I always knew Rachel would remember my birthday and our anniversary with a card and a nice long, newsy letter. Rachel was a dear friend to me. I loved to see her smile and to chat with her on the telephone. I will always remember Rachel’s love for travel and zest for living.

I wrote Rachel one last letter before she died, a letter she never read. I told her she was a wonderful sister and a true example of a Christian woman. I told her I would see her in heaven. I hope she knows what she meant to me. The last time I saw her, we were leaving after a visit of a week, a week that was bittersweet because of her obvious illness, and she prayed with us for a safe journey. Then the last thing she said was, “I love you!”

Rachel was always so sweet and accommodating, and we really had a wonderful time together. She and Sandy knew historical places better than I did, so it was especially nice to have their comments to help in deciding where to travel. I particularly remember our time in London where we got tickets to see the ballet “Swan Lake”. The only tickets left were obstructed view seats (usually, a pillar was in the way, but one could easily look around the pillar), so we all were separated for the performance. But what fun we had later talking about the nice people we had met and enjoyed.

I was quite blessed to have been able to travel with Rachel, and we enjoyed reading the Bible together and seeing so many wonderful things in seven countries of Europe. Since then, it has been fun to keep up with Rachel and Jack over the years and enjoy their adventures as tour guides at the Custis-Lee Mansion in Washington, etc. I was really happy that Rachel married Jack, who had been a friend of mine since our sophomore years at BJU. She and Jack were so kind to my husband and me in 2001 when we visited campus, he for the first time, and me for the first time in sixteen years.

I will miss not being able to see Rachel when I visit campus next time, but I will look forward to seeing her again in heaven. Then we will have lots of time to share memories and praise the Lord together for His graciousness to us over all our years.

The Helbergs
Williston, North Dakota

I am four years older than my sister Rachel. Rachel acquired the nickname “Snookie,” Althea’s nickname was “Butch,” and I was “Toots.” As Rachel and Althea grew older, they didn’t want anything to do with those nicknames, but I’m still called Toots by close family and even old neighbors.

Now one of the sisters is not with us on this earth, and I am missing her very much. Although many miles separated us, she always kept in close contact with all of us. She was the only member of my family who sent personal e-mail messages. In fact, it was because of her encouragement that we bought a computer. Rachel was faithful in always writing letters–not forwarded mail–to me. That is what I will miss a lot. She sent a lot of pictures, and I watched Austin grow up through those pictures.

Because Rachel and Jack had different jobs during the summers, I looked forward to finding out what their next adventure would be. Rachel visited us often during the month of June, and we would have a family gathering when she came. Rachel did not dwell on her cancer during the past seven years, and my children did not know the seriousness of her illness.

Because Rachel taught English, I used to be self-conscious about how I composed my letters to her. That was until she complimented me by telling me that I had brought back the lost art of letter writing. But I remember a time when she went with Frank and me to a family reunion in Nebraska. She did not hesitate to correct me on my use of proper language. I have to laugh over that.

I remember feeling devastated for her when she told me about her cancer. She had always taken proper care of what she ate and exercised. Whenever someone would get sick in our large family, Rachel would not eat because she did not want to get sick.

I am missing my dear sister, but I know that she has a new and healthy body. I am slightly jealous.

Most recently, our son Jeremiah had Rachel for his English 103 teacher in the spring of this year 2009. She was always there teaching, cheerfully in her place in spite of the cancer recurrence. Rachel has been a blessing to our family, and we are thankful for the memories.