The Secret Handshake

Dearest Rachel – To be sure, Mom and Dad aren’t doing any more traveling from this point on. Between the logistic issues presented by his feeding tube (although, since the surgery, he hasn’t had to deal with any leaks that would otherwise force him to leave any event he was at at a moment’s notice)Continue reading “The Secret Handshake”

from Rachel: I Just Want Everyone to Leave Me Alone

For what other reasons to women pull back, hide, and want everyone to leave them alone? “Feeling tired and/or overwhelmed – needing some alone time, feeling hurt and vulnerable and therefore fearful of more hurt.” [starred for emphasis] a description of God’s love based on Ephesians 3:18 and John 3:16: The Breadth – For GodContinue reading “from Rachel: I Just Want Everyone to Leave Me Alone”

Giving Up and Going Down

Dearest Rachel – I want to say it was Everest; I’m pretty sure it was the North Col we were suspended from. Our Sherpa guides – because you definitely need them, when assaulting this mountain – had advised us to make our way back down, even though we were ‘only’ a thousand feet short ofContinue reading “Giving Up and Going Down”

How Great Thou Art

Dearest Rachel – So, this morning was the final session for the weekend’s retreat. Luke drove us up a hill (because the YMCA of the Rockies is an absolutely vast campus – we’d never have time to walk to the place), and delivered his message with this behind him: With the backdrop such as itContinue reading “How Great Thou Art”

Jester-Philosopher, Rather Than Philosopher-King

Dearest Rachel – I feel like I should be sleeping the sleep of the dead up here, like everybody else in the lodge. I’ve exerted myself in ways that I haven’t in a very long time, and I believe my body knows it needs rest. But while it tries to get that needed rest, myContinue reading “Jester-Philosopher, Rather Than Philosopher-King”

Into Thin Air

Dearest Rachel – I think I must be way too used to living near the largest city in flyover country. As is the plane started its descent, I was looking out the window and seeing nothing but farmland and other empty space. And I couldn’t help wondering, “Where is the city? Where are the suburbs,Continue reading “Into Thin Air”