This past weekend I had the joy of traveling to New Jersey for a church visit. From the minute I arrived Friday to the moment I left Monday afternoon I had a blast. I stayed with Kathy Fisher, and her family. Kathy had been to New Orleans with a team last May and when I spoke with the pastor at the church he arranged the housing.

I flew into Philadelphia and took the long way to the coast via Delaware. I wanted to swing through the nation's first state, even if it was just a brief visit.

I arrived in Ventnor, NJ about 4:30 p.m. and had a little time to relax in the evening. I was treated to a Sacko sub, what I am told is a NJ favorite, and it lived up to its reputation.

In the morning Kathy and I got up early (6:30 a.m.) and went for a ride down the boardwalk toward Atlantic City, or Frantic City, as Kathy appropriately calls is. Ventnor is right next door, but you'd never know you were so close as life there is much more calm. We saw the casinos for the boardwalk and stopped to people watch and have some coffee.

We spent most of the rest of the day at the beach. Now, when I think about New Jersey, I don't think beach, but it was beautiful. The sand was great and the water was pretty clean. The beach was full, but not unbearably crowded. I got a little sunburned, but not too bad. That evening we hung out with another of the girls who had been down on the same trip as Kathy. She is very interested in coming back and we talked about all of her options.

Sunday morning I spoke at two church services and met several people who had been down on trips with their church. Public speaking gets a little easier every time I do it and I wasn't even nervous this time. That is a praise God thing because even a few years ago I never would have believed I would be up in front of churches talking to people.

After church we had lunch with some people from the church and it was so good to be able to talk about what is going on here and meet with others who have been here or who would like to come in the future.

On our way home from church Kathy and I decided we'd see if there was any way to make a last minute overnight trip to New York City. I have wanted to go for so long and it is only two hours from where she lives. We found a decent hotel, but didn't think that we'd be able to get there and have enough time to make it worth it and still get me back to Philly by 3 p.m. Monday. So we've put off NYC plans but I promised her I wouldn't go without her. I am considering doing the 5 boro bike ride with her and her husband in next May....

Sunday night we ended up going to the southern most point in NJ and walked around in Cape May, a beautiful town full of old homes and amazing bed and breakfasts. As you can see from the map, I stayed just south of Atlantic City.

This is Congress Hall in Cape May, a beautiful old hotel that was restored not too long ago. It would be amazing to stay here.

This is Lucy the Elephant. She is a must see in Margate, the town just south of Ventnor.

We spent plenty of time at or near the beach. Kathy's family lives only four blocks from the beach. Even so, the neighborhood is very quiet and you'd never know there were so many touristy things so close.

This, I am quite sure, is where I will live someday. I absolutely loved this house in Longport. It is easily in the millions, so clearly, it will remain a dream, but it's still worth dreaming.

My last morning we had bagels on the beach. What a perfect way to start the day! I have definitely fallen in love with New Jersey and will surely be back there at some point, hopefully soon. I have always wanted to explore the east coast and this weekend was a great start to that dream. Kathy was a phenomenal tour guide and hostess and not only was I able to talk to people about what God is doing in New Orleans, I made a lifelong friend.