The Journey Northward

Over the last couple of days I have been slowly travelling northward toward West Virginia. Along the way, I have been able to meet with many friends and share with them what God is doing in my life as well as hear what He has been doing in theirs.

I sat in traffic for two hours in Jacksonville Saturday, and an additional hour in Daytona to make a nine hour trip out of a six hour drive. I had the privilege of stopping in Columbia for the night to connect with Josh and Dana Kelly. It was pretty cool because, among other things we had pizza at "the mellow mushroom". We had the same waiter as we had during my stop on the way to Orlando. He remembered me, and we were able to connect a bit more. Turns out he is a musician, and has some stuff online--gonna try to listen to it soon and keep connected. Maybe it will be a future friend for the Kelly's in Columbia as well.

After breakfast Sunday morning at the Kelly's, I travelled to Charlotte, where I attended church with Sarah Nelms and her friend Jen. We had some pizza at Brixx in Charlotte, and I continued my journey northward to Virginia.

Sunday evening, I was able to meet and stay the night with my friends the Arringtons in Bedford, VA. We were able to enjoy both dinner Sunday night and breakfast at the Peaks of Otter monday morning. It was definitely a refreshing time of sharing.

After this, I journeyed to Roanoke, and spent the evening dining, conversing, and resting at Marc and Mandy Hinkle's new place.

Today I am meeting with folks in Blacksburg, VA, and trying to crank through as much stuff online as possible.

Goodbye Starbucks

Goodbye Starbucks, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

Saturday morning commenced the long trek back to West Virginia for me. Before the last of us Mountaineers left O-town, we had to make one last stop in Starbucks. This was one of my stomping grounds for the summer, and a primary place of contact for meeting people.

Behind my right shoulder is Kateland. She was one of my favorite Barista's over the summer and a great new starbucks amigo! I made friends with quite a few staff, but she was one of the very few working when we left Saturday.

Magic Kingdom

Magic Kingdom, originally uploaded by chanchanchepon.

So much has happened over the past week...

My parents came to O-town to visit and look for a winter home.

My roommate (in FL) got engaged.

and...I visited four theme parks in one day with my parents.

We went to Animal Kingdom, MGM Studios, Epcot, and the Magic Kingdom. I pushed my mom in a wheelchair for 14 miles in temperatures that exceeded 106. I don't know what the heat index was, but I know it was a scorcher. I am so impressed with my parents--I can't believe we covered four theme parks in 1 day. Mom is 59 and Dad is 64, and I don't know too many people who are half their age who could be so energetic, but we were in the "magic kingdom".

Thanks to my roommates fiance, we were able to visit these parks for free--she gave us three complimentary tickets for all of the parks.

The week has been fun, and I am sorry to see my parents go, but we had a wonderful time. We even visited both coasts while they were here. I think the students in our LT program fell in love with them and vice-versa.

Arrival

After dealing with the transmission, I commenced my journey southward toward Orlando Sunday Afternoon. Along the way I was able to connect with many friends and supporters of the ministry I am doing in West Virginia. I arrived at approximately 7PM, and by 8PM I was sitting in a local Starbucks engaged in spiritual conversation with one of the barista's as well as a patron who God brought through the doors that night.

After a long day on the road, it was cool to be able to pick up in this new location and begin making connections with local people. Only time will tell what will come from these new friendships, but I look forward to seeing what direction they take over the coures of the summer