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. “Similarly, how he chooses to spend his resources of time, money, and energy reveals his priorities. Are they spent primarily – if not an amount, at least inContinue reading “from Rachel: Being a God-Loving Example (part one)”
Author Archives: randy@letters-to-rachel.memorial
Worse Than Being On Hold
Dearest Rachel – So, in an effort to keep you up-to-date with thing happening in my life, no matter how mundane (especially since the stuff that isn’t mundane is rather depressing at the moment. Like funereal depressing, literally), I have to let you know that there are in fact ordinary things in life worse thanContinue reading “Worse Than Being On Hold”
Stones, Spaces and Circumstances
Dearest Rachel – I’m looking forward to a relatively slow day today, honey. Granted, the boys are going to the movies tonight, and have invited me along because I expressed interest in the film when it came out – maybe my concerns about making stuff ‘uncool’ for them by expressing interest in them are unfoundedContinue reading “Stones, Spaces and Circumstances”
More Normal than I’ve a Right To…
Dearest Rachel – So, the last couple of days, have been… well, I wouldn’t say a flurry of activity, necessarily, but busy enough that I haven’t had the chance to determine what, if anything, is really different about life before and after Daniel and I left. Oh, there are the obvious things, of course; whenContinue reading “More Normal than I’ve a Right To…”
Back to ‘Work’
Dearest Rachel – I hope it didn’t sound like I was teasing my sister when I referred to the fact that she was taking care of all the administrative work behind dad‘s funeral arrangements as her means of coping with his passing. To be sure, teasing is one of the main duties of being aContinue reading “Back to ‘Work’”
Faith in ‘the’ System? Or ‘His’?
Dearest Rachel – One last travel story before we move on. Yes, there’s a lot to deal with at home, with Dad’s passing and everything that has to be done both to commemorate him and figure out how to move on with life after him (all of which should sound familiar, since that’s basically beenContinue reading “Faith in ‘the’ System? Or ‘His’?”
It All Seems So Small Now
Dearest Rachel – I tell you, honey, we leave for a few weeks, and when we come back, everything is turned completely upside down. Or is that too callous a perspective? To be fair, it was Dad himself who made the rueful joke about not being able to pick us up at the airportContinue reading “It All Seems So Small Now”
When it All Becomes Commonplace
Dearest Rachel – This shouldn’t come as any great surprise to you, honey – you’d lived with me long enough to know already, and you’ve seen plenty written to you since then to watch me codify it that much further – but I’m something of a foodie. Oh, I can live with simple stuff atContinue reading “When it All Becomes Commonplace”
Travel Prayers
Dearest Rachel – I don’t know what it is about travel; maybe it’s the upset involving time zones and having to get used to them, or perhaps it’s the fact that I’m sharing a room with Daniel, whose sleep cycle is that much more out of sync with my own than even yours, especially onContinue reading “Travel Prayers”
Not Where They Live
Dearest Rachel – Our last port of call before making our way to Vancouver and home, and the clouds are once again out and about, as per the more customary Alaskan weather. Likewise, Daniel’s mood seemed that much more… I wouldn’t say sullen, but he was understandably down. But who wouldn’t be, upon getting theContinue reading “Not Where They Live”
Heavenly Sunlight
Dearest Rachel – Sometimes, the fact that I record these things off the cuff in real time makes it hard to say anything particularly important or appropriately meaningful. I have some idea of what to say, but it never feels like enough; especially given the current situation. But under the circumstances, I’m operating under theContinue reading “Heavenly Sunlight”
Seven Years in the Making
I wasn’t there that morning when my father passed away. I didn’t get to tell him all the things I had to say. Mike and the Mechanics, “The Living Years” (1988) Dearest Rachel – I think Daniel was asleep, but not for long thereafter. My phone vibrated at about five-thirty this morning. It was Jenn,Continue reading “Seven Years in the Making”
Icy Strait Point
Dearest Rachel – Up until Wednesday, I had no idea this was a place, let alone this was where we were going to be stopping yesterday. Judging from the maps showing our ship’s progress and itinerary, I’d assumed we would be pulling into Juneau – which, ironically, would have been the first stop of thisContinue reading “Icy Strait Point”
A Moment of Panic
Dearest Rachel – It never occurred to me to ask Kevin about it to confirm it, but somewhere out there, I had heard that the life of a security guard was 99.9 percent composed of sheer and utter boredom, with that last one-tenth of one percent of time being spent in mortal fear for yourContinue reading “A Moment of Panic”
Distracted in Valdez
Dearest Rachel – The last couple of days have been a little bit difficult. Daniel and I have been trying to keep in touch with the folks, calling them every day before we head out. Dad may have granted us his blessing to go traveling while he is in hospice, but that doesn’t absolve meContinue reading “Distracted in Valdez”
Monday in Seward
Dearest Rachel – There must be something about Mondays; yesterday morning, before I cracked open my eyes, I was having to deal with paying for a four-day hotel stay in Stillwater, OK where I was at a training session with Mohinder, of all people. Even as I was doing so, I was wondering how IContinue reading “Monday in Seward”
The Other Side of the Fence
Dearest Rachel – When we were walking around some of the residences around Kodiak, trying to find the bridge to Near Island, we passed by a lot of cars in driveways with bumper stickers. Some were fairly anodyne, like a place they’d traveled to or a local radio station. Others were endorsing one politician orContinue reading “The Other Side of the Fence”
Hitting the Beach
Dearest Rachel – It wasn’t until I was going through my news feed after over breakfast that I realized that yesterday was the anniversary of D-day. Now, far be it from me to trivialize the day by comparing it anything I do, but it did so happen that we were finally ‘hitting the beach,’ ifContinue reading “Hitting the Beach”
from Rachel: Walking in 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. “We must remember that we cannot do any hearing unless the Holy Spirit teaches us God’s Word as we are bending over, peering intently at it – convicting“HowContinue reading “from Rachel: Walking in Wisdom (parts one and two)”
Last Full Day at Sea
Dearest Rachel – Technically, yesterday wasn’t really all that; I believe that it’s still going to take an entire day to get down from Alaska to Vancouver, after all. But for all intents and purposes, this is pretty much it for the languid, lazy days at sea. Heck, this final day already saw me runningContinue reading “Last Full Day at Sea”
Catching Up Too Quickly
Dearest Rachel – So this is our last full day at sea before we get hit by a series of port days; I’ll be running fast and furious between the ports and the computer to document our visits, leaving me with precious little time for random musing and various small but necessary tasks. So it’sContinue reading “Catching Up Too Quickly”
Blackout Curtains
Dearest Rachel – It would seem that things are passing much the way I expected them to. I keep waking up every morning, checking my phone to find out what time it is, and as always, it’s between two and three in the morning (Japan time). Of course, this means that, according to ship time,Continue reading “Blackout Curtains”
One Long Wednesday
Dearest Rachel – One of the quirks about sea travel is that one’s phone does not update automatically with regard to what time it is. Updates occur when we arrive at one port or another, not when you’re crossing a time zone at sea. Ordinarily, this isn’t much of an issue, but on a tripContinue reading “One Long Wednesday”
The Theater Comes to Us
Dearest Rachel – I feel like I should be apologizing for going over so much of the minutia of life aboard the cruise ship. It’s not even the first time I’ve been basically living at sea, after all, so it’s not as if this is anything new. Daniel and I may be in the middleContinue reading “The Theater Comes to Us”
The Ocean Beneath Our Feet
Dearest Rachel – One of the things you always wanted to do when it came to traveling – and especially cruising – was to, and I quote, “feel the ocean beneath [your] feet.” As pleasant as these trips in the Mediterranean, the Baltic, the Caribbean, and so forth were, they were in contained areas, relativelyContinue reading “The Ocean Beneath Our Feet”
Memory Preserves
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”
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”
Letters to Rachel 