The Home of Country Music and The Home of the Delta Blues

And now it's time for a breakdown, er an update. So, for those that don't read Kevin's blog - ghetto life's gotten rough. We love DC. It's a cool city, there's tons to do and you really feel like you're living in a city of the world, not just America. But, it's also too DANG expensive. We're making about the same amount as we did in Tallahassee, but it's just not cutting it. After lots of thought and prayer we're contemplating leaving the bright, shiny city. We head off next weekend to Tennessee - the land of the Titans, the home of Elvis, the home of the Delta Blues, the birth place of Country Music (Please don't get me started on that!), and the Christian Music capital. Kevin has interviews with two gyms, one in Nashville and one in Memphis. I have an interview with a church (admin work) in Nashville. We'll see what happens. I've told my boss a little of what's going on and there's a chance he may promote me or give me a bigger raise -- then we may stay. We want to have a family and eventually own a home. Since houses in the DC area are on average 4 times the cost of houses in Tennessee we're thinking we'll have a better chance in the Volunteer State.

Why Tennessee? Well, the gyms Kevin's interviewing with are renown, professional, and Christian gyms. Tennessee is Southern enough to make Bridget happy, and Northern enough to keep Kevin happy. It's MUCH closer to home (8hrs to Tally and 11-12 to Tampa -- much better than 16 & 20). It's close enough to Asbury I can do their commuter option and perhaps finally finish my masters. My mad admin skills will score me a sweet paying job in one of the cities. So, hopefully next weekend will shed some light on the situation and we'll have more to report.

Saint Patty's Sick Day

Happy Saint Patrick's day ya'll. Saint Patty's day here in the DC metro area is, I must say, beyond ridiculous. People have been warning me of the craziness for days. As early as 9am there are lines out of the bars ready for the green beer and celebrating "everyone being Irish." I didn't believe it, that is until we got on the metro Sunday morning to go church. There, on the metro, at 10 am were people dressed top to tip in green, leprechaun hats and clovers galore. Crazy!

No green beer or clovers of celebration have been seen in the Thornton household. We've been recuperating. Sinus infections, the flu, and even a touch of potential bronchitis. Seems like we've been sick for a month now. Even Ellie's sick - she has an ear infection. Maybe since I am part Irish and it is Saint Patrick's day our luck will change.

Tell me all your thoughts on God

Actually, I'm thinking about Israel tonight. We're watching a documentary called "To Die in Jerusalem." Jerusalem is Hebrew for the "city of peace" or the "city of wholeness" HA! In Arabic it's just called "the holy ". The documentary focuses on a 16 year old female Palestinian suicide bomber who in her "operation" (as they keep calling it) killed only one girl - an Israeli girl of the same age. The creepy thing is when you look at their pictures they could have been sisters. It's really focused more on the mother of the Israeli girl.

"Oh Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those that are sent to you, how often I've wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing" (MT 23:37) [Complete sidebar: how ridiculous is it that this verse is used to defend the idea of God being a woman or gender neutral. It's called a fricken metaphor people!] This was (is) Jesus' prayer for Israel and his people. Even in Christ's time Jerusalem did not live up to the title "City of Peace." History shows it has never been peaceful and the Bible says it will never be until Christ comes and establishes his kingdom on earth. But America and the Britain decided that Christ's coming isn't soon enough and the Jewish nation must be created. Screw the Arabs and Palestinians that've been living there since the 400s!

All the way back to Genesis we see that modern Jews & Muslims are descendants of the same clan - Abraham's decedents that really do outnumber the grains of sand on the seashore. All this contention over land and it's really just a big family feud. (Abraham slept with Hagar and had Ishmael which = Arabs then he and Sarah had Jacob who became Israel and had twelve sons -the twelve tribes) Oh the tangled webs we weave when we sleep with the maidservants.

There were 193 suicide bombers between 2000 and 2002 (when the documentary was made) the toll must be much higher now. Meanwhile, George W. thinks he can solve the problem by inviting the Palestinian and Israeli leaders to Camp David. Nothings solves centuries worth of fighting like S'mores by the campfire.

I don't have an answer. I know Biblically, God gave the land to Moses for the Jews -- but I also know that the Jews disobeyed God. A lot. (like all people groups) The result was the diaspora (to Babylon), then a reuniting, then the destruction of the temple and another diaspora. Now - we're all in a big mess and no history book, or holy book will solve it. Christians and Jews (OT) refer to the Bible as their defense and the Muslim to the Qu'ran. (I'm not claiming equality in the religions nor am I making a theological argument.) S'mores and hugs and kisses arn't going to solves the problems either. My realistic assessment is that it's all going to be a big crap hole until Jesus comes and truly makes it a City of Peace for the Prince of Peace. How's that for a positive spin ;)

Need to Breathe

Last night we went and saw one of our favorite bands at a cute coffee shop/bar in metro Virginia. As they sang the song More Time (http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendid=6218874 - there songs change all the time) and all I could think of is how much their music has been woven through Kevin and I's life toghether. The band's first ablum came out when we were first dating. Then early on when I had doubts (and he knew but didn't tell me) he would constantly play thier song Hailie (the perfect song for the occasion). There albums don't leave our ipod playlists, cd players, etc. We rang in our first New Years as a married couple at one of thier shows and Kevin's seen them three times in the 4 months we've been here. Let's just say - we're fans. For wondering minds - favorite song - Washed by the Water - so good and I think it will strike a cord with many older Wesley folks:
"Even when the rain falls, even when the storm comes I am washed by the water." It talks about how some people talk trash and are mean - but no matter what we're washed by the water. (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?book_id=33&chapter=36&verse=25&version=31&context=verse)

It's funny how God and music and life and friends get all mingled together in the mix.

And now thanks to last night's shows I have a new band to obsese about: I nine (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZhT89-5ilY) This girl can belt! They rock! Plus - any band that has a CELLO PLAYER wins my vote for cool.

I'm sure Kevin will have pictures on his blog.

Rough Day

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet,
though trials should come,
Let this blessed assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.
It is well, with my soul

My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought!
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, O my soul!

And Lord, haste the day when my faith shall be sight,
The clouds be rolled back as a scroll;
The trump shall resound, and the Lord shall descend,
Even so, it is well with my soul.

Growing Up

I'm feeling very grown up today. Or maybe I'm just realizing I'm not 22 anymore. Perhaps this all came about from having a drink with one of my oldest and dearest friends. We were discussing our upcoming 10 year high school reunion - YIKES! I remember back in high school thinking I would have accomplished a long list of things and traveled to an even longer list of destinations. But I love the life I'm living (most days :)

So, yeah a real tax paying (and paying and paying and paying) grownup with all sorts of bills and responsibilities. And now we're hoping to add one more responsiblity - we go Tuesday to see a doctor for a pre-conception prenatal appointment - in English - we're starting to plan a family. Well, an addition to our family. If that doesn't make you feel grown up I don't know what will.

When did all this happen? When did I end up with a full-time job, laundry, dishes, a house to keep clean, dinner to make, prenatal vitamens to take, blah blah blah.

Well... I guess I'm still growing up because there are days when all i want to do is watch cartoons and play video games or go outside and play. Guess I'll always be a little bit of a kid at heart.