Afrcka-bound...

In the Music Man's words...

Dear Friends and Family

I sit here this morning completely overwhelmed. Its been 2 weeks since I made the appeal for funds for our two missions trips in the new year. I have been on the receiving end of God's blessing in the past, but never quite like this. Our need was GREAT! Our God IS GREATER!

I had spoken personally with some of you, and when asked how the Africa trip was coming, I said, "well I don't have the funds, but I was willing to God, and God sees my heart." I had pretty much counted out the Africa opportunity. Well, yesterday at 4:30 PM was my deadline to raise 2700.00 before the plane tickets HAD to be purchased. I had in my account 1950.00 at 3:59PM.

The short story is, at 4PM yesterday afternoon, $750.00 came in to cover my trip. Yes, you read correctly, with 30 minutes to spare. So, thanks to you I will be able to GO and minister to a people that in my wildest dreams I would have never thought I would have the opportunity to minister to, lead worship in nations I NEVER thought I would be going to, and take the NAME OF JESUS to the uttermost parts of the earth!

You guys are awesome! Thank you for your faith-filled support. We still need your help raising another 3000.00 for our Spain trip in April, but thats for another email!

So this means, I have 13 days to: get immunizations; learn music from a band that I have never played with, much less EVEN MET; get the music department of First Assembly ready for my 2 week absence (I have 1000% confidence you guys will handle it! You wont even know I was gone); and pack!

The whirlwind has only just begun, but as it begins I wanted to say a humble THANK YOU for your overwhelming support of Melissa and I. In tears this morning know I am overwhelmed at your love for us and your support for our ministry.

Thank you!
PS and Melissa Ball

:::

I gave him a new journal for Christmas.  He asked The Girl to write a note to him in it for when he's gone.  What she wrote is beyond precious! 

If you can't read it here's the translation:

To: Daddy

From: Natalie

I heart you.

I hop that you

have a varvr Good

tom at Afrcka

I wat you to

say her bee kus

I heart you.

 

:::

 

What else could I possible say after that?

The Superbowl of Motherhood

Today all of heaven is rejoicing with me.

My daughter came to me about an hour ago and said, "I just asked Jesus into my heart, Mommy!"

It just doesn't get any better than that!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

May God continue to draw you to Him. May you enjoy the many wonderful blessings of a life lived for Him. You will never be sorry.

Natalie's New Bike

Make an on-line slide show at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Happy Birthday Natalie!!!

At this time four years ago, I felt as though a machete had been shoved inside me and was hacking it's way through my uterus.  (Thanks for the potocin sans epidural!)  It would be another hour and three minutes before I was dilated enough to start pushing.  Twenty minutes later, at 1105pm Natalie Lauren Ball came dancing into this world.  As painful as it was I wouldn't have it any other way!

April 25, 2004

April 25, 2005

April 25, 2006

April 25, 2007

April 25, 2008

Happy Birthday my precious little princess.  You have blessed me in so many ways in the few short years we have known each other.  I can't imagine my life without you.  May you follow our Lord and Saviour all the days of your life.  He will never let you down!

Four Badges and a Crown

Last Wednesday was the mid-year awards ceremony for Missionettes.  Natalie is in the youngest class called Rainbows.  It's the 3 and 4 year old class.  She has earned 4 badges so far this year... Bears, Lions, Rabbits, and Sheep.  Her favorite Bible verse: God created the heavens and the earth. Genesis 1:1

Here's my Princess...

And here she is with her two best girlfriends, Larissa and Rachel.

Natalie and Larissa are always talking... ALWAYS!
Here's the typical parental photo of the little girl who pulls her dress up in front of the whole world...
The girls were so proud of their certificates!

Congrats Girlfriend!  I love you thiiiiiiiiis much!

A Royal Evening

Last night, my brother and sister-in-law came over to my parents house with my niece and nephew. Natalie had brought all of her dress up things because she wanted to dress up with Lei Lei. So it didn't take them long to decide it was princess time...

It turned out to be a rather musical evening. The kids banged on the piano...

I love this picture because if you look really close at Natalie you can see she has her lips sticking way out. I think it's so cute!

And mini-Joshua, aka. Bubby, Bubs-a-lubs, Bubbalicious, Bubba-monkey, Jubbs, Jubbalub, etc. found pure bliss on the xylophone. This has been his favorite toy all week. He will literally sit for an hour or more banging on it.

And fianlly, I've saved the best for last...my music man... Scott joined in on the gee-tar.