Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 4:10-11 

Greetings in Jesus, 

Wow! What a busy few months and how wonderful God is blessing! Following are some updates on our family and ministries…  

John Allen and Joshua just finished up their season of flag football. I (Sarah) was assistant coach for Joshua’s team and we all had such a good time. Joshua’s favorite part was running through the tunnel at the beginning of the ball game when they announced his name and seeing Mr. Jeremy (who has such sweet patience with all the children but mainly our Joshua) who did the announcing. John Allen had a great season. He was able to score quite a few touchdowns but most of all he enjoyed his coaches, Lance Mason and Kevin Hughes who were such special blessings and who John Allen will miss greatly. This is John Allen’s last year in Upward and so this season was special and sad at the same time. My kids love playing flag football and it has been such a blessing and special time for our whole family. The boys are doing very well in home school. They are studying very hard and are very diligent. Joshua is learning how to read and it is so cute to hear him read aloud. He loves being able to read to me or Tim and especially to Jacob. Reading has opened a whole new realm for Joshua and it is neat to see how he is responding and sharing new treasures that he discovers with us.  

Jacob is a whole different story!! We are in the process of trying (with a little bit of success) to potty train him. The newness has worn off unfortunately and the battle is on. He is one smart little cookie. He is talking up a storm and thinks that he can do the same things that his big brothers do.  

Good News Mission is being blessed abundantly. Over the last few weeks we have had individuals to donate clothes and other items. We will be having one more give away and anything that is left over we will be having a yard sale in hopes of raising money for the Mission. This will make our second give away and we are praying that we will be able to reach more individuals/families in the community. On Tuesdays we have been having Bible Club and have been averaging over 20 individuals. My ladies come help with crowd control and listen to verses and help out wherever else they are needed. They are such blessings and are excited when they are able to help out with different activities around the Mission. On Sunday afternoons we are having up to 25 individuals. Depending on if it is a weekend that the local children from single parent homes go and spend time with dad, or if the weather is bad, causes our numbers to rise and fall. Whoever God sends we are faithful and are there to feed them and do a Bible lesson. 

On Halloween night we had an outreach at the Mission. We had a few games (ran by my ladies) set up for trick or treaters to come and play. We also served hotdogs, chips and drinks; we passed out flyers of upcoming events and tracts. We then sent them on their way. This was very successful with 70+ children and parents coming to play games and eat. 

A prayer request and concern for Good News Mission: Please be in prayer for the Mission’s support. One of our major supporters has had to cut their support in half. This has caused a concern for us, especially with the winter months coming and the price of gas increasing. Please be in prayer with us that local churches, businesses, and individuals would be willing to receive a blessing by donating toward the Mission’s support/operating expenses. If you would like to start supporting Good News Mission either by a one time gift, monthly or whatever God lays upon your heart, please contact our Secretary/Treasurer Virginia Harris at 931-823-5151. She would be more than happy to talk with you and help you in anyway she is able. Again, any money that comes in for Good News Mission’s support, Tim and I DO NOT get paid. Our support is completely separate and different from the Mission’s.  

Good News Mission upcoming events:  December 13^th from 11:30 am - 1:00 pm is the tentative date that we have set for our annual Holiday Meal. Last year we were able to minister to 70+ individuals by providing a “feast” of a meal that was provided by the participation of many local churches and individuals. This is always such a blessing to Tim and I and the many other volunteers who help serve or donate items. We will be giving away 2 turkeys as door prizes and if “Mr. & Mrs. Claus” can fit it into their busy schedule they will be stopping by to give out goody bags to the kids. If you would like to help in some way with this special event please contact us and let us know. Another event that has been going on for the past couple of months (and will continue in the months to come) and has been quite a success is the ladies cooking class. The response has been overwhelming! I didn’t know how God would bless this special class and group of ladies, but especially me. I am so honored to be able to impart my many years of learning to cook from my mother and at Cedar Lake Camp to such willing and appreciative ladies. There are a few who have already started experimenting at home some of the recipes that we have done, and have been excited that they have actually turned out good!! God is good and faithful!! During our class we discuss different ways to save money while shopping, such as looking at labels for the better bargain, price comparison etc. Most important is our devotional time. These ladies are so “hungry” for the word of God and for acceptance and success. God is doing a great work. Please pray for these ladies…we are having 12-15 to attend. Pray that God would be glorified through this class and that these ladies will have a closer relationship with Him. They are learning a lot and are having such a good time in our times together. 

Tim has ventured into new and exciting territory and I encourage you to check this out. Tim has a blog!!! To access go to www.angelfire.com/Tink38570/familiesagain. Tim shares his heart on many issues and our past (and future) newsletters are on it. I encourage you to go and check this out. 

Prayer Request:  

These are a just a few highlights of what has been going on in our lives. We would ask that you please continue to keep us in your prayers. In November Joshua has another appointment at TEAM in Chattanooga and then in December we will go back just Tim and I for the results of Joshua’s many test. January will see us back at TEAM for Joshua to see their doctor and possibly more test that pertain to him physically. This has been a long process in which we hope to finally have our many questions answered. Continue to pray for our support… we have had one of our bigger supporters to drop us starting the first of the year. This will really put us in a bind, but we know that God is bigger than our finances and can do the impossible. We give Him praise and glory for His provision and are waiting with great expectation with how He will provide, whether it’s Tim or I going back into the secular work force or for an individual or church to receive a blessing of supporting and co-laboring with us. Please continue to pray for His provision of our needs. Pray for Good News Mission and its support…God is doing a great work and is fixing to do an even greater work…why else would Satan be attacking in such a fierce way? Pray for the upcoming events at the Mission….the ladies cooking class, Sunday classes and our Holiday Meal. 

Praises:   We thank God for His goodness and faithfulness in providing for our needs. We praise and thank Him for such good Bible studies that our whole family is attending. Our family is doing Romans through CBS (Community Bible Study). The kids and I go into Cookeville on Thursdays and Tim goes to an evening one on Tuesday nights locally. We all have such great speakers and core group leaders. I am involved with a Thursday night Bible study on 1 Peter called Staying the Course. I am amazed at how God works and how He provides for all areas of our make up…the spiritual, mental and physical parts of who we are. Thank you Lord!!! We also praise and give thanks for our supporters, cheer leaders, encouragers, prayer warriors, friends, family etc. You all are such blessings to us and we thank you for your love, prayers and support. You allow us to minister and you co labor with us and therefore receive blessings. May God richly bless you in all that you do to further His kingdom. 

Hearts greatly and deeply blessed,  

Sarah & Tim