Snowy January in Toronto

Well, what can I say?? It's definitely been a while since I've posted...especially since I've written something in a post.

I've nearly finished up my stay in Toronto, and will be flying out to Vancouver on Monday to stay with my family out there for a week..and then will be flying to Melbourne to begin year two in Australia.

It really has been a very good visit home. I've had more meals bought for me in the span of 6 weeks then I think I have in my entire lifetime...but its all been accompanied with amazing fellowship, catching up with both family and friends, and just sharing what both I and they have done over the past year.

Christmas was very good. I got exactly what I asked for, which is definitely helps with me going back to Australia...especially the stationary! Our family mini-holiday to Niagara falls was also a really fun time. In all honesty, I don't find the falls that interesting, but I did very much enjoy the time spent with my family.

Nearly everything is in place now to go back to Melbourne. I got my student visa at the beginning of January. I even got a Wii for Matt a couple of weeks ago (fantastic story about how I actually got my hands on one...but I won't type it out right now). And have gotten to do a lot and see a lot of people here in Toronto over the past month or so.

I was a bit nervous about coming home, and the possibility of not wanting to leave again. But, never once since I've been back in Toronto have I not been excited to get back to Melbourne and get my year going there. Oh, I'm definitely scared as anything to start school and to begin a year that is going to be both intense, demanding and very very busy...but I am excited.

It has been good to be home for this time and to just reflect a bit on who I am. I came to know a lot about myself while I was in Australia, and I guess coming back to Toronto has allowed for my two worlds to meet in a way, and for me to again look at who I am and who I want to be. I think it has helped to ground me again and allowed me to put together a fuller picture of what kind of person I am, who is important to me in my life, and what direction I'm going in.

I think leaving my family in Toronto again, is still going to be the hardest part about going to Australia. They're definitely a HUGE part of my life, and have helped to make me who I am...and I'll really be sad to say goodbye yet again. But, I know that they'll still be here, supporting me and praying for me, and before I know it, November will be here and I'll be seeing them again.

Definitely not excited about more planes. A plane ride out to Vancouver. Then a very long plane ride to Hong Kong, where I have a lay over...and then a final very long plane ride to Melbourne. Really really not excited about that. I'm not sure I'll ever quite get over my fear of flying and actually enjoying being in a plane. But, I've just got to know that the motivation to take such a long flight is worth it, and God will get me there in one piece.

I guess that's about it for now. Will try to do better to post more regularly!

Blessings!