IN THE STATES week 1

FIRST WEEKEND:
I flew back to the states for the first time since February 14, 2008 on Thursday, October 23. I flew into Raleigh and stayed the night with my sister. I came to Boone on Friday and spent time with the rest of my immediate family. I also had time to see my old roommates and stayed the night where I lived for the past 3 years before moving to Nicaragua.

I saw a lot of old teammates, college friends, my grandad, aunt and uncle at the ASU football game last Saturday, and we beat Furman! On Sunday, I spoke to the youth Sunday school class at FBC Boone, and shared for about 10 minutes in the morning service. It was great to see everyone from my home church, and know that they are always praying for NSMN and me. Sunday afternoon I got to spend time with my oldest sister, brother-in-law and nephew, while watching some NFL games.

FIRST WEEK:
On Monday, I met up with friends and got to play some pickup basketball; we took time catch-up on the past year as well. Tuesday morning, I spoke with Mrs. Shirley who will be putting an article in this years Journey magazine, coming out in the high country between mid Nov-mid Dec. I also had time Tuesday night to meet up with more friends.

Mom and I started some traveling on Wednesday. We went to Canten, NC in the afternoon to meet up with Heath, Big O, the Sellers family, and Pinnacles youth group at the Hub. I had a great time introducing my mom to all of my Pinnacle friends and then sharing somethings from my past 9 months with the youth. They are hoping to make a trip down this summer. We went on to Morganton, NC to spend the night with my mom's parents.

Thursday morning, I had some time to share with my grandparents, and some of Big Dad's friends. Mom and I left around noon for Greensboro to meet up with the rest of the family for my younger brother's last home soccer game. We got to meet up with Preston and Sandra Barnum for lunch in Winston-Salem, and enjoyed talking about future trips to Nicaragua this winter! I saw my dad's parents, and got more time with the family at the game and post game BBQ. We came back to Boone and I got to see a friend who came up from Charlotte.

Today, I will be packing as much as I can before more friends come into town from Asheville, and Charlotte for the ASU Wofford Halloween game tonight on ESPN2. I plan to have a great last day in North Carolina seeing as many more friends and family as possible, and hopefully a big ASU win!!!

COMING UP:
I'll finish packing tomorrow morning and ride with my parents to Lincolnton, GA where my dad's parents live. I'm speaking at their church Sunday morning and then riding down to Orlando, FL. I'll visit with friends in Orlando and Miami, until next Friday when I'll fly back home to Nicaragua!

By next weekend, I'll post "IN THE STATES week 2" for all that I have seen, thanks so much, it has been a blessing and for any I have missed I am truly sorry. I love you all and plan to be back sometime in September 2009. If you want to see me before that PLEASE come visit, I would love to see you, and the kids would too, but be careful IT WILL CHANGE YOUR LIFE!!!

God Bless,
Jim Bob / Diego