Sandy Henley (September 13, 1962 - December 26, 2012)

Today we held a Going Home Celebration here in Louisiana at my parents church. We were surprised and blessed by how many friends showed up on a New Years Day at 11:00am. My step mother, Sandy, didn't want a big memorial or anything so in respect to her wishes we had the Gospel preached. So their pastor preached in a good old Southern Baptist way and shared a bit about my step mom. Then we went over to eat and fellowship. The people here are so friendly and loving. There are some amazing people down here in the Deep South. There were around One hundred and six people that attended. That was not even family, it was just friends and on short notice. Almost all are friends made since they moved out here to Louisiana. I'm going to copy what was written in the pamphlet for Sandy's service today.

Biography

"Sandy Henley was born September 13, 1962, in Modesto, California, to Tom Madden (of Tahlequah, Oklahoma) and Loree Young (of Nail, Arkansas). She had two older siblings Sheila Smith and Duayne Madden.

Sandy and Don were married on September 19, 1996. At that time, Sandy had one son (Robert Madden) and two step-sons (Phillip Henley and David Henley). Later, they were blessed with the arrival of Thomas Henley.

They moved to Abbeville, Louisiana, in 2006, from their ranch in Big Oak Flat, California. Don, Sandy, and Thomas joined Temple Baptist Church in 2011.

Sandy was born again at the age of thirty at Greeley Hill Baptist Church. Sandy loved the Lord and was a joyful servant for her Lord. She went to be with her Lord on the afternoon of December 26, 2012."

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. And whither I go ye know, and the way ye know. Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way? Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." -John 14:1-6.

What Sandy wanted to share with you...

"Sandy loved to share the Gospel with others and wanted others to know that God loves them. She wanted to share these Scriptures and this good news with you today:

1. Recognize your condition. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Romans 3:23). No one is good enough to go to Heaven on his own merit. No matter how much good we do, we still fall short.
2. Realize the penalty for sin. For the wages of sin is death; ...(Romans 6:23). Just as there are wages for good, there is punishment for wrong. The penalty for our sin is separation from God in a lake of fire.
3. Believe Christ died for you. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8). Christ's great love for us was shown when He died on the cross to pay our sin debt.
4. Trust Christ alone as your Savior. ...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23). For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (Romans 10:13). Everlasting life is a gift purchased by the blood of Jesus Christ and offered freely to those who call upon Him by faith.

Let us help you word a prayer. (Realize it's not mere words that save but your faith in Jesus Christ.)

Dear Jesus, I know I'm a sinner. Please forgive my sins. Jesus, come into my heart and save my soul from the lake of fire. I'm trusting You and You alone to take me to Heaven when I die. Thank you for saving me, Jesus. Amen!"

Again, this was written in the pamphlet at her Going Home Celebration. She wanted the Gospel preached and I feel this pretty much sums up the life my step mom lived. She was out there witnessing to people, left and right, up until the end. Even in the hospitals. 

Thank you all for praying for Sandy and the rest of our family through all of this. We cherish it more than you know. 

-Love, Pip