Re-Engage with Your City!

This weekend will be our 13th weekend living in Nashville.

We haven't been home all 13 weekends (we've only been home for five of them) and I don't normally go around counting the weekend anniversaries of how long we have lived in a place, I promise, but something about it feels exciting.

Ryan and I spent the bulk of our growing up lives in the same towns. He grew up in Weatherford, Texas. I grew up in Duncanville, Texas. Then, we spent the first ten years of our marriage living in Dallas, Texas. And we love Texas, we love our hometowns and we love the life we created for ourselves as a couple in the city of Cowboys, Mavericks, margarita drinkers and Tex-Mex lovers.

But something about being in the same place for long periods of time stifles your ability to see the place for what it really is.

Somewhere along the way you get into a comfortable routine. You discover your favorite- or most convenient- restaurants. You find a group of friends, a favorite coffee shop, a church, a good local pub, a park that your kiddos dig, and your movie theatre of choice. Season that with a few annual events you attend each year, like the State Fair, a city-wide food festival and some Christmas events and you are set.

Set to get into a rut, that is!

Ryan and I lived in Dallas for so long that we stopped discovering Dallas.

In fact, we spent so much time excited to discover and explore other cities we traveled to, that we became experts on... Seattle. Santa Monica. New York. Chicago. St.Louis. Boston. We fell in love with their food, their art galleries, their beaches, music and eclectic city-wide events. And while I could tell you about some of the unique experiences you could have in Dallas- much of it would be hearsay. Because for the most part, I indulged in unique experiences in other cities and then bemoaned my own as lacking.

Was Dallas lacking? Or was I safe in my bubble of friends, neighbors, church and suburb? Was Dallas lacking or were we just lazy? During our last two years in Dallas we realized... drumroll please... we had simply been lazy and dreadfully unadventerous!

We spent our last year in Dallas going to these amazing events and places with Annie and then looking at each other saying, "What the heck have we been doing the past 8 years?!? This place is awesome!"

When we grow accustomed to 'our side of the city' and rely on our 'tested and proven favorites' we lose our sense of adventure and miss out on the amazing things our cities have to offer. (Oh, this is so Benjamin Franklin of me. Promoting the shared sense of community and civic goodness of local city events. He would be so proud. And I am officially a Ben Franklin dork and creepster.)

So when we moved to Nashville, we decided we would not make the same mistake again. And we are learning that the most exciting part of starting-from-scratch is the possibility of discovery and adventure. We are embracing everything this city has to offer- or at least giving it a fair shot!

As such- we find ourselves looking forward to each weekend wondering what we will discover. We won't always spend every single weekend going and doing (that would leave us exhausted and broke) but at least during this season, we are exploring our way through this city and enjoying every second of it. Last weekend was the zoo- with the most incredible children's playground I have ever seen. A rooftop restaurant for our anniversary. The free East Nashville Tomato Art Festival and a free city-wide, big band dance at the park! It was the most delightful event, with the most eclectic hodge-podge group of people ever. Over a thousand people dancing under paper lanterns and stars? For free?

It's funny. I meet people who have moved here or have lived here their entire adult lives and I get so excited to talk to them about the amazing things this city has to offer and the usual response is, "Oh- I've heard that is amazing." And I get it. I get living in the same place for a long time and forgetting what's right in front of your nose. I get being in a rut. I spent a long time there.

But I just want to shake them and say, "Go explore your city!"

So now that I have poured out all my city-love dorkiness, I ask you, what are your plans this weekend? Are you trying anything new? Why not! As in, why not try something you've "always heard is great." Go hike that trail, try that restaurant, visit the city library or eat the world-famous cinnamon rolls made by the old ladies that you've always heard about in your small downtown. Take your kids to a different park, shop in a different grocery store. Get on a subway line going the opposite direction of normal! Re-engage with your city! Take an adventure!

and if you do...

Leave a comment and let me know what you discovered!

Pictures

hello friends!

I've missed you! I've been doing the camp thing. One week with Lifeway's FUGE camp in Glorieta, New Mexico. And this past week in the beautiful, but terribly dry, Glen Rose, TX with a bunch of crazy Texas kids!

(Side note: if you are headed to Glen Rose, TX anytime soon I highly recommend pie from Pie Peddlers. I would plan on eating at least three slices. In order: Everyberry. Buttermilk. Chocolate meringue. Pie Peddlers is located on the charming historic square and besides the absolutely to die for pies, the retired school teachers who whip up the creations from scratch and greet each customer at the door will make you delightfully happy. Next, head on over to Storiebook Cafe. Storie is the owner- and she's always there reading a book to children, chatting up the locals, or sliding on the wooden bookshelf ladder. She has basically created her own magical kingdom. I should know. I went there three days in a row! And finally, finish off your gluttonous day right. Hammonds BBQ. Just trust me.)

(side note to the side note: I am officially on a diet. I will not eat ribs and pie on the same day ever again. I promise.)

I've posted new pictures from my trips- you know, mostly of clouds and flowers and windmills and Annie- the normal random Jenny stuff! So if you are bored, feel free to browse and leave comments if you like what you see!

All you have to do is click here.

Or follow this link: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34136456@N08/

I have not forgotten about the music series; camps have just made it a bit hard to get my grown-up work done. So don't worry! I will answer every question that was submitted. Until then, enjoy the new pictures and the update on my homeless friend, Dexter.

L and C and Joplin

Hey Friends- Only three months ago I was in Joplin, Missouri leading worship for a crazy bunch a kids that I grew to love. Over the years, Addison Road has performed numerous times in Joplin. We've grown to love the people. The city. The churches. The Bridge. The frozen custard from Shake's. Even the Home Depot- because of course, it wouldn't be a proper Addison Road trip unless there was a break down- in this case it was not  an emotional breakdown- but mechanical- and the Home Depot man in Joplin actually helped us fix the problem.

Tragedy- in all shapes and sizes- hits closer to home when the people have a name, and the city has a favorite custard shop, and the streets feel a little like your own.

By now, you have seen the devestation that has occured in Joplin, MO and maybe you are wanting to help. Our friend, Greg Walker, is the student pastor at Forest Park Baptist Church located in the heart of Joplin. And simply put, they need money.

"Those wanting to help, the best thing u can do is send money. I know that sounds bad, but it's true. We can use your man power next week and the rest of the year. Now, we need money to feed people, get meds and physical needs. You can do this at www.fpbc.net or theredcross."

Please consider making a donation to help the people in Joplin.

If you want to send your money somewhere where it will be used NOW, please donate at FPBC.net and include "torando relief" in the gift. The church- one of the few very large buildings that remained intact-  is actively providing meals, medicine, water, and serving as a meeting place for volunteers and those who have lost their homes. I trust this church with my money and I believe in the hard work of their members and staff; they will care for people in practical, basic ways over the next 72 hours  and they need our help.

If you live in, near, or  around Joplin and want to help on the ground through Forest Park Baptist Church you can bring bottled water, sandwhiches, and other ready to eat foods to the church's Joplin campus. You can also bring supplies for clean-up efforts. Gloves, shovels, masks, boots, antiseptic, etc.  These are the initial things they are seeking.

Volunteers wanting to help on the ground should report to MSSU's recreation center.

You can also donate blood through the Red Cross.

Whether the tragedy is in Tuscaloosa or Haiti, Japan or New York City- or today, in Joplin, Missouri; Christ followers are called to follow the example of Jesus himself who fed the hungry, comforted the children, healed the sick, and loved people with every means available to Him.

What means are available to you?

Through prayer, volunteering, and giving away our money- we imitate our Savior and we show the world what is best about the human spirit

love and compassion

Whatever means are available to you today... show love and compassion.

Rescue Me

Wait...

please don't.

Just let me die here.

Annie and I had an amazing trip to Hawaii visiting my sister Melissa. It was perfect until we had to come home :) We missed Ryan though;  so the eight hour plane ride (seven and a half of which my precious daughter decided not to sleep), five hour time zone change, and Texas heat were well worth the journey home.  I'll be back to writing soon. Until then, enjoy my Hawaii pictures here.