Dearest Rachel – I’ve sort of been denying it to myself for a couple of days now. I’ve been waking up with a raw and scratchy throat, which is always a harbinger of an oncoming cold. It’s a fairly common occurrence at this time of year, especially since it’s hard to predict how warm it’sContinue reading “Oh, This Can’t Be Good…”
Author Archives: randy@letters-to-rachel.memorial
All The Criteria
Dearest Rachel – On my way over to the office, I always find myself passing by this long-deserted storefront about a mile away from my childhood home. During my childhood, this was where the 7-11 was where my dad would take me to get a Slurpee after mowing the lawn, or some other major activityContinue reading “All The Criteria”
We Should Do This More Often
Dearest Rachel – Well, I promised to tell you about last evening, and as to whether it was a full night or a disappointment. And I have to tell you, it may have been a little bit of both. Let’s start with the disappointment, because that’s how it actually went. Ellen offered to bring aContinue reading “We Should Do This More Often”
from Rachel: Without Hindrance
If at all possible from memory, please list the three sources of negative hindrances we discussed in our previous lesson. 1. “other people” 2. “Satan” 3. “our own selves” Read the kind of things Paul had endured in the segment and record the ones you’re pretty sure could qualify as Goliath-level hindrances. “imprisoned, flogged, exposedContinue reading “from Rachel: Without Hindrance”
Nascent Weekend
Dearest Rachel – You can probably tell that I started writing this to you last night, even if I use descriptors like “last night” when it’s still fairly early in the evening – too early to go to bed, more to the point, even if the sky has been dark for hours. There’s this feelingContinue reading “Nascent Weekend”
Tight Schedules, Tight Places
Dearest Rachel – It’s not perfect by any stretch, but to a certain extent, I’ve managed to solve some of my scheduling issues that I’ve had from time to time, due to having to manage my own schedule with you gone. It’s not exactly what I meant to have happen by having AI take overContinue reading “Tight Schedules, Tight Places”
Drink Before the War
Dearest Rachel – I think you knew this without my having to tell you; on my family’s side (and setting my uncle and his family aside, since he and they were either in Austin or Buffalo throughout his career as an academician, and therefor having no influence on me), I was the one member ofContinue reading “Drink Before the War”
A Strangely Productive Morning
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday saw me awake long before five, and desirous to return to slumber. But, of course, my mind was too busy writing to you by then to let me go back to sleep. Of course, everything that was bugging me at the time has now come and gone – that’s how currentContinue reading “A Strangely Productive Morning”
I Just Want This Over With
Dearest Rachel – Today is Tuesday morning; and more to the point, it’s also Election Day. Or rather, the end of election season, I hope. What used to take place over a single day when we were a young couple has been drawn out into what feels like a months-long affair, and I can’t waitContinue reading “I Just Want This Over With”
But We Were There
Dearest Rachel – It amazes me to think that once upon a time, our family thought nothing of showing up at church both in the morning and the evening. I don’t know if my folks ever suffered from the “Sunday Scaries,” as I hear tale of nowadays – and can totally relate to, even thoughContinue reading “But We Were There”
from Rachel: We Wanted To
What specific reason did the apostle Paul give in 1 Thessalonians 2:18 for not coming to the Thessalonians despite his deep desires to the contrary? “Satan stopped/hindered them.” Glance even further back to 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16. How had Paul‘s own countryman done something very similar? “They drove them out of town so that they couldn’tContinue reading “from Rachel: We Wanted To”
Not Expecting Visitors
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”
“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”
Something He Can Call His Own
Dearest Rachel – Well, I promised I would tell you about it, and here we are; after over five years of driving your car around, Daniel finally has a car he can call his own. It has everything he wanted in a car (which, admittedly, wasn’t much to begin with, but thus far, he hasn’tContinue reading “Something He Can Call His Own”
What Passes for Productivity
Dearest Rachel – I had this title in mind when I was on my way to the ‘office’ yesterday morning; if I could get everything accomplished that I had in mind for the day, I could write and tell you about how much I managed to do. And in a way, it was a relativelyContinue reading “What Passes for Productivity”
Pawpaw Party
Dearest Rachel – So, while I had prepared for nothing much to happen last night – and as a consequent sidelight, begun a couple of letters to you as contingency plans – that is precisely what turned out to not happen. As a result, I have plenty to tell you about, even if much ofContinue reading “Pawpaw Party”
from Rachel: On the Contrary
What happened to Paul and Silas (called Sylvanus in Thessalonians) after they were dragged into the marketplace before the authorities (vv. 22-24)? “The crowd joined in the attack, the authorities ordered them to be stripped and beaten, they were severely flogged, they were imprisoned in an inner cell, and their feet were put in stocks.”Continue reading “from Rachel: On the Contrary”
Small Stuff in the Meantime
Dearest Rachel – There’s a pair of rules for life that go like such: 1.) Don’t sweat the small stuff, and 2.) it’s all small stuff. And from your vantage point, that’s truer than any living human can grasp. Literally anything I tell you about is ‘small stuff,’ in the grand scheme of things, noContinue reading “Small Stuff in the Meantime”
A Day For Daniel
Dearest Rachel – I’ve got to admit, I really don’t know what to write to you about this morning. It’s been a day of a fair number of little things – just enough to keep me occupied – none of which strike me as particularly noteworthy. It’s just a little bit of everything and aContinue reading “A Day For Daniel”
We Disappoint
Dearest Rachel – Coming home from class at church last night (Pastor Joel is doing a series on Old Testament characters, and certain Biblical counseling principles that apply to them; our first night started almost at the very beginning, with Cain and God’s warning to him to keep his desires under control, lest something terribleContinue reading “We Disappoint”
Going On Younger
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday, I mentioned something rather in passing about how I see those who are my peers – people my age – to somehow be older than myself. As I was writing that parenthetical comment, I realized that it could stand to be expanded upon, but if I were to do that rightContinue reading “Going On Younger”
I Could Use a New Drug
Dearest Rachel – I’m not gonna go so far as to say that I need a new drug (and in event, apparently Huey Lewis didn’t go that far either – he actually said “want,” much to my surprise – not that he was talking about drugs in the first place, but rather about love andContinue reading “I Could Use a New Drug”
Harnessing Resolve
Dearest Rachel – I’ve told you in the past about one failure or another when it comes to attempts at both diet and exercise; not only have are there the standard problems with motivation, there been times when one’s determination to do right falters when faced with certain obstacles life presents. My struggles with thisContinue reading “Harnessing Resolve”
from Rachel: Hear It
Please look up the precise wording of verse 8 in either the NASB, KJV, or the ESV. According to one of these three versions, exactly what sounded out or sounded forth from them?“the word of the Lord” The following verses offer a broad-spectrum view of the power of the phrase. What does each say aboutContinue reading “from Rachel: Hear It”
We Need A Third, At Least
Dearest Rachel – This weekend is particularly quiet for Daniel and myself, honey. Logan is out of the house for the weekend; I forget if it’s a sibling or a cousin of his, but one or the other is getting married this weekend up in Michigan. It strikes me as a little odd for aContinue reading “We Need A Third, At Least”
Not For Me, But Still…
Dearest Rachel – So last night had me in class again at church. It doesn’t require the same sort of schedule juggling as Grief Share did five years ago (when it was running concurrently against Awana clubs and my responsibilities there), but given that it’s on a Thursday, it does sort of interfere with ourContinue reading “Not For Me, But Still…”
Would I Be Like Arne?
Dearest Rachel – It’s been a while since we went walking like this in the woods; not only were the last two weeks that I’ve met up with Lars been rather short on actual walking, he’s been hosting friends from overseas, so I’m something of a bit player in those days (and I’ve rather hadContinue reading “Would I Be Like Arne?”
The Beasts of the Kingdom
Dearest Rachel – So, over Labor Day weekend, Logan dragged Daniel and I (not too insistently, as we’d found the movie intriguing enough to consider checking out – we just don’t go out to do these things on our own without a little extra push, which Logan was more than happy to provide) to seeContinue reading “The Beasts of the Kingdom”
A Healthy Crowd
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know what it felt like to you or Daniel, but it seems like whatever I have right now is like one of the colds either of you would deal with; longer term, lower symptom intensity, but just there the whole time. Rather than being laid out flat like I usedContinue reading “A Healthy Crowd”
Walking Distance
Dearest Rachel – I’m pretty sure that Kirsten started the conversation this weekend about what we might do together, which will eventually become somewhat ironic at some point in this story. To be fair, she started it sometime in the middle of Friday, when I was staying home (although not exactly staying home the wholeContinue reading “Walking Distance”
from Rachel: Reading Lives and Letters
What do you think my pastor’s statement means? “Happiness is wonderful, but it is hard to hold onto. It comes and goes with the moment and one’s mood. Even on an extra happy day or in an especially happy place, little problems or inconveniences or disappointments or even slightly boring moments can make happiness ebbContinue reading “from Rachel: Reading Lives and Letters”
A Mad, Pointless Dash
Dearest Rachel – So yesterday saw me sitting at home yet again; for all Mom’s mock-concern about losing track of the days with ‘two Saturdays’ at the end of the week, I can’t seem to avoid the situation. This time around, it was a continuation of an issue we had mostly dealt with of aContinue reading “A Mad, Pointless Dash”
Vaguely Familiar Ground
Dearest Rachel – So, yesterday saw me driving Mom to her investment advisors’ to deposit a refund check from Dad’s health insurance, as well as determine what to do with the life insurance payout she had already received. While I would point out that she could certainly have driven herself – she does so whenContinue reading “Vaguely Familiar Ground”
Chained in Place
Dearest Rachel – For all that I mention it (and for all that I try not to), you’re well aware of my newsfeed, and the fact that I still read it on a daily basis. You might remember that I used to read certain articles of interest to you, partly as practice at reading scripts,Continue reading “Chained in Place”
Meanwhile, at Home…
Dearest Rachel – There are some stories that are not really mine to tell, as I don’t enter into them until the second or third act at best, but since Daniel’s not likely to tell it (for various reasons, including that he’s not a writer, as such, and it’s debatable as to how well theContinue reading “Meanwhile, at Home…”
Letting Myself Be Treated
Dearest Rachel – I’ve no idea how long it’s been since I’ve been to Lake Geneva; in fact, as far as I know, I (and therefore we) never went there before. There are the odd sights that seem vaguely familiar from my childhood, but as you know, my childhood memories don’t seem to be asContinue reading “Letting Myself Be Treated”
To Shock God Himself
Dearest Rachel – I mentioned just the other day in replying to you that I feel a sort of futility in the idea of praying to an omniscient God – although what kind of “god” would One be if He wasn’t that, along with all the other “omni”s ascribed to him? Were He to lackContinue reading “To Shock God Himself”
‘Working’ on Labor Day
Dearest Rachel – It may seem a little inappropriate for me to be reporting in to the ‘office’ today – although it’s been pointed out since the holiday was created how odd it is to celebrate ‘labor’ by not laboring – but that’s the beauty of being retired and being able to set one’s ownContinue reading “‘Working’ on Labor Day”
from Rachel: But Also in Power
Read Mark 4:41. What question did they ask in their great fear? “‘Who is this?’ (‘Even the wind and the waves obey Him.’)” ✭ Trying to wrap human language around holy exposure is like trying to cover a big screen TV with six inches of Christmas paper. Do you understand from experience what I’m talkingContinue reading “from Rachel: But Also in Power”
Playing Tour Guide
Dearest Rachel – It was an interesting start to the day, honey. I was assured by Copilot that the trains departing the Arlington Heights station for Ogilvie would show up there at about 48 minutes past the hour, so I made a point of leaving the house shortly after nine (but not without extending aContinue reading “Playing Tour Guide”
Making Preparations
Dearest Rachel – Since I really want to get this out before I have to leave the house in the morning, this letter is mostly being written ahead of time. Oh, I expect to have a fair amount to tell you about regarding today’s activities, but that won’t be until I get home, and byContinue reading “Making Preparations”
Costco Run
Dearest Rachel – Good news this morning (or, more accurately, from Tuesday afternoon); Daniel called in to the county as instructed on his summons, and it turns out that his services were not required after all, which was a relief. I was fully prepared to escort him down there (despite never having been called toContinue reading “Costco Run”
Can Ghosts Take Care of You?
Dearest Rachel – Given a fairly calm and otherwise uneventful week – it’s too hot and muggy to go walking (and in any event, Lars is being visited by some old friends from Europe, although he’s invited me to join them on Friday when they hit the city in earnest; we’ll see how that goes),Continue reading “Can Ghosts Take Care of You?”
Retirement Home
Dearest Rachel – It’s been one of those days where nothing interesting is happening, at least not personally, which is okay; life doesn’t always have to have something monumental going on in it every day. In fact, if it did, it would get to the point where a boring day would be the most unusualContinue reading “Retirement Home”
Will We Know Our Masterpiece?
Dearest Rachel – In a song that I woke up the other day running around in my head, Bob Dylan lamented “all the hours [he’d] spent inside the Coliseum / Dodging lions, and wasting time.” He claimed later on that “some day, ev’rything is gonna be diff’rnt / When I paint my masterpiece.” And whileContinue reading “Will We Know Our Masterpiece?”
Friends First
Dearest Rachel – It’s actually kind of funny; as summer comes to a close, the social calendar ramps up with a quickness. Which is sort of ironic, because everything’s pretty slow during the summer – now that we all get back to our commitments, we’re being called to this or that event on top ofContinue reading “Friends First”
from Rachel: We Recalled
Look at the first verse of each letter to the Thessalonians. Who were the writers/senders? “Paul, Silas (Silvanus) and Timothy” An intriguing anomaly appears in the introduction to Galatians. Additional senders are listed but unnamed (see 1:2). Who are they? “and all the brothers with me – Paul’s whole entourage” Think back on a harshContinue reading “from Rachel: We Recalled”
Pretend Everything’s Normal
Dearest Rachel – I feel like I should apologize for yesterday; normally, I can get a letter out to you before noon without fail – and most of it was put together both early and quickly – but the story couldn’t be resolved until the work was done by the repair team when they cameContinue reading “Pretend Everything’s Normal”
A Plumbing Fix
Dearest Rachel – Given that our house is older than even your parents’ place (it was, after all, on the outer perimeter of the subdivision, and therefore built first as part of a row of demonstration models), it was to be expected that we would need to fix up and upgrade the place over time.Continue reading “A Plumbing Fix”
The Process of Discovery
Dearest Rachel – For all that I will tell you about the characteristics that Daniel shares with you, this time it may be something that he shares with me that makes the story. He may be generally inert on his own, but once nudged to do something, he can pursue the matter without further influence.Continue reading “The Process of Discovery”
Entropy
Dearest Rachel – I tend to think of this word as being synonymous with chaos or disorder; slightly more scientific than either of the other words, with a literally universal meaning to it, insofar as the cosmos tends toward it all the more over time (although, on such a scale, one could expect the processContinue reading “Entropy”
To Wander Off
Dearest Rachel – I realize that it’s an everyday occurrence for some people – it’s how they get to their offices, after all, and all the tedium associated with that – but when I walk across town to get to my ‘office,’ I pass by the train station in the middle of town, and I’mContinue reading “To Wander Off”
Showing Up, At Least
Dearest Rachel – Life does not work like literature, honey. Anton Chekov insisted that a gun that appears in the first act of a stage play must be fired by the third act, but that’s not how things work in real life. Your dad’s pistol, hidden (ironically) in a book with its pages hollowed out,Continue reading “Showing Up, At Least”
Pleasure and Penance
Dearest Rachel – After Daniel passed his driving test (which I’ve never had to take a second time, so even I would worry about missing a key thing or two), I thought it would be worth going out to eat to celebrate. It’s not like either of the boys weren’t already thinking about lunch, asContinue reading “Pleasure and Penance”
from Rachel: Children of the Day
Note how Jesus referred to this continuum in John 17:20: I pray not only for these, but also “for those who will believe in me through their message.” To what location did Paul and Silas first go in Thessalonica? “the synagogue” How many Sabbaths did they serve in Thessalonica? “3” Carefully read Acts 17:2-3. WhatContinue reading “from Rachel: Children of the Day”
Take Two
Dearest Rachel – Well, considering that last week turned out to be a washout, I wasn’t expecting much out of this week’s attempt for the boys to get their licenses renewed and updated. At the same time, it’s not like we didn’t know what documentation we hadn’t thought to bring last time around, so maybeContinue reading “Take Two”
Summoned to Stand By
Dearest Rachel – I never expected to write you twice about mail in the same week. True, I call these posts that I “send” to you “letters,” but there’s no postal service between heaven and earth that can assure that they would be delivered and read – at least, not by you. Anything that happensContinue reading “Summoned to Stand By”
And You Thought I Was Bad When I Worked…
Dearest Rachel – I’m not going to lie, but my recent evening routine would probably shock you, honey. You would stay up until the wee hours of the night, after all, fighting off the sandman as if a mortal enemy. You might nod off in front of a computer while we hung out together inContinue reading “And You Thought I Was Bad When I Worked…”
Mail for Your Mom
Dearest Rachel – I don’t recall exactly when it was that you set things up so that your parents’ mail would arrive at our place. It would have been after you and I got them to agree to in-home nursing care (which they preferred to the idea of having to be placed in a retirementContinue reading “Mail for Your Mom”
Caught Cheating
Dearest Rachel – For all that Lars is a doctor, as well as a friend I walk with on a regular basis (although not as regular of late, since this past week held various scheduling conflicts between the two of us, and the week before saw me in Honduras, where I had… other issues withContinue reading “Caught Cheating”
It Would Never Work
Dearest Rachel – It was a relatively small crowd that went down to Honduras a couple of weeks ago – closer to fifteen rather than twenty, which has been the rough average of previous trips (in fairness, they are doing a greater number of trips this year, thereby spreading volunteers out among multiple weeks, ratherContinue reading “It Would Never Work”
from Rachel: Being a Ministry-Minded Overseer (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.“…‘the biggest day’ of our lives… will be the day when we all stand up before Jesus Christ to give an account of our usefulness to him during thisContinue reading “from Rachel: Being a Ministry-Minded Overseer (part five)”
At The Last Minute
Dearest Rachel – It was a good thing that I had basically finished my ‘work’ for the month (you know, the reports to be delivered to the elders and such like) by the end of the day on Thursday, honey. Yesterday wound up getting pre-empted by so much else happening at the last minute thatContinue reading “At The Last Minute”
Treeman Doesn’t Care
Dearest Rachel – I occasionally find myself wondering how much you remember of life down here, after gulping down a draft from the river Lethe. To be sure, that’s a completely mythological waterway, but given how memory fades over time down here – and you’ve traveled much further than I have in that intervening time,Continue reading “Treeman Doesn’t Care”
Indulgent Parenting
Dearest Rachel – So yesterday was a short one at the ‘office’; normally, I’d be there from at least ten until three, but I had my semi-annual dental appointment (yes, I’m far more faithful with that than my physical check-up. In fact, I’m not even sure how that works, now that Daniel and I haveContinue reading “Indulgent Parenting”
Chocolate and Soap
Dearest Rachel – This is the sort of thing you and I would share of an idle morning, or maybe talk about while we were walking Chompers around the block or two that he needed to do all the business he had to deal with. Meaningless, nonsense stuff; the sort of thing that was goodContinue reading “Chocolate and Soap”
Free to Walk Around
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday morning, after enduring two gullywashers in quick succession on Sunday (one of which knocked out the power in the house for about an hour or so), the temperature here (to say nothing of the threat of rain, although there was a high dome of clouds covering the sky that lasted throughoutContinue reading “Free to Walk Around”
The Long Trip Back
Dearest Rachel – It seems odd to focus on the flights to and from any given destination when I write to you about traveling; really, it’s the least interesting part of the whole trip. Then again, the process takes the better part of a day either way – be it the trip to and fromContinue reading “The Long Trip Back”
from Rachel: Being a Ministry-Minded Overseer (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.“Tragically, the child training responsibility is approached with the same mentality as is the pile of dirty dishes on the kitchen counter. Instead of attending to them on aContinue reading “from Rachel: Being a Ministry-Minded Overseer (part four)”
