Dearest Rachel – For all that I wonder how exactly time works where you are, you probably don’t keep track of days any more than you do of lesser units, such as hours and minutes. It may well be that your only indication of the passage of each day – if you even pay attentionContinue reading “Not Expecting Visitors”
Monthly Archives: October 2026
“Where Do You See Yourself…?”
Dearest Rachel – It’s one of the most stock answers in a job interview – or on a date, for that matter – and to be honest, the longer I contemplate it, the more I think it’s one of the stupidest things to ask someone: “Where do you see yourself in five years?” In certainContinue reading ““Where Do You See Yourself…?””
One Dish Too Many
Dearest Rachel – I hate to have to admit that I had to claw my way back down to the two-forty mark in time to meet Lars for our weekly walk yesterday. And while I don’t wish to throw Daniel under the bus for the situation – after all, I made the offer to getContinue reading “One Dish Too Many”
Dealing With Calls and Callers
Dearest Rachel – Ordinarily, Mom doesn’t answer the phone when she doesn’t recognize the number on her Caller ID – frankly, we’ve all been trained by hard experience not to do that these days, which would upset Dad no end (but that’s how he was trained as a salesman; not only could every call beContinue reading “Dealing With Calls and Callers”
I Should Really Keep My Mouth Shut
Dearest Rachel – It was one of those dreams that are too coherent not to mean something, not unlike Paul’s vision of the Macedonian man asking for help. At the same time, it’s also a need I feel woefully inadequate to fill – and let’s face it, there are other things I’d rather be doingContinue reading “I Should Really Keep My Mouth Shut”
Playing Hard to Get
Dearest Rachel – This particular topic was going to be focused on the fact that I think nothing of dropping a considerable sum here or there, but when it comes to subscribing to something on an ongoing basis, even small sums give me pause, no matter whether or not I might get my money’s worthContinue reading “Playing Hard to Get”
from Rachel: Torn Away
Has anything like this happened to you? Please tell me about it. “Not exactly, I’ve stalled with Suzy lots of times; our engine went phooey when we tried to visit Al and Andi, but we went a couple of months later; we stood Kristi and Ken up for dinner and didn’t have cell phones yetContinue reading “from Rachel: Torn Away”
No Rest for the Reluctant
Dearest Rachel – You’ll forgive the title, honey; while I’d like to think of myself as something other than ‘wicked’ (although let’s face it, scripture says otherwise), I certainly know better than to try to apply itself to its polar opposite, ‘virtuous.’ If someone else wants to slap me with that label, I would beContinue reading “No Rest for the Reluctant”
Meteors, Comets and Moons
Dearest Rachel – It was dark last night when we arrived at church, and nearly impossible to find a parking spot anywhere near the place. The entire block around it had cars on the curb – apart from where prevented by driveways and fireplugs, of course – and even the school a block over thatContinue reading “Meteors, Comets and Moons”
Not As Tidy As I’d Like
Dearest Rachel – I complained from time to time – even during this past week – that there isn’t that much going on around me to tell you about. But after a day like yesterday, which felt like a day of nothing going on (for the most part), maybe I’m just missing the truly unusualContinue reading “Not As Tidy As I’d Like”
How Thinly Spread Are They?
Dearest Rachel – This letter is going to seem pretty weird, as if it came out of left field; which it should. As I’ve said before, what Lars and I discuss on our walks generally are covered by the Las Vegas ethos: what’s said there, stays there. Besides, it’s mostly about politics, anyway, which IContinue reading “How Thinly Spread Are They?”
I Can Barely Follow My Own Advice
Dearest Rachel – Ever since I started writing you like this, I’ve come to realize how necessary it is to keep a record of things as they happen – and expressed regret for not having done so in the past when we were still together. I’ve told newlyweds, both in dream and reality, of theContinue reading “I Can Barely Follow My Own Advice”
Beep Beep
Dearest Rachel – So, yesterday, Daniel and I sort of went slumming for Sunday dinner; let’s face it, fast food isn’t exactly what you think of going to after a church service. Just like how one thinks one is supposed to dress up to go to church (not that this happens at our church allContinue reading “Beep Beep”
from Rachel: The Solidarity of Suffering
Focus on 1 Thessalonians 2:1-4. How had the Thessalonians become ‘imitators of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea’? “through their suffering at the hands of their own countrymen” Share about a time when you experienced some form of persecution because of your belief in Jesus. “I haven’t experienced much persecution. (I tendContinue reading “from Rachel: The Solidarity of Suffering”
Broken Hearts Atop the World
Dearest Rachel – Since I can’t seem to bring myself to do so at any other time of the weeks, the weekends are my opportunity to try to fast. Purely from a weight-loss perspective, as I have difficulty focusing on spiritual things when I’m hungry (or any other time, for that matter). I need toContinue reading “Broken Hearts Atop the World”
Not Ready For The Cold
Dearest Rachel – Last week, the sun was out, and the days were in the eighties. I could work up a sweat walking through the forest with Lars (and probably needed to). Last night, I was wearing three layers to go to bed comfortably, even with the one space heater on. Such is weather inContinue reading “Not Ready For The Cold”
Plans to be Made
Dearest Rachel – Ask, the saying goes, and you shall receive. No sooner do I put pixels onscreen fretting over the fact that my days lack anything unique worth telling you about, and suddenly I’m flooded with news about one thing or another; most requiring action on my part, and soon. Granted, most of thisContinue reading “Plans to be Made”
Instagramming Myself
Dearest Rachel – I woke up this morning from what felt like a dreamless sleep – by which I mean that I can’t remember a single thing that I saw last night, even though I’m pretty sure there was something of a phantasmagoria that I wandered through – and wondering what exactly I could tellContinue reading “Instagramming Myself”
The Notice That One Needs
Dearest Rachel – So I mentioned yesterday that I would let you know about how our errands that afternoon would go if I thought they were interesting enough to relate. And they held up part of that bargain, I suppose – although it may be more a case of them being the most interesting thingContinue reading “The Notice That One Needs”
Sleeping Up A Sweat
Dearest Rachel – I won’t go so far as to say that you would be proud of the two of us – if nothing else, I can’t verify that I was conscious the entire time – but I did manage to stay up with Daniel until well past eleven last night. This, after a mildlyContinue reading “Sleeping Up A Sweat”
Holiday Monday
Dearest Rachel – I wish I could tell you more about last night‘s dream; it felt like I was scrambling to purchase a few more souvenirs before I had to leave town. It kind of resembled the day that Daniel and I were on our way out from Otaru earlier this year, but somewhat moreContinue reading “Holiday Monday”
from Rachel: A Theology of Walking
What action verb is used in 1 Thessalonians 2:12 and 4:1 to describe how we journey with God? “walk” Look up Genesis 3:8 and record the context. “Adam and Eve heard God as He was walking in the garden.” Look up each of the following and record who is walking and where. Leviticus 26:12 “GodContinue reading “from Rachel: A Theology of Walking”
Meatloaf and Eggshells
Dearest Rachel – Not ever being one to enjoy grilling myself – as you might remember, or not, since I don’t think your dad was into it either, thereby precluding you from recognizing the practice as a requisite of manhood – I don’t understand why Logan got such a bee in his bonnet about gettingContinue reading “Meatloaf and Eggshells”
Financial Heretic
Dearest Rachel – Last night, after our typical Thursday night dinner at Meema’s (she claimed to not have a lot of time to throw anything much together, so she made taco bake, a favorite of Daniel’s going back I think far enough that even you might remember it), we headed out in plenty of timeContinue reading “Financial Heretic”
The Return of the Non-Native
Dearest Rachel – It should hardly come as a surprise to you that, even after all this time, I really don’t like going to the gym. It’s an obligation at the best of times, in order to stay in shape; more often than not, it feels like a punishment – or at least, penance –Continue reading “The Return of the Non-Native”
Bullpen Morning
Dearest Rachel – Now, you were never much for sports yourself, so I probably don’t have to work too hard to disabuse you of the notion that this has nothing to do with baseball and pitching – although now that I’ve brought it up, maybe you’d have to have me explain why I make theContinue reading “Bullpen Morning”
Why I Don’t Trust My Instincts
Dearest Rachel – So last Thursday evening, as I was preparing myself for bed, I sat down to use the toilet, when I noticed a strange sensation on my bare foot; the bathroom rug was damp, as was my foot. I quickly got up to inspect the situation, as that needed to be dealt withContinue reading “Why I Don’t Trust My Instincts”
What He Wanted
Dearest Rachel – If it hadn’t been for the fact that it was so undiplomatic, I would’ve been pleased that Daniel actually knew what it was he wanted, and said so. He’s usually so indifferent to options offered to him, that this is actually worth telling you about. And in the end, it wound upContinue reading “What He Wanted”
from Rachel: Dear to Us
List every area of exploitation they’d [Paul, Silvanus and Timothy] tried to avoid.“flattery, masking of greed, being a burden (seeking praise?)” Using people. It’s the default mechanism of our sinful nature. If we’re not fighting it, we’re doing it. And the key to how well we’re doing it is how well we’re hiding it.To flatterContinue reading “from Rachel: Dear to Us”
A Thousand Steps Around the Parking Lot
Dearest Rachel – I’ve probably mentioned the proverb in one paraphrase or another several times over the course the last five or six years, honey, but it’s constantly being proven true; there’s nothing the Lord finds funnier than a plan we humans can come up with. The most obvious examples are those elaborate, Pinky-and-the-Brain styleContinue reading “A Thousand Steps Around the Parking Lot”
Putting It Right? Yeah, Right…
Dearest Rachel – There are days when I’m driving around, and a song from our day comes back to me on my feed that I just have to talk about; this is one of those days. I hope you don’t mind, but it’s not as if every day has something happening to me personally (orContinue reading “Putting It Right? Yeah, Right…”
In Due Time
Hey there, Pop – I know, I know; normally I would be writing Rachel about the goings-on around here. But it’s been a while since I’ve been able to talk to you now, and since this would be going to approximately the same address (although what do I know? Heaven is undoubtedly larger than theContinue reading “In Due Time”
Workout at Woodfield
Dearest Rachel – For all that our walks take up a large swath of time in a given day, there’s not a whole lot to be related to you about when Lars and I get together. On the contrary, there’s generally something of a “what happens here stays here” ethos to it all, where what’sContinue reading “Workout at Woodfield”
