Dearest Rachel – They tell us that we’re in for a real dose of winter starting today, and going well on into tomorrow, honey – somewhere in the neighborhood of six inches to a foot, depending on who you listen to. It’s that time of year, after all, and for all that I make anContinue reading “The Irony of Weekend Snow”
Tag Archives: nature
A Shock of Cold
Dearest Rachel – Traveling by cruise ship can be a series of cultural shocks as you move from one city or country to another. Customs and habits change with each location – to say nothing of the weather. Even as it’s to be expected on an intellectual level, sometimes the differences catch you by surprise.Continue reading “A Shock of Cold”
Time for (Mis)Adventure
Dearest Rachel – In a way, it feels weird to spend a day completely away from working at Just One, especially considering how much work there is to do. The poor, as Jesus said, will always be with us, and they will always have needs we can fill for them, hopefully in an attempt toContinue reading “Time for (Mis)Adventure”
Two Against the Hawk
Dearest Rachel – I would promise you that this title and story has nothing to do with the individual known virally as the “Hawk Tuah” girl, except that she came to prominence well after your departure, so you wouldn’t have the first clue about who I’m even referring to. For whatever it’s worth (not thatContinue reading “Two Against the Hawk”
Cicadian Rhythms
Dearest Rachel – Often, when I lack a topic to talk with you about first thing in the morning, I try to come up with something to say during my workout (hey, it beats actually working out, truth to tell – and even if I’m actually into the whole ‘pushing weights around’ thing of aContinue reading “Cicadian Rhythms”
It Can’t Rain Forever
Dearest Rachel – While I might point out that I’m still sleepy this morning from having stayed up later than usual with Daniel watching videos last night – and I may have gotten a little too smug about dropping my weight down to two-oh-six after yesterday morning’s workout (had leftover salad to serve as myContinue reading “It Can’t Rain Forever”
from Rachel: Resolve
Glance at the final sentence in yesterday’s lesson, and fill in the following: We “resolve” Please refresh your memory of the context of the word ‘resolved’ (v. 8) by reading Daniel 1:8-21. How intentional was Daniel in demonstrating his resolve? Describe the evidence. “He pled his (and his friends’) case to the official in chargeContinue reading “from Rachel: Resolve”
As Early As I Can
Dearest Rachel – After several stops in a row where I’ve been running late (or at least running out of time), I’m getting an early start on the day. I set my alarm for this morning, which you’d think you’d never have to do when you’re on vacation, but there you go. Sometimes you haveContinue reading “As Early As I Can”
Yorkeys Knob
Dearest Rachel – When I got my excursion tickets for this leg of the journey after getting back from wandering around Brisbane, I was missing the one I thought I’d signed up for in Cairns, and proceeded to head to Guest Services to inquire about it. There was a notice posted there about tours fromContinue reading “Yorkeys Knob”
How the Honeyeaters Found Their Song: A Non-Legend
Dearest Rachel – I’m no more going to be able to write to you about my experience driving a quad than I could film it; at least, I could tell you about it immediately after the fact: After our adventure with the quad bikes, we had a snack and a go through of the MurrookContinue reading “How the Honeyeaters Found Their Song: A Non-Legend”
Facts and Stories
Dearest Rachel – The sun eventually rises, and we find ourselves looking at a much calmer day than yesterday. Even the tender over to Waitanga is fairly smooth; although we do hit a brief stretch of wake that I can’t help but comment upon in that instant (because I know you would be exulting inContinue reading “Facts and Stories”
Hilo
Dearest Rachel – Between the events – or perhaps more accurately, the lack thereof – of my first trip on my own, combined with the fact that our first port of call was scratched due to the fire last summer (you’d think that Lahaina could use tourism money that much more these days, in orderContinue reading “Hilo”
The Rut
Dearest Rachel – I know it’s weird for me to comment on the titles of these letters; as far as I’m concerned, it’s weird for letters to have titles in the first place. But when they’re set out in this blog format, it seems they need something to distinguish one from another. This isn’t necessarilyContinue reading “The Rut”
The False Dichotomy of the Heroic Binary
Dearest Rachel – I know that has to sound to you like an absurdly pretentious title; you’d think it belongs on some psych or sociology major’s graduate thesis. I realize that I sometimes refer to these letters to you as ‘essays,’ but this is a little over-the-top. And that’s more than a fair assessment. TheContinue reading “The False Dichotomy of the Heroic Binary”
from Rachel: Putting the Pieces Together
According to Matthew 4:18-22, who was John’s father and who was his brother? “Zebedee and James” What can you deduce was John’s occupation? “fisherman” According to Matthew 10:1-4, among which prestigious group is John named? “the ‘twelve disciples’ or ‘twelve apostles’” Briefly name a time early in your relationship with Christ when Jesus amazed you.Continue reading “from Rachel: Putting the Pieces Together”
Streams and Songs in the Desert
Dearest Rachel – We’re warned not allowed to eat, drink, smoke or feed the animals as we make our way into the En Gedi nature preserve. I wonder about smoking the animals for eating, but Daniel nudges me like you would for a crack like that – which I probably deserve. I thought that EnContinue reading “Streams and Songs in the Desert”
from Rachel: The Reason For Everything
“May 2” “Lately I think I’ve been doing better at this. The dog walking gets me out into nature and, more recently, I’ve begun singing a few hymns as we walk along. “As the weather warms, I would like to go out on the deck first thing every morning for a quiet time. “I shouldContinue reading “from Rachel: The Reason For Everything”
Wouldn’t Hurt a Fly
Dearest Rachel – As things have been progressing with the entire cleaning out and organizing process that Jan has been doing, I’ve noticed a little change in my own personality over time. I’ve actually gotten sensitive to a certain level of clutter, to the point where I can’t work in a place that’s too crowdedContinue reading “Wouldn’t Hurt a Fly”
Letters to Rachel 