As I considered what to name my new blog, I was trying to come up with something that would not only show where I am in life, but also remind me of where I want to be. I am a few months into a new beginning in life, and I want to remind myself that it's ok when things are not yet perfect - that is the point of our journey through life.
I am an American, who moved to Germany as an Au Pair almost two years ago, fell in love, married and stayed. It has been, quite literally, a life-changing experience. I started out as a 22 year old, single California girl with a very close-knit family. Now, less than two years later, I live in a different country, on a different continent, with a different language and culture, married and a housewife, and 3 months pregnant.
Sometimes it's easy for me to get hung up on the things I left behind: family, best friends, beautiful weather, cultural understanding, my car, even sometimes the feeling that I am a fully-functional adult. In the beginning, I seemed to have more bad days than good days, going through culture shock. It seemed that every time I turned around, there was another thing that was frustrating or a challenge or even just new. I went from being a very capable, logical, independent adult, to no longer having my high-school diploma be enough. My driver's license wasn't valid after the first six months. My out-going extroverted personality turned into being the dullest person around (when you can't speak the language, forget all those great people-skills you've earned through the years)!
There. But that's enough complaining; I'm hoping this blog will be a place for me to write and work through the hard things, but also document and remember my blessings and the wonderful sides of living here, like my husband, who I am convinced is the very best husband to ever grace this earth. Or that soon we will have our own little baby, and be starting our very own family here. The fabulous invention of technology such as Facebook and Skype. Or the delicious foods (can anyone say bread or döner?) that are available on every street corner. The new friendships that are slowly getting deeper. The great church that we are a part of. My language skills which are growing by leaps and bounds - to the point where I can actually make jokes sometimes! Or even the small things like well-designed windows that open two different ways, or Laufrads, the little kid's bicycle without pedals so they can 'coast' and learn balance before graduating to a pedal-bike.
I am human, pregnant, and still going through some culture shock, so I can't promise that this blog will always be admirable, but it's not really for admiration. It's for me to remember that I am a pilgrim (hopefully) making progress.
