Pastor Ralph.

dear Ralph:

this morning was probably the last time i’ll see you for a long, long time. years, probably. I hugged you for the last time, and we watched you leave, slowly losing sight of you as you were buried in a sea of travelers. You left on a plane to Germany at 7am, taking along with you your beautiful family.

I never got to know you like i should. There were so many times these years where i could have stepped out and become even more of a friend and more than a servant in your church. But enough regret.

I reflect on the incredible amount of wisdom you have shown me from your own life, your actions, and the way you deal with River of Life. You have shown me God’s love in its truest form, loving me unconditionally before i even knew you. You have led me to His presence countless times over the years. Only you could have shown me Jesus the way i see Him now, and only you have brought me this far.

I thank God and lay prostrated before Him, giving Him the HIGHEST glory and honor for being merciful enough to let our paths cross for all of my high school. I thank Him for your strength, discernment and honesty which you have not only taught, but reflected from your personal walk with Christ. I thank Christ for showing me that true Strength exists in my weakness, and that true Love exists only when I am dead.

I thank our Lord that we were able to share this communion together, that we could drink from the same cup of blessings bestowed upon us by our gracious Father. I thank God for the teaching you have given us, the jokes and laughter i’ve experienced from being with you, even the sadness and sorrow felt from times of trial.

I can’t even IMAGINE what River of Life will be without you to make jokes on stage before the sermon, to yell at the n00bs for talking and messing around, for pretending to know all the newcomers when its hard to even try. Its hard to believe that you have actually left this country, and will probably not return for a long time.
Ralph, my pastor for 6 years, my friend and companion, I will miss you.

Ralph, I’ve never been good at saying bye. I never cry for a farewell, never shed tears for a goodbye. But this is the hardest see-you-later,maybe-never i’ve ever felt. I cried today, and tears roll down my face right now as I think that I will never see you again in this life.

But even in my sorrow, I will praise God, and find joy in the midst of this valley. For I know that God truly loves both of us, and as a new chapter begins for both of us, He will continue to do great things. For His Glory, and His Glory alone.

Ralph, with my heart throbbing I look forward to the day when we both reach our goal, and we will find ourselves together again the warm, welcoming embrace of our Christ.

Before you were lost in the wave of people at the airport, I remember seeing both your hands flail up as a last attempt to say goodbye to us. Haha, and that will be my last memory of you.

Ralph, you will never read this. I miss you already, and though I’ve never said this in words to you, I love you, Pastor Ralph Weber. I love you.

i love you.

Your loving son,
Richard.

He’s back! This is a re-post of a private entry I wrote in my xanga 2 years ago. With any luck, I’ll run into him over spring break. God, You are amazing in Your will and providence to bring him back here.