by angela batts on August 26, 2009
in Family
My sister, Kristin, texted me today and told me to look at what she had posted on her Facebook page about my seven year old nephew, Logan, who began second grade last week. For those of you who know me know that this little boy is the apple of my eye and always has been since his inception. When I read the words Kristin had written, tears filled my eyes. Here is what I read:
Logan had to write in his journal on the first day of school. The assignment started out with the phrase, ” The best thing about me is…” . I just knew he would talk about how much he loves to play video games, or ride his bike outside, or that he is pretty good at playing basketball. I picked it up after he was done to see what he had written and this is what he wrote: “The best thing about me is that I am a Christian and that God loves me. I am good at playing video games and basketball, but the best thing about me is that I am a Christian.” After I held back the tears a little, I began to really think about the simplicity of that confidence. We can each hang our hats on many talents and gifts we have been given. Some of us stand out more than others in various areas. Some of us spend a lot of our time focusing on what we do not have. What is the best thing about you? I can truly say that all I am today hinges on the fact that I have a God who gave His son unconditionally for me. My purpose in life is to allow Him to live through me so that others may come to know and experience this same joy and peace in their lives. Everything else is just icing on the cake. May each of us today learn to look at life through the eyes of a child.
My nephew, Logan
by angela batts on May 17, 2009
in Family
For those of you who may not know, my mom has been in the hospital since March 2. She originally was admitted with double pneumonia and was almost ready to be discharged from the hospital when things began to go south quickly. While she was still in the hospital, she fell and broke several limbs that required surgery. Unfortunately this was the least of the problems that followed. Long story short, she had to have MAJOR surgery that was unrelated to the limb surgeries, life-threatening surgery, and the doctors offered little to no hope for her. To put it mildly, she was gravely ill and without surgery she wasn’t going to be with us long. Even with the surgery, the doctors were less than optimistic. However, I am ecstatic to say that two and 1/2 months later, this past Thursday she was able to come home from the hospital! She’s HOME!!!! That in itself is a great victory!!!
My mom is a fighter and she’s been in similar situations several times before this. I’m thank for her will and desire to live. I am thankful for a faithful God who has given her another chance and who is not yet finished with her here on earth. Mom, I love you and am proud that you are my mom and glad that you pulled through this and did not give up.
My sister, Kristin, unselfishly left her home and family 200 miles away so she could help my mom and dad for nine weeks during this entire ordeal of mom’s hospital stay. Thank you Kristin for being so willing to give help where help was needed. Also, thank you David and Logan for being willing to take care of things at home while Kristin was gone. I know it was not easy on any of you and I truly am grateful for every one of you who stepped up to the plate to help.
For three years I have not been not been able to spend the actual Christmas holidays at home with my family but this year I was given the opportunity to come home to spend the holidays here in Wilmington, North Carolina with my family. I’ve enjoyed visiting with my grandmom, mom, daddy, sister, brother-in-law, and of course, little handsome, a.k.a., my nephew Logan. Sprinkled throughout the visit with my family have been reunions with friends that I have had for years but haven’t been able to see for a while. I also had the a really cool opportunity to meet one of my tweets from twitter face to face! 
It’s always neat to put a face with a name that you twitter! Thanks to everyone who welcomed me back to Wilmington!
Here are a few pictures from my Christmas at home in Wilmington Thank you, mom and daddy, for making this trip possible this year. I love each and every one of you!
