Simply grateful.

Grateful for the last four years. Not everything was easy, not at all in fact. I faced many difficulties that I could never have imagined beforehand. Sometimes they seemed like small hills, sometimes like huge mountains, even higher than Mount Everest. But, as a very good friend reminded me, it's better to remember the good moments, the beautiful times and advantages, and not all the things that aren't so marvellous. A glass half full instead of half empty. So I decided to write this short post. Writing often helps to re-prioritise and think clearly. At least it does for me.

It's been a great, busy four years with so much to be grateful for. Grateful for:

• Encounters with countless wonderful people, many of which have led to real friendships.

• The healing of many (deep) wounds from the past, which has led to a precious new beginning.

• Perspectives that we have completely redefined.

• Everything Marc has learnt. It has changed our lives.

• The Church Federation that Marc joined. It's nice to belong and not be alone.

• The development of our two girls and the birth of our little boy. These three little sunshines just make life so beautiful. Turbulent too. But beautiful and worth living.

• The courage to start a new degree course. I love it. I can't imagine that one day I'll be finished with it, but at some point I will probably get there.

• All the lovely people who have made everything possible. I've often heard over the years that everything depends on God and that I should trust Him and that He takes care of everything and uses people to support us, and I don't deny any of that. But I think it goes a little further than that. I believe in free will. And that's why I'm so grateful to everyone who was and still is willing to support our project. I don't think you realise how encouraging this is and what it means to me. It's hard to put into words. But believe me, I am more than grateful.

The list could go on and on. But these are simply the main reasons to be grateful.

Even though on the one hand we can't wait to move to the south with its sun and blue sea, to a large flat and to an extremely welcoming church, on the other hand I find it very difficult. We are leaving many friends who I value incredibly and who I will miss very much. My little ones feel the same way. And that alone shows how grateful we can be.

It was simply beautiful after all.