Student Dulin

Danny started  his Historical Theology class last Wednesday. It is an introduction to the history of the Christian church from the Apostolic Age through the Protestant Reformation. His textbooks include:

The Story of Christian Theology
by Roger E. Olson

Confessions
by Augustine
(I keep wanting to say "Augus-teen" instead of "Auguston").

Imitation of Christ
by Thomas a Kempis











Golden Booklet of the True Christian Life
by John Calvin










Since he got his syllabus early, he has been faithful in reading ahead and we have so far managed to be disciplined about blocks of time for him to read. He will tell you he is a slow reader and it takes a lot of effort for him to comprehend/retain what he reads. This is not because he is thick-headed, but mostly due to his ADD and being out of school for so long. Its too bad I don't have the desire to read like him and he doesn't have the ability to read as fast as I can. We'd make a wonderful combined seminary student!

One of the things Danny told me he heard at orientation for new students was that if you are married, never say "I'm going to seminary, but say 'we' are going to seminary. You will not be able to accomplish this without your spouse's support and sacrifice."

And although right now with just one class, the sacrifice of "together time" has been minimal. I have enjoyed hearing about everything from the Apostolic Fathers to Gnostics during our walks or whenever. I am enjoying falling asleep to him reading to me from his textbooks. I am enjoying learning from him as he learns. I am a wee bit jealous too!

I have seen an excitement and a hunger being fed in Danny that I have not seen in awhile. Although most the students in his class are young single dudes (there is the first international student from Sudan and an older woman), he is connecting with many other students who are his age. Men who have already been a tremendous encouragement and challenge to him.

Last Friday we got to "meet" the whole student body and faculty at the Convocation. It was a meaningful time where the speaker admonished the students to be about the business and habit of praying NOW before the "work" gets started and how if you don't learn to work hard at praying, its not going to happen when you start full time ministry. It was a convicting message about how we take for granted the privilege of approaching God and calling Him "Our Father" -- that this was a blood bought privilege and yet so many of us don't think twice about ignoring our prayer lives. It was some good and in your face stuff.

I am so utterly thrilled for my husband, who for so long has prayed and begged God to send him men to feed him, teach him, mentor him and be the "Paul" in his life as a "Timothy." And now he is in an environment of godly men passionate to do just that. I am praying that he not only retains the stuff he learns, but more importantly applies what he learns and is more equipped to live out the Gospel fully as he is called.

Good stuff. I'm giving him an A+ already :)

Superficial Cute Cuddly Puppy Pix

Yes, I've become one of those people who are constantly taking pictures of her dog. But my puppy is so cute! I can't stand it! In fact, he is such an easy puppy, if every puppy was this good and chill, I'd tell everyone to get a puppy!

He is 99.9% potty trained. Loves walks and we are now doing 2.5 miles twice daily (it is good for me to get back into exercising!), sleeps through the night, sleeps a lot during the day, terrorizes Bitty without fear, waits to receive permission to eat his food, 100% crate trained, 85% obedient, and still enjoys snuggling.

Jasper has not quite grown into his ears, but his coat is a gorgeous deep chocolate brown and he looks like a real chocolate lab!

Here is a pic from several weeks ago.

 

Now look how big he is!

 

 Clifford has no chance. He's already "lost" both ears.

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......

Master packer Danny Dulin

Master organizer, Jacqueline Dulin

Master Put-Together-Weird-Dorm-Furniture-Man, Danny Dulin.

Sportin' the UNC Ram. Go TAR HEELS!

They grow up so tall and so fast.