Forgive the silence on the blog from my end. Since finishing work on maternity leave, I have been the one to really starting clearing our home ready for the big move, while the hubby works hard at school. My hand physically aches from using my phone to run our Facebook selling group and hovering over the 'selling' live page of my e-Bay app. Our home is looking barer with blank walls... at least it is to me. You see, to the naked eye it looks no different because for each box of items I pass on or sell, a new bag of baby grows from a friend arrives. Having another little boy due in 3 weeks means a lot of recycle and reuse, but to be quite frank with you, getting rid of stuff, de-cluttering and packing, whilst simultaneously buying and borrowing baby paraphernalia has at times, been quite overwhelming. I am a list person. List of lists. Lists of things to achieve weekly. Monthly. Daily! I needed to let go of the lists- they were making me miserable. Instead, today, I'm pausing to reflect on what it means to pack up a life and move it to a completely new context. Oh and I'm making the most of this gorgeous sunshine by laundering the mountain of aforementioned baby paraphernalia. So I do feel like my whole life is for up for sale. When friends come for dinner I am literally like; 'if you see anything you like, ask me if you can have it' (Seriously. Do.) It is hard to know what to take and what to leave behind when we move to Istanbul, what to give away or even to ask friends to keep for us. When we got married 8 years ago, we didn't have a wedding list at John Lewis. We were Argos and Ikea all the way (mainly because I am quite clumsy so there really was no point us having nice matching crockery sets, it's the Greek in me, having a smashing time!). We always knew we end up abroad so on a subconscious level held back from splashing out on pretty things for the home. So when we finally get to our new apartment in Istanbul I cannot wait to furnish it and set up home for my family Turkish style. I can't quite imagine what it will look like. I know God has a perfect family apartment all waiting for us, but I cannot see it yet! We will be sorting out a rental quite last minute. May I take this moment to indulge on what I HOPE it may be like... Actually I am so kidding, I long for open plan living, with space for the kiddoes to run about. Nothing cream coloured (aforementioned kiddoes!), a safe balcony and somewhere to hang our washable nappies. Yes we are going to continue them when we live in Istanbul as no one recycles ANYTHING in Turkey. I am hoping hanging freshly laundered reusable nappies will ease the pain of chucking plastic yoghurt pots and paper in the bin constantly. Seriously, it's painful. There's lots of little decisions to be made like this. Compromises to be made- 'shall we pay to ship x y and z or will it be cheaper to buy it all again when we're out there? What about the carbon footprint of flying out our crates, vs. the landfill issue of getting rid of items?' I'm sure we will make some mistakes along the way, but the main thing we are going with, is to go with as little as possible and start again. What I like, and value here, may change due to the culture, weather and style of the unique European/Asian style of Besiktas Istanbul. There are definitely a few things I am sure we CANNOT get out in Istanbul. Limes for making any kind of Asian food. 'Sophie la Giraffe'. Crunchy peanut butter. Soap and glory products. Ah I hear you say; 'First World Problems'. Yep. You're right. End of. Again, I find myself working out in my head a balance of totally changing my lifestyle culture to working out what things actually we need to take to remind us of home. But then again, Istanbul is our future home... Only time will tell on this one. One thing is for sure, it has been surprisingly fun and freeing getting rid of everything. Exchanging physical clutter for spiritual gifts that will be far more useful. So, am I really selling my whole life? No. I am giving it freely. I am choosing to give my life for One who gave it all for me because I believe He is asking this of me and my family. What do I get in return? Well, we are going to get adventure that's for sure. Last night I couldn't sleep (heartburn AND a baby with hiccups at 37 weeks anyone?!) and was considering how EVERYTHING one day will pass way. The best quality crockery, my clothes, money, homes, everything. Nothing is eternal except us, Him, and His Word. So it is with great joy I sign off leaving you with this verse; The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. 1 John 2:17 Thanks for reading. Any feedback or comments appreciated, still new to the blogging game, and things like getting my images to look neat and aligned!
1 Comment
Anna K
5/16/2016 12:47:31 pm
Just found your blog - loved reading this one and will be checking in again in the future. Love the ending and the verse - so true. We get attached to many temporary things but your work will be for eternal fruit so keep at it!!! :)
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AuthorBHK, a wife, a mother, believer. Loves to swim, journal, create fantastic Shellac nails, shop and eat chocolate. Negotiating life, parenthood and community in Istanbul. Archives
December 2016
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