Fathers Day Reminder

I’ve heard others say that a mother has the most difficult and most important job in the world… I’m not so sure! I know I wouldn’t be able to trade places with my husband in fulfilling his role as Dad! Decisions are hard for me; pressure is hard for me to cope with; bills are a nightmare… I’m just not cut out to carry the load that he does so well!

I’m so grateful and so blessed to be by his side and to watch the example he sets for his children! To all the Dads who are trying to be Godly leaders in the home, may God grant you strength and wisdom as you continue to love, lead, serve, provide for, protect, and teach your little ones!! May this poem be a reminder to you to slow down and enjoy the role God has so graciously given you!

Father’s Day Reminder

As decisions and responsibilities loom about,

You may be faced with fears and doubt.

You may be too pre-occupied

To feel that hand upon your side.

You may be tired and need a nap

When little ones climb onto your lap.

You may have bills that reach the sky,

And work that keeps on piling high.

You may have many important duties

Clouding your vision of family beauties:

Like toothless smiles and bandaged knees,

Like children hanging from the trees,

Like broken bikes and a messy room,

Like hand picked flowers and weeds that bloom.

One day when there’s no noise or mess,

No extra bills, no dolls to dress,

No games to play, no bikes to fix,

No doctor visits, no scrapes or nicks,

No whining or fussing about a chore,

Just you alone to bother for…

Here’s just one thought to reflect upon:

One day those treasures will all be gone.

So don’t forget to take the time

To listen to each joke or rhyme,

To notice each new work of art,

To read a book or play a part,

To give a few more hugs each day,

To bow your head and humbly pray,

To spend each moment as it were last,

Because we know, they grow so fast!

Fathers Day!

Today we celebrate fathers day in recognition of all the fathers in the world,also Mr.Gil Bates who gave his wife their first son and also 18 other beautiful blessings+3 Angels all from the lord!

Gil&Kelly

May God Bless all the Fathers on this Day!

Bates Reality Show Update

The Bates show has been pushed back to August instead of June. It is supposed to air on August 13th on TLC, but it hasn't been finalized yet. 

Bates Family Fan Page Social Networking

As of Today Bates Family Fan Page is now both on Facebook & Twitter (Including Blogger!) So Make sure to Like Us on Facebook,Subscribe To our Blog(Here on Blogger!) and To follow Us on Twitter!

Facebook-https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bates-Family-Fan-Page/193615540757795?ref=tn_tnmn 

Twitter-https://twitter.com/#!/BatesFamilyPage

God Bless!

South Haven

We recently visited one of our favorite churches, South Haven Baptist Church in Springfield, TN, where the children were able to share in song and Gil was able to preach.

Pastor Gagliano has been a wonderful influence in our children’s’ lives, as we have downloaded and have listened to many of his sermons! He is preaching a tremendous series on the family, available on the church website (http://www.southhavenbaptist.org/shbc/home ).

One of the things that impresses us most about Pastor Gagliano’s message is the fruit seen in his children’s lives. Each of them (or their spouses) serve in fulltime ministry positions and love the Lord. May God help us draw wisdom from other families like these as we strive to raise our children with a heart for God!

Gone To Glory

On this Memorial Day weekend, my family gathered around the bedside of my brother. We had much to celebrate! Most of his family travelled to see him. We knew he was dying, and we all longed to see him again. It was the first time we had all been able to be together in a while, and we had some exciting family additions to share: My sister Beth had a precious boy (Braylon), and my niece Angel and her husband Travis adopted two adorable twin girls (Kenna and Alayna). God allowed Chip to see and hold his two grandbabies!

Chip had been placed on hospice care last Thanksgiving. With heavy hearts we watched his strength slowly deteriorate. But God answered the many years of prayer of his sweet wife Brenda, one morning when Chip prayed and asked God to save him after having a nightmare about how he would spend eternity. I rejoiced, but so longed to see the fruit of his new life in Christ, and God granted that prayer aswell. For over two months, Chip’s changed life radiated forth and encouraged us all. His family read his Bible with him, and his whole conversation changed! The night before he died he looked at Brenda and said,”We need to be doing something spiritual.” So Brenda read him verses and sang hymns to him through the night, then he went to be with the Lord early on the morning of May 30th.

Chip’s memory will be forever planted in my heart. He was my older brother that spoiled me, and I adored him! As an older child he asked for a wagon one Christmas. Mom told him he was too old for a wagon, then she learned his motive. He wanted the wagon to pull me around as a baby. Since I was colicky, Mom said most days she would bundle me up in that little red wagon and Chip would pull me around for hours! He was a loving brother, and I will miss him immeasurably… But I must thank God for Chip’s salvation and for allowing us to have this special family time together before his homecoming!

Music

Erin recently had the opportunity to meet and interview with pianist Greg Howlett, whom she has long admired. Erin uses Greg’s teaching materials to assist her in giving piano instruction to her students, and our whole family enjoys listening to his incredible CDs.

Alyssa and Tori travelled with Erin to the interview in Atlanta. Greg kept the girls thoroughly amused with his fun sense of humor. I don’t know how Greg and Erin kept straight faces during the filming, with the two giggle boxes (Alyssa & Tori) on the side lines erupting in laughter! Greg is posting portions of his interview on his website (where his CDs are also available): http://greghowlett.com/