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.

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.

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