Soul Food

A sure sign of Texas and some soul food!

You might hear these words, "soul food", and immediately be reminded of something particular.  Living here in Atlanta, soul food often comes in dishes like mashed potatoes and fried chicken- or cheesy grits and giants flaky biscuits. I know many people who find nourishment for just about anything that ails them in the form of a pint of their favorite ice cream or in a familiar orange and white stripe box containing some chicken strips from Whataburger.  

Flash forward: 

my home church's youth choir was on their choir tour and had been traipsing across the south  - going to Nashville and singing in Virginia, North Carolina, and then headed back home through Tennessee. My sister happened to be on this very trip - I had some free time on my hands and was willing to drive a few hours to see my lovely little sister and the choir, and decided a weekend trip to Nashville was just the thing.  

Sister and I were lucky enough get the "night off" and chose our own place to dine in Nashville, while the rest of the gang headed to Ruby Tuesday.  Here is where soul food comes in the picture.  My little sister and I share a fondness for food we think just about cures what ails you - some times this comes in the form of a fresh batch of brownies or some other baked good (preferably with peanut butter) - other times it comes in the biggest Diet Cokes you can find...but most times, it comes in the form of Thai food.  WE LOVE THAI FOOD. So, instead of heading to Monell's or the Opry, we headed to this place:

AND IT WAS AMAZING. It looked a little sketch, but it had the best service and the food was amazing.  And just what we both wanted to eat.  The spring rolls were springy and crunchy, and the peanut sauce was phenomenal. And then the noodles...and chicken...yum!!! After being caught in a torrential rain storm which little sister managed to stay gorgeous in :

(I was mourning my chaco's being soaked, resulting in wet feet...which I HATE), we grabbed a latte and headed back to the hotel.  We were lucky enough to be able to watch Say Yes to the Dress and Randy to the Rescue while drying off before gathering with the youth choir for their last evening together on tour.

Thinking back to my quick trip to Nashville, I was nourished WAY more than just some amazing Thai noodles and lattes.  Spending time with my sister, spending time with these amazing youth whom I miss so much, and visiting with mentors and former staff workers who I miss daily was SO good for me - even if brief!  The smiles, hugs, laughs, and stories shared over 18 hours meant so much to my soul.  Even thinking about it now brings a smile to my face.  

So, cheers to "soul food" - whether it comes in the form of mom's homemade chicken spaghetti or in the stories and giggles (and Randy to the Rescue!!!) shared in a hotel room miles away from home.

And congratulations to CCPC's Revelation for the completion of yet another awesome choir tour!  It was such a joy to see you all and I am counting down the days until we see each other again!

But the joy that you have given me 
      is more than they will ever have 
      with all their grain and wine.

-Psalm 4:7