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

Picture Post: Catch Up

¹ It is good to praise the LORD 

   and make music to your name, O Most High, 

² proclaiming your love in the morning 

   and your faithfulness at night, 

³ to the music of the ten-stringed lyre 

   and the melody of the harp.

 ⁴ For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD; 

   I sing for joy at what your hands have done. 

⁵ How great are your works, LORD, 

   how profound your thoughts! 

⁶ Senseless people do not know, 

   fools do not understand, 

⁷ that though the wicked spring up like grass 

   and all evildoers flourish, 

   they will be destroyed forever.

 ⁸ But you, LORD, are forever exalted.

Psalm 92:1-8

How embarrassing.  I haven't posted in over a week.  I thought about apologizing, but then I realized all the thing's I have done since posting my last blog:

 I've had a skype date with the cutest little girl niece and best dad.

(The rest of the family was there - this picture was priceless - look at poor Charlie the kitty!)

 Been to the park enjoying the AMAZING sun and fresh (ish) air and meeting crazy squirrels like this one, who have a fondness for goldfish.  

 Completed my Youth Ministry Leadership Initiave course, complete with a ceremony and certificate.  (You know it's official then!)  Look for more on this hopefully this weekend.  It's a long (but GOOD) story that needs sharing.

 Drooled over trying to figure out how to do this to my space...wouldn't it be AWESOME?

 Eaten the BEST (and cutest) ham sandwich ever.  And tried Pimento Cheese (and loved it!)

And taken a moment to look at the wonders our God has created.

In addition to these lovely pictures, I've also been:

-Finishing scholarship applications

- Turning in Hebrew Exegetical Papers (whew!)

- Learned how to type in Hebrew on my computer for said paper

- Filling out paperwork for returning to school

- Registering for classes (Greek Summer 2012!)

- Writing a sermon

- Working on a grant proposal for the CTS community

- Having Inter-Seminary conversations (stay tuned for more!)

- Taking time to hop on the treadmill (feeling good about this!)

- Engaging in AWESOME conversations that make my heart happy and remind my of why God has called me here to CTS

So, I've been keeping busy.  Not the overwhelming "Ican'tcatchmybreathandhavenoideahowIamgoingtosurvive" busy,

 but most sure engaged in my school work and more. 

As the school year comes to a close, I'm finding myself reflecting more and more on this year so stay tuned for some musings.  

Blessings to you all!

Prayer: Heavenly God - it IS good to praise your name.  Help us to never let that name leave our lips or our hearts.  We treasure your great works, your love for ALL your people. and the greatest gift you gave us of all, your Son. It is in your holy name we pray, Amen. 

Be Glad!

  Be glad, earth and sky!

      Roar, sea, and every creature in you;

    be glad, fields, and everything in you! 

~Psalm 96 11-12

Before the crazy storms of Tuesday here in North Texas, we had a gorgeous day of sunshine and a great breeze! 

I was able to spend the day with both the Jaybird and Lil’ E as well as my sister (and some aunties!).

We had a fun day of stories, sharing, sonic, and silliness. 

And of course we read some books...

And then we headed out to the bluebonnets for a quick photo shoot! 

I have NO idea how my parents took pics with THREE of us…it was a very involved process!

So enjoyable I think for all parties…despite what the faces may look like.  

 All in all, these are sometimes the days I most look forward too…I’ll have to remember that when I’m up to my ears in schoolwork! 

Not Missing!

Dear friends!  I'm sorry I have been MIA for a spell.  I thought this January Term would be slow and relaxing; boy, have I been wrong!

I've been taking a class taught by an entertaining and very knowledgeable professor on the Gospel of John. It's been an 8:30 am everyday sort of class full of lectures, group work and presentations, papers, political jokes, and lots of reading of John.  It has been wonderful experience and makes me wish I had some Greek in me so I better understood some of our texts!  (Some of my peers say this class is good preparation for Greek...mainly the 8:30am class everyday sort of thing).  If one does need to be in class by 8:30 am, this class is at least entertaining and 100% worth waking up for.

The other cool thing about this class is how large it is (was supposed to be 20 yet there are close to 50!!!) and the breadth of experience within this class.  I find myself at times in awe of my peers who are amazing scholars.  They impress me with not only their knowledge, but with their passion for the Word to be at work in their lives'. I feel very much like a sponge in this class, trying to soak it all in and at some point process it all. Dr. Bartlett is such a talented teacher, theologian, and over all fun guy to study with.  I'm so sad he's retiring this spring, but know he'll be around at least to say hello.

In addition to class, I've been blessed to nanny my favorite 2 yr old boy and a sweet little baby girl. It's nice to spend an afternoon at the park blowing bubbles or taking walks and just decompressing from an intense morning of learning.  I have a post in mind for all the things I've learned with this dude, so stay tuned!

I had a lovely visit with my aunt and uncle from Grosse Pointe, MI, who made a visit here on their way to Florida.  We visited the MLK, Jr site and it was fascinating to go again with my aunt who experienced much of the segregation and race riots in Detroit and to hear her perspective.  She taught government and economics ( I think...) in Detroit and to hear her story made it a very memorable time.  My uncle is also very entertaining and we all had a grand time.  I think one of my favorite parts of their visit was just sitting in their hotel room, drinking tea and watching Home and Garden shows.  *sigh* Wouldn't that be nice to do every day?  I'm escaping the city this weekend to go and visit them in Florida and am looking forward to it!

So this has nothing to do with how I study,
 but I do like cats and do have
many books...so....it works!

The last thing (ok, well, one of the last things) I've been working on is preparing for the Bible Content Ordination exam which I will be taking February 3rd.  I would greatly appreciate your prayers as I work towards this goal.  It's basically a 100 question test involving all aspects of the bible and you need to get at least 70 out of 100 right to pass.  I find myself wishing I'd grown up Baptist (mainly because all my friends that are Baptist know the Bible the best...) or at least taken more Bible classes in my undergrad years.  There is one tool that is the BEST help ever, but it still takes mucho time to sit and go through it all. The good news is I can
totally use my kindle fire to take practice tests.  Yee haw.


Finally, I upgraded my phone!  (About time, I know!) Sadly it didn't sync with the old one so I need some numbers.  My number is the same, so just shoot me a text saying who you are so we can keep in touch!

Thanks to you all for your love and prayers!  I'll try to be better about sharing my story as I continue with Spring semester. ~Katy

"Keep the joy of loving God in your heart and share this joy with all you meet especially your family. Be holy – let us pray." 

- Mother Teresa