journal: where things stand

journal: where things stand

I have been waiting to share this news with all of you for some time now and the moment finally feels right. There is good news and hard news, but our future is found in both the good and the hard, and we are confident that the journey that lies ahead of us is a part of our destiny being fulfilled.

The good news is that we have reached the point where we have laid the foundation necessary to enable us to move here to Greece permanently. Which means we are ready to return to the U.S. to completely wrap up our life there for good (we still have our home and businesses running back in the U.S.) We never expected to be ready to return and close our life in America so quickly, but things worked out faster than we expected and while we really don’t want to leave our little village, we are grateful that we get to make our move permanent sooner than we thought was possible.

Now, for the hard news: behind everything that I have shared here on the blog and on Instagram since moving to Greece, there has been a difficult struggle taking place in our family. My husband’s father has been growing very sick and upon his return to the U.S. back in September, we found out that he has sepsis, needed a new heart valve, and has colon cancer. As you can imagine, this news has hit our family extremely hard. And while I have chosen to keep silent about the troubles that we have been through with our family during our time here in Greece, I needed to open up and let all of you know where things stand with our life and immediate future.

While our return to the U.S. was already planned, the anticipation to come home and close up our life in the U.S. has now been confronted with the difficulties that my husband’s parents are facing. Our hearts long to be by their side, caring for them in this extremely painful time – but before we could return to the U.S. we had some very important work to wrap up here in relation to our efforts to help with the refugee crisis and to put an end to the Crimes Against Humanity that are taking place here against them.

My hubby and I have been working very hard at making a real impact on the refugee crisis here in Greece. Depending on where you live in the world, you may or may not have any clue as to what is really going on here, but we have spent months really digging into the reality of this crisis and coming up with immediate solutions to the Crimes Against Humanity that are taking place in the refugee camps here, especially at the Moria Camp on the island of Lesvos.

This subject is deeply complicated and riddled with political agendas and corruption. However, we have come up with a strategy that is already making an impact on the physical and mental health of the refugees that are stranded here in Greece. We have put together a page detailing the current state of the refugee crisis, what we are doing to change that and how you can help. You can find that page HERE – and please know, that we are not asking you to spend even a single $1 dollar of your money, but ONLY for you to forward an email that we have already created to the appropriate channels.

This crisis is not Europe’s problem, it is our problem. These refugees are humans that lived lives much like you and me before missiles & bombs started being dropped on their neighborhoods, homes & businesses. It is up to us, the people of the world to demand that the refugees be treated with the basic rights that every human being is entitled to. On behalf of all of the voiceless & hopeless refugees, we sincerely thank you for your help.

And as the door to our time here in Greece is coming to a close, I just want to take a moment to thank you all for your support and encouragement.  We know that our return to the U.S. is critical to our future here in Greece and to the refugee crisis. And while our hearts deeply yearn to stay, we know that it will only be a matter of time before we are able to return to Greece for good <3

{ 27 comments… add one }
  • Erin November 6, 2018, 8:38 am

    Sending you all of the love, lady. Always, always here standing in your corner

    xx

    • bella | ful-filled November 7, 2018, 5:34 am

      Thank you so much Erin, I appreciate you more than you know <3

  • Michelle November 6, 2018, 9:00 am

    Dearest Bella,

    You are such a beautiful person. You and your husband both. I truly admire every single action you take towards this cause. I only wish I could be there as a partner in this incredible mission that god has sent you both on. I know so many other things are happening around you but your heart is always on others. I hope your father-in-law pulls through. He’s a strong man and with God’s will, he will heal. Love you very much.

    • bella | ful-filled November 7, 2018, 5:36 am

      Oh Michelle, honestly, we feel so compelled to make a difference for the oppressed, our hearts ache for their suffering :( and your support in emailing means more than you can imagine. We are praying for God’s will in his dad’s life, trusting that he is in His hands <3 thank you for all of the love and encouragement, we appreciate you!

  • Betty Binon November 6, 2018, 9:00 am

    Proudly grateful you’re taking part in helping with the refugee crisis. The entire world needs to get on it. Not just Europe. And thinking of you and your family xx

    • bella | ful-filled November 7, 2018, 5:37 am

      Thank you Betty! I know how much it means to you as well and I could not agree with you more. Thank you for your support <3

  • Anila Bhatti November 6, 2018, 1:45 pm

    Praying for your family and may God bless you for your work for humanity. Being very familiar with humanitarian projects and sustainability and the burden associated with it, I appreciate your time, efforts, resources and heart. Keep on the good fight!

    • bella | ful-filled November 7, 2018, 5:38 am

      Thank you so much Anila, we really appreciate the encouragement! It can feel extremely daunting to try to combat corruption that causes such suffering, but if someone does not take a stand, who will? It all starts with one person!

  • Vy November 6, 2018, 2:43 pm

    Bella, I’m so sorry to hear about your father in law. My aunt had passed away from colon cancer a few months ago so I know how hard it is for your family. Will keep you and your family in my prayers. Have a safe trip back to the US!

    • bella | ful-filled November 7, 2018, 5:39 am

      Oh Vy, I am so sorry for your loss! Yes, the road ahead is uncertain, but we are confident that God has called us back, so we walk forward in faith that we are doing His will!

  • Effie Mattheou Demetriades November 7, 2018, 5:12 am

    Kudos for it all dear Bella <3

    • bella | ful-filled November 7, 2018, 5:39 am

      thank you Effie!

  • Marilena November 7, 2018, 6:05 am

    Thinking of you and praying for your father in-law’s health. It seems that you will be going back to the States at the right time to help and support your family …. I so admire you for everything you do Bella!

    • bella | ful-filled November 7, 2018, 10:18 pm

      Thank you so much Marilena – we appreciate your love and support more than you know <3

  • Peggy DeGough November 7, 2018, 9:15 am

    Bella, you and Niko have/will always have a special place in my heart! I will continue to pray for you as you navigate through all the decisions and difficulties ahead. I
    love you both dearly!

    • bella | ful-filled November 7, 2018, 10:23 pm

      Thank you for your prayers Peggy <3 we are trusting God for all things as we go through this difficult time

  • Barbara Marshall November 7, 2018, 12:58 pm

    Oh Bella, I am so sorry to hear the news of your father-in-law’s illness and health problems. I will be praying for him, as well as for you and your husband with all the upcoming things you have to deal with. Thank you so much for your transparency as it allows us to know how to pray for you (even though the Lord knows all your needs). Hoping and praying for healing for your father-in-law. I was just yesterday thinking about your efforts in helping the refugees and wondering how that was going, so this is quite timely. Thank you both for your compassion and dedication to this great need. May God bless and strengthen you for what you are doing and for all that lies ahead.
    ~ Barbara

    • bella | ful-filled November 7, 2018, 10:24 pm

      Thank you so much Barbara…sounds like the timing of this post was perfect ;) We truly appreciate your love and support <3

  • Lori November 8, 2018, 2:19 am

    First off- huge huge hugs and love not only for the difference you are making in your immediate community, but also to those who don’t have the voice to be able to speak up for themselves and be treated the way they deserve – after already going through tragedies that most of us (myself including ) can’t begin to fathom & for how difficult I know it is for you, your husband and family with everything happening back home. Prayers and strength for you all!

    As an American living in Europe- I know how real the refugee crisis is and how important it is to do what we can. Truth is- I probably don’t even know a fraction of the story, but what I do know is that it is definitely a world problem not a EU problem.

    Every single drop creates a ripple and the ripple can go so much further than we can imagine. I stand with y’all Bella and the refugees.

    Sending love ❤️

    • bella | ful-filled November 8, 2018, 6:17 am

      Thank you Lori, your unending support and encouragement mean so much to us! It is so refreshing to know that there are others like us who believe that it is our responsibility to champion for the rights of the refugees. Much love to you Lori <3

  • Maja | jernejkitchen November 8, 2018, 4:16 am

    Sending lots of love your way. I admire all your effort and openness to share this with the world. I agree, every refugee crisis is the world’s problem. Thinking of you and sending lots of love and positive thoughts to your family in this difficult time.

    • bella | ful-filled November 8, 2018, 11:43 pm

      Thank you sweet Maja! We really appreciate your love, support and empathy <3

  • Niko November 11, 2018, 9:35 am

    SSOOO thankful you guys are there and helping put an end to the horrendous crimes against the refugees!!!

  • Niko November 11, 2018, 9:36 am

    We sent the email to the ICC prosecutor and they replied with an automated email asking for more info, will you guys have another email template to send them with more info for us to copy/paste and forward to the ICC??

  • Niko November 11, 2018, 9:37 am

    O Theos na eianai mazi sas kai na sas krataei yera!!

  • Sandie November 27, 2018, 1:55 am

    Bella,

    My heart goes out to you and your family during this extremely hard time. It’s amazing you are able to create such beautiful food under such trying circumstances.

    Thank you.

    • bella | ful-filled November 27, 2018, 5:10 am

      Thank you dear Sandie, I really appreciate that <3

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