By far the most important news of our summer is Laurelen's baptism. A family in our church has a lovely piece of property along the Green River (which earlier flows through Mammoth Cave) about an hour southeast of us. Our church family has a picnic there every Fourth of July. This year we had six candidates for baptism shortly before then, and the church decided to have a baptismal service in the river as part of our gathering. Ever since her birth, I have prayed for and looked forward to the inestimable blessing of baptizing my daughter. Just before I immersed her, she gave the testimony of her conversion and I said a few words about the significance of baptism and the meaning of the moment for me personally. Honestly, I was much more joyous than my face appeared at the instant the photo was taken.

Caffy was one of six Louisville area artists invited to paint murals in homes in Louisville's annual "Homearama." Roughly a dozen Louisville builders will begin or add to a particular subdivision and compete for honors in their trade as voted by the tens of thousands of people who tour the homes during a two-week period. Caffy did a variety of murals, decorative trim, and some faux-finishing work in the home where she labored. We hope to have some photos posted before long on her website, www.CaffyWhitney.com.

This week she begins her third autumn teaching the spouses of some our seminary students in Southern Seminary's "Student Wives Institute." The course is built largely around Don's Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life.

Caffy is rejoicing over the progress of her three bee hives. Although it is interesting how each proceeds at its own pace, all three are doing well despite the recent drought and heat (it's the hottest August on record here). Normally beekeepers don't expect to get honey during the first year of a hive, for all the honey made by the bees that first year is what feeds them during the winter. But if the hives produce a good "flow" this fall, there may be enough extra honey for us to enjoy a bit.

Our wild blackberries—like many of our trees and flowering shrubs—were damaged by the late frost in the spring. But going out together most evenings in July, Laurelen and I were able to pick enough for her to make her first pie, and later a few turnovers.

The garden is about finished. Although the corn flopped, the purple hull peas were a delicious success. And while it also wasn't a great year for tomatoes or green peppers, Caffy still managed to can gallons of salsa.

Please ask the Lord to strengthen Laurelen with grace and to grant her a holiness and usefulness that grows to far exceed that of her parents.

Second, I have been promoted to Senior Associate Dean in the School of Theology at the seminary. Please pray for me to learn my responsibilities quickly and well, and for the Lord to bless that ministry to His glory.

Third, entreat the Lord to guide and bless our efforts with our first-ever national conference in October (as mentioned near the beginning of this newsletter).

Fourth, continue to pray for the writing project about which I have often requested prayer, but still haven't been able to complete.

And as always, please ask the Lord for His blessing upon my teaching at Southern and upon the ministry I discharge in my travels.