Haircut on the Way!

Hi, Friends! As I am sure you have read on our Locks of Love page, I was planning on donating my hair in March.  I have had to postpone that cut until sometime in the middle of May, but we are closing in on it now! My team members are helping me pick my new… Continue reading »

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Time

As I walked from our hotel to Tim Horton’s for lunch in Brockville, Ontario, Canada, after a beautiful service at the arts center the night before, I began to reflect on time.  I remember several months ago when we got the call to sing there and how far away that date seemed.  We made the… Continue reading »

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Haircut on the Way! Time

Apr
21

Haircut on the Way!

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Hi, Friends!

As I am sure you have read on our Locks of Love page, I was planning on donating my hair in March.  I have had to postpone that cut until sometime in the middle of May, but we are closing in on it now!

My team members are helping me pick my new haircut and color from the pictures below.  If you are on the team and have not yet voted, please do so right away!  I have no say whatsoever in my new look!  It’s all up to the girls who have joined me in this effort!

If you are not on the team but would like to voice your opinion, you are welcome to do so by commenting below.  But you have to donate 10 inches of your hair to Locks of Love to get a VOTE!  :)

If you or someone you know is a good candidate for this, there is still time to get in on the fun!  I would like to get at least 5 more donors.  Share it on your facebook, talk to your youth group or Sunday School class at church, call a family member.  Sign up today and you will not only make a child’s day, but mine too!  AND you’ll get to have a voice in choosing my new look!  All the info you need is right here so check it out and SHARE!

THANK YOU to all our participants!
Stay tuned for more news coming soon!
–Sonya
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Mar
23

Time

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As I walked from our hotel to Tim Horton’s for lunch in Brockville, Ontario, Canada, after a beautiful service at the arts center the night before, I began to reflect on time.  I remember several months ago when we got the call to sing there and how far away that date seemed.  We made the typical preparations of promotion that go into a concert date and also made arrangements to make our border crossing as smooth as possible.  As I made that little trek across the bridge to eat lunch, enjoying the unseasonably warm weather, it dawned on me that the date we had been anticipating for what seemed like a long time was now over.

How quickly time passes!

Time is something we will never fully comprehend, just the same as our human minds cannot fathom eternity where there is no time.  Time doesn’t wait or stop for anyone, yet it seems to go by more quickly with each passing year.  My parents used to talk about that when I was little, and I remember thinking how silly that seemed, and yet I find that it is true.  Time is a precious commodity.  It can’t be bought, sold or traded.

We got word yesterday that an evangelist in our home area had passed away.  He was not an old man and he had not been sick.  He had preached a revival and was in a car accident on the way home.  No one, including him, ever expected that that was the last time he would ever preach.  Reading over his recent tweets and Facebook wall, we can see what an impact he was making and the plans he was making for the future of his ministry.

When I begin to think about the value of time, I think about what I am doing with what I have left of this gift.  It makes me reevaluate my priorities, which is something we would do well to do frequently.  I’d like to encourage you to take a few minutes to do just that.  As you go throughout your day, remember that only you can choose what you will do with the time you are given.  You can squander it or make decisions that will affect people positively for eternity.  Choose wisely, my friends.

“Only one life, ‘twill soon be past.  Only what’s done for Christ will last.”

–Sonya

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Mar
14

Miracles Still Happen

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Hi, Friends!

What a busy weekend on the road! 

We started out in Williamsport, OH, with The McKameys, Wilburn & Wilburn, The Kingsmen and many more.  It was an interesting setup.  We sang in a 200 seat auditorium first, then at intermission we had to move our gear to the other 1000 seat auditorium and be set up again in 20 minutes.  Phew!  It surely was interesting!  But we did it!  And I met one of our Locks of Love gals, Lynae Garver!  She’s growing her hair a few more inches and she’ll be ready to go!

We found a fuel leak when we got to Williamsport and God provided a diesel mechanic to fix what could have been a very time-consuming, expensive project for very little money.  Praise the Lord!

Saturday night took us to Holland, OH, near Toledo, just south of Michigan.  It was another great concert and on the last song, a woman who had not heard in her right ear began hearing!  She leaned over and told her husband who told us after the concert.  It’s amazing to know that miracles still happen.

Sunday held 2 more venues in Ohio for us and both were great.  One person was saved Sunday morning.  All in all, it was a great weekend. 

We are gearing up for Canada next week.  That’s a LONG drive and we are getting new tires on the back of the bus before we go.  $900+ apiece makes us VERY thankful for our partners who send in monthly support to help keep us on the road!

Hey, don’t forget about our annual golf fundraiser!  It’s May 11 in Kingsport, TN.  If you would like to help sponsor, play in the tournament, or want to help get the word out, we’d love to have you!  More info coming soon!

I am prepping for my next women’s event in Wise, VA, in April.  Be watching for details and please PRAY FOR ME! 

I love you all!

See you soon!

Sonya

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Feb
29

Hello Folks!

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It feels as if I have not been on here in forever, so while I do have a few extra minutes I figured I would give everyone an update on everything that’s been going on at home with Dave, the boys and myself.

The boys are doing very well. Elijah is anticipating summer break already and Ethan is excited about his birthday coming up in April, just about everyday he says something different that he would like to have for gifts :)

Dave just came in from Alabama and Florida. He is looking forward to being home for a few days.

Our cruise was amazing. I do believe this year was the best one yet! The weather was fantastic, food was great (as always) and the fellowship was wonderful! I am already looking forward to next year.

Well I have some work to get done before I have to go pick up Elijah from school, but before I do I just wanted to share with you, today is the 60th day and NO soda! I thought at first it would be impossible but it hasn’t actually been too bad. So now, I’m on to the next thing I can mark off  of my goal list for 2012!

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Jan
12

Changes!

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We had a great year last year and I am so excited to see what God has in store for us this year! So I figured I would start this year off with adjusting a few things, and  since it is just a few days into the new year I figured I would share with you a couple of my “New Year’s Resolutions” although I don’t believe I would  call it that, more like my New Year Changes!

On December 31 I decided to set down and make myself a goal sheet of changes not just for 2012 but for many years to come . And my first thought was; life gets extremely busy and it is very easy for our priorities to get unbalanced and that is when it came to me about my relationship, not with my husband, but my relationship with Christ! I have found with work, class, kids, and a husband that travels, often I find that I put Christ on the backburner, which is completely unfair considering I wasn’t put on the backburner by Him. So I have had to do a personal evaluation of my life and and get some things in order, not for no one but myself, and I will admit it is  and will continue to be a working progress! So with that being said my number one goal is to strive to seek the Lord like never before!

Next on my goal sheet is soda! I have tried many times in the past to quit them and to be honest I have failed. So I have decided to take a different approach this time, I know I can do anything I set my mind to but at times even if it is something as simple as quitting mountain dew,its tough! So I have decided  when I think about how I believe I “need” a soda,I think of the scripture Phillippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ which strengthen me. It maybe easy for some to just kick that habit, but  its not easy for me though, because I truly believe I am addicted, is that possible?!? :) But I am very proud to say I have not had a soda in 12 days, YAY!

I have a few more in mind that I am certian I can conquer through Christ but I’ll spare you all the boring details :) But I am curious did you make any goals for 2012?

Also just to let you know what’s been going on with the boys, Elijah is making Dave & I so proud, he is doing so good in the 1st grade. He brought home his report card yesterday and we were so excited, he made the honor roll, straight A’s. Not only is he doing good in school he is also being a very good big brother and he has been teaching Ethan math. Ethan thinks it’s the coolest thing that he can do math problems by  adding them or subtracting them on his fingers! So I do believe Ethan will be more than ready for kindergarten this year, but I’m not sure if  Dave & I will be though :)

Dave is off this weekend so we will be going to our home church together on Sunday (which doesn’t happen often) and then we will be heading to Greeneville after to church to see some of my family and we are planning on going to church with my papaw Sunday night, the church I grew up in & that’s actually where  Dave & I met :) But thats about all of our plans for the weekend. But before my weekend can actually begin I’ve got to catch one more Zumba class! FYI, if you have never been to a class it is a must you go, such a fun workout!

I do believe that’s it for now!

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Dec
24

White Christmas

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For the first time in over 6 years, my entire family has been together and we have had a wonderful time!  My sister, Amanda, flew in from Lynchburg; Natalia & her boyfriend, Jance, from Arkansas; and my brother, Burt, threw a 75th birthday party for our dad last night.  He was totally surprised (which is a big deal where my dad is concerned) and over 60 people attended to show their love.  

Speaking of Christmas, we are planning on a white one!  This was the view yesterday when we got up…

...but the snow is melted already!  When you are in Maine, though, there is always the possibility of more snow, so we’re counting on it!

Many of you who ordered “A Collection of Hits” have received your orders and are already listening to your CD!  Thank you for the support that you have shown our ministry.  Let us know what you think of it and if you haven’t ordered yet, you need to!  Sale prices will be off after Christmas!  You can listen to a sampling of the music right on the home page of our web site.

I hope you all have a blessed holiday, free of stress, and full of contentment.

Merry Christmas!

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Dec
09

An Extraordinary Trio

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It was the most dramatic event in the history of the world and it nearly went undetected.  A child was born to a controversial young Jewish couple named Joseph and Mary in the time of Caesar Augustus.  The birthplace was a barn, the cradle a feeding trough, and the attendants mere goats and donkeys.

This was no ordinary baby, of course.  He was the only begotten Son of God, one of the Trinity, sent from the splendor of Heaven to be the Savior of the world.  There was no huge birth announcement and celebration; just angels proclaiming His birth to commonplace shepherds.  You’d think on the day that a king was born, there would be a national holiday and presents brought from a representative of every country in the world; instead, everyone went about their business except three “wise men” who brought a gift apiece.

The parents were an interesting case. Consider Mary, a young teenager engaged to be married.  Every girl of every culture and every era of time dreams of her wedding day.  It’s just a girl thing.  She had kept herself pure for her husband.  The family was excited; mom was making the wedding dress, the girls were all talking about how cute Joseph was.  Then in a few moments her life changed forever.  An angel came to Mary and announced that she was going to become impregnated with the Son of God and the Father would be the Holy Ghost!

Joseph was merely engaged to Mary when she was found with child.  That was a crime worthy of stoning back in those days.  He knew he wasn’t the father, so imagine what he must have thought!  He had to be quite a man, though, because he decided to break off the engagement quietly and secretly with the idea of saving her reputation as much as was possible under the circumstances.  Then an angel told him to go ahead and marry her (which he did), because the child growing in her womb was conceived not in sin but of the Holy Ghost.

Much can be learned from such an extraordinary trio of people.  So often we romanticize this story and don’t think about what it really would be like.  Jesus gracefully left royal perfection to not only stoop to become human, but to be born to very common people in a stinky stable.  When Mary found out she would be a mom and she hadn’t even been with a man, she didn’t think about it or throw a fit; she said if that was what God wanted, so be it (Luke 1:38)!  Imagine being Joseph and trying to tell people that your fiancée is pregnant and you’re not the dad, but it’s OK; the Father is the Holy Ghost!

There are times in our lives when we are faced with circumstances that are not ideal.  No matter what our plans, they are often altered.  Our natural human tendency is to reject change.  We like to be comfortable, so much so that we often miss out on God’s best for us.  May we learn from Mary to accept with grace the will of God, no matter how difficult; from Joseph, to not be ruled by public opinion; and from our Savior, to humble ourselves for the sake of saving others.

Merry Christmas, everyone!

–Sonya

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Nov
02

Baby, It’s Cold Outside!

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OK, so it’ not FREEZING, but I got your attention didn’t I?  It is colder than I remember this time of year being in East Tennessee.  The frost has gotten my flowers, the autumn leaves are falling, and we’ve unpacked the long-sleeve shirts!  My Thanksgiving decor is out and the soaps and plug-in’s have all been changed to fall scents.  Ahhh, I do love this time of year.

We had an incredible time in Bardstown, KY, last week.  We started revival on Sunday, but on Saturday, the church served breakfast, then I spoke to the women and Tommy spoke to the men.  It was my first “official” speaking engagement and the Bardstown Church of God ladies and I had SO much fun!  It was a great learning experience as I studied and sought the Lord for months preparing.  God really came through for me.  He is faithful!

The revival that followed was miraculous!  Matt preached 5 Spirit-filled services with 4 saved and many lives changed.  After that, we left for Tupelo, MS, for another great concert.  We had a wonderful time with Heaven’s Highway and Mike Upright.  Matt got to preach again that night and God really worked through him.

I must say we were pretty tired after that run!  We drove most of the night to get back from Tupelo to spend part of Saturday home and head to Wise, VA, for a Sunday AM service.  After that, we headed home for some much needed rest!

I’ve been catching up on sleep, office work, housework and every other kind of work!  Tonight was my first night back to Zumba after almost 2 weeks off.  Wow, was that a workout!  I think it may take a few trips to class to work off all that restaurant food!

We’ll be heading out to New York and Pennsylvania this weekend.  My brother, Burt, who has been staying with Matt & I and playing guitar for us is going back to Maine until Christmas.  My dad has a huge Christmas tree business that Burt has helped him with for years and he promised Dad when he left home that he’d go back to help with it again this year.  So he’ll be leaving me after this weekend for awhile.  Boohoo for me, but I think my Mom and Dad are pretty excited!

We have cut tracks for a new hits project that will be released in a few weeks.  It will be here in time for Christmas presents so stay tuned!

Remember–the best is yet to come!

Come see us soon!

–Sonya

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Oct
19

Mums & Golf

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It’s a beautiful fall morning, and I am enjoying my second to the last day home before we go on the road for 10 days or so.  I have Dunkin Donuts coffee in hand and thought I’d take a few minutes to update our friends on the last several weeks’ happenings before I hit the to-do list that is always calling my name.

To celebrate cooler weather, I have done 2 things: planted mums and played golf.  I enjoyed one more than the other, but they were both pretty good.  The mums are GORGEOUS.  Matt has been bugging me all summer about hitting the course with him.  My excuse has been the heat, but when cooler weather came around, I ran out of excuses.  So, being the good wife that I am, we played 9 holes yesterday.  I didn’t throw any clubs out of frustration, so I figure that was a bug success!

“Fall on My Knees” music video has received tremendous response and is still going strong.  We have received countless stories of how God has worked through that song to touch people.  It is so encouraging.

Our 2 days spent at Dollywood a couple weeks ago were fantastic.    We performed 6 shows in that time and even got to ride a few coasters while we were at it!  We ate at Miss Lillian’s Chicken House and David got a chance to perform a song with her.  It was a pretty big hit and my brother caught it on video.  Check it out here!

Have you been wondering when we are putting out a new record?  Well, wonder no longer!  This Friday, we are cutting tracks for a new hits project!  Yes, they are songs you’ve heard before, but several of them are not even available for purchase anymore and in a few weeks, you’ll have some of your favorite songs on one CD!  Stay tuned!

We will be in revival in Bardstown, KY, this coming Sunday-Wednesday, then traveling on to Tupelo, MS, for Friday.  This Saturday before revival, Bardstown Church of God is holding a special event called Breakfast with The Browders.  Tommy will be speaking to the men and I’ll be speaking to the ladies.  In fact, I need to close this out and get a little more studying in before we head to a rehearsal at 11.

Do something that matters for eternity today.  Life is short.  Make every day count.

In Christ,

Sonya

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Sep
21

Summer is over!

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It’s that time again, school time! Elijah is in the first grade and doing fabulous. He received his first progress report and he had 3 A’s and 1 B, we are so proud.  I also have started classes again, and I have discovered that my Humanities class could very well be the reason I get my first gray hair :)   So my Tuesday’s & Thursday’s are crammed pack full of classes, but so far so good!

Ethan has renamed himself, as I was leaving to take Eli to school this morning he me told his name is now Ralph (his and Elijah’s newest obsession is the teenage mutant ninja turtles) and I believe Eli said he was Leo or Donnie, Dave is Master Splinter and I’m April O’Neil. I have to admit I do love their imagination!

Dave has been enjoying his time home. He’s got a busy schedule for the next couple of months!

So we have had a good summer, Elijah got to take a couple trips with Dave, we had to take the bus a couple different places for repairs and we enjoyed that time together, it almost felt like “mini vacations” we had fun, and we made sure we stayed in motels that had a pool. Its funny because, last night Eli said, ” Dad we need to go somewhere to have more family time, we need to find a motel with a pool” and of course Ethan had to put his two cents worth in and he said,”Dad we need to stay at either a Best Western or a Hampton Inn”, it sounded so funny coming from a 4 year old (but hey at least he has good taste in picking out motels).  

 I also got to take a road trip with Dave, I got to go with the group to Branson, MO, that was fun, I had never been to Silver Dollar City before! But one of the coolest things about the trip was Dave gave me a driving lesson, I actually drove the bus! I was a bit nervous about driving a 40 ft. bus because I hadn’t drove anything that big before, and I’m use to drivng our car, which is a VW Golf and the bus is probably 3 times the length of it! But I’ll be honest it was empowering!  I’m thinking I need to go on another trip so I can have a 2nd lesson! 

Well it’s time to get off the computer, I got to go get Eli from school soon and head over to my Zumba class.

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