We moved back to Portugal. Here’s why

Life has this way of throwing curveballs when you least expect it

Life has this funny way of throwing curveballs when you least expect it, doesn't it?

When my husband and I returned to Malaysia early this year, with the sudden discovery that his cancer requires treatment, the idea of going back to Portugal seemed impossible. On top of that, my mother-in-law's dementia made everything even more complicated.

But guess what? Life had other plans. Unexpectedly, my mother-in-law passed away, peacefully in her sleep. And then, my husband finished his treatment with good results, and things started looking up.

It looks like—if we want to—we could return to Portugal before our residency becomes invalid. With these shifts in our lives, the possibility of returning to Portugal opened up again!

Making the decision wasn't easy, though. We took a good but rather agonising three months to think things through. We prayed, talked to trusted friends, mulled over the pros and cons, the hurdles and the opportunities.

After all the thinking, we chose to take the plunge—to give Portugal another shot. It felt like a chance we couldn't pass up.

At the same time, it felt all too crazy to actually do it. We had less than three weeks to prepare, pack and go. Plus, we didn’t have any accommodation secured!

But here we are, here I am. As I sit here writing this to you from Porto, I'm filled with gratitude. We have been gifted a chapter that defies the odds, a story of resilience and renewal.

Our move back to Portugal is more than a change of location; it’s a reminder that life doesn't always follow the plans we set.

It's about adapting, growing, and finding beauty in unexpected places. To me, as someone who puts her faith in Jesus, it’s about trusting in a sovereign God.

My story might resonate with your own journey. May it serve as a reminder that hope is never too far away, and the twists life takes might just be the best parts of the adventure.

So, here's to embracing the curveballs, to finding our way even when the path is a bit hazy.

Since I moved back to Portugal, I’ve been sketching 100 times more (might need to check my math), but you get the point. The outdoors, the environment, and the peers, all combined into this delish dish of creativity. Portugal is my current muse.

Here are some sketches.

live sketch from Crystal Palace, Porto. I also met and befriended a lovely Brazilian family who just moved to Porto. The entire family of four were painting away at the park, including the kiddos!

live sketching meet-up with a group of casual painters and sketches at Matosinhos Beach, Porto. My second time sketching with a group of people.

Hope you’ve enjoyed the read! You can reply directly to this email.

💖
Melinda

This is an unpublished one where I first plucked up my courage to stand at a corner of the street to sketch! I was quite conscious of people walking passed and looking my way. So, I hurried up and left the scene. 😅