Rain or Shine

God often puts a song in our hearts during times of joy... and also during times of sorrow... during the storms of life, or during the sunny days!

    We recently rejoiced to discover we were expecting a new baby, but several weeks later, our joy turned to tears as a visit to the doctor showed that our little one had died around the 7th week.

    We have experienced 3 other misscarriages, and each time we chose a name that would remind us of a hymn that we could sing during our times of sadness. (Jewels was named after the hymn, "Precious Jewels." Jubilee was named after the Scripture song, "This is the Year of Jubilee." Zion was named after thehymn, "We're Marching to Zion.")

    We asked God to help us choose a fitting name for this little one, and at the same time to restore gladness to our hearts. We chose the name "Sunny" after the hymn "There is Sunshine in My Soul." The 4th verse says:

"There is gladness in my soul today, and hope and praise and love,

For blessings which He gives me now, for joys 'laid up' above." 

He has chosen to give us 4 little joys "laid up" in Heaven, that one day we will see and know! Through tears and sorrow, we still sing, "There is Sunshine in My Soul!"

Some of our children sang "God wants to Hear You Sing," to remind us to turn to Him in both the good times and the bad.

Credit:Gil&Kelly Jo Bates

Facebook Group

I Have Started a Fan Group for the Bates Family,Anybody is free to Join The Group! ~Emme

https://www.facebook.com/groups/300496016724666/

Nathan Turns 19

Today is Nathan's 19th Birthday!Born Kenneth Nathaniel Bates,Also Born on August 29th 1993 Congrats on your 19th Birthday! 

#UBOA Season Finale

If you haven't seen all the "United Bates of America" episode's Better Catch Up! The Season Finale of "United Bates of America" is this Upcoming Monday at The same Time. 

*Next Weeks's Posted Under Showtimes Tab in Blog*

Callie-Anna Turns 3

Happy 3rd Birthday Callie-Anna Rose Bates!Callie's Birthday was on August 2nd and she is the 17th Child of Gil&Kelly Jo Bates!Callie-Anna is the most adorable, most innocent looking little angel…but underneath that sweet grin is a mischievous little adventurer waiting to get into trouble! She keeps us all on our toes and adds sheer delight to our days! Happy Birthday Callie!

Josie Turns 13

Happy 13th Birthday Josie Kellyn Bates! Josie is the 10th child of Gil&Kelly Jo Bates and was born August 4th, Josie is all smiles, all the time! She loves to read and read and read. Most girls’ pocket books are filled with all sorts of goodies, but Josie’s is packed with mysteries! Her love for reading helps her to also be a diligent student in her schoolwork.Happy Birthday Josie!

Down Home Gospel

Erin's new CD "Down Home Gospel" is finally finished! We are so grateful to the many people who helped make this project possible! Andy Leftwich did an incredible job accompanying on the fiddle.

Erin headed for Nashville with a few siblings to meet Andy and his wife, Rachel. After Wednesday night church, they selected the songs for the Cd and briefly practiced them together. They began recording early Thursday morning, and finished late Friday night. It sounded like they had played together for years, even though they had only ran through the songs a handful of times.

Down Home Gospel is quite a change from her previous Cd, Merciful and Mighty, which has a more majestic sound in comparison to this CD’s upbeat, hand clapping & foot stomping, Southern Gospel appeal.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRZKwkOsk3I&feature=player_embedded



CREDIT:Gil&Kelly Jo Bates