Hey y'all. My thoughts are still a little jumbled as I try and process this so here goes.

Some MAAAAJOR changes have come up.

So, I am no longer in Toronto. Le sigh. I have moved back to Orlando and, for the time being, am waiting to start school back up at Southeastern in the upcoming spring semester.

It's amazing what change a 2-sentence e-mail can bring about. A couple weeks ago, I was sleeping one night and something felt off. I had no clue why and figured it was just me getting adjusted to the food or water or something. But I couldn't shake the feeling so I woke up and checked my e-mail. And there it was. 2 sentences that changed the course of something I had been anticipating and planning for. When I read about the unfortunate (and severe) circumstance surrounding my financial aid status (and student status), I was freaking out pretty badly. I think one of the biggest things for me was the fact that if I ended up moving back home, I would have wasted a semester. Since university in Canada started in September, there was no way for me to last-minute enroll in classes at SEU. I was struggling pretty hard to come to grips with this.

Even though all I've been through wasn't a waste of time, I still hear that it is from time to time. I was actually thinking about this while eating dinner with some friends before I left TO. I'm 25, and in the last 7 or so years, I've attended 4 post-secondary institutions (UCF, Le Cordon Bleu, Southeastern, York) with a broad range of majors (psychology and military science, culinary arts, education, history), worked in the professional world, went on full-time missions for a year around the world. And yet, still living at home and pursuing a degree that I can "use". The world would look at my situation and say, "Hey. This guy had so many opportunities to use what he had and should have a steady job and be close to starting a family by now. What a waste."

But. Things are looking up. I think. Much like my previous post, I'm looking for the opportunities that God presents in the midst of this difficult time. And I think it's selfish of me to wave all my "dashed hopes and plans" at God and say, "what the junks?!" because God isn't this bully who sits back and has a good chuckle at our expense.

I have no idea why God brought me up to TO for the short time I was there. And I have no idea what God has planned for me here in Orlando for now.

But I know that it's gonna be life-changing and it's gonna be pretty awesome to see God do His thaaaaaaang through it all.

Hope this encourages all y'all, much like my friends encouraged me with reminders of these truths. thank you all y'all. you know who you are. =)

Much love.
Jon