Meet the Women of NAOBC – Natalie Zeller

On Mondays, we’ll take time to meet the women of NAOBC. Five questions followed by how you can connect with the NAOBC women on social media. Today’s interview is with Natalie Zeller.

Q: Tell us about yourself

A: My husband, Chris, and I have been married for 10 years this fall. We met in high school, and it has been a fun and exciting journey so far. We are born and raised Louisvillians, but we moved around some with the military. We have two boys, Hunter (7) and Zachary (4), and they are the sweetest and smartest little men, with huge hearts. We are so thankful for the joy they bring! I am a preschool teacher at a local private school, and I’m grateful to bring my sons with me. I am a big fan of coffee, books, and music, and a lover of the outdoors – from inside a climate controlled building.

Q: Tell us about your time at NAOBC

A: I returned to NAOBC in 2013, when Hunter and I moved back to Kentucky from Alaska. Chris still had some time on his military contract and was unable to join us in Kentucky for another 18 months. I attended Ninth & O in the late 80s to early 90s with my parents, and I graduated from Kindergarten the last year the Ninth & O Academy was open. I have fond memories of deep green carpet, giant TV cameras, and hearing my Mom sing with the worship team. I became a member in early 2014, and I recently joined IC1, right at the start of the pandemic/quarantine, and have really enjoyed getting to know new families and families I’ve known as acquaintances through Zoom calls. I am a member of the Worship Team and I also serve in the Worship Choir, and can’t wait until we are able to meet together again.

Q: What is a fun fact that most people wouldn’t know about you?

A: I am pretty much a professional at singing made up songs about what I’m doing in the moment for the sole purpose of annoying and embarrassing my children. It was an especially useful skill at the height of quarantine.

Q: What woman has made the most impact in your life?

A: Rhonda Dick, former member of NAOBC, has made a big impact in my life. I’m so thankful to have been a coworker, friend, fellow-BFG member, lover of 90s music and celebrity gossip, road trip companion…the list goes on. She helped teach me what it means to be a godly friend, someone who speaks truth when it is needed most, and someone who always points back to Jesus. We may not live in the same city, and our relationship will continue to evolve and change, as all friendships do, but I will always be reminded of the Lord’s faithfulness in providing such a wonderful friend when I needed one the most.

Q: What is something the Lord has taught you in the last year?

A: Have you ever read through the Old Testament and thought, “Wow! Those Israelites are so quick to forget all the Lord has done?” No? Just me? Ok. And right as I have this thought, it’s quickly followed up with, “Um, Natalie? Do YOU remember how faithful and good the Lord has been to you?” The last year has been hard. For many obvious reasons, and some not so obvious reasons. There has been heartache and sorrow, pain, frustrations, anxieties and worries, and through all of those things the Lord never left me. I have not been so quick to look back for the faithfulness of the Lord, but being forced to slow down this year has really shown me how important it is to do just that! 2020 may not be my favorite year, in the way I might define it, but I am praying that the Lord will make 2020 the year I learned and grew so much in Him. And honestly, that would make 2020 the best year yet.

You can follow Natalie on Facebook, and Instagram @nnzeller