Bless this house...

We are rejoicing that the Lord has provided a home for us in Waldorf, MD! It's a great story...


After looking for the past few weeks and coming up short, we decided to look over in Waldorf. We liked what we saw. It's a neat town and it's closer to Andrews AFB. We began looking but there wasn't much for rent, only for sale. So, I felt prompted to call about a house that was for sale to ask if they would consider renting. The family immediately returned my call and said that the Lord was the only One who knew they would be willing to rent. They asked us to come take a look and we did. I asked "What's the rent?" Then he said "How much can you pay?" I told him what our housing allowance from the Air Force is. WOW- needless to say it's worth more than we're paying. He told me they are Christians and they viewed their home as a gift from the Lord and they would love to see it used in ministry! WOW- we can do that!

Okay- here's the cherry on top- as only the Lord can do-

There's a beautiful, restored antique piano in the home. I comment on how beautiful it is and they ask me if it would be alright if they leave it in the house- WOW! I tried not to squeal! So we are breathing a sigh of relief on this beautiful day in the Commonwealth- not only are Andy's days on I-95 numbered, we are rejoicing in the grand provision of God. He has supplied our needs and gone beyond what we even prayed for! To God be the glory- great things He has done.

LT

Lessons learned from Mom...

I sure do wish I could see my Mom more often. She's a very special lady. I know we all learn so many things from our mothers, but I'm so thankful that God chose her to be my mom. He used her to teach me so much to prepare me for what He's called me to do. I wanted to list just a few of the things my mom taught me...

*how to love Christ and His church

*how to love and submit to my husband

*how to play the piano and sing harmony

*how to cook

*how to feed a crowd

*how to play softball

*how to drive a stick shift (she was more patient than Dad)

*how to make a house a home

*how to be a good friend

*how to pack a picnic- especially for tailgating

*how to find a bargain

*how to lovingly care for a dying parent

*how to be a fun grandma

Mom, I wanted you to know that I'm so grateful for your life, your example, and that you're my mom. I love you and wish you a Happy Mother's Day!!

To all my "sisters in motherhood" out there... "For He who has called you is also faithful to do it!" He will give us the grace to be godly mothers...

Blessings,

LT

City Livin'...

The longer we're here, the more we're enjoying the sights. There's something for everyone, that's for sure. We enjoyed the BEST meal of our lives Saturday night as we sat on the top floor of a hotel dining at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. It was the best red meat, EVER! We watched planes take off from Reagan Airport and watched the city begin to light up and bustle. You could see the dome lit at the Capitol and the Washington Monument in the distance. It was a memorable anniversary. City livin'...




But I really wanted to tell you about last weekend. We drove down to Fredricksburg, VA (about 20 minutes from our house) and we toured the battlefield in Chancellorsville. TJ "Stonewall" Jackson is a favorite hero of ours. This is where he was mortally wounded and later died on May 10, 1863. The stories written about him, his faith, his theology, his family are just inspiring!

We're enticing you to come for a visit. There's so much fun to be had!
Blessings,
LT
PS- We are still trying to find a place to live. We covet your prayers for our family. We know Jehovah-Jireh knows the time and place and will provide!

"Love is friendship on fire!"

"He made the sun,

He made the moon...

to harmonize in perfect tune.

One can't move without the other. They just have to be together.

And that is why I know it's true, You're for me and I'm for you.

And this world just can't be right without you in my life...

When God made you, He must have been thinking about me."

These words from Natalie Grant's "When God Made You" could not say it better.

Saturday at high noon (that's right, cinco de Mayo) will be our 17th wedding anniversary. It's funny because neither of us can imagine it being 17 years. We still feel like we're on our honeymoon. I still get excited every afternoon when he drives up. He can make me laugh like nobody's business. He lets me cry on his shoulder and he makes our home so much fun. Best of all, he pursues Christ. So, as I follow him in this life, I know where we're going!

I've heard the quote that "Love is friendship on fire!" Well, that's true at the Thornley house.

Happy 17 years, my beloved, my best friend!

LT

The Final Word...

Well, after several months of assignment changes and quite the roller coaster ride (I hate roller coasters, BTW), Andy has orders to continue here in the NCR (National Capitol Region) at Andrews AFB just to the east of DC in Maryland. Well, Andrews AFB, home of Air Force One, is located in a crime-riddled section of town and base housing is not an option for a while, so...


We are praying for direction and a place to live. Our current home is just too far away from the base and our landlord has the house on the market. We would covet your prayers for base housing to open at Ft. Belvoir (a base that would cut the commute from 40 miles to 16 miles for Andy) or that the Lord would show us where we should live for the next 3-4 years. Now, for all you folks who haven't made it up to DC are jumping for joy, because now you have more time to come up and see the sights (and us!) We appreciate your prayers! LT

A loose tooth, snow and a big birthday!

Rachel could not be happier. Not only did "God make it snow on my birthday!" but "God gave me a wiggly tooth, too!" What a wonderful birthday. After a trip to Build-a-Bear and Chuck E.Cheese, who would think it could get much better for a six year old? Well, it was a special day and we are so thankful for her life, her spunk, her tender heart to the things of God. Can she really be six years old??

Rachel's first birthday- top left.

Rachel- around two trying to doctor Abigail.

Another snowfall in VA- We better enjoy it. It might be a while before we see anymore snow!!

Changing...

You know the old saying, "Nobody likes change except a wet baby..." has a lot of truth to it. Change is tough. Change wears on the mind and body. Change is hard...but also a necessity. The seasons change. Our hairstyles change ( I know, losing the 80's look was especially hard for me!). Our relationships change. Our tastes in food and many other things change. I even look at our girls. They change almost weekly...not just their favorite friend or hobby, but their little minds and bodies change constantly. And not just because they are female, but because they are growing, learning, and maturing. In this new year, I have one thing on my mind- channeling their changes through the Word of God. I want to take my mothering, mentoring, discipling to the next level with our three little daughters of Eve. I pray for grace to nurture, love, discipline, persuade, and train them to be "polished cornerstones in the king's palace..." None of this will happen without the empowering of the Holy Spirit in me.

Another word about change- every year when I pack up our Christmas decorations, I find myself wondering where I'll unpack them next Christmas. See, that's the thing about change. Once you get used to it, it's not so bad.

Happy New Year! May the changes the sovereign Lord brings across your way this year serve to make you more like Him and more dependent on Him.

Let's glorify God and enjoy Him even more in 2007!

LT

The Nativity Story

The highlight of our Christmas weekend was when we took the family to see The Nativity Story. It was a movie that brought tears to the eyes (and down the cheeks) and joy flooded our hearts!
We have been talking about it ever since. Watching the birth of Christ and the ridicule and scorn that befell Mary and Joseph and the holiness and humbleness they portrayed was, in a word, worshipful. We sat and worshiped... go see it, take the whole family- buy the DVD, too! It will make your soul sing "Joy to the World" not just at the annual Christmas Eve service, but the whole year through! His birth gives us hope for the New Year. Ironically, the entire world keeps time by the birth of our King. Hallelujah, what a Savior! I'll leave you with a line from the movie-

the three kings come to the place where the Babe lay and they present him with the three gifts-

Here's the gist of what they say..."gold, for the King of Kings; frankincense, for our great High Priest; and myrrh, for the greatest sacrifice that will be for all time."

soli Deo gloria!

LT

Vamos!

Well, since I made you cry with the last post, here's a funny one. Little Miss Abigail is quite the social butterfly. She will meet a new friend in every elevator, restuarant, hotel and store we visit. It takes only a few seconds for her to flash those big blues and make one of her infamous "faces" and boom, a new friend. Language seems to be no barrier for Abigail either! She is picking up on some Spanish...either from our stint in central California or our frequent visits to El Charro (the next best thing to Monterrey's). There was one small hitch on Saturday...

Abigail (and her shadow) walk up to two little sisters speaking spanish. She walks up and cooly, calmly joins in the conversation saying, "Vamos!" They look at one another, stunned, maybe even offended. Abigail says again, "Vamos!" (accent and all!) The sisters take off running. Rachel (always looking for a good thing to tattle) comes running to me and says, "Mommy, I think Abigail is being rude in spanish!" For my "no habla espanol amigos, "vamos" means "Go! Go!" Abigail has ALOT more Spanish (and friend-making etiquette)to learn and so many friends yet to meet. We'll work on it!

On a more theological note, this week is "Thankful Hearts Week" at the Thornleys! No complaints, no "I wish..." statements... only "I'm thankful for..." and "Thank you Lord's..." and "Thanks, mom and dad..."will be counted up. Their only "job" this week is to see how many thankful things they can say and record on their charts!

On a historical note... we've been learning about the First Thanksgiving. It's interesting to note that Squanto, the famous Indian who befriended the Pilgrims was actually converted to Christianity during his stay at a monastery in Spain. He was sent there as a slave, but heard the gospel and came to faith in Christ. He was released and returned to America to find his entire tribe desimated. All he ever had was gone. But... he had Christ. This is why he reached out in love and befriended those so much different than himself. This is why he told other tribes about his newfound faith. This is why he was drawn to the Pilgrims. They all served the one, true God. This is the greatest thing they thanked God for so many years ago. Another interesting tidbit... Squanto invited many Indians, from other tribes, to join in the feast. They came reluctantly but they witnessed Christ in the lives of so many on that day. Oh the stories of God's sovereignty, His protection, His grace, His love, His preservation that must have been heard that afternoon. And thank goodness, Squanto was there to interpret the testimonies! God is sovereign!

soli Deo gloria...sola fide...sola Christo...sola scriptura...sola gratia...

This is how America's story began...I'm so thankful to celebrate this American holiday because it is truly a Holy-Day for Christians.

Blessings for your Thanksgiving...from our home to yours,

LT (from all the pilgrims and indians at our house)

A Time to Remember...

This past Saturday was an opportunity to visit Arlington National Cemetery. We were blessed to go with friends from McGuire AFB (the Cady's) and lay flowers on the grave of Claire's father and brother-in-law. The girls were respectful and happy to lay their roses by each marker. Rachel, however, saved a rose... she asked me to follow her around a corner to talk and she wanted me to lean down to hear her whisper. As tears filled her little hazel eyes, she asked me if she could save that flower to put on her birth mother's grave (aka "Miss Tania"). She asked very politely and humbly if we could go there now so she could put this rose there. Whew- you could have knocked me over with a feather. Tears flowed down my cheek and Andy came over to see what was up with the two of us. By this time, she is in my arms, sobbing so sadly, and clinging to my neck, rose in hand. I whispered to him what she had just said and then there were three of us... standing on this sacred ground, we were overcome with emotion. Holding her little broken heart, I promised her that one day, we will go and find Miss Tania's grave and we will put the biggest, most beautiful flowers we can find by her marker. We will honor her...her life, her sacrifice and her legacy, and we will...
It took a while for Rachel's tears to subside. She said, "I just miss her." We were happy to report that we will see her again in heaven one day. Rachel seemed soothed at those words and soon that precious moment was gone. Many of you know Rachel, and you know that Rachel has spunk, but for a few minutes on Saturday, she showed a special side- a broken, tender, sweet heart that only the Lord can heal. I thank God for our little Rachel and the tender heart that He is weaving in her. May God give us grace to raise her (and her sisters) to bring Him glory...

LT

Who are those caped crusaders?

Super heroes OR partners in crime???





















Sweet Sarah as a "Renaissance Princess"...



















Happy Reformation Day! LT

Fall in the Commonwealth...

Time is marching on and it's hard to believe that the holidays are approaching. Life here is at warp speed and it seems hard to find time to enjoy the scenery. We did get into the city to see the dedication of the Air Force Memorial on Saturday. What an awesome event! We even took my parents and nephews with us. All of this took place outside of the Pentagon. Seeing the history of the United States Air Force and hearing our Commander-in-Chief say "Thank You to the United States Air Force from a free and grateful nation." made tears come to my eyes. And then our hearts raced as the Thunderbirds gave the Memorial it's first salute from the air with a "Bomb Burst". It was quite a thing to behold.
Andy continues at the Pentagon until mid-January and then he'll be at Bolling AFB for a few months. The girls love school and are making new friends. I love teaching first grade again and due to a large number of children, we've just added another first grade class. My class size decreased (from 27 to 20), which will be a huge relief.
Moving sure does take its toll on every part of your being. You get through it on adrenaline and then when the dust settles, you're just tuckered out. But moving has been a tremendous classroom for learning spiritual lessons in my life. I'm learning to trust my heavenly Father more each day. I heard a sermon recently about our earthly circumstances are not meant to "satisfy" us- that's what Jesus is for... if we were "satisfied" with the ways things are, we would not rely on Christ like we are commanded to do.
John Piper says it best- "God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him."
We press toward the goal... and rejoice through it all.
We send you love from the beautiful and busy...Commonwealth of Virginia, LT

Resolved

Working at the Pentagon is a constant reminder that we are in a war, and no, we aren't over the attacks of Sept 11, 2001 yet. At least the families of the victims and the people I work with are not over it. I had the privilege Monday of helping with the 911 memorial services here. Got to listen to the Vice President's speech up close; meet the Secretary of Defense and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and watched President Bush and the First Lady hug and cry with the victims' familes at the wreath laying at the crash site on the Western Wall. From what I saw, our leaders sincerely care. But the most profound moments of the day were spent with two of the still-grieving families, just sitting down and listening to where they are in this journey of sorrow. As folks were milling about the memorial, waiting for the President to appear, I sat down beside an older couple and struck up conversation. The father, a retired sheet metal contractor, was talkative about his son who was in the Pentagon that day. Trying to get beyond the agony of his death, he volunteered to join the team rebuilding the site. He would personally lay the duct work in the office where his son died, a memorial to his boy and a testament to the American spirit. What a family. What a nation. I said goodbye to him and his wife realizing that we are in this fight for many reasons, not the least of which are the families. They deserve to see justice served. May God grant us the resolve to serve it.

--A.T.

Home, Sweet Home

You've heard, "Home is where your heart is." Or "Home is where you hang your hat." Well, it's a puzzling question, but where is home exactly? Especially for a PK, now turned military wife, where is home? Well, our earthly home is just where we are together as a family. It can be TLF quarters, our parent's homes, a church, or right here in our beautiful new place. We are together. We are hanging pictures. We are trying to learn our way around. We are "home" again, at least for a little while. BTW- there are some pretty famous homes in this neck of the woods...

Thanks for all your prayers and support. Andy's new job assignment for six months is in the Secretary of Defense's office with a Families Commission. His next rotation will be at Bolling AFB in the Chief of Chaplain's office for six months. After that, we don't know. He is learning the DC bus system, and it seems to get him there in one piece without any road rage to speak of. It has been long days with an "Early to bed, early to rise..." Ben Franklin theme. The girls are settling in and I started back to work this week. It's a wonderful school and better yet, just down the street from our house! We are enjoying God and hopefully, glorifying Him and looking forward to a permanent eternal home. Blessings from the Commonwealth of Virginia, LT

Our Time in SC...

Thanks for all the prayers. We made it safely to visit family and friends in SC. You've heard of "jet lag", well, we had "car lag." It seemed to take me a few days to recover from the long trip. Andy said all that needed a rest was his ears- because little Rachel and Abigail were his passengers.

Time in Spartanburg flew by and included a birthday party for Sarah, lots of family time, too much good food, a trip to a water park, and Piggy Park in Columbia. We had a reunion with some dear old friends from high school (and earlier). It was great to see all our children together.

We've been in Georgetown this week with family. We've enjoyed some beach time at Pawley's Island, the Myrtle Beach Pavillion, and visiting more good, old friends. I even ran into some former students. I taught them in first grade and now they are sophomores in college. Could I really be that old?? We are ready to hit the road on Sunday for our last leg of this PCS. We will be glad to come to rest at our new home in Virginia. The Lord is so good... LT

Coast to Coast: Days Six and Seven

Twin cities? Or Twilight Zone?

The blog went undone last night because we got lost in a time portal or parallel universe. And when the portal is East St Loius, bad things are gonna happen . . . .

This was pretty bad. As we were laying around in our comfy Comfort Inn after the days journey, eager to visit old friends in O'Fallon, it was brought to our attention by one of these old friends on the phone that something was terribly wrong. We were in the wrong O'Fallon . . . and the wrong state, for that matter! Did you know there are two cities named "O'Fallon" within 45 miles of each other? That's right--neither did we. One is west of St. Louis and the other is east of St. Louis. And both have Comfort Inns. Guess which one we were in? Yep, the wrong one. So we had to scramble, reload the caravan, and head through St Louis at rush hour and a blinding thunderstorm. Our friends got a good laugh out of this, but I think we still could use some counseling to get over the trauma. Apparently this happens quite a bit since the cities are so close. It just seems plain wrong that the O'Fallon clan of old couldn't get along and had to start dueling cities on opposites sides of the river!

Meeting with friends has been the icing on the cake for this trip, though. Leigh gets all the credit for setting these reunions up. Last night we saw the gang from the McGuire Evangelical Service (01-04) at the Dougherty's, and tonight we had dinner with our dear friends from our last pastorate, the Fowlers. Jason is an archivist at the Southern Theo Seminary library, and one of the smartest and funniest guys we know. Michelle is an awesome school teacher who can match his wit. We have too much fun chewing on theological, philosophy, and schemes to save organized religion in America. They are great and we miss their fellowship. Thanks for a great night in Louisville!

Tomorrow is the last leg of the trip to SC. We hope to see my brother in Ashville before rolling into Spartanburg in the evening. Keep us in your prayers--we ain't there yet!

SDG--AT

Coast to Coast: Day Five

We swung into Fort Hays (or what's left of it) this morning on the way out because the kids wanted to see the buffalo herd. We weren't really interested in taking the tour of the fort, particularly after the museum worker told me that Matt Dillion never really delivered any prisoners there. The Officer's Quarters (virtually all that's left of the fort's structures) caught our attention. They almost looked more inhabitable than the one's we just left at our last assignment!

The buffalo "herd" (as it was advertized) looked pretty thin at five. Tetunka has seen better days. Sorry for the rear shot, but apparently these guys aren't real impressed with tourists.


We passed the Eisenhower Presidential Library in Abeliene, and if we had more time we would have stopped. We like Ike. Ironically, road crews were reconstructing I-70 along that stretch of highway with some of the most elaborate machinery and materials I've ever seen in road construction. Perhaps it was a nod to the President who concieved of the interstate system 50 years ago.

We rest tonight in Independence, Missouri, home of the 33rd POTUS, Harry Truman. We'll drop into his presidential library and home in the morning, Lord willing. I've gotta admit I'd much rather see Eisenhower's crib, but Truman intrigues me. One of our most unlikely of presidents, he was a failed businessman who never graduated college. He was the last choice to replace an unpopular VP under Roosevelt, who apparently rarely if ever met with him. HE FIRED GEN MACARTHUR (that's a foul), and he had an approval rating of 22% the last year of his presidency (and the press sounded the death knell when Pres Bush's rating hit 31% in May?!). Through all that and numerous scandals caused by his political appointees, ole Harry still rates as one of our best presidents. Maybe it is because he honestly spoke his mind. Or maybe he didn't have a pollster on staff. And maybe we'll get enlightened tomorrow.

After that, its off to St Loius to see our old pals from the McGuire AFB Chapel. I love reuinions.

SDG--AT

Coast to Coast: Day Four

So this is Middle America.

Oh yes, we are in Kansas, Dorothy. Hays, Kansas, a name I remember from Gunsmoke episodes as a town where Marshall Dillion always had to go to fetch a prisoner (and usually get bushwhacked by said prisoner and his buddies on the way back). There's not much to Hays, pop. 20,103. But it looked like the gates of heaven after 350 miles of nothing from Denver. In fact, I think "Hays" is a Shawnee Indian word meaning "finally, something!"

So that's our one Kansas photo. Don't let those trees in the foreground fool you--that shot was actually on the Colorado border. I just couldn't motivate myself to take a picture of endless prairies. We came a gopher's breath from going into "Prairie Dog Town" to see "the world's biggest prairie dog" and "6-legged steer." That's what prairie stare will do to you.

Seriously though, we realize we are in America's Breadbasket. We would be hurting without the vast agricultural activity of this state.

So we ate at the Golden Corral tonight to celebrate.

See you in Missouri tomorrow, Lord willing!

SDG--AT

Coast to Coast: Days Two and Three

Hi folks:

Sorry for combining two days, but it turns out that the internet doesn't work too well in Green River, Utah. It is in the middle of NOWHERE, after all. They did have a cool Jon Heder (Napolean Dynamite) billboard though. The kids spotted it first. Figures. They all know the "I Love Technology" song by heart.

Today we stopped in Rifle, Colorado. Had lunch with old friend Cathy Rex Rossilli and her family. Cathy was in our wedding 16 years ago and discipled Leigh. Great people and we wanted to spend more than 45 minutes with them, but we had a train to catch.

If you've never been up I-70 from Grand Junction to Denver, you have yet to see God's Country. Plug in a little John Denver and enjoy the view. The kids miss most of that, of course, and just want to know when the next tunnel is ahead. The Eisenhower Tunnel is the mother of all tunnels that we've ever traveled--1.7 miles long, with an elevation of 11,000 feet. It was a chore making it up the 7 percent grade pulling 3,000 lbs, expecially after lunch at Sonic.

But Georgetown, Colorado was waiting at the top! I called Dad and told him we were in town, but he figured out pretty quickly it was not Georgetown, South Carolina, the place of my nativity. Still can't pull one over on that guy . . . .

We arrived just in time to catch the last train on the Georgetown Loop Railroad. Check out the pictures and you'll get the "loop" part. It was a trip back in time as one can imagine it hauling silver ore down the mountains. Apparently the silver mining was so big in the late nineteenth century that it was the 3rd-largest city in the state. Its pretty much a ghost town now, which may be bad since we're staying here tonight.

Its Kansas tomorrow, Deo volente.

Coast to Coast: Day One

Greetings Friends--

Having completed our tour at Vandenberg AFB on Friday, we have set out on our cross-country trip back to SC and then on to the Pentagon assignment. Thought you might be interested to read our travelogue, since nothing is ever boring with three little girls in tow . . . especially for 3,000 miles.

Today we are overnighting in Henderson, NV, the less-grungy sister city of Las Vegas. Yeh, they still have the casinos, but you don't get the street hawkers passing out flyers to peep shows. This is probably because with no shade and 110 degrees, hawkers would have to be on an IV to avoid passing out themselves.

The big jewel today was the Hoover Dam, and yes, it was "dam" big. Sorry, I couldn't help myself. No more cussing, but take a look at the pics (click on to enlarge). It is quite the engineering marvel, a testament to a time in America when people worked harder. Apparently the project was completed two years early and several million under budget (and this was government work?!). We didn't take the tour (couldn't imagine a 7 and 5 year old being interested in water turbines), but we drove over and peered over the sides. I would have gotten more dizzy if I weren't so sick from the 108 degree heat. Somehow, a more sturdy generation of Americans braved the heat and the heights putting this thing in place.

Back in town, we enjoyed a West Coast experience we will sorely miss--the good ole In-N-Out Burger. We ate there for the last time tonight, since there are none outside of CA, AZ, and NV. Fresh cut fries, never frozen hamburger meat, absolutely fresh everything, in the cleanest restaurant you've ever stepped into, and with workers who look like they just walked out of a "Leave It to Beaver" episode. And this is cool--John 3:16 printed on all the cups! So eating fatty meats and fried potatoes is actually supporting the Kingdom of God, wouldn't you say? Yes, I hear that "AMEN" from my portly buddies across America.

Off to Utah tomorrow . . . another state I am fairly certain the Lord never intended for man to inhabit. We'll just be "pilgrims passing through," of course.

Good night.