Hot Pot and BBQ Brisket and Chinese Texans

I recently was in Austin, Texas for some planning meetings with my teammates, Dennis and Carita Chen. We serve together by leading the domestic and international missions efforts for the Epic Movement. The Chens live in Austin and I made the trip this time, as they usually have to travel to So Cal for Epic meetings.

First of all, it was COLD. The night before I arrived, it lightly snowed!

In addition to some good planning times, the Chen's were great hosts. Within only two days, I had experienced a 13-piece big band at an underground Austin jazz club, Chinese hot pot, Texas-style BBQ, and breakfast tacos (think breakfast burrito in a soft taco shell). Austin is like the Berkeley of Texas, so most of the time, it never felt like "Texas". Very few people with accents, no cow wrangling, or 10-gallon hats. I was told if I left the city I'd need a gun in my truck window to feel at home. Don't mess with Texas.

Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to hand Lance Armstrong an extra water bottle while he was riding the Austin hills. Thanks to Twitter, I knew he was there, but I'm not a stalker, right?

Here are some pictures of the trip. Some amazing Texas BBQ brisket, sausage, and ribs from Rudy's BBQ and hot pot with some Austin Epic Movement staff. A great group of people. And that brisket was so good. My director, Tommy Dyo will vouch for it...he ordered 2 lbs of extra-moist and I brought it home on the plane!