The very first time I encountered someone who shared my name I was upset. I was in the first grade and had never met another Rachel, so I guess it had just never dawned on me that it was possible for more than one person to have the same first name. My kindergarten teacher was named Rachelle, but that was a different name in my mind. I'm not sure why it bugged me, but it did. (She and I became best friends that year and are still in touch to this day, by the way).
Fast forward several years to an incredible opportunity where I got to attend a church youth camp in Tahiti. On that trip I met another Rachel, only this time there was no annoyance over the shared name. We like each other immediately and within a day, other campers were referring to us as "Rachel Squared". After the camp, Rachel and I kept in touch for awhile but then drifted, as often happens.
Fast forward several years to my parents informing me that we had houseguests for the week. A new missionary was moving to Detroit and would be staying with us along with his fiance' while they searched for a place to live. Imagine my surprise when I walked in to introduce myself and came face to face with my square! It was wonderful to reconnect, and we grew to be friends as couples as well. My (then boyfriend) and I atteneded their wedding, and they attended ours. Rachel recently moved back to Florida with her family, which made me sad because she had become a part of my circle of friends, and our husbands had grown close as well. I miss having them over and watching their son grow up.
Rachel is an incredible leader. She has a passion for Christ and is a true missionary, but she is also unshakable. She ministered side by side with her husband in urban Detroit, she dealt with rowdy college kids, and I have witnessed her leadership in many capacities, including motherhood. She has a calming effect on me, something I try to recall when I am feeling stressed out and under qualified. Her strength and confidence are an incredible example to me. I miss my square, a little more because we're not so great at keeping in touch, so I hope my letter brings a smile to her face, and that I hear something back from her. Even just a hello would brighten my day :o)
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
Letter #101 - Dave
I grew up with a very interesting life. The child of educators, ministers, and a natural hostess... my life has always been full of people. Making new friends, greeting old friends, hosting families and strangers, being hosted by families and strangers... it's no wonder I don't do well with too much alone time! :o)
When I was four years old, my father became an appointee, which is our church's term for clergy, or full-time minister. during his 10 month training process, he became friends with his fellow classmates, and all of our families developed a bond that I draw on to this day for strength and support.
Recently, I was reminded of a family vactation where a number of these families rented a place and spent a few days together out in the woods. I was pretty young, and have relatively few memories of the time there, but I can vividly remember the emotions. The feeling that I was completely safe with all of these people, and that they all loved me.
Dave was one of the guys on the vacation. He and his family goofed off with us and hiked through the woods with us and told stories and laughed with us. Dave has a great laugh. Even as he has gotten older and become more serious (in part, a product of his latest position in our church), his laughter is something I treasure. I wrote Dave mostly just to say hi, and to share the memory of that trip with him. I hope it brings a smile to his face as he recalls some of the shennanigans that took place that weekend... including the "ceremonial offering" presented to my family in my dad & brother's burned out sneakers...
I may not keep in close touch with Dave, or any of the other people in those families... but we all went through a very intense family experience together, and that has created friendships that have outlasted many things in my life. These people also provide me with a strength I find I can access just by recalling those times we were all sharing space, and sharing love and laughter. I will always be an appointee kid, and that makes me a part of a very special family.
When I was four years old, my father became an appointee, which is our church's term for clergy, or full-time minister. during his 10 month training process, he became friends with his fellow classmates, and all of our families developed a bond that I draw on to this day for strength and support.
Recently, I was reminded of a family vactation where a number of these families rented a place and spent a few days together out in the woods. I was pretty young, and have relatively few memories of the time there, but I can vividly remember the emotions. The feeling that I was completely safe with all of these people, and that they all loved me.
Dave was one of the guys on the vacation. He and his family goofed off with us and hiked through the woods with us and told stories and laughed with us. Dave has a great laugh. Even as he has gotten older and become more serious (in part, a product of his latest position in our church), his laughter is something I treasure. I wrote Dave mostly just to say hi, and to share the memory of that trip with him. I hope it brings a smile to his face as he recalls some of the shennanigans that took place that weekend... including the "ceremonial offering" presented to my family in my dad & brother's burned out sneakers...
I may not keep in close touch with Dave, or any of the other people in those families... but we all went through a very intense family experience together, and that has created friendships that have outlasted many things in my life. These people also provide me with a strength I find I can access just by recalling those times we were all sharing space, and sharing love and laughter. I will always be an appointee kid, and that makes me a part of a very special family.
Gaps
For those of you who actually follow this, you've surely noticed that the year is closing in and I've only posted 100 of my 365 letters. You'll be pleased to know (or won't care at all) that I have still been writing, but my blogging has taken a backseat to life. I will be posting some more letter experiences soon, but thought I'd explain my absence a bit by saying I'm fine, it's just been a crazy few months... writing for me comes and goes in waves, and lately it's been all I can do to write the actual letters... also posting a blog on each one has just added to the stress, so I've allowed it to sit and wait for a time when I can enjoy sharing with you again.
Hang in there :o)
Hang in there :o)
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