Filling text/using a clipping mask, then using the knife tool

Hey, new to the forums here, and I have a problem....
I'm digitizing my notes for an earth science class and I'm using Illustrator CS5.
I'm attempting to make a simple text effect which is leaving me baffled.
The text says "Earthquakes" (in Impact, 24pt.)
I wish to texture the text with a photo of sandstone. I can do this.
I wish to cleave the text in twain with the knife tool. I can do this, too.
What I cannot do for the life of me is to cut the text in half after applying the clipping mask.
Nor can I apply the texture (via clipping mask) after cutting the text in half.
I've tried all manner of different combinations, including doing some of the work in Photoshop, and still nothing works.
I tried to create an outline (apparently essential for using the knife tool on text), cut the text in half, and then make the clipping mask, but that only gives me hollow, invisible letters which I can't seem to fill with the appropriate image.
Does anyone out there have any ideas?
In case it's not clear, I want my text to be filled by an image, then I'd like to cut the text approximately in half (I would prefer to use the knife tool, as it looks better with a curved cut)
It's that simple, but I haven't been able to stumble upon a solution on my own.
On a side note, I've also happened upon some tutorials for "cutting text" that involves drawing a line across it, then using Divide from the Pathfinder toolbox, but this keeps giving me errors. Thoughts?

I like your answer because it showcases things I had never thought of. As it happens, minutes after posting this I decided to reverse the workflow from Illustrator into PS and then back.
Essentially, I converted my text via "outlines", used the knife tool, then cut and pasted it into PS. Then I added the stone texture into a new layer and applied a mask. I cropped it and imported it back into Illustrator.
Of course, that's a lot of steps, so as soon as I get back, I'm going to try the way you just described as I think it will come in very handy in the future.
Thank you.
Message was edited by: MercuryCrest

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