Life in the Valley

My life “in the valley” is giving me a new perspective on some things. “The Valley” is what the Phoenix metro area is called.  Of course, “the valley” is a place between the mountains. I guess this means that I’m between mountainsJ! Literally and spiritually!

Life in the valley is quite different for me. There are some things I was use to doing or having that I now am getting use to doing without. First, the studio where I now live comes with a kitchenette, but no stove.  For those of you who know me really well, this may not seem like a big deal (since when I did have one it was hardly used anywayJ!) But now that I don’t have one, it’s almost like “you don’t miss something until it’s gone”! Although I had no plans to change my cooking habits when I came to Phoenix, I now have to make some adjustments to not having a stove.  I guess I will have to depend on a George Foreman and toaster oven when I get in one of my cooking moods! I wonder if I can bake chocolate chip cookies in the toaster oven??? LOL!

 I’m also without a washer and dryer. Something that I’ve been without before, but after being a homeowner for the past 11 years, I was use to having these at home to use at my leisure.  Now, it’s back to the laundry-mat. On my way there for the first time, I stopped at Walgreens to get some detergent.  Instead of my usual detergent, I purchased a cheaper one (taking into consideration that I had to have change for the washers and dryers). Just another minor adjustment I’ve had to make.

Another amenity I had gotten use to over the years was having my car washed at a “car wash” by someone else.  I know this is something that most people may do themselves anyway, but I had gotten use to having it done for me. Well, it’s something I plan to start doing more often now.  For the first time in years, I proudly pulled into a self car-wash and washed my car myself!  It’s cheaper and it still looked nice! I actually enjoyed doing it!

With  these adjustments, there is one thing I hoped the Lord would provide for me here in Phoenix and He did! A hairstylistJ! Thank God! I mentioned in an earlier post that I was going to a new stylist for the first time (after having to say goodbye to my stylist Romona @ Blessed Hands in SlidellJ) and hoped I would like the service. I did! It was what I hoped it would be and I’m thankful that God allowed me to keep this perk “in the valley”!

This picture is taken of a mountain seen at the end of the driveway where I live. Marvin Sapp, a gospel artist, has a  song that says “Even though I’m in the valley, victory comes through my adversity!”  I am His!