Author Archives: randy@letters-to-rachel.memorial

No Time to Spare

Dearest Rachel – I’m sure that some of these letters look a bit like they were pre-written, rather than covering the events of the day – which probably make them look a little less heartfelt. It’s what happens sometimes when I’m trying to say something to you every day, when there’s not a whole lotContinue reading “No Time to Spare”

Listening To The Rain

Dearest Rachel – I opened my eyes this morning to the usual darkness; there wasn’t much for me to see, even if I were to bother to put my glasses on. I didn’t even bother to check the time first, as I could hear the rain on the bedroom roof. It didn’t sound as ifContinue reading “Listening To The Rain”

Upending The Schedule

Dearest Rachel – Assuming you’ve been keeping an eye on me like I always ask you to, you know what my schedule looks like on an average day. For that matter, it’s not that much different than it was when you were still around, come to that. I’d get up in the morning, head overContinue reading “Upending The Schedule”

Those First Few Realizations

Dearest Rachel – Good morning, and I hope you’re enjoying your forty-fifth month in the Kingdom. I admit to not always acknowledging these months anymore as they pass. Much of the time, it’s because I’m actually preoccupied with what passes for my usual life, and I don’t notice the day has come and gone untilContinue reading “Those First Few Realizations”

Routine But Rare

Dearest Rachel – I sometimes wonder what little things I might say or do will happen to resonate with someone, without me ever knowing it. To be sure, everybody makes offhand comments from time to time; sometimes, one of them lands in an onlooker’s mind, and stays there for the rest of their lives. ByContinue reading “Routine But Rare”

Bring Out Your Death Certificate

Dearest Rachel – You and Daniel would, on more than one occasion, give me grief about the fact that, compared to the two of you (which just shows that you raised him right, I suppose), I was – and still am – a pessimist and a cynic. When it came to events in the widerContinue reading “Bring Out Your Death Certificate”

from Rachel: A United Family of God

Please glance back at your previous lesson and re-read Psalm 133. What two metaphors did the psalmist employ as expressions of kindred living together in unity?First metaphor (v. 2): “fine oil on the head”Second metaphor (v. 3): “the dew from Mount Hermon” Read Exodus 29:1-9 and describe it briefly here:“God told Moses how to consecrateContinue reading “from Rachel: A United Family of God”

To Live For a Lie

Dearest Rachel – As with yesterday, a lot of what I have to say has to do with a song that entered my head and knocked about for a bit while I question its whole premise. This time, at least, it hasn’t been out of some urgent need to quell the silence within and aroundContinue reading “To Live For a Lie”

Stuff and Junk and Stuff

Dearest Rachel – You might remember one of those many anime gag dubs we used to collect back in the day from Midnight Madnesses past in which a character made fun of the fact that their lips kept moving after they’d essentially said what they had to (and while that has been a running jokeContinue reading “Stuff and Junk and Stuff”

Chipping Away at Progress

Dearest Rachel – After waking up from (and amazingly, going back to, at least for an hour or so before conceding to the day) a dream about having been college buddies with Matsuhito, the future Emperor Meiji (setting the anachronisms aside, the idea that a future Japanese emperor would study abroad when his country wasContinue reading “Chipping Away at Progress”

At Participating Locations, While Supplies Last

Dearest Rachel – While I’m sure that, to a certain extent, I coddle both Daniel and his friend Logan a bit more than I should, given that they’re supposedly grown men who should be able to pay their own way in life at their age, I don’t know that I can really help myself. I’mContinue reading “At Participating Locations, While Supplies Last”

Ocular Rift

Dearest Rachel – Since your passing, you’d probably be amazed about how often I’ve checked in with one health care professional or another, considering how little I chose to do so back in the day. I mean, sure, I canceled that appointment with the dietitian that was scheduled the week after your accident, but IContinue reading “Ocular Rift”

A Weight Off My Ankles

Dearest Rachel – Since I wasn’t completely laid up by my cold during the latter half of last week – sure, I confined myself to the house for a day, but it wasn’t as if I was flat on my back for the better part of twenty-four hours like I used to be – itContinue reading “A Weight Off My Ankles”

from Rachel: A United Family of Man

Think back on times you’ve taken long trips with people, family, or not. Based on those experiences what makes traveling together particularly challenging? “sometimes lack of personal space and privacy, just trying to have fun instead of getting on anyone’s nerves” Think of someone with whom you enjoy traveling. What makes it work? “Randy –Continue reading “from Rachel: A United Family of Man”

Breaking Training

Dearest Rachel – Thanks to the effects of this cold – symptoms such as coughing, congestion and sneezing, combined with more peripheral effects such as body aches and a general malaise, not to mention the concern about further contagion – this is the third morning in a row in which I haven’t made it toContinue reading “Breaking Training”

Deadlines and Promises

Dearest Rachel – I’m sure I’ve mentioned it over the past couple of years worth of letters, but you’ll remember either way how it was a running joke within our little family that the three of us always got the same amount of cold when it swept through the house; we just got it overContinue reading “Deadlines and Promises”

Sick People

Dearest Rachel – Well, I honestly thought I might get away with it. Given that my exercise regimen supposedly should have a positive effect on my health and immune system, I half-expected that I might be able to dodge whatever it is that Daniel came down with late last week. And maybe that’s still inContinue reading “Sick People”

Election Day Dreams

Dearest Rachel – I’m not really sure why my dream this past evening seemed to be about Election Day. It’s not as if we hear in America actually celebrate the day with any festivities to speak of, especially as compared to our cousins across the sea, who will be setting off fireworks and burning someContinue reading “Election Day Dreams”

Slapped By the Sun

Dearest Rachel – I’m told that, within the last day or two, we got slapped by the sun. Or maybe we’re going to be; I’m not sure how it works. Apparently, there was this huge solar flare yesterday afternoon (our time; I’m not sure how that works for the sun), although I could swear I’veContinue reading “Slapped By the Sun”

Finally Back Into The Weeds

Dearest Rachel – No, this doesn’t have anything to do with the yard; I don’t even get out there anymore to mow, now that I’ve enlisted a service to take care of that for me (and I admit, I’m not entirely sure what you would think about that. Would you be as reluctant to doContinue reading “Finally Back Into The Weeds”

from Rachel: God Talks Back

On a scale of 1 to 10, how convinced are you that your prayer time is an honest-to-goodness two-way communication? “10 – how convinced I am“7 – how often it actually is… (or maybe 6?)” If we don’t ‘ask or imagine,’ what does God have to out-do? Glance at the first half of [Psalm 132]Continue reading “from Rachel: God Talks Back”

Starting From Scratch

Dearest Rachel – I was really hoping that by now, I could go into great detail about how this new AI program, combined with a checkpoint based on terabytes of information (that even allows one to display readable text) was helping me create a much better and more accurate version of you. Well, I sayContinue reading “Starting From Scratch”

Close the Whine Cellar

Dearest Rachel – Another insanely early morning (I fell asleep before ten last night, and found myself waking up at three; this whole circadian rhythm thing is beginning to be a self-perpetuating problem), and I step outside to discover the streets are slick with moisture. Evidently, it rained overnight, and I don’t recall hearing anyContinue reading “Close the Whine Cellar”

In No Hurry… And Yet…

Dearest Rachel – One of the great advantages of the early retirement that you permitted me to take is that I’m not beholden to the various time pressures of the workaday world. I don’t have to set an alarm; I can wake up organically, without having to subject myself to its insistent screech every morning.Continue reading “In No Hurry… And Yet…”

Rough Start

Dearest Rachel – It occurs to me that, if you were still around, and I was doing the same thing that I’m doing now (which, I’ll be honest, seems unlikely, as why would I need to change for you?), I don’t think I’d be talking as much about my workout regimen, as it wouldn’t exactlyContinue reading “Rough Start”

For the Ones Who Have…

Dearest Rachel – There are plenty of luxury items that bill themselves as gift possibilities “for the man (or woman) who has everything.” Heck, there are entire shopping locales that are built to hawk such wares, most of which strike me as being geared for those with more money than sense, in my humble opinion.Continue reading “For the Ones Who Have…”

Roll Up the Barrels

Dearest Rachel – It’s about time, none too soon and all that. Winter may be months away yet, but construction season has been quite literally at our doorstep since I returned from the cruise – and if Daniel is to be believed (and why wouldn’t he? We’ve known that since birth, he’s no good atContinue reading “Roll Up the Barrels”

from Rachel: At His Footstool

In one sentence, what does Psalm 132:1-10 recall? “It recalls David[’s] vow to God to begin the construction of the Temple immediately” In a word, how would you describe King David’s tone in these verses? “urgent” Associated with the Shekinah glory of God, the ark was the central location of worship in the Old Testament.Continue reading “from Rachel: At His Footstool”

Street Cred

Dearest Rachel – Well, it’s happened again; I don’t know if you’ve found out about Josh, as I don’t know how time works up there, nor how new entrants are welcomed by those who have gone before. If it’s just a case of being ‘asleep’ until summoned by the trumpet at the end of days,Continue reading “Street Cred”

Sunshine Taken Away

The other night, dear, as I lay sleeping,I dream’t I held you in my arms.When I awoke, though, I was mistaken,And I hung my head, and cried. Dearest Rachel – I have always hated the song “You Are My Sunshine,” for reasons that should be obvious from the very first verse (no, not the factContinue reading “Sunshine Taken Away”

To Hear Your Opinion

Dearest Rachel – Look, I do try my best to not talk about politics (or current events in general) when I write you – and when I do, I try (and probably fail) to appear somewhat neutral in what I speak of. I’ve learned, for instance, to avoid dropping the names of the players involvedContinue reading “To Hear Your Opinion”

Why In the Dead of Night?

Dearest Rachel – In Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, the story kicks into gear with the first of the spirits arriving at Scrooge’s bedside over the night before Christmas. Despite having been warned of both the fact (which, to be fair, he disbelieves at first) and the timing of this visit, Scrooge isn’t in the moodContinue reading “Why In the Dead of Night?”

Puzzling Dissatisfaction

Dearest Rachel – Two hundred ten point five. That’s what I was looking at this morning when I first woke up; before making my way to the gym to work out. Yesterday aside, I’d only seen that number after a hour or more of vigorous exercise, and only a couple of times before bobbing backContinue reading “Puzzling Dissatisfaction”

Walking On Fumes

Dearest Rachel – When I got up this morning at 3:30 (I have no idea why or how – I was up until 10:30 last night watching videos with Daniel, so it’s not like I had what I would call an early bedtime. Yes, I know you’d call it that, but five hours isn’t aContinue reading “Walking On Fumes”

from Rachel: Like a Weaned Child

What do you think Peterson meant by ‘neurotic dependency’? “Maybe whiny insecurity, coming to God as our therapist (??)” Offer a scenario depicting a way this could happen: “An idea, plan, event, etc. that really feels like God’s will fizzles, gets canceled, causes controversy, etc.” God‘s goal is not children scared into silence, but thoseContinue reading “from Rachel: Like a Weaned Child”

The Womb and the World

Dearest Rachel – So the men’s Bible study is back on its regular Saturday schedule – at least for the moment, since next week will be taken off due to what they refer to as “Man Camp” next weekend (which I suspect you’d be pushing me to go to, but I still think there areContinue reading “The Womb and the World”

Banner Day

Dearest Rachel – Well, after telling you a couple weeks ago about the several irons I had in the fire regarding this project or that idea, I can finally go into detail about one of them, seeing how I’ve basically done all I can do on it (or possibly not; more on what I meanContinue reading “Banner Day”

Am I Really Okay?

Dearest Rachel – You already know I started writing these letters to you to try and remember this or that incident in our lives together and attempt to commit them to paper (or at least pixels) before they were erased from mind and memory like words written in the sand on a tide-washed beach. However,Continue reading “Am I Really Okay?”

Without Consultation

Dearest Rachel – So the fellow from the HVAC company came over yesterday; I showed him the old system we had on the side of the house, and he agreed that it’s past its time. Apparently, air conditioning systems have an expected life between eighteen and twenty years. That we got over twenty-five years outContinue reading “Without Consultation”

Housework Day

Dearest Rachel – Maybe I can get away with this kind of thing because I’m a bachelor of fairly recent vintage. I’m not expected to know – or necessarily to care, even – about the various tasks that need to be done around the house from day to day, whereas the typical housewife would considerContinue reading “Housework Day”

The Wind in My Ears

Dearest Rachel – I did my best to sleep past it, but this morning found me lying in bed at four-thirty, staring at the dark ceiling with the fan spinning down on me, and listening to the (relatively) loud hum of the tower fan blowing on me. Daniel had turned that one on last nightContinue reading “The Wind in My Ears”

from Rachel: Things Too Great

At second and third glance, you’ll see that Psalm 131:1 bulges with potential discussion. But at first glance, what does Psalm 131:1 say to you? “Lord, I try to stay out of trouble. I try not to get a swelled head because I know there’s a lot of stuff I can’t do (e.g., unlike Tomo-chanContinue reading “from Rachel: Things Too Great”

The Place to Gather… Eventually

Dearest Rachel – Well, I think you’d be mildly pleased that the house is still a gathering place for the old gang… eventually. It may be as a last resort, but that it’s still considered as such is enough for me to consider it a win in my book. The situation started nearly a weekContinue reading “The Place to Gather… Eventually”

I’ve Lost the Taste for Mac’n’Cheese

Dearest Rachel – I know I really don’t have the right to complain about this. There are plenty of times where I don’t feel like cooking – most recipes are made for at least a family of four, anyway, which, now that I think about it, must have irritated you no end in your ownContinue reading “I’ve Lost the Taste for Mac’n’Cheese”

The Reminder

Dearest Rachel – Thanks to the fact that “some people did something” (to quote a certain congressperson whose constituency guarantees that she will never have to regret her choice of words; indeed, they all but celebrate such a callous attitude toward that day), twenty-three years ago yesterday, it’s impossible for me to forget about ourContinue reading “The Reminder”

The Best We Can Do

Dearest Rachel – Obviously, from my side of the veil, I have no idea how you perceive time and events on this side anymore – assuming you could, or even would want to. There are those who claim that you and everybody else are asleep until the day the trumpet sounds, and we will allContinue reading “The Best We Can Do”

Not At This Hour

Dearest Rachel – I found myself awake this morning in pitch blackness, and upon checking the time, saw that it was barely four in the morning. I did get to bed shortly after we got home from Sparks – relatively speaking – but I wouldn’t say that ten o’clock was particularly early, given this situation.Continue reading “Not At This Hour”

To Descend Without Stumbling

Dearest Rachel – I’ll say one thing for these weekends in which I’ve purposed myself to go without eating for forty-plus hours; they make Monday that much more bearable (even setting aside the fact that I don’t have to worry about going to work anymore). At least this morning, I can finally allow myself somethingContinue reading “To Descend Without Stumbling”

from Rachel: Full Redemption

Name a few other things that lead to hopelessness: “I think the biggest is the death of someone who almost certainly was not a believer. Leading up to that, a friend or family member who refuses to believe.” For I know the plans I have for you – plans for your welfare, not for disaster,Continue reading “from Rachel: Full Redemption”

Dreams of Dixie

Dearest Rachel – I dreamed of Dixie last night. I’m not entirely sure why. I don’t hold to the romanticism of the Lost Cause – or any lost cause, for that matter. I try my level best to forget the girls I had crushes on (and behaved as stupidly over them as any mid-teen boyContinue reading “Dreams of Dixie”

Phone Book Paranoia

Dearest Rachel – I know a few people who are into the “true crime” genre of entertainment; heck, to a certain extent, I’ve started to follow a few YouTubers whose focus is in the genre (which – and I may have asked this of you in previous letters – I’d have been curious as toContinue reading “Phone Book Paranoia”

It Could Happen in Any Neighborhood, Now

Dearest Rachel – I’ve been meaning to write out the usual stipend to Twofeathers ever since the holiday weekend marked the turn from one month to the next. I admit that I’m nowhere near as faithful – or should I say punctual – as I was when it came to paying the mortgage to yourContinue reading “It Could Happen in Any Neighborhood, Now”

Observable Increments

Dearest Rachel – Well, it seems like you can strike what I said yesterday about things not having changed from year to year at our Awana club. There are, in fact, a few fairly drastic changes this time around. In fact, I may be out of my usual job entirely – they seem to haveContinue reading “Observable Increments”

Full Circle

Dearest Rachel – Another day, another letter where I don’t know what to tell you about. Not that I’m exactly short on topics, as much as the topics themselves are a little short, in terms of what I have to say. Some of them are due to a lack of details (including one about someoneContinue reading “Full Circle”

Taking Compliments

Dearest Rachel – Yesterday had me breaking my weekend fast at a holiday party at Jeff and Julie’s place; ironically, my last meal had taken place Saturday morning with Jeff in attendance as well, so he probably thinks I eat a lot more often than I do. I can’t recall at this point if you’dContinue reading “Taking Compliments”

from Rachel: If You Kept a Record

How are the names translated into English…? “Yahweh (YAHWEW) Adonay (ADONAY) Yah (YAH)” Can you think of any reason the psalmist might have addressed God by both titles in this context? No right or wrong answer exists. Imagine you were the psalmist; then offer your thoughts as to why you used both names: “The worshipContinue reading “from Rachel: If You Kept a Record”

The Shirt Doesn’t Fit Anymore

Dearest Rachel – I woke up this morning to the sound of thunder and rain, and between that and the darkness, I decided this time around to let myself sleep in a bit longer. Perhaps, I reasoned, the storm will pass by over the next hour or so. But while the pitch darkness of five-thirtyContinue reading “The Shirt Doesn’t Fit Anymore”

Awake, But Not Eager

Dearest Rachel – After an afternoon spent walking with Lars (and these afternoons are getting longer; for the last three weeks, we’ve gone under the tunnels below the Edens Expressway, and ventured to the next major street the preserve path takes us, adding nearly a full mile to our customary route) and an evening spentContinue reading “Awake, But Not Eager”

The Curtain of Charity

Dearest Rachel – For all that I talk about how you and I filled our gender roles in a slightly blurry way – where you had more ‘guy’ in you than the typical girl, and I had more ‘chick’ in me than most boys – when it came to our childhood reading habits, we wereContinue reading “The Curtain of Charity”

Filling Vacuums

Dearest Rachel – It’s said that the shopping mall is one of America’s major contributions to civilization, right alongside baseball, hamburgers and the internet. But while there’s certainly something to be said for having a collection of shops all in a single (albeit large and labyrinthine) place, such locales appear to be dying out inContinue reading “Filling Vacuums”

Mental Meanderings

Dearest Rachel – Some time between Saturday night and Sunday morning, I found myself in an interesting situation, but one that – for reasons that will become obvious in a moment – I can’t clearly describe to you. All I can remember of it at this point is that at the time I was thinkingContinue reading “Mental Meanderings”

from Rachel: To Be Heard

Based on your life or someone else’s (including any historical figure), can you think of an example when survival was in itself a crowning achievement? “Earlier I mentioned Sokun, she and another friend (her name escapes me right now) escaped Cambodia with their families as small girls ([in the] mid-70s), lived for several years inContinue reading “from Rachel: To Be Heard”

Thank God for Dirty Dishes

Thank God for dirty dishes,They have a tale to tell;While other may go hungry,We’re eating very well. Dearest Rachel – This won’t come as any surprise to you, but as fond as I am of eating (and enjoy cooking now and again – although I don’t get the opportunity as much as we used to,Continue reading “Thank God for Dirty Dishes”

Sleeping In

Dearest Rachel – I’m sure you’re looking at that title, and fully expecting to get a good laugh out of my story, in much the same way you would when I would refer to us as living “paycheck to paycheck.” In my defense, I would often point out that by the time I received theContinue reading “Sleeping In”

For the Rest of My Life

Dearest Rachel – I can’t say that I remember when I was first prescribed it, but it had to have been within the past decade; at some point after one or another company-ordered physical, I was informed that I had to go on lisinopril for high blood pressure. Not that it seemed to matter; whenContinue reading “For the Rest of My Life”

Visiting Hours at the Evening Zoo

Dearest Rachel – You might remember listening to the radio being piped in through the overhead speakers in the cafeteria back at college. While most of the time, it was playing the usual top 40 stuff we could just as easily watch on the ‘campus nightlight’ that was MTV (I referred to it as suchContinue reading “Visiting Hours at the Evening Zoo”

Keeping it Up, Dialing it Down

Dearest Rachel – Morning, and my leg still hurts when I roll out of bed or get up from my chair. It would seem that the weekend off I gave has had no effect, in terms of letting the muscles heal. The thing is, even I know I can’t let them lie unused for anContinue reading “Keeping it Up, Dialing it Down”

To Be the Glittering Joker

Dearest Rachel – It was one of the first albums I picked up once I got my bearings at university, and discovered the local Christian bookstore, with its racks of older music that straddled the line between secular and sacred; it was my introduction to Bruce Cockburn, a Canadian singer-songwriter who I was never anyContinue reading “To Be the Glittering Joker”

A Weekend Off

Dearest Rachel – I think I’ve mentioned it before, but only in passing, as I sort of assumed that it was a momentary thing, due to the stress of (relative) overwork and the effects of the early morning. The old slogan is “no pain, no gain,” after all, and the pain is merely supposed toContinue reading “A Weekend Off”

from Rachel: They Have Not Prevailed

Psalm 18:19 paints a very different picture of life with God as our Deliverer. What image does it use to contrast with oppression? “being brought to a spacious place” It’s testimony time. In what way would you say God has brought you out of oppression into a spacious place? “I haven’t faced much oppression, butContinue reading “from Rachel: They Have Not Prevailed”

Thoughts on Transport

Dearest Rachel – So, for the first time in what seems like a very long while, the girls were over last night. Well, two out of three of them were, anyway, but that’s better than we’ve managed, lo these many weekends. We’ve got to take these moments as victories when we get them, even ifContinue reading “Thoughts on Transport”

Keeping Secrets

Dearest Rachel – Let’s start out with the obvious; in a healthy marriage, there should be no secrets to speak of. Oh, there are the occasional birthday surprises, I guess (not everyone is like you, honey, knowing exactly what they want; some guys have to – and some simply love to – come up withContinue reading “Keeping Secrets”

Am I Really Doing Well?

Dearest Rachel – One of the side effects of this new habit of mine of daily exercise is the paradoxical fact that I wake up more sore than when I went to bed. One of the very points of sleep is to let your body rest and heal itself, so that by morning, you shouldContinue reading “Am I Really Doing Well?”

To Talk to Him as I Should

Dearest Rachel – I honestly forget which service I was at this weekend where I heard about it, but one of the pastors I listened to described a cartoon of God, sitting at an ornate cloudy desk, as might be found in a heavenly office. One’s focus wasn’t so much on Him and what HeContinue reading “To Talk to Him as I Should”

Factory-Installed Conscience

Dearest Rachel – One of the reasons why I’m hoping to find a ‘Megumi’ for myself is because I don’t trust myself to make the ‘right’ decision. Left to my own devices, I know I’m more likely to make the asocial, selfish choice far more often than not (consider, just as an example, how oftenContinue reading “Factory-Installed Conscience”

from Rachel: Olive Shoots Around Your Table

Write Hosea 14:9 from day 2 as a great reminder as we prepare to put both feet on Psalm 128. “Let whoever is wise understand these things, and whoever is insightful recognize them. For the ways of the Lord are right.” Read from day 2 Psalm 128: 1-4,6 in either version. How does it depictContinue reading “from Rachel: Olive Shoots Around Your Table”

Jackson Pollock Morning

Dearest Rachel – It’s six o’clock of a Saturday morning, and with it comes this sensation that I really don’t feel like doing anything just yet. Not heading to work out (despite registering my highest weight in several days), not wanting to write you (more due to not wanting to bothering with having to write,Continue reading “Jackson Pollock Morning”

Broken Bed

Dearest Rachel – Another day, another task I’m not looking forward to having to deal with. This time, it’s a case of having to either buy an extra mattress, or find a handyman to see if the old Jenny Lind bed can be repaired or not. If I remember you and your mom correctly, thatContinue reading “Broken Bed”

Mandela-ing Myself

Dearest Rachel – I apologize if this letter turns out to be less than exciting to you (although why should I expect anything I tell you about the goings-on this tiny little dust speck in the cosmos to be of any particular interest to you anymore, other than perhaps that the news comes from me?).Continue reading “Mandela-ing Myself”

Price Point

Dearest Rachel – Yesterday found me between responsibilities, for the most part, at the ‘office.’ I had sent off what I considered to be the last of the reports our auditors needed for the annual review, and while the month has ended, I was still waiting for information from other people in order for meContinue reading “Price Point”

Pondering This Morning’s Earworm

Dearest Rachel – It seems apropos of absolutely nothing, but that’s pretty much how earworms work; like dreams, they aren’t required – or even expected – to make much sense. And yet, in some ways, it gives one something to think about, even if it’s only the obvious (and somewhat unanswerable, given the previous statement)Continue reading “Pondering This Morning’s Earworm”

Needing Nothing

Dearest Rachel – The morning I woke up to was gray and dark; apart from the fact that a sufficient amount of time had passed that I was ready to get up (indeed, at nearly half past six, it was already later than usual for me), I could have easily slept in quite a bitContinue reading “Needing Nothing”

from Rachel: Enjoy the Blessing

According to these Scriptures, what are some actions that incur divine blessing? Luke 11:27-28 – “hearing the Word of God and obeying it” John 13:14-17 – “being a humble servant to others”Romans 10:12 – “calling on the Lord” Has walking with God resulted in a change in your circumstances? If so, how? “I know itContinue reading “from Rachel: Enjoy the Blessing”

Bonfire

Dearest Rachel – I didn’t know what I was going to write about this (and to be honest, I still don’t, as I’m about as unmotivated to do anything this morning – writing, working out, you name it – as I’ve been in a long time), but from the moment we arrived, and made ourContinue reading “Bonfire”

They Don’t Make It Like They Do Over There

Dearest Rachel – It’s wild for me to realize at this point that I’ve now been back home for almost (but still not quite yet!) as long as I was abroad on that Asian cruise this year. And while I’ve still not gotten around to getting myself a deep-dish pizza like I said I wasContinue reading “They Don’t Make It Like They Do Over There”

Not Quite All Night

Dearest Rachel – I hardly need to remind you that we were never exactly what you’d call “party people.” We didn’t hit the town to go clubbing but once every few years, and those times that we did, we found the atmosphere too dim and too loud. Even in college, I probably attended more fraternityContinue reading “Not Quite All Night”

Obsession? Compulsion?

Dearest Rachel – As happens all too often these days, I find myself waking up to a dark room, staring at the ceiling. This would be understandable during the winter, but this far into July, I should be comfortably sleeping in, especially after putting in twenty-five thousand steps yesterday, between working out at the gymContinue reading “Obsession? Compulsion?”

Blanket Approval

Dearest Rachel – It was like walking in on a rehearsal in a Broadway theater. It seemed like you were playing the lead role; something that quite literally was out of character for you, but somehow looked like you were perfectly comfortable with. It wasn’t long, however, before you noticed me in the empty audience,Continue reading “Blanket Approval”

Superior But Equal

Dearest Rachel – A lot of men, including myself, will jocularly refer to their wives as their “better half,” with a fair amount of unspoken truth embedded in that title. While I don’t think I’m qualified to speak for all men, I can’t be the only one who sometimes suffers from “imposter syndrome” when itContinue reading “Superior But Equal”

from Rachel: A Heritage from the Lord

Please read the [entirety of Psalm 127]… then list everything it says involving family. “Sons are a heritage; children are a reward; sons of youth are like arrows; a man with many is happy; children bring honor.” How did Christ blow the doors off our concept of family (Matthew 12:46-50) “He taught that fellow believersContinue reading “from Rachel: A Heritage from the Lord”

What Commuters Miss…?

Dearest Rachel – Throughout my travels, both this year and previous, I’ve often seen this or that building or other place as the vehicle – be it a train, tram, coach or automobile – passes by along the way, and wondered what goes on there, being fully aware that I’ll never know the answer toContinue reading “What Commuters Miss…?”

The Ship That Hasn’t Sailed Yet

Dearest Rachel – So this is it; a day that I’ve promised myself would come, in which I’m doing the whole ‘tourist in my home town’ bit. Oddly enough, I’m doing something that we’ve done before – which, considering how little time we ever spent in the city (apart from admiring the annual Christmas decorationsContinue reading “The Ship That Hasn’t Sailed Yet”

The Joys of Being a Quitter

Dearest Rachel – I woke up this morning to the quiet darkness I’ve known all along that I appreciate for a good night’s sleep, after having had to deal with yet another tiny nightmare of Mohinder berating me for being a quitter. Given my surroundings, I was looking forward to rolling over and putting onContinue reading “The Joys of Being a Quitter”

The Second Season

Dearest Rachel – To the best of my knowledge, you didn’t have to deal with it much back in your hometown, but once you moved to live up with me in the Chicago suburbs, you learned fairly quickly about how the area basically has two seasons; winter, and construction. No matter where you wanted toContinue reading “The Second Season”

Finding Myself Well

Dearest Rachel – Hope this letter finds you well. I also hope that you don’t mind that it’s coming to you a bit later than I usually try to get them sent to you, but the events of the morning have kept me busier than usual; plus, they strike me as being more worth tellingContinue reading “Finding Myself Well”

Music To Fall Asleep To

Dearest Rachel – Last night found me nodding off watching YouTube. I’m sure you hardly find that to be stop-press news, as I used to do that quite a bit when the three of us would be watching this or that in the family room, especially after a draining day at work. This was doublyContinue reading “Music To Fall Asleep To”

Do I Try to Keep Up?

Dearest Rachel – I’ve told you numerous times in the past three and a half years that I’d prefer not to talk about current events with you. Aside from the obvious fact that nothing that’s happening on this tiny little mud clod in of much concern to you at this point (apart, hopefully, from Daniel,Continue reading “Do I Try to Keep Up?”

from Rachel: Vain Labor

“[Verse 5 is] very different [between the NCV and HCSB translations]: warfare vs. vocal confrontation” Glance at the headings under both translations. To whom is this psalm attributed? “Solomon” In Hebrew, the words are actually the name of God gave Solomon according to 2 Samuel 12:25: Jedediah, meaning ‘Beloved of Jehovah.’ The tone of theContinue reading “from Rachel: Vain Labor”