#4

A letter I wrote you in Kentucky. :)

January 1, 2014

Dear Jimmy,

It is a new year!  I wonder what this year will bring. Crazy too look back over this past year and just see how much has gone on and what God has brought us through both together and a part.

James, I really like how my heart feels when I think about you.  You have such a kind and encouraging presence, and I really like being around you.  I love you and I like you.  That's good. haha:)

Today I am in Louisville and it feels really great to be back in the place where I really saw God do a lot of work in my heart and transform me a lot.  It is cool because so many memories of starting to talk to you again, and really seeing how the Lord was changing and growing you come to mind too.  Today wasn't anything crazy, but I kind of like that about being here.  I woke up this morning and had french toast and then went up to this parking lot where Joseph and Jude were riding bikes.  Joseph is so good at the two-wheeler!
It made me think of my first time riding a two wheeler...
>>So that leads me to a random fact about me...I have always loved doing outdoor things.  At three I learned how to ride a two-wheeler and roller blade.  I think I was the smallest kid in the neighborhood haha!  One of my first memories is having this family movie night where all of my siblings and parents were laying down in the family room on a big blanket, and I decided to go out into the garage and roller skate.  I remember choosing my dad's skates out of all of them because I liked the color.  They were black, teal, and purple.  I remember going around the garage in them probably not in the most graceful fashion.  I have always been kind of a daring kid.  One time when I got a really good pair of hand-me-down roller skates I used them to jump the wide stairs at my neighbors house.  This was more around the time I was eight though. I would go up to my friend Mrs. Lowery's house and talk to her on her porch for a while, and then jump her stairs on my way home.  I need to tell you about Mrs. Lowery sometime.  Maybe not in this letter since it is getting a bit long haha! but she was really a big part of my life growing up.  I think it's so weird to think about the things we remember.  It is weird to think that Joseph and Jude will forget so much of this time in their lives, but they may also remember little random bits like that too.<<
Back to Louisville thought.
Jessie took Jude home to get a snack so Joseph and I stayed and rode some more.  It is so fun talking with Joseph and getting to hear his heart.

Haha!  We were talking about  roller coasters and he started talking about how he is going to make a roller coaster one day called the "Holy Spirit" and it is going to be "crazy fast."  He also talked about going to church and seeing the "activity set" with Joseph, Mary, and shepherds.  :)  Then we went home and he actually started explaining all of his planes and their controls.  He said, "Aunt Rach when I grow up, I don't want to be a football player or anything.  I want to be a pilot."  He has a lot of direction in his life for a four year old! ha!

I went walking while they all took naps and it was a really good time of reflection and time with God.  Sometimes I get kind of frustrated with myself because I have so much time to spend with Him, and half the time I forget to talk to Him.  It is nice to remember that He is glorified when I am enjoying the earth He created, the body He gave me, and thankful.

Well, I think you have heard enough about my day. haha!  I hope that you are writing things down and documenting your time in New Zealand because I want to hear what you are doing and learning too!  I really miss you so much, and think about you all the time.  I know it is not that long to be a part but it feels like a LONG time to be a part! haha

I love you so much James.

Rach

P.S.  Something I love about you...
I love that you really seem comfortable in your own skin.  What I mean is that I think you have a pretty good idea of who you are, and you are not trying to be anybody else.  When you look to grow it is for the Lord and not for men.  I really love that.  I also like that you have a good balance between cocky and confident.  You are confident in who you are, but you are also not cocky and hard to be around or thinking the whole world revolves around you.  I think you make a lot of people feel comfortable because of that.  :)