How Could I Forget?

In all the excitement of becoming engaged to the most amazing man on earth, I completely forgot

to tell y'all about something really special. Something really exciting.  Something really small.

Cody and Tricia are expecting!

I know, I know, we are just completely overflowing with blessings and excitement down here.

I'm going to be an Aunt!  A married Aunt!  Tricia is due mid March.  I think it's a boy, but

I guess we'll just have to wait and see :)

Please keep them in your prayers!

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward."

{Psalm 127:3}

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Enjoying Your Unmarried Years

Today over on Practically Pink, my guest post was

published, and I'd love for y'all to go take a look! It

kind of covers a little bit more of what I was feeling

through my whole "courtship" (or lack thereof), and

general encouragement (hopefully) for you young

ladies still waiting for your hand-picked husband.

Click Here for the post!

Also, I posted some maternity shoot pictures on my
photography blog if you'd like to see those!

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{Psalm 20}

~

May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble!

May the name of the God of Jacob protect you!

May he send you help from the sanctuary and give you support from Zion!

May he remember all your offerings and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices!

May he grant you your heart's desire and fulfill all your plans!

May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners!

May the LORD fulfill all your petitions!

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;

he will answer him from his holy heaven with the saving might of his right hand.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,

but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright.

O LORD, save the king! May he answer us when we call.

~

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"You're Getting Married???"

Yep!  I'm getting married, and here's our story (from my point of view).

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I met Ben in February 2009, we started doing church with his family that October, and we’ve been

around each other since. Early this year, the Lord put on my heart that I was to marry Ben. This came as

a total shock since I didn’t know him all that well. At first I didn’t believe it... but it was inevitable that

God had chosen him for me. I began watching him and studying him, just trying to learn more about

who he is. I wanted to be so prepared to be his wife whenever God laid it on his heart as well.

His parents came to my parents in April with the same thought (that God intended us to be married). My

parents had already seen it coming as well. Both Ben and I are very quiet and reserved, so it made it hard

to get to know each other, but the Lord provided plenty of opportunity through our families getting

together and church. Not knowing how he felt, I continued to pray for him and about him.

Three weeks before he proposed he went to his Dad and said he felt sure he knew who the Lord

planned for him to marry... and it was me!  He had known since early in the year, but was waiting and
praying to make sure he was hearing the Lord.

Ben and his Dad sat down to talk with my Dad - even discussing the ring and proposal! Ben and our

parents decided to keep this a secret from me so that I would be surprised... and boy, was I surprised! It

took me a good 24 hours to realize I was not dreaming! The Lord has been so, so good to our families

and we are very grateful!

So it turns out that this whole time, we were both praying for each other and thinking of each other, we

just didn’t realize the other felt the same way! It amazes me every time I look back on these months the

way God worked in our lives. He has been so faithful!

Sarah said in a comment, "I don't know how you kept it a secret!"

and I just had to laugh, because I didn't have to keep it a secret!  I didn't even know myself! :)

That’s my story, and I’m stickin’ to it! ;)

{proposal video}

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you."

{Matthew 6:33}

{as cliché as this sounds, he is the love of my life, and I could not be more grateful to God for him}

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{Psalm 13:5-6}

But I have trusted in Your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in Your salvation.

I will sing to the LORD, because He has dealt bountifully with me.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

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My Cup Runneth Over

I cannot begin to describe how blessed I am. Honestly, every time I stop to think about it, I just can't
even find the words to say.

You're probably wondering what I'm talking about here.

Well, just watch this video...


So? Can you believe it? I think it's just about sunk in with me... but the excitement is not going away,
that's for sure :D

I will write up our story soon (here), but I wanted to post the video and share our amazing news!
I'm still in shock.  Completely and utterly thrilled.  SO thankful.  Praising God.
I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with Ben!  He's such an amazing man and I could not be happier
that God intended us for each other.

"Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!"
Love,
Emily soon-to-be Brower


♥

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Oliver and Tonic

I started having a sore throat last night (with a bit of a headache and stuffy nose), and it was only worse
this morning. So. In an attempt to nip this in the bud, I made a tonic this morning and have been taking it
easy all day. Right now, my throat is feeling better, but my nose seems to be getting stuffier and stuffier.

In taking it easy today, I had a little time to cuddle with one of my cats...

He just loves my quilt :)


He also loves sitting in my lap






Purty paws :)

For anyone interested, here is my Herbal Tonic:

1 Garlic Bulb
Less than 1/2 Onion
About 3-4 inches Ginger Root
Small Handful Blueberries (optional)
Honey (optional)
Cayenne
Apple Cider Vinegar

Peel the garlic, onion, and ginger, cut them into smallish pieces, and throw them in the
blender with the blueberries.  I used cayenne powder and just sprinkled it on - I have no
clue how much, but I really like cayenne, so I probably used a lot.  It is better to have
dried cayenne, but use what you can get your hands on.  Pour as much honey on as you
want... once again, I have no idea how much I added.

Now, fill the blender with apple cider vinegar just enough to cover your ingredients. Blend
well, then pour into a jar.  I keep mine in the fridge and use it as a salad dressing. The longer
it sits, the better.

[EDIT] Eyebright asked in the comments what this is good for, and I thought I would share
what I wrote here as well:
"I found that this mainly targeted my sore throat. Though it did help clear my head a bit."

This recipe is my own, inspired by a friend, and Homestead Blessings: The Art of Herbs.

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