It was a year ago we were cramming our last things into bags and boxes, preparing for our big trans-Atlantic move! Excitement, tears, hopes, dreams, fears... It's good to see how we've weathered this monumental year, with all it's transitions.
We've settled into our cozy basement apartment for the time being, with our dining room set, wool rug and sentimental belongings from Athens. Our kids love "helping" Grandpa and Grandma in the garden, and Erik can tell what a carrot plant looks like :-) Erik has loved taking swimming lessons, and doing preschool and VBS at John Knox Presbyterian Church, only 10 minutes walking distance from our house. Chloe is blossoming into a talkative little girl, who loves new shoes and singing. We are trying to make room for baby brother in 2 months- at least they start out small! As a family, we love going to the pebbly local beach, which is only a few minutes drive, even though it's only warm enough to wade. We also love introducing our friends to Greek food, and lingering over a tasty meal together.
Professionally, it's been a tough year for Ianni and for myself. Establishing a new career is a challenge! I've been working 3 days a week since October at DESC, on a mobile crisis team, responding with the police to mental health emergencies. Unfortunately, it's been extremely slow with referrals, so it hasn't been the challenging, growthful work that I hoped for. It has been a great place to get connected professionally and has allowed me time to set up my own mental health practice. I find I miss feeling an expert in something, and my contact with trafficking victims. I've started volunteering with Genesis Project, just a couple hours a month. It helps!
Ianni is making even bigger adjustments... has tried out some very random jobs, from janitorial work to home maintenance and installing Christmas lights. He's interviewed for even more jobs, and we are hoping that a more stable and career job is around the corner. He even "got" to experience the American health care system, when he fell off a roof at his job. While he has lingering pain at times, we're so grateful that there was no permanent damage.
Sometimes it seems like things should be easier after a year. I would love to have a thriving private practice, and not work 2 jobs plus taking care of kids and home. Ianni would love to have a career job in sales, where there are opportunities for growth. We dream of owning our own home here, and I have always wanted to fix up an older house. We hope for more of a vision for our life here together, ministry and purpose.
But I'm striving to practice gratitude - for the support of my family, fresh peas and kale from the vegetable garden, the sunnier days, farmer's market, public libraries, new and rekindled friendships, feeling baby kick, companions for my kids ... It leads to hope and trust for the future.
We've settled into our cozy basement apartment for the time being, with our dining room set, wool rug and sentimental belongings from Athens. Our kids love "helping" Grandpa and Grandma in the garden, and Erik can tell what a carrot plant looks like :-) Erik has loved taking swimming lessons, and doing preschool and VBS at John Knox Presbyterian Church, only 10 minutes walking distance from our house. Chloe is blossoming into a talkative little girl, who loves new shoes and singing. We are trying to make room for baby brother in 2 months- at least they start out small! As a family, we love going to the pebbly local beach, which is only a few minutes drive, even though it's only warm enough to wade. We also love introducing our friends to Greek food, and lingering over a tasty meal together.
Professionally, it's been a tough year for Ianni and for myself. Establishing a new career is a challenge! I've been working 3 days a week since October at DESC, on a mobile crisis team, responding with the police to mental health emergencies. Unfortunately, it's been extremely slow with referrals, so it hasn't been the challenging, growthful work that I hoped for. It has been a great place to get connected professionally and has allowed me time to set up my own mental health practice. I find I miss feeling an expert in something, and my contact with trafficking victims. I've started volunteering with Genesis Project, just a couple hours a month. It helps!
Ianni is making even bigger adjustments... has tried out some very random jobs, from janitorial work to home maintenance and installing Christmas lights. He's interviewed for even more jobs, and we are hoping that a more stable and career job is around the corner. He even "got" to experience the American health care system, when he fell off a roof at his job. While he has lingering pain at times, we're so grateful that there was no permanent damage.
Sometimes it seems like things should be easier after a year. I would love to have a thriving private practice, and not work 2 jobs plus taking care of kids and home. Ianni would love to have a career job in sales, where there are opportunities for growth. We dream of owning our own home here, and I have always wanted to fix up an older house. We hope for more of a vision for our life here together, ministry and purpose.
But I'm striving to practice gratitude - for the support of my family, fresh peas and kale from the vegetable garden, the sunnier days, farmer's market, public libraries, new and rekindled friendships, feeling baby kick, companions for my kids ... It leads to hope and trust for the future.
