08/30/2026
We have quite a few new followers, so I wanted to take a moment to say thank you for being here 🥹 I’d like to share with you how Milk & Honey Coffee House began.
My name is Shelby, and in 2020, I was working in the foster care field as a case worker. My husband Curtis worked in construction. In September, I delivered a baby as a surrogate for a family living in China via c-section. I wasn’t able to drive for a couple of weeks, which gave me an opportunity to rest at home, journal, and be in my Bible quite often. While I was reading Exodus and Deuteronomy, I was fascinated with the promise land—a land flowing of milk and honey. Right there in the middle of my living room, the Lord gave me a vision…find a space in your community, transform it into something that feels safe, welcoming, and inviting, open up your doors for Bible studies, and trust Me to fulfill the needs. He did just that. We prayed. We fasted. We waited. In February of 2022, we officially opened Milk & Honey Coffee House in Mattoon IL.
Fast forward to 2026…we were approached to check out a building in the neighborhood I grew up. I think initially I wanted to close myself off from the idea and not get my hopes up—we had looked at other potential locations throughout the past couple of years, and as we sought the Lord, the answer continued to be “no, not yet”…we looked at the building with our incredible real estate agent. We took a pause. We waited. I fasted and prayed. Before looking at the building one more time, my husband and I heard the song “The Author” by Brandon Lake & Nick Jones. Part of the chorus really struck me…”Who says that I, even I, have something still left to offer? So who am I? Who am I to question the pen in the hands of the Author?” The second time we looked at the building, it was quite literally like having another vision where I could see the setup. I could see the Gather Room. I could see the Upper Room for Bible studies. I could see the register, the barista area, the floral setup. I could see bookshelves. I could see the outdoor play area. He made it so clear to me…we made an offer, kept a grateful attitude in the waiting, and received the news of acceptance!
Even if it was another no, God has done far more within our business than we deserve. In my mind, why would He use us in this way again? He’s done a lot. He provided the amazing baristas that are a part of our team. He introduced us to the best, most supportive customers in our community. He connected us with roastery experts that have decades of experience. In our obedience, He has given blessings upon blessings. Why us? Why again? Why this space? Why this time?
Back to “The Author” song to wrap this up…there’s another part that says “I see trauma, I see worthless, You see something You can work with. I see weakness, I see failure, You see something good on paper. I’ve seen ashes turn to beauty, I’ve felt Heaven working through me, I’ve seen panic turn to power, felt Your peace in my darkest hour. What grace is this? Called me by name again and again and again and again”
That’s exactly it. The second we surrendered our lives to Him, He called us by name. Before accepting Jesus into our lives, there was trauma, there was worthlessness, there was weakness, there was failure. BUT GOD 🙌🏽 Today, there’s long term sobriety. Today, there’s a beautiful marriage. Today, there’s a blended family that’s full of love and connection. Today, there’s so much peace. Today, we get to soak in this season of expanding our coffee shop with joy!
For us, this is so much more than just serving coffee. It’s giving God glory. It’s celebrating with our team. It’s interceding for you in prayer. It’s having a space to rest in Him.
Welcome to the next chapter…it’s going to be amazing ✨
