North Carolina Has Captured My Heart

I don't even know where to begin! I had such a great time down in North Carolina this past week. It was spiritually refreshing to stay with Jim and Jeni, who I met through my work with Samaritan's Purse. We had many late night conversations about Scripture and plenty of laughs with great food. I had never really liked seafood, but they cured me of that. We had steamed oysters three different nights, trigger fish, and I tasted mahi mahi and tuna.

One of my favorite parts was the weather. I was able to leave the snow behind in Pennsylvania and enjoy temperatures in the 60s for most of the week. It was great motivation to get out and run again, which is great since I'm doing a 7 miler in March. There were also plenty of opportunities for walks on the beach with the dogs, Josie and Abbi. It was amusing to watch them run with their ears flapping in the wind while they chased each other or a laser beam. The weather was also perfect to take the boat out briefly (and scrub it down, of course). I even got the chance to steer us through the canal as we made our way to the inlet.
I got to see a bit of the area as well. Went to Beaufort briefly to see the Fritha mored at the dock, along with the memorial to Michael John Smith, who was the pilot of the Challenger space shuttle in 1986. I also spent some time in Morehead City. Went to lunch at the Ruddy Duck with Jeni and also helped to box up some inventory of a gift shop for a day. Nice to feel like I had a job again. I also had the opportunity to hike part of the Neusiok Trail with Jackie and her hiking club. It was nice to spend time in a forest on such a beautiful day.

What touched me most, though, was how welcoming everybody was when I visited. I don't think I've ever felt more at home than I did in North Carolina. From Jim and Jeni taking me in like their own kid, to Jackie bringing me out on a hike, to Nema bringing me along for young adult bowling, I honestly hope that I'm blessed with a job opportunity in the area so I can move there permanently. I loved One Harbor Church and made so many new friends in my one week there that it just seems like the perfect fit. I haven't laughed so hard in a long time and I'm definitely looking forward to going back.