No Actors Need Apply

I am yet in another film. This time not as the token Asian female, but as the woman serving alongside my husband, the lunch lady. There was no make-up or acting involved. The Raleigh Rescue Mission (RRM) has a small series of videos on their website spotlighting their work and individuals whose lives have been changed. Danny and I are briefly seen as Mr. and Mrs. Every-Other-Tuesday-Lunch-Man-and-Lunch-Lady.

Let me be perfectly clear: we are CRAZY PASSIONATE about what RRM does. It has far blessed us more than we could bless them. Serving along side my Danny has affirmed for me God's plan for our (and any) marriage to work as a ministry team. But this kind of serving is easy and obvious. I can see God little by little training us and using us as The Dulins and not just incredibly gorgeous, gifted Jacqueline by herself (shocking!!).

The training is not in the slopping of food on the plates or drying the dishes or wiping down the counters. The training is following my husband's lead as he provides a safe environment for me to engage and serve others. His friendly banter with staff and residents loves them well as he slops the food. "Oh, hey there! Now I know you want the meat; you always like the meat." He takes every opportunity to remember them and not just see them as a mass of people going thru the line. He takes opportunity to praise me in front of them and allows a safe opportunity for me to engage in conversation with them, where if I was the "lone female" I might have to be cautious and reserved.

I can see it on their faces when we show up for our two measley Tuesdays a month. They don't light up because of me, they smile because there is that warm-love-you-where-you-are-guy-Danny. And there's definitely no acting involved here.

CLICK HERE TO SEE THE VIDEO!
(don't blink, you might miss us!)

4220 Lucy Long Drive

Maybe you know someone who is dying to move to Harrisonburg
nestled in the Shenandoah Valley.

Here is a link to my parents' house:
www.4220lucylong.com

Random Thoughts

1. Praise God we have a responsible renter in the VA house as of Saturday! A divorced dad who wanted to specifically live near his daughter. He is an Air Force guy and not only does direct deposit with rent, but pays EARLY! Good things come to those who wait on the Lord!!!

2. November marks the beginning of holiday season, and I am feeling the pangs of missing my parents, especially my mom. It seems stupid, but every time I think that I don't have to go to Harrisonburg this year for the holidays and that I WON'T get to buy my mother a Christmas gift (and I truly loved shopping for her), it breaks my heart. I'm so sad at the thought I have no parents for the holidays. Last year I remember how happy my mother was when we brought Christmas dinner with us.

3. I am experiencing 7th grade girls small group fatigue. I have no options EVER to miss a Wednesday night unless I am sick. It is not them, it is me. Last week, all of them knew their memory verse even my autistic girl when I thought maybe only one or two would know it. Each of them were excited about reciting it to me.

4. New friendship -- it is often difficult to find another couple to be a couple friend with. We have been blessed with Will and Linda, who live in our neighborhood. Will is a church planter and Linda a homeschooling mom. Will was also on Danny's soccer team. Anyway, the four of us have really connected and have been spending significant time together. Linda and I also meet on Monday nights, but have become a daily part of each other's lives through email and texts. They are both mature believers and just plain "cool." The blessing has been that we all know this friendship is not accidental and not just about hanging out and having fun. We are all connected by the sense of community Christ calls us to. This is a first of its kind for the Dulins.

5. I got a pair of dark green cords from Old Navy and I love them.

6. My daughter asked for prayer that she would be more obedient to Danny and I. What a blessing a child with a heart that seeks to honor God is --- it humbles me to think of what God has done in her life.

7. My parents' Harrisonburg house goes on the market today. I suspect it won't get bought anytime soon, but its still a weird and bittersweet thought.