The Dulin Files: Year Two


We treat Lauren to dinner the night before -- SUSHI!

Last Friday, Lauren returned to UNC for her 2nd year. It was with little fanfare (unlike last year) and the logistics all went so smoothly it felt pretty uneventful. In about two hours, we were able to unload, unpack and organize her stuff and we were gone.

Her "home" this year is a considerable upgrade from last year's dorm room -- same layout but newer: fully air-conditioned, nice bathrooms, great views from her window and balcony. Her new roomate Elizabeth was not there (but had already moved in). We continue to pray that Elizabeth might be a Christian; as of now her similar "lifestyle" to Lauren's is something we are very grateful for. We did notice a book she is reading titled: "God's Promises for the Graduate."

Lauren is also excited about her suitemates two of whom she knew and one she was pretty good friends with. From what we heard, its quite the "diverse" suite even with a Vietnamese girl too!! :)

After unpacking, we all held hands and Danny prayed over Lauren. There were sweet hugs and off we went. Danny and I were looking forward to our "empty nesting" again. It has been a challenging summer with Lauren. That's not to say she was always challenging. I have struggled in my methods of parenting for sure -- parenting adult children who are still dependent on you is by far the most difficult "phase" of parenting I have experienced. Thank God Danny is doing most of it for me!

I found myself surprisingly sad or bittersweet as we drove home. The idea that my impact, influence, and the need for me in Lauren's life continues to slip away and I know its suppose to be that way or rather those things "shift." I struggle with thinking, remembering all the ways I have failed my daughter, even as recent as this past summer.

Please pray for my Lauren. Pray for her to not only hear the truth regularly but to live it. Pray for her to live out the Gospel daily whether studying, hanging with friends, or whatever. It is a big, scary, ugly, mean, broken, destructive world out there and Satan would not have it any other way. Pray that I remember He who is in her is greater than he who is in the world......