Judson Turns 2

Judson Wyatt Bates Born September 15th 2010 is The 18th Child of Gil&Kelly Bates.Judson Has 18 Other Siblings.Happy Birthday Judson Wyatt Bates!

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/