Dear Sonja, All I know to say about your blog… how sweet and precious. I was born and raised here. I left for a year once. When I came back I so much more appreciated this sweet town, my home too. Blessings to you and Andrew. Love Charlotte
Sonja, this was so good to read. I agree, we have to go through stuff to, work at jobs that we like or dislike but to remember this is only a temporary thing. If we have a vision or a dream or wish that we see for ourselves, we can make that come true, but in His time, not ours. And when we finally see our vision come true, we truly appreciate everything we have been through. Those trials made us the people we are today – Awesome!! You are such an inspiration Sonja. Congratulations Andrew and Sonja on your trip to Africa and keep us posted on how you guys are doing. They will be blessed having you guys there. I also want to make a comment on this picture of the tree. Can I buy this picture? I Love this picture, its just beautiful. With much Love, Auntie
I laughed so hard at that last comment! XD
It sounds to me, Sonja, that you are taking the first steps to an amazing adventure! Or the beginnings of a new book! Don’t forget anything and write down any ideas that pop into that lovely head of yours 🙂
Stay safe and stay happy!
Amy Newstead
Sonja I so enjoyed reading your blog! What a incrediable journey God has you and Andrew on. May your days continue to be blessed with faith building events. Sending hugs, smiles, and love your way. Blessings
Awesome, honey! I am sharing it with my friends on FB. Here I sit as a past example of procrastination and no follow-through. Life is so much more brilliantly clear, fun and joyful when you are doing what God has created you to and to be what He created you to be–and that’s not sitting on your duff so that one day you can say, “I wish I had…” I love you, daughter. Go get ’em and keep it up! Dad.
You had a great and very personal epiphany at a young age – a true gift from God! Perhaps the one thing I might have written differently (and then of course, I am not you and you are not me…), would be your paragraph that goes as follows:
“Come on. Go for it. Quit your job, or send in that application. Write that essay. Contact that politician. Learn how to make creme brulee, or learn how to speak Italian. Read Les Miserables or War and Peace. Make a list and start checking it off.”
Going for it is great but to recommend quitting your job before getting another, even if the job you have isn’t your dream job, is still income (unless you have some money in the bank or family/friends to support you during this time) and there should be a distinction to avoid recklessness.
Now don’t get me wrong – I’m all for change and “going for it”. I moved from one side of the country to the other, to Europe, etc., to follow my dream(s) and switched careers (successfully) three times. The difference for me now, is that I was in my 20’s and 30’s. It’s different being close to 60 (although I just now switched to the “3rd” career!) and stepping out with anew.
The only “for sure” in my opinion, is when you are doing mission work – working to spread His message. Then everything falls into place – His place – which is always perfect.
Wow! How inspiring this is! My mind is racing as I ponder the many unfinished projects I have abandoned! Thanks, Sonja! I think I will just go ahead and finish some of them!!
Sonja, this is an excellent exhortation. Your dad sent me the link and said I should read it. And that he is proud of your work. He has a right to be.
I occasionally pray for the ‘finisher’s anointing’, but feel I really need to step it up. From now ’til September it really is time to finish those straggling things that could hold me back in the next season. God is saying this right now.
Personlly, I’ve so many undone things (mostly because they are heavy things relating to sorrow’s of the past). I know that it is time to clean out these boxes, sell the extras, and get all items dealt with so that I can move on to a new season.
Then I can go for all those other things that represent the unfinished dreams that were put on the shelf when my life started to fall apart.
I loved “For He Is Summer”! It was a wonderful, delightful, moving and meaningful story and written so very well. I gave it as Christmas gifts and it’s gotten rave reviews from my family. Can’t wait for the next one.
Sonja, I knew your dad when he was growing up in Rock Island. He was a wonderful person. And I see that you are name for your grandmother. She too was a beautiful soul that was taken way too soon. I reconnected with your dad on FACEBOOK and was so shocked when I read of his untimely death. I remember yelling NOOOOOOO! at the computer. Know that your parents are with you and proud of the woman you have become. He shared his love for all his children with me in an email. Gpd Bless you as you continue to carry on their legacy.
Charlotte Dean said:
Dear Sonja, All I know to say about your blog… how sweet and precious. I was born and raised here. I left for a year once. When I came back I so much more appreciated this sweet town, my home too. Blessings to you and Andrew. Love Charlotte
Diane Moffat said:
…and we will be waiting for you… God bless you. ❤
Helen Betzler said:
Beautifully written, Sonja. Now I really can’t wait to begin your book next week!
Patrick Atkins said:
I love this Sonja! Thanks for sharing, sad that you guys are gone but the memories will always be there and of course the wonderful town of Sonora.
Diane Moffat said:
Bravo! ❤
Andrew said:
So good babe, so good.
Jolene Heinemann said:
Sonja, this was so good to read. I agree, we have to go through stuff to, work at jobs that we like or dislike but to remember this is only a temporary thing. If we have a vision or a dream or wish that we see for ourselves, we can make that come true, but in His time, not ours. And when we finally see our vision come true, we truly appreciate everything we have been through. Those trials made us the people we are today – Awesome!! You are such an inspiration Sonja. Congratulations Andrew and Sonja on your trip to Africa and keep us posted on how you guys are doing. They will be blessed having you guys there. I also want to make a comment on this picture of the tree. Can I buy this picture? I Love this picture, its just beautiful. With much Love, Auntie
Amy said:
I laughed so hard at that last comment! XD
It sounds to me, Sonja, that you are taking the first steps to an amazing adventure! Or the beginnings of a new book! Don’t forget anything and write down any ideas that pop into that lovely head of yours 🙂
Stay safe and stay happy!
Amy Newstead
Andrew Skokan said:
Well said. That is so awesome you guys are in Tanzania.
Marcella Cannon said:
Beautifully said Sonja…bless you!
Anna Noonan said:
Sonja I so enjoyed reading your blog! What a incrediable journey God has you and Andrew on. May your days continue to be blessed with faith building events. Sending hugs, smiles, and love your way. Blessings
Chris Guthrey said:
Thanks Sonja! Very much related to some of the stuggles I’ve been dealing with. Nice to see it normalized and given such heartfelt inspiration 🙂
Wolf Krismanits said:
Awesome, honey! I am sharing it with my friends on FB. Here I sit as a past example of procrastination and no follow-through. Life is so much more brilliantly clear, fun and joyful when you are doing what God has created you to and to be what He created you to be–and that’s not sitting on your duff so that one day you can say, “I wish I had…” I love you, daughter. Go get ’em and keep it up! Dad.
Diane Moffat said:
You had a great and very personal epiphany at a young age – a true gift from God! Perhaps the one thing I might have written differently (and then of course, I am not you and you are not me…), would be your paragraph that goes as follows:
“Come on. Go for it. Quit your job, or send in that application. Write that essay. Contact that politician. Learn how to make creme brulee, or learn how to speak Italian. Read Les Miserables or War and Peace. Make a list and start checking it off.”
Going for it is great but to recommend quitting your job before getting another, even if the job you have isn’t your dream job, is still income (unless you have some money in the bank or family/friends to support you during this time) and there should be a distinction to avoid recklessness.
Now don’t get me wrong – I’m all for change and “going for it”. I moved from one side of the country to the other, to Europe, etc., to follow my dream(s) and switched careers (successfully) three times. The difference for me now, is that I was in my 20’s and 30’s. It’s different being close to 60 (although I just now switched to the “3rd” career!) and stepping out with anew.
The only “for sure” in my opinion, is when you are doing mission work – working to spread His message. Then everything falls into place – His place – which is always perfect.
Love you…❤
Jody Trott said:
Wow! How inspiring this is! My mind is racing as I ponder the many unfinished projects I have abandoned! Thanks, Sonja! I think I will just go ahead and finish some of them!!
Ginny Stafford said:
Sonja, this is an excellent exhortation. Your dad sent me the link and said I should read it. And that he is proud of your work. He has a right to be.
I occasionally pray for the ‘finisher’s anointing’, but feel I really need to step it up. From now ’til September it really is time to finish those straggling things that could hold me back in the next season. God is saying this right now.
Personlly, I’ve so many undone things (mostly because they are heavy things relating to sorrow’s of the past). I know that it is time to clean out these boxes, sell the extras, and get all items dealt with so that I can move on to a new season.
Then I can go for all those other things that represent the unfinished dreams that were put on the shelf when my life started to fall apart.
Thanks for the exhortation to FINISH IT.
Blessings, Ginny
Sandy Lewis said:
I loved “For He Is Summer”! It was a wonderful, delightful, moving and meaningful story and written so very well. I gave it as Christmas gifts and it’s gotten rave reviews from my family. Can’t wait for the next one.
Sandra said:
Awesome, you are a wonderful writer.
robert barclay said:
I read liberty hill. it was a great story. I thuorly enjoyed it. at the end you posted to watch for proverty hill. did you ever anything with it?
Kathy Ferri said:
Sonja,
Thank you for sharing such a personal part of you. You truly touched my heart!
Hugs,
Kathy
Virginia Carlson said:
Thank you for sharing this. I’ve had 7 close family deaths the last three years. Several sudden and instantaneous.
You were able to describe exactly what I haven’t been able to verbally express.
Death is a presence indeed.
May God richly bless you and thank you.
Susan Granet said:
Sonja, I knew your dad when he was growing up in Rock Island. He was a wonderful person. And I see that you are name for your grandmother. She too was a beautiful soul that was taken way too soon. I reconnected with your dad on FACEBOOK and was so shocked when I read of his untimely death. I remember yelling NOOOOOOO! at the computer. Know that your parents are with you and proud of the woman you have become. He shared his love for all his children with me in an email. Gpd Bless you as you continue to carry on their legacy.