Remembering 15  years back for our first Christmas together as a blended family of 10 I thought about how simple our lives were.  I was working as a School receptionist/nurse in one of the wealthiest private schools in Atlanta, Georgia.  My husband  was working for a small landscaping business.   We were definitely barely making it but we were together and loving it.

The school decided to dedicate that years Christmas presents given by each of the students to our huge family! There were presents everywhere and of every size!  We had so many gifts that we voted as a family to distribute them to kids in the poorest part of town!  It  was one of the best memories of that year we would have!

Here we are 15 years later at this same Holiday with 12 more kids! Yes, you are right, they are not kids anymore but respectful young adults that have done great things for our Savior and for our Country! My husband and I could not be prouder to be the parents of so many!  We have kids scattered from here to Dubai to Uganda.  What an honor it has been to us to celebrate our Savior’s birth next to the family our Savior has given us!

Fifteen years ago we were beginning and not knowing what would be in store for us as that blended family of 10. Looking back at the difficult and painful years I can say that I am thankful for those Christmas’s ago where we did not know exactly what we were doing so we could be here today and thanking our Savior for our beautiful, loving, and Godly family. 

Today we have some of our kids that are still on a prodigal journey.  We have our family at home that are all serving our Savior Jesus Christ.  Some  have jobs at Olde Stone Country Club, one at a great Department Store, one son at Stoody Corporation, two are teaching Zumba, three are in the cleaning business.  Two are at Ft. Knox serving our country.   All of them are mentoring younger believers!  Doing worship music and leading Bible Studies.  We have all the women learning to be wives, moms, and homemakers.  The men in the house are learning to be Godly Fathers and leaders eventually in their own homes.  

This year we have adopted a single mom and her 10 year old son.  What an incredible joy watching the growth as a mom for Mercy and her beautiful son.  Josh, Mercy’s son has not only grown in maturity and obedience to his mom but also socially with his new family.    That means this year I have gained two adopted grandsons! How blessed I am!

Yes, we are thankful and grateful this Christmas season to be here going on our 15th year as a family! A family that is seen as “quaint” but in His eyes we are a beautiful family and all of us adopted by Him! What a joy and honor to be called by our Savior to serve Him in this manner.  We could not have scripted our lives to this point or what lies ahead.  I do look forward to seeing what He has in store for the next 15 years!  It is so exciting to be in the center of His will and knowing that we belong to Him and nothing can touch us unless it goes through His hands first!  That is the peace that surpasses all understanding!

This year of 2010 may all of us remember this verse found in Genesis 50:20; “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.”

The Bateman Christmas 2009  was very different than 15 years ago but one thing has always remained the same and that is our love for our Savior and for each other.  May it be said of us all one day, “Well done they good and faithful servant.”

Happy New Year!