Wednesday, March 28, 2012

When you love someone...

Well we have been home now from Florida for a few days. We had an amazing visit with Cassie, Jesse and the boys while there! Every time we see them, we see changes in them all...this time I think Landy has finally grown...he is getting to be such a big boy! Ayden can read like nothing I've seen at that age before...and then Camden...I was so afraid when he was born I wouldn't have a connection with him because of the distance between us but he is grammy's snuggle buddy...especially if he is in trouble or had his feelings hurt! My sweet Cassie is doing well...growing daily with our Laney Kate...who I cannot hardly wait to meet! I can't wait to see her sweet face and see who she will look like or will she have her own look! If I've learned anything over the past 3 years with them living so far from us...is to not take them for granted...and by them I mean my family...not just the Ball family who we ALL miss sometimes so bad it is like a phyiscal hurt...but ALL my family...I never want to again, take for granted that at this time anyway, God has allowed Donnie and Heather and the twins to be right here with us...or that Michael is still here or Katie and Thomas are close...or that God allows me the gas money and a vehicle to go see Cassie and her family as often as I have been able too! He has taught me to appreciate EVERY day I have with each of them...cause when you love someone that is what you do...

As I write this, I find myself feeling guilty because my brother and his sweet wife are an ocean away from their kids and sweet grandbabies...a sacrifice they've been called to make...but I'm able to see the love they have for each other in each sweet post they make...from parents to kids, kids to parents...grandbaby pictures and videos...and sibling to sibling...and why...because they all love someone...and they too know the lesson...on a much, much granted scale than I, to never take each other for granted...

This post has been rolling around in my mind for several days because it is not just about family...it is about when you LEARN to love Someone...and that someone is Jesus Christ...He is the reason our sweet Cassie and Jesse moved...because they love Him and they choose to obey Him...it is why S and P are an ocean away and He is the reason I can have peace that surpasses all understanding...He is the reason our family stands today...He is the reason my kids are the people they are today...and with that said...we are all still a mighty work in progress...He is the reason...period...He IS THE REASON for this life...and as I learn this lesson of loving Him...I learn more and more to appreciate the gifts He has placed in my life and entrusted to me as well...

I will tell you there is nothing more sweet than setting in the back of a car listening to my grandbabies sing sweet songs about a Savior they are learning about...He's got the whole world in His hands...deep and wide...or Landy's rendition...wide and deep...but you know...someday Landy will understand just how wide and deep the Saviors love is for him...or them saying verses taught to them by people who love them and love Jesus...so I'll close this post with Rylee and Calebs new verse they've been telling grammy...

When you love someone....

...If one falls down, his friend can help him up...Ecclesiastes 4:10

to my family...all of you...some of you are blood and some of you are not...know this also....

I thank my God every time I remember you....Phillipians 1:3 and again in verse 7 it says...it is right from me to feel this way about all of you, since I have you in my heart!!!

I love you all so much...have a blessed day! 

Monday, March 12, 2012

Heather Michelle

Oh to my 2nd beautiful daughter happy, happy birthday!!!! I'm so proud of the woman you are! You have an amazing family and I love witnessing you pouring Jesus into the twins lives!

My wish for you...
that you walk the rest of your days with and for Jesus
that you love Donnie more and more every year that passes
that you laugh often and you cry when needed too!
that you know just how loved you are
that you ALWAYS remember that Jesus wept
that you pour the love of Jesus into your students you have come thru your classroom year after year
that you have joy and you have peace
that you don't ALWAYS have to raise one with a stubborn streak
that you love those twins like only a momma can!

You are an amazing woman, I love you so much and I'm proud to call you my daughter but honored even more to call you my friend...

I love you,
mom

Monday, March 5, 2012

Ladies Retreat...Oh how I've missed you!!!!

7 of us from EBC went to a ladies conference this past weekend! It was a very exciting time and I realized how much I have missed these opportunitites! I had the honor of getting to know the ladies in my church better and had such a sweet time with each one of them.

It seems the women's ministry at our church has been very much missed in the past several years and if I learned anything this weekend, it is that we need and we are ready to get busy about this ministry again!

I can still remember the first retreat I went on and it RADICALLY changed my life and the way our home would look forever! I pray that same transformation in the lives of my sweet girlfriends! The Lord desires such an intimate relationship with us and once we gain that truth and walk in it...our lives cannot look the same and do you know why...because we have met with the Lord!