#1

December 28, 2013

James Edward Leach,

So I decided that while you are gone, it would be fun to write you some letters.  Even though I can’t really send you mail since you’ll be moving around on your trip, I thought this would be a good way to talk and do something new.  So I was thinking maybe I could write you letters to tell you something new you may have never known about me like a memory, funny story, or something random, what is going on here in the “land up over,” J and what I’ve been learning about God/cool things I’ve read or seen/what I am learning.  So pretty much how I usually talk… because I feel like I always end up telling a story ha!

Well, today was a pretty good day.  I slept in kinda late since I didn’t go to bed until late last night.  I was actually up thinking about you flying for a while.   So woke up this morning and in order to put off cleaning my room, I went running.  (Can you  believe it? My room is messy. Ha.) Anyway running…Which turned into walking…wimpy! Haha! I went down to mainstreet where we saw those lights and ran through the trees at night when you came to St. Charles.  Thankfully it wasn’t as cold, and I actually got to wear shorts! Crazy!  I love going down there because you get to walk next to the river and it is so peaceful.  I saw this bike in the mud down by the river, and I wanted to look at it closer so I went down the bank and ended up getting all muddy, but it was pretty cool getting close to the river.  I can't wait until I can take you there or we can go to Cooper’s Landing again.  Anyway, then I went to a few antique stores and looked around.  I really love doing that. 

That can be my random thing of the day.  Sometimes when I get stressed out or just want alone time, I like to go to antique places and think about the people who once used those things everyday.  It is so fun!  I don’t have to buy anything, I really just like looking around.  Half the time I leave with a new idea for my future house. Haha!  But today I did get a globe! 

Something the Lord has been teaching me recently...It's weird.  I feel like my belief and trust in who God is has recently been really good.  Something I l looked at more closely recently is the book of Lamentations.  The author who I think is Jeremiah is telling his story of being persecuted, and feelings of being deserted by God.  He even says in 3:16-17, "He has broken my teeth with gravel; trampled me in the dust.  I have been deprived of peace, I have forgotten what prosperity is..."  He is REALLY DOWN.  I can relate in a small way because sometimes I just feel really down or like I have really distanced myself from God.  The best part about this chapter is vs. 21-25 where he says "Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:  because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.  they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  I say to myself, 'The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.'  The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him."  I am seeing how important it is to constantly be seeking the Lord's promises and CALLING on those truths.  Kinda like accessing the  lifeline He has given us. (shhhh... don't tell anyone but I may or may not have copied and pasted my facebook status from this. :)) haha

I love you buddy. :)

Love, 

Rachel

P.S.  Something I really like about you…

I love how you smile when  you are really happy about something.  And I like how you tell me you love me because I really believe it.  You don't just say it...you really make me feel like you love me more than anything else.