It's a White Christmas!

So I am back in Toronto for Christmas this year. It's been great seeing friends, old roommates, and family. It's amazing how things.... seem different when you come back after stepping away for a little while. I think when you're away, you end up having to answer questions you wouldn't of otherwise asked, prepare everything things that you might not need to when you're settle, and lastly, be dependent on the grace of others you have no expectation of. I find myself realizing that I am more comfortable and confident of who i've become, questions of ethics and action are more firmly answered. When you're with a new group of people constantly, you find out whether you're okay with being alone, when you have to be flexible and wait for others, put others first. Then you realize, when you're in a new town as a student, where it is definitely not as convenient without a car, you realize whether you CAN walk for class, grocery, get around, and basically whether you can setup camp in a new country. I have so much more appreciation for people who don't drive and manage just fine. And finally, an affirmation of God's grace is visible, when you step out of your comfort zone, and is living the journey you that suits you at this time, you open up the opportunity for external and whether random help. People you meet for the first time lend you a £100 bike, classmates offering to cover for you when you don't have an account setup for printing or food. Then you also have the consistency of God's character in all people, caring, and living compassionately for people around them. Simple things like offering to carry bags of grocery, and accompanying others to keep them company. It's been very rewarding to walk this new journey.

Coming back now, I realize how many friends I have here in Toronto, I have some really good brothers who challenged me in my faith, and some that i can just hang out and call at anytime. I had one of the funnest nights in my recent memories. Just meeting up and hanging out led to walking through the city underground path and browsing through the close stores. It was especially great because there is a level of familiarity, and yet, there was catching up and learning more about a friend. Anyway, definitely fun.

So, yes, back in Toronto, it's been snowing pretty hard, and it looks like we'll be having a white Christmas. There is definitely a level of excitement and familiarity that comes with a white Christmas for me. As far back as I can remember growing up here in Toronto, it's always white on Christmas.... except for the past several years, where the climate has been fluctuating more. But with a white Christmas, I'm reminded of the good old days, much like I am reminded of that being back here in Toronto.