Gifts can expose the character of the giver. But it can also expose the character of the receiver…

My sister sent me a text once:

when thinking about giving something: “here’s a thing i got you that i put a lot of thought and effort and love behind and wanted to give to u because i know you would enjoy it and love it and i want to spread joy because i love u”

when giving it: “yea i just dug this out of the trash but i don’t want it so u can have it i guess”

We didn’t have anything planned out, we sort of just said the beach might be a nice idea since the weather was so perfect. And without too much thought we made our way in the direction of the ocean after a late lunch…

It’s late morning as I sit on a small used couch my friend recently gave me. It converts into a floor mattress. It’s already been useful since a friend slept over last week and a friend is coming over this weekend…

I walked in alone, not knowing anybody. Just wanting to study the bible in community. A couple of other people were also new. A nature enthusiast who moved from Georgia in June. A Toronto native who moved out here only 3 weeks ago, not knowing anyone in the city. And me. I moved out here a few months ago and sure I have friends in the city, but not a deep, consistent community…

I took in my first bite. It was delicious. A slightly crisp exterior with a chewy interior. It was my first time trying Third Culture’s mochi donuts. Baked instead of fried, the donuts have the lightness of fried dough but keep the chewiness of butter mochi…

I almost let today quietly slip by me. I almost didn’t notice a full year had gone by since my travels around the world serving those in need. I landed back home this very day just last year. And in this past year, when I would mention the places I’ve been, eyes would widen with excitement over my exciting life.

We visited the Petrified Forest in Arizona. A national park named for the petrified wood that scatters the area. In science, the word petrified relates to fossilization, organic matter literally turning to stone. But I kept thinking of fear…

She slipped a note in my bag, “Thanks for listening. I never talk to anyone about my past.”

There’s a neighborhood theater only a five minute drive from my house. We entered the small cinema last Tuesday, when tickets are only five dollars. Built during the golden era of film, it holds the charms of vintage theaters I love so much…