How can I say thanks

For the things You have done for me?

Things so undeserved

Yet You gave to prove Your love for me;

The voices of a million angels

Could not express my gratitude

All that I am and ever hope to be

I owe it all to Thee

- “My Tribute” by Andrea Crouch

After reading the book, “One Thousand Gifts” by Anne Voskamp last year, and upon completion of a dare to make a list of 1,000 gifts from God, I made the decision this year to write a short tribute to the seven most important gifts in my life. My goal was to say “Thank you” to God, but I had also purposed in my heart that I would pen my thoughts of my immediate family more this year. The people we love and live with should know our feelings towards them. In a world where so many people and things are taken for granted, our family should never experience the emotion of not feeling appreciated from us. The voice is powerful, but I believe the pen is more powerful. I wanted to say thank you to each of them, but I also wanted to write it down to be cherished forever.

As I write, I am reminded of the story of ten lepers in Luke 17:12-19. The ten lepers asked Jesus to have mercy on them; Jesus told all ten to go and show themselves to the priests, and while they were on their way, they became cleansed of leprosy. Only one leper came back to say “Thank you,” and Jesus took note of it. This one leper became completely whole. This leper who is no longer a leper anymore was not only healed of this awful disease, but everybody part that was affected by this disease was completely restored - he ceased to look like a leper. This person’s identity was changed forever. Could something as simple as saying “Thank you” change your very identity? Yes, it can!! When we live a life of giving thanks to Him, our eyes (our hearts) are always on Him. A heart that is towards Him is purposed to please Him, and that my friend can change your identity forever. You are on your way to becoming whole, and this is what our world needs the most - Whole and Real Born Again Christians who have experienced the life-changing power of Jesus Christ. Our family is the world we affect the most. Empower your family to greatness. Say “ Thank you” more and receive your family as gifts from God with a heart of Thanksgiving.

The following tributes were posted on Facebook this year...

1 - My Father - Leroy Loyd

posted Father’s Day 2018

A few years ago, 2014 to be exact, one of my goals for the year was to truly receive, understand and be able to give God’s Unconditional Love, Agape. God had been in the process of cultivating the fruit of longsuffering, and I really wanted to get it. I was determined that I was going to love people the Way God loved people. I read 1,2 & 3, John, over and over again that year. As the months went by, God laid a particular Bible Study on my mind; thus I assumed He wanted me to do this study again. I began to search, but when I found the box that should have had the study materials, the materials were not there. The box contains papers and notes. I began to go through the papers in the box, and I came across my Fathers obituary. I asked myself, “how did this get here.” I began to read it and immediately knew that God laid the Bible Study on my mind in order for me to find the obituary. This paragraph jumps out: “On March 29, 1979, he answered God’s Call to ‘come up a little higher,’ leaving behind a monument of virtue that the storms of times can never destroy; has written his name in kindness, love, and mercy on the hearts of thousands.” WOW!!! This is what I want!!! I want my life to leave this kind of legacy. I’m so very thankful for my dear father. He left my siblings and me such a beautiful and priceless legacy. It has been 39 years since he answered God’s call, and he is still speaking. He was the best father ever spiritually and physically - a father after HIS Heart. I’m feeling so blessed.

Happy Father’s Day Dad-Dad!!!

I love you so much!!!

2 - My Mother - Alean Loyd

posted Mother’s Day 2018

“Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies” Proverbs 30:10

God has given my siblings and I a precious and priceless gift. She has been diligent and has demonstrated extreme excellence in her Christian example. She is just perfectly sweet and ever so kind. She is 89, and I’ll continue to follow her as she follows Christ. She has taught me everything I know.....how to pray, how to be disciplined in my devotion to God, how to love and value others, how to be a lady, how to be a good mother, how rear Godly children that love God, how to dress extravagant but pay little, how to cook, how to take care of a home, how to be hospitable, how to treat my enemies, how to work in The Kingdom of God and the list goes on and on. There are many mothers in this world, but My Mother excels them all (Proverbs 30:29). I love her so much, and I’m so thankful that she is still with us.

Happy Mothers Day Mother-Dear

3 - My Husband - Dave Henry

posted March 12, 2018

Happy 50th Birthday to my beloved Dave Henry, my husband and best friend, father of my children, and priest of my home. I am so thankful for this sweet gift from God that never stops giving. He is indeed my better half and completes me in every way. He is loyal, kind, compassionate, loving and so helpful. I am truly cherished by him the love of my life. He cheers me on through each endeavor, and his words of affirmation never cease. He always keeps my vase filled with flowers, and that sweet smile still melts me. He is a great father to our four beautiful children actively present in their lives. He is a friend and support to all, and he is loved by so many. He is a Christian in every way, and he is a blessing to the Body of Christ. He is a true shepherd/ Pastor after God’s own heart, and it is a sweet privilege to be his helpmeet, to have him in my life, and to share him with others. God bless you, my dear husband, as you continue to live purposefully, walking on the pathway God has ordered for you. I love you forever!!!

Tonda

4 - My Firstborn Daughter - Jadah Marie Henry

posted February 12, 2018

Today, February 12, 2018, marks 26 years of a childhood dream come true. At almost three years of age after holding my baby sister, Tiffany, I dreamed of being a Mummy. On February 12, 1992, God gave me Jadah Marie. This amazing little girl has been a joy song in my life. She stole my heart from the time I held her. I remember saying to myself, “I can’t believe she’s mine.” She has added to me as a person in so many ways. She is truly a gift. Her tender heart is full of loving-kindness and compassion; she will bear your burdens and go out of her way to help you. She is loyal, classy, and creative - my firstborn, my delicate princess, but most of all she is a Christian. I love her dearly, and I’m so proud of the young lady she has become and is still becoming.

Happy Birthday, Jadah!!!!

Love Mum

5 - My Second Daughter - Davia Jordan Henry

posted March 5, 2018

Today is March 5, 2018. Twenty-four years ago, God gave me the gift of Davia Jordan Henry. “D” stands for Different, Determined, Dedicated, Diligent, Discerning, and while My Davia is the epitome of strength, she is Delicate. She is my strong and precious princess. She is not my first born, but she is a leader by calling. She is loyal, steady and unchanging. She has been strong willed from the very beginning. This little girl pushed me into another dimension prayer, faith and trust in my God. She has allowed me to see God’s Mercy and Grace multiplied over and over. In my accepting this strong-willed little girl as a gift from God, I have been able to see and understand God’s Unconditional and Steadfast Love towards us. Davia has taught me to see that respect begets respect. I’ve learned that when I as a parent love and respects my child, she in return love and respects me. In this school of Davia, I’ve also learned that when I saw Davia as God saw her, I came to the realization that He had plans for this strong will little girl. She does not belong to me; she is the heritage of the Lord, and He had entrusted me with the privilege of lovingly training her for His Service. I could either crush her or empowered her to be ALL that God had purposed for her. Davia, I am so proud of you. You have become a Sweet Christian Lady and Mighty Woman of God. Just think, I homeschooled you for 14 years; I thought I was teaching you and all along God was using you to teach me. Happy Birthday, Davia!!! I love you dearly, My Beautiful, Strong, Precious and Courageous Princess!!!

Love Mum

6 - My Third Daughter - Rhema Hope Henry

posted November 28, 2018

Today is November 28, 2018. Twenty-two years ago, God gave me the gift of Rhema Hope Henry. “R” stands Refreshing, Radiant, Resilient, and Reliable. She is my baby girl and my “Happy Princess.” She brings light to any room and never meets a stranger. Her heart is merry and full of love. Like Proverbs 15:15, Rhema’s motto “Let's be happy and have a party.” To our family, she is like a flower that never stops blooming. We can always count on her; she always full of energy and ready to work. She is ready to listen and is eager to bear your burdens. She is an encourager and a minister of hope. She loves God and loves His people. She has grown into a sweet woman of God, and I love her so much.

Happy Birthday, Rhema!!!

Love Mum

7 - My Firstborn Son - Isaac Dave LeRoy Henry

posted June 9, 2018

In March of 2004, God told me He would bring laughter and gladness to our home, and “the way I will do it is through a baby.” I immediately said, “Okay, can I get pregnant in September so I can have the baby in June while everyone is out of school.” My tubes had been tied for seven years, and I was in the middle of battling with Graves Disease. I don’t need to tell you that my husband thought I was crazy, but in September of 2004, I became pregnant with my miracle. On June 9, 2005, this promised child was born. God has used this little man to bring so much laughter to our home, and there is so much more to story (to be told another day). I’ve been in remission for Graves Disease since 2006, but this gift from God just keeps on giving. I can’t believe my little prince is 13 today. His full name is Isaac Dave LeRoy Henry. The meaning of his name: Isaac - God has smiled on me and cause me to laugh, Dave - Named after his father meaning “Beloved,” and LeRoy - Named after my father meaning “Anointed King.” Our little name for him when he was a baby was the “Beloved King Of Laughter.”

Happy Birthday Isaac!!!

We Love you so much!!!

GO G.R.E.E.N.

Tonda Loyd Henry