This will be short and sweet and to the point. I HAVE A JOB. in America. Which means I actually know a little bit of what I'm going back to in 11 days. The job is with ELIC as the Communications Administrative Coordinator and begins September 8. I will move to Fort Collins, CO for the job and will hopefully settle down for a couple years.

After three months of waiting I finally know. I won't say the waiting was good for me, though I'm sure it was. I am really glad the waiting is over, though and I finally have a clue of what's next. It's just like the Father to wait until the last minute, but that's okay because He is still in control of it and guiding me, even when I don't know where :)

Life since the days of mourning here in China - insane. I can safely say I have been overwhelmed by everything I need to do, everything people want me to do, and the ticking clock constantly reminding me I'm running out of time to do it all. 20 days until I step onto the incredibly long flight and return to the states -- to stay.

Anyway, the last couple weeks have been filled with extra lesson plans, two graduate papers, a job interview, posting packages, cleaing out the English library, judging a speech competition, and all the normal daily activities like teaching, cooking, cleaning and Chinese lessons. I've been overwhelmed, wishing at times I could quit it all and hide, but knowing I can't. I have to persevere.

And now 20 days remain and 2 of the 3 graduate papers have been written. Probably not to my highest ability but I'm too tired to care anymore. They're passing... I think. I have no more lesson plans to prepare (though the final exam still needs to be written - next weekend). All but two (or maybe three) of my boxes have been posted. The English library is ready to pack and today I'm even catching up on my laundry!

Dragon Boat Festival holiday came at a great time for me. I have finally reached a point where I'm not feeling so utterly overwhelmed. Tired yes, but not as though I am drowning in expectations and needs. Now I'm floating on them, doing what is necessary and even finding a bit of time for rest.

This is not to say the final three weeks here are going to be easy , like skipping through a park. Never. Its more like I have the extra things done so I can focus on the immediete needs of these three weeks - preparing students for the final exam, giving the final exam, doing final marks, saying good bye to students and colleagues, packing, taking a Chinese spoken exam, and waiting. I think that's enough to keep me busy still.

The test now is can I stay focused here in Yangzhou for three more weeks. Obviously some of the needed activities will help with that, but saying goodbye is never easy and part of me just wants to disappear. Packing means thinking of what's next and waiting... well, I just keep waiting for information on a job. I had a promising interview with ELIC's communication department, but a final decision is still pending. Yesterday I started to look at positions in Christian book publishing companies and realized to work there I would have to start off at entry level. But maybe that's worth it. I'm not sure yet. I went ahead and applied for a position with Tyndale but am not even certain its what I want or need. Argh... trying to find a job while staying focused in Yangzhou... it seems impossible. Good thing it's not all up to me, but the Father will continue to help me, just as He kept me from running and hiding the past few weeks, He'll help me complete my time here well and I know He has a plan for when I leave. He'll just wait to let me know until I'm nearly mad :p

Anyway, enough of my ramblings. I've added two sections to my website where rambling should occur less...maybe. First is the writer's section. This will be thoughtful advice, things I've learned, links and books for beginning writers. The second is the perspectives section. This is where I can write thoughtful opinion articles and even a devotional style poem or two without the worry of people arguing back. I have many opinions, but hate arguing.

Okay, back to packing and laundry.