Sandy Announces Her Final Podcast And Offers Encouragement Through Faith

Sandy Rios Battle rages on between what's right and wrong Better get a handle on who you're gonna serve Put the whole, armor on protects and makes you strong Won't be very long till you'll have to fight you're a soldier. Fit your breastplate full of righteousness firm it to your chest it'll help you stand against all wickedness principalities false realities about You're a man, you're a soldier soldier in the army in the army you're a soldier you're a soldier a marching as to war you're a soldier you're a soldier in the army now You're a soldier you're a soldier in the army of the lord you have to fight you have to fight from what you know is right you have to fight in the army of the moon battle rages on between what's right and wrong Better get a handle on who you're gonna serve Put the whole under on protection makes you strong I won't be very long till you'll have to fight You're a soldier, you're a soldier in the army in the army you're a soldier you're a soldier marching at your wall you're a soldier you're a soldier in the army now you're a soldier you're a soldier in the army of the lord and you'll have to fight you have to fight you have to fight for what you know is right you have to fight in the army and I fight you have to fight for what you know is right you have to fight in the army of the one you have for fight you have to fight for what you fight fight you have to fight in his army you have to fight you have to I You have to fight you're a soldier a soldier in the army in the army you're a soldier you're a soldier marching at the wall you're a soldier you're a soldier in the army you're a soldier you're a soldier in the army of the lord you're right you're a soldier soldier in the army in the army soldier you're a soldier marching at warrior soldier in the army now.

Sandy Rios All right, Sandy Rios with you. Well, we have a different kind of show today. It's my last, a podcast with you and probably my last time to do any kind of. Except for being a guest on some. This is kind of the end of the line. I've been doing this for. I don't know how, since a long time ago. And decades, I'd say, and started out in Chicago and. And we're going to talk about that. Bruce, my sweetheart, is with me today, and it's only appropriate because he's been with me through a lot of these things. And my, My purpose today in this show, I'm not going to talk about politics. Heaven knows there's a lot to talk about. But I want to encourage you. You know, I'm going to play some of my music that was, a Soldier, just called Soldier. And, even when I sang it then we were raging. The battle was raging over life and, all kinds of things. It was. We were fighting then. This is not new, this trouble we're having in this country, but it's just taken a horrible turn and got much worse. So I want to encourage you today because God is faithful. He is faithful. Just cling to him and just. If you can't think of anything else to say, Lord, I trust you. I trust you. My life is in your hands. So, we're going to hopefully have some fun. And again, I just hope that you are encouraged by the time we finish this time together today.

Sandy Thanks Listeners And Appeals For Support Of Preborn

Well, it's my time to tell you about PreBorn. You know, I just talked to. There's a girl that's. I've known for years. Her name is Sarah. She sold my show in Chicago that was a commercial station, and I was the number one show because she was so good. and she's a committed believer in Christ. And so she has been finding, sponsors, for this show like PreBorn. And, I just want, you know, she just told me two days ago that I'm in the top tier. Sandy Rios, 24 7, is in the top tier of all radio shows in the nation for pre born, which is amazing because I don't. I don't have a large audience. We don't advertise. We don't have a staff. Except for Adam and me, we're it. And, you know, it's never been my. I mean, it's a great joy to have success, but that's really not what I do this for. I'm sure you picked that up. But, and I want you to. I want you to know it's because of. It really is because of you. I've never seen a more generous audience in my life. In my life. And I've had to, you know, do a lot of commercials and all kinds of asks and campaigns, and you guys are absolutely phenomenal. And it's because of you, that we've again saved 50,000 babies this year. So, I want to remind you that PreBorn is our sponsor, has been for a long time. And for $28, you can provide an ultrasound for a girl today who is struggling with the fact that she is pregnant and she's not married and doesn't know what to do. And PreBorn is in the business of showing that young girl, or middle aged, whatever age, that woman a photo, an ultrasound shot of their baby in utero with all its little parts, its little nose that looks like somebody in the family and, you know, it's a little finger sucking and all the things that they do when, when they're tiny like that. And most women just cannot move ahead with an abortion when they see that that's how we save these babies in the most meaningful, wonderful way. And also preborn ministers to the moms by ministering. I mean, I'm not talking about feeding them. I'm talking about telling them about Jesus and redemption and forgiveness and hope. And, so many girls have come to Christ as a result of that. Also mothers. So thank you. God bless you in every way. You'll never know, really. So you get to heaven and how many girls you have helped and how many babies you have saved. So thank you. Just go to preborn.com sandy preborn.com sandy and make your most generous donation.

Listeners Share Farewell Messages As Sandy Introduces Her Show

All right, so sit back. One of the things I want to talk to you. Someone has asked me, what outlets can they trust? And I'm going to deliver, that to you today. We're going to be, reading some, email that we've gotten and playing some voicemail. And as a matter of fact, let's play a voicemail right now. These are such a blessing to me, and I want you to hear, hear them too. Okay, here we go.

Caroline Sandy, the news of your ending your podcast and your time is so sad because I've listened to you for years, every single, never miss one. You have enlightened us in ways no one else did. You've encouraged us in the ups and downs. You've motivated us to keep going. You're inspiring. I will miss you as so many people will, and I'm so glad to have this opportunity to tell you. So take care. God bless

Sandy Rios you. You see why, that ministers to me. Good grief. How many people get that kind of encouragement in their life over anything they do. But this is the kind of thing that I get a lot. And I think that's God's gift to me. You all are God's gift to me. All right, so let's. Hey, we better start the show, right? This is Sandy rios on Sandy Rios, 24 7. And. And, here we go. From American family radio, Sandy Rios.

Career Clips And The Apostles Creed Recall Sandy's Christian Convictions

We are not called to be nice. We are often called to be confrontational. And here with me in D.C. is Fox News contributor Sandy Rios. I think the most important thing we need to demonstrate to our children is genuineness, that we actually believe what we say we believe. Longtime Fox News contributor Sandy Rios.

Sandy Rios Thanks very much for being with us. Seek justice. Not social justice, but God's justice, what's right and what's wrong. Sandy Rios is with the American Family Association, a pro life radio talk show host.

Sandy Rios We've got to say, this is the line. Life is sacred. Director of governmental affairs for the American Family Association. Step up. Speak up. Say something. Do something.

Sandy Rios Satan in one God, Father almighty, maker of all. And I believe in Lord Jesus, only begotten son of God. I believe believe in your holy spirit, the giver of all life proceeding from the father and the son all glorified. I believe Jesus came in the flesh. I believe conceived by God, virgin born, he conquered, death rose again. Now his kingdom has nowhere. Lord, I believe in one body one of your spirit baptized in you I'm looking for the resurrection I have been forgiven to reign with you Yes, I know you will come again lo to judge the quick and the dead and I believe I shall you forever more Just like you say Sam M. I believe in body born of your spirit baptized in you. I'm looking for the resurrection I've been forgiven to ring with you Yes, I know you will come come again to judge the quick and the dead and I believe I shall live forever more Just like you said. And I believe believe I shall live forever more just like you say.

Sandy Rios Ah. All right, Sandy. Rio's back. That, That's the. The Apostles creed, and that was the title of my second album because it was important to me at that time in my life.

Bruce Begins Interview By Celebrating Sandy's Soldierlike Courage

I had my little disabled daughter at home, and I wanted to affirm my faith no matter what was going on. I believe. I believe I would encourage you to consider doing the same in your own life. No matter what's happening in the world. He is the same yesterday, today and forever and he will never leave you forsake you all right, So I have my husband next to me, and we've actually been laughing all night. We started talking. He went through my book. It's. What is it? It's God's velvet hammer. And he was laughing so hard, and that's how the whole book started. But anyway, he's going to kind of interview me today. Right, Bruce, can, can I trust you to do that? I think

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) we're going to turn the table. You're

Sandy Rios not going to roast me? No, I

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) don't plan to roast. Okay, well, you could, you know. No, as you said, we were laughing last night, going back through your life, and, it's turned out exactly as you anticipated when you were small, didn't it? This is exactly what

Sandy Rios you thought was small. Yeah, I saw it all in a vision. Yeah. When I grow up. Yeah. No, not hardly.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) Well, first of all, I wanted to say that after listening to your song, you're a soldier in the army of the Lord. I couldn't feel more about that. You are that. Exactly. You are. Have been a soldier. You are a soldier. You have stood up to many things that probably I would have cowered away from, and I'm so proud of you.

Sandy Recalls Small Town Roots And Unexpected Early Leadership

But, you really have been a cat of nine lives, though. Sandy, I. Every time I think I know everything about my wife, I find out something new. So anyway, we're going to talk about her today. And, you know, I think it's interesting to go back to your roots. Your roots were very, very humble. your family out of Oklahoma and then southern Illinois. And you, lived in a small town. Carmi, Illinois. Describe Carmi for us. What kind of town was

Sandy Rios it? Well, come on, it was the county seat, 6,000 people. My high school was like 300 and something people. Maybe 400. Yeah, so it was pretty small, but it was a sweet little town, you know, Sweet. We had the Dairy Queen. I used to, you know, drive Drag, Maine, go around the Dairy Queen and then the other end of town, the Dog and Suds. I knew every grill of every car and who was driving it. Oh, that's Jon. He's got a. Whatever. All the makes and models. Yeah. So that's what

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) I like. I always think it's. It's kind of neat. Sandy's dad owned the only gas station in town. And so of course, back then when the attendant pumped her gas, everybody got to know everybody. And, if you've ever seen Sandy's dad, he's a very large man, or he was a very large man and kind of intimidating. And, when we went to Sandy's 50th high school reunion, so I'm talking to guys that are like 68, 69 years old and three in a row at Some point in talking to them. Each one of them separately said, you know, I was really afraid of Sandy's dad.

Sandy Rios Yeah, they used to say that they, that they say my dad put a service station bell across our driveway. Oh, the airline, airline thing. You know, they drive up on the driveway, that would go off. That's not true. But my dad did come out and wave and flip the, porch lights. Yeah, it was funny. Yeah.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) Get in here, Sandra K. And you know, it's funny when I look at, you know, you are a born leader, really. it's a quality I do not have. And it's something I've always noticed in you. And that started early, from what I can see. you know, you were in student council, you were president of your sorority. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I

Sandy Rios don't know. I didn't, ever think of myself that way. It kind of came upon me by other people, you know. You know, you say, I'm going to lead all these people. I didn't have that at all. I was very self conscious and no self esteem. But, it did happen that way and I, I don't know why. I guess God saw something in me that I surely wasn't aware of. But yeah, it was just natural. So I had to learn to be quiet and hold back because it's not appropriate. Even if you've got that gift, you're not always the leader. And I, had to learn that, Bruce. And I think because I was, you know, could be a real good soldier, not thinking I should be leading. Then I was able to do both.

Childhood Singing And Small Town Performances Began Sandy's Musical Path

You know,

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) I also, you're kind of a contradiction because, you know, you've spoken on the radio for probably 30 years now. But in real life you're not a talker, conversationalist. I mean, you're certainly interesting, but I mean you're not like on and on with talking. and for someone like that to become an entertainer, I think that's really quite the, transition. And you started performing at an early age, didn't you? Yeah, four. What did you do when you were four years old? What

Sandy Rios was your. We were in church. because my parents. That was not long after they both became Christians and I was 4. My mother used to make all our clothes, so I had a little pleated skirt with, you know, straps and a white blouse with a crisp collar. And my hair was all permed, parted in the middle. And they just. My dad just put me up on the stage, lifted me up there and they had me sing I've got the joy, I've got the jai jai jai jai down in my heart. So I did that, and I did. Zacchaeus was a, wee little. And I remember, I can still remember people looking at me. It was like people were looking at me when I'm singing. It was just so weird. But I wasn't self conscious. I was too young to even worry about that. But that was my first time.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) Yeah. And then, you actually had, your first, what I would call a professional paid appearance when you were a teen,

Sandy Rios didn't you? Yes, I sang Joni angel at Teen Town. They had a band every Friday and Saturday. I was about 14. And some of you. Do you remember anybody remember that song, Joni Angel. And I love him. And I got paid $5. I got paid $5. Wow. Yeah. Oh, and I also won a contest. I went at the dime store. They had you go up in the office and they had that intercom for the whole store. And I sang, I think, Julie. I don't know. Leslie Gore's. It's my party. It's my party and I cry if I want to. Anyway, yeah, I had a big beginning, Bruce. I was a star. Didn't

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) you do a, an animal imitation too,

Sandy Rios at some point? Oh, that's. That came much, much later. Oh, okay. That's a recording days. But, But I did do, I did get persuaded to sing in Corn Day. See, we had a Corn Day. We were. And they put me up on the stage. They didn't put me up on stage. I was able to. 12 years old, anyway. And I sang I'm, just a girl that can't say no from the Oklahoma. The musical Oklahoma. And I had no idea what I was saying. I had no idea. I'm just a girl who can't say no. You know, I know what I'm talking about. But that was my big

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) debut. You know, I love Korn Day. people. People laugh. But in these small towns in the Midwest especially, they have these. These festivals. And Corn Day was just so much fun. I mean, the parade, you know, the high school band. Everybody like that cotton candy. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Well, you, as you say, you. You weren't quite sure. I'm sure at that point in your life where you were heading, what. What did you. What did you aspire to? What did you think you were going to do with

Sandy Rios your life?

A Childhood Conversion Inspired Sandy's Lifelong Calling To Teach

Well, I. I had kind of a dramatic conversion when I was about 8, just before I turned 9. And I do. It was, I Should tell the story, I suppose, because this is why I am what I am. my parents again, were new Christians. And we were going to church for the first time. And I was hearing things I'd never heard before. And I got. Now, for some of you that aren't believers, this will sound weird to you, but I, the Holy Spirit tried to. Started working in my life. And whatever it was, I didn't want it. That's the best I can say. I didn't know. I knew I didn't want it. And so we go to church and I, I would, when they do the, invitation, that means to invite you to come to Christ, come forward and give your life to Christ. I was miserable. And we went to California for a vacation. My dad's twin brother lived out there. And we drove in the car all those hours and the Holy Spirit just came into the back seat of that car and I was miserable. But I didn't. This happened for almost a year, Bruce. And then finally one night I was in bed and my big sister, she's seven years older than I am, went to spend the night with someone. And I was scared of the dark. I was scared of the dark. I thought somebody was going to grab my ankle if I got out of bed, you know, from under the bed. And my dad snored profusely and the house just shook. And I remember being awake all night and then listening to him and being afraid. And then also here comes the Holy Spirit. And I feel like Jacob wrestling with, with the angel. I do. I just didn't know. No, no. Why did I know? I was only 8 years old. How did I figure it out? I didn't want that, whatever it was. But finally, I said, this is my profound prayer. I said, lord, if you'll let me go to sleep, I'll say yes. That's how. And seriously, Bruce, I fell asleep and I got up the next morning bouncing around real early singing hymns. And so that's how it all started. Not long after that, at some point I asked God, please tell me what I should be. What should I be? my life is yours, what should I be when I grow up? And I. This the answer. I got a teacher. You should be a teacher. But you, ah, know, I ended up teaching for maybe only subbing. I never did really teach. Yes I did. I guess in later, but not for long. I wasn't a teacher. and that's exactly what I have been doing

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) all these years. Yeah. Isn't that ironic because you're Teaching, just not in a different classroom setting. You've, been on the radio for all these years in organizations.

College At Oklahoma Baptist Led Sandy From English Toward Music

Okay, so you graduate from high school, and you go off to Oklahoma Baptist University. what was that like? Well, gee,

Sandy Rios I don't even know how to answer that. That was a long way away. It was about 8 or 900 miles. And my mother was from Oklahoma, and she was d. For me to go to Oklahoma Baptist University. So, it was small, you know, like 1700 students. But what did I know? I mean, nobody in my family had ever gone to college. And I didn't know what to expect. I just remember my dad. They unloaded my things, and then. My dad's always in a hurry. So I went down to the car to say goodbye. And my dad just looked at me. He said, sandra, kid, we've taught you everything we know. Now you're on your own. And they drove away. And I like, But I did adjust. And, of course, I really discovered, Oh, so one other thing I should tell. Now tell me if I'm talking too much, Riz, because we might go three hours here. I knew nothing about college, and I was scared I was going to flunk out. I just thought all these brilliant people went to college. Not regular people like me. And so, when the day of registration, it was really still. Still warm and nice outside. All. Everybody's in line. And I'm, you know, in line, and I'm waiting. I get up to my turn, and they say they were very abrupt. I guess they were in a hurry. I was there all by myself. Other people had friends. I knew nobody. And so the guy's looking down at his little sheet. He goes, name, blah, blah, blah. You know, major. I didn't know what a major was. What was a major. And I gathered. I kind of figured out sort of. I said, music. Well, what kind of music? I mean, you're vocal, instrumental. And I thought, well, I play the piano. I sing. But what I'm really good at is English. So I'm going to say English. So I said, I'm going to major in English. And, that's how it all started. But then halfway through the semester, I realized I loved music. Music seemed too easy for me. I mean, too easy as a discipline to me to major in something like that. How could you major in music? But I did switch at the half point, and it loved. I said, I love music. I miss it. So I wasn't passionate about. About English, but I was passionate about music. So I changed

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) My.

College Auditions Brought Setbacks Before Sandy Found Her Musical Place

And so that sort of jump started your eventual music careers at. I

Sandy Rios sang. I wanted to sing with a group that was phenomenal. They. They went to. Traveled with the USO and that seemed to be the perfect place for me. I was in the. I started out in the Women's Glee Club because I didn't audition for anything. I didn't know anything about what was there. And I didn't have that much confidence. I really felt, Everybody was so confident, knew what they were doing. And the music majors were a little bit snobby and confident. And. And it did intimidate me, so. But then when I heard the tune clippers, I thought, that's for me. Because I've been singing rock and roll, you see, like the boy from NewSong York City and famous world songs like that. so, I worked really hard and arranged my own song and went in for the audition. I'm shaking like a leaf. And, the girl just botched her. Botched my arrangement. She couldn't. She couldn't.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) I was playing the piano or. Yeah.

Sandy Rios Because I had written it out myself. And I guess she just couldn't read it like that. So it was. It didn't go well. And, And so they used to post the results on the. On the wall at the rehearsal hall. And, So I went down there and, Just nervous, nervous. And I did not make it. And I was just devastated, Bruce. I thought I was just devastated because I was used to being first in music, first of this, first of that, you know. And so, about a few months later, a month or so later, a bunch of girls came to my room, maybe two, and, asked me to be joined the Bison Glee Club, which was the other premier group on campus. It was a men's glee club, and they only had, like, six women. And, it was such a. Nobody does that. They're very high standards. And they came and recruited me anyway. I joined it. I learned how to. We did concerts with lots of changes of clothes, and it was a real performance, and it was wonderful. And that was my. That was my sweet spot. Oh, that's

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) great.

Marriage Took Sandy To Divided Berlin And Exposed Her To Communism

And after, you graduated, you got

Sandy Rios married? I did, but we should say not to you. No, I wish I'd known you there. But you were just a kid. Because I'm older than you

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) are. And, where did you end up after you got married? we moved to

Sandy Rios Berlin, Germany, because, my first husband was drafted. It was during Vietnam. And you know what? I should say one more thing about, OBU and that Glee Club. My recording of Windmills of your mind. Because I did the solo on that while the guys behind me go, ooh, ah. You know, all that. So, windmills of your mind. It was from the Crown Thomas Crown. Thomas Crown Affair. Anyway, it went up in the first space lab. Wow. Yeah. So anyway, that's. I just want to say that. Okay, so we ended up in Berlin, Germany, which was delightful to me because I just

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) was very interested. And was that during the. The Cold War? Was it east and West Berlin? We. Well, you couldn't

Sandy Rios get. East Berlin was shut off by the Wallnua. West Berlin was the free zone, and it was run by the Americans, the French, and the British. And, East Berlin was cut off. Run by communists. Horrible. So we lived in the free zone, of course. And. But we would travel into East Berlin, going through Checkpoint Charlie. It was. There's just. No, there's nothing like it. It's so surreal. You. You'd have to make an appointment to go over, and you go through those, bank tank barriers, just, you know, winding your way through it, and then through the. And they come out and look at you in your car, and you can't open the windows. They tell

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) you not to do that, the East

Sandy Rios German. So then I hold my card up. I said, you are leaving the American sector. I'm sure most older people remember that. You are leaving the American sector. And so then we kept driving and then went through m. The final gate. And honestly, it was like, Berlin was thriving by then. West Berlin, just economically and everything. It was bright and pretty, beautiful city. And when you went through that gate, it was bleak and colorless, and there were hardly anybody on the street. And I remember going. Going into a restaurant. People didn't talk there. You hear their forks clicking on their plate, but they didn't dare look up at you. I call, you know, sometimes they would look up and glance and then just look down because they were all being watched and they. So that's. I remember a lot of things about. Went to. My husband ran with the, Charlottenburg Sports Club. He was a runner. And, went to a meet and nobody clapped. Wow. Yeah. Yeah. So I could say more about that, but it was so

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) suppression. So you guys really got to see communism close up. You know, we're. We're talking about that at this time, after the election and midterms. are we looking at potentially going into a communistic type government? So you got to see it up close and personal, the real

Sandy Rios thing, the oppression, the fear. Absolutely. I saw that later, when I traveled to China several times and North Korea, I mean, yes, I got a huge mouthful of communism and repression. And that's why I just feel so passionate about saving, keeping our freedom, you know?

Disturbing Abortion Images In Berlin Deepened Sandy's Commitment To Life

You know,

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) we talked about preborn earlier. You, expressed your thanks for. And I want to say it, too. Thank you to all the people who, in your audience who have contributed to preborn. It really is overwhelming. But while you were, living in West Berlin, something happened to you, didn't it? regarding this issue, the issue of

Sandy Rios life. Yes. I would say this whole. My almost three years in Berlin really changed my life. It was a convergence of a lot of things. And I was, at, Berlin Brigade, that's the headquarters, and I was looking for a piece of paper, and I went to a desk that I didn't know even know who had it. I just wanted to open the drawer and get a piece of paper. And instead of a piece of paper, that drawer was filled with brochures of aborted babies, color brochures torn apart. they did the Saloon saline solution a number of years ago. That's what they used. And I. Honestly, Bruce, I feel it now. I can remember that moment. It was like a knife in my heart. I couldn't believe it. I mean, when I was growing up, I'm old enough that they didn't talk about abortion. And it was very, very rare. In fact, the word itself was like a curse word. We never said that word. And so that quickened my heart. And I always say it's like a man seeing pornography. It burns in his mind and memory, and he never forgets that image. And that's the way it

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) was for me. Yeah. Yeah. And,

Sandy's Daughter Sasha Brought Joy, Disability, Heartache, And Faith

So 1974, you had your first child. You had Sasha. Yes, I did. Why don't you tell us about that?

Sandy Rios My gosh, every story could be so long. I have to be careful here. I, loved babies. I love babies. I babysat. I just. I fell in love with every baby I saw. And, I couldn't wait to be a mother. And so we'd been married about three years, I think. And, I just started bugging my husband. I really, really wanted a baby, but I wasn't able to have a child. And the doctor told me I probably couldn't ever. So that was a huge time of grief. And then, lo and behold, in due time, I got pregnant with my daughter. And before she came, I couldn't sleep at night. I would imagine a child because I was so excited about it. I Just imagined the whole thing. And ah, one of those dreams I saw. I had a vision or dream, but a little girl came, a beautiful little girl came to the side of my bed and just stood there. And I'll never. I know I still remember that like. And so in due time I went back to the States and I was eight months pregnant, and seven months pregnant. Sorry to make it quick as I can for such a dramatic story. My husband was still in Berlin when labor started. I was living with my parents. And the day that she was born, there was a brand new moon in the sky. Bruce with a star on top of it. It was very early in the morning when I went into labor and we drove, we had to drive an hour to get to the hospital because remember, I'm from a small town. And so, we got there and the pain started and by noon I was fully dilated, but I hadn't even seen the doctor yet. And so I was in very hard labor all that day. I remember my mother standing over me reading her Bible, praying and and the other, other details that, you know, general, audience doesn't need to hear. But, finally in the evening, the doctor came in to. I don't think he even came. Then the nurse came and she said, we're gonna, we're gonna help you with this baby. So I got into the, you know, delivery room and she said, honey, we're going to give you Pitocin. That will speed up the, the birth. And I said, well, I said, will there be any pain? Any more pain? She said to me, honey, it'll be just like heaven. So I gave birth to Sasha. Didn't feel a thing, which was amazing. And I started jabbering like a magpie. But, three, because I was so excited. And three months later, Sasha went into seizures. And that was the beginning of, 35 years of heartache because she had so many seizures that it really did ruin her life. And she wasn't able to function above, just a baby. And I took care of her for 20 years. My mother and my dad helped me. So that's the short, short, that's the cutoff for them. But of course that just broke my heart. I was, had just rededicated my life to God. When I was in. Well, before I went to Berlin, I was just reading the Bible voraciously, just devouring it on my bed every night, every, every translation there was at the time living Bible. And then we went to Berlin and I found this great Bible teacher, my friend Morag S. And so then when I come back, then I. This happens to me, and I have this very broken baby. So it was a real trial of my faith. And sometimes you wonder why does God. Why. Why My heart is just breaking. I can't even sing without crying. And, I know now it took years to sort through it. Years. And, like, my solution, because I think I need to tell you this is, Is Job. Though he slay me, yet will I serve him. It's a Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. Our God can save us from this furnace, but even if he doesn't, we will not serve your gods. And there's a lot of verses like that I never had seen in the Bible. And that's where I came. I am devoted to you. I surrender. I trust you. So that's. Sasha taught me. If nothing else, she taught me that she was a beautiful little girl, real sweet.

Son Jeremy Added Joy As Sandy Balanced Motherhood And Caregiving

Well, and

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) then along in 1980 came Jeremy. Yes. And I'm sure that was just an absolute answer to your prayers. the

Sandy Rios rolled roast. You know, it's. My. My dad called him a rolled roast because he was so firm and staunch, you know, and he had the loudest voice you could have ever imagined. Bruce. When he, When I took him home from the hospital, I was trying to see. Had to feed Sasha her whole life, and. But this was. She was about 6 when he was born. So I'm trying to feed her. It's always slow. I'm trying. He's screaming. I mean, it's the loudest voice. My neighbors could hear him next door. And my. My. My, The guy that lived there would come and knock on my door and say, can I take him for a walk while you feed Sasha? Can you imagine? That's the thing that God did. Anyway, yeah, Jeremy was. I always say that Sasha broke my heart, but Jeremy. Men did it again. He was delightful kid, funny as ever. And now he's a pastor. He grew up. Yes, he is.

A Church Concert And Standing Ovation Rekindled Sandy's Singing Career

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) And so eventually, you got on to a singing career, would it be.

Caroline Well,

Sandy Rios I had, you know. Yes. But of course, you've tracked a bit of my singing when I was younger. And,

Sandy Rios so

Sandy Rios the. The way that happened, how did it happen? I'm trying to think. I sang in church all the time. I'd done that since I was a kid. But, the professional part happened when I came back to Chicago after being in California. We didn't get to that part, but we went to California so that my husband could train with the so could run in the Olympics because that's the kind. That's the level of runner that he was. And, we. Anyway, it was not good. We had a lot of problems, and we ended up coming back to Illinois. By God's grace, he just gave us. Gave my husband a job and a new life started. We were able to buy a house, and my dad, gave us the down payment. And life changed. I was so grateful. But, my. My church. My new church in Bolingbrook, Illinois. The women came to me and said, we want you to do a concert. And I said, what? We want you to do a concert. I said, a whole concert? You want me to sing? Yes, we want you to do a concert. And so that's. I put a concert together with a woman I'd met in studio. I guess I skipped a place there. But she came. Her. Her son came and played his violin. I wrote the charts for that. And to my amazement, Bruce, my first concert, I got a standing ovation. Wow. Yeah. So that's how it started.

John Wilson Singers Gave Sandy Twelve Years Of Recording And Performance

And, The one thing I didn't get to say. I don't know how much of this you tell. You censor me if you think I. We're going to be talking for 70 years here. Anyway, before I came to Chicago, my husband was. At the time, was staying with good friends we'd made in Berlin. And while he was there, a job opened up at a big high school as a dean of students. And our, friends asked if he would like to take that job. Well, he did take the job. And, But one night he called me from Chicago because he was living there and I was with my parents. And, he put a woman on the phone who was. Had been Miss Illinois. Beautiful, gorgeous. She looked like Snow White. I didn't see her then, but I saw it later. And, her husband was a porter quarterback for Navy. And he was a big, big wig in the fellowship Christian athletes. So she said, sandy, I just. I'm leaving a recording group. the conductor is Jon Wilson. He's the editor of Hope Publishing. Now, remember, I know nothing about Chicago. Nothing. And so, she said, my. Your husband tells me that. She said, what kinds of things do you sing? And I say, well, I. I sing most in a style. She said, would you mind if I tell Jon Wilson you're coming and maybe you could audition? And I said, fine. And so when I got to Chicago, Jon came out to my. I talked to Jon on the phone. We both had disabled children, and we hit it off. So. So well, And he told me he wanted me to sing at a. At a session in January. And I thought, this has to be. This can't be a serious endeavor, you know. Why would he ask me to sing? He's never heard me sing. And not long after that, he called me up, he said, can I come out to your house and visit with you? And he had me singing for him, so I felt much better about that. So, the Jon Wilson Singers. I was with him for 12 years, and, we made many, many albums, and it was wonderful,

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) just wonderful. And you did some work in Nashville, right, when you were doing

Sandy Rios your albums? My second album, My first album. Jon Innis of the Billy Graham Crusades. He was the organist and pianist. I was a good friend. He was only. Well, actually, that's not quite true. He scared me to death every time I tried to sing in my church. It was the Evangelical Free Church in Wheaton, and he was in the service. I just trembled. I'd always just mess up my song. And, Because he was so good and I had such respect. But anyway, he ends up, producing my album, my first one, which is Sasha's song. And, we became friends through that. But before that, I was scared to death of him. And then the second album I had, I just asked God if I could go with a record label because I felt like I wanted to. It was important for me personally to be, regarded as a serious artist and not just someone who put an album together, all that. Although that first album was absolutely wonderful. Made it, had some number ones. No. Had radio play on several of the songs that. That. The other thing came later, but this.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) Yes. Yeah.

Sandy Remembers Singing With Michael English And Johnny Erickson

Now, in your career, you've sung with some. Some people that we. The audience would know. you sang with

Sandy Rios Micah English. yeah. We might play that song today. I'm Going Home. Okay. And,

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) you sang with Joni Tata. Joni Erickson.

Sandy Rios Yes, I did. But, you know, I can't tell that story without. Yeah, I could tell it. You could tell it.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) Okay, you tell it. So Sandy and. And Joni are on, Up on a stage which is, elevated above the audience. And Joni's in her wheelchair, of course, and she has one of those joystick type controllers to move the chair back and forth. And apparently Sandy got to a dramatic point in the song and spread out her arms and her hand hit the joystick of Joni's wheelchair. This

Sandy Rios stage is about 4ft high, by

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) the way. And what happened when you

Sandy Rios hit the joystick? She jerked, you know, and. Oh, my gosh. But she had an automatic stop on it. I didn't know that. I thought she was gonna just fly off the stage and we're in the middle of this song, you know, And I was so embarrassed. Oh, my goodness. But she and I were really good friends by then. We used to talk on the phone and sing

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) together and. Yeah.

High School Music Mishaps Became A Memorable Basement Performance

So. No, I actually. I forgot about this story. I love this story. If we're gonna tell a funny one. when you and your friend Teresa were still high schoolers, I believe. Yes. And you went to sing for the Ladies Bridge Club. Yeah. So our

Sandy Rios band director in high school used to send some, of us out to perform to raise money for the. For the band or whatever. And so, yeah, Teresa. My good friend Teresa. I had a guy that played for me all the time. His name was Vance. Yeah, he played piano all the time. And we did all kinds of stuff, traveled around and sang. And so Teresa played. But. Yeah, so Teresa played. So, when we got to the house, the. All the ladies were in the basement. That's where they were playing bridge or whatever they were doing. And I was supposed to sing there. And we realized there's no piano. We had to figure out what we were going to do. She. I

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) was supposed to. What? There's no piano

Sandy Rios in the basement. No piano in the basement. And, so we figured that we would have Teresa, play the piano upstairs. And we took a. Like I had a broomstick downstairs. And when it was time to sing, I banged. I hit the drums. The broomstick on the ceiling. And we opened the vents so the music could come down in the basement. So I. And so she starts playing and I come in to know, know, know him. Hm. So she's just playing blindly upstairs, and I'm singing blindly downstairs to the ladies of the bridge party. So that's. Yeah, that was just hilarious. I'll never forget that.

Funny Stories Include Bears Anthems, Mike Ditka, And Chicago Connections

And as we've said many times, I've had as many. When we were starting to write this book, I remember how you laughed because I've had so many. Yeah, I've had really serious things happen in my life and serious opportunities. But I could write a comedy sketch. I'm not kidding. Yeah. Well,

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) I have to tell, you that there was one, chapter of Sandy's singing life that had I known of her doing this before we got married, we may never have gotten married. And being, a staunch Greene Bay Packer fan, I, after we were married, found out that my wife, on multiple occasions had sung the national anthem for the Chicago Bears.

Caroline Go

Sandy Rios Chicago Bears. Yeah, I did, I did and went. Last time I did it, I sat in the press box because it was freezing, freezing cold, Cold. And my first husband and I were shopping. I wanted a cheap fur. It was cold in Chicago and I did get a cheap fur. I got an opossum. That's all we could afford. But while we were there, the salesman came. My husband bragged to him that I was singing for the Bears the next day. And he's like, his face lit up like a Christmas tree. You what? Hang on, hang on, hang on. He goes in another room, he's gone, he's gone. He comes back out with a ten thousand dollar sheared beaver coat in bright orange and blue. Would you wear this tomorrow? Would you wear this? And I said so yes, I wear it tomorrow. How funny was that? And so that was, that was one. There was more to that story, but it was fun.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) Yeah. So anyway, we got by that. I'll give it to you. But that was when Mike Ditka was the, the head coach of the Bears, wasn't it?

Sandy Rios Mike Dicker? That I didn't recognize or

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) know. Didn't you have a TV appearance with Mr. Ditka? I did and I

Sandy Rios didn't know who he was. I, I,

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) you didn't know. I used to say

Sandy Rios on the radio in Chicago, I can talk about anything but spirit sports and dogs. And that was true. So, yeah, so I was singing on, it was called the Sunday nightclub on Channel nine and he was the speaker. But actually through the years we, we would be together in various places. We, I'm not saying I was a bosom buddy, but we had some conversations and I, you know, he died recently. And I would say that he talked to me about his faith. He had just become a Christian before he came through the Dallas Cowboys. The coach, Thom Landry. Thom Landry. And and then he, got a drunk driving ticket. And the Christian community, at first they just lavished him, it was a total mistake. They just messed him up because he was just a baby Christian. He was a great coach, but he, he was so young in the Lord and they put so much on him. And then he got a, a ticket for drunk driving and they just dropped him like a hot potato. It was terrible. And I, and I never heard him talk about his faith again. And I know his faith was genuine, but I tried to talk to him a little bit, encourage him when we would talk behind stage. And, and so, actually when, when Barack Obama ran for senator, in Illinois, I tried to get him to run against, Barack Obama, because I thought he can beat him, you know, but he didn't want to do

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) that. So that, actually, that could have really changed history, if you think about it. because I think Mike Ditka would have won. Me too. Anyone who met Mike Ditka. Ah. And I'm saying this as a Packer fan, was just mesmerized by him. He was a force, absolute force.

Sandy Rios He was a force. You know, I got to know the Bears. Walter Payton's wife used to listen to my show and. And, Mike Singletary went to my church. So I knew his wife and him, and it was fun. I had some real big adventures. Great adventures.

Bible League Trips Took Sandy Across Asia And Into North Korea

Yeah.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) And, speaking, of those adventures, you took quite a few trips overseas, right? You were with, what, the Bible League? No,

Sandy Rios I did that. I was with Salem Communications. Oh, with Salem, Yeah. Salem is, the biggest Christian radio network, in the country. They are. They have hosts and stations in every major city like Dallas and Los Angeles and Chicago and NewSong York and all of that. So I was the drive time host for a WYLL in Chicago. So as. And then the Bible. Well, the Bible League, I had been their spokesman for all their, Sheratons or radio thons, whatever. We'd come back from trips and I would talk about those trips and ask for help to send Bibles to countries that didn't have any Bibles. And so I was very close to them. And then, lo and behold, when I started on radio in Chicago, they wanted to advertise on my radio station. And so then they started sending, like six or maybe 12 sometimes hosts on these really very exciting, adventurous, and sometimes dangerous trips to faraway places. I guess I could say I went to China, I think, at least three times. And also to, Philippines. Philippines. I can't even think Cambodia. I went to Vietnam. and then the last trip I took was to North Korea. And it was when. When I was on that trip that. When 9, 11 took

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) place, which was now.

Jogging Abroad Led To Lost Sandy And A Japanese Host's Rescue

You were a runner when you were at that stage of your life, weren't you? I was,

Sandy Rios yeah. Well, I was, yeah, just a

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) jogger. Not a jogger. And, did you ever have any adventures while you were jogging in those foreign countries? So we

Sandy Rios were in India, and, we stayed in a hotel that was not a grand hotel that you'd recognize from a distance. It was like part of a. I don't know, I want to say like a strip mall almost Indian style, but it was big. and I Was the only woman on the trip. So I was in the room. Nobody knew that I was leaving. And I always tried to jog in these. I did. I jogged in all those countries. So I got up really early and the thing I haven't told you is I have a terrible sense of direction. Is that

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) true, Bruce? Terrible. Might be understating it.

Sandy Rios Yeah, terrible. So I went out early and I just. I could go through the neighborhoods where they were cooking their food out in front of their. Their housing, you know, crude little houses. And I was really enjoying that. Smelling the smells, just seeing, really seeing the people. Not like on a bus. And then I came back to come back and I couldn't remember where I was. I couldn't remember. I just is in like a circle, with a lot of traffic and surrounded by all these buildings. And I remember standing there saying, Lord, I. Nobody here. I don't even know the name of the hotel. This is very stupid on my part, but I don't know. I don't know where it is. Lord, please, please help me. Help me. And so I turned just a notch and I recognized the building. It was like more like a, I don't know, I can't explain, but m. A lot of stairs, but totally non descript. And I saw it and thank God. I just was so grateful. Now I had a funny one because when I was in Japan, that was a different. That was for. That was a singing tour. When I was in Japan, I would get up and run every day and we were traveling, going to different places to stay, sometimes hotels and. But this time we were in some people's home. Great big home out in the country. And so I got my clothes on to go run and I. They. They had kind of real big in entryway with all the shoes and stuff like that. And I, had my shoes, my shoes on and I think I looked at them and did like kind of jogged a little in place and did my

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) arms and. Oh, showing them you were

Sandy Rios going to go jogging. Yeah. So m. The wife goes and she's like backing away. Like I could tell she's saying, just a minute. And so she backed away through the curtain and I waited. And then here comes a man and none of us can speak to each other. So he puts on his running shoes. So he's going to go with me. So we go out the door and we're running and in just a minute he's going. And I realized, I found out later he'd never run a day in his life. But I Didn't know that. So I did grab him by the hand. I said, no, no, we're not. No. And so then he grabbed me and he took me. We walked quite a ways. And Japan doesn't have any north, south, east and west. And there's no markings. People even in living in Hong Kong will say we're in the, you know, in the one zone or the two zone. So, he took me by the hand and led me down to out track. A track, a beautiful track. I hate running on tracks, but I ran on that track. And I guess he said he probably did save my life. I would never have found them again. Goodness, what was I

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) thinking? Well, he was just trying to

Sandy Rios be hospitable. Right. When the weekend came, or, next concert came, there was this. Oh, I found. They told me he was 77 years old and he had never run. That's how gracious.

Moscow Interviews Revealed Soviet Hardship And A Mother's Hope

telling

Caroline you

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) now, you know, now we're going to skip around a little bit, but, you know, you've had some, quite the experiences when, again, when it comes to communism, you've been to many of the communist countries, and you did take a trip in 1991 to Russia. Is that correct? Yes. All right. What happened when you're in Russia? Well, this

Sandy Rios is interesting, I guess, since you asked me that way. I was supposed to be. I'd never done talk radio like this. I'd done. I started radio on Moody, but I was like a sidekick, to the host. That's a whole story too. But I didn't really have. Carry any. Any weight or have to figure anything out. I just sat next to him and jabbered, you know, responded to

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) him kind of like I do. Yeah,

Sandy Rios it was fun, though. I enjoyed it. But, I'd never done any. I'd been on television singing, but I had never done serious punditry, as you might say. But I did care about. I always knew about politics. I followed it. I cared very much. My parents did too. So, I was not without knowledge of. I already had a lot of knowledge about communism and all that. So I was supposed to stay in Moscow for two weeks and gather, interviews from people. Just different people. And someone was supposed to set those interviews up for me through an interpreter, of course. His name was Jimmy Leonovich. He was my traveling companion, and he was going to interpret. But when we got over there, the person that was supposed to schedule these interviews just. We. They never showed up. And so Jimmy actually started using. He was Russian himself, and American, but Russian and he started arranging these things. And I, my, My, companion or my host was a ballerina. She was my interpreter when I went out to do interviews. And so she used to be a. Yeah, a ballerina. So, gosh, there's so much to tell, Bruce. It's really hard for me to, So, I interviewed people like this. I interviewed a professor from the University of Moscow. I interviewed. Excuse me, I have to tell some of these stories. I interviewed a KGB agent at Radio Moscow. And listen, we were the first Americans to ever broadcast from Radio Moscow. Now, some of you are too young to know, this was like Pravda. This was the propaganda, very strong propaganda arm of the Soviet Union. And now, when I was there, it was still the Soviet Union. It was not just Russia then. So we re recorded in the kgb. We would go in, I think they gave. Oh, I shouldn't tell you that. They gave me some movie star's name so I'd have to identify myself as that person when I went into the building. Was embarrassing, but they, they. Anyway, so, we had to go up to the top floor and But back to the interviews. Tanya had a son who was autistic. And we had a lot of conversations about disabled children. She just poured her heart out. Because I learned with my travels that in most places people hide their children that are disabled. So I had a. I know I helped a lot of people in Japan too. But, So Sonia wanted me to, interview her neurologist who ran this clinic, so called clinic. And now don't let me lose my train of thought here, Bruce, but you have to understand this. Yeah, it's very fair. In Russia, everybody lives the same way, except the Politburo. They live like, lavishly, but the people, they all have the same things. They all live in the same size apartment in rundown high rises that stink like urine, broken windows. So this Clara labydinski is clinic, was in one of those apartments. It's probably where she lived. And so it wasn't very big. And, I'll never forget her, Bruce, because she was so tender. She had really vibrant blue eyes and. But she had dark hair. But she was, worn. Her face was just worn. She might not have been that, that old. But I asked her, she gave me kind of a history of, autism. She talked about, evolution and all of that. And she went through this whole thing, so brilliant. And then all of a sudden she's sitting across from me and she looks up to the sky, off to the side, and she Said but we are beginning to think that maybe there

Sandy Rios is a God. Mighty God, awesome.

A Worship Song And Listener's Farewell Interrupt Sandy's Moscow Story

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) As

Sandy Rios I come into your presence past the gates of praise, into your sanctuary

Caroline till

Sandy Rios we're standing face to face, I look upon your countenance, I see the fullness of your grace and I can only bow down and say you are a soul in this place mighty God,

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) you

Sandy Rios are awesome in this place of a father, you are worthy of all praise to you our lives we raise you are awesome in this place, mighty God, As we come into your presence

Sandy Rios past

Sandy Rios the gates of praise, into your sanctuary till we're standing face to face, we look upon your countenance, we see the fullness of your grace and we can only bow down and say you are awesome in this place mighty God, you are awesome in this place of a father, you are worthy worthy of all praise to. Are awesome in this place, Mighty God, you you awesome in this place mighty, mighty, mighty, mighty God, you are awesome in this place of a father, you are worthy of our praise to you our lives we raise you are awesome in this place Mighty God, you are worthy of all the praise you are lives we pray you are awesome this place Mighty God, you are awesome in this place Mighty God, you are awesome in this place Mighty God, awesome. M Ra. Foreign

Caroline this is Anne. I live in Summertown, Tennessee. I've been listening to you for years. I listened to you when I lived in Georgia, moved up here. I've told so many people about your program, and now you're. Then your podcast. Now that you're leaving, it just breaks my heart. you've been my very, very favorite part of AFR all these years. I love lots of people. I love, Love everybody. And I listen and I continue. I will continue to. But you've just been my very favorite part of afr. I feel like, my very best friend is moving to another country. That's. That's just the only way I know how to describe it. But God bless you, and I pray that the Lord blesses you and Bruce and that you can enjoy your retirement. And yes, I'll be looking forward to hearing you on AFR occasionally, but, you will be sorely missed. Godspeed.

Sandy's Radio Moscow Interview Exposed Propaganda And Religious Repression

And, same thing

Sandy Rios happened with the KGB agent. I should tell that story, too. they were still arresting people in churches, these underground churches. I mean, it was. It was the Soviet Union. So, Yuri Minayev was in charge of English language programming at Radio Moscow. And, I got to interview him. He was kind of my host, and he took me through this big chamber Like a big gymnasium with bleachers on either side. But this. These bleachers on the other side had radio booths, that faced the floor, like the gym floor, if you can imagine, that wasn't a gym. But I don't. That's all how I know to explain it to you. And so I. I listened. They were in every language you could imagine. And, he turned so that I could hear the English language Russian woman. And she was beautiful. Her voice was just like silk, like seductive. But I mean, just. You couldn't hardly stop listening to her. And she was delivering propaganda to all the English language, countries around the world. So then he took me upstairs and we sat down. I was going to interview him, and we. It was a parquet floor, and then the table was wood. And so when you would move your chair, it would make terrible noise, you know. And I had this little comp. This little portable recording device. And I said, yuri, your grandmother. He told me a bunch of things, but basically I said, yuri, your grandmother is part of the underground church. Because he told me that he showed me a cross she'd given him. I said, and you guys are doing these raids. I said, and your grandmother's there. Said, how can you stand that? And he goes, you can hear it on the tape. He

Sandy Rios goes.

Sandy Rios He pushed his chair back, which was very loud. And he said it affected me very much. Wow. And I mean, those are the kinds of experiences I had all over the world. Bruce. I just can't even now. It makes

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) me cry. And again, you know, we talk about, the. The extraordinary thing, you know, again, you're this little girl from this little town, but God has placed you in this position to interview this person and, you know, again, bringing it back to what's potentially going to happen in our country. You have seen communism up close and personal. And you know, the consequences of where some people want us to head. And it's not a

Sandy Rios good place. No, you can't breathe. You're on. You're under control. You are controlled. You have no money yourself, very little. You're given a. Like a stipend. I remember Tanya was starting, her own business. I can't remember what it was even. And she was so excited because they would get. She got paid in American dollars because they had hardly any money. They didn't have food. I remember, they didn't. They were struggling for food. And Tanya brought me to her house. She wanted me to meet her husband and meet her little boy who was, autistic. And I had to take a big subway by myself out to the outskirts of Moscow. And that was pretty interesting. Jimmy Raym, Jimmy Nevich gave real detailed notes. And, I got to her house and I knew that she didn't have food like she served me. She just was so generous. And first, before the meal, her husband was Alexandra. And, she was interpreting. And before we ate, I said, could we pray? And her husband jumps up from the table and turns east and starts about and is saying whatever. I don't know, I think probably Russian Orthodox. And, I stood up too. And, and then I said, do you mind if I can I pray in my way. And then they let me do it. And she interpreted. But that was amazing, Bruce. It was just amazing. It is. Yeah.

Sandy Urges Faith In God's Justice Amid Political And Social Uncertainty

But the thing of it is those are holy moments. And I think, I want to remind you that no matter what's happening in this country, God is still in his place. He will never change. He will never leave you or forsake you. And, whatever's happening here, some people are going to find out at some point that there is a God who brings justice and, actually punishment for the things that. The rebellion. Rebellion. I'll just say that.

Listeners' Farewell Emails Highlight Sandy's Reach And Bruce's Gratitude

Well, we've been so serious, we've hardly told any of the funny stories. But we won't get to that yet, Bruce. we have. I didn't give much. My last actual podcast was last the end of last week. And I asked at that time if you wanted to write or leave a voicemail because I. It was just so nice to hear from you. And, most of you didn't have time, but we got some great ones. And so, so we're gonna. Actually, Bruce, why don't you read a couple here? All

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) right. Mike down in Louisiana sent a very nice, sweet email. He says, Sandy, I've enjoyed your voice tremendously. I'll miss you so much. I wish I could give you a big hug. There are many nights I couldn't sleep so I'd listen to you on AFR when you were on the early morning show was when I first heard that voice. I didn't know at the time who that voice belonged to, but I fell in love with it. I've been a fan ever since. You're one of a kind. Thank you for so much joy. Mike, a big fan from Louisiana, you know,

Sandy Rios usually think. I think you know one thing, Pris. I'll just interject. when I first started in radio, well, m having my Own show. They wanted me to do a show for women. And I almost didn't get the job because I said a, show I don't want to do, show for women. Not that ladies, I have nothing against women. And so I want to explain. I just. I want to talk about everything. I want to talk about the world. I don't want to talk about, you know, menopause and, you know, the things that childbirth, unless it's natural and it fits in with the topic, but I don't want to be confined to that. So through the years then, I had always had a very large male audience, which I thought was the greatest compliment, because women doing talk news, that wasn't the case. They didn't want women doing that. They didn't. You know, there was a time when no women did that. I was one of the first ones, really. So, anyway, so here. Thank, you. What's your name

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) again? That's Mike. Thank you. That's just

Sandy Rios so sweet of you. Thank you. Okay.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) Robert sent you a nice email. It says, hi, Sandy. You have the best and most informative show on afr. I'm going to miss hearing you and your husband. I am also a recently retired state law enforcement officer from Mississippi and spent the last half of my career as a district attorney investigator. Please thank your husband for his service. I wish more men thought as we do. God bless you and all you do with love in Christ Jesus, Robert. And you know, may I say personally to the listeners, thank you for all your support of me too. I'm. I'm just a little tag along here. Sandy's, the one that does the heavy lifting, and I just get to kind of coast along. But I'll tell you, during COVID when I was so bad and you guys sent prayers, it meant so much, and. And just the kind words that I get, I don't deserve them. Sandy does the work, but I. I often get your. Your praises and I appreciate that,

Sandy Rios Bruce.

Sandy Credits Bruce's Love And Recalls His Courageous Protection

Rather, I have to interject, you, guys need to know that Bruce is really. God gave me Bruce. I had a kind of a tough life, and I had kind of a tough first marriage. And I have never been loved like I'm being loved now. And, you know, when you have that, you can. It just helps in ministry. It just helps to be loved. And Bruce has done that. He's been my backbone, my. My strength and my man, you know, through a lot of this. I should tell them I'm interrupting the narrative here, but, when we were dating, he was I wasn't. Well, I guess this must be when I moved back from Washington, Bruce. And so they had a right, big march. You were in Chicago? Yeah, they had. They had a march for life. And, I was part. They wanted me to sing or talk, I guess I talked about. And so we had a big stage set up right downtown. And I go up and I'm talking, and all of a sudden I hear this noise behind me. I hear kind of a disturbance and I'm talking, so I can't really turn around. But when I finally turned around, this man had jumped up on the back behind me on the stage. Then this other man jumped behind him and brought him down. And that other man was my husband to me. Bruce took him down. You know, think about that. And then one, time I was, speaking. He'd never heard me speak. He hardly KN I was doing. He wasn't political. So he came to see me at my home church in Wheaton. And I'm speaking and it's heavy stuff, you know, it's what I do. Poor man. I don't know. And so I've been standing in that, ah, for a long time, greeting people afterwards. And I felt this arm, you know, tag it, you know, pull at me, my right arm. I turned around and he'd gone to McDonald's and gotten me a Diet Coke. So don't believe for a minute that he, he is always so humble. But this man has accomplished so much himself and has, for my part, loved me so faithfully. I just can't say enough about my husband. He's the sweetest and the best and you're brave yourself. You took that guy on, was gonna. I don't know what he was gonna do. That was impressive. Well, we

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) have another email. Okay. Okay.

Warm Messages From Texas And Tennessee Celebrate Sandy's Long Ministry

This is from Rita. It's very sweet. It says, so appreciate your 247 perspective. Certainly Ms. You as morning host. Grateful for your podcast. Wish you'd continue. Dear friend, there isn't another like you. Bless you and Bruce. Texas loves you, sis. Warmly, Rita. Together we grow. Wow. Thank

Sandy Rios you, Rita. That was so, so sweet. You're in a tough state right now. I know, but you guys are just the most wonderful audience. I swear. I wish I could see you. I've seen some of you at the conferences at af, but, I wish I could see all of you. Wouldn't it be fun if we could just all get together? It could be a small room, might be a medium sized room. I don't know how many people, but, that would just be Wonderful. We will see you in heaven. We'll be in heaven together.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) You know, may I just say, we always looked so forward to either going back to Tupelo for Sherithon or for going to the AFA gatherings. I just got an email yesterday from a couple, Lisa and Daughtry, that we met from Alabama, and they are just the sweetest people. And we've had probably a 12 year relationship. 10, 12 years. And just so many people like that. And, you know, the Wildmon family. And I don't mean to sound like I'm sucking up here, but really it's too late to do that. It's too late for that. Okay. All right. But really, the entire family, from, you know, Pastor Don and his wife Linda, to Tim and Allison and their children, Wesley, Walker and Wriley, they're just, they're just wonderful and they have really embraced us over the years. And, you know, we've met Adam through, this job. He's just been wonderful. All the guys back in Tupelo, Brent and, you know, the guys in the newsroom, Fred and just everybody. And I know I'm leaving people out and I'm sorry, but we are, we have been incredibly

Caroline blessed by you all. This is Anne. I live in Summertown, Tennessee. I've been listening to you for years. I listened to you and I lived in Georgia, moved up here. I've told so many people about your program and now you're. Then your podcast. Now that you're leaving, it just breaks my heart. you've been my very, very favorite part of AFR all these years. I love lots of people. I love, love everybody. And I listen and I continue, I will continue to. But you've just been my very favorite part of afr. I feel like, my very best friend is moving to another country. That's. It's just the only way I know how to describe it. But God bless you and I pray that the Lord blesses you and Bruce and that you can enjoy your retirement. And yes, I'll be looking forward to hearing you on AFR occasionally. But, you will be sorely missed. Godspeed.

Florida Listeners Thank Sandy As A Song Celebrates God's Presence

Hi, Sandy. My husband and I are longtime listeners from Florida. We have been so blessed by your radio ministry and podcast. You have been our, go to for real Honest news. Selfishly, we will miss listening to you, but are so happy that you can enjoy time with your dear husband, Bruce. Thank you for all the time you've given us.

Sandy Rios Where can I go? Won't you tell me where? Where can I Go from your spirit where can I flee from your sight? If I go to the heavens, you're or if I make my bed in the night. Where can I flee from your side? If I go to the heavens or if I make my bed in the night if I rise on. I settle in the sea. M. Than your head going to guide me Even your head going to hold me Anywhere I go, I know your head is going to hold me where can I go? Where can I hide? Where can I flee from your side? Where can I go from spirit? Where can I flee from your side? If I go to the heavens, you're there. Or if I make my bed in the night oh, where can I go from your spirit? Where can I flee from your side? Or if I go to the heavens, you're there. Or if I make my bed in the night, if I run ris. I'm. Even there. Your. Your hand, it's going to hold me even there your head, it's going to guide me even there your head Anywhere I go, I know your hand is going to hold me. Where can I go? Won't you tell me. M. Where can I sleep from your side, where can I go?

Caroline Ah, that

Sandy Rios was a fun song. My, very best friend when, I was single was Harry Newman, who was a musician I sang with at Willow Church a lot and Willow Creek Church. And on that song right there, there was a. Renee was another friend of ours. He used to sing the beer commercials in Chicago. He was a commercial, jingle singer and became a really good friend. And it was just wonderful to be around such talented people. And, of course, that's, based on scripture. Where can I go? I can't get away from you, Lord, because you're everywhere.

Concerned Women Interview Taught Sandy Washington's Formal Dress Expectations

Anyway, okay, Bruce, you were interviewing me, so, what do you need to

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) know now? Well, as you know, with Sandy, one thing always leads to another. Seemingly, in her work life, and this was right before I met her, she was called to come and interview to be the president of the Concerned Women of America. And that was the largest public policy organization in the country. And, so she went out there and Sandy, Were you accustomed to dressing the way they did in Washington, D.C. when you showed up for your interview? I want

Sandy Rios to interject that that was a phone call out of the blue. I used to be the voice for their radio specials. They knew my voice. But, that was amazing to get that call. So I had. My son was, still in high school. No, he was in college at Wheaton. Sasha was by that time at Markland Children's Home. But anyway, I had gone through the interviews, all the answered, given my, referrals and statements. And, boy, the people. That's the one thing that just shocked me. People gave me beautiful, amazing references. And actually, in the process of that, because I had the same reaction I always have. Is I can't. How I me to do that. but my friends in the business. I could say, who in the business of politics. The attorney general for Illinois. And people like that highly recommended me for this. And that gave me confidence that, well, if they can. If they think I can do this, I guess I can do this. So I'd gone through all those interviews, and, But I hadn't met the staff. So I flew out to Washington. And I'm thinking, now, you guys have to know I was a singer for a long time. And so singers. I dressed all over the map. I wore cowboy boots and a hat. And I. You, know, I always had. I had fun with clothes. So. But I never worked in Washington, D.C. so I thought, what do people. What women at Concerned Women for America. How do they dress? You know, what do they wear? And so I thought, well, you know, it's probably like church. They probably dress like church. So I bought a, long blue sheath dress down to my ankles and little pearls. Then I had. I bought sandals that were cloth. With wraps around my ankles and a bow. And off I went. I thought it was perfect, but it wasn't perfect. And so people in D.C. dress all the time in these beautiful, expensive suits, heels always very formal. Conservative, but formal. And so after I left that interview, I got word back from Mrs. M. Lahaye that my clothes were wrong. You know, they were just all wrong. And so I. I told her. I just. This is what I told her. I said, well, Mrs. LaHaye, I. I've played a lot of roles before, and I can. I can play that role. I mean, I can dress for a certain thing that I have to do. So I went shopping. That was fun. Lord and Taylor made a lot of money that day. But, anyway, that's the way it was. And my whole staff dressed up, and we had a lot of fun. And I actually began to understand the importance of dressing. You know, dressing up, and being kind of being that person in

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) that clothing. Yeah.

A Hair Roller Embarrassment Marked Sandy's Return To Washington Society

Now, Sandy, later, you know, down the road, you went to an event in Virginia. And also learned about how you needed to dress in Virginia. Is that correct?

Sandy Rios Oh, yes. I had been, out of D.C. for a while. Because I moved back to Chicago after cwa and Bruce and I got married. And then we moved back because Bruce, had worked. the FBI transferred him. So I went back to D.C. we went back and I was going to meet my really good friend Mariam. She used to be the policy person for Chuck Colson, and she was my best friend. So she invited me to this thing for Republican women. And there is. Republican women always have the same. They have bobbed hair, they have absolutely beautiful clothes, but it's more like business. It's not frilly, and they're very sophisticated. And so I'm in a room with these people, these women, and there's a buffet. And Mariam wasn't there yet. So I'm standing in line and I'm looking at people and smiling, you know, nodding my head and smiling and didn't know anybody. So while I'm like, halfway through the line, a woman comes up to me and she says, oh, by the way, I had worn the best thing I could think of to wear because I didn't have my DC clothes anymore. It was a pink sweater, a pink sweater set. So it was pretty, you know. So I'm standing in line and she comes up to me and she says, I, think you have something on your shoulder. And I turned to look on my left shoulder and there was a big yellow Velcro roller stuck to my sweater. You know, I use Velcro ropes. So I grabbed it and pulled it off. And I told her, I said, you, ah, are my new best friend. Then I went in and heard, you know, I think it was like Mrs. Alito speak, the wife of the Supreme Court justice. But that was my first. That's my big entry back to D.C. after

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) a few years. I wonder if after the women left, if they talked about Mrs. Alito's speech or your roller. I'm

Sandy Rios not quite sure. Well, I think I know.

A Falling Slip Became Another Unforgettable Singing Tour Mishap

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) All right, so, So you come to Washington from Chicago, the first time when you take over Concerned Women. Can

Sandy Rios I interrupt you? Because that reminds me of another clothing fiasco. I have to tell that one, too. This was many years earlier when I first started traveling. This is my first trip singing, traveling and singing. And I went to a place in Ohio, beautiful church. And, But I had to get back home for the kids because I wasn't used to having childcare like that. And, there was only one flight left and it was like 8 o' clock or whatever. So when I finished the. My song, the pastor said to the audience, now, Sandy has To get back to Chicago to her children. Can you just. Don't, don't step in the aisles. Just let her pass and get out to the door. Come and say goodbye to her out in the, in the foyer and at those glass doors. And so I, walking up the aisle smiling, yell, hi. Thank you, thank you, thank you. Oh, I also got to tell you that I was very poor then when I started. We were very poor. When I made my first album, I had to borrow clothes for the COVID That's how bad it was. So this is around that time. So I walk up the aisle and I go out into the atrium. And then they had floor to ceiling glass windows under like carport where the cars come around and pick up people and it's covered. So I'm walking out to the car and I'm looking backwards as I am waving, as I see all heads and waving, waving. And I open. Somebody opens the door for me and I wave and I lifted my leg and my slip, my half slip fell to my ankles. Yes. In front of all those people. And I just lifted it out from under my feet and got in the car and drove off. What else could I do? So I haven't. Listen, I've had so many embarrassing experiences. Some I can't tell you. But, but There you go. So, I'm sorry, honey. You were, you were saying

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) maybe we should just end on that note. That's pretty funny.

Crossfire Debate Made Sandy Famous As The CWA Babe

Anyway, so you come to Washington D.C. and you're going to be the president of Concerned Women for America. And in that role you, are making television appearances, to speak to the issues of the day. And

Sandy Rios I

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) remember a show on cnn, I believe, Crossfire. Ah. Where they would have a conservative host and a, liberal, host. And they'd have guests on and they would debate the topic of the day, the issue of the day. And anyway, you had an appearance on there, is that correct?

Sandy Rios Yes, it was live from Washington University in their auditorium. So it was. Phil. It was packed with people and they had a huge big screen behind you. Some of you will remember this. It was the number one show and it was So it was like Carville, James Carville, Tucker Carlsen and I can't remember the other guy. That was the Paul Begala. Yeah. So, they used to have me on a lot. But this particular time it was right after. It was like January after 9, 11. And the topic was, that the schools were already creating curriculum about Islamophobia to shame children from having any reaction, towards Muslims after 9, 11. And that was infuriating. That's where that all came from. And so they were already indoctrinating the kids to what wasn't really true. And so I was there to. And I debated a, Muslim gentleman. I don't even remember what his name was, but I was there with Tucker and James Carville. So, when it came the. The. Each of the hosts would take part of the show. They would state their case on this issue. So Tucker stated his case on the issue, and then the guest that was the, liberal responded to him. And so then James Carville was to state his position. And he said, so, what he did was he played a quote from Franklin Graham. And it was, so we're on here, we're sitting on the set, and this big screen shows that quote that Islam is an evil and wicked religion. There was more to it, but that was the nut of it. Islam is a wicked and evil religion. And, the way James set that up is it. Let's see what a friend of yours has to say. And he. So he plays this clip. Do you agree with that? And I said, yes, I do. He jumped up and started cursing. Gd, this is on live television, just foul and screaming at me. and I had. And I had debated James before, and he is really. It's hard, it's impossible to debate with him because he. He tell. He doesn't. He's not constrained by the truth. He just tells. He lies and lies and lies. But when you debate him, he's into the. His fifth lie before you can refute the first lie. So I'd always been. Already been burned by debating him. And I prayed, you know, lord, help me, you know, to figure out how to do this. And so what happened was he's screaming and shouting. And I said, and he was. And he was literally foaming at the mouth. So I picked up my cup and I just reached across the table and I said, james, you're dripping, you're drooling. I'm not drooling. He just blew up. Just absolutely flamed out and just started shouting and saying other things. And, Tucker just paused for a minute. After he finished, he said, that was an incredible moment. And he said so. But it was really funny. It was funny. I didn't laugh. But that's. I don't know if that was that inspiration. I don't know. But when I got back to my office the next day, my staff had put a sign, a big sign on my door. CWA Bay Because Rush Limbaugh had been talking about it all morning, and he called me the CWA Babe as he told the story. So. And then when I went into my office, they presented me with a Barbie doll, like, in a little red satin dress with, the banner that stretches diagonally across your chest that said CWA Babe. So we had a lot of fun with that.

CWA Leadership Brought Sandy To Washington During A Transformative Era

so.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) So. So there you are at cwa, really, in a whole new world, I would imagine. I mean, that had to be quite a, quite a change to leading an organization now. And the people that you had under you were fantastic, as I remember. Yeah, well, here's an

Sandy Rios interesting thing, too, speaking of a change in life. I moved into. I didn't get to D.C. in time to find a place to live because I was stranded in China after North Korea. After the, 9 11, we were in, Beijing. And so I didn't have time to go then out to D.C. to find a place to live. So someone found a place for. For me. And honestly, Bruce, the apartment building was bigger than my town. You know, it was so big. So, yeah, that was like. Okay. And, so I lived there for about three months, and then I moved to a gorgeous place, which is where I met my husband. But that's. But, Yeah, so it was all different. And my. My office was near the White House. I could see the White House from my office. Yeah. So that was a big change. But I had a lot of new clothes to wear.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) And we have to put this in context. 911 had just happened, and believe me, it changed for those who weren't really alive or were young at the time. That changed the world. That was a shift in the entire feeling of people. And so you're leading this organization responsible for these political, and social issues. And, this is when we met. I was with the FBI in Chicago. I had just gotten transferred from Los Angeles to Chicago. I'd been there like a month. And they said, hey, you're going to Washington D.C. to FBI headquarters to work on this Osama bin Laden task force. And so my life was sort of in a turmoil at the time. I was. I had had a failed marriage, and I got transferred, and 911 happened, and then I got transferred again, and I was. My head was spinning a little bit.

Bruce First Noticed Sandy's Faith Through Her Gym Routine And Shirts

So I move into this building, and there was a gym on the first floor of this building. And primarily the people staying there were military people and law enforcement who had been temporarily assigned there to work 9 11. And so in the morning, everyone would Go to the gym before they went to work. And, It's a beautiful gym. It was beautiful, yeah. But there was a lot of socializing, a lot of people checking themselves out, a lot of. And I guess it's, you know, you're in a serious situation, so you're having fun. But there would be one woman who would come in, and she was never socializing. And she would have a large stack of papers, and she would always walk to the elliptical machine, not talk to anyone, get on, start doing her exercise and read. And as she read, she would turn the pages, drop them to the floor, turn another page, drop to the floor. As soon as she was done at 30 or 45 minutes, boom, reach down, grab the papers and out the door. And she had these T shirts on. It had things like sayings like three nails, who's your daddy? Things like that. And I have to tell you, I wasn't a believer at the time. And I was wondering, who. What. What does that mean? And who is this woman? And anyway, the long story short is, eventually I, Oh, and let me put it this way. I saw Sandy. Of course, that was Sandy, and I saw Sandy, but she didn't see me. So eventually, I, found an opportunity to approach her. And, we talked. And, you know, I had no idea who she was, what she did. And anyway, we were not a likely match, let's put it that way. Would that be fair to say,

Sandy Rios honey? Yeah, we say that all the time. We're not quite sure how that happened, but it's been, through this. When you say that, Bruce, I remember, you know, you became a Christian and had grown and grown, and it really was from those T shirts. That's where it

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) started with the T shirts. It really did.

A Television Debate Revealed Sandy's Fierce Advocacy To Bruce

But, anyway, Sandy and I went out a few times. And, you know, we had a nice time. But again, it was unusual because I really didn't know what she did. And, just to give you an example, the very first time we were supposed to go out was, a Friday night. And she had told me, you know, often, I have to go on television on Friday night, so don't be surprised if, you know, that's what happens. Sure enough, Friday comes, I get a message at my desk. Sandy called. She cannot go out tonight, but she is going to be on tv, and here's the program and the time. So. So I went home and I thought, okay, well, let me watch. And of course, again, I don't know what she does. So the Host comes up. It's on the Allen Key Show. And they said, tonight we're going to be speaking about this book. it was all about teaching your children at, like, 6 years old, all about sex and condoms and all kinds of things. And I said, okay, well, here we go. and so they. They have Jocelyn Elders, who had been the Surgeon general under President Clinton, looks like your grandmother. Nice, beautiful black lady. and she goes first, and she presents her side of the issue, which you look at her and you think, well, this will be reasonable. But then you listen to what she's saying, and it's absolutely crazy. It's about indoctrinating children to all this stuff. So then they say, well, let's go over to Sandy Rios now. She pops up on the screen, and of course, I am just, like, flabbergast. Like, there she is. She's on television. And she proceeds to just drop the house on, Jocelyn Elders over this book. And Jocelyn's stammering and stuttering, and Sammy's like, yeah, this is what you said. This is what you did. And really just brought the. Brought the woodshed to her. And I thought, who is this woman? And I said, this woman is a tiger. And I started calling her Tiger that day. I called her Tiger as my nickname ever since. And anyway, that's how it started. It's how it started.

Sandy Invited Bruce To Church And Supported His Conversion To Christianity

And, you know, let me just finish by saying, you know, we went out a couple times, and Sandy said, you know, that's. That's all fine. We, can be friends. but I have to tell you, I'm a Christian woman. And I didn't really know exactly what that meant at the time. And she says, and, you know, if. If I'm going to be serious with anybody, they have to be a Christian man. And, I said, okay. And she said, I'm not pushing you, but if you have any desire to learn about what it is to be a Christian man, I'd suggest that when you go back to Chicago, you attend Moody Church. And. Which I did. And, it's.

Sandy Rios It. yeah. No. Well, I think we should just say that you did go all by yourself, because I was still back in D.C. and we would talk every day after. On Sunday, after the service, and he was really struggling, and he had a thing about money. He said, all churches want is money. And he'd seen that. And that service, that Sunday, Dr. Lutzer preached about money, which he never did. He was never one to emphasize that. So Bruce calls me and said, I told you. I told you all they want is money. So I had to talk him down from the ledge, but he kept going, and he. And then later, when I came back to Chicago, we were sitting there one morning, and he leaned over to me and he said, you know what? There's no place in the world I'd rather be this morning than here. And then I knew, then I understood that he really. Dr. Lutzer, prayed with him to receive Christ. And so that was.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) Yeah, you. You, were a big part in turning my life around, honey. A. Ah. Huge part of it.

Long Distance Courtship Led To Bruce's New Year's Eve Proposal

so anyway, so we start dating, and Sandy's in D.C. and I'm in Chicago. And she, leaves her job at cwa. And there were many reasons for that. It was an unhappy ending. And, she came home and really needed, to heal and got involved with an organization. and I was still with the FBI in Chicago. And we dated and. And it took a long time. We dated a long time because I had a lot of stuff to work out. but then, I went to Afghanistan for the FBI and was there for a while, and I had a lot of time to think. And when I came home, it was about two weeks before, NewSong Year's. And, on NewSong year's Eve of 2008, which also 2009, I asked Sandy to get married. And. And I said yes. And was our wedding kind of slow and easy to plan?

Sandy Rios Well, so how long does it take to tell someone my age's story? You guys might just have to saddle up and be prepared to stay for m. Months. No, we're going to be. We're going to wrap it up in just a few minutes, but there's some things we want to tell you.

A Purple Mansion Wedding Was Planned Quickly And Filled With Laughter

Like, Bruce just talked about our wedding. So here it is, NewSong Year's Day morning. We get a notebook out, and me, I'm the notebook person and make all these. You know, we didn't know where we were going to have the wedding. We didn't know anything. So to make it simple, we had just met some friends. You know, first time a couple was friends of us as a couple. And, he was a very wealthy businessman, which I don't think we really understood until we drove up to their house because they asked us over dinner if we wanted to get married at their house. I said, well, okay, let's go look at it. I said, okay. So we drove out there to see it, and it was an absolute mansion. We call it the Purple Mansion because it was actually predominantly Purple. Which sounds gauche, but it wasn't gauche at all. It was luxurious, beautiful. The chandeliers everywhere. The kitchen, counter was like lit up. And glass, like not clear glass but bumpy glass. And it was just gorgeous. And we said there was a floor to ceiling window in the m. The room where we got married. And a big. On a balcony overlooking the living room was a white grand piano. And on and on we could go. So we decided we would get married in four weeks. Yeah, four weeks. Because we're both working. And and Anyway, for a number of reasons we did that and we formed a committee and we would meet every week. And it was like it was just amazing.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) Well, I was planning everything. Yeah, you were planning, because who gets married in Chicago in January? As cold as can be. And you know. And anyway, Sandy and Jeannie. Jeannie was our host and her husband Byrne. Jeanne and Bern went out of their way to really, let's just say we wanted to invite a lot more people than they probably had room for. And they just went out of their way to make sure everybody could get in, have dinner for everybody and the whole thing. But it was a. They did. They knocked themselves out. Sandy, when. I'll just cut to it. When she came down the stairs, because she was upstairs, and came down during the ceremony, she looked like an absolute princess. I was absolutely astounded at the way she looked. And Dr. Lutzer performed the ceremony and Sandy's friends who are professional musicians sang and it was just incredible. I mean even I had Jewish friends that were there and they even said, wow, that was something because of the songs and the preaching and things that went on during the ceremony. Yeah, we sang

Sandy Rios worship songs and Yeah, there were a lot of non believers there. So it was ministry. And Dr. Lutzer, he and Rebecca let us use their vows, which was so meaningful. So we, we. I've never seen a wedding where people laughed more. We laughed and we laughed and we laughed and so we, we were well married.

Their Honeymoon Meant Moving Boxes, Super Bowl, And A Tyra Banks Appearance

But here's what happened. We spent. Where did we do our honeymoon? We. Oh, yeah, in a hotel room where I had been staying in the same place. And then the next morning we had Bruce's house. I was moving to his house in the city, which is like an hour and a half from where we were. And Bruce's mom and dad, my sister, my son, they were coming to stay there that night because the next day was Super Bowl. Super bowl was the next day after our wedding. And so I'd never lived in his house before. So we had just. We'd already moved some things in, and they come and we make food, we make chili, and we watch the Super Bowl. And the next morning, I left for NewSong York City to go be on the Tyra Banks show. And Bruce had some things he did too.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) Right. That was our honeymoon is,

Sandy Rios one

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) day off to watch the Super Bowl. And insanity went to the Tyra Banks Show. And she had told me, I have left a few things back in my apartment. Would you mind getting them? And then the lease will be up. And it was going to be up at midnight that night. So, I drop her off at the airport and I go to her apartment. And let's just say there were more than a few

Sandy Rios things there. I deny that. I just

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) deny that. I have never. I had an suv. I have never stuffed it so full in its life. And when I was done stuffing it, there was still lots more to go. So I drove back into the city, an hour and a half, unloaded the stuff into the garage. I had no way to put it in the house. I had to get back there before midnight. So I turned, turn around, drive back, do another complete load. I think I was sitting on top of the stuff as I left and go back to the house, dump it into the garage. The next morning, Sandy comes back from NewSong York City. we. I had to take my parents and Jeremy and. And, her sister and everyone to the airport. I mean, it was like. It was like, again, planning the D Day invasion. So that was our first couple. A couple days being married.

A Rough Chicago Neighborhood Gave Bruce An Unexpected Secret Service Neighbor

So that house was

Sandy Rios in a transitional neighborhood, shall we say? Yeah, transition. So across the from us was a crack house. And a guy, his mother was killed in a house next to that. And let's just say it was quite interesting to live there. And I'd never lived in the hood before, but that was my chance. Well,

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) you have to remember, I was on my own when I went there. And I thought, this. This is what they call a regentrifying neighborhood. Which meant that it was coming up out of being kind of the slums and people were rebuilding and values were going high, and I thought, maybe I can make some money. I never dreamed being married and living there. and I figured, well, I have a gun. I'm okay here. So it's the very first day that I'm living in my house. And, I had parked my FBI car on the street, and, the neighborhood, as Sandy was describing, was A little sketchy and I. This is going to sound terrible, but I see a black man walking directly across the street towards me. and I thought, well, here we go. You know, I don't know why this guy is beelining right to me, but. And I'm reaching up, I have my hand on my gun, on my hip as I'm sitting in the car, and I roll down the window and the gentleman says, word is your FBI. And I said, who wants to know? And he says, oh, I'm Eddie, I'm Secret Service. I'm your next door neighbor. Yeah. So I felt

Sandy Rios safe for the two of them on that street. I said, I have to

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) tell you, Eddie, I just racially profiled you to the max. And he laughed. He goes, well, I don't blame you. I guess I shouldn't have just walked up on you.

Moving Furniture Through The Neighborhood Created Welcome-Home Adventures

Sandy Rios You know, I have another story about that house, Bruce, and we better. I know we're going to speed up here, I promise. All right? But you had bought new furniture and I helped you buy that. So it got delivered. There was a lot of it. There was a. Two couches, a chair, and a, and a, like a.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) Well, there were two love seats, two couches and a big easy chair. Oh,

Sandy Rios yeah, we had two rooms full, remember? We had the

Sandy Rios Well, now let me

Sandy Rios tell this story. All right, so he didn't. We. He had some friends come, ask them to help him move the stuff in. This is before we were married. And they, they could, they couldn't be bothered with helping. So guess who got to help him? Me. So we've got a city house that has, ah, the fence and then it has a little bit of yard. Then you go up

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) the steps. Here's, here's the miscalculation. I met, I made, When, we bought the furniture, I had I had rented a truck and I brought it back and threw it in. Where else? In the garage where everything else was, eventually. And I didn't make I didn't make a calculation that the service door that led into the backyard, that led to the back stairs, wasn't large enough to permit the couches to be taken through them. So they've got to be carried all the way. I live right in the middle of the block. They had to be carried out the back of the garage, down the street to the, to the next cross street, the alley down the alley to the next cross street up and to my turn on my street, and then come back a half

Sandy Rios hour. It's my Turn, it's my turn and get to the house. My turn. So I had a PT Cruiser and it has a pretty deep trunk. So Bruce decided that he would put the couches one at a time in the back trunk and it hang, hung over by about 5ft. So I would drive the PT Cruiser and he would walk behind holding up the couch. And that's what we drive all the way. It's like a half a block when you do. And so then I'm supposed to get it through the gate and up those stairs. I'm supposed to help him do that and get it in. And I'm thinking, I can't do this. But then we had just a great

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) guy next to us. So, you know, God intervened and we had the next door house to me was Section 8 housing. A gentleman named Wilfredo lived there. I would trust Wilfredo with my life. And I didn't really know him at the time though. And as we're contemplating Sandy having to help me take this couch up about 12 stairs into the house, he came out and he goes, can I help you? And I yelled,

Sandy Rios yes, yes, you can help him. So

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) that was one of Sandy's indoctrinations to my house. The other was the day we got married. and she was going to move in. She had a beautiful bouquet and it was very cold that day. And so, I took the bouquet out of her car as we were going to take it in, in the house, the, the rest of the stuff and I set it down. And in the time it took us to walk the things into the house, probably 10 minutes tops, I came back, that bouquet had already been stolen off of my front parkway. So it was like, well, Sandy, welcome to the neighborhood. Exactly.

Sandy's Hip Surgery Led To A Conga Line And An Awkward Bowling Prize

You

Sandy Rios know, Bruce, I think we need to kind of pick it up here. We're, we're. It's a long story. but we've had some other funny experiences. We, we could write a book, couldn't we? I

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) think he did and I. And yeah, you know, we tend to be too serious at times and we have had some really funny things. one of the funniest things I remember is Sandy had just had her hips replaced. I mean like a few weeks earlier. And we were at a wedding of my college roommate's son. It was in Dallas. It was beautiful. We were outside and had a band playing and everything. And all of a sudden the band starts playing this Cha Cha song. Now wait, let

Sandy Rios me tell this part. I could hardly walk to the food. The food was like it was a buffet and it was, outside and I had heels on and I just had. Like you said, I just had my hips, replaced. So I go make my way very careful. I probably was clinging to you and walking over there. And just as I'm like just standing there, suddenly this man comes up from behind and grabs my hipsies. It's the conga line. And I was the first person and I couldn't even. I didn't have time to respond, says, ow. Sandy's leading the conga line

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) of a hundred people. I couldn't even

Sandy Rios walk.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) Yeah, that happened. Ah. and, you know, hips kind of seemed to be a common theme because. Let's go back to Chicago when Sandy was still a Wyll. they had a bowling event, and. And she was the hostess. It was for her show and her listeners. So there's all these people at the bowling alley, probably 150 people or so. And unbeknownst to her, there was going to be a giveaway. And now she is really struggling to bowl because she. Actually, that was before you had your hips fixed, so she was having a lot of pain. So unbeknownst to us, the announcer, takes over and he says, hey, we're going to have a giveaway here. And the winner gets to bowl three frames with Sandy all by themselves. And so they draw the winner's name. He comes up, they turn the lights out, except for a spotlight on Sandy and this gentleman. And here she is that can hardly move, and she has to bowl three frames with this guy.

Sandy Rios That. Yes, that's true. That actually happened. Anyway, yeah, I guess it is the theme of my life. yeah, but it.

O'Reilly Interview Frustrated Sandy And Clarified Her Truth-Telling Purpose

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) And so just to, to, go to where we are now. So, you know, Sandy, as we've said, she, she's done some TV appearances and Ellen DeGeneres had just been designated by JC Penney to become their spokesperson. And you know, Ellen is. Yeah, she's a lot of fun and everything, but she's also very much a gay activist. She's just not gay. She is a gay activist. And all these people love Ellen. Oh, she's so wonderful. She's so wonderful. So now she's going to be in charge of a spokesperson for a company that's very kid oriented in some ways. And, so Bill O'Reilly was going to do a segment on Ellen DeGeneres becoming a, ah, spokesperson for

Sandy Rios them. And yeah, so I knew Bill, I'd been with Fox for a long time, and, he always likes to over Talk his guests. You guys know that. But we actually had a good relationship. But what happened on this one was he just kept warning me not to do any gay bashing. He was just paranoid about it. I said, bill, I'm not going to do any gay bashing, whatever that means. And so, even right before I went on the air and sitting in my chair and all with the headset and all that, he, he. He goes, comes to the microphone. Now I'm in Chicago, and he's in NewSong York. And he said, now, Sandy, you be careful what you say. So that's how it started. And I started to lay the groundwork because no doubt, every time I do a, thing like that, I really pray, because I think I always want to be persuasive to those that are sympathetic to gay activists and not just, shoot it down by being rude. And so I was ready with what I was going to say and trying to make the point that Ellen was indeed an activist. she just wasn't a gay woman. She was a woman working toward gay marriage and all of it. So that was what I was going to say. But I never got a chance. Bill would. It was like, ran interference. And every time I started to say something, he would, like, block me. He'd talk over me. It was just so frustrating. I really never had that experience, doing radio. I mean, radio, television, and even not with him. He always did interrupt, but not like that. So when the hit we call it was over. Bruce was waiting in the car, and I went downstairs and I just said, bruce, I, I don't. I don't know what I'm doing here. I said, if I am doing television, I'm not doing it because I want to be it. Be somebody or be seen. I haven't. I've been doing this for years. I want to tell people the truth. I want to speak the truth. I want to, confront what's going on that needs to be confronted. And if I can't do that, then I don't know what I'm doing. I really don't know what I'm doing. And I actually cried. I was so frustrated.

American Family Radio Offered Sandy A New Mission And Renewed Purpose

Well, the very next morning, my phone rang. That's the theme of my book. The phone rang, and it was Tim Wildmon, who I knew only. Only barely. And he asked me if I would be the morning host for American Family Radio. And obviously I was just shocked. But here's the thing. A morning show. I didn't want to do a morning show. I didn't want to get up in the morning. I mean, I know what it takes to do radio seriously. And so, But Bruce said to me, no, no, no, no, no, Sandy, you have to get back on the air. People need to hear what you say. They need this Bruce saying this to me. And I sort of said, all right, Bruce, you're right. And so we called him back and, and it was the early morning, five o' clock every morning. And it really did change our lives. But it was, it was really, really rewarding when I sort of relaxed into my. A new kind of audience, an all Christian audience, because I was used to being in, a more adversarial position and I actually liked that. But I realized after I'd been on with you, with all of you, that this was a different time in our country too. And I felt there was a lot of confusion in the Christian community about what was happening and how should they be, how should they think, how should they live? And, that's really what I prayed, is to help me, Lord, have your wisdom to guide them through these very terrible times. It's a different mission than having a secular audience, or at least a large part of it secular and talking about the issues than talking to Christians and, what their responsibility during this time is. And of course, I had to pray to get that discernment. There wasn't any way that I'm built to have that on my own. And that's what I've been doing all these years. In the process, all of you really ministered to me. Your words, your comments, your own wisdom. I mean, it was a real different thing, but it was beautiful. And I know that God had, knew exactly what he was doing when he moved me to American Family Radio. So, Bruce, I thank you for that, honey, for making me get up in the morning for the right reason.

Sandy Reflects On Nearly Fifteen Years With American Family Radio

Oh,

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) I, I can never get enough of you on the radio. Honey, I have to tell you, I'm. I'm as probably as sorry as anybody to see you, leave your show. I understand why we have to, but I really am. And, you know, the people were so wonderful to you. You know, you did almost 11 years as the morning host, on AFR, and then you've been three and a half on the podcast and it's, it's just shot by. I cannot believe how quickly it's gone. It does, it

Sandy Rios has. And what I remember, the funny things I remember I could barely walk. I would. I just had my surgery. So I was on a walker and

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) I did this when you started. When

Sandy Rios I started. And so I was, We were in a little apartment in D.C. really small. We had to move out of it actually. And it was Bruce's bedroom. it had his clothes and closet. Obviously we're in the same bedroom, but that's where all his stuff was. And it was. I had to get up in the dark and trying to get dressed. Bruce brought me, bought me. No, he picked a garbage, picked a chair or two so that I could get up in the mornings and sit, find something I could sit on, pull my socks on and get up. And so I did that for so many years. and then finally I learned to walk again. That was good. But that was how I started with afa, Just kind of creeping along in the mornings. I probably should have allowed an hour to get ready, but I didn't. But anyway, it's been wonderful. Bruce.

Sandy Offers A Respectful Farewell To A Longtime Political Critic

We have a couple more, email that I want to read. This is from Josh. And Josh has been, listening to me for years. And he is not a believer and he doesn't like what I say and we often get into it. he's, But I, I want to say to you, Josh, I'm. I just feel like I, you know, I don't know if you know this or not, but I actually like boys. I know you're a man, but my son, I relate to boys. I relate to men better sometimes than women. that's not anything to be proud of, but it is true. And I've always just, I'm not mad at you. I feel affection for you and I'm going to miss you writing me too. I really will. And so he was kind enough. He stayed with me for so long, and even though I make him mad and he wrote this, he said, congratulations on your retirement. I hope you remain healthy and that your newfound time allows you to deeper connection with friends and family and community. I also hope to stay in touch. Maybe you'll actually reply to me over the email instead of just reading my correspondence on the air. Yeah, I had to do that, Josh, because I just had so little time. And, And I'm sorry that that was a disappointment to you. he said, we have long disagreed on the way we see the world. And I can't overlook, even in an otherwise fond farewell, that you have learned more into. Leaned more into conspiratorial and prejudiced instincts lately. For instance, Abdul Al Sayed and I share a fun fact. Back in 2007, we both gave student commitment Commencement speeches on the same day at the University of Michigan. His was the undergraduate address at the university wide graduation. Mine was at a smaller affair for the School of Public Policy there. Yes, he is Muslim, but he is just as much a Michigander. A father and a husband. A lax bro. What does that mean, laxbro? I don't know. an MD and a Rhodes scholar. He is not a secret terrorist elected to the Senate to devour the country from within. You think a lot of good people are harbingers of doom? Ignoring the many problematic faults of someone as corrupt, cruel and incompetent as Donald Trump. Well, Josh, I'm not gonna. I'm not even gonna try to convince you for anything. I mean, especially Al Said. I think you know what I think and it I comes from an informed opinion, not just my guess. And you know what I guess I would say this, Josh, Time will tell, won't it? Whether you're right about that or whether I'm right about that. I would have to tell you I wish I were wrong. I wish I were wrong about the Muslim influence in this country and growing. But because I know too much, I know I'm not wrong. But we'll see. And then if we see, I will not be happy. If I'm right, I will not be happy because I'll be thinking about your future, your children and my own. And my own. So I so appreciate that you stayed with me all these years and listened and I pray for you. because I do want you to know the Lord Jesus. I don't care about your politics, but I want you to know him personally because really nothing else matters. The other stuff is second, second tier. And so, anyway, thank you, Josh. I do do so much appreciate what you said.

Sandy Shares Trusted News Sources And Ways Listeners Can Contact Her

We just have a few more email and I don't want to shortchange you this morning because I neglected this email m for so long from all of you who bothered to write. And in my hurry, I'm always in a hurry. It's not, not a good trait. I just never had time to really tend to these the way I wanted to. So. This is from Pam and she says, she says, oh, Sandy, I am heartsick. Honestly, I consider you a close friend and I know that if we ever meet, if we ever met, we would be fast friends. I checked your podcast all the time for updates and in fact on Wednesday after the election, you are the only one I wanted to listen to. I turned off all of the news and just listened to sermons as I had to Process it all and of course wait for your commentary. It is so hard to find trusted people to listen to these days and I so value your opinion. I pray that the Lord will bless you and Bruce and I want to thank you for all you have done for someone like me and the blessing that you are to me. You will be greatly missed, but I so understand your time to move on and spend more time with your family. Thanks from the bottom of my heart. Love your sister in Christ, Pam. Beautiful Pam. Thank you. I feel like you're my friend too. Even if I never see you. I feel the same way. And then she asked a practical question and I'm going to try to answer it. She said, would you please make a list of others that you listen to to get solid truth and truthful news, truth filled news. We would be very happy to have, good information. So I'm going to just give you a few. And so if you got, if you all have a pencil and paper, you can run this back and copy this down. But of course, first and foremost is AFR news. AFR news. they'll give you news that you don't hear anywhere else and you know, you can trust it. Just a few others that I like. I think the Blaze is one of the best. Glenn, that's Glenn Beck's outlet in writing. the Blaze and War Room with Steve Bannon. so Epoch Times and Newsmax. Newsmax. Newsmax, Fox, is not going to be reliable, especially now because Rupert Murdoch wants Trump destroyed. He's not going to say anything. He's not going to give you a lot of information. So you just have to remember when you watch it that there's some things you won't be hearing. But if you want to hear it, go to Newsmax, especially the evening hosts Rob Schmitt and Rob Finnerty. And that's not all. There's a lot of great hosts on that. But anyway, so, that's. Oh, and then just the writings of Molly Hemingway and on X, I think Elon Musk is a good source. If you go to my X account, which is at Sandy Rios Tweet, At Sandy Rios Tweet and you follow the people I follow, then you'll get great information and I suggest you do because X is the best outlet really and truly for day of rapid on time response to things that are happening. and also if you, some of you are listening and you wish you could have called in or you wish you could have had a chance to write something because again, I didn't give you much notice. you can still do that for this next week or so. Okay, go to sandyafa.net sandyafa.net and you can leave a phone Message still at 662-821-2240. That's 662-821-2040.

Sandy Promotes Her Memoir And Makes Her Music Freely Available

Okay, one last thing before we go get back to the content of the show. I have a book called God's Velvet Hammer. How an Ordinary girl was Called to Do Extraordinary things. And a lot of the things we talked about today and are talking about are in this book. But there's of course a whole lot this might. My single life, the swinging single. It's pretty funny. Sandy the swing. See, there's just a lot of funny stuff. It's just all over the map. I think I really have lived nine lives. I think I may be working on the 10th now. But if this is something you would like and you've heard, the music I told you can get on YouTube. But ah, on the book is available at Amazon and it's available on Audible. I did read the book myself and it's anyway, I think you'll enjoy it. I think you, you if you enjoyed the stories we told here, there's just so much more in there. So much.

Sandy Offers Prayer And Nuanced Counsel To A Listener Facing Separation

I just have one more email that I want to read to you. She said I. She says, I just listened to your most recent podcast. The news is quite a jolt to me, but I am more happy for you to make a transition that you feel is time. I've never contacted you but have been listening for years. And I was so glad when you started the podcast. After you left the daily morning program, I really got engaged in politics, really morality. When Obama became president and I found Rush Limbaugh about, the same time I found afa, I could go on and on about how much I learned by leaps and bounds. I think I grew up as a pastor's kid and my folks were the real deal. I am grounded in the Word because of them. But we did not know or pay attention, to the political world. After learning and observing so much, I don't think there is a separation. Neither do I. it's a seamless, transition between everything, whether it's sports or whatever and the Lord Jesus, he's present everywhere. She says politics is about morality and the church has really missed out on being light in that realm. But I'm contacting you now because of your personal and professional life. Even with the challenges of your disabled daughter and marriage ending, you Accomplished so much. I was listening to you, I thought, God knows I couldn't have handled those challenges, even though I have wanted to serve others and make him known to those I meet. And he has blessed me in a career in ministry. However, she goes on to say that her husband of 34 years does not want to be married anymore to her. At least he doesn't want to live with her. Ah. As his wife. And she. It's just. It's tearing her up, as you can imagine. I can't read all of that to you, but, she said, I'm not seeking counsel because I happen to be a licensed counselor. I'm not really sure why I'm sharing this with you, except that I respect your heart and life service to God. And maybe you will pray for me if he, God, brings me to your mind. And she's, Her name is Denise. And she says, bless Bruce and your children and grandchildren, Denise. I did go through a lot, but I'm no different than you. God gives the Holy Spirit in full measure to all of us that yield to him. And it sounds to me that you're that woman. And I also would just say to you, I don't encourage divorce to anybody because I think divorce is. Marriage is sacred. Just because I got divorced, I was married 20 years doesn't mean I took it lightly. I fought to keep my marriage together, but I had no control over that. And maybe you don't either. And I think when you come to that point, if there's no counseling and there's no repentance or whatever, then I think God says go. And actually he did say that. Literally said that to me the last night I, was married, at least with my husband. And so I don't any of you, please take this to that. To think this, that if you're having a trouble, you're not happy. Not everything is perfect. Don't you dare take this as an excuse to start divorce. This is in a serious place where you can't. You. Your husband's not being a husband to you. That's desertion. So I, want to, end this part. We just have a few more things, some other practical things. And I. This is for you, Denise. This is for you. This song I recorded many years ago because I. I recorded this out of my own heartbreak in so many ways. And here it

Sandy Rios is.

A Song About Restoring Hope Comforts A Listener In Heartbreak

Somewhere, In the silence There's a song that you once heard Playing softly

Sandy Rios at a distance but you just can't

Sandy Rios hear the words and my heart, my heart is Aching for you. Cause I've known your pain before. And I've been one of the people who don't hear the music anymore. But now I'll be the song for you. I'll be the seventh morning. Till you feel the harmony from deep within. I'll bring his words and sing his melody? Till you hear the music once again. Till you hear the music once again. Let me stand against your silence. Let me touch you with this song? Just believe me it's still plain. For I hear it loud and strong. When the still of night has broken. Okay. There's a morning song I'm sure. For I've been one of the people who don't hear the music anymore. But now I'll be the song for you. I'll be the symphony Till you feel the harmony from deep within. I'll bring his words and sing his melody? Till you hear the music once again. Till you hear the music

Caroline once

Sandy Rios again.

Sandy Rios And when the morning wakes you? You'll hear it all so clean? And you'll be the one that's singing for those that cannot hear. Yes, you'll be the song for them. You'll be the sing for me, M. Till they. I feel the harmony from deep within. You bring his words and sing his melody? Till they hear the music once again. Till they hear the music once again.

Sandy Rios I love that song.

After Forty-Six Radio Years Sandy Confirms Her Retirement And Thanks Preborn

Okay, so this is my time. I've been on the radio. I was trying to calculate this. Bruce, what's. What is that? Like, how did you. I couldn't do it while I

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) was listening to that. That's 46

Sandy Rios years. Yeah, I've been on the radio for 46 years. Wow. I mean, I wasn't always on. You know, I started 46 years ago. I was on Moody, and I did. Only I didn't do it full time. They actually offered me a job doing that, but I couldn't. And I was singing. That was my singing years. So, then I moved, to, other stations, and we've talked about that. But 46 years I've been doing radio in one form or another, and it is time for me to quit. It is time. my health is not. I'm not as strong as I once was, and, I don't want. I just think it's time. And Bruce and I prayed about this, and so is Bruce, and this is, This is what God wants. I really believe that. Even though it's so sad. It's so sad to leave you all. This is my last preborn, so this is my last One, and I'll miss preborn too. so you know what we do? We save babies and we do it by showing the mothers an image of their baby by ultrasound. It is like magic. It really does work beautifully. I always say it's like God's way, the natural way to persuade women, when they see the baby moving and its eyes, it looks something like one of their family members characteristics. It's hard then to go ahead and take the life of your baby, but some women still do. But PreBorn has done an incredible job with your help of persuading women to, to a better way. So if you'd like to give, go to preborn.com sandy that's preborn.com sandy. we have just one more thing to do and I wanted just another little commercial. But the music, my music you're hearing, we have three albums and we're going to put this on YouTube. We haven't finished yet, so it's not. If you could just remember that it's going to be on YouTube, it's free. And you can listen to those songs, download them, whatever you want to do. So that's my gift to you.

Bruce Honors Sandy's Resilience And The Difference She Made

And Okay, sweetheart. Sweet. They're going to get. They're going to miss hearing me call you sweetheart.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) Well, I'm gonna miss them. as I was contemplating you leaving and it really does, hit me that you're leaving, honey. But I know we have to. But anyway, I saw, ah, three little cards that I wanted to read to you. the first one I thought really applied to you. It says, it's like a dictionary. It says difference maker, noun. A dedicated person who can make a big impact even with just a small action or a few words. Someone who improves the lives of others. One who rallies or encourages others to propel them forward and bring about change. I think I've seen you do that with innumerable, issues. The other one I found a little bit funny, given our history sometimes of leaving jobs. It says congratulations on leaving your job without being escorted out of the building by security. That happened to me

Sandy Rios once, but I won't name the organization.

Bruce (Sandy Rios' husband) And the last one, it's a card. It says, I'm proud of you. I'm proud of you. I'm proud of the way you've kept going even when life felt heavy. I'm proud of the battles you fought silently, the growth you've achieved quietly, and the strength you've shown when no one was watching. You faced challenges, doubted yourself at times, but Here you are, still standing, still pushing, still becoming the best version of you. And for that, I'm so proud of you. Wow.

Sandy Rios Honey, I don't know what to say except thank you. That's just beautiful coming from your husband. That just amazes me, you know? So thank you for that.

Sandy Says Goodbye With Hope In Heaven And Her Final Song

And, my future, is secure. And I hope that those of you that know the Lord Jesus understand yours is too. I know where I'm going. I know where I'm going. And I know why I'm going there because God saved me when I was 9 years old and I had the promise of heaven and the promise of a future. So. So what's next for me? Well, I don't know. I mean, I'm still. My mind is still good. Most of the time it's just my body that's, kind of creaking and causing me trouble. but I, know where I'm going. I know where I'm going. I'm going to heaven. And, that is home. I'm not going there yet, I don't think. But I'm just telling you this is the final destination, is what brings us hope, hope, hope of a few, hope in a future. And, heaven is just going to be such an incredible place. I, I can't wait, really. And so many of you, most of you listening to me are going to be there. I might get there ahead of you. We'll see. But I look forward. Can you imagine us in heaven? We will know each other and we will know each other without having a lot of explanations, you know, we'll just know. And, we will get our catching up and conversation for the, for the rest of eternity. So with that, I want to leave you my final goodbye and, leave you with this wonderful song I recorded with Micah English is called I'm Going Home

Sandy Rios for trying to hold on to what's here for worry they wrestle with their fears

Caroline Where

Sandy Rios I'm going My peace joy will be in that city My home awaits for me I'm going home Just to be with my Lord I'm going home I receive my reward Heaven is waiting for me and it's Jesus I'm longing to

Caroline see

Sandy Rios I'm going home.

Sandy Rios For searching

Sandy Rios for what they cannot find People hoping for peace in trouble times Love Where I'm going God's glory I will see it's your promise A home prepared for me I'm going home Just to be with my Lord I'm going home I receive my reward Heaven is waiting for me and It's Jesus I'm longing m To see I'm going home. No more. Name m. M. I see the one who died for me I go in just to be with my Lord. I receive my reward Heaven is waiting for me and it's Jesus I I don't need to see I'm going home. Jesus, I'm going.