It's back in the classroom for Don. His largest class (more than a hundred) is Personal Spiritual Disciplines (based largely on his Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life book) at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. The course is designed to train the each student to "discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness" (1 Tim. 4:7). Enrollment continues to grow at SBTS (www.sbts.edu), the flagship seminary of the SBC. If you are thinking of seminary, you are welcome to visit anytime, but an ideal date is October 15 on Seminary Preview Day (http://www.sbts.edu/future-students/visit-campus/southern-preview-day/).

Caffy has resumed her once-per-week Art History course at Dorothy Sayers Classical School and the discipleship course at the Seminary Wives Institute each Thursday night at Southern Seminary. She really enjoys both these teaching opportunities. But the main event on her daily schedule is the completion of the construction and administration of the details involved in moving her mom to live here. The work has taken longer than scheduled, and that has complicated the transition.

Laurelen has acquired her driver's license since the last newsletter, so that has brought another dramatic life-change to the Whitney household. In addition to her senior classes at high school, she is taking eighteen hours of college work, working two nights per week, and singing with the church's worship team.

Farm & Garden Report

Writing deadlines have dominated the schedule, so the farm and garden work this summer was minimal. The blueberries were again a big disappointment, and a second soil sample may have spelled doom for any long-term success for blueberries at the present location. The blackberry cultivars, while few in number as they are still getting established, were terrific, with many as big as a man's thumb. The raspberries are about to wind down, but they have been a daily delight for more than a month. They are easy to grow, and so good. Plant some this fall at your place!

Caffy's bees produced a few gallons of honey this summer, which is okay for four hives. She's hopeful for a little more this fall. She would be a tad disappointed except for the fact that last year she harvested no honey from them, and she's been too busy to tend to them as she'd like. The big life-change events in the family have also meant the lavender got no attention this summer. It produced well, but wasn't harvested as thoroughly as last year, so there was little room for a second crop in late summer. Caffy's hydrangeas—especially the oak leaf variety—are enormous now, so they are well-established.

Overall, we've had a very dry summer here in this part of the Bluegrass State. All the majestic tulip poplars (our state tree) are losing their leaves early, presumably because of the heat and drought.

• Pray for perseverance for Don to complete years-long writing project THIS FALL.
• Please ask the Lord to give us wisdom and grace as we transition Caffy's mom here.
• Pray for the Lord's blessing on our family's growth together in grace. Ask His blessing upon our reading of Scripture, praying, and singing each day in family worship.
• Pray for the Lord's power upon Don's preaching and teaching in local churches, retreats, and conferences this fall.
• Pray for God's blessing upon Don's ministry at The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and through The Center for Biblical Spirituality.