Downtown!

We went downtown early this morning to gather together with loads of other people for the Willow Chicago service. It was great to be there!!
The church meets in the Auditorium Theatre - a gorgeous building - and we went today because they were celebrating the opening of their new ministry centre.
During the service, we heard the story of how the church has given and given (with joy!!) in order to gain a space in which they can really serve God. It was very cool! We had a tour around the ministry centre and it was just beautiful...and totally functional. It is where the kids in Promiseland will meet on a Sunday, the worship band will practice, the various admin/office-based roles will happen, where people will hang out....and...and....and...!
Very cool!

Then, having met with other believers and sung and listened and shared and learned and celebrated, we headed onto Michigan Avenue for some lunch.

Fortified, relaxed and REALLY enjoying the beautiful day, we headed across the street and into Millennium Park... The Air and Water Show is on in Chicago this weekend so there were loads of people, boats and aeroplanes! The jets rocketed by, flying so closely together that the thought crossed my mind that if one of the pilots were to sneeze, jerking the helm (right term?) even slightly they could be in real diffs!! Fun to watch though...and, I bet, VERY fun to fly!! "I feel the need...." ;)

We saw the famous Bean...

...strolled along to Navy Pier - my neck craning this way and that as I took in the skyline. I was such a tourist!! Fiona, think London...and multiply by about 10!! :)

But I couldn't help it...it was such fun to see it all! Check it out...

Pretty cool, huh?

As we meandered towards the car, we passed these guys. I love what they can do with a plastic bucket and a couple of drumsticks!!

Hope it plays for you.

So, a really good day!

No deeply profound thoughts or contemplations apart from a marvelling at the creativity of man... a wondering about how the city developed and took shape...an enjoyment of the sun on my shoulders....and a real contentment in hanging out with the Orrs...thanks, guys!