Holy cow, do I feel hospitalitized!! (Read that word carefully…I made it up.) As I sit on the hotel computer next to a personally autographed picture (with a personal note) of former first lady Barbara Bush, I reflect on what I just experienced…and what I will likely experience tomorrow. I don’t think I’ve ever felt so at home with strangers in such a short amount of time as I’ve felt today. By the way, read my last post if you want to know where I am and why I’m here. Anyway, not only were we picked up in the airport by two linebacker-esque guys with southern drawls, but it turns out they are extremely friendly and funny. They took us to our hotel (a Comfort Suites), where I get my own very nice room and where we met the worship pastor, who was waiting for us to arrive. The three of them waited for us in the lobby as we got our stuff into our respective rooms. When we got to our rooms, we both found a hearty welcome basket waiting for us on the tables. (It turns out I got Jennifer’s, and she got mine, but we fixed the mistake. I wondered why pink was a prominent color in mine.) Next, they took us out to Longhorn Steakhouse, where we got to eat with more amazing people. I ate an 8 oz. serloin, but they made us feel like we could have ordered a 16 oz. t-bone if we had wanted to. All in all, I guess you’d have to be here, but all this southern hospitality is making me want to stay here longer and come back again.

That’s all for now. It’s time for bed.

Matt