Isaiah 65:24

"I will answer them before they even call to me.
While they are still talking about their needs,
I will go ahead and answer their prayers!"
Isaiah 65:24




I would have never guessed that this simple verse I hold near to my heart would ring true multiple times in the last year. I found myself fully understanding and treasuring this undeniable promise from God the day he blessed me with the miracle of motherhood. Trever and I have always planned on having babies as soon as we possibly could after we were married. However, the time it took to fulfill this ambition was inconceivable. Those close to us can attest to Trever's unwavering desire of experiencing fatherhood and I feel humbled and truly blessed to have granted him his aspiration. Knowing how much his heart yearned to become a father… the moment I found out my mind was racing with how to tell him. After several hours of brainstorming… a simple slideshow and a sweet poem made all his dreams become reality. That Tuesday night is a night that will be forever cherished in our relationship. To think nothing in the world could feel this incredible, we quickly learned we were wrong. .. then came our pregnancy confirmation appointment and the sweetest sound I have ever heard… our baby’s heartbeat. My sisters warned me that hearing the heartbeat is indescribable and life changing… I can honestly say I had no idea. That steady rhythmic beat… was the sound of a true miracle… OUR miracle. Nothing in this world could amount to the joy Trever and I felt as we listened hand in hand to the sound of our prayers being answered.

David Allen

Last night I had the privilege of spending time with my big brother. .. every time I think of David I can’t help but think of the remarkable caliber of his character. He has a way about him that can take the most intense moment that is at its peak of emotion and calm the waters with a simple phrase and his soothing demeanor. He is a wise soul who sees every scenario in life through a deep retrospect. His wisdom stems from his life experiences in which I genuinely admire. David left home before the age of twenty and embarked on his journey in the United States Air Force. Initially his nearly perfect score on the ASVAB rewarded him with his choice of career field… Avionics was the direction God lead him in. Within a couple of years his drive and tenacity directed him to his next adventure… the prestigious Presidential Honor Guard. Like most ambitions in David’s life, this goal was attained in a matter of months. However, David did not stop there… you see the resolve in his character wouldn’t allow that. David’s remarkable work ethic and dedication to the service didn’t go unrecognized… he was promoted within several months to an Instructor in the Presidential Honor Guard where he worked daily among our fallen heroes in Arlington National Cemetery. He helped lay to rest his fellow veterans with prestige, honor and respect. After reading this, I hope you can understand my unfailing admiration for my big brother… I de mos David!

Soul Food...

Growing up we were blessed to have an amazing southern momma who cooks better than any restaurant chef. I pinky swear that to this day we get to choose our favorite meal and she cooks it for us on our birthday. We never wanted birthday dinner at a restaurant...nope…why would we when we had the best chef in town? When I grow up I want to be my mom. One of the greatest joys of being married is cooking for my husband and the other night I made one of my mom's classics: Chicken Divan. The moment Trev went back for a second helping I smiled to myself and for a moment felt that sweet feeling that my mom must feel every time she cooks for us. It truly warmed my soul... maybe that's why they call it soul food…



Chicken Divan
Recipe:

3-4 Chicken breasts cooked and cut into bite sized pieces
2 Pounds of cut frozen broccoli
2 Cans of Cream of Chicken soup
1/2 Cup of mayonnaise
Curry Powder to taste~we like it pretty strong
Seasoned bread crumbs
Grated cheese
Retro baking pan (Crate and Barrel)

1. Put the broccoli in the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan
2. Cook the chicken on the stove then spread the chicken over the broccoli
3. Cover the top of the chicken with grated cheese
4. Mix the soup, mayonnaise and curry thoroughly and spread over the cheese
5. Cover the top lightly with the bread crumbs
6. Bake in a 350 degree oven for 1 hr to an 1 1/2
7. Enjoy!!