Looking back over the years most of my closer friends have had the same qualities. They are people of faith, I can talk and pray with them, they listen and not judge, and they provide encouragement when I needed it.

But my closest friends understood when I needed space to process things. They gave me space and time to think things through and did not take it as we are not friends any more. They understood my need to “turtle” and be inside my shell every now and then.

In my heart I am introverted, which just means I need space to recharge my batteries by being alone by myself. Unlike extroverts who need to be around people to be recharged.

For example, if I am thinking through a big issue I will go to my shed to be alone or I will go for a walk up our local rock that over looks our town. The space provides no distractions and I can just hear from God.

My best friends over the years have always understood this. They know I spend a lot of time talking and listening to people in my job as a Pastor or Chaplain and I need time alone or time alone with God to reset and recharge.

So what do I value most in a friend? Someone who understands my rhythm of time with people and time alone. Time when I need to turtle!

This is an interesting question again. How do I feel about cold weather?

I have to admit this has changed as I have gotten older. When I was younger I loved warmer weather, but there is something about ageing and hot weather. It seems to take it out of you more.

Mind you we do have fairly hot summers where I live. In February we had three days above 45 degrees Celsius. That is nearly 115 Fahrenheit! In winter our coldest nights are about -2 Celsius, 28 Fahrenheit.

I just find that where I live I can do most things when it is cold. You just have to put on multiple layers of clothes. But when it is hot, we go in to survival mode and do everything early in the day.

So how do I feel about cold weather? In my context I prefer it to the heat of summer.