Murfreesboro, TN: Shawn and Erin

Shawn and I met in Akron, Iowa when I was…well…young. I can’t even remember how long it’s been. I think we’ve probably known each other for over 20 years. Scary. Our families lived across the street from each other…and when we moved to Waverly, Iowa, Shawn’s family moved there too. Our lives and families have been intertwined for as long as my memory goes back. We even went to prom together…as friends :) We have always kept in touch…but he’s been all over the world since he and Erin got married, and we have rarely been able to see each other. So when the opportunity came up to spend Thanksgiving with them…we jumped at it.

Shawn and Erin have a cute little house just outside of Nashville in a town called Murfreesboro. He is currently the manager of a Starbucks there during the day…and at night he morphs into a rock star. :) Shawn Fin and The Flipping Birds. Check him out. Erin in a fine arts professor at Middle Tennessee State University. She was particularly glad to see us pull up…she was hiring Matt to build a wall in their garage to complete her art studio. They did indeed complete the wall…I’ve never seen Erin so happy :)

We had such a fantastic, leisurely time with them…Shawn made “authentic” Starbucks caramel lattes for us whenever our little hearts desired and Erin and I cooked up a storm :) Potato Corn Chowder, Tofu Tacos, Fresh Spring Rolls (yum!). Kelli, Erin’s sister came over on Thanksgiving to spend the day with us. I had met her many years ago in Iowa, so it was great to see her again. The weather was so beautiful…and Bella loved being outside with Athena the Dog and swinging on the tire swing.

Matt and Shawn (and Bella) had fun playing in the music room. Shawn has a recording studio in his house…complete with a sweet harmonizing machine that automatically harmonizes with you when you sing into the microphone. It was crazy! Bella was pretty delighted with this little contraption and spend many hours in their singing with her daddy.

Erin is pregnant with their first child :) so we had fun talking about all things birth and baby. We are so excited for them to reproduce…what fun to have a little mixture of them running around. It was such a blessing to have all that time to spend with them…it’s been so long. Reunions are great!

Photo album here.

Spring Hill, TN: Matt and Jessie

Vintage Remedies is a sponsor of our tour…so we were very excited to pull into Spring Hill, TN and meet Jessie…our “herbalist on the road”! We got the RV parked and headed inside, where Jessie made us the most delicious coffees :) Yum! It made me want to find an RV-size espresso machine! Bella was anxiously awaiting for the arrival of “the kids” from school…and when they did get there, it was crazy! :)

Friends began to arrive for supper…and we enjoyed some yummy homemade pizza while the kids played and played. We loved talking with all of their friends…so many like-minded folks. Good times.

We’ve been so happy with Jessie’s sponsorship…she is a really terrific herbalist, and has been such a help to us. If you are looking to get more familiar with holistic medicine for you and/or your family, but don’t know where to start…do check out her site. She does long-distance consulting and also has a correspondence Master Herbalist course. The course is taught with a Christian worldview and is really informative. She’s offering a free aromatherapy cleaning kit if you purchase the course before Dec. 20.

Photo album here.

Johnson City, TN: Charlie and Angela

It was after 11:00 p.m. when we pulled into the church parking lot…but Angela was still there to meet us (what a trooper!). Her father is a pastor there, and we were able to enjoy a private little corner of the lot, with electricity! :) Angela and I have corresponded via email for several years now…it was a delight to finally meet her in person. We hugged, and chatted, and then agreed that we had better get some sleep!

The next day, we met many of Charlie and Angela’s friends…had a great time chatting, drinking tea, eating cookies, and doing laundry. On Sunday, we attended Heritage, her dad’s church and thoroughly enjoyed the fellowship and sermon. After lunch, we went out for Indian food with her parents…yum yum! It was my birthday, and a I enjoyed my birthday lunch immensely! :) That night, we attended their church, The Assembly (a 3 year old church plant). Charlie is the pastor there… and it was great to see him in “action”. It was so neat to see all that God is doing in their lives and in the lives of their friends.

We headed out on Monday morning…but we made plans to meet back up in Asheville, NC the next weekend. So stay tuned!

Photo album here.