Many years ago I started using Hampton Inn for Youth Music Mission, nearly exclusively. I've branched out a bit recently, but I like to use Hampton when I can. In your heart, you already know why.
To the casual observer, those waffle irons look the same, but I noticed the cook time on one as higher than the cook time on the other, and closer inspection revealed...this...
That's one of the most Texas things I've ever seen.
We didn't have an especially early morning. The schedule called for us to sing a concert first just a few minutes away at Heritage at Turner park. This place was much smaller than many of the other places we have sung so far, and less well-equipped.
We sang well. Our concerts continue to get better and better. The program lists a number of soloists, including Carter, but so far this week she hasn't been able to sing her solo because she lost her voice, but it was back today, and she sang it for the first time in a while. She sounded great!
Heritage had 2 memory care wings. There was not enough space in them for the whole choir or even a keyboard, but my contact knew they'd enjoy seeing us, so I selected a small group to head into the memory care wings.
There were very small. We sang for just a few people and some of their caregivers. We only sang two songs. We did visit after, though conversation was very difficult or impossible. I have to say these moments were sacred and important. And sad. Tonight when we talked about our day, one of the youth shared that people almost never come to this place to sing. I am so glad we were able to be with them. Part of me wants to go back tomorrow to see Billy again (Billy introduced himself to me shortly after we arrived. He had wheeled himself into the dining room and was excited to see a new face).
But the time did come to leave, and we headed back to the hotel to change before we went into downtown Dallas for lunch. We ate at this place called the Exchange, which was kindof like a really chic foodcourt.
We had a little extra time before the bus picked us up, so CJ asked if we'd like to go see a great big eyeball. I wasn't sure what he meant by that, but a bunch of us just kinda followed him.
It was, well, it was a big giant eyeball right in the middle of Dallas.
The bus picked us up, and we headed to Thanksgiving Square. I really owe Sarah for putting me onto this place. It's a little sliver of land dedicated to the idea that Gratitude and thankfulness are core values of all the major systems of faith. It focuses on the similarities in our faith rather than the differences. And it focuses on diversity in the world. There is symbolism everywhere. The ring of thanks, where you are encouraged to voice something for which you are thankful and hear the result (which is that it echoes into your ears).
There were a number of other interesting places and concepts, but the most moving is the Thanksgiving Chapel, which is shell shaped. The shape is symbolic and also includes one of the largest horizontal installations of stained glass. This picture is taken from the floor looking up.
Everyone got on the floor to get a better view, and we sang together. We sang the Lord's Prayer in French...and I've never heard us sing it better. Maybe it's because we were relaxed, or lying on the floor, or because it was very cool in there. I don't know, but it was magical. After some time spent soaking in the space, we sang our Closing Prayer and left. There were some folks there. As we were leaving together, they said it was beautiful and that they felt fortunate to have been there while we were there. I felt fortunate too.
From Thanksgiving Square we went to Dealey plaza. I talked about the difference between Thanksgiving Square, which serves as a reminder of our capacity for good and this place, which is a reminder of our capacity for evil--what Charles Wesley referred to as our "bent to sinning." We live our lives choosing every day which we will launch into the world. For this week, though...it is good.
We walked from Dealey Plaza to the Reunion Tower, where we went up to the observation deck. We could not see our house from there, but we could see most of Dallas! It was very cool.
We spent a little extra time up there because it was air conditioned. Mark rescued us by parking right outside so we wouldn't have to walk too far...and then we headed back to the hotel to change for the ballgame.
We had tickets in a special section that includes all-you-can-eat food, and they sure do mean it.
This doesn't include the drink station or the various condiment sections where you can dress your nachos however you'd like. This may look industrial and not very good, but it was actually quite good. It delivered the ballpark experience I was looking for, which of course revolves around the ballpark food. Our seats were pretty good, too!
It was hard to get a picture of everyone together because entry and exit was somewhat chaotic, and during the game people were wandering the park together and having pictures made with the cheerleaders. But...it was fun.
Eva always gets a baseball. I'm not even sure why it always works this way. Inconceivable. But look how happy. And there are a few things to notice in the background here:
1. What is up with Gwyn there?
2. Do you think the guy 2 rows back is jealous? Like does he have a backstory where he has been coming to this park since the first day the Rangers played here hoping for a ball only for the ball to wind up in the hands of an out-of-towner who obviously isn't a super fan because she doesn't even have a Rangers hat?
3. Did you notice Lilly?
A little more prominent in this picture. Lilly lives and works in Dallas now, but she showed up to enjoy the game with us! Always good to see our friends out and about!
Once the game is over, we trust in 2 things. First, we trust Michael to find the way back to the bus. Second, we trust that someone will hoist Sir Trots a Lot high so we can stay mostly together as a group. In St Louis, Michael did. Last night some of the youth did...but Michael assures me he was there with them the whole time.
I need to commend the youth for not yelling too much at the game. That has historically been an issue for us. I imagine when we go to 6 flags it'll be worse, but I appreciate their caring for their voices.
A reasonable--if not early--arrival at the hotel. Devotional, and off to bed. Well, off to the rooms. I check them in, but they can stay up if they want. I did have an above-average number of requests to be early in the room check cycle, so I think they were tired.
We once again delayed note writing. I'm working on a theory...I'll let you know how that goes later. Instead, we talked through the day. Our morning concert affected them, and I think they felt like we made a bigger difference at this concert because it was at a place where people don't frequently go. It's true that many of the places we sing frequently have guests and programming. I've thought about that, wondering if we shouldn't seek out the places fewer people go. While I haven't done that on purpose, this time we did. And it feels important.
Tomorrow our concerts will shift to a different kind of audience (kids instead of senior adults) as we head to a Project Transformation site. We are more than half way through the Music Mission!
Peace and love,
John
Nothings up with Gwyn in that picture
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