Today is Martin Luther King's Day, our day to look back and reflect on the accomplishments this amazing civil rights leader contributed to us all, leading to freedoms I think we so often take for granted today. We celebrate this day of remembrance that every four years takes place just before our Presidential Inauguration, and boy do I think we have a lot of reflecting to do this time around in January 2009!

When my family arrived in Southern Oregon in 2004, we came with many dreams. A dream that my husband would find the satisfaction he hoped to gain from successfully operating his own business for the first time; a business that has been challenged by the economy, since he provides windows, doors & hardware when new construction has come to a grinding halt. A business that has hung on through the down market we've been seeing, and we pray continues to pull through these economic times so it may one day be sold and become a part of our retirement assets.

We came to Southern Oregon with the dream that we would have a better Quality of Life. We would limit our working hours, which for me were becoming all-consuming, trying to operate a real estate AND mortgage business in a busy market, while juggling the other responsibilities I chose to meet for my family. Streamlining my focus to real estate financing only, I now found myself able to spend much more quality time with my family AND get involved with volunteer work in our community. We are able to get out and see the many wonders there are to see in our corner of the world, sharing time with our youngest we wish we had also spent with our oldest. My dream is to lengthen our reach to other areas around the globe.

We have a dream that we will each be able to contribute to our community, bringing our unique talents and skills to be a part of continual improvement for our community and its people, while reaching out to global communities. We hope that home prices in our area match the incomes for the area, which have been so out of balance from 2003-2007, but have come back to levels that are 3-4 times area annual incomes. We hope that those in need can find the safety net service support in these trying economic times, and that general infrastructure and community services keep up with the community's needs.

More than anything, we are grateful that not only have so many of our dreams been fulfilled, but so many basic needs are met that we so often take for granted, when so many others in this World are praying for a meal, warmth, health, a home, safety...a lengthy list.

May you all also find your dream...and enjoy the freedoms in your journey along the way.

Karen Cooper - OR/CA Mortgage Consultant - www.Quality4Loans.com