Thoughts from Chicago...

I am typing this as Jennie is driving and we're on our way home from Chicago. We had a fantastic weekend in the Windy City, and got to spend some great time with family, food, and God.

"Family?" That's right, we stayed with Grandma Walta, and had a great time with most of the family there, in town for our baby shower. I know, it's primarily Jennie's baby shower, but rumor has it that this will by my baby as well. We got to hang out, laugh, go to the park, catch up, play with our nieces (Anna & Avery), and open lots of gifts. All the gifts were terrific, but I am especially fond of the Ohio State cheerleader outfit. It's beautiful, and I'm sure to put a few pics on the web for your viewing enjoyment. Just know that this girl is going to be raised right. "Raised right" means that she already has THREE Ohio State outfits and NO Cleveland Browns stuff. Allison is on the right track. Mix in some Green Bay Packer outfits, and she'll be a heartbreaker.

"Food?" If you've never been to Chicago, its food is legendary. Friday night, before entering the bountiful buffet presented to us in Chicago, Jennie and I followed the "Pizza Hut" signs to a truck-stop close to Gary, Indiana. Uh, bad move. Every person in the joint looked like they were just released from the JOINT. Honestly, there were signs all over the place that read, "Smile, you're under video surveillance." Security guards were not in short supply. "Uh, two personal pans to go - really soon, please!"

Anyhow, later that night after landing safely in Berwyn (near Chicago), Jennie's parents made a run to Portillo's. Portillo's is the home of some terrific "Italian beef" sandwiches, which I - of course - had to add hot peppers and pepperoncini's to. Unbelievable. The next day, when the ladies were ready to "shower" Jennie with gifts and "oh-how-cute" noises, the guys went to... Portillo's! If you haven't had an authentic Chicago-style hot dog, you're really missing out on the best life has to offer. Jennie's Dad (Bill Walta), a Windy City native informed me that, if you're really from Chicago, you don't eat the pickle separately. The pickle is part of the dog here. And for me, so was the jalapeno and the pepperoncini. Saturday night, Jennie and I made a run to Lalo's Mexican restaurant to snarf on some quality authentic burritos. I practiced some of my spanish with Jennie and her cousin Adrianna, when I asked, "Porque esta el banyo?" Still working on that one.

I suppose the next food bulletin from the city that Michael Jordan built goes along with the "God" section.

"God?" Yeah, Jennie and I had a terrific encounter with God today at Willow Creek Community Church. I've been there before for pastors conferences and other events, but never for an Axis service. "Axis?" Yeah, it's their church's worship service for twenty-somethings. Although, as I walked into Axis, they told me it was for "twenty-somethings... and older." I looked that girl-usher squarely in the eyes and said, "Young lady, I AM a twenty-something, and only for twelve more days, so you best respect your elders and let me enjoy it!"

Uh, okay, I didn't say that. But I did go in, and I was NOT the oldest person in the room. Axis had a tremendous feel of authentic, real, modern worship. The guest-speaker was Rev. Alise Barrymore (yes, a woman - no, not Drew's mom), and she spoke on Philippians 2:12-13, where Paul challenges some mature Christians to continue to grow and work on their faith and character. She was terrific.

Anyhow, afterwards, Jennie and I hit Willow Creek's food court - yes, this church has one.

That was indeed one of the best Taco Salads I've ever had. (Yes, with jalapenos and hot sauce - pass the Tums). But a church with a Taco Salad? More proof of God, I suppose.

Enough bloggering about Chicago. But Jennie did get pulled over on the way home.