Snuggling buddies....
Bitty says, "I turn my back on you."
"Look Ma, I is Asian too!"
"Look Daddy! I'm a Dulin!"
Jasper - 12 weeks old
7.23.2011
The Vietnamese Swallow Part 5
The link is: http://yensnead.blogspot.com/
7.19.2011
7.17.2011
Meet Jasper, the newest Dulin
At 11 weeks this little chocolate lab was infested with hundreds of flees, had a bloated tummy full of hook and round worms. He is suppose to be "chocolate" but his breeder left him outside all the time he's sorta red/strawberry blonde. They also gave him the cheapest brand food "Roy" -- and with very little nutrition to begin with, it all went to the worms. Poor little pup is only 9.1 lbs.
But thanks be to God to rescue him to now grow up to be a Dulin! Jasper is his name, but with those HUGE floppy ears, he may be occasionally referred to as "Dumbo."
The fleas are gone. The tummy is down to normal size, and the worms are suppose to be gone (gross). In addition, my sleep at nights are gone too for now :) And the vet says after a couple of weeks as a Dulin, he'll be a little "meatier" and less scrawny. We've already seen a difference in just the last 24 hours.
He's already enjoyed (and whimpered) car rides, a Panera experience, a summer night listening to the North Carolina Symphony live, and watching the Women's World Cup. WHEW! Life as a Dulin is tiring!
But thanks be to God to rescue him to now grow up to be a Dulin! Jasper is his name, but with those HUGE floppy ears, he may be occasionally referred to as "Dumbo."
The fleas are gone. The tummy is down to normal size, and the worms are suppose to be gone (gross). In addition, my sleep at nights are gone too for now :) And the vet says after a couple of weeks as a Dulin, he'll be a little "meatier" and less scrawny. We've already seen a difference in just the last 24 hours.
He's already enjoyed (and whimpered) car rides, a Panera experience, a summer night listening to the North Carolina Symphony live, and watching the Women's World Cup. WHEW! Life as a Dulin is tiring!
He's soooooooo cute!! See pics!
7.16.2011
What ARE the Dulins Up To?
Some exciting things are happening (God willing) for the Dulins.
1. Mr. Daniel Dulin has officially been accepted to Shepherd's Theological Seminary. He will begin this fall with one class to get his feet wet. Classes start late August. He will be pursuing a Master of Arts in Church Ministry with a concentration/major in Biblical Literature.
Although Danny will be attending class faithfully, taking notes accurately, reading all necessary textbooks fervently, passing all exams with flying colors, and writing papers with enthusiasm -- Jacqueline will also be "attending" seminary as well. She will be giving up much valued quality time with Danny and she will be prepared to wear the editor's hat when the paper assignments become due. I'm not sure if who you should pray more for -- Danny or me!
2. The Dulins are still actively looking for a dog.
Our hope is to adopt a lab in the 6 month to 18 month age range. And to do it before the summer ends....
3. HOLA! Como estas? -- Guatemala here we come!
The Dulins will be part of a short-term missions team headed to Guatemala October 22-29. In case you don't know, Guatemala is in Central America, beneath Mexico.
Our team consist of our fearless leader Andy Richardson and other friends of his.
We will be working with local churches and evangelists, whom Andy has known for a long time, to provide free dental clinics for people in poor areas, both urban and rural. The pastors and evangelists share the gospel with each person that comes to the clinic, while we provide the manpower and provisions for the dental clinic. We have both American and Guatemalan dentists on our team also. Because we partner with the local churches, the impact of the clinic lasts well beyond our departure back to the US.
More info to come and ways in which you can come along side us through prayer and financial support. We need funds for all the dental equipment costs and want to also leave a love offering to the two churches in Guatemala.
We had our first team meeting several weekends ago when we visited Andy and Diane for the 4th of July.
Although Danny will be attending class faithfully, taking notes accurately, reading all necessary textbooks fervently, passing all exams with flying colors, and writing papers with enthusiasm -- Jacqueline will also be "attending" seminary as well. She will be giving up much valued quality time with Danny and she will be prepared to wear the editor's hat when the paper assignments become due. I'm not sure if who you should pray more for -- Danny or me!
Our hope is to adopt a lab in the 6 month to 18 month age range. And to do it before the summer ends....
3. HOLA! Como estas? -- Guatemala here we come!The Dulins will be part of a short-term missions team headed to Guatemala October 22-29. In case you don't know, Guatemala is in Central America, beneath Mexico.
Our team consist of our fearless leader Andy Richardson and other friends of his.
We will be working with local churches and evangelists, whom Andy has known for a long time, to provide free dental clinics for people in poor areas, both urban and rural. The pastors and evangelists share the gospel with each person that comes to the clinic, while we provide the manpower and provisions for the dental clinic. We have both American and Guatemalan dentists on our team also. Because we partner with the local churches, the impact of the clinic lasts well beyond our departure back to the US.
More info to come and ways in which you can come along side us through prayer and financial support. We need funds for all the dental equipment costs and want to also leave a love offering to the two churches in Guatemala.
We had our first team meeting several weekends ago when we visited Andy and Diane for the 4th of July.
7.15.2011
Stop Your Excuses. Good is not Good Enough
Nothing is more exciting than ---- Fill in the blank. What's the answer for your life? How is God specifically making it happen? And if its not manifested in your life because of God -- why not?
I recently heard: "The opposite of great is good." Why? Why bother with 'great' if 'good' is good enough?
How do you live your life? What adventure are you pursuing because of God's calling and are you doing it with excellence? If you don't have an answer, then why bother?
Is going to church one day a week "good enough"? Is reading your Bible or praying occasionally "good enough"? Mediocrity is ugly. I've seen it in my life and if you're reading this, you have probably too.
"I am a good mother. I am a good wife. I am a good Christian." And you look like everyone around you who is "good" too.
Thank God He didn't think "good" was good enough when it came to redeeming us. Did Christ die on the cross so that our lives would reflect "good enough"?
Now get off your butt. And go be great because the Holy Spirit you got in you is no different than the Holy Spirit in the great saints of the past and present.
I recently heard: "The opposite of great is good." Why? Why bother with 'great' if 'good' is good enough?
How do you live your life? What adventure are you pursuing because of God's calling and are you doing it with excellence? If you don't have an answer, then why bother?
Is going to church one day a week "good enough"? Is reading your Bible or praying occasionally "good enough"? Mediocrity is ugly. I've seen it in my life and if you're reading this, you have probably too.
"I am a good mother. I am a good wife. I am a good Christian." And you look like everyone around you who is "good" too.
Thank God He didn't think "good" was good enough when it came to redeeming us. Did Christ die on the cross so that our lives would reflect "good enough"?
Now get off your butt. And go be great because the Holy Spirit you got in you is no different than the Holy Spirit in the great saints of the past and present.
7.13.2011
Is My Time in the South Effecting Me?
Danny and I saw the lyrics of this song on a bumper sticker the other day and we cracked up. Seriously, I don't know what to think of this.
I'm just pretty sure there's no way in hell my church would ever use this as a worship song.
I guess technically, this song is theologically correct?
I'm just pretty sure there's no way in hell my church would ever use this as a worship song.
I guess technically, this song is theologically correct?
7.12.2011
4th of July
We had a long over due visit with our friends Andy and Diane Richardson in Fairfax for the 4th of July weekend. It was a great long weekend of hanging out, good conversation, meeting their friends, and participating in their life, so to speak. Andy is the teaching pastor at Barcroft Bible Church (and was my youth pastor years and years and billion of light years ago). We also got to hang out with their kids, and oldest son Glen and his wife Lidia.
I also got to see Kristy and her hubby Mateo Rumbaugh while Danny had some good father-son time with Michael. We visited Immanuel that Sunday morning and it was a slightly strange experience because for the first time in my life, I felt like Immanuel was a "small" church. WEIRD! Speaking of Immanuel, Tuesday morning before we left we had breakfast with Joel and Cindy Benson. Again, good fellowship.
I tell you what. You can spend all the money you want on a fancy schmancy vacation -- and you will have a good time, no doubt. But nothing, nothing trumps the quality time you have with good lifelong friends. People who know your history -- who have been part of your history. People who care about what your future looks like. People who want to share their lives with you. No vacation package can buy those conversations and that kind of fellowship. No vacation package can give you the experience of spending time with people who live the Gospel out and challenge you to do the same.
Here are pictures of the cook-out at Andy and Diane's on the 4th. Danny and Glen were the piro-techs. Andy was the Orkin man purchasing many items to ensure we would not be eaten by gnats and mosquitoes.
I also got to see Kristy and her hubby Mateo Rumbaugh while Danny had some good father-son time with Michael. We visited Immanuel that Sunday morning and it was a slightly strange experience because for the first time in my life, I felt like Immanuel was a "small" church. WEIRD! Speaking of Immanuel, Tuesday morning before we left we had breakfast with Joel and Cindy Benson. Again, good fellowship.
I tell you what. You can spend all the money you want on a fancy schmancy vacation -- and you will have a good time, no doubt. But nothing, nothing trumps the quality time you have with good lifelong friends. People who know your history -- who have been part of your history. People who care about what your future looks like. People who want to share their lives with you. No vacation package can buy those conversations and that kind of fellowship. No vacation package can give you the experience of spending time with people who live the Gospel out and challenge you to do the same.
Here are pictures of the cook-out at Andy and Diane's on the 4th. Danny and Glen were the piro-techs. Andy was the Orkin man purchasing many items to ensure we would not be eaten by gnats and mosquitoes.
7.08.2011
Action vs. Waiting
As you might suspect, the Dulins are "rearing to go" kinda people.......
From another Fresh Start by Andy Richardson from June 30, 2011:
Sometimes we want to give up too soon. We don’t see results and discouragement has set in. The disciples felt this way too: “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything” (Luke 5:5). Nevertheless, they obeyed and let down their nets at the command of Jesus. It doesn’t matter that you are tired. What matters is whether or not you will continue to wait on the Lord faithfully.
The temptation during waiting times is to forget the good things God has done and to focus on the lack of action. He wants to turn your waiting into worship. Worship magnifies His greatness, not His indifference. God put it this way to His people: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Maybe God has you waiting right now, because He wants you to get to know Him better. He will tell you when to let your nets down into the waters... the fish are there. Meanwhile, use this delay to worship the Lord. Learn to be still.
- Ask for the patience you need to continue in faith today.
7.07.2011
The Dulin Fathers
Here are pics from Father's Day (after the baptism).
Was a good time of Dulins and of course, Lauren :)
7.06.2011
A Father's Day Testimony & Baptism
Danny was baptized on Father's Day. ( I realize we just had the 4th of July weekend. Told you I was behind on my blogging. Plus I was waiting to get the video from church.)
Anyway, Michael, Cory and one of their friends came. Danny's parents came. Two of our neighbors were there. Three of Danny's co-workers and their families were there. One of my docent friends and her hubby was there. And of course our friends and family from church. It was pretty awesome.
Never forget what God has done in your life. Never forget the miracle of Christ making Himself known to you. Never forget the power of your testimony is to bring glory to God and to show the world how Christ changes -- CHANGES lives. For if our lives are not changed and we do not live differently because of it, what's the point?
Anyway, Michael, Cory and one of their friends came. Danny's parents came. Two of our neighbors were there. Three of Danny's co-workers and their families were there. One of my docent friends and her hubby was there. And of course our friends and family from church. It was pretty awesome.
Never forget what God has done in your life. Never forget the miracle of Christ making Himself known to you. Never forget the power of your testimony is to bring glory to God and to show the world how Christ changes -- CHANGES lives. For if our lives are not changed and we do not live differently because of it, what's the point?
Here is the testimony and baptism of Danny Dulin on June 19, 2011.
Wish you could have been with us.
7.02.2011
Topsail: A Week at the Beach: Story #3 (part 3 - the finale!)
Danny did not get very far in his retelling of the conversation before Lauren returned. She seemed to be in a perfectly good place attitude-wise. This made me suspicious.
Danny retold his conversation by letting Lauren know that he told Male "friend" (Mf) nothing he said to him was going to be kept from Lauren. "I will be letting Lauren know exactly what we discussed and I suggest you let her know you are perfectly clear on what we discussed too."
Lauren and I listened intently as Danny revealed the details of his conversation. It went basically like this. Danny asked him what his intentions were and Mf admitted he was interested in dating Lauren. Danny said that this was not an acceptable option. He told him it was not personal but that since Mf was not a Christian he was not qualified to pursue Lauren. Furthermore, even if he was a Christian, he still needed to meet other criteria. Then in typical Danny style he explained that the man who could pursue Lauren must not only be a Christian, but that he must be a priest, prophet, provider and protector.
You can imagine poor Mf's face. "Huh?"
Danny would have explained:
1. Priest - the man is capable of going to Go on behalf of his wife
2. Prophet - the man is capable of going to his wife with God's Word
3. Provider - the man is capable of providing for his wife's physical needs (job)
4. Protector - the man is capable of protecting his wife from all harm - physical, spiritual, emotional, etc.
Well, knowing Danny that could not be the end of the conversation. Danny went on to explain the kind of man he use to be before he understood those principles. He went on to explain who he was before he was a Christian and proceeded to share his testimony. He explained being a Christian was not about being perfect and that was not what made any man worthy of Lauren.
Mf actually revealed that his older brother use to be "messed up" and became a Christian and that his older brother has talked to him about it too. Danny encouraged Mf to recognize that maybe God was not interested in him pursuing Lauren, but that God was pursuing Mf.
In the end, Mf asked if it would be okay to be friends with Lauren. Danny said it was fine but for Mf not to be confused about the fact that under NO circumstances would there be potential for anything else and that Mf was not to pursue Lauren in that manner.
When Danny finished talking it was obvious that my strong, protective husband was vulnerable. He had put himself in a place that could put a serious bump in his relationship with Lauren. I couldn't believe what just transpired and I looked at Lauren waiting for her response of....?
She looked Danny straight in the eye and said with relief, "Thank you, Danny."
We were stunned. Well, that certainly wasn't the response I was expecting. Tears welled up in Danny's eyes and he was so grateful.
"I tried to tell him," Lauren said. She had gotten in over her head. She had wanted the attention but did not really want the attention. She needed to be rescued. I would have never known had I tried to be mother and father.
Before it was all done, there was a group hug and we held hands as Danny prayed over us. As Danny prayed over this not-how-God-designed-blended-family.
And Mf? He texted a bit for a day or two. But before the week had passed, Lauren did not hear a peep from him.......
Yeah, Lauren's step Daddy did his job. And my heavenly Daddy did his too.
Danny retold his conversation by letting Lauren know that he told Male "friend" (Mf) nothing he said to him was going to be kept from Lauren. "I will be letting Lauren know exactly what we discussed and I suggest you let her know you are perfectly clear on what we discussed too."
Lauren and I listened intently as Danny revealed the details of his conversation. It went basically like this. Danny asked him what his intentions were and Mf admitted he was interested in dating Lauren. Danny said that this was not an acceptable option. He told him it was not personal but that since Mf was not a Christian he was not qualified to pursue Lauren. Furthermore, even if he was a Christian, he still needed to meet other criteria. Then in typical Danny style he explained that the man who could pursue Lauren must not only be a Christian, but that he must be a priest, prophet, provider and protector.
You can imagine poor Mf's face. "Huh?"
Danny would have explained:
1. Priest - the man is capable of going to Go on behalf of his wife
2. Prophet - the man is capable of going to his wife with God's Word
3. Provider - the man is capable of providing for his wife's physical needs (job)
4. Protector - the man is capable of protecting his wife from all harm - physical, spiritual, emotional, etc.
Well, knowing Danny that could not be the end of the conversation. Danny went on to explain the kind of man he use to be before he understood those principles. He went on to explain who he was before he was a Christian and proceeded to share his testimony. He explained being a Christian was not about being perfect and that was not what made any man worthy of Lauren.
Mf actually revealed that his older brother use to be "messed up" and became a Christian and that his older brother has talked to him about it too. Danny encouraged Mf to recognize that maybe God was not interested in him pursuing Lauren, but that God was pursuing Mf.
In the end, Mf asked if it would be okay to be friends with Lauren. Danny said it was fine but for Mf not to be confused about the fact that under NO circumstances would there be potential for anything else and that Mf was not to pursue Lauren in that manner.
When Danny finished talking it was obvious that my strong, protective husband was vulnerable. He had put himself in a place that could put a serious bump in his relationship with Lauren. I couldn't believe what just transpired and I looked at Lauren waiting for her response of....?
She looked Danny straight in the eye and said with relief, "Thank you, Danny."
We were stunned. Well, that certainly wasn't the response I was expecting. Tears welled up in Danny's eyes and he was so grateful.
"I tried to tell him," Lauren said. She had gotten in over her head. She had wanted the attention but did not really want the attention. She needed to be rescued. I would have never known had I tried to be mother and father.
Before it was all done, there was a group hug and we held hands as Danny prayed over us. As Danny prayed over this not-how-God-designed-blended-family.
And Mf? He texted a bit for a day or two. But before the week had passed, Lauren did not hear a peep from him.......
Yeah, Lauren's step Daddy did his job. And my heavenly Daddy did his too.
7.01.2011
Topsail: A Week at the Beach: Story #3 (part 2)
Lauren was in good spirits. Danny was calm. Jacqueline was suffering from internal bleeding because she had to continuously bite her tongue. And poor, poor Male "friend" as nice as he was, he was a bundle of nerves. At least I got to play hostess and "get to know you" questions. We learned about his family and what he did with his life as he and Lauren ate some sandwiches. Pleasantries were done and he changed into his suit and Danny firmly reminded Lauren of the parameters of where they needed to stay. And off they went to have fun on the beach.
By this time, I had the peace of God which transcends all understanding. There was such freedom and relief knowing Danny was dealing with all this. In fact, I began to enjoy the humor of Danny's "protector" instincts grow and grow with more aggression as the afternoon continued. Imagine if you will, the "folks" under the tent reading within full view of the youngsters frolicking in the water. Not to miss any action or be unclear about how he felt about the Male "friend", Danny watched them in plain view with his binoculars. Male "friend" had no illusions about privacy.
At one point as they were wading/floating in the waves, they began to slowly drift farther left from our site. I'm not sure it was intentional, but the distance was not within Danny's comfort and he got up and walked closer to the water and waved them in. Can you see it? His arm was clearing communicating, "Get back over HERE! NOW." There was immediate obedience on their part. Ah, yes, I was now simply enjoying the pure entertainment aspect of this situation. You just can't make this stuff up.
As the afternoon progressed, Danny I moved to the deck to read. He continued to occasionally observe with the binoculars (by the way he actually brought 2 sets of them with us to the beach). The youngsters finished with their water play settled themselves at our tent for the next hour and talked. As I observed time slip away, I wondered when Danny was going to have his time with Male "friend."
As I watched my daughter from a distance, my heart ached. It ached because I knew full well her struggle. I knew full well the power of that struggle. I knew full well that if this struggle was not brought under the management of God with clear understanding at a young age, it would lead to poor/sinful decisions that potentially change the coarse of your life in ways you cannot undo. My heart ached for my daughter because I had seen my own mistakes and knew women --- grown women in their 30's and 40's not deal with this struggle and destroy their marriages and go from man to man to man.
My heart ached for my daughter because this was a strong pull in her and it is something she must learn through God and not simply from me. I cannot punish or restrict or prohibit or do anything else to change her heart issues. Only God can do that. My heart ached because all her life I have prayed, "Dear God, please PLEASE don't let me screw up her life!" And now I was begging again, "Dear God, please PLEASE don't let her screw up her life!"
As the afternoon drew to a close, Danny finally went down to the couple. By this time I was inside watching from a window in our bedroom. I had fully removed myself from the situation, and when Lauren came in alone, she knew understood this situation was not in my hands. As she headed to the shower, I saw Danny sitting next to Male "friend" in a beach chair. Oh, to be a little crab in a hole in the sand close by! I could see hand gestures on my husband's part. I could see occasional nodding on Male "friend" 's part. I could also see he was not doing much of the talking. Poor boy, what had he gotten himself into? Was Lauren worth the "friendship"? I wondered if he thought this.
After a good 45 minutes or so, the men returned to the house with pleasant smiles. By this time, Lauren was changed and we exchanged our "Nice to meet you's." Lauren looked at Danny for permission to walk Male "friend" to his car to say good-bye. Danny gave permission and as they left, I turned to Danny, "Well? WELL? What did you say? What happened?!"
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