10 Things I Learned in New York, NY

1.  Broadway theaters are small, but production is big.
     *  "Memphis" was showing in the Schubert Theater.  It was amazing--we were 4th row, center (good job, Chris!).  The talent is unmatched and the production is a spectacle, even with a relatively simple set like this one.  There were actors popping up out of the floor, dancing across the stage and disappearing back under the floor.  Sets moved "by themselves" on and off the stage.  So cool!

2.  Subways are the best mode of travel (well, besides walking). 
     *  I don't think I would even own a car if I lived in New York City.  Not only is the gridlock frustrating and slow, but the drivers are scary!  There is no where to go, but they're going anyway!  They will make a spot where there is none.

3.  There is another city underground.
     *  I had no idea that the subway system is as complex as an airport!  All these different gates and trains heading to different locations...and we came out in a huge bus terminal several times. 

4.  Though I could never find a trashcan, there was no trash on the ground--anywhere!
     *  Yes, we did see a rat, but that was in the subway, by the rails--what do you expect?  BUT the city was so clean!  I never even saw litter or felt like it was dirty.

5.  Everything you see on-screen about NY is EXACTLY the way it really looks!
    *  I couldn't believe it.  We passed rows of homes that looked just like the Cosby's and Sesame Street.  And Times Square looks just like what we see on Good Morning America and all those other shows.  There are moving advertisements and glittering lights everywhere.  Central Park and Rockefeller Center are just as they appear in all the films (except there's a bigger line to go ice-skating).

6.  The sea of HUMANITY is humbling and eye-opening.
    *  I've never in my life experienced being in such a huge crowd of PEOPLE.  Now granted, we left the day before New Year's Eve, so I'm sure that was a big part of it.  But even mid-week, there were just people everywhere.  Hustle and bustle all around you.  I think you could either feel "part of something" or lost in the masses.

7.  People can be kind in New York, NY. 
    *  New Yorkers are often painted as impatient, even rude.  But I never felt this (except in traffic).  Actually, we were offered help on two different occasions (I guess we looked like lost tourists).  And even in the worst crowds, bottle-necked on the sidewalk because of a magazine stand, everyone was orderly and patient.

8.  Bored flight attendants tend to get creative.
    *  Someone take that intercom mic away from her!

9.  I am capable to fan frenzy.
    *  This, I never knew.  I was never one to be all-a-flutter about rock or pop singers.  Could never understand why girls would scream out of control, trampling each other for autographs.  Until I saw one my favorite Broadway stars in person:  Adam Pascal.  Oh my.  I wanted to wave from my 4th row seat and scream:  "Adam!!!  It's ME!"

10.  I am the luckiest, most blessed girl in the world.  My husband is the best.
    *  He surprised me with a trip to NY to see a Broadway show.  Childcare arranged.  Knock one off my bucket list.  Thank you, Baby!  (He'll be milking this one for the next 10 years...and that's okay.  It was great!)

Grace and peace.
  

I Am Learning...

1.   I have all the time I need.

                Frankly, I’m a busy girl.  With three children under the age of 7 and a house I attempt to keep up with, I’m also a professor and a choral director.  The Evidence CD project will not produce itself, and I manage a lot of our ongoing details and responsibilities.  Then there’s regular church ministry, trying to be a good neighbor, daughter, friend, wife, and the list goes on and on (as I’m sure you can all relate!).  I have often found myself saying, “I only wish there were more than 24 hours in a day!”

                But there is something our pastor said in a long-ago sermon which stuck with me:  “You have all the time you need (to do what God has called you to do!).”

                God knew what He was doing when He set the earth spinning on its axis.  24 hours IS all I need.  Because I should only be doing what He has asked me to do.  Everything else is wasting my time.  Opportunities come knocking, but I am not meant to walk through every open door.  But I AM meant to give my best to every door HE has opened for me.

2.  God is never surprised.

                I’ll be honest.  Evidence has been thrown some curve balls lately.  But every unexpected situation I’ve had to deal with was only unexpected to me.  God knew they were coming.  And not only is that alone a comfort—to know that He is sovereign and He still called us to our ministry knowing what was going to be thrown at us—but God also prepared some unexpected encouragement to come our way at just the right times.  In fact, quite a bit of it!  I am learning to cling to those home runs during an inning of curve balls.  (Why I’m using baseball analogies, I have no idea.)

3.   The fields are white.

                “The fields are white” is a line from our song, “Be the Evidence.”  And we have experienced some reaping of the harvest lately.  There often are concerts during which we can sense the Spirit moving and visibly see a lot of the audience tracking with the testimonies and the songs. 

                And then there are other concerts.  

                When the energy is more laid-back, it’s more difficult to tell if the message is reaching across from the platform to the pew.  But we have learned those may be the times when God is moving in perhaps just one person.  There is one soul in that audience for whom we are singing—one heart God has purposed to be there and hear the “words of hope and truth.” 

                And it’s worth it.  Every bit of labor spent is worth it for that one person.  They are the harvest and it feels like a feast. 

10 Random Things I Learned in Mexico

10.  How many licks does is take to get to the center of  Bomba Chile sucker? ....Trust me, you don't want to find out.

9.  Stop signs are optional in Mexico.

8.  Mexican police armed with automatic weapons do NOT like their pictures taken.

7.  Mexican taxi cab drivers DO.

6.  Dora and Diego have so much fun doing that zip line! Rapelling off a cliff is a little scarier.

5.  If you're bitten by a White Lipped Snake, you have time to get to the hospital.  If you're bitten by a Coral Snake, you have time to say, "I love you.  Goodbye."

4.  There is no proof that ancient Mayans sacrificed humans to the gods.

3.  You need a new watch in Mexico.  5 Mexican minutes may take 20.  There is no rush!

2.  Dramamine is my friend.

1.  When offered "green bud," "blow," or "nose candy," just say NO.


I could write a whole blog about each of these things from my wonderful, amazing, relaxing vacation, but thought I would spare you the gory details.  Go and be enlightened, my child.


Grace and peace,
Becky

The Special Gifts

I could go on and on about the blessings I have.  Being born into a Christian family and believing in Jesus since practically birth has to top the list.  And second to that, being born in a country where I have freedom to worship and believe Truth.  Of course, my husband and my children, our economic stability, our health and unmeasurable provisions are all biggies that I too often take for granted, but am incredibly grateful for.

But you know how sometimes when God blesses you in very small ways, these are the things you feel tremendously thankful for?  These are the ever-present whisperings of His spirit as He leads you.  These are the ever-soft intimacies as He comforts you.  These are the ever-uplifting encouragements as He prompts you to His work.  It’s like a special little, “I love you.  You are Mine.” 

I have felt these special “gifts” as of late regarding my singing group, Evidence.  I will be honest:  this ministry is hard work!  It is taxing on my health, on my family, and on my schedule.  But I know it’s what I’m called to.  Last night’s concert was a prime example of God pouring out His spirit as we sang.  We could SEE the people tracking with us, crying, smiling, singing, and clapping.  When you’re on the platform, you have the foremost eye view of these “pockets” of people in the audience who are truly being ministered to.  After a long day, half way through the concert, I felt God showing me in His subtle way, “See?  Look at these people.  They are what all this work has been about.  It is worth it because THEY are worth it to Me.”

He has also given me a sense of “rightness” in going forward with our “Friends of Evidence” concert event.  (www.evidencesings.com)  It is right for us to "gift" this concert to our family, friends, and fans.  But it’s really hard to ask for money.  Especially if you’re not absolutely 100% positive that the work for which the money is needed is the right one!  The one that God absolutely 100% positively wants you to do!  And I have continually been waiting to feel a sense of unease about this concert or about our CD recording project as I pray about them.  Yet, I have NOT felt any unsettling or unrest in my spirit about either thing!  While I have no idea how things will turn out in the end…the concert may end up with 13 people in attendance…the recording project may take place in my own basement—ha!….I still maintain a sense of PEACE about them.  A conviction that this IS the path He is showing us.  Thank you, God, for shedding light on our steps—even if it’s one step at a time. 

 

Considering Thanksgiving is about taking time to show gratitude, I thought I’d share about how I’ve been so blessed lately with these little things.  I hope you have been listening for God’s still, small voice as He speaks to you about your life—these are special gifts to be grateful for!

In the In-Between

The in-between weather of summer giving way to fall is a glorious time in St. Louis!  And it got me thinking as I enjoyed my walk around the SCC campus in-between classes this afternoon.  There's a path that circles a large pond with a fountain and since the geese weren't out today, I slipped off my heeled shoes.  I couldn't help but notice how the concrete, which was pleasantly warmed from the sun, felt ice cold in the shade.  And how the college students were spending their in-between time playing frisbie out in the sun...in long sleeves and jeans.  How girls were wearing tank tops with long jeans and fall boots, or hoodies with flip-flops.  I, myself, in fall colors, but a short-sleeved sweater top and sandals.  And how the thin jacket I grabbed for the brisk air I felt upon going out the door this morning, felt too warm after a 20 minute walk in the sun.  I remembered my indecision about the using the AC vs. the heater in my car on my drive to work.  And how we enjoyed a summery BBQ this weekend, topped off with smores around a camp fire.  We're right smack in the middle of the in-between and I love it!

So often, I don't stop to enjoy the in-between of life.  When my kids are learning to roll over, I'm eager for them to crawl.  When they're learning to crawl, I'm thinking ahead to when they'll start walking.  While they're in pre-school, I'm dreaming about all I'll be able to accomplish when they're finally all in grade school. 

But these in-between's are so short!  What do you do in your in-between time in your daily life? Those moments when you're waiting to go from one activity to another.  Do you daydream or create?  Do you work or play?  Do you worry or pray?  Do you even HAVE any in-between time?  My calendar is so full some weeks, I have to try to schedule in down time...in between activities.

As I ponder being in the great in-between (this time between birth and death--or everlasting life, depending on how your view it), I want to live life in the present.  I want to enjoy being where God has placed me, not always looking back or wishing away the present so I can get to the future...but even in the in-between's.

Grace and peace.

How To "Do Not"

No one likes a list of “Do NOT’s.”  But we'd all agree on some, right?

Do not steal.
Do not bear false witness.
Do not commit adultery.
Do not covet thy neighbor’s wife.
Do not murder.

Okay, so some are easier to obey than others.  But there are "do not's" that can be challenging for everyone:  Do not be self-seeking.  Do not be gluttonous.  Do not be boastful or proud.  Do not delight in evil.  Do not be easily angered.  Do not, do not, do not....

Yet God tells us over and over how to love Him best: obey His commands.

“If you love Me, obey My commandments.” John 14:15

Here’s what I love about God: He doesn’t leave us to try as hard as we can to “do not” all by ourselves. In fact, He doesn’t leave us all by ourselves at all!

First, if you are a Christian—you’ve confessed with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead—you have God living in you! That in itself is amazing. Nothing we do is all alone and He gives us power that we don’t have ourselves.

“For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.” Phil. 4:13

Secondly, He commands us to fellowship and worship with other believers. These friends are my lifeline who hold me accountable and encourage me in my faith.

“And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do,

but encourage one another, especially now that

the day of His return is drawing near.” Heb. 10:25

Finally, psychologists tell us that to get rid of a bad habit, you should replace it with another action. Oh, how God knows our minds (He did create them afterall)! And He gave us all sorts of habits and actions and thought processes to “DO” in place of the “Do NOT’s.”

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing.

Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, 

and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are 

excellent and worthy of praise.” Phil 4:8

This, I can DO.  How about you?


Grace and peace.

Big Changes, Mixed Emotions

I've got to admit that I am entering the new school year with mixed emotions.  This summer was a MUCH needed break for me.  I only continued to teach about one day a week this summer, so it was nice to have more time for other things (like songwriting, scheduling appointments, working on all things Evidence (my singing group), and cleaning my house).  Every break, I always have a list of projects I want to get done, and I never get to them all.  But dents have been made.  Appointments have been met.  Family has vacationed.  Songs have been written.

Now it's time to really focus on the nitty gritty of the school year ahead and I'm still working through the emotion of having to put these other things aside, though our vacation bags aren't yet unpacked. 

At the same time, it's always exciting to start a new semester.  I do enjoy the scholarly air of fall and the crispness of a freshly printed course syllabus.  New music for SCC Singers (the community choir I direct) and a whole new group of voices to explore.  The challenge of gently turning the minds of new students who enter Music Appreciation believing Classical music is boring and dull, yet leave with an understanding, appreciation, and even passion for the powerful music that has dominated the Western world for over 400 years.  That's rewarding.

This school year brings about a big change in the Thorn household, too, because both Isaac and Grace will be in school ALL DAY LONG.  We're talking leave for the bus at 8AM and come home at 4PM.  That's soooooo long!  Baby Elijah won't know what to do with himself all day.  And Chris and I will have to make sure to spend quality time with them between the hours of 4 and 8PM each day (when we're home, that is!).  Big changes, indeed.

I am thankful that amidst all of the transition and change, we can count on the One who is unchanging.  It's such a comfort to know that God is good, God has plans for me and for my family, and He is completely in control over every harried detail of my life.  So what if my projects didn't get done?  His purpose in my life is so much bigger.  And that's worth getting excited about.

Grace and peace.