Cheerio everybody

[prodromos]

The time has come for me to make a break from the Internet for a while, and as a result, these forums. While I wish I could say I was leaving as a matter of self discipline, the truth is I'm a sucker for CF and have failed miserably in my earlier attempts to take a break. The fact is I am taking time off because in one month's time I and my family will be leaving Greece and moving back to Australia permanently (or until God tells us otherwise). We have an awful lot to do until then and I simply cannot afford the time I spend on the forums.

We would appreciate your prayers as we have little money saved and will be starting from scratch pretty much like we did when we first came to Greece. The only difference is that we are a decade older and have three children to support. While my wife and I don't mind going hungry every once in a while it is not something we wish to put our kids through, so all my time will be spent looking for work once we arrive.

We are sad to be leaving behind our beloved monks, nuns and priests but we appreciate how immensly God has blessed us during our time in Greece and will be carrying that treasure back to Australia with us.

I have been greatly blessed by my time amongst all of you in TAW and will miss you very much until such time as I can spend time here again.

God bless and take care,
John

[Iacobus]

The time has come for me to make a break from the Internet for a while, and as a result, these forums. While I wish I could say I was leaving as a matter of self discipline, the truth is I'm a sucker for CF and have failed miserably in my earlier attempts to take a break. The fact is I am taking time off because in one month's time I and my family will be leaving Greece and moving back to Australia permanently (or until God tells us otherwise). We have an awful lot to do until then and I simply cannot afford the time I spend on the forums.

We would appreciate your prayers as we have little money saved and will be starting from scratch pretty much like we did when we first came to Greece. The only difference is that we are a decade older and have three children to support. While my wife and I don't mind going hungry every once in a while it is not something we wish to put our kids through, so all my time will be spent looking for work once we arrive.

We are sad to be leaving behind our beloved monks, nuns and priests but we appreciate how immensly God has blessed us during our time in Greece and will be carrying that treasure back to Australia with us.

I have been greatly blessed by my time amongst all of you in TAW and will miss you very much until such time as I can spend time here again.

God bless and take care,
John


God bless you and your family, John. Please let us know how you are doing once you get back on your feet over there. We love you all!

[Photini]

:hug: We will miss you John. God bless you and your family.

[Xpycoctomos]

John, where did you live before that? Why are you moving? It's none of my business so feel free to ignore these questions... just curious.

John

[Oblio]

John,


May God guide you and your family on your new journey. Do keep in touch, we all care about you and yours. Give the rest of your family my love.

chris

[eoe]

May God keep you close and guide you. Don't forget to yell when you get back to Oz.

[Petronius]

Good luck ! God will take care of His beloved sheeps !

[Ragamuffins]

I have been greatly blessed by my time amongst all of you in TAW and will miss you very much until such time as I can spend time here again.

God bless and take care,
John
John, thanks for everything you have done to further my faith. I pray that the Lord blesses you and your family accordingly.

Bud

[prodromos]

Thanks everybody, it is much appreciated.

John, I met my wife in Sydney and we got married at a time when I was unemployed. A week after the wedding we were in Thessaloniki where we have been for the last twelve years.
As to why we are leaving, it is due to a number of issues. The economic situation in Greece has been steadily deteriorating and looks to get much worse before it improves and we are barely making ends meet as it is. Twenty years under the former government has left the country in extreme debt and has produced some of the crappiest public service departments in the world. Unfortunately we don't see that much improvement under the current government and we kinda lost faith in them when they requested a payrise to put them in line with the government pay in other EU countries despite the fact that the average income in Greece is way below that of our European neighbours. If we remain in Greece it is likely I will never be able to retire as the pension I would get probably wouldn't pay the monthly electricty bill. The education standard in Greece has fallen dramatically in the last twenty or so years and we really can't see our children getting what they need, particularly as they struggle in some subject areas. There is also the fact that if we don't leave now it will become increasingly difficult for us to do so as time passes. Hopefully my eldest daughter will be able to go straight into her first year of high school without having to repeat whereas she would most likely have to repeat if we come in a year or two. I will also be competing in a job market filled with people half my age and that situation isn't likely to improve any as the years roll by :P (of course I will instantly look years younger if I shave my beard off ;) )

Don't get me wrong, we love Greece and it has been a wonderful time for us here, but we want to leave while that love remains rather than have it turn to bitterness and regret.

John.

[Annoula]

dear John,

it feels bad to see you leave...
but i hope you find some time to pop in and say hello...

i wish you all the best for you and your family in Australia.

Anna

PS am gonna miss the only person i know in here from my beloved Thessaloniki...

[Khaleas]

Safe journey!!! :wave:

[Prawnik]

Take care, John. From what you are saying, you are making the right decision and don't look back.

Although I wish I could get you the job hookup here in Ukraine.

[Xpycoctomos]

Thanks everybody, it is much appreciated.

John, I met my wife in Sydney and we got married at a time when I was unemployed. A week after the wedding we were in Thessaloniki where we have been for the last twelve years.
As to why we are leaving, it is due to a number of issues. The economic situation in Greece has been steadily deteriorating and looks to get much worse before it improves and we are barely making ends meet as it is. Twenty years under the former government has left the country in extreme debt and has produced some of the crappiest public service departments in the world. Unfortunately we don't see that much improvement under the current government and we kinda lost faith in them when they requested a payrise to put them in line with the government pay in other EU countries despite the fact that the average income in Greece is way below that of our European neighbours. If we remain in Greece it is likely I will never be able to retire as the pension I would get probably wouldn't pay the monthly electricty bill. The education standard in Greece has fallen dramatically in the last twenty or so years and we really can't see our children getting what they need, particularly as they struggle in some subject areas. There is also the fact that if we don't leave now it will become increasingly difficult for us to do so as time passes. Hopefully my eldest daughter will be able to go straight into her first year of high school without having to repeat whereas she would most likely have to repeat if we come in a year or two. I will also be competing in a job market filled with people half my age and that situation isn't likely to improve any as the years roll by :P (of course I will instantly look years younger if I shave my beard off ;) )

Don't get me wrong, we love Greece and it has been a wonderful time for us here, but we want to leave while that love remains rather than have it turn to bitterness and regret.

John.

Totally understandable. I wish you the best in Australia. God bless!

[Mary of Bethany]

John,

you will be greatly missed! Blessings to you and your family. Please come back once you get settled in your new home.

:groupray:

Mary

[HandmaidenOfGod]

God bless!

[MariaRegina]

Bon Voyage.

[Matrona]

Good luck, John. You'll be missed. Please check back sometime. :)

[Akathist]

John

There will be a place that will feel empty here without you. You are a valuable member of TAW. I hope in short time you are able to come back. You have my prayers.

Xenia

[Monica, child of God]

Best wishes and God's blessing!

Monica

[eoe]

Oh... and poke XA with a stick for us too eh?

Just kidding XA (Not really... go poke him)

[elizabethevangeline]

Wow...now that's a major move.

Take care, and I hope to see you in here again.

[Greg the byzantine]

God Bless You on your journey John. Moving is a very daunting task you will be in my prayers.

[Maximus]

You will be in my prayers, John.

Trying to put winter off until June, eh?

[prodromos]

Thankyou everybody for your good wishes.
oeo, I am not going to poke XA with a stick, I'm thinking a six-pack of beer might be more appreciated (if I get a chance to see him).

Before I sign off completely (and that honestly was moy last post in GH, honest) I'd just like to ask your prayers regarding our two youngest's passport applications. We have just had to wait for over a month for their Australian citizenship papers to come through, they are currently in the mail and should arrive today or tomorrow. Once they arrive we have to send them back with their passport applications. Hopefully they won't take more than ten days to process, but we are approaching Christmas and all the chaos which usually surrounds it, so it is a source of some anxiety for us as we cannot travel without those documents. Please pray that their citizenship papers arrive in a timely manner and that their passport applications are processed likewise.

Thankyou. Over and out ;)

[Emmanuel-A]

Bye John, take care.

A friend of mine also decided to try his luck in Australia next january.

I'll pray for you all.

[Kolya]

Bon Voyage John.:wave: Our prayers are with you.

XA is waiting with more than a six-pack, I'm sure!:D

Now there are 3 of us TAWers down south. I love Christmas in summer!!!