Have a Merry Christmas and a Wonderful New Year!

Penny's surprise party

Penny had a big surprise on her 50th
Lane hugs his Grammie

Charlisa, Tammy and Kim all enjoyed surprising their sister.

The Story in NC continues . . .

When everyone finally got ready, we loaded up for the church. It was a beautiful old church snuggled a short distance from the main road. In most churches we attend, several people feel like they know us because of the Gateway Gospel Program. The sweetest elderly lady came up to me and said, "I watch the program every Tuesday night and we enjoy your pastor so much." She kept hugging me and made me feel so welcomed. That's when I knew that this small church was filled with loving people. David did an excellent job glorifying our LORD and the people seemed to enjoy our music. Penny did a great job on her most requested song, "The Promise". During the service I noticed several people watching Danielle play and Jeremy guitar playing added so much. Pastor Harper seemed especially blessed when several members came to pray. We praise GOD for the new friends we met and join with them in prayer for lost souls.

Trio in North Carolina

The trio rarely sings at a church that requires an overnight stay, but we made an exception when Pastor Harper from the Evangelical Methodist Church called. It was so great for all of us to be together, because Jeremy has been working Monday-Saturday 5 am-5pm, and hasn't made many singings this summer. On our way we stoppped at Fatz Cafe for dinner. I have never seen David eat so much and this was a real blessing. The food was great! On the last 35 miles of the trip we were in search for a bathroom. Since we were way up in the mountains, this was an adventure to say the least. Then around 9 pm we met Brother Harper and went to the church to set the sound system. He was so hospitable and kind. Three of us slept fairly well and three didn't. I was the only one up at 6:00 and I needed breakfast and coffee, but I forgot where Bro. Harper told me that the resturant was located. Around 8:30 Penny was up needing coffee too and then we saw the only place in Linnville to eat. Penny dropped me off and she went to the gas station to get coffee (big mistake). While I waited for my food, I read all the stories about Grandfather Mountain, which was about 3 miles from the church. Did you know that this part of the country has a great Scottish clan heritage? One of the descendents started a singing and in 1963 they had over 100,000 attend including Dr. Billy Graham. I sure wish I could have been there. After eating by myself, I returned two more times with different members of the group. I really enjoyed this Sunday morning as we prepared for worship.

Praise the LORD

During April the Trio sang at Blackmont where Thomasa's son-in-law was holding a revival. Later that week Grace, age 10, was saved. Then as we went to one of our favorite places in Greenville, TN. called LORD's Tabernacle, as we were singing a young girl came to the alter and was saved. This church had been in revival all week, so the HOLY SPRIRIT was free to work among the church. What a glorious time we had and we sang a new song, "Loving the Lamb", written by Kyla Rowland. Another favorite during the service was "Did I Mention". We are so thankful to be able to share our songs with all the churches.

Christian Sympathy is extended to the family's of Sister Odell Nichols, the widow of Rev. H.P. Nichols, our dear friends for the past 10 years. She went home on Valentine's day, which seems very appropriate, because she loved and missed her husband so much. Also, Gary Gulley went home to be with the LORD, Feb. 14th. We met the Gulley family, when their son Adam, held a revival at Bennett's Fork. The LORD used the song that Penny sings, "And I see a great band of angels camped all around me. . ." during the revival. As Brother Gulley was dying, he asked Adam to sing this chorus". GOD bless till we meet again.

Great News

Janurary 24th
,During the singing at Big Creek Baptist in Oliver Springs a sweet little girl named Alexia was saved. This is why we go and serve. May GOD continue saving at this church. There are four other people in the church under conviction. Please help us pray for them and especially for the piano players husband.

Newest Addition

This is Thomasa and Sam Risner's newest granddaughter, Harper Ryanne Allen. She was born on January 8th and she and the family are doing fine.

Here we go into 2010 and that's even hard to say. What does the good LORD hold in store for the Trio this year? I can only trust GOD's word and know that HE directs our path. Last year we were blessed to keep singing even after David was hospitalized. We were blessed to sing in lots of new churches, but we also visited some of our "favorites". We had two great services at McMillian Freewill Baptist. One that we'll never forget is the "cell phone" service, where we shared the wonderful prescense of the LORD with people via our phones. It was so thrilling to see everyone holding up their phones for other to hear.

One of the sadest events of 2009 was when our friend Lyle Smith was severly injured on his job. After spending months in ICU, he is finally at home recovering. Lyle has been our special friend because he has introduced us to so many wonderful churches in Green County, but also has been at every service possible and we also appreciate his prayers after each service. Lyle would always say, "You all need the prayers and I need the practice." Please continue to pray for him and his family.

Another shocked was when our pastor's son, Boyd, was diagnosed with cancer. He is being treated with chemo at the present time and doing well. He and Mandi will have a baby girl soon.

The trio saw only a few souls saved in 2009. Garmeda Mission was a wonderful service where we saw a young and old man saved. Praise the LORD! It is our prayer that we all would draw closer to HIM in 2010 and may we be used to bless our church and those that would have us sing for them.

Isaiah 26:3 has always been one of my favorite verses and I pray that this year I could focus more on the LORD.

GOD bless you all!
Thomasa