It’s been a while since I wrote anything. Sorry about that. It’s been crazy busy.
I just got through the week after Reading Week. Reading Week was our “week off”—in a sense. Actually, it was a week without classes so that we could concentrate on reading (or catching up if we’re behind). I was a little behind in my own reading, so I found the week very useful. And given that I love reading (and having plenty of time to read), it was just a great time all around.
Since I’ve been here, I’ve been having to get used to so many subtle differences between Canada and the United States. For instance, up here, they have a one-dollar coin they call a “loonie,” and a two-dollar coin they call a “toonie.” Reminds me of Looney Tunes. There’s also a store near my house called Amy’s Loonie-Toonie Town.
I also got to sing the Canadian national anthem at the beginning of an RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) performance. (The Mounties do in fact perform on horseback.) Here’s the anthem below, for anyone in the States who doesn’t know it:
O Canada!
Our home and native land!
True patriot love in all thy sons command.
With glowing hearts we see thee rise,
The True North strong and free!
From far and wide,
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
God keep our land glorious and free!
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
O Canada, we stand on guard for thee.
I also had my first Canadian Thanksgiving on October 12. We celebrated the night before, but it was weird celebrating it in October rather than November. It was a great time. We had our landlords over for dinner, and it was a great community event. I have a lot to be thankful for.
We’re reading through the whole Old Testament for my OT Foundations class, and here’s a famous blessing from Numbers 6:24-26, when God tells Moses to have Aaron and his sons bless Israel (I found this to be a great reminder about the grace of God):
The Lord bless you, and keep you.
The Lord make His face to shine upon you,
And be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance on you,
And give you peace.
יְבָרֶכְךָ֥ יְהוָ֖ה וְיִשְׁמְרֶֽךָ׃
יָאֵ֨ר יְהוָ֧ה ׀ פָּנָ֛יו אֵלֶ֖יךָ וִֽיחֻנֶּֽךָּ׃
יִשָּׂ֨א יְהוָ֤ה ׀ פָּנָיו֙ אֵלֶ֔יךָ וְיָשֵׂ֥ם לְךָ֖ שָׁלֹֽום׃
