Torch, Winter 1990

.. another at times. Ask them and they will tell you that they are not perfect. In fact, they say the "model couple" simply does not exist. Somehow, I imagine, we are all glad to hear them say that. EARLY LIFE-DIRECTING DECISIONS Like many other newly-marrieds in 1960, Paul and Pat Dixon discussed their goals and aspirations. One was to finish their education. Today they view this choice as key preparation for their current ministry in higher education. At this decision point he was a senior and she had just finished her sophomore year at Tennessee Temple College. Pat went on to complete her master's degree at the University of Tennessee. Paul earned his master's at Temple Baptist Theological Seminary and his doctorate at the University of Cincinnati. Perhaps the most significant life– directing decision for the Dixons was the priority placed upon the Scriptures and prayer. They can recall specific occasions when God directed their path through verses they studied together. When Paul and Pat Dixon were first married, they wrote Psalm 39:4 in large letters and hung it on their closet door: "Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am." The verse served as a daily reminder of the brevity of life and their need to trust God in every matter. Their resolution for Paul to leave evangelism after 14 years and become the president of Cedarville College was reinforced by Acts 13:36: "David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell on sleep." They relate that they saw this as God's confirmation that the best way for Paul Dixon to serve his generation was to build into the lives of thousands of college students. These young people would, in tum, become ambassadors of the Gospel and multiply his ministry many times over. Another early life-directing decision for the Dixons was to follow biblical principles offinances . Like most of us, they began their marriage with few luxuries. They drove a nine-year-old Dodge, and their first apartment was small, furnished, and rented for $60 a month with utilities included. Paul supported his family by taking in dry cleaning and later by working in a bank. Paul entered the evangelism ministry as an unknown to many churches, and he literally got on his knees and asked God to give him each meeting. In spite of their meager resources , the Dixons committed themselves to a program of budgeting that included tithing, giving, and saving. And when Pat began teaching, they purposed, as a general rule, to live on Paul's income with the extra funds going for savings, invest– ments, and giving to special projects and needs of others. Paul notes, "Many young couples enter marriage with little understanding of how to manage their finances. This is why we offer a course at Cedarville in marriage and the family which includes financial planning. Every couple, no matter what their income, should tithe, give, save, and spend conservatively. Unfortunately, they can become accustomed to the lifestyle two incomes afford and find it difficult to drop back to only the husband's income when children begin to arrive. Ultimately, the family can suffer as mom feels chained to her job when she would rather be home as a full-time homemaker, especially during the early preschool years." Buying quality is another early decision that shaped the Dixon family perspective. Says Paul, "A top quality pair of shoes may cost twice as much as a cheaper pair, but it is the far better value because it will last four times as long." Attention to quality marks Paul and Pat Dixon to this day and is reflected in his leadership of a Christian college that is respected nationwide for the excel– lence of its academic programs and facilities. Pat's hand is evident in the decorating of dorm lounges, the chapel, the President's Dining Room, and other areas on the campus. ESSENTIAL ADJUSTMENTS The Dixons consider themselves somewhat different from most couples in that they are so much alike. Both see themselves as very self-motivated and independent. Both are successful in their careers, and yet neither is intimidated by the other's accomplishments. They came into marriage with similar views of disci– pline for children. Yet, they will admit that adjustments were necessary along the way. Upon graduation Paul entered a ministry as a traveling evangelist which took him out of the home 30-33 weeks of the year. To meet the challenge of spending quality time with his family , he scheduled meetings carefully. He would travel and speak two consecutive weeks and then be home the following week. The family always spent holidays and every summer together. When Scott turned five, the Dixons decided to spend every day together before Scott started his schooling, so they bought a travel trailer and, for the next year and a half, ministered as a family unit. Pat provided special music, and Scott was the evangelist's favorite "Preacher's Pals" choir member. A very special adjustment for the Dixons was accepting their inability to have more children. They explored medical help for Pat and adoption, neither with success. Interestingly, adoption agencies turned down the Dixons ' request because of Paul' s vocation as a traveling evangelist. Pat tells of having to adjust her perception of the male mentality. Having a quiet father and no brothers left her with little understanding of a man 's mind-set. She, describing herself as a perfectionist, asks , "Why is it that men cannot care for their household duties before they play? I'd love for Paul to clean the garage before I have to ask him." Paul has had to make adjustments to Pat as well. "For instance," he relates, "I am able to come home from the office and relax almost instantly. I can quickly put the stress of the workplace out of my mind and not pick it up until the next day. Pat is slower at this process, and I have learned through the years to be more patient in waiting for her to unwind. " Because Paul is so geared to the positive, he admits that listening to bad news has come hard for him. Yet he quickly learned as president that