I had the privilege today of standing in the rain with a few hundred people who gathered to celebrate the homecoming of a hometown hero.

"This is a real hero you're about to see," mothers told their children.

A real hero is right.

Andrew Wilson graduated from the same high school that I did, and chose to go to Afghanistan to serve in the military this past year. While on patrol on October 19, Andrew was hit by an IED explosion and lost both legs as a result. He's had 11 surgeries with more to go, but he came home for Christmas today. Led by a full police escort and dozens of veterans on motorcycles, he waved at the crowds from his limo window and hopefully felt the pride his hometown had for him. Because for miles, people like me had tears in their eyes as they waved their flags and cheered him on.

We are so proud of you, Andrew.

Welcome home.

Our weekend in pictures.

The weekend.

We had the most glorious weekend celebrating Fall with dear friends. They drove up from Athens, Georgia to be with us and we loved every minute. Some guests leave and you're kind of relieved to get your house and routine back. Others you just wish could stay for a few more minutes... or a few more days. They are those kind of guests (more like family, really). And they happen to be gorgeous and obnoxiously photogenic. :) We did a mini photo shoot while hiking through the woods in one of our favorite spots in Franklin.

The brunettes

 The blondes

 Creek playing

Michael and Staci,
We loved our time with you... the dinners at home, the s'mores, the Christmas music, the Fall Festival,  the community. We are so blessed by your friendship and cannot wait for you to come back!
Lots of love,
The Newbys

Snippet of my hometown.

In response to Kirra's post, I wanted to share a tiny little piece of my hometown that I began to love recently. Ok... actually, I just discovered it today.
{And by the way, Kirra, I love your idea. I'll be writing more soon - and begging you to come visit.}

A little preface...
Today I will have worked a total of 14 hours. I haven't seen Shawn all day (and probably won't - I will get home past midnight), didn't get much sleep last night, and just haven't had a great day. Oh, and every other free moment is consumed with reading for my class. While I would always prefer to have a busy life over a boring one, today has been a bit chaotic for me.

So this afternoon, I had a couple hours of precious free time in Cool Springs, and I was craving a smoothie. I had seen this place before, but had never set foot inside.



9Fruits in Cool Springs (Franklin, TN) - on the corner of Jordan Road and Mallory Lane.

I expected to walk in and order some nourishment for my body.
What the Lord knew is that I needed much more than that - nourishment for my soul.

The song that played as I walked in just so happened to be one of my favorite Hillsong songs, "None but Jesus."

In the chaos, in confusion
I know You're sovereign still
In the moment of my weakness
You give me grace to do Your will

You think He knew exactly what I needed to hear?
I'd say a resounding "yes."
And a resounding, "thank you, sweet Jesus."

While the man behind the counter cheerfully prepared my pineapple-mango-banana-coconut smoothie, a woman waiting for her smoothie closed her eyes and mouthed the words to the song.
Apparently I wasn't the only one who needed that.
I realized, all of a sudden, that I had entered a worship service. In a smoothie shop!

Needless to say, I highly recommend this place. I want to support its business, not only for the delicious smoothies (and mine was fabulous!), but because they're unashamed of Christ. Not shoving a Bible in your face, but displaying a spirit of joy and confidently playing worship music.

I'm a fan.
Go visit 9Fruits!