Dearest Rachel – It’s not like I haven’t done this before – even preparing this specific dish, for that matter – but of a Monday evening, Daniel and I rarely stay home and fix ourselves dinner. As a general rule, we head out a little after four, and hit some place up between home andContinue reading “Cooking, For Once”
Author Archives: randy@letters-to-rachel.memorial
Embarrassed by Mom
Dearest Rachel – We were boarding the shuttle to one of the remote parking areas around church yesterday afternoon (we’d decided to attend the last service, since it was the most sparsely attended; not that that’s saying much, as it was pretty crowded in there as well by the time the sermon started). The onlyContinue reading “Embarrassed by Mom”
from Rachel: Identifying Your Own Way (part two)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“‘…it seems that life has fewer snags when we stay out of trouble. We often achieve the accolades and image we want. We can become smug…’ (and the wholeContinue reading “from Rachel: Identifying Your Own Way (part two)”
Devoutly to be Ignored
Dearest Rachel – This should hardly come as any great surprise to you, but I really don’t like the holiday that today happens to bear within it. I’ve come to regard it much like the reformed Ebeneezer Scrooge described his former opinion toward Christmas, as “a false and commercial festival, devoutly to be ignored.” WhichContinue reading “Devoutly to be Ignored”
On the Subject of Breadmaking
Dearest Rachel – For once when we met to go walking in the woods this week, Lars didn’t quiz me about any developments in my love life, like he usually does. To be sure, there really weren’t any to speak of – there never really are, these days – just an interesting moment tangentially relatedContinue reading “On the Subject of Breadmaking”
Chasing Numbers
Dearest Rachel – I’m telling you, honey, if it wasn’t for the fact that I’m a numbers person (like you were), I think I would have given up on this weight loss journey some time ago. Not only have things tapered off in terms of actual weight loss over the past year and a halfContinue reading “Chasing Numbers”
When the Stakes are Off the Table
Dearest Rachel – You know better than most that I’m not a particularly social creature, honey. There are times when I can fake it – and on an individual, one-on-one basis, it may not necessarily be fake at all – but for the most part, it’s very hard for me to interact with new people,Continue reading “When the Stakes are Off the Table”
My Answer to Sudoku
Dearest Rachel – I’ve been told by some folks who have a habit of reading over your shoulder that doing so feels like reading someone’s diary. And I can see why; if for no other reason, the fact that there’s something said to you every day gives it that quality right there. Then there’s theContinue reading “My Answer to Sudoku”
No More Water Coolers
Dearest Rachel – You were – and you would acknowledge this, however abashedly (depending on the circumstance) – an avid consumer of, maybe not pop culture as such, but at least media in general. Be it one or another sci-fi or fantasy series, a daytime talk show, or various comedy anthologies that would air overContinue reading “No More Water Coolers”
from Rachel: Identifying Your Own Way (part one)
“‘If you are contented with simply being nice, and you are ignoring that the ability is a gift from God, you are still a rebel’ – C. S. Lewis” “‘Immaturity’ is really selfishness and self-centeredness – putting our own pleasures and happiness above everyone else’s needs and happiness.’ “Take Time to Reflect:“I feel most secureContinue reading “from Rachel: Identifying Your Own Way (part one)”
Nightmares of Work
Dearest Rachel – I can’t believe that I still have days (well, nights, actually) when I find myself agonizing over something I need to do for work in my dreams. To call them nightmares might overstate things, but having to go in to the office and deal with Mohinder rather does border on that territory.Continue reading “Nightmares of Work”
Follow Through and Follow Up
Dearest Rachel – I promised you yesterday that I would follow through this morning with regard to working out on the treadmill after nearly a two week absence, and then follow up with you about how it worked out. So, that’s what this letter is mostly going to be about. But first, I have toContinue reading “Follow Through and Follow Up”
Socks in Bed
Dearest Rachel – For all that our bedroom was an addition tacked on later (and cheaply, we both had to agree) to the building, and therefore not connected to the main house’s HVAC system, and therefore quite cold in the winter without the wall-mounted space heater running (which would occasionally cause the room to getContinue reading “Socks in Bed”
We Are the Shoggoth
Dearest Rachel – Last night saw me alone in the bedroom throughout most of the night. Not a complaint, just stating the way things are some evenings; the boys do their thing in the family room, and I’m left to entertain myself in my wing of the house. It’s life as I know it, andContinue reading “We Are the Shoggoth”
Not Meant For Us
Dearest Rachel – Back when I still had dreams of making a YouTube channel, and trying to settle on a topic, I considering discussing the Nacirema which, for all that I remember reading about them when I was much younger (although now I’m starting to think it was a bit of the Mandela effect), IContinue reading “Not Meant For Us”
A Cold Atop The Cold
Dearest Rachel – I had fully intended – and had even begun – a second letter to you for yesterday, regarding the fact that I wasn’t dealing with a case of the ‘Sunday Scaries’ that some of the others were anticipating upon their return from Honduras. I think you know what I’m talking about, evenContinue reading “A Cold Atop The Cold”
from Rachel: Recognizing the Evil Within (part five)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“You should be able to see why that renewal of the mind is so crucial – if the mind is deceived, the battle is lost – very important toContinue reading “from Rachel: Recognizing the Evil Within (part five)”
Tips for Travelers Like Me
Dearest Rachel – Given the qualifier in the title, these are probably best considered reminders for myself rather than any sort of advice that anyone else could heed and benefit from. Nevertheless, it’s slowly dawning upon me that, given that I often mention my poor memory, it might be necessary for me to make theseContinue reading “Tips for Travelers Like Me”
Nothing Left to Prove
Dearest Rachel – The soccer game that is apparently a highlight of some people’s visit this week was canceled due to the rain this week. Given that my left ankle and my right pinky toe both seem to be giving me trouble, I’m just as happy to not have to put myself through those pacesContinue reading “Nothing Left to Prove”
Meaning Well Poorly
Dearest Rachel – You remember my reaction to the scattering of trash on the roads of Honduras when I was down here last time, and I’d mentioned about the ‘broken windows’ theory of governance in passing a few days ago. Well, on Thursday afternoon, I’d intended to put that theory into practice while dealing withContinue reading “Meaning Well Poorly”
Tortilla Trip
Dearest Rachel – Despite the fact that I didn’t have any assigned tasks on Thursday, I wound up with a busier day I could be reasonably afforded time to write about yesterday. So here we are, preparing to fly out later this morning than we would usually have to commute to the Just One campus,Continue reading “Tortilla Trip”
Chillier Than Expected
Dearest Rachel – When I gave my lesson to the students here the other day, one of the first things I asked them about was regarding large, long-term purchases that they would want to save up for. Most of them understood the gist of my question, and offered similar responses to those that an AmericanContinue reading “Chillier Than Expected”
What You Don’t Hear, You Don’t Miss
Dearest Rachel – There is a long-standing tradition among those that come down here to Just One that, after the evening debrief back at the hotel, a number of them would congregate outside of the auditorium in the back of the hotel campus (but not as far back as our rooms are, I should pointContinue reading “What You Don’t Hear, You Don’t Miss”
Serious Cash
Dearest Rachel – Douglas, the local head of operations here at Just One International, tells me that they have a saying here in Honduras (and bear in mind, I’m paraphrasing here) that “when you break a L500, the pieces scatter to the winds.” The gist of it is that, once you reduce the equivalent ofContinue reading “Serious Cash”
Ankle Deep in the Big Muddy
Dearest Rachel – I mentioned yesterday morning about how there was a threat of rain for the day that I would be on pila duty. The morning dawned grey and something beyond overcast, although as breakfast progressed, the sun slowly made its presence known, in defiance of the weather predictions. There was this brief thoughtContinue reading “Ankle Deep in the Big Muddy”
It’s Easier In Minecraft
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday was a day of trying to figure out what I’m supposed to be doing here. I’m scheduled to work on building pilas – those concrete water basins that hold something like a hundred gallons or so that Just One is trying to supply to as many homes in El Socorro asContinue reading “It’s Easier In Minecraft”
El Mismo, Pero No
Dearest Rachel – We’re basically settled in here now in Siguatepeque. It’s the same place that we’ve stayed at before (and I dare say that we always will; Just One seems to have some sort of relationship with the folks running this place. I want to say it’s a family-owned business, but I could beContinue reading “El Mismo, Pero No”
The Hardest Part is Getting There
Dearest Rachel – I think I’ve heard this phrase about travel but, apart from leisure trip, where once you arrive, it’s nothing but rest and relaxation, I’m not sure I agree. If nothing else, flights tend to be boring and nondescript; once they’re over and done with, they almost manage to escape memory instantly (forContinue reading “The Hardest Part is Getting There”
from Rachel: Recognizing the Evil Within (part four)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“If you at the moment are not experiencing this warfare, do not be lulled into complacency… His goal is to break your fellowship with your God and render youContinue reading “from Rachel: Recognizing the Evil Within (part four)”
Leaving You Behind, Taking You With
Dearest Rachel – As we’re preparing to head out to the Just One headquarters in Honduras, we’ve been advised not to bring along anything that would announce that it (or we) are worth money. To be sure, there’s no preventing me from taking my computer; if nothing else, I need it to conduct my lessonContinue reading “Leaving You Behind, Taking You With”
Five Years On
Dearest Rachel – There’s a certain point at which it feels like commemorating the day of the year in which you suddenly had to go home is like picking at a longstanding, grievous wound. It’s not going to heal if I keep at it like this – although one would think that, if it’s onlyContinue reading “Five Years On”
The Last ‘Warm’ Day
Dearest Rachel – So, yesterday was the last ‘warm’ day before I leave town. From here on out, the highs – the highs, mind you – will be in the single digits Fahrenheit, if not at or below zero. I’ve heard talk about schools closing, despite the fact that it’s actually going to be tooContinue reading “The Last ‘Warm’ Day”
Trivial Pursuit
Dearest Rachel – I suppose I should have written you about this last Saturday, as opposed to waiting until now. Still, do I get partial credit for bringing it up at all, despite this being so late? It is significant, as it’s the first time all six of us had been able to get togetherContinue reading “Trivial Pursuit”
Could It Have Been You?
Dearest Rachel – For all that you into the color purple for most of our life together (for a while while you were at college, it seemed that you favored unicorns and rainbows, but somewhere along the line – I can’t recall when or why – you centered on the one single color, for someContinue reading “Could It Have Been You?”
Where It’s Warm and Comfortable
Dearest Rachel – After having folded it up to allow Kris room to work in the bedroom when she came over to clean on Friday, I finally got around to reassembling the treadmill last night upon our return home from Sparks. I figured I would wake up early this morning, like I usually do, andContinue reading “Where It’s Warm and Comfortable”
The Shoe Finally Dropped
Dearest Rachel – There are days when I find myself wondering why I bother filling you in on the details of what’s going on here on the planet that you left behind. Whether it’s finances or the house or what could laughingly be referred to as my love life, what does any of it matterContinue reading “The Shoe Finally Dropped”
from Rachel: Recognizing the Evil Within (part three)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“The Devil did not tempt Adam and Eve to steal, to lie, to kill, to commit adultery; he tempted them to live independent of God – this is soContinue reading “from Rachel: Recognizing the Evil Within (part three)”
Uninstalling the Plan
Dearest Rachel – It was a week and a half ago when Lars and I wrapped up our usual walk through the woods with lunch at our favorite gyro place (they make their own in-house – and you can really tell the difference from one of those places that use the commercial providers like KronosContinue reading “Uninstalling the Plan”
Piled High
Dearest Rachel – It’s been so long, and I’ve had to do this for myself for these past five years, that I can’t remember what, if any, system you had regarding laundry. I know you separated colors from whites – every college-bound male is warned about mixing them and winding up with pink socks fromContinue reading “Piled High”
How’d He Raise Such a Cynic?
Dearest Rachel – When I go in to the ‘office’ these days, especially on days like this when I don’t have anything pressing in terms of actual ‘work,’ half my job, if you can call it that, is to simply hang around with and chat up my folks for a while (as well as movingContinue reading “How’d He Raise Such a Cynic?”
Topless in the Snow
Dearest Rachel – I’ve discovered something curious about the treadmill I’ve bought to use here at home on days when it’s too cold or I’m otherwise unmotivated to make my way to the gym in the morning: the thing is apparently an energy vampire. Over the course of the last week, I’ve blown a fuseContinue reading “Topless in the Snow”
The ‘Dragon Face’
Dearest Rachel – It was one of those weird dreams that came to me last night. I’m not sure if it can be fleshed out for you in the limited time between waking up and its dissipation, but I’ll try. The story seemed to center on a girl born in either China or Indochina; whileContinue reading “The ‘Dragon Face’”
Money-day Morning
Dearest Rachel – It’s Monday morning; the day and time that seems to bring dread to all. The restful period of the weekend is over, and we have to get back to school or work or whatever our weekly routine looks like, whether we’re ready for it or not. Despite having gone to bed beforeContinue reading “Money-day Morning”
from Rachel: Recognizing the Evil Within (part two)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“A parent’s own inconsistency, anger, moodiness, materialism, sensuality, or deception can be a far more serious stumbling block to the teen’s life than whatever problems … the parent isContinue reading “from Rachel: Recognizing the Evil Within (part two)”
Before Common Days Become Legend
Dearest Rachel – There are times when I’ve been told that things will eventually work out in life; and to be fair, I’ve little to complain about, when compared to the general human condition. As discussed so many times before with you, I’ve got what I would consider to be “enough” in terms of theContinue reading “Before Common Days Become Legend”
AC-DC and the Beach Boys
Dearest Rachel – No, I didn’t wake up with either of these groups’ (and doesn’t the combination sound like an interesting band name in and of itself?) music in my head this morning, like a proper earworm. But I realized that I’d started off the day – ended last night, in fact – by givingContinue reading “AC-DC and the Beach Boys”
Confiding in Copilot
Dearest Rachel – After putting in ten miles plus of walking yesterday, between the treadmill at home and the walk in the woods with Lars, I probably should have just said goodnight to the boys and let myself drift off to sleep once I got home yesterday evening, so I could wake up first thingContinue reading “Confiding in Copilot”
Christmas Cake
Dearest Rachel – Over the weekend leading up to Christmas, I needed to go out to get various ingredients for the cooking assignments I’d taken upon myself for both the family party on the Sunday prior and Christmas brunch itself. As is my wont, I can never go through a grocery store and only getContinue reading “Christmas Cake”
So There’s This Girl…
Dearest Rachel – For a moment, I actually thought this could be a possibility, too. I mean, it made sense in the moment. So there’s this girl who was essentially working as a greeter at church this weekend. We’ve spoken before – in fact, she’s come up to me, rather than the other way aroundContinue reading “So There’s This Girl…”
Healthy at Home
Dearest Rachel – I think part of the problem with this past weekend was that, when I previously would attempt to fast for the entire length of a given Sunday, I would grab a reasonable lunch on Saturday before showing up at church for rehearsal. This time around, I basically had breakfast – a bowlContinue reading “Healthy at Home”
from Rachel: Recognizing the Evil Within (part one)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“…we still possess a residual effect of that ‘old man’ even after salvation. We still have an indwelling principle of sin in us that corrupts every part of us.Continue reading “from Rachel: Recognizing the Evil Within (part one)”
Getting Back to Fasting
Dearest Rachel – I’ve mentioned before – and you remember from the twisted Christmas carols we used to listen to, particularly on our way to and from your parents’, back in the day – how the past couple of weeks’ holidays do a number on one’s resolve toward keeping fit. Bad enough that the weekendContinue reading “Getting Back to Fasting”
Double Header
Dearest Rachel – To address the question you wouldn’t have to ask if you were actually present – since conversation with a live person doesn’t require adding titles to one’s topics – yes, this is about sports in general, but no, this doesn’t have to do with baseball, from whence the term itself hails. You’dContinue reading “Double Header”
“See You Next Year!”
Dearest Rachel – It’s the jocular expression used of a New Year’s Eve when departing a place and taking your leave of some people you expect to see soon enough, but not until at least the next morning; the joke, of course, being that the following day will be part of the the following year.Continue reading ““See You Next Year!””
A Sucker for the Ads
Dearest Rachel – It’s become something of a running joke in the audio-visual booth at church, where the guys know and deal with my erratic schedule; every time I return from a trip to my duties back there, I’m immediately asked, “so, when’s your next cruise?” as if I have something already in the pipelineContinue reading “A Sucker for the Ads”
Not Sure We’re Gonna Make It
Dearest Rachel – I have this sneaking suspicion that you’d be so disappointed in us all… Tomorrow, as you may or may not know (since I have no idea how time works on your side of the veil, and whether you even keep track of it, when there’s no point to in the middle ofContinue reading “Not Sure We’re Gonna Make It”
Still Doing it the Old-Fashioned Way
Dearest Rachel – I can’t remember if you were still around at the time – some things feel like they happened so long ago, but given our circumstances, I can’t prove to myself they were that long ago anymore – but at some point, my folks got rid of their old snowblower for a smallerContinue reading “Still Doing it the Old-Fashioned Way”
from Rachel: Understanding Biblical Change (part five)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“You must have a working knowledge of the doctrine of progressive sanctification and must, by God’s grace, be practicing it in your own life.“Understand that God has called everyContinue reading “from Rachel: Understanding Biblical Change (part five)”
What Makes Us Tick
Dearest Rachel – You might think that, by waking up with such a title for this morning’s letter, I’d be announcing some great theory of existence to you. A grand purpose for humanity or, on an individual basis, an explanation for what keeps each of us going, day after day. But no. I’d like toContinue reading “What Makes Us Tick”
Be Here All the Earlier the Next Morning…
Dearest Rachel – You’ll recall Scrooge’s admonition to Bob Cratchit after reluctantly giving him the day off (with pay!) for Christmas. While some versions have Bob reminding Scrooge that he can’t conduct business on Christmas, as all other businesses he would otherwise deal with would be closed, it wasn’t as if the practice of ‘holidayContinue reading “Be Here All the Earlier the Next Morning…”
Enforced Sabbath
Dearest Rachel – This was going to be titled ‘Peace on Earth(?)’ or some such, with an extended acknowledgment that the earth isn’t necessarily peaceful on this day any more than any other (although the fine print on the angels’ proclamation about peace and goodwill to men specified that it applied to those ‘with whomContinue reading “Enforced Sabbath”
Strange Fire on the Candle
Dearest Rachel – As with so many stories I try to relate to you about the happenings around me, I’d like to think this would amuse you. It’s always better to see the humor in the misadventures of life than to be annoyed (or angered) by them; if nothing else, the latter doesn’t solve anything,Continue reading “Strange Fire on the Candle”
Every Single Verse
Dearest Rachel – One of the things that we kept of yours throughout the purge of the house during that first year after your passing was your collection of church hymnals and songbooks. Many of them have hymns organized by subject: the story of salvation, praise to God, appeals for help, and so forth. AndContinue reading “Every Single Verse”
Thoughts on Christmas Adam
Dearest Rachel – I had to go back through all the titles of all the letters I sent you to make sure I hadn’t reused this one (although this site seems willing to allow for duplications, I still consider it bad form to repeat myself, even after all this time). It turns out that thisContinue reading “Thoughts on Christmas Adam”
The Season of the Swan
Dearest Rachel – They say that the swan, for all its apparent grace as it glides atop the water whenever one sees it, is churning its webbed feet furiously underneath the surface, where the frenzy can’t be seen. Such is the way things are at this time of year for us all, honey – orContinue reading “The Season of the Swan”
from Rachel: Understanding Biblical Change (part four)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“When God gives a child to a Christian couple, they must realize that their little bundle of joy is essentially a pagan – Wow, that’s so true, yet soContinue reading “from Rachel: Understanding Biblical Change (part four)”
We’ll Never Get the Answers
Dearest Rachel – This past Thursday, Daniel and I stayed quite a bit later at the folks’ house after dinner than we normally do. Often, we’ll stick around and watch a bit of the news with them until the first commercial, at which point, we’ll bundle up their trash and roll the bins out toContinue reading “We’ll Never Get the Answers”
Baby, You Can Drive My Car
Dearest Rachel – Look, I remember full well, going back to when we were exchanging mix tapes, that you didn’t like to be referred to as ‘baby’ or ‘babe’ (although in my defense, I’ll point out that it was you that sent me the titular song by Styx along with your explanation spelling this distasteContinue reading “Baby, You Can Drive My Car”
A Change of Terrain
Dearest Rachel – So yesterday saw me and Lars meeting for our usual walk in the woods. Nothing particularly out of the ordinary, apart from the exchanging of Christmas presents that is part of the current season (I was rather pleased about finding something for him, as it was something that’s always been made inContinue reading “A Change of Terrain”
Slightly Naked
Dearest Rachel – This is the sort of thing that would have freaked you out in the moment – because it’s so out of character, and begs at least one significant question – and then given you something of a laugh afterward, once everything had resolved itself. It certainly did as much for me, onceContinue reading “Slightly Naked”
So Far From Normal
Dearest Rachel – It was a running joke where we went to college (and eventually, where you and I met); by dint of being located in Bloomington, Illinois, we were by definition “as close to Normal as you could get” without actually quite being there. Geographically (and thus technically) true, but we certainly had ourContinue reading “So Far From Normal”
Frozen In
Dearest Rachel – It so happens that one of the members of the praise team at the church is from Florida – in fact, she’s Brian’s niece, and therefore a relative of ours, albeit a time or two removed – and isn’t used to the weather here (to be sure, no one gets used toContinue reading “Frozen In”
from Rachel: Understanding Biblical Change (part three)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you.“Failure to cooperate with God in the three responsibilities in the power of the spirit accounts for every failure in Christian living – why we’re here (doing this study,Continue reading “from Rachel: Understanding Biblical Change (part three)”
Just Not My Scene
Dearest Rachel – You probably know what’s coming here. Back in the day I always used to believe that I wasn’t a picky eater; given a situation where it was called on to be polite, I’m able to eat anything… and yet, somehow I wind up balking when confronted with some of your mom’s cooking.Continue reading “Just Not My Scene”
Sitting On the Pain Scale
Dearest Rachel – The problem with emotions and feelings is that it’s difficult to explain what one is feeling in a way that another person would understand exactly. Oh, we might be able to give a general idea to an audience what something feels like – and usually, that’s the best we can hope forContinue reading “Sitting On the Pain Scale”
Can’t Bring Myself to Worry
Dearest Rachel – I never got into it with you – you used to watch them while I was at work and Daniel at school – but I know you were into certain varieties of horror for entertainment. I think it reminded you of those days when your Mom was away with one seminar orContinue reading “Can’t Bring Myself to Worry”
Screwing Up the Schedule
Dearest Rachel – No sooner did I hit ‘publish’ on yesterday‘s letter when two things happened to upend my day. First of all, “Riri” wrote back, right after I got through telling you all the reasons why she wouldn’t. I still promise to tell you more about that, but on top of her explanations (someContinue reading “Screwing Up the Schedule”
Walls of Meaningless Text
Dearest Rachel – Lynda Barry, underground cartoonist and one of Matt Groening’s mentors and inspirations, once described love as “an exploding cigar we willingly smoke.” Considering your and my distaste for tobacco in the first place (although you might remember my claim that cigar smoke, in small doses, is redolent of childhood trips to WrigleyContinue reading “Walls of Meaningless Text”
Susan Amid the Wreckage
Dearest Rachel – Weekends are the ‘slow news days’ of my life; and while we need days like that on a regular basis, it does cut into anything that I might have to tell you about. There is the fact that five out of six of us managed to get together yesterday afternoon at aContinue reading “Susan Amid the Wreckage”
from Rachel: Understanding Biblical Change (part two)
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you. “Our Lord did not… – but these are byproducts of godliness, not primary goals for the Christian life – This is an important distinction to keep a goodContinue reading “from Rachel: Understanding Biblical Change (part two)”
Plausible From One Angle
Dearest Rachel – It may not seem like it, since I’ve been able to contact you every day with some news or other, but there’s been a limited amount of stuff going on for me to tell you about. The fact that I can write to you at all has more to do with beingContinue reading “Plausible From One Angle”
The Questions That Go Unasked
Dearest Rachel – This morning – although when it’s this dark, if feels strange to call it such, even if this is just the way things are in the winter – as I got up and braced myself to head out to the gym, it occurred to me that the folks didn’t bother to askContinue reading “The Questions That Go Unasked”
Don’t Tell Me How Cold It Is
Dearest Rachel – So yesterday, I met Lars to go walking through the woods, as we do every week. This, despite the fact that it was below freezing and there was the threat of snow that day – in fact, for most of the time we were out there, we were dealing with a fairContinue reading “Don’t Tell Me How Cold It Is”
Keep Your Head Down, Keep Your Mouth Shut
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know why – I never do, because no one can understand dream logic once they’re awake – but last night saw me hitchhiking across Canada, of all places. It was during their football season (which ended several weeks ago in real life, so the timing of this dream is aContinue reading “Keep Your Head Down, Keep Your Mouth Shut”
Not Me, Virginia
Dearest Rachel – I hardly need to remind you about events like Crazy Hair Night at Sparks; it was one of those ‘theme’ nights that you always used to make a point of participating in… As for myself, I didn’t throw myself into these theme nights with your level of abandon. Part of this wasContinue reading “Not Me, Virginia”
The Lists We Still Need to Deal With
Dearest Rachel – Well, it’s just how things work in the American holiday calendar, I suppose. We no sooner get through with one that, by name and nature, reminds us to be both content and grateful for what we have, than we begin on the one whose whole purpose seems to be the diametric oppositeContinue reading “The Lists We Still Need to Deal With”
from Rachel: Understanding Biblical Change
In the blanks below write the two most significant statements in today’s reading assignment. Be prepared to discuss why the statements you chose were significant to you. “‘And most important, will it stir within them a thirst for God, a hunger for His Word, and a desire to represent Him well as salt in theContinue reading “from Rachel: Understanding Biblical Change”
The Irony of Weekend Snow
Dearest Rachel – They tell us that we’re in for a real dose of winter starting today, and going well on into tomorrow, honey – somewhere in the neighborhood of six inches to a foot, depending on who you listen to. It’s that time of year, after all, and for all that I make anContinue reading “The Irony of Weekend Snow”
Dreams of Alter Egos
Dearest Rachel – It’s been a while since I’ve had a dream worth telling you about (and had both the time to write it down before it dissipated and no real topic to discuss with you that might supersede it). The problem is, while it may have answered a long-known problem of science fiction whileContinue reading “Dreams of Alter Egos”
Half the Holiday
Dearest Rachel – I was getting serious flashbacks from 2020 yesterday morning, honey. You remember that year; we’d all been tested for Covid before Thanksgiving, for the sake of the folks (and, I think, at the recommendation, if not requirement, of the government when it came to such gatherings at the time). Yours and Daniel’sContinue reading “Half the Holiday”
The List We All Need To Make
Dearest Rachel – I don’t really need to tell you about all this, since I already did at the time (and basically in the moment – which means that the story I related over the course of several letters may have been clouded by my emotions at the time, for obvious reasons), but during thatContinue reading “The List We All Need To Make”
Not a Time to Experiment
Dearest Rachel – The holiday season is upon us once again, honey, and as the sun takes that much more time off than it did when we were in Israel (where it’s so much more noticeable, since we can’t sightsee in the dark. Here at home, there’s still plenty to do when evening falls, andContinue reading “Not a Time to Experiment”
Still Not There Yet
Dearest Rachel – I’ve been writing to you a lot this past week about our difficulties in getting ourselves acclimated to our home time zone; it’s just under a week now, and we’re still not there yet. Compare that to our trip out, where we basically fell in line with the local time after aContinue reading “Still Not There Yet”
The Missing Third
Dearest Rachel – Another day, another evening of falling asleep on either side of the bed in our separate recliners while watching YouTube together, and another morning that essentially starts at one a.m., whether I mean for it to or not. We’re not still on Israel time, I don’t think, but we’re probably on GreenlandContinue reading “The Missing Third”
from Rachel: Time Gives Way to Eternity
Please read Revelation 20:1-6 and answer the following questions: Where will Satan be during the thousand-year reign of Christ? “the Abyss” Many people of God will be martyred during the terrible time of tribulation. List everything this segment of Scripture tells you about them. “They had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus (20:4),Continue reading “from Rachel: Time Gives Way to Eternity”
Just the Two of Us
Dearest Rachel – Ordinarily, upon waking up to darkness, assuming (as has been the case for the last couple of days since returning home) that’s it’s just an hour or two before I would normally get up of a Saturday, only to discover that it’s actually barely two in the morning, would be cause forContinue reading “Just the Two of Us”
Sānùk (สนุก) and Suffering
Dearest Rachel – I’ve got a lot of stuff to take care of today – much of which built up while I was overseas, and some of which even has to do with this trip and others in the near future – and while I was contemplating it all, this word popped into my head.Continue reading “Sānùk (สนุก) and Suffering”
Oh, The Places We Didn’t See
Dearest Rachel – In some ways, I don’t know how we managed it back in the day; before you were able to let me retire, we tended to be short on time, because even though I was given five weeks of vacation time after so many years of service, it was hard to squeeze suchContinue reading “Oh, The Places We Didn’t See”
Not Ready for Central Time
Dearest Rachel – Setting aside that he’s dealing with the cold that he caught on the last day or so of the trip (which I may very well catch soon enough, and is why, despite it being Thursday, we won’t be over at the folks’ place for dinner this evening. Dad is getting more andContinue reading “Not Ready for Central Time”
Early Morning Epilogue
Dearest Rachel – Travel is like this sometimes; flights take off at the weirdest hours, and one has to be up and out in order to catch them. So it is with us; after writing you last night about the activities of yesterday, Daniel and I bundled ourselves off to bed (at nine-thirty, which wasContinue reading “Early Morning Epilogue”
Letters to Rachel 