Out of the Valley

This past month has been difficult for me emotionally. The disappointment of coming home early from China, being stuck in my hometown with no job, and bank account issues to deal with threw me for a loop-de-loop on an emotional roller coaster. Many thanks to the friends who have been encouraging me through this time.

I am happy to report- I’m out of the dark valley I felt I was stuck in. I’ve been feeling good about life for over a week now, and feeling better and better each day. And as soon as I finally was content with my situation, pushed through the sadness to get to joy, and fully trusted God with it, things started happening! My bank account issues got resolved, I got an unemployment check, and best of all- I started getting job interviews! I have a total of five this week. Hallelujah!

Which leads me to the literal aspect of getting out of the valley, the Willamette Valley, at least. Yesterday I drove to Roseburg for an interview for a job in Canyonville (Southern Oregon). It was the most perfect autumn day: cold, crisp air, cloudless blue skies, and fall foliage. I took a scenic drive from Canyonville on a road that follows an old wagon trail, then splits off to go up high into the mountains, and meets up with the highway from Roseburg to Crater Lake. Breathtaking. I was kicking myself for not taking my camera, but content to just soak in the scenery and not worry about capturing it on film.

It was the first day that I really felt grateful to be in Oregon right now (not counting getting to spend time with family and friends). Up in the mountains, I feel like I can breathe better, think better, pray better.

I ended the day by taking myself out to eat at a riverside inn. Salmon chowder and the best grilled cheese sandwich ever left me in no mood to feel sorry for myself anymore.

Now I just have the moral dilemma (if I get offered the jobs I’m applying for): do I take a good government office job with solid pay and benefits, or do I take a fun minimum wage night job and be a substitute teacher by day, which would give me experience in the career I’ve planned on doing my whole life? It’s a tough call. But I’m thankful for the chance to have the options. I’ll let y’all know what happens!