Dearest Rachel – This isn’t really much of a letter, as it’s going to be somewhat light on actual words. Then again – and I think I said this not all that long ago – if a picture is worth a thousand words, how many is a video worth? And with that having been pointedContinue reading “Memory Preserves”
Author Archives: randy@letters-to-rachel.memorial
Twenty-Three Hour Days
Dearest Rachel – I’m not going to lie to you (after all, why start now?), this trip has wreaked havoc with my circadian rhythm. For all that I’ve been trying to stay up later in order to thus sleep in that much longer thereafter, I’ve been waking up at around two in the morning regardlessContinue reading “Twenty-Three Hour Days”
from Rachel: Searching for Wisdom (parts one and 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. “These closing remarks in the Sermon on the Mount concisely and powerfully state the non-negotiable, bottom-line requirements for wisdom – the mind of Christ. They are not atContinue reading “from Rachel: Searching for Wisdom (parts one and two)”
Not Yet Able to Relax
Dearest Rachel – You might recall, as I was wrapping up yesterday‘s activities, that I mentioned about how the next week or so would be spent at sea, and therefore, I wouldn’t be running around one port or another, trying to accomplish this thing or that. Daniel and I could just sit back – orContinue reading “Not Yet Able to Relax”
Two Out Of Three…
Dearest Rachel – According to Meatloaf, I’m told that “ain’t bad.” But for whatever reason, our visit to Hokkaido wasn’t quite as successful as Daniel and I wanted it to be. During that last hour before boarding call, as we dithered about whether to stay on land – and where to go if we didContinue reading “Two Out Of Three…”
When A Plan Comes Together
Dearest Rachel – It probably goes without saying, but I’m going to say it anyway: there’s a marked difference between a tour and just wandering about a city. With a tour, you have a guide who generally knows the territory – or at least the territory they’re taking you through. You may feel like you’reContinue reading “When A Plan Comes Together”
I’d Hoped to Have More Time…
Dearest Rachel – Honestly, this is a phrase that could cover this entire site; I’ve said time and again that I’d assumed we’d have had decades together, where we would see the world (and show it to Daniel), and enjoy each other’s company for the rest of our lives. Especially given your family history ofContinue reading “I’d Hoped to Have More Time…”
A Chance to Catch Up
Dearest Rachel – So this trip is made up of three separate sections in all; a short week in Japan (which is what we’re truly here for, since it’s about the only way for us to make a stop in Sapporo), a second, full week of sea days up north, and finally, a week involvingContinue reading “A Chance to Catch Up”
Going Our Own Way
Dearest Rachel – At the risk of possibly earworming you with that old Fleetwood Mac song (which absolutely does not apply; I checked both the lyrics and the backstory, and yeah, it’s completely out of place in this context), this pretty much summed up our excursion today into Tokyo. I was okay with riding theContinue reading “Going Our Own Way”
More Than A Few Headaches
Dearest Rachel – For all that you apparently disliked air travel in general (a fact that I didn’t catch onto until our final year together, and will never quite get over, either that you were like that or that I never knew until then), I would think that flights to the Pacific would be perfectlyContinue reading “More Than A Few Headaches “
A Long Way From Where We’re Going
Dearest Rachel – I set my alarm this morning for five o’clock, and woke up almost exactly at four, instead. That’s what comes of going to bed at only a little after eight, I suppose. It gave me a little extra time to get myself pulled together – including writing you (or rather, commenting onContinue reading “A Long Way From Where We’re Going”
from Rachel: Getting in Touch With Reality (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.“In fact, you may experience a great deal of frustration that the kind of relationship with him that you desire seems so elusive – I do feel like IContinue reading “from Rachel: Getting in Touch With Reality (part three)”
With His Blessing
Dearest Rachel – I’ve mentioned before that, like with my trip early in 2024, I – we, since Daniel is coming with this time around – have Dad’s blessing to head out on this trip. Despite the fact that his baseline health is noticeably worse than it was back then – what he’s been easedContinue reading “With His Blessing”
Transition Accomplished
Dearest Rachel – I won’t argue it; the title smacks of that moment on the battleship with the president addressing the troops after the successful (at the time) of toppling Saddam Hussien and taking over Iraq. In fact, the banner was actually referring to a specific mission that the ship and its crew had beenContinue reading “Transition Accomplished”
Moving Back Home
Dearest Rachel – I wasn’t going to head to the rehab center yesterday, despite the fact that it was to be the day Dad moved out, presumably for the final time in his life. It might have been a reasonable idea to be on hand to bid farewell to a team of nurses that hadContinue reading “Moving Back Home”
Salariman no Pai
Dearest Rachel – And now, a slight break from the heaviness of dealing with Dad’s declining health and the craziness of abruptly moving him back home from rehab. There will be time to go over that later today – or maybe tomorrow, depending on whether, and when, I have time – but every now andContinue reading “Salariman no Pai”
“You Are Legends”
Dearest Rachel – For all that we’ve set plans in motion to swiftly bring Dad back home to be comfortable in his last days, there’s more that needs to be taken care of than the “comfort care” organization can or will provide. After all, they’re basically fully paid for by Medicare, but there are thingsContinue reading ““You Are Legends””
The “Suddenly” Part
Dearest Rachel – There’s a line in one of Hemingway’s novels where a character is asked how it came to be that he went bankrupt. His response is an interesting one, but one that makes perfect sense upon reflection: “Gradually… and then suddenly.” I haven’t read the novel in question – I don’t even knowContinue reading “The “Suddenly” Part”
Secret Keeper
Dearest Rachel – Three weeks ago, while Dad was still in the hospital before being transferred into the rehabilitation center that he’s staying at presently, he was visited by our lead pastor. Not to offer any sort of last rites or anything like that; for one thing (as you know), we don’t do that, atContinue reading “Secret Keeper”
Hung Up On the Future
Dearest Rachel – It’s weird to realize that, in less than a week from now, Daniel and I will be winging our way back to Tokyo after a little more than two months. It somehow manages to take the punch out of the convention, in much the same way that two years ago, it feltContinue reading “Hung Up On the Future”
from Rachel: Getting in Touch With Reality (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.“ marriage was created by God to mirror the kind of relationship he wishes to have with us. Intimate fellowship with God, as we can see, is more thanContinue reading “from Rachel: Getting in Touch With Reality (part two)”
Odd Thoughts
Dearest Rachel – I’ll be honest; I didn’t know when or whether I’d actually get around to writing you this weekend. It’s why I had something mostly pre-written for Friday – and a good thing, too, as I was too busy once we arrived at the convention to really actually get much written down yesterday.Continue reading “Odd Thoughts”
Casting Off
Dearest Rachel – You would’ve been proud of the boys, honey. Maybe more Logan than Daniel, but we were up and out of the house at what you would have considered a respectable hour. Having been fed before leaving, we saw no need to stop for breakfast provisions like donuts or the like that weContinue reading “Casting Off”
Only So Much Time
Dearest Rachel – Given that I prefer to get a letter out to you early on in the day, in case I run out of time as the day wears on, today is going to be a real challenge. It’s why I’m trying to at least get it started a couple of days beforehand, soContinue reading “Only So Much Time”
Cleaning Up Beforehand
Dearest Rachel – This is a topic of discussion that would never have come up between us in your lifetime. During that first year, when Jan was helping me clear the house of so much stuff that could not be gotten rid of for any one of so many reasons, she informed me that sheContinue reading “Cleaning Up Beforehand”
The Letter of the Law
Dearest Rachel – I really thought this was long since over and done with by now, honey. Most of your parents’ estate issues seemed to have been sorted out even before the lockdown clamped down on us – although not entirely, which is part of why we were caught unprepared by the fact that youContinue reading “The Letter of the Law”
“I’ll Be Right Back”
Dearest Rachel – I promise you, this letter has nothing to do with that Black Mirror episode I keep referencing (and would still kind of like to live out, just to see for myself as to whether it’s as truly awful as the show makes it out to be). No, this is more along theContinue reading ““I’ll Be Right Back””
A Single Pillow
Dearest Rachel – When Dad’s latest health issue was at its most urgent, he was in the hospital, which is practically in our backyard (especially as compared to his and Mom’s house, where I have my ‘office’). As a result, it was no trouble – and indeed, I felt it more my responsibility than myContinue reading “A Single Pillow”
from Rachel: Getting in Touch With Reality (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.“You see, God is the environment of man. Paul says, ‘For in Him we live, and move, and have our being.’ (Acts 17:28) – fascinating “Having a renewed mindContinue reading “from Rachel: Getting in Touch With Reality (part one)”
Babysitting Each Other
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday was a strange one, honey. Logan has headed downstate with his family, as his sister is wrapping up things at college – I forget if it’s her graduation proper, or her last turn on stage (I think she’s a theater major) – so the house is suddenly that much more quietContinue reading “Babysitting Each Other”
Mother’s Day
Dearest Rachel – You might recall that we have a traditional gift we get my mom for Mother’s Day (which, admittedly, often felt like a bit of a cop out, given how easy it was); we would head over to a local florist/garden center, and get her a gift card for the place. And whileContinue reading “Mother’s Day”
It’s My Own Fault
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know if it’s a case of my being preoccupied with one or another thing, or that you would have made it more of a priority than I have, but in either case, this would never have happened on your watch. The other day, while Daniel and I were catching upContinue reading “It’s My Own Fault”
Shivering From…?
Dearest Rachel – And just when we thought everything was sorted out, too… The thing is, Dad has been making it plain that, for all that he seemed to have been recovering from this third near-fatal incident, it’s not that he’s truly ‘getting better’ any more. On the contrary, each recovery settles him in atContinue reading “Shivering From…?”
A New Version of ‘Normal’
Dearest Rachel – Well, it would seem that the crisis has passed once again. After yet another scare, it looks like Dad is going to recover. He’s even making plans for what life will be like for him once he returns home, although he’s accepted that it won’t happen for at least three or fourContinue reading “A New Version of ‘Normal’”
If I’d Had the Time…
Dearest Rachel – Of late, I’ve begun to wonder what I would have done if your departure was anything more than the sudden shock that it was. If we’d known that it was coming – and been of the understanding that there was nothing to be done to prevent it (a combination which, to beContinue reading “If I’d Had the Time…”
from Rachel: Mortifying Your Flesh (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.“…since the flesh is always with us this side of heaven, the engine never stops. At best it is idling; at worst, it is racing! – isn’t that theContinue reading “from Rachel: Mortifying Your Flesh (part five)”
The Boys Have Made Plans
Dearest Rachel – For all that I’ve been telling you about Dad’s latest wrestling match with mortality, there have been more than a few undercard bouts that have been on the bill that I haven’t touched on. There are a couple of which I’ve thrown in the sponge until a more opportune time, such asContinue reading “The Boys Have Made Plans”
Not Always Working Out
Dearest Rachel – I had originally thought to reference the Rolling Stones’ song about how “you can’t always get what you want” in the title, but when it comes to yesterday’s events (especially the afternoon), it most certainly wasn’t an offsetting case of Dad getting what he needed. Quite the contrary, in fact, but I’llContinue reading “Not Always Working Out”
The New Routine
Dearest Rachel – You’re aware that, when I asked the folks’ permission to set up an office in their basement, where Dad used to have his office, it wasn’t entirely altruistic, so as to be in the house in case they needed me to be there for some reason or other. Oh, there is that,Continue reading “The New Routine”
(Un)Moving Day
Dearest Rachel – Each day at the hospital is another case of not knowing how things are going to go, and what, if anything, is going to happen. Depending on how well he’s been able to sleep the night before, Dad’s mood could be one of contentment with whatever fate has in store for him,Continue reading “(Un)Moving Day”
Pizza Week
Dearest Rachel – After all the heavy stuff of this past weekend – and I’m not even going to touch on the stuff going on in the wider world, as that doesn’t really matter to us – I’d like to tell you about something a little lighter for a change. Granted, it doesn’t leave meContinue reading “Pizza Week”
Strange Delivery
Dearest Rachel – I’ve told you about mysterious deliveries that I’ve gotten at home, starting from the first few months or so after your departure. I have my suspicions as to who might’ve been responsible in one case or another, but nothing concrete to go on. However, as it turns out, I’m not the onlyContinue reading “Strange Delivery”
Weary from the Ride
Dearest Rachel – Each day is another ride on the roller coaster that is life; some days are wonderful and exhilarating, while others make your heart and lungs nearly fly out of your throat. And while at times it sounds like a fun way to look at life – even an actual day at anContinue reading “Weary from the Ride”
from Rachel: Mortifying Your Flesh (parts three & four)
(Part 3) 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.“Don’t give in to feelings that are generated by fleshly, selfish thinking. They will not give you an accurate picture of reality. They will keep you trappedContinue reading “from Rachel: Mortifying Your Flesh (parts three & four)”
A Bleak Vision of the Future
Dearest Rachel – So, the last couple of days have been spent at Dad’s bedside for the better part of eight hours; slightly less than half my waking day. It’s the least I could do, given the fact that I don’t have to be at ‘work’ these days. For what it’s worth, it seems thatContinue reading “A Bleak Vision of the Future”
The Ultimate Role Model
Dearest Rachel – I freely admit it; while I make a point of showing up at the ‘office’ on a near-daily basis during the ‘work’ week, I almost never put in a full eight hour, nine-to-five ‘work’ day anymore. Since I don’t answer to a boss, and I take no pay for services rendered, thereContinue reading “The Ultimate Role Model”
Japanese Breakfast
Dearest Rachel – Even with the sudden, developing chaos of the past couple of days (now playing out at the ICU yet again; most of today’s work day will be spent over there, which is part of why I’m getting this written to you in the early hours of the morning) and the chronic, naggingContinue reading “Japanese Breakfast”
One Scare After Another
Dearest Rachel – This is going to sound familiar to you at this point, given the tumult that occupied much of the last five years of your life. The past couple of days have been just what I’ve said at the top of this letter – one scare after another – with regard to DadContinue reading “One Scare After Another”
An Empty Bottle of Time
Dearest Rachel – I can’t recall if Jan and I found it in amongst everything we had to sort through during the purge – it’s possible that I only remember seeing it during any number of our many trips down to your childhood home over the December holidays and other times – but you hadContinue reading “An Empty Bottle of Time”
So That I Can Go Back Again
Dearest Rachel – I didn’t do a lot of work on this letter to you yesterday when the subject occurred to me. After all, I was busying myself in the booth during the morning’s three services – and I had to keep on my toes, since there would be lulls at intermittent times in betweenContinue reading “So That I Can Go Back Again”
from Rachel: Mortifying Your Flesh (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 flesh itself is not destroyed in our co-crucifixion with Christ, but just as a dead corpse is powerless to respond to anyone’s will, so our flesh’s absolute powerContinue reading “from Rachel: Mortifying Your Flesh (part two)”
It’s Just Bugging Me…
Dearest Rachel – It’s not like Lars and me to go walking through the woods on a Friday. Generally, we tend to prefer earlier in the week, since it allows us to reschedule and postpone things if necessary; waiting until the last day of the week leaves us with no options, should something come up,Continue reading “It’s Just Bugging Me…”
Calling ‘Her’ Up – And Out
Dearest Rachel – Now, just yesterday, I got into a couple of news stories that, if you look at them in a certain way, could explain why women want nothing to do with dating men – because they could be hideous creeps (or worse), and you wouldn’t know until it’s way too late. Fair enough;Continue reading “Calling ‘Her’ Up – And Out”
Boy, You Think You Know a Guy…
Dearest Rachel – “I read the news today, oh boy…” Yeah, this is the sort of topic I’d rather not be talking about here. Like I’ve said so many times before, talking about politics on the internet is something that will get you strung up by half the population of the place – if notContinue reading “Boy, You Think You Know a Guy…”
Letting Go When It’s In My Grasp
Dearest Rachel – It’s a good thing that I don’t direct these letters at anyone but you, and it doesn’t matter to me as to how many others might be reading this over your shoulder. I don’t have any consistent message of uplift or progress that would appeal to a mass audience (or, on theContinue reading “Letting Go When It’s In My Grasp”
O Fortuna
Dearest Rachel – I know, I know; just from looking at the title here, you can practically hear the song, complete with the misheard lyrics. Feel free to have a chuckle or two at it before I get on with why I bring the topic up in the first place. If I remember correctly, theContinue reading “O Fortuna”
At Least Monday is Short
Dearest Rachel – The box with the camera and its accessories sits on a TV tray at the foot of the bed, like it has all weekend. The memory chip I ordered separately (remember when it was just that batteries weren’t included in a toy we would get for Daniel for Christmas or his birthday?)Continue reading “At Least Monday is Short”
from Rachel: Mortifying Your Flesh (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.“Now the primary task of mortification is to weaken the habit of sin so that its power to express itself – in violence, frequency, tumult, provocation and unrest –Continue reading “from Rachel: Mortifying Your Flesh (part one)”
Not Working for the Weekend
Dearest Rachel – According to the piped-in music I occasionally will notice while I’m at the gym, “everybody’s working for the weekend” except for me these days. Look, I get it; I remember the days when those two days away from the office – particularly the one in which I had no commitments but toContinue reading “Not Working for the Weekend”
And Were You? Or Are You?
Dearest Rachel – Now, this is a letter that the topic of which I thought I’d written to you weeks ago, when it first came up in my mind. Then again, the fact that it seems like it hasn’t suggests that the events of the day put the idea on the back burner until suchContinue reading “And Were You? Or Are You?”
Aches and Pains
Dearest Rachel – I understand that, as we get older, certain parts of the body start to break down, and they become that much more painful to use. Which is a bit of a problem when exercise is the means by which I’m trying to get into shape. I’ve been noticing – and may haveContinue reading “Aches and Pains”
Awaiting A Reply
Dearest Rachel – No, it’s not as if I’m expecting to hear back from you; I never have, even from the first, no matter how wonderful it would be if you could or would. This particular story, like so many since your departure, has less to do with you, and more with my dealings withContinue reading “Awaiting A Reply”
The Usual Wager
Dearest Rachel – I almost missed it yesterday evening, until Daniel pointed it out to me: a single balloon languishing in the rafters of the church when we arrived for Sparks last night. Of course, you might wonder how this sight would trigger a letter from me, and why I would use such a seeminglyContinue reading “The Usual Wager”
Like Nothing We’d Ever Done
Dearest Rachel – Believe it or not, I was half-expecting to spend all of yesterday cooped up at home. Think about that; I never spend any Sunday like this, and here I was, planning to stay home for the whole of Easter, of all Sundays? But with the plans for the family to get togetherContinue reading “Like Nothing We’d Ever Done”
from Rachel: Getting in Your Place (parts four and 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.“No attribute of God is more emphasized in scripture than His loving care for His people. Yet no quality of God is doubted and more than His love whenContinue reading “from Rachel: Getting in Your Place (parts four and five)”
I’ve No Right To Complain
Dearest Rachel – I’d say this is hardly a typical Easter weekend, but given that I’ve been out of the country twice in the last five years over Easter weekend, I’ve no right to complain about this one. But it still feels kind of strange, regardless. Among other things, I’m accustomed to working the boothContinue reading “I’ve No Right To Complain”
Not Quite Independent, But…
Dearest Rachel – Yesterday, as I was returning from the gym, I ran into Logan as he was taking his first break of his workday in order to slap together some breakfast – well, technically, he’d “slapped it together” on Sunday, along with similar pre-prepared meals for the entirety of his work week; all heContinue reading “Not Quite Independent, But…”
Finally Returning
Dearest Rachel – I suppose it was overly optimistic of me, but after fasting over the weekend (as I do when I’m working the booth – keeping busy keeps my mind off of food, although I generally allow myself a couple of coffees on Sunday, due to the early start of the day; and yes,Continue reading “Finally Returning”
Future Past
Dearest Rachel – I hadn’t expected to be cooking for my own birthday dinner; but then again, that’s not what yesterday evening was supposed to be, in any event. The idea actually stemmed from Erin wondering in our ongoing group chat whether the six of us could get together at her place for a change,Continue reading “Future Past”
Up To A Point
Dearest Rachel – One of the odd situations of my particular task at Sparks, as I record attendance and progress, is that I’m not exactly busy during the time everything else is going on, but rather before and after. We get to church early, since neither Daniel nor I have job commitments, and set theContinue reading “Up To A Point”
Woefully Inadequate
Dearest Rachel – Considering that I’m to meet her at ten this morning, I’m up way too early. Then again, it’s not entirely my own fault; when Daniel dropped by the bedroom after Logan called it a night last night, we didn’t even get through a single video before he seemed noticeably still, and hisContinue reading “Woefully Inadequate”
from Rachel: Getting in Your Place (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.“God doesn’t humble every man in the same way. He has wrenches of many sizes in his toolbox to fix whatever problem He finds – I love the metaphorContinue reading “from Rachel: Getting in Your Place (part three)”
Outlasting My Treadmill
Dearest Rachel – As has been the case for a while, I’m writing to you about yesterday’s events – or at least one event in particular. The trouble is, it’s sometimes hard to decide what to focus on as far as a specific topic goes; even on slow days, there are often multiple things goingContinue reading “Outlasting My Treadmill”
And This is Why We’d Rather Not Bother
Dearest Rachel – Since these letters usually go out in the morning, when all I’ve been able to take care of is my morning routine before heading out to the ‘office,’ I often make reference to things that I have coming up, and then put the brakes on going into detail about them, because I’dContinue reading “And This is Why We’d Rather Not Bother”
Glassing Over
Dearest Rachel – There are some moments in life which I can’t describe to you as they’re happening, just by dint of what they are. You’ll notice, for instance, that I describe many of my mornings to you – because that’s often when I have energy and inspiration, not to mention the desire to getContinue reading “Glassing Over”
Shrieking Into Traffic
Dearest Rachel – I can still remember your shriek from the night Aki-san was mortally wounded. I had come downstate to visit you while you were back home at your folks’ house over one break or another. The date escapes me at the moment, I confess; I want to say Christmas or late January, butContinue reading “Shrieking Into Traffic”
Nod Over… Celsius?
Dearest Rachel – There are certain mornings when I wake up with an idea to talk to you about, and all the time in the world to get it written down for you before I head out to the ‘office.’ Not often, but occasionally; most mornings, I have the time, but nothing in my headContinue reading “Nod Over… Celsius?”
Worrying Over Nothing
Dearest Rachel – Sixty-two months, it’s been; and yes, I still remember from time to time. A lot has changed since that day, which is part of the point of these missives, nowadays. For all that I wish I could talk more about our past, it’s the present that occupies my time (it is myContinue reading “Worrying Over Nothing”
from Rachel: Getting in Your Place (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.“Satan’s sin against God in the primal glory was a fivefold expression of the two defiant words: ‘I will,’ and every unyielded life is perpetuating the crime of SatanContinue reading “from Rachel: Getting in Your Place (part two)”
Someone Else’s Comfort Food
Dearest Rachel – For all the Japanese (and other Asian) restaurants we have scattered throughout the local area within a fairly reasonable drive, most of them tend to be of what the natives themselves would consider to be restaurant food. This sounds like a tautology, I realize, but here’s the thing; what we can findContinue reading “Someone Else’s Comfort Food”
Back on the Treadmill
Dearest Rachel – The title of this letter was originally meant to only be taken literally, but after the morning I’ve had thus far (and seeing that it’s already after noon, that’s saying something), it might just be a metaphor for something a little larger than that. If I didn’t know better as to whatContinue reading “Back on the Treadmill”
Our Own Main Character
Dearest Rachel – This isn’t the first time it’s been said here, and I can guarantee that it won’t be the last, but it’s dismaying to note how much of the content of this site, these letters, are in the first person. There is far too much in here of “I,” “me,” and “my,” andContinue reading “Our Own Main Character”
What Might Otherwise Be Junk
Dearest Rachel – Well, I’ve gone and done it; we’ve gotten ourselves a new car. Only has some four thousand miles on it, bought straight from the dealership, for the first time in my life. I might even have to do this again relatively soon, albeit this time for Daniel’s sake; I’d rather he notContinue reading “What Might Otherwise Be Junk”
Once I Get This Taken Care Of…
Dearest Rachel – I’d say something to the effect that life is a series of plans that “gang aft agley,” as Robert Burns’ fieldmouse discovered, to its dismay, except that that’s not really quite accurate. Yes, we make plans, and yes, they will sometimes go awry (as Burns’ phrase translates to), but really, the ‘goingContinue reading “Once I Get This Taken Care Of…”
First World Trials
Our trial is… which car to buyTemptation is… that extra dessertIn the land of orange juiceYou’re better off with the right kind of shirt “It’s Sick,” Daniel Amos, Vox Humana (1983) Dearest Rachel – I think the point of this verse had to do with the fact that we fret over such insignificant things whenContinue reading “First World Trials”
from Rachel: Getting in Your Place (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 must understand that to look to anything apart from God to make life work is to forsake God. – powerful “Yet everything around us demonstrates that ‘a riverContinue reading “from Rachel: Getting in Your Place (part one)”
Speak to Me About Eternity
Dearest Rachel – For the life of me, I can’t remember the thoughts you had about the concept of eternity, of the infinite. I’m pretty sure I can remember your roommate and maid of honor Elizabeth, speaking of how the thought would keep her up at night when she was a child, fearful about theContinue reading “Speak to Me About Eternity”
Three Times Too Late
Dearest Rachel – I’ll be honest; upon returning home from our trip, I was starting to think I was going to be able to transition seamlessly from Japan time to Central time. While Daniel nodded off in his recliner next to your side of the bed, I was more hungry than sleepy; enough so asContinue reading “Three Times Too Late”
Falling Apart
I busted a mirror and got seven years’ bad luck, but my lawyer thinks he can get me five. Steven Wright Dearest Rachel – Barely a day or so back from being overseas, and only having driven the car once or twice since returning, and this has to happen… I have no idea what happenedContinue reading “Falling Apart”
Things to Get Used to Again
Dearest Rachel – Home again, and having to get used to Central Daylight Time (yes, the clocks changed over while we were out of the country, which only means we have to turn our own internal clocks back fourteen hours rather than fifteen, as far as we’re concerned). Someone told me the other day that,Continue reading “Things to Get Used to Again”
Time to Kill
Dearest Rachel – Tuesday, and we’re up once again well before the city is, at five a.m. That gives us seven or eight hours to kill before our bus – the bell clerk recommended that we take the 12:40 departure, as opposed to the 11:40, which would leave us just over two hours before ourContinue reading “Time to Kill”
Shedding Light on Kabuki-cho
Dearest Rachel – The one time I was in Shinjuku before, I had but an hour to wander around before I felt compelled to retrace my steps back to the train station, lest I get stuck there without a way to get back to Yokohama, where the ship was docked for the night. As aContinue reading “Shedding Light on Kabuki-cho”
Scrambling to Shibuya
Dearest Rachel – Morning in Tokyo; not our last morning, but the beginning of our last full day here. We’ve no real idea how to get the most out of the day (which probably means we won’t manage to), but we’ll do our best. We have a framework of where we want to go, andContinue reading “Scrambling to Shibuya”
Otaku Hajj
Dearest Rachel – Now that we’re on our own to knock about the city, I can think of three major areas in Tokyo that Daniel and I ought to spend some time wandering around before we go home: Akihabara, Shibuya and Shinjuku. So when I started the day, I asked my chatbot for recommendations asContinue reading “Otaku Hajj”
from Rachel: Identifying Your Own Way (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 lead in following the Father’s will of humbling yourself for others – advice to live by.“The contents of three ‘tea bags’ have to be changed before theContinue reading “from Rachel: Identifying Your Own Way (part five)”
Walking through Sunshine
Dearest Rachel – As I indicated in an earlier letter, now that the official part of our tour is over, we were going to take things at our own pace, and in our own directions. For all that Japan is so rich in history, we’ve decided not to bother dealing with that for now. IfContinue reading “Walking through Sunshine”
Not Something I’d Have Considered
Dearest Rachel – It’s funny; just as the official portion of our time on tour here draws to a close, the level of activity ramps up considerably. You’ve already gotten a couple of letters about Friday’s activities, but those only got you halfway through the day itself. It’s as if there was some final push,Continue reading “Not Something I’d Have Considered”
The Old Ball Game
Dearest Rachel – The flow through Tokyo Station is like a human ten-lane expressway, with everybody changing lanes at all times. It’s fascinating to contemplate, but when you’re down there, who has time for that? You’re rushing to and fro with all of the other lemmings, trying to make your train. Pausing in the middleContinue reading “The Old Ball Game”
Sayonara Nagano
Dearest Rachel – It seems kind of appropriate that our room here in Nagano is on the very end of the hall, without so much as another room on the opposite side. We’ve rather isolated ourselves from the rest of the group as it is, so it makes sense that we be positioned so asContinue reading “Sayonara Nagano”
On Familiar Ground
Dearest Rachel – This morning started off early, as they all do – although perhaps a little extra so today, thanks to yesterday’s nap, which at least had the virtue of allowing me to put together the details of Wednesday’s events. It took me the better part of two hours to get all that writtenContinue reading “On Familiar Ground”
Letters to Rachel 