
“Dear friend, I pray that in every way you may succeed, prosper,
and be in good health, even as your soul prospers” – 3 John 1:2

Tonya Made Life is my personal space on the ‘innanet’ to share my journey toward God’s best for me and the experiences I’m having on my way there.
It’s about reconnecting with my creativity and being tenacious in pursuing my entrepreneurial goals. It’s also about embracing the opportunities I have because of my age and shaking off society’s views on what 50 should look like. #BigOleFacts
#Over50
#55Actually
#LateBloomer
#GodsTimingIsPerfect
Making Home…
- Kitchen ProblemsI’m a kitchen person. One of the things I loved about my previous home was the kitchen. I built it and paid extra to get the maple cabinets which came with pullout trays on the bottom, crown molding, and fluted molding on either side of the range hood. The new kitchen had oak cabinets of … Read more
- Making Home – BeforeWhen I was house shopping, I was looking for some specific things: With open concept homes being the norm for most new homes being built here in the South for the last 10+ years, I knew I would be looking for something that was built around the same time as my former home. Early 2000’s. … Read more
- Making HomeLast year I sold the house I purchased way back in 2002 and bought a new one. Truly it was a FAITH move since we all know the interest rates and prices are crazy right now. I vlogged about on my YouTube channel and you can watch the 3-part series here: Since the move I’ve … Read more
My Creative Journey…
- Taking InventoryI’m starting this journey with a lot of creative baggage – the good kind. From drawing fashion and making doll clothes with tape and straight pins to teaching myself to sew then making hats and handbags to painting art to graphic design to building websites to designing rooms. The Lord has blessed me to acquire … Read more
- Artists & ImpostersI have been drawing since I could hold a pencil…but I have never called myself an artist. I’ve taught myself to make almost anything with fabric, paint, beads, and a laptop…but I have never thought of myself as an artist. The first step along my journey has been dealing with the #impostersyndrome that seems to be so … Read more
- Creative JourneyI love to travel. Doesn’t matter how – planes, trains, SUVs, ships – I am here for all it it. When I’m traveling nothing bothers me. Not the airport lines or the too-small seats or the waiting to deboard once I arrive. Not seemingly endless miles to drive, getting gas at suspect places with names … Read more
In the Shop
- Just Out Here Trusting God T-ShirtNo matter you’re facing in your life, the BEST way forward is to Trust God. He always has our best interests at heart. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.6 Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.” Proverbs 3:5-6 NLT This tshirt design … Read more
- The Universe has a Name T-ShirtWe often hear people refer to the universe as if it’s a cosmic force with a will of it’s own and the ability to make things happen. The central moral agent and force for change in the world. The universe is being credited for all kinds of things that happen in their lives and the … Read more
Where I’ve Been…
- Sidecar Donuts – Diet SuspendedMy friend’s husband is a donut person. On my latest trip to SoCal they took me to their latest find – Sidecar Donuts. #LifeChanged. NOTHING compares to these donuts. I have no reason to ever eat Krispy Creme again – … Read more
- Birthday Back in SoCalAt this point it’s fair to say that my favorite place to be in the US is Southern California. Despite all of the challenges facing the state, nobody else has the Pacific Ocean and all of the beautiful scenery it … Read more
- Jerusalem & The Holy Land with the SaintsJust got back from my very first trip outside of North America. A group of 20+ of us from my church – Lord’s Tabernacle Holiness Church – flew 13 hours from Memphis to Israel, and spent a week touring the … Read more
From the WORD…
- Faith Over Fear – Part 1Being wise is good…but trusting God is better! In 2013, I was driving a ‘98 baby blue 2-door Ford Explorer that I bought used in 2000 for $14k. The engine was solid but everything else on it was rachet including my drivers seat which would not stay upright on its own. I kept the rear … Read more
- Faith & Works(14) What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? (15) Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. (16) If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about … Read more
- In the Fullness of Time(Long post alert) Two days ago I was blessed to pay off $32k in credit card debt, plus the last $3200 I owed on my auto loan. #WhewChile I had no idea on New Years’ Day that I would be in a position to do this. I had been praying about it and working on … Read more