August was just a smear of lots of different fun things. Abby, always being creative, made a crown and a dress out of her connecting sticks. Cowabunga Bay with friends in the summer helped make the season pass get used up. Family Lagoon Day with Darren's work at Savage. Fun rides and food. Ella and Abby did the Slingshot swing. Ella pulled the lever to make them drop.
We have done a lot of biking in September. Abby and her friends rode up to see the rock where their schoolmate crashed and got hurt (and later passed away). Abby and friends in GRIT rode out to Lehi to get a Jamba Juice, which was a 20-mile ride. Ella had a senior girls ride up to Tibble Fork. It's been fun to see all these girls together for years. Darren and Ella do some long rides on the weekends to prepare for race season.
The Cabin had some foundation problems. A company came in to lift the house up. Lots of rocks came off the exterior. We will slowly start putting them back on. The Thomases came into town for a week. I went up one day to hang out with them at the cabin. A highlight was throwing rocks up on the bank for 2 hours with Ely.
School started. Abby in 7th grade now. Ella is a senior. Abby had a sleepover outside under the stars before school started. The first day of school was followed by a trip to Thanksgiving Point so cousins could hang out with Ely.
A HUGE tree fell over in our neighborhood. It barely missed crushing the owner's car. Since kids are back in school, I get to hike and climb more often. They are my happy things to do. Abby continues to do piano lessons with Lindsay Lee. Ella and Everett went to pole vaulting together.
I did the Crest mnt biking trail with Beth for her birthday. Abby had friends up at the cabin for a day trip. And OF COURSE... we love and miss Tyler. He is a great boy. We are so grateful for Elder Gillespie and the amazing companion that he was.
Brother and Sister Balls 19 August 2025
12841 S Ashton Brook Lane
Draper, UT 84020
United States
Dear Brother and Sister Balls,
One of the greatest blessings I have as Mission President is to write parents to tell them about their
amazing sons and daughters who are serving the Finnish people with such dedication and
distinction. I am certain that you have already noticed that Elder Balls has reached his one-year
mark as a missionary. It is a significant milestone to have been completely dedicated to the Lord in
His full-time service for a full year. Sister Lehtinen and I are pleased to inform you that your son is
progressing well in truly becoming a converted disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ during his time
here in Finland.
This past year we have seen a continued increase in the spirituality and success of the Mission as a
whole. The missionaries, including your son, are beautifully devoted in assisting the Lord as He
hastens the work of salvation. The missionaries consistently and faithfully invite the Finnish people
to come unto Christ. More importantly, they speak and teach with the Spirit and with love. Miracles
of conversion are happening virtually every week all over the country, with future Church leaders
joining the Church or being reactivated.
This year, your son worked in Lappeenranta, Tampere, and Kouvola and served in the positions of
Junior and Senior Companion. Wherever he has gone, he has ministered faithfully and has truly
strengthened the Church in this wonderful land. We are grateful for Elder Balls’s dedicated service,
and that he has been willing to fulfill any task with a spirit of love, with a humble willingness to do
the Father’s will, to do so under the direction and influence of the Spirit, and with dedication, hard
work, and a commitment to doing his best.
We thank you for your dedication in raising such a fine son and for your continued love and
support. May the Lord bless you and your loved ones as we all strive to do the Lord’s work together
throughout the world.
Yours truly,
Juha Lehtinen
President, Finland Helsinki Mission
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
