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However, each choir tour has always included at least one stop to Cracker Barrel. Someone learned on the trip that Portland has the northernmost Cracker Barrel in the entire United States. Chris Clark suggested that we swing by on the way to the church and have a photograph made at the Cracker Barrel in Portland. I told the bus that as we drove up, they were probably putting extra biscuits in the oven only to find out that we only stopped for a photograph. All those who had been on choir tours in the past hopped off the bus and posed for a quick photograph. We continued on to the Cathedral and arrived at 9 AM. We were greeted by their new interim organist/music director Ray Cornils. We spent about 45 minutes rehearsing and preparing to lead worship in this beautiful sanctuary. It is an Episcopal church and so the entire order of worship, word for word, was printed out for the entire congregation. There were none happier to have the script than the Baptists sitting up front in the choir loft. We were cordially welcomed during the worship service and invited to participate in communion as well. After worship, we were invited to share in their parish picnic, which ended up being inside because of the weather. The church prepared pulled pork sandwiches, potato salad, and coleslaw. It was as if they planned a meal just for us. We also had strawberry shortcake and fresh strawberries for dessert. Our group mixed and fellowshipped with the church members who were there. We left the church at 12:30 and drove to Kennebunk where we picked up our step-on guide, Gloria. We spent two hours with Gloria leading us through Kennebunk, Kennebunk Beach, and Kennebunkport. We visited a Franciscan monastery established by Lithuanian priests. We then drove along the Atlantic coast and saw beautiful homes in Kennebunk Beach. We also had the opportunity to ride by the Bush estate and see where the Bush family often vacations in the summer. The American and Texas flag flying at the compound indicated that the Bushes were there as we drove by. After finishing our tour, we departed for Salem, Massachusetts and Tabernacle Congregational Church. The pastor, Rev. Joe Amico, and another host, Mike Boudou, met us as we arrived in Salem. We rehearsed for about 30 minutes before trying to take a break to find places for our group to eat in downtown Salem. Some choir members were lucky enough to eat prior to the concert, but the rest of us opted to wait until after the concert. The church provided fruit, cheese, and veggies tray for us to snack on. This helped to tie us over until after the concert. Although the crowd was not very large, the reception that the choir received was outstanding. The choir saying exceptionally well and there was such a spirit of worship in our time together at Tabernacle Congregational Church. We stayed afterwards to mix and mingle with those in attendance. So many sweet stories were shared about the impact of the worship time with those in attendance. We also had about a 15 minute historic tour of the church. This was the church for Adeniran Judson served until he left as a missionary in 1812 to go to Burma. On the cruise to Burma, he left the congregational church and became a Baptist missionary. Rick told the group that he had received the Adeniran Judson scholarship at Southern seminary. He had his picture made with an old photograph of Adeniran Judson. On the drive to Revere, Massachusetts for our a hotel, Brett Levi led our devotion on the bus. He did an outstanding job of sharing his personal testimony and how it paralleled the anthem that he introduced, “My Shepherd Will Supply My Need.” He had many of us in tears as he shared his story and how God had met him to first Baptist Church. We checked into a very nice hotel in Revere. It is right on the beach and Is brand new. After Scott, our bus driver, “school” a couple of other bus drivers on how to park, we made it into the nicest rooms we have stayed in. Those who had not eaten before the concert ordered pizza and shared pizza shared a meal together in the lobby. Today has been a wonderful day!