First, I must give all praise and honor to God who has been my all—Comforter, Peace, Joy, Healer, Provider, and more than I could ever express. Without Him, I would not be here today.
I must thank my family: my daughter, Andrea, who has been the light of my life. Thank you for your support and for being such a wonderful person. My parents: L.C. and Juanita and my siblings: Charles, Russell, Michael, and Rodney; my brother-in-law, Stanley and my sister-in-law, Lola, I thank you for everything you have done for me and Andrea throughout the years. Even when you did not understand my vision, you supported me and I will never forget your help. To my niece and nephews: Charvis, Jewell, Johnathan and Aaron, thanks for keeping me entertained. Charvis, keep your head up!
Everyone should have anointed friends like mine. First to Sandra Allen, the loving, motherly friend, thank you for allowing me to cry on your shoulders and having a listening ear when times were tough. Thank you, Thomas, Mama Rose, Lucky, Ariel and the children for allowing me time at your home to rest and vent.
To Ruby Harmon, the keep-it-real, matter-of-fact friend. Thank you for your encouragement and your diary and all the times you reminded me of what God said. See the manifestation! Keep the faith. It’s not over. Girl, go get that money.
To Melisa Strong, a tiny woman with a big voice, the cheerleader. No one can out-yell you. Thank you for being so upbeat every time I talked with you and reminding me of the goodness of God. God has great work for you. Keep on praising.
To Pastor Ronald D. Barton, the comedian and classmate from Morris College. Thank you for keeping laughter in my life during the good and the bad.
To Victoria Christopher Murray, I thank you so much for your integrity and your help. Thank you for guiding me in the right direction and encouraging me along the way.
To Chandra Sparks Taylor, I could not have done it without you. Thank you for your firm hand and clear direction.
To the Genesis family, Deborah Schumaker and all that help me through this process, I thank you for all you have taught me and allowing me to minister through print.
I have much love for the pastors and ministries that have supported my ministry throughout the years: Rev. C.S. Sanders, the late First Lady Margaret Sanders and the Pilgrim Rest Baptist Church family; Pastor Curtis Johnson, First Lady Charla Johnson, and the Valley Brook Baptist Church family; Pastor Ronnie Williams, First Lady Helen Williams and the Generostee Baptist Church family; Pastor Jerry Greene, Elder Agnes Greene and the Perfecting The Heart Ministries family and Pastor Mary Nance and the St. James Pentecostal Holiness Church family. To the Ananias Christian Center crew in South Carolina, Philadelphia, New York, New Jersey, the Caribbean and Europe, pastor loves you. You hold a special place in my heart. You are the best group of people in the world. I have nothing but love for you.
Finally, I dedicate this book to a great Southern writer, Eudora Welty, who told me when I was eighteen years old that I was going to be a writer and I laughed. Almost thirty years have gone by and now that, which she had spoken, has come to pass.