Chicago...

It was so great. I love going on a trip and hanging out. I also love going on a trip and running around, seeing everything.
I guess I just love going on trips.

We spent most of our time with the JH team from Willow Creek. We had a great time. They had planned so much for us: they took us to lunch, let us peek over their shoulders as they put the finishing touches on their weekend, took us out on a boat, with jet skis, wakeboards, etc. (I had jeans on, so I played observer). They ordered Chicago deep dish pizza...which was so delicious that I was sad when I got full, I wanted to eat more...We watched 2 JH services and 1 HS service...We hung out at the JH pastor's house and played darts, watched football and laughed a lot. We went to see Gridiron Gang, we drove through downtown Chicago...It was honestly a blast.

I made pages of notes on things that we could do to improve our ministry. Not even anything super dramatic, just small pieces that they are doing well that I think we could do well as well. (that was meant to be funny, but I think it came across as awkward).

Some Highlights:
* Testing the "Diet Coke & Mentos" phenomenon.
Kurt, Shaun and some of the Willow staff put a bunch (6-10) Mentos in their mouth and poured Diet Coke in too. It shot everywhere. I don't think I have ever laughed so hard with a crowd of people I'd known for 12 hours.

* Driving in the Gay District of Chicago
On the way from Sears Tower to Wrigley Field we took a wrong turn and ended up in Gaysville. No joke: Cocktail, Parrot Bar, Ram, ManHole, GayMart...these are not fictitious names...

* Talking and laughing with Katie until 2:30am
We were in such fun conversation that we didn't even realize what time it was. It was really nice to have someone to relax and hang with.

Okay, now it sounds like I'm writing in a yearbook.
Suffice to say, it was a productive trip.
I'll keep you posted on upcoming changes to our ministry per this trip.