The Holy Family's House...

A few quick facts about La Sagrada Familia before the photos that will (hopefully) knock your socks off.

You have to do the the audio tour, otherwise you don't know what you're looking at. That's how we learned all the facts. Sidenote: Matthew and his mother kept being addressed by the locals in Spanish because they look native. They are of Spanish descent, afterall. However, when people would talk to Matt's dad or me, it was in English. I guess I don't look ethnic enough. And Scott wears a baseball cap. Dead giveaways.

No, we did not know this random man in our picture. It's ok. I'm sure I was that clueless person in a bunch of other people's pictures.

- Antoni Gaudí was the renowned Catalan architect who was commissioned with the design of the church. He began working on it in 1883, and continued to fervently press toward its completion until his death in 1926.

The genius himself.

He is immortalized on the Passion facade as an observer over the crucifixion scene.

- Obviously (you'll see from the pictures) this massive undertaking is still a work in progress. Estimated completion is scheduled for 2025. The building team and construction workers are faithfully sticking to Gaudí's plans, down to the order in which the different parts are to be finished.
- Gaudí only lived to see the Nativity facade established. The Passion facade (my favorite) is done and is currently being used as the main entrance. The Glory facade will be the final phase, and once in use will be the entrance that will lead visitors directly to the altar at the opposite eastern end. I'm looking forward to that side. It will supposedly have the Lord's prayer in different languages covering the exterior walls.
- Almost everything in the church is symbolic of the inspiration Gaudí found in nature, God's creation.
- I spent roughly 4.5 hours walking around this place with my mouth agape, my head craning upward, and my heart overflowing with praise. If something on earth can be so inspirational and worshipful, I can only imagine how much more so everything in heaven will be. Lord, haste the day when tears of joy roll down my cheeks because it's beautiful beyond my wildest dreams. (Phil Wickham lyrics from "Heaven Song" had to be thrown in there.)

And now for the epic photography portion. I know I always say that the pictures can't do it justice. But I mean it. The pictures cannot do it justice. No matter your religious persuasion, I would argue that it would be nearly impossible to walk inside this place and not be moved.

First glance across the nave when walking through the doors on the Passion side. The suspended yellow thing on the left is the altar. Straight ahead is the exit to the Nativity side. To the right is the longest part of the nave and aisle leading to the unfinished Glory side.

Gaudí designed the columns to look like tree trunks with branches splitting off at the top. The ceiling is supposed to look like the forest canopy. And he was very particular with the lighting, wanting just the right amount so it feels like a natural environment.

View of the canopy leaves and branches when you look straight up. In the center of the circles are the symbols for infinity and the Greek letters Chi and Rho. Early Christians identified themselves by the Chi Rho 'cristogram' because those are the first two letters in the beginning of the word "Christ."

The stained glass is so vibrant. Notice the incorporated floral shapes. This window represented light with its warm hues. The window across from it was done in blues and purples, and it represented water.

Talk about taking a traditional rose window to the next level.

I think maybe I should have studied typography or something. Visually seeing words like this makes my spine tingle.

Probably my all time favorite thing about the stained glass was how much of it had words written in it. Now, try and stay with me on this one. I found it so special. Behind the main altar of Jesus are seven windows (like the one above) that are inscribed with seven different names for Jesus:
1. O, Emmanuel = God with us
2. O, Rex Gentium = King of all Nations
3. O, Oriens = Radiant Dawn
4. O, Clavis David = Key of David
5. O, Radix Jesse = Root of Jesse
6. O, Adonai = Lord, Ruler
7. O, Sapientia = Wisdom
So what? Well, when the first letter of each name is taken to create a separate word, they become EROCRAS. The Latin words ero cras mean, "Tomorrow, I will come." Did you hear that?!? My heart just exploded. Goosebumps.

Sticking with the topic of words, there are four columns in the space in front of the altar. Each is marked with the name of one of the Gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. This is Matthew's. I think hubby should start spelling his name the Catalan way. Mateu. Sweet.

The main altar with the ero cras windows surrounding it and the organ pipes flanking it on either side.

Still more words adorn the edge of the altar. "Gloria a Déu" reminded me of Matt's wedding ring that bears the same words in Spanish, "Toda la gloria a Dios."

And outside on the Passion facade (the coolest exterior to a church ever!) the doors spell out the entire story of Jesus' trial, execution, and resurrection. In Catalan. "And what is the truth?" is the emphasized phrase on this section. Good question. Thank you God, for showing me the answer.

You can see the doors in the background. This is the Passion facade. Gaudí's design was interpreted and implemented by Catalan sculptor Josep Subirach. Jesus stands right in the middle of the entrance with the symbols for alpha and omega above him. Doesn't His face just break your heart?

In the stone beneath and behind Jesus' feet, a palm leaf fossil was discovered. Coincidental?

This is Subirach's sketch of the entire facade, just to give you an overall idea of what it looks like. Matt and I bought a poster sized print of this sketch to hang in our future home. We were overly excited. There are so many scenes I'd love to point out within the whole, but there isn't enough time in the world.

One more detail, and yes, it is another one of my favorite parts about La Sagrada Familia. I'll let the next picture explain it.

Sorry, had to make it extra large so you could read it. I hate numbers, but I can appreciate the brain power required to come up with this smart puzzle.

So much physical progress has been made on this building since Matthew and I first experienced it in 2009. It is an entirely different place in just two and a half years. I think the thing I love about it most is the undeniable truths buried in all its symbolism. It gives me confidence to know that some incredibly intelligent and talented people have been and are continuing to use their gifts to give the glory to God. I know that manmade things are not deserving of my worship and neither are the people who come up with their designs. But I am thankful that so much creativity and insight can remind me to praise the ultimate Designer and my Creator. May my life be as blatantly marked with signs that point toward heaven.