HAPPY NEW YEAR TN…Plus a Few Days

Happy New Year, ministry family and friends… A few days late. :-) I’m so sorry for my belated greeting but it has been a bit crazy around here these past few days. 

In any case, I wanted to not only say hello but share with you that it is one of my highest hopes that each of you have a 2026 filled with God’s blessings of faith, hope and love! I pray that God will fill each of your hearts with His overflowing joy, matchless peace and wholesome goodness and that you are expectantly ready for all of these things and more as God rains down holy heaven on each of us every moment of every day. 

In fact, what better time for each of us to remember the truth of His plans and desires for us as it says in Jeremiah 29:11. “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.” Leanne and I always loved this verse and it was a foundational part of our lives. I hope it encourages you and blesses you not only the rest of 2026 but as we all go onward and upward in Christ. It is always great to also remember that the best is yet to come: heaven. :-)

Access-Life “East Tennessee Christmas Jingle and Mingle”: December 6, 2025 – Enjoying the Season!

Hey there boys and girls of all ages and abilities in CFL. I just wanted to share that we finished our last 2025 Access-Life activity.

That’s right. This past Saturday, our East Tennessee Ministry lead, Hannah Spradling lead a small group of volunteers in hosting our annual Christmas Jingle and Mingle in Jefferson City, Tennessee.

We had candy cane and wreath ornament crafts along with winter games and festive food. Hannah even made some of it herself! We were blessed with some of our most committed volunteers and everyone got to sing Christmas carols and hear the nativity story. I’d call that a God bless success!

Great job to our team and thank you Lord Jesus for all the good work you do through the ministry. :-) 

Hope you guys enjoy the collage that shows the smiles of joy that are so appropriate for this time of year.

Access-Life “Leanne Life Legacy” Thanksgiving Baskets – Tennessee for Twice the Impact!

Well, God did it again! Thanks to Amanda Nichols Rathbun and her local Bible study group in Talbot, Tennessee, our Access-Life Leanne’s Life Legacy basket program has doubled from just Central Florida for Easter to Central Florida and East Tennessee this Thanksgiving. Thanks again to God working through the hearts and minds of his people, we were able to distribute Christ centered baskets focusing on the true meaning of these holidays as well as providing much needed household and family support in Central Florida and East Tennessee. Attached is a photo collage of some of the recipients in the East Tennessee area. Unfortunately, due to school and programming policy rules not every child and family could be included with photographs. However, Amanda said she heard so many stories of thanks and gratitude and as always the smiles say it all. It makes me so happy to see Leanne‘s impact continue and even grow as we see God expand his kingdom!

#Happy Thanksgiving

Well, the big day of celebrating all of the good gifts that we have been blessed with by our pure, holy, gracious and faithful God has almost here!

I know we’re all so busy this time of year and to be honest we often overlook this time of humbly remembering what our God has faithfully and tenderly done in taking care of us each day of this past year and all of our lives for that matter. 

So, I just wanted to send everyone a happy Thanksgiving note and special verse which I have always found so encouraging.

Psalm 18:2 “Oh Lord, you protect me and save me; your care has made me great, and your power has kept me safe.”

I’ve always found it interesting and impactful that God’s care for us is at the center of this verse which is very humbling and encouraging at the same time.

I pray that this will bless everyone in reminding us of God’s true character as we spend time with family and friends.

I also hope that everyone consumes lots of turkey, takes a nap on the couch with the help of some all natural tryptophan, and be surrounded by good things and enjoy the company of good folks. 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Access-Life “Leanne Life Legacy” Thanksgiving Baskets – Florida with Tennessee to Come!

We did it! That’s right. With the gracious help of the Lord working through the hearts and minds of his people, we finished our second Access-Life Leanne’s Life Legacy project here in Florida. Just like before Easter, we distributed baskets filled with Bibles, ministry scripture art books, $100 grocery cards, hey Leanne’s Life Legacy t-shirt and a variety of other seasonal items for guys and gals of all ages and abilities for Thanksgiving.

It was so fulfilling to be able to not only bless individuals and families living with disabilities in our area but it to spend time visiting, learning people’s journeys and even praying with them when we met. While the variety of disabilities and circumstances for each person were different God’s presence was there not only blessing others but blessing us in the process. I know it would have greatly pleased Leanne.

I hope you enjoy the above collage and seeing the smiles that God put on all of our faces! Also, be on the lookout for more pictures as God has expanded this program to Tennessee, too. So, soon we’ll have a collage of baskets delivered up in the volunteer state. I love seeing God expand this part of our ministry and see Leanne’s Legacy grow.