10 Events That Shaped My 2017 - Part 1

in #my20178 years ago (edited)

My 2017 was very eventful. Having lived overseas for almost 11 years, I thought I was prepared for change and uncertainty.

But 2017 took change and uncertainty to a new level. I survived, and I am stronger for it.

In this post I will share about the first 5 of 10 major changes/transitions that took place in my life and the life of my family.

new-years-day-1931728_640.jpg

1. Moved Cities

Right off the bat, our family transitioned from Kansas City to southwest Missouri. We returned to the city where my wife and I meet. We returned to the city where we went to college. We returned to a network of family and friends.

But we returned as different people. Living overseas changes how you view and experience life. I look the same as I did before (just heavier and balder), but the way I journey through life is much different now.

The move almost did not take place. My family was sick with strep and ravaged by head lice, all while trying to pack up our belongings before moving south during the first week of January.

If we thought that was tough, we were going to be taken off guard by the rest of the year.

2. Decided Not To Return Overseas

Our decision not to renew our work contract overseas was the biggest decision that impact 2017. As I have previously mentioned, we had lived overseas for over a decade. Four of my 5 kiddos were born in Indonesia, and all of them considered Indonesia home.

We had not just made friends, we had become family with many dear souls. This decision caused all of us to cry. The first few weeks and months feel like a blur. And it is not surprising to hear someone in our house cry for the place that we grew to love.

We still asked God why He asked us to make such a drastic change. He has not answered us yet. But we anticipate good to come from our decision. And we walk forward, as obediently as possible, towards what is next for us.

3. Visited Indonesia, Sold Our Belongings, and Said Goodbyes

When we left Indonesia in August 2016, we fully expected to return. We had not said goodbye, we had just said see-you-later.

We made the right, but costly decision for the entire family to return to Indonesia to find closure. In the course of less than 4 weeks we ...

  • Crossed the Pacific Ocean (twice)
  • Sold most of our belongings
  • Packed up our most precious and important possessions
  • Took lots of pictures
  • Ate our favorite Indonesian foods
  • Spent time with our Indonesian family
  • And cried ugly cries at the airports

Our trip back was exhausting, physically and emotionally, but it was necessary. It was right. It was good.

4. Moved Houses

Our second move of the year was only across town, but it was still a move none the less.

The day we landed back in the States was the first day we stayed in our second house of the year.

This house was an unexpected, rent-free blessing. It came just in time to meet our need. It gave a place to call "home" (even if just for a short time).

5. Experienced Unemployment For The First Time

Everything so far has got us to mid May 2017. In two weeks time, my work contract would officially expire.

I would be unemployed for the first time since becoming a father. As a provider, this life event was hard. It challenged me emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

Fortunately we had some savings, but the questions started stacking up.

  • How long will our savings last?
  • How long will it take to find a job?
  • Should I just look for any job or should I look for "the" job?
  • How do I process all of this change?
  • How does employment impact how I feel about myself as a man, father, and husband?
  • How long will I hurt?

Part 2

I will share the rest of my top 10 events in my next post.


Image Source:
https://pixabay.com/en/new-year-s-day-fireworks-1931728/

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Wow, thanks for sharing these life-changing events, moving is definitely challenging but it makes us stronger.

@diabolika, you now all to well how challenging and life-changing that moving is!

I would love to find work overseas and be able to live abroad. Any advice on finding employment?

@toomuchcoffee, we worked with a small NGO that was based in the United States, but they had connections to had connections to organization overseas.

Here are some things to consider:

  1. Think about something you can do (and would like to do) overseas that brings fulfillment.
  2. Make sure that you have credentials that prove your ability to accomplish what you mentioned in #1. This is important in order to get a VISA to work in a foreign country.
  3. Start investigating NGO, businesses, etc in offer those services overseas.

What were you wanting to do? Where were you wanting to move?

I work as an Energy Engineer now I have worked in the HVAC and estimating world. I have only been out of school a few years so I am trying to gain work experience. I would like to transition in to Business Development for a tech company if possible. I will look into NGO. I never thought of this as an option. I would be open to living anywhere. I feel this is the time in my life to work abroad if I had the opportunity. Thanks for the information and advice!

Happy New year, Hope 2018 will be full of success and blessings for you.
I have just joined steemit and made my first introduction post, do you mind checking that.
I hope I will have great time on steem.
Just upvoted and followed you, hope you do the same so we don't miss out interesting stuff of each other.

@suf1an, thanks for stoping by. I hope that your 2018 is filled with many blessings!

I would be unemployed for the first time since becoming a father. As a provider, this life event was hard. It challenged me emotionally, spiritually, and physically.

I can't imagine the pressure you must feel on that one, it must be beyond crushing...
I live in SE Asia myself (over 15 years on and off) - and the transition of just going back to the west is a big culture shock unto itself - never mind all the other things going on in your life at the moment, with a family as well..

Good luck mate!
...and hopefully you will be having a very successful 2018 !

@lucylin, it was a tough time in life and we are still working through it.

Our kiddos loved Indonesia so much. It was home. We had made several trips back to the United States. they are great travelers, but being back "permanently" has been very difficult.

Thanks for the well wishes. It is also great to hear from others who have lived in SE Asia.

The west becomes less and less attractive to me, as I get older.
(as freedoms get more and more restrictive, I think).

For me it's the day to day 'rules'. It's pervasive. (for me).

I'm sure having a family takes precedence over any personal preferences (that being single allows.), and making things work is the option.

It will work out, matey....

Thanks for sharing man. I'm following you now, follow me too!

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