After hearing Acappella rave about Philly Cheese Steak sandwiches, I got to sample the real thing in the market place next to the convention center in Philadelphia.  I now understand their excitement as I highly recommend this treat, smothered in grilled onions.

I just landed in Houston to attend the CAMAs (Christian A cappella Music Awards.)  My first stop in Houston is Pappasito's, to order my favorite -- steak fajitas.  One of the last times I was in Houston (it may have been for our Praise & Harmony recording), some folks told me there was a place that had better fajitas than Pappasito's.  I forgot the name of the place, but I have to try it out while I'm here if I have time.  I hate to re-open the "Tex-Mex" challenge, but I want to know which place you think can top Pappasito's?

How many of you have tried shrimp and grits before?  It's quite popular here in the Carolinas and it's very tasty.  Last time we were in Charleston, I was introduced to she-crab soup (also a favorite). 

I remember traveling through southern Alabama, Georgia and neighboring states to always find "boiled peanuts" signs everywhere.  What lesser-known dishes do you enjoy that happen to be regional favorites?

Does anyone recognize this place?  This is the closest to "live blogging" that I have come.  I stopped and asked the locals where the best restaurant is, and they did not lead us the wrong direction.  Great food.  I grabbed this photo just a few moments ago.


We are on our way (for our first time) to the Red River Family Encampment.  I've heard that their numbers have approached 3,000 in the past.  They assigned me a lot of jobs, including congregational worship, Praise & Harmony workshops and leading the youth tracks.  More later. . .

The Williams and Dennisons introduced us to this fine Italian restaurant last year during our trip to Frederick.  Later the same year, Jeremy Post took us for a return visit.  Last month, Allen Pratt (one of the elders at Laurel) met us at the airport in Baltimore.  Upon asking us where we wanted to eat, the reply was Ammicis.  What a treat!

This week in Washington D.C., Jeremy Post introduced us to Ethiopian Food.  What a treat!  I can remember the first time I sampled Chinese food.  I'll not forget the first time I visited a churrascaria.  We've talked about how Japanese steak houses are an entertaining way to enjoy a meal.  Dining at an Ethiopian restaurant turned out to be an entirely brand new experience for us.

Instead of using forks and knives, the method of eating is with a very tasty and unique bread.


The extra bonus at this particular restaurant was the presentation of Ethiopian music and dance.

I don't want to reopen the "southeast versus southwest" or "pork versus beef" barbecue debate, but I just enjoyed some fine beef brisket at Dickey's in Dallas.  Tennesseans don't know much about brisket and Texans don't know a lot about pulled pork sandwiches.  When it comes to ribs, I think that Memphis is the place to be, except for that esqusite sauce we enjoyed in Charlotte earlier this month.

In college, I remember going to a place by the side of the road that served outstanding barbecue.  I'm not sure if they passed all the health inspections, but they sure knew how to cook.  Where is your favorite place for barbecue?

Earlier today, we went to lunch with our good friends, John & Beverly Grayson.  It's fun going to places where we've never dined before.  This restaurant, called The Standard, is located in downtown Nashville.

You've heard me talk about the churrascaria experience in Brazil.  For a short time, Nashville (Green Hills) had a restaurant called Fire Of Brazil.  Even though it was very expensive, it was a sad day when it closed down.


We found one in Memphis called Texas de Brazil, near the Peabody.  We were excited to find it open at lunch time.  If you have never experienced a churrascaria, then stop by this one when you are in Memphis, Tennessee.

Here are some other Memphis Photos I took while in town.

President Bush has dined at this fine establishment based in Albuquerque.

We discovered a very nice restaurant in Knoxville called Aubrey's.  I highly recommend the Asian chicken salad.  You also have to try their homemade potato chips.

What a great weekend of singing and worship with the Heartland Church in Kansas City, Missouri!  Todd Truax is doing an outstanding job in the pulpit of this growing church family.

This afternoon, we arrived in Porte Alegre to prepare for the concert this evening.  Counting last night, we will have four concerts in a row before returning home.  We were greeted at the airport by our friends, Saulo and Newton.  After checking into the hotel, they shuttled us to a great Churrascaria, one of the best ones of the trip.  Anderson told us that this state is known for its fine meats.



Today was our fifth churrascaria of the tour.  I have a new update for the best meats to ask for when you get to experience Brazilian style barbeque.  One is called "vazio," preferably cooked in garlic.  Also, the "Picanha com alho" (again, cooked in garlic.)  The grilled mozzarella cheese is always great as well.  Since we left Belo at 4:00 AM this morning, everyone is very tired and seeking to get some rest before the concert.  I was the last one out of the churrascaria as everyone else was waiting to go. (But hey, don't they know I'm a professional churrascaria connoisseur?)

Here are the cities we will have concerts in this tour:


It is a blessing to experience the diversity of this country as we never have before.  The vast differences from the north in the Amazon to the cities of the south -  from the beautiful beaches to the rain forests - from the cramped urban cities to the beautiful country side.  The Brazilian people are a VERY special people.

Another blessing of this tour is the food.  We love the Brazilian food and are being treated royally!  As Zach Wilson points out in an excited way, almost every restaurant is a buffet.  I believe a diet is in my future upon returning to North America.



Sharon and Kimberly are happy with all the vegetarian choices as well.



But most of us are happy because of the sumptuous offerings of meat that is abundant (see "carnivore.")



In fact, as of today (our first week), we have already been to three different Chuasscarias!  Sunday night after the concert, our friends in Goiania treated us to our second Chuassacaria and we enjoyed a third one upon our arrival in Belem.





Here's a hint from a self-designated "pro" (me) :  With all the seemingly endless choices at these types of restaurants, hold out for the "cupim de bola."

What a blessing to be back in Maryland this weekend!  Tomorrow, I'll tell you more about our workshop in Laurel, which began on Friday with a special treat at Carabba's with the ministers, Jeremy, Michael and Michael's family.

We've heard about Patti's for a long time and finally got to visit last month.




Patti's is located in Grand River, located in western Kentucky.

Across from the Sommet Center in Nashville is a very nice restaurant called The Palm.  I was first introduced to this place by my brother-in-law, Don Moody.  His law office is just blocks away in downtown Nashville.

Yesterday we were in the Canadian Rockies.  Last night, at almost midnight, we became reacquainted with our home in Tennessee.  This morning, we flew to Pittsburg for a Praise and Harmony workshop in Morgantown, West Virginia.  We love traveling.

I'm sure that many of you have been to both P.F. Chang's and The Cheesecake Factory.  Which one would you choose as your favorite?

We were blessed last week by the Heritage Church in Keller, Texas.  Karise Cheatham has been telling me we need to visit Saltgrass and we finally got to do just that.  Jim Hackney treated us to a special meal at this fine Texas restaurant.

We are flying to Texas today to eat at Pappasito's.  Oh, and we'll be leading worship while we are there too. 

(Humor is a "funny" thing.  You never know what will translate as being humorous in written form.  Another oddity is how someone will say something in a private setting that does not come across as humorous, yet will say the exact same thing in a public speaking forum and come across as hilarious.)

Hope to see some of you in Keller, Texas tonight!