Southern Oaks

08/28/2026

Devo 8/27/26
When I was a little girl I remember seeing the adults in my life turn 40. Back then it seemed so old. I noticed how some would be really upset and bothered by the thought of aging. Then others seemed to embrace it and be thankful for another year to celebrate.
Each individuals personality is probably the greatest determining factor in which way they handle growing older. But for me, with every passing year, I am more thankful. - Thankful my boys still have their momma. Thankful for the years my husband and I get to add to our anniversary. Thankful I get to watch my nieces and nephews grow up. Thankful my parents and in-laws are all still here with us. I’m especially thankful the Lord has given me the gift of being here long enough to soon welcome a new granddaughter. 💕
What a privilege it is to get up each day and love those who are dearest to me. What an honor it is to influence and encourage the young adults in my life. What a joy it is to still actively pursue my purpose.
While some may see growing older as a sad, slow ending to the youth they once had, I see it as an opportunity to continue walking out my faith and purpose. I hope you might consider thinking of aging as an opportunity too because it’s never too late to make a difference.♥️

Psalm 71:17-18
17 O God, You have taught me from my youth; And to this day I declare Your wondrous works.
18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, do not forsake me, Until I declare Your strength to this generation, Your power to everyone who is to come.
Psalm 91:16
16 With long life will I satisfy him, and shew him my salvation.

Pics of a chocolate fudge cake for a customer who shares my birthday! 🍰🎂🥳

08/27/2026

08/26/2026

Living Water
Too many times I’ve said, I’m a mom, first.” Or maybe you say “you’re a dad, first.” An avid sports fan? A business woman, a music minister… a dog lover, a tradesman, a nurse, a daughter, a friend? Everyone knows what we mean. That area of our lives is our top priority. And most often we are very proud of it!
That’s right, taking care of your kids, being a good provider or being a passionate person are all admirable. Before we know it, though, those same admirable things can become the God of Our lives. How do we know this? We know when those areas of our lives leave no time to be thirsty for the Father.
Do you long for the next time you will sit at the feet of Jesus? Is He who’s steadily on your mind? Does His river of living water flow out of you when you speak to your children, watch TV, rush out the door in a hurry, when someone at work makes your mad, or when your favorite team loses? What pours out of you when you’re stretched?
I don’t ask this in judgement. I promise. Just as God has brought this to my attention, I share with you as a reminder, an opportunity. Search your heart and put Him first because He who believes in God, out of His heart will flow living water.
John 7:37-39
37 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39 But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those [a]believing in Him would receive; for the [b]Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

Week night dinner pics- Lemon Herb Roast Chicken with potatoes and onions. 😋

08/24/2026

Wait
So often we try to force things to happen in our own time, with our own plans. Sadly, I have done this more times than I can count. I get excited, determined and even a little bossy. 😝
Maybe this isn’t for you, but if you’re anything like me, you know, We get impatient and push for things to happen that sometimes aren’t YET Gods will. That doesn’t mean they aren’t in His grand plans, but it does mean it must be in HIS perfect time.
The business plans, the job promotion, the scholarship opportunity, the reconciled relationship… He has great plans for us but we have to first commit our ways to His ways and trust His timing. This means we have to practice the dreaded word “patients.”
Time and time again, I have seen the goodness of God work in my life. Yet, still, this is a challenge for me. I know I can trust Him. I know that if it isn’t His way, I don’t really want it- but I become impatient. And then frustration follows along with disappointment and ultimately the feeling of defeat.
It was never His plan for us to Spiral down this way. There are many emotions and struggles we can avoid in our lives if we simply follow the instruction of His Holy Word. May we pray for His will to be revealed in our lives and may we pray for the patients to wait on Gods perfect timing to fulfill it. Jesus has all the answers- yesterday, today and forever!
Psalm 37:5-9
5 Commit your way to the Lord;� trust in him and he will do this:
6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,� your vindication like the noonday sun.
7 Be still before the Lord� and wait patiently for him;�do not fret when people succeed in their ways,� when they carry out their wicked schemes.
8 Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;� do not fret—it leads only to evil.
9 For those who are evil will be destroyed,� but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.

Pics of the dessert table at Angel Grove Baptist Churches ladies luncheon. 😋

08/24/2026

08/24/2026

Well, when you see me being extra… birthday cakes, home decor, holiday celebrations- just know, I got it from my Momma. 🤣😜
She cooked the best steak dinner and Italian Cream cake today for our August birthdays! 😋😋😋

08/21/2026

Performance
Football season is a big deal in our house. All sports are, really, but there’s definitely a sweet spot for football. The fun and anticipation of every new season full of Friday night lights, game day shirts, tailgate foods and cheering on our favorite Corner Back with friends and family is something we look forward to every year.
With the official High School season starting today, our athlete is heavy on my heart and mind. While there’s so much fun to be had, there’s a lot of pressure for these guys to perform and I can see it weigh on them. The coaches want a win. His dad and I want a win. NO ONE wants that win more than he does. As mom, though, if he doesn’t win, I wonder, will he still know his worth? Does he fully understand how much we love him; good or bad, win or lose? Because we do. We do love him win or lose.
Our love is not based on his performance. He could never play again and our endless love for him would remain the same. Nothing will ever change that. Just as nothing will ever change Gods love for you. You can walk away. You can cause disappointment, you can lose the game time and time again, but He’ll always be there waiting to shower you with His unconditional love.
Romans 5:8
8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Ephesians 2:4-6
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,

Pics of a tailgate party when our oldest was playing for the Davidson Wildcats! 🏉🏉🏉

08/20/2026

Overwhelm
When I turned 30 something in my body seemed to shift. The things I had always managed with ease began feeling like too much. Now, I look back at that stage of our lives and understand why. With three young boys, one being a new born, and trying to balance part time work with full time homemaker, the stress level was HIGH.
I can close my eyes and almost hear myself start using the word OVERWHELMED in that season. Those first 10 years of marriage with young kids is not for the faint of heart. Life was beautiful but messy and challenging beyond what I had ever done. Often times, I would feel so overwhelmed that I would forget to cry out to God.
Literally, in survival mode, drudging through day to day just checking off the to-do list, and completely forgetting I had a perfect shelter to rest in.
I can only imagine God standing in the room with his massive arms extended out shaking his head while watching me walk in aimless circles saying “why won’t you rest in my arms?” It is my prayer today that we wisely seek shelter in our Almighty God, the God of peace, especially in the midst of our overwhelm.

Psalm 61:1-4
1 Hear my cry, O God; Attend to my prayer.
2 From the end of the earth I will cry to You, When my heart is overwhelmed; Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For You have been a shelter for me, A strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah

Cutting fresh flowers from my yard and arranging them in my home brings me great peace. What a magnificent creator our God is.💕

08/19/2026

Devo 8/19/26
Growing up, I never fully understood how blessed I was to have such loving, devoted parents. I’m not sure you can fully appreciate that sort of upbringing until you are grown and, suddenly, you know someone or see something that opens your eyes to so many others reality. For me, it was my adult experience with foster care… from that moment on I have and will continue to consider my life one of rarity and privilege.
Does that mean we didn’t have challenges or hurt and heartache along the way, certainly not. But I never wondered if I would have a safe house to come home to, a warm bed to sleep in, food for every meal, clothes (even if they were second hand) and a day that ended with a prayer and “I love yous.”
I realize not everyone had this and I intend to make no excuses for abandonment and abuse. However, it is still Gods instruction to honor our parents…. Much like forgiveness, this is far less about them and far MORE about you. It is a commandment with promise. So YOUR days on earth will be long. So it will be well with YOU.
Today’s Culture may tell you it’s ok to cut your parents off but Gods desire is always love, forgiveness and when possible, reconciliation. I say, Choose Counter Culture! Hopefully, then, you might live to celebrate your 90th birthday, too!😉
Exodus 20:12
12 “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.
Proverbs 23:22
22 Listen to your father who begot you,�And do not despise your mother when she is old.
Ephesians 6:1-3
6 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 “Honor your father and mother,” which is the first commandment with promise: 3 “that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.”

Pretty Cake Pic- Sour cream pound cake with buttercream and fresh strawberries. 😋😋😋

08/19/2026

Pro Chef Tip of the Day:

Y’all….. if you are running ragged like I am this week- just know that you are two seconds away from the perfect dessert and you NEVER have to turn on
the oven!! 😝 Dove Milk Chocolates, and salted , toasted pecans…. Sigh******** ☁️☁️☁️☁️ A little bit of heaven on earth. 💋😘