Woke up at 8:40 A.M. Got a ride into church from Jarryd in the courtesy car this morning. He was headin' off to his church a lil' bit later.

The church was twice as full this morning! I guess the lil' snow and ice storm last week scared 'em off and kept 'em at home. But they came out in droves this week! Last night I looked at the service times on the internet, and in so doing, I found out that Chanute, population 9411, has 34 churches! 34! Talk about bein' in the Bible Belt, huh?

But the service was enjoyable...this is a traditional church with some minor contemporary flavorings. The services themselves are decent, but what I enjoy the most is the Sunday School class afterwards. We just sit and have discussions about the sermon, about questions we have in general, and about life! The class I am in has a wide mix of ages, too, so that is nice.

Anyway, towards the end, they asked how my first week in Chanute was, and I told them that I had been to several different states this week with flying...and also about my car. And just like that, I could have had their cars if I wanted 'em! They were so generous in offering even their own cars and sooooo eager to ask if I needed anything! It's great! These are some of the most genuinely nicest people I've ever met!

Jarryd came back over around noon to pick me up, and we headed back. After a quick cereal lunch and a bit of TV, I headed for bed. I was so tired. I was goin' to wait around for the storm to come through, but I couldn't wait any longer. I slept from 1:15-4:00. It was great!

I woke up, and there was still no rain. And the temps were still around 70! Nice! And a little bit later, I heard a new voice outside. A student had flown and drove in to check out the facilities. He's from South Korea (teaches English there), and he's lookin' to start classes in February 2009. He's makin' some trips around the country, checking out the flight schools.

Jarryd and I told him the pro's and con's of White-Air. First the foremost, the price is one of (if not) the best around. For what you get (Private, Instrument, Commercial Single/Multi, Multi, CFI, CFII, MEI, AND 125 multi-engine Pilot-in-Command), you can't go wrong. The downsides are the airplanes (sort of) and location (sort of). The airplanes are all from the 1960's, but like Van says, they fly, and they fly fine. Frankly, outside of the age, they fly just as well as newer airplanes. It's if you can handle the looks. And sure, it would be nice to roll up in a sleek 2005 airplane at FBO's. But it's the timeless tale of gettin' what ya pay for. It's no different than a car. For status, I could drive around a Lexus or BMW and maybe even think I feel better in doing so. But a Ford or Chevrolet will get me where I'm goin' just as well. It's that whole argument. And frankly, I would rather pay $40,000 and have an older and decent airplane than pay $60,000 just to feel nice or look nice. It's quite American, and if I do say so myself, it's quite silly!

The other possible negative is the location. We live in Chanute, and you have to get creative to find things to do outside of the airport. Frankly, I'm rather busy here, but it's nice to get out, too. It's just healthy. Like last night, I went to the college basketball game. And I had a good time. And church is great, too. With the location here in Kansas, you simply get out what you put into it. A little effort pays off. And for me, livin' in the Midwest is fine! For Jarryd comin' from Chicago or the guy visitin' from Seoul, Korea, that could be different. Goin' from 14 million down to 9,000 is a stretch. That's why it's good to think these things through before diving in!

But that's what I told our visitor. I told him that there comes a day when you just have to dive off the deep end. Each school has pro's and con's, and you just have to make a decision and run with it! That's what I did with White-Air, and it's been great so far. It's a thrill to be able to fly airplanes, and the training is top-notch (so far!). haha.

After he left, I watched some more King videos. Still learnin' about the ever-detailed approach plates. But today, things were sinking in! I love that feeling!

Then I received a phone call from a young man from church. He invited me out to a coffee house (see how a little effort pays off?!), and I chilled there with him and a couple of others for over an hour. It's so nice to have people to talk to! I even had two free hamburgers and a hot dog and a free drink! woo hoo! Actually, after I left, I was ecstatic. In just a week, I have already made connections, and I have the numbers of a family and people in church, and they have mine, and it's just lookin' good. I'm just thrilled and thankful it's worked out like this! I'm looking forward to my time here.

I walked out of the coffee house, and I had a rude awakening. The front had passed through. It was no longer 70...but a bone-chilling 40 or so. With 30 mph winds. Not very comfortable. I was still in shorts, so I ran to the car!

Went back to the airport, then talked with a friend on the phone the rest of the night. All in all, a productive but leisurely day.

Van called and said we will do some ground school tomorrow, but it looks like the weather isn't goin' to cooperate with us for flying. Snow is in the forecast...

Went to bed at 2:20 A.M. Not a good idea!