Explaining the Picture. Oh, and our last day on tour or whatever.

First things first: a little unfinished business from yesterday. I told a story about a dog and then I put in a picture of the small world ride, and it seems like many of you are aghast. Don't despair. I will explain.

It was a joke. I had just been talking about how Aaron looked at the name on the dog collar and discovered it was a friend from way back who lived on lookout mountain and what not. I thought to myself, "It's a small world." And since I'm Disney brainwashed, I immediately went to the song and then to the ride. Then I looked for a picture from the Small World ride. This didn't wind up being a good choice. The editors apologize for the oversight.

Ok. Sunday. Our last day.

Breakfast was at 8 again this morning. This picture was at like 7:40. Nobody outside. My guys, who we woke up at 7:20, were still trying to figure out who's socks those were and how to cram a sleeping bag into a stuff sack (spoiler: some of them actually didn't figure it out and just stuffed the bag into their suitcase).

Anyway, it was a beautiful morning, and quiet. Two days in a row. That's a record.

We were getting ready to go to church. Colin got these at the aquarium yesterday. I told him it isn't that kind of church.

I can't remember what Oscar was doing here, but I think he was telling me he was hungry. It was, by now, breakfast time.

We went to First Centenary UMC, as we have for the past few years. They're great. Funny, one of our Oak Grove folks sent me a text this morning at about 8:45 with a picture of the bulletin and said, "Hey why is your name in my bulletin this morning?" I told him what we were up to, and he hung out to see us sing at 10:45. Here we are warming up.

First Centenary is a beautiful church. I've put a lot of photos of the stained glass on the blog in the past. This time I stepped out during the children's moment and took some photos from the back.

Then when I got back I took a picture of our view of the sermon.

After the service, the music ministry provided lunch for us. It was delicious. We have eaten with their children's choir before, but we didn't today because it was the first Sunday of their spring break. Hopefully we'll see them again next year!

Then it was back on the bus to head home.

Now, there is a certain beaver-themed filling station that is on the road between Chattanooga and Atlanta. And certain Music Makers, for one reason or another, really wanted to stop. Against my better judgment, we pulled in.

Bruh.

It's the Easter Beaver!

Can I say this? We have the best chaperones at Oak Grove. Literally could not do this without them. A great team of folks!

Then joined by the kids. What a weekend! This is really the end. After this picture it's on the road and back to the church.

Almost. A bunch of our girls put together their funds and...

...bought our bus driver a keychain! You guys, we have the best kids. This sums it up. We've spent all weekend lifting spirits, and the last thing they did when they got on the bust was do it one more time. Tameica was a wonderful driver for us! A good drive makes all the difference. She was always there when we needed her and where we needed her. Grateful for her good work getting us all where we needed to be safely.

Including the church. In the spirit of full disclosure, I'm finishing this up as we are driving into Atlanta. But I can tell you it's been a remarkable trip with remarkable people: the choir, the chaperones, the audiences, the congregation...everything. Just delightful. Everyone invited us back. I almost don't want to wait a full year (but I will!).

Check back in late May when the youth choir heads to Chicago. Until then, this has been...

~Mr. John