baby related news, check the baby blog for current news.

Thank You!

2008-05-16T12:58:00.002-05:00

Thank you so much for all of your prayers! We are all safe and sound at home. Rob's done with his exams. The weather is beautiful. God is good!
For more info. on our recent happenings, consult the baby blog (link to the right). I'll put the whole story there.
We love y'all!

Spring is in the Air

2008-04-27T11:05:00.009-05:00

It started gradually: a couple of warm days here and there, diminishing snow piles, once-needed layers of clothing remaining on the pegs, even a few days of shoes with no socks! And then, there were days when it was warm enough to open the windows to air out the musty, closed-up smell of the apartment. The dogs could lay out on the porch and bask in the sun with the door wide open. How refreshing!

And then, no more snow piles at all! That green grass was finally free. Yes, it remains green under all that snow, believe it or not. If I'm being honest, though, I have to admit that what also came out under all that snow was all the "stuff" that got snowed over: someone's old sweatshirt, old toys left on the lawn, some trash around the dumpster, bikes that got hit by the plow (oops!), lost sleds that didn't get taken in before the next snow, etc. So, there was definitely some cleaning up to do. But it got done, the picnic tables and fire pits are back out, and grilled meat is the most popular menu item any day of the week.

Sallie and Hazel are back to their favorite sport: swimming in the now-thawed lake. It's amazing to think that just a few weeks ago we were walking around on this lake with no fear of falling through the feet-thick ice. Sallie and Hazel didn't hesitate to dive right into the hypothermic water. We, however, will not be diving in anytime soon. It's too cold for even a big toe!

What I have loved most about Spring is watching the gradual awakening of the trees and flowers. It happens so fast in the South that we sometimes miss it. Here, as I walk to and from work each day, I notice the buds getting bigger and bigger on the trees. I get excited when I see the tiny leaves gradually poking out of the buds. Watching a tree unfold after a long winter is worth the wait. The bulbs in our garden have finally popped up and are budding. It's so beautiful! The "Spring" chapter in Thoreau's Walden never meant quite as much to me until now that I have experienced it for myself. It's funny that I never noticed it in New England, but I think I was too busy with school while we were there. It's such a blessing to have the leisure to see the beauty of Spring this year.

Three more weeks and counting until Rob's done with this semester--please keep praying!

P.S. Check out the Spring 2008 picture album in the column to the right under "Our Picture Albums"!

Crunch Time

2008-04-13T18:34:00.002-05:00

I feel safe to say that it's finally Spring here, and I owe you some pictures. We've had a lot of rain in the past few days, but it should clear up this week, and I'll post some NO SNOW pictures soon!
Rob and I recently had a great trip to Charleston, complete with a baby shower graciously hosted by the Kunes and the Myers. It was so wonderful to see all of our friends and family both from Charleston and those who came from out of town. It was really hard to say goodbye all over again and to know that we won't see many of them again until Christmas time. It's really weird to think that the next time we go to Charleston we will have a 5-month old baby with us. Wow!
As soon as we got back to Nashotah House, Rob entered the end of the semester season that I like to call Crunch Time. He's got about 5 weeks of presentations, papers, and exams left, not to mention his regular responsiblities in the Chapel and around campus. I'm trying to keep busy with work and baby preparation stuff, but I have to admit that with Rob in the library so much, it's getting a little lonely around here. We could definitely use some strong prayer for the next few weeks.
We love y'all!

Experiencing Nashotah

2008-03-15T08:40:00.011-05:00

I can't believe it's already been over a year since our first experience of Nashotah House at last year's Experience Nashotah. You can read all about that experience at the beginning of this blog. It was an amazing introduction to what would become our home. I spent a lot of time praying that this year's Experience Nashotah would be just as amazing for our visitors as it was for us, and I think it was! God was truly in charge as He pulled the community together despite fatigue and winter blues to welcome our guests with open arms. I am not saying this to pat us on the back but rather to give God the glory for what He did through our community. He is so alive here! Just when I think this community is in a real low valley place with sickness, fatigue, winter blues, negativity, etc., He lifts us up into a mountain place and refreshes us. The community was really lifted into that mountain place during this year's Experience Nashotah.

Rob and I (with all the other SC folks here) hosted a prospective student and his wife from Conway, SC. We enjoyed getting to know them, and all of us hope and pray that God is leading them to Nashotah House.

Of all the Nashotah House activities, the favorite is the talent show. Here are some video clips of the talent show. Check them out!

These first two clips are of seminarians who recently returned from a mission trip to Peru. You can learn more about their trip by visiting the Jackson Kemper Missionary Society blog.

1.) Peru Song A video clip of some of the seminarians and spouses who attended the mission trip singing a song they learned in Peru.

2.) "Future Star...the Mancub" The March 10th posting on a seminarian's blog. It's a video of the seminarian and his son rocking out to a song he learned in Peru.

3.) Plainsong Chant A brief clip of the Nashotah House choral scholars performing a unique plainsong chant of the library's general information on collections, information which is stated on the library's homepage. Unfortunately, this is only a clip and cuts off halfway through the chant. The whole thing was a complete riot! Last year they did a plainsong chant of the preface to the 1040 tax form, which was equally hilarious.

These are only a few clips of some of the skits. It was such a fun night!

I've been making a special point to pray for those who are discerning a call to the ministry and/or getting ready for seminary in the Fall. I invite you to join me in these prayers--that God will give them wisdom and guidance and give them peace as He works out all the details of their futures.

Squirrel Feeder

2008-02-18T18:55:00.004-05:00

I wish I could say that I have something more exciting to report than a squirrel on our bird feeder, but I don't. This was kind of a fun sight, though. Rob recently hung a bird feeder out back, and we've been feeding some really cool birds--like the one you see in the right hand corner of this picture. However, it seems we've also been feeding some acrobatic black squirrels. For those of you who haven't ever seen a black squirrel (I hadn't before we moved to Nashotah House), they are much larger than grey squirrels. The kids around here joke that the black squirrels here at Nashotah House are really the daytime embodiment of the infamous black monk, who is said to roam around our campus graveyard at night. While I'm not sure about all of that, I do agree that they are kind of creepy.

Rob is well into Easter term, now. He's been studying in the classrooms almost every school night. It's just too cold to use his office in our basement. Coldness is pretty much what's been going on around here lately. They say that this is one of the worst winters in Wisconsin, and I believe them. While the snow is beautiful, I have to admit that I'm quite over the cold weather. I'm sick of putting on a face mask every time I leave the house, and I'm especially sick of walking really slowly to avoid slipping on the ice, which would not be good at this stage in the pregnancy. I just want to break out into a full run through a grassy field, and by the time I can do that, I'll be too big to run very fast! At any rate, I am trying to stay positive about the weather and to enjoy the beauty of the snow. And believe me, there's plenty to enjoy.

May God bless you all!

P.S. I put some more snow/dog pictures up. Check out the link called "Snow and Dogs" under Our Picture Albums to the right.

Winter Break is Finally Over!

2008-01-26T14:27:00.000-05:00

I can't believe it's been a month since my last post. All of you loyal blog readers must be so annoyed! Though it was technically a winter "break," it hasn't been that much of a break for either of us. As I mentioned in my last posting, Rob's been busy in the chapel. For the past two weeks, he's also been taking a January term liturgy class. He had a lot of fun in this class, which may as well have been called "Dress Up and Play Church 101." Basically, the class was split into groups, and each group chose and compiled a special mass. Each group wrote a bulletin and choreographed the mass. Then, the class got together and practiced each mass. Rob's group did Candlemass, which is actually going to be celebrated next week with the whole community. Pictured above is Rob all decked out in a lace surplice that they found in the chapel attic. He was the thurifer for another group's mass. He's standing in the Cathedral Church of All Saints in Milwaukee, which is where they practiced one of the group's masses. I've never seen him in so much lace before, and frankly, it would be just fine if I never saw him in that much again! It's a little creepy if you ask me.

I got back on Monday from a visit with my family in Atlanta. I had a wonderful time seeing my sister and her family and my mom and dad. My niece and nephew are getting big so fast; it's hard only getting to see them once or twice a year. My nephew was excited that his Aunt Jewey has a baby in her tummy that will come out and "play wiff Ty." It may be time for a science lesson, though, because he can't seem to grasp how food goes in our tummies as well as babies. He asked my sister if Aunt Jewey ate the baby to get it in her tummy. He's a smart little 3-year old!

So we are finally ready to get back into the swing of a new semester. Classes start on Tuesday. Please keep Rob in your prayers as he starts his classes and begins to hunker down for another few months of academics. Please also pray that the Lord will warm both our hearts and bodies as we endure another few months of winter weather.

Thank you for all of your letters, phones calls, emails, financial support, and especially your prayers so far this year. We would not be here and could not make it if it were not for the power of the Holy Spirit working through our brothers and sisters to touch our lives. We love you and miss you dearly.

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-28T17:36:00.001-05:00

We made it through one semester! We are now well into Christmas break and loving it. We missed our family and friends on Christmas Day, but we managed to have a wonderful time nonetheless. We were invited to Christmas dinner with a family of 4 kids, so we had fun checking out their new toys. Thanks to our parents and the wonderful US postal service, we got plenty of gifts of our own to play with, too. We've been watching our new DVDs and playing games everyday. We didn't have fresh snow on Christmas Day, but it has been snowing all day today. We should get about 8 inches or so before tomorrow. We took the dogs out in it, but our camera needed recharging, so we didn't get any good pictures, yet. We'll go again tomorrow.

Just to really see who's checking this blog, we thought we'd make a little announcement and see if we get any responses. Our most treasured Christmas present came early. We found out the week before Thanksgiving that we are expecting a baby in July. I've decided to start a new blog entitled Baby Kunes to post all things baby-related. You'll see a link to it under Our Links to the right. If you want to read all about how the pregnancy is going, check that blog. I'm not promising lots of pictures until I start actually looking pregnant and not just chubby, which is how I look now!

We love you all and thank you for your prayers!

One More Week and Counting!

2007-12-16T20:29:00.000-05:00

Well, there has been more snow. Lots and lots of snow. I've lost count of how many inches there are on the ground right now--over a foot at least. It's truly beautiful here. Can you believe the size of the icicles on our building? They're like North Pole icicles or something! I took some pictures on my walk to work the other day, so check out the link called Winter 2007 on the bar to the right.

Rob is on his last week of work for the semester. Classes ended last week, and this week he'll be taking exams and finishing papers. We can't wait until all of the work is done because then we'll finally decorate for Christmas! I think this is the latest we've ever waited to put up a Christmas tree. We tried to play it off like we were just celebrating Advent and waiting until Christmas to celebrate Christmas, but really we have been just too busy to decorate. Rob will be done Friday, and I have all next week off, so the fun will really begin then. We can't wait to spend the week relaxing together. Maybe we'll finally get some good pictures of the dogs actually playing in the snow!

Happy Advent and Merry Christmas!

Our First Wisconsin Snow

2007-12-02T18:10:00.000-05:00

Yesterday was the Kunes' family first Wisconsin snowstorm. I think the hype leading up to the snowstorm was almost more exciting than the actual storm itself. The weather channels had been predicting snow of various amounts and consistencies for about a week. One would think that with all the cold weather and snow they get here the people of Wisconsin would be pretty laid back about a few inches of snow or even grumpy about the start of another winter, but they seemed pretty excited about it. I have to say, I was a bit disappointed. We got a few inches of snow, but I guess it was a bit too warm to get the predicted 1/2 inch of ice on top of the snow. I was looking forward to seeing that! I guess I'll have many more chances in the months to come.

Hazel was dying to get out in the snow. She whined at the back door until we let her go out on the patio to watch to snow come down. She really loves the snow. We'll take more pictures of her playing in the snow another time. In fact, by the end of winter, you'll probably get sick of all our snow pictures!

Pe-Snow Patio

Post-Snow Patio (See--just a few inches)

A Frenzy of Fall Fun

2007-11-11T10:18:00.000-05:00

I know we have been busy before, but I have to say that I cannot remember the last time that we've been this busy! The past three weeks have been absolutely nonstop. Don't get me wrong, though, it's a good busy. It's a busy that is the result of huge blessings.

I know I say this a lot, but I really can't say it enough. The community at Nashotah House is amazing! We have been in full swing this Fall. The weekend Rob went to the RICM retreat, the community had the annual Fall Festival. The picture above shows all of our cute children dressed up in their costumes. First, we had a carnival where each residential building created a booth for the children. Our building did a bean bag toss. There was also a face painting booth, a balloon animal booth, a nerf dart gun booth, and more. After the carnival, we had a big community cookout. Then, they loaded the kids up for a hayride around campus. They trick-or-treated at the faculty houses, and then, at the end of the hayride, they got out and trick-or-treated at the student houses. The evening ended with a big bonfire. What a fun day!

While I was gorging myself on candy all weekend, Rob was having an amazing time at the RICM retreat. He came home absolutely glowing with the Holy Spirit. He had wonderful things to say about Fr. Gary Delmasso and his wife, Judith, and their ministry. I was a little disappointed that I missed it, but I'm sure that his relationship with them will continue and that I will get to spend time with them, too. The weekend got him even more excited about starting an Order of St. Luke on campus. He spoke to Fr. McGlynn when he got back, and they scheduled the first meeting this coming Tuesday. Since that weekend, Rob has also been given the Dean's blessing to offer healing prayer after the Contemporary Service here at Nashotah House on Sundays. The Dean and others here on campus have been praying for a healing ministry to blossom, and Rob is so grateful for the awesome training he received at St. Michael's so that he can be a part of bringing it to Nashotah House. He is completely humbled and thankful that God has seen fit to use him in this way.

In the midst of all of this excitement, Rob finished his midterms, we hosted my parents the following weekend, we celebrated my 30th birthday, and Bishop Salmon and Fr. Dow Sanderson came to Nashotah for the Trustees meeting. They spoiled all the SC seminarians and spouses by taking us to Milwaukee for a fancy German dinner at Mader's. Wow! So, as you can see, we've been busy. I wouldn't trade any of it in for the world. However, now that things have begun to wind down this weekend, I'm playing catch-up. The dust bunnies under the table will be finally swept, the dogs will be washed, the bills will be paid, thank you notes will be written, food will be cooked (believe it or not but we've been living on leftovers from all the festivities for two weeks now), and last but not least, books that I started weeks ago will be joyfully read, and my feet will be propped up. And Rob will be writing papers, in case you were wondering.

I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full. John 10:10

Fall at Nashotah House

2007-10-21T17:45:00.001-05:00

Fall has officially arrived. Well, it's been here for a while, but the leaves are finally beginning to really change. Today was absolutely beautiful and quite warm actually, so I took a walk and snapped some pictures. You can see them if you click on "Fall 2007" under Our Picture Albums to the right. We are so blessed to live in such a unique and beautiful place.

Lately I have been overwhelmingly thankful to the Lord for taking such good care of us here at Nashotah House. We have a large circle of friends and are beginning to develop that special inner circle of friends that is so important. In particular, I have found a few women with whom I have much in common and can really connect. We have gotten beyond those trivial, "getting to know you" conversations and are really beginning to open up to each other. It is such an answered prayer to be forming friendships like this here. I am also overwhelmingly blessed by a Bible study that I'm in. We're using an Inductive Study of Colossians, by Kay Arthur. I love the way it makes me dig deeply into the Word, searching every nuance and meaning. The Lord is speaking to me so much in this study. It is by far the best Bible time that I've ever experienced.

Rob is still studying for midterms. He has moments of complete clarity and peace and moments of complete confusion and stress. It's hard to watch him go through the stress and to feel helpless, but the peaceful moments always come just when we need them. I've been so proud of his diligence and endurance. His faith is stronger than ever, and I know the Lord is blessing that. He has found some great friends with whom to study and to pray. He's actually going with some of them to a Renewal in Christ Ministries retreat next weekend, which should be awesome. Here's a link to their website: http://www.ricm.org/. He is also going to be helping to organize a chapter of The Order of St. Luke here at Nashotah House! He is so excited!

We're busy but blessed. Thank you so much for your continued prayer and support.

Comic Relief

2007-10-18T21:19:00.000-05:00

As I promised, this post was removed for posterity's sake. Feel free to email me if you missed it.

Son of the House

2007-10-16T20:05:00.000-05:00

It's official--Rob is now a "Son of the House." He made a Vow of Obligation to Nashotah House during Solemn Eucharist and Matriculation on Oct. 4. To give you an idea of the beauty and richness of the service, I'd like to share with you the exchange between Dean Munday and the matriculating students:

The Dean: You came to us as strangers and entered into our house; you have made your home with us and you have shared our life: Is it your desire to commit yourselves to this life and to join yourselves to us as members of this community?

Respose: It is.

Matriculating Students: In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. I hereby promise on my conscience and honor to obey during the term of my residence the Statutes and Regulations of Nashotah House; to submit myself respectfully to its authorities, and in general, to conduct myself as becomes a Christian, and if it be the case, a Candidate for Holy Orders.

The Dean: May the Holy Spirit guide and strengthen you, that in this as in all things you may do God's will in the service of the kingdom of his Christ.

After making the Vow of Obligation, each matriculating student signed the historic roll book of the seminary.

Matriculation followed a 3-day silent retreat here on campus. Classes were cancelled, and the seminarians attended several seminar lectures by an amazing speaker and man of God, Father David Bauman from Placentia, California. Though I had to work during his daytime lectures, I was able to attend his evening lectures. I'll get back to you another time about him; he was awesome! There were also opportunities for spiritual direction and confession during the silent retreat. It was a really peaceful time on campus. Fr. Bauman's sermon during matriculation was amazing. I really felt the Holy Spirit speaking through him, strengthening the community during that service and really during the whole retreat. A huge community dinner celebration followed matriculation. It was a special evening!

Rob's parents (and their dog, Maggie) just left today after a wonderful weekend visit. We took them to the Madison farmer's market--one of the biggest in the country. We bought cheese, cheese, and more cheese. Yum! We ate German food at the Golden Mast restaurant on Lake Okauchee. They took me shopping. They spoiled us rotten all weekend--it was great! Rob's got a Church History midterm tomorrow, two assignments in other classes, and a Greek quiz on Friday, so needless to say, he's off studying this evening.

Thank you for your prayers--we are so blessed. We miss y'all!

I love my job!

2007-10-04T15:51:00.000-05:00

Isn't it great to really enjoy your job? Doesn't it feel wonderful to jump for joy when you're at work? Some of you have been asking about my job and for photos so that you can have a mental picture when you think of me during the day. Here's a great one that really sums up my days here at the Nashotah House Library. I mean really, does it get any better than this?!

And we're off...

2007-09-16T19:45:00.001-05:00

We're starting the second full week of school, and we're already full spead ahead. We haven't even been back to the lake since the last post! Rob is busy trying to figure out how to manage such a busy schedule. The Middlers and Seniors have told us that it takes some time to figure out how to make it work for you--maybe even a whole semester. Basically, Rob has to figure out the best time to study in a schedule that looks like this (all required activities):
Morning Prayer and Eucharist/breakfast/classes/lunch/random meetings, choir practice, work scholarship duties, work crew/Evening Prayer.
Besides maybe an hour here or there, he's booked from 7:30-5:30 during the week. He's been trying to decide if it's best for him to study late at night or to get up early in the morning. He's also trying to decide if it's better for him to study in his office in our basement, in our living room, or in his study carrel at the library. On top of that, he's got to discern which of the thousands of pages of reading assignments in his classes are really actually required and which are merely suggested reading. Some professors seem to make it very clear while others seem to let you sweat it out. It's obvious that no functioning human could actually read all of the assignments. He'll get it all figured out in time. We would both appreciate your prayers in this area.

I have been busy at my new job IN THE LIBRARY! Many of you know that the position was my dream job here at Nashotah, and it was such a blessing to get it! I have loved every minute of it since I started a week and a half ago. I am the full-time library assistant. I'll be doing a little bit of everything around the library, which is great because I'll get to learn all of the ins and outs of library work--something that has always intrigued me. My favorite job so far is working on the reclassification project--from the Dewey Decimal System to the Library of Congress System. The library is in the final stages of this project and should be completely reclassified by the end of 2008. I also love working in what I like to call the book hospital, fixing books with fancy glue and tape and other cool book-fixing supplies. It's like arts and crafts, but instead of creating a piece of art, you're saving one. It's very fulfilling work. I'll bring my camera to work this week and post some pics of me in action at the library so that you can get a visual. Thank you so much for all of you who prayed for me about this job. Praise God!

Upper Nashotah Lake

2007-09-03T17:54:00.000-05:00

Now that we're all unpacked and relatively settled, we've been doing some exploring in this beautiful place. Nashotah House is located in an area of Wisconsin known as Lake Country. There are small lakes all around, and Nashotah House is situated on one called Upper Nashotah Lake. It's a private lake, meaning there are no public accesses. The seminary has a dock and a little beach. It's walking distance from our apartment, via either a trail through the woods behind our apartment or a stroll through the campus. The lake is spring fed, making the water crystal clear. It's cold, but on a warm day, it's perfectly refreshing. The dogs absolutely love it! I've attached some picture links and some video links on the bar to the right. Check them out! Tonight there is a movie on the lawn for the community. We're watching The Princess Bride. Tomorrow is the first day of school! We'll fill you in on all the details soon. Blessings!

Over the River and Through the...CORN! We're Here!

2007-09-01T15:19:00.000-05:00

I'm sitting in our living room in our apartment in Nashotah, Wisconsin. Despite the fact that we've been here for 2 1/2 weeks, it still feels completely and utterly surreal to us. Life 2 1/2 weeks ago seems like a lifetime ago. We are quite happy here, but we are just waiting for normalcy to set in. The move went so well; it really couldn't have gone any better. The drive was really beautiful. I drove our car and followed the Free's car/U-Haul trailer. It was scary watching the trailer swerve when we went through the mountains. I think at one point I prayed out loud for 30 minutes straight. God heard my prayers, and we had absolutely no car/highway mishaps! The longest part of the drive was mostly through corn fields, which I thought were absolutely, breathtakingly beautiful. Yes, I think I was alone on that thought. I was just so struck by the beauty of pure landscape as far as the eye could see. It was not only landscape, though. It was the fruit of someone's labor--miles and miles of it. I think if this whole seminary thing doesn't work out, I want to be a farmer. I wonder what God thinks about that?! We'll see. Anyway, the first picture is of my windshield view during the bulk of the trip. As you can see in the second picture, Hazel was not all that intrigued by the views out of any of the windows. The third picture is another view of the beautiful cornfields. If you look closely you can see the windmills. There were about 20 of them all together in the fields at one point. It was really cool! We arrived at Nashotah House at about 2:00 p.m. on Aug. 15. It was raining when we pulled up. Our first sight was our new neighbors, men, women and children, standing there with umbrellas, ready to help us unload. It still brings tears to my eyes! The rain stopped immediately, and people we had never even met started unloading the truck and the U-Haul trailer. Sallie Free and I just had to stand at our doors and direct traffic as to where everything should go. They had both households, the Free's and ours, unloaded within an hour. It was amazing. I just stood there, all choked up, watching these people carry my stuff into the house. It was a humbling experience to be ministered to in this way. All I could think was, "What can I do to give back? How can I repay them?" Then, someone said to me, "Welcome Home!" I realized that this is my new home and these people are my new family--my brothers and sisters in Christ. We are all the body of Christ here. He works through us, and it's not about working or repaying. It's about just letting the power of Christ work in us when it's time. That's what these people were doing. I just needed to relax and accept the love that was being given to me by Christ through these people. It was an amazing blessing. So we're here. We're all unpacked. The quick version is that we're getting to know our brothers and sisters here at Nashotah. There have been lots of picnics and bonfires. Last week was orientation. It was overwhelming. Classes start on Tuesday. Obviously there is a lot more to say, but I've been on the computer way too long on this beautiful day. The dogs are ready to go for a walk to the lake for a swim. I'll post again soon. We love you and miss you all!

Nashotah or Bust!

2007-08-01T08:21:00.000-05:00

The cassocks have arrived and they fit, so I guess it's time to head north! Only 12 more days until the final farewell. We pull out of Charleston on Monday morning, August 13. We are sharing a Penske truck and caravaning with the Free family. We load up on Friday, and the Frees load up on Saturday. We're taking Sunday off to go to church, to say goodbye to friends and family, and to just plain relax before the big road trip. We're going to take our time and travel on Monday and Tuesday and hopefully only a few hours on Wednesday so that we arrive fresh and ready to unpack.

The past few weeks have been filled with lots of fun and lots of stress--in pretty equal portions. We're taking it one day at a time, though, doing our best to trust in God and follow His lead. Please continue to pray for organized packing, low stress levels, and safe travels.

Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.
Proverbs 16:3

Countdown to Moving Day

2007-07-14T08:56:00.000-05:00

Rob and I are having a wonderful summer. We recently got back from a visit to Newnan, GA to visit my family. Our 2 year-old nephew, Ty, had a blast with his "Ooh (Uncle) Rob." He can say "uncle" but just decided "ooh" was much more effecient and/or fitting. They wrestled, ate ice pops, and fed the ducks all week long. It was such a blessing to get to spend a whole week with my family.

On the way home we stopped off in Sumter for the weekend as Rev. Hamilton Smith invited Rob to come and give his testimony at Holy Comforter (click on the link to hear it). It was Rob's first "sermon," and it was great. Hey, they can only get better from here, huh?! Seriously though, the Holy Spirit clearly spoke through Rob that morning because a few people came up to us afterwards to tell us how it touched their lives. Rob was so blessed by this opportunity. We also got to spend the night with Rev. Charlie Walton and his wife, Anne. We had a great time visiting with them. They are such wonderful people and great mentors to us.

It looks like the moving date is Aug. 13. We'll be sharing a Penske truck with the Free family from Holy Cross Sullivan's Island. If all goes as planned, we should arrive at Nashotah on the 15th. We've got 4 more weeks with our family and friends, and we plan to spend as much time with them as we can. We are excited to move, but the reality of leaving our family and friends behind is starting to hit us. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we navigate through these final weeks.

No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.
1 Corinthians 2:9

Our Soon-to-be New Home--"The Peaks"

2007-06-28T08:34:00.000-05:00

It's official--we will be living in an apartment at "The Peaks" (above) on the Nashotah House campus. We received our housing assignment in the mail this week, and we are very pleased with our new apartment. It will be practically identical to the one in which we stayed during our visit in March--the one in the pictures we posted. However, it's a two-bedroom! Since the assignments are based on need, and it's only the two of us (and the dogs), we never expected to get a two-bedroom. We are thrilled. For now we're thinking we'll use it as a study, but we hope that in the course of our three years there we'll actually need it as a bedroom! Keep up the prayers!

Our estimated arrival at Nashotah House is August 15, though we still need to make travel plans. Prayers, please! Orientation is August 27-31, so our goal is to get up there and get settled before all of that. I would also like to get up there as soon as possible to interview for a job in the library. Again, more prayers please.

I was excited to hear that spouses can attend as much of orientation as they want, and you can bet that I'll be there as much as I can. Rob's first day of school is September 4, and I think I'm even more excited that he is to get his syllabi and buy books. He already has two books that he must read before orientation: Life Together by Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Seeking God: The Way of St. Benedict by Esther de Waal. He's already read the Bonhoeffer book, and I've started it.

We are so excited about all that is to come. We have been blessed beyond measure thus far and can't wait to see what God has in store for us. I've been reading the Psalms lately, and this morning my reading ended with Psalm 27:14, "Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." There have been a lot of unknowns in my life this year, and I have learned what it truly means to wait for the Lord. He has reminded me so often that His plans are infinitely better than anything I can plan for myself. Over and over again He has given me patience to wait for what He has prepared for me. Thank you all for your continued prayers and support. God is good--all the time!

Stage One Moving Update

2007-05-28T10:40:00.000-05:00

We have made it over another hill in this journey to seminary. Stage One of the moving process is over. St. Michael's youth minister, Susie Morrison, is going to rent our house while we are in seminary. The lease to her current apartment is up at the end of May, and it was going to be very expensive to keep it for a few more months. It works out perfectly (Thanks be to God!) that she can stay with David Kunes' fiancée, Margaret, this summer until we move out and she can move in. Margaret's apartment is furnished, so all she needs is her bedroom furniture. To avoid the cost of storage, Rob and I cleaned out our back bedroom and garage to store the rest of Susie's furniture and belongings. This process took place last weekend, and the actual move took place this weekend. We got her bedroom furniture and clothes to Margaret's and all the rest to our house on Saturday. Everything worked out just fine. We had lots of people to help, nothing got broken, including the people helping, the couch fit through the door and into the back bedroom, and after just a tiny bit of drama, Susie and Bella, her cat, should be comfortably placed in their new room at Margaret's today. Thank you to Adam, Chris, Swain, and Reed for helping on Saturday. Thank you to all for your prayers.
God is so good. I am sometimes amazed at how beautifully everything has come together in the past few months. What should be a really stressful time has been pretty peaceful. God has given us so much patience! People ask us questions about details of the move and the next few years that we don't really have answers to, yet, and they look at us like we're crazy to be so calm about it. Every now and again I catch myself entertaining a bit of anxiety, but then I think about all that God has planned so perfectly for us thus far, and I am calm again. With me, everything is limited, but with God, everything is possible!

Stage One Moving Pics

2007-05-28T10:38:00.000-05:00

The garage/bedroom cleanout day was awesome! We organized everything and got rid of a lot, which will be very helpful when it's time for us to pack!
Hazel helped by remaining calm and NOT underfoot. It was really hard for her, as you can see.

Rob and Chris worked tirelessly to get all of Susie's furniture to fit in the UHaul so that we would only have to make one trip. If you look carefully in the picture you'll see a little helper on top of the furniture without whom they would never have succeeded. Little Reed could squeeze himself into the middle of the pile to rearrage small pieces so that they wouldn't have to keep taking everything out to readjust. It was amazing! Thank you Reed!

Prayer Thanksgivings and Requests

2007-05-13T06:58:00.000-05:00

As we mentioned in the letter to our St. Michael's family, we need the prayer support of our family and friends. While we ask for you to let God guide your prayers for us, we would also like to provide some particular prayers that are on our hearts. We will use our blog to communicate these requests to you. I have created a section in the column to the right called "Prayer Thanksgivings and Requests." We would love for you to email us if you find God speaking to you about a particular issue that is not included in our list.
Just as we ask you to pray for us, we want you to know that we are praying for you. As you read in the letter or perhaps on the Nashotah House website, Rob will be spending at least two hours a day in chapel as part of his daily schedule. When we were visiting, some of the other seminarians shared with us that they use some of that time to pray for the specific requests of their friends and family. Rob was so excited about this practice! We invite you to share your prayer requests with us via email so that we can support you just as you so graciously support us.

"I urge then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone." 1 Timothy 2:1

Letter to St. Michael's Family

2007-04-26T14:59:00.000-05:00

Below is a letter that we recently sent to several members of St. Michael's Church. We want to share it with all of our friends and family, so we thought we'd post it on our blog. Blessings!

Dear--,

As active members of St. Michael’s, you are familiar with the mission statement, “Called to Community, Transformed by Grace, Sent to Serve.” As with many of you, St. Michael’s has guided us through these steps to a full relationship with Jesus Christ. We now find ourselves at the last step, and God has made it clear how He wants us to serve. Rob is called to ordained ministry. This calling has been affirmed by a group of St. Michael’s parishioners and by the South Carolina Diocesan Commission on Ministry.

Rob will attend the Nashotah House, an Episcopal Theological Seminary in Nashotah, Wisconsin. We had the opportunity to visit the campus in early March. It is an incredible community. Imagine crossing a boarding school with the “intentional” lifestyle of a Benedictine monastery. The faculty, staff, and students live on campus with their families. Morning and Evening Prayer chapel services are required for all students Monday through Friday. Each seminarian is placed on a work crew that serves the campus community several hours a week. The “intentional” lifestyle is a balanced life of prayer, work, and study, which is designed to prepare seminarians and their families for parish ministry. Julie and I are communicating our experiences on a web log, which we hope you will visit often at www.kunesfamily.blogspot.com.

We are excited about the next three years of our lives. We know that they will be challenging, but we know that God has called us to this ministry and that His hand is guiding us. As members of our family at St. Michael’s, we hope that you will continue to walk with us on our journey. You can offer support in many ways, but we have two primary needs. We need prayer, and we need financial support. In addition to the weekly prayers that St. Michael’s offers for its seminarians, we hope that you will pray for our specific needs, which we will post and update frequently on our web log.

Nashotah House estimates that the annual expense of a family without children is between $40,000 and $45,000. This figure includes tuition, books, rent, utilities, health insurance, groceries, etc. However, there are many expenses not included in this budget. Some expenses are one-time costs, such as moving costs and a computer, and others are standard budget items for our family, such as veterinary bills and heartworm/flea medication.

The Diocese of South Carolina and St. Michael’s parish are providing some financial support. The Diocese of South Carolina has a seminary tuition fund that is shared by all of the seminarians. This year, our portion of the fund will provide some of the expense of our tuition. St. Michael’s has a seminarian fund, which will provide an additional part of our tuition. We will also lease our home, which will create some income, and Julie will work. Altogether, this support covers roughly half of the total annual expense. Thus, our estimated financial need for 2007 is $20,000.

If you feel led to support us financially, you may send checks directly to us, but we suggest you take the tax-deduction by sending them to St. Michael’s, care of the Seminarian Fund (do not write our names on the check). We are sending this letter to you because as fellow members of St. Michael’s, we consider you family. You have ministered to us in prayer, service, and fellowship. It is because of the way the Holy Spirit has worked through St. Michael’s to touch our lives that we are now transformed and sent to serve. Thank you for your continued support as we prepare for the service of ordained ministry.

Yours in Christ,

Rob and Julie Kunes

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Philippians 1:3-6

Nashotah House Community

2007-03-20T12:39:00.000-05:00

We are finally recovered from a great trip to Nashotah House. It was so amazing that I needed some time to process all of the wonderful experiences before writing about them in a somewhat legible way.
Besides seeing Rob in a cassock and surplice, I am most excited about being a part of the awesome community at Nashotah House. Before visiting "the House," as it is affectionately called by those who live there, I knew from reading the website and pamphlets that it was an "intentional community." I figured this meant that all students and families live on campus together. I had no idea how much more it really is than that. While visiting, I saw that the families don't just live next to each other. They become family to each other. Like many large families, the whole community eats together at a big dinner once a month. The seminarians eat breakfast and lunch together everyday, but everyone gets together on these nights. When we were there, we got to see their annual talent show, which really spoke volumes about how close they all are. The children put on dances together, sang, and played instruments. The seminarians put on hilarious skits, teasing each other just like siblings. Spouses sang and danced; one even sang opera with an accordion player who they hired just for the event. A seminarian and his little 3 year-old son played guitar and sang together. I wish I had a video of the whole thing. It was beautiful. All I could think while watching it (admittedly with tears in my eyes) was, "I cannot wait to be a part of this!" I know Rob was just as excited because at the end of the talent show, he leaned over and suggested a possible act for us to do next year. I guess we'll have a while to practice! As the talent show so clearly portrayed, these people really know each other. They see each other daily. They hang out with each other in the evenings and on the weekends. They take care of each other. They sometimes annoy each other. Their kids are friends. Basically, they "do life" together. I'm including a link (under Our Links to the right) to Nashotah House's picture blog so that all of you can get a glimpse into the community. I can't wait until you see our faces on that blog next year! More about our trip to come...

We're Back!

2007-03-14T12:44:00.000-05:00

We had a wonderful trip to Nashotah House last week. We were fairly certain that this was the seminary for us before we visited, and now we are completely convinced! I will write more about our experiences later, but I want to go ahead and post a link to the pictures (under Our Picture Albums to the right). I know many of you are excited to have a vision of where we will be living for the next three years. Thank you for your prayers. We were showered with blessings during our visit!

Upcoming Visit to Nashotah House

2007-02-24T10:49:00.000-05:00

Our visit to Nashotah House is all planned. We are leaving Charleston on Tuesday, March 6 and returning on Sunday, March 11. We found that it is about $600 cheaper to fly out of Atlanta, so we'll get to spend a little time with my family on Tues. and Sat. evenings.
We are so excited to see our soon-to-be new home and friends. I am especially excited to get a chance to try out the new winter gear that I've been purchasing. 'Tis the season to find great deals on winter clothes! Now, I just have to decide if I should wear the snow boots on the plane or just pack them. Decisions decisions....
Our next step on the road to seminary is to finish filling out all of the application materials, including the dreaded FAFSA. Most of you probably know what I'm talking about, and if you don't, you are blessed. We will also begin the process of raising money to support ourselves for the next three years. I will work, but Rob will be a full-time student. Please pray that God will continue to guide us in this process as He so clearly has thus far.
Stay tuned for pictures from the trip!

We're Off to the "Badger State"!

2007-02-08T06:46:00.000-05:00

We met with the Bishop yesterday, and he happily endorsed our interest in Nashotah House. God has definitely put Nashotah House on both of our hearts. We know it is God's will because why else would anyone be attracted to a place where the winters are regularly below zero? We are especially attracted to the close community of Nashotah House, as everyone lives on campus together. As Rob excitedly puts it, "It's going to be like boarding school all over again!" Our next step is to make preparations to attend Experience Nashotah, the seminary's open house weekend, in early March. Thank you for your prayers! We know that God is leading us every step of the way.

It's Official

2007-01-25T21:14:00.000-05:00

Rob received the official letter from the Bishop today. I was actually on my way out, in the car and everything, when I checked the mail. I saw a letter from the Diocese, turned the car around, and went inside to call Rob to see if I was allowed to open it. It reads,

Dear Robert,
With the advice of the Commission on Ministry, I am pleased to notify you that I have named you as a Postulant for Holy Orders, in the Diocese of South Carolina, effective January 18, 2007.
Faithfully Yours,
Edward L. Salmon, Jr.
Bishop of South Carolina XIII

We are even more excited, now! The next step is waiting for the Bishop to call and set up an interview to discuss seminaries. I know that it is only with God's help that Rob and I are able to be so patient. God has begun a good work in us, and we know that He will continue to affirm it. Praise God!

Blogger Debut

2007-01-22T13:03:00.000-05:00

Hello. My name is Julie. I am a "blogaholic." There--the truth is out. I am officially guilty of "blog stalking," if there is such an offense. It's hard to describe why I am so fascinated by blogs. If I'm honest, it is something akin to the sneaky satisfaction of finding your sister's diary, pages filled, lying face-open on her bed, no one around to catch your snooping. The difference with blogs, though, is that they are meant to be read. A blog is really no more than a creative way to communicate. It's more accessible than a picture album; it's more informative than a phone call; it's more colorful than an email; it's cheaper than a letter; and it doesn't have to last as long as a visit. It's perfect, especially for long distance communication. And that's exactly why I've crossed over from a blog stalker to an official blogger. Believe it or not, the Kunes family is OFF AGAIN!!!!

More information will be forthcoming...