Wednesday: Cloud Gate, or The Bean. But not just that.

We began our day at the Chicago Temple, which is the First UMC of Chicago. Well, you know it actually began with a waffle, and in this case a cinnamon waffle. Which was just as delicious as you're thinking it was, if not maybe even more so. But then. Then we got on the bus and headed down into Chicago.

This was on the wall in the lobby. It's like they knew we were coming and what our program was! But I'm not sure how they got the bronze done so quickly...

In the spirit of full disclosure, this stop was maybe the one I was most looing forward to. I've been to Chicago with choirs two times before. Both times I wanted to go to this church and go to the chapel in the sky. It didn't work out either time. But as they say, the third time is the charm. First you take the elevator to the 22nd floor. Then you get off the elevator and start up about 170 steps.

Just below the chapel, you go through this little parlor, complete with this interesting little door. What do you think is behind the door?

I'm not sure what I was expecting when we got to the chapel. Maybe something bigger? Capacity for the chapel is 40 (we exceeded that slightly). They have 3 Easter Sunrise services each year...now I'm going to have to put one of those on my bucket list. So it's small, but it's rich with symbolism.

Also, while this is not the highest place to worship above sea level, it is in act the highest worship space above ground level in the world. It did somehow feel closer to God.

The altar contains a carving that mirrors one in the sanctuary on the ground floor. It's based on Luke 19:41-44, where Jesus weeps over Jerusalem. On the ground floor, the carving depicts Jesus and Jerusalem. In the chapel in the sky, the carving depicts Jesus weeping over Chicago with the skyline as it existed at the time of the carving. Most of that skyline still exists today, albeit obscured by newer, taller buildings.

The director of music, Erik Nussbaum, took us on the tour. He's awesome. He was so kind to us for our entire visit. He explained much of the symbolism in the chapel to us. He's a great story teller!

One of the stained glass windows opens so you can see what's outside. There are many taller buildings these days, but it's still impressive.

Heading back down the stairs, I paused to take a picture out one of the other windows.

This is the carving in the sanctuary.

Not so much a concert today; we sang as part of their daily 12:10 worship service. We didn't sing all our pieces, and there were hymns, scripture, and prayer. It is a small, intimate service, and it was a welcome sacred space in the middle of a hectic week. At least for me. It's a beautiful space.

Oh look! It's Lauren and Mary Lynne trying to sneak up on us.

After the service, we went to lunch. And look, I do love all these kids. But some of them sometimes make poor choices. So, when I saw Will with...a Pepsi. I just...well, I realized I had never talked to him about the evils and dangers of an inferior soft drink. I feel like I failed him.

This was our lunch crew at a little food court a couple of blocks down from the church.

It was fun getting to know them and chatting over a burger and a very good donut.

After lunch we went down to Cloud Gate. Some of the youth insist it's called the bean. Absolutely. Not.

This is basically the same picture as the one above, just taken with the youth facing the bean Cloud Gate instead. It's an interesting sculpture, the way it distorts reality. That said, I haven't actually looked to read about what it's supposed to represent or what the artist was going for.

We were unable to stop at Adler planetarium on our way into the city, so we went there after Cloud Gate to get a picture of the skyline.

What a great-looking group! While we were there, we also spent a little time at the waterfront.

After Adler we headed over to Wrigley to root root root for the home team. Well, Wesley was rooting for the A's, probably because he likes to root for sports teams that are probably going to lose. It was a pretty night. Maybe a little bit of chill in the breeze, and before the night was over many had bought blankets or long sleeved shirts.

"Well, Nuke's scared because his eyelids are jammed and his old man's here. We need a live... is it a live rooster? We need a live rooster to take the curse off Jose's glove and nobody seems to know what to get Millie or Jimmy for their wedding present. Is that about right?"

Bravo Cadet's first baseball game was not an Atlanta Braves game. I wonder if he'll resent that when he grows up. Probably not. He was sleeping through it at this point anyway!

After the game we walked around to the front of the stadium to have a picture with the iconic neon sign. It was a challenge to get everyone in place and create this much space to get everyone  in it. But it turned out pretty good!

After the game we went back to the hotel. It was a little late, so we bypassed devotional and went straight to bed. The late hour is also why this blog is coming a few hours late today. Better late than never?

The trip is going well, though I hesitate to type that. Mostly minor snafus along the way. Tomorrow we'll watch the staple of Music Mission movies when I put on Princess Bride as we begin our return trip. A concert in the morning close to the hotel, then another in Indianapolis. And the day after that...we are homeward bound!