We know what time it is! Fall means many things for us as a staff stationed around the world. So we asked our selves what does the transition of fall mean to us? Give these staff reflections a nod! They are worth reading!

Agnes

This Fall, I reflect about the changes that have happened in the past 6 months. For me, this year can be described with the word COMMUNITY. I finally moved into a wonderful living space with my friends that we laughingly call “The Collective.” We were all looking for a new place to live and ended up taking up almost the entire floor of an apartment building. It’s almost like being a part of university dorm rooms, only in different houses. Being friends with your neighbours is an amazing experience that is not only comfortable but gave me much needed security and a sense of community that you don’t often have in the city. You don’t have any milk, a quick text and someone on the floor is open to sharing a cup (plus some cookies to go with it).

Tavia

Summer was a spiritual season for me and fall will be my transition into application of all the things I learned during my season of Humility, Loss and Modesty. I sat still alot this summer. No big vacations or plans. I was quiet. I am grateful to have spent this season with my family in reflection and prayer. Summer taught me to accept realities and know that sometimes there will be limitations that are out of my control. We must swallow our pride and welcome the help and blessings God (Jehovah) sends us in the form of friends, family, and sometimes even strangers to send us a word of encouragement or exactly the things we prayed about. Pride found a new home this summer and was replaced with gratitude, faith and tears of joy. Loss taught me to be thankful and reflective, to honor through memory and exemplifying the strength shown. I truly learned that it’s not about the trials we face, but how we handle them. There is no loss when you know the truth and have faith in it. Blessings await. 

Fall….what I call a beautiful death, will be more about life for me this season. I want to pay forward the love and grace I was shown this year, I want to focus on living through things and not constantly “in” them. Again, I want to sit still and learn, pace myself and put God and family first, but also pay attention to the needs of others and reach out. . The beautiful death for me this season, will be  shedding the things within that hold me back from the contentment and happiness right in front of me.

Vidhi

Fall is a season of change, much like spring, and it serves as a reminder of how crucial it is to go from the glitzy, busy summer to the dismal, tranquil winter. It reminds us to accept and flow with the change. When I feel like there is no hope for improvement, all I need to do is think about the trees and the promise of a new spring. For me, it serves as a reminder to accept both the good, the difficult ones and to appreciate the little things in life- A cup of hot tea, a warm blanket, and a good book. It’s a time of year for connecting with loved ones, spending time in nature, and especially encouraging living fully.

Vico

Fall was all about transition to me. In my case, it involved moving. Leaving my small flat where I lived alone with my dog, moving to a bigger house with my boyfriend and his two kids.This transition did not only mean changing a space, but also changing neighborhood, habits and daily routines. It also involved a lot of reflections, thoughts and learnings. It is good to look back and reflect on how I changed, I evolved and became a better person thanks to the changes I’ve gone through in the last few months. There’s still a lot to learn and to improve and I am always excited about the future and what is yet to come!