The Lord was gracious and our water lines thawed out quickly and none of them busted as far as we can tell!!  We were prepared to do without water for quite some time but the Lord had other plans and we are thankful for that.   Thanks for your prayers.

Praising the Lord for running water...........Sis. Sheri

Sunday we had 16 in the morning service and 6 in the evening service.  There was 1 new girl that came both services.  For the first time we were able to split the kids into 2 classes with Sis. Edna teaching the older kids.  It was such a blessing!!  The kids enjoyed it and I definitely enjoyed it....If possible, we would all keep her!!! 

We have been praying about a van and the Lord has ANSWERED that prayer!!  Smryna Baptist Church in Chatsworth, Ga has DONATED a van!!!  PRAISE THE LORD!!  For those of you who have sent in monetary donations towards the purchase of a van....it will be used to buy new tires, any maintenance issues, tags, insurance and make sure it is ready for this northern weather, and the trip up here.  Thank You to everyone that generously gave....we appreciate it very much. 

One special prayer request.....we have a very special friend, Bro. Ralph Hamby, that went home to be with the Lord yesterday morning.  Mrs. Hamby and the family need your prayers as they face the difficult days ahead.  

Praising the Lord in Cannon Ball,    Sis. Sheri

I am in the middle of working on our Feb/March Prayer letters and just had to stop and add this blog.    This week has been quite a week for us.  It began with the Blizzard on Sunday/Monday that left us with the 2+ feet of fresh new snow.  We did make some snow cream which was delicious.  I had never made snow cream before...as I took my first bite I looked at Doyle and said  "Who said we were gonna starve!!!!"   Then on Wednesday we dug our car out and went to Bismarck.  When we got back home the wind had already blown the snow back into our drive and we got the car stuck!!  We left it there and Doyle dug it out later.  We weren't able to have Bible study that night.  We dug the car out again and yesterday we went back into Bismarck and the water pump went out in the car!!  We did make it back home and Monday it is going to the shop in Solen to get a new water pump installed.  Then this morning Doyle got the truck stuck in the snow.  They say it's supposed to snow again sometime this evening...but not very much (we hope!!).   Anyway.....it has been a week of "events".....but the best was yet to come!!!!!    As I were sitting here working on the prayer letters....I was at the computer...Doyle was sitting in the kitchen stuffing the envelopes and sealing them...al of the sudden he said..."We have Water!!!"   Of course...I thought he was joking....but there it was...water running out of the kitchen faucet!!!   So PRAISE THE LORD...OUR WATER IS ON!!!!!!!!

Just wanted to share that with everyone because we know you have been praying about our water and the Lord has heard and answered those prayers!!

Sis. Sheri

We had 11 in both the morning and evening service.  The kids that come range from the ages of 2 through 12/13.  It has been a challenge for me to be able to teach them and at the same time maintain control of such a large age span of kids.  They are really not disciplined at home /the parents or grandparents just let them do as they please.  This Sunday there were no adults so we split the group in two.  I taught the younger half and Doyle taught the others and it was so much better...they all learned and it was a much easier day for me.  Doyle said his group was really good and they enjoyed him teaching them.  So we plan on keeping it this way as much as possible.   

The transmitter for the radio station has arrived and Bro. Todd (the missionary in South Dakota) is coming sometime next month to get the radio station going for us.  We're really excited about it.  It will be such a tremendous outreach!!   Praise the Lord for answering our prayers and supplying what was needed!!  

This morning it is a cold -14!!  A few days it has reached in the high 30's and that feels warm!! Will be glad for Spring to come so we can get outside and work in the yard (which has 3-4 feet of snow right now).   

Praising the Lord here in Cannon Ball,  Sis. Sheri

Doyle was able to go purchase the snow blower today and I in the process of posting some pictures of it in our Picasa web album titled "Our First Winter".  Three of the photos are videos so you can see the blower at work.  Bella sure enjoyed chasing the snow as it blowed.  She is usually at my side all the time, but when I got the door to come inside, she didn't want to come in with me...wanted to stay outside and play.   The wind has picked up this evening but at least Doyle won't have to think about re-shoveling his trails again thanks to all of you who donated for the snow blower. 

We really appreciate it and love all of you.

 Serving the Lord in Windy North Dakota,    Sis. Sheri

Our first Sunday in 2009 we had 14 in attendance in the AM and 11 this evening.  My heart is especially burdened for the children here because of the things they have to witness at home.    They tell me about fights and drunkenness in their homes.  One Sunday I was teaching about what the Bible says about money and ask them what they would do if someone gave them some money...one boy quickly answered and said he would buy food with it.   Today one of the little girls asked me several times if she could please come and live with me (her mother had been beaten up this past week).  It is hard to put into the words what kind of home life these kids have!!!  What is really sad is that they think this is what a home and family is supposed to be like.....!!!!

On a more positive note,  we had asked you to help pray about the funds for a snow blower.  Praise the Lord, He has answered that prayer!!  As soon as Doyle goes and purchases the snow blower I will take pictures and post them on our website so you can see it at work!!!!  Thank You to all those that donated...we (Doyle) really appreciates it and love you for it.   I (Sheri) reaaaaaly appreciate it because Doyle was threatening to buy me a shovel!!!!!

I have mentioned Marie and Tex alot in the past but not much recently.  Marie has fallen back into her old habits of drinking.  It is really heartbreaking to see the hold alcohol can have on a person and the lives that are destroyed as a result.   We are praying for Marie and ask you to do the same. 

Serving the Lord on the COLD Prairie,  Sis. Sheri

Praise the Lord we finally have water that will run IN and OUT of the parsonage!!   The Lord is good.  There is a Winter Warning out for tonight and tomorrow that is suposed to bring 6-8 more inches of snow.  The wind isn't suposed to be blowing so hard so it shouldn't be blizzard conditions....just beautiful white snow!!   I love it but Doyle says he is already tired of it.....of course he's the one that has to get out and shovel it!!  At first Bella didn't like the snow but now she loves to get out in it and gets pretty frisky playing in it. 

Thanking the Lord for ALL His blessings...   Sis. Sheri

Yesterday was VERY windy and cold.  But even in the cold and wind we still had 12 yesterday morning and 7 last night.  In Sunday School I am working with the kids on how to respect and take care of their Bibles along with how to find things in the Bible.  I have Bible drills by calling out the just the Book..no chapter or verse.  The first week they had no clue how  to find anything!!   But they are coming along really good and we will soon be able to add Chapters and verses to the books.  We are also memorizing the books of the Bible adding 5 each week.  Yesterday morning I introduced The Ten Commandments to them and was surprised to find out they had on comprehension of what the word "sin" even meant.  So....we are really starting from "scratch" and enjoying every moment!!!  

 An update on Connie Nixon, our Missionary friend that Hip Replacement Surgery.  Her surgery was last Tuesday and while doing surgery they found a couple other problems and were able to correct those also.  We visited her Saturday and she is doing very well and will go to Rehab possibly today.  Thank You so much for your prayers on her behalf.

A couple prayer requests.  Every Sunday I have to pick kids up in my car...yesterday morning I had 8 all piled on top of each other in the pack of my car.   Each house I go to I never know how many will come out to get in the car....sometimes it's 4-6..sometimes just 1 or 2.   We really need a Van to pick them up in.  Then we could stop at even more houses and have more room. It is such a joy to see the smiles on their faces because I am there to pick them up for church!!!  Even as cold as it was yesterday morning they came with no coats, no socks, shorts, and some eating their breakfast which was just a cracker!!!  Please make our Church Transportation a matter of prayer. 

Along with more children...we definitely are going to need some more help!!   Please pray that the Lord will lay it on someones heart to come help us!!!!  

I added a Album to our Picasa website titled "New Life Baptist Mission"...there is one picture on there of our church service on October 19th.  If you haven't already seen it....take a look.  I will be adding more pictures as time goes on.  This album will consist of just Pictures we take during services and special things we will be having.  We have taken pictures of just the children but am reluctant to put them on the website without the parent's permission.   

Thanks for all your love, prayers and support.          The Hall's

Praise the Lord.....we have 2 Gas propane heaters on the way!!!  God is soooo good to us.  The heaters are being delivered to Dalton today and Bro. Hobart and Sis. Edna are coming up and bringing the heaters with them.   Please pray for their safety as they travel.   We are excited that they are coming to visit. 

It was 28 degrees this morning but is supposed to warm up to 60 today (a Heat wave!!!).   Thank the Lord for warm weather!!  Doyle is outside now digging the holes for our sign so we can get it up while it's warm enough to work outside. 

 Thanks for all your prayers and support.  We love all of you!!    Sis. Sheri