Hello All!! I am a very very excited and happy Chapman today. Tanner and I got engaged this past weekend! We are so excited to be in this new stage of life and are thankful for all of your prayers for us and our relationship. Please continue to pray for us as we plan and prepare for "the big day." It is our desire the the Lord will be glorified and praised even in the smallest details of planning! God is so good!
Congratulations!!! Has your dad gotten a song written for the wedding already? : )
Posted by: Bethany | May 21, 2008 at 04:44 PM
We are so, SO happy for the two of you. (Didn't I tell you in Tulsa last September that he was the one? lolol) You have our abiding prayers and love.
Posted by: Kelby | May 21, 2008 at 05:25 PM
CONGRATULATIONS! I figured this was coming...have fun planning!
Posted by: Rebecca H. | May 21, 2008 at 07:09 PM
We are so happy for you and we are praying for you and Tanner as you enter this new stage of both of your lives! CONGRATS!!!!
Elysha
We are praying for your family! We love you all!
Posted by: Elysha | May 21, 2008 at 08:43 PM
Congratulations on your engagement!!!
Please know that I'm praying for your family during this time.
A sister-in-Christ,
Suzanne
Posted by: HSB Suzanne | May 21, 2008 at 09:50 PM
Sigh.
This day is now going to be one you'll never forget and my hugs and prayers are with you.
God's timing is...so painful sometimes. I'm glad he's given you and Tanner each other to lean on. Congratulations on your engagement.
We're praying for all of you.
Posted by: Amy | May 21, 2008 at 10:22 PM
Congratulations of course...and prayers for you and your family. We also have an adopted 5 y.o. May the God of all comfort be especially near.
Posted by: Lynette | May 21, 2008 at 10:45 PM
If my family is in shock an tears, then I am heartbroken to think how much more you all are hurting. How I wish I could do or say something that would lighten your grief but I know that I can't. So just know that tonight, and for many nights to come, we are carrying you to Jesus through prayer. We love all of you.
Posted by: Kelby | May 21, 2008 at 10:52 PM
I told you congratulations here earlier today, and now my heart is breaking for your family. You will be in my thoughts and prayers many, many times in the coming days.
Posted by: Bethany | May 21, 2008 at 11:01 PM
Just a note to let you know that we are thinking of you & praying for you at our house tonight. Several years ago, my cousin & her husband, now a pastor, were on their honeymoon when they learned that her younger brother had died of cancer. Her wedding was overshadowed with grief because we knew he was near the end. Years later, she wishes that she had been able to allow herself the opportunity to experience the joy of her wedding without feeling guilty at a time when all around her was sad. Give yourself time to grieve & time to be joyful... as it says in Eccl. I hope it is comforting to know God is there for us on the happiest days & the saddest days of our life...and days when it feels like both. May God be with you!
Posted by: Beth T | May 21, 2008 at 11:05 PM
No words would be appropriate but
some words are necessary. We are
all connected. We are all related.
We rejoice and we grieve together.
Tonight we grieve with you and your
family. We are not in charge of
our lives entirely, even though
we have free will. God never
blinks or does not notice. He
sometimes allows and then He
heals. We can't fully understand.
That's why they call it faith. We
are all eternal beings and all of
our eternities begin right here
on earth. There is no break or
vacation. We are and will always
be eternally with God. Love and
Prayers to all of you in Christ.
Posted by: Diana Ray | May 21, 2008 at 11:13 PM
I want to wish you all the best on your upcoming marriage.
I'm so heartbroken for your entire family and please know that we are praying without ceasing for all of you. I volunteered at one of your dad's concerts a few years ago and attended another just recently and it's life-changing. I'm also a mom of 2 adopted from Korea and your family touches and inspires the entire adoption community. You're in our prayers.
Posted by: Joanne | May 21, 2008 at 11:22 PM
my heart is broken for you and your family. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by: barbara | May 21, 2008 at 11:23 PM
My prayers go out to your precious family.
Congrats on your engagement.
Posted by: Kendra | May 21, 2008 at 11:26 PM
Emily. I just wanted to tell you that you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. I pray that God will grant you all strength and grace through this time. Praise the Lord dear Maria is with Jesus now. Always remember that God's will is perfect even though we may not understand it. May God give you wisdom, strength and understanding in this time of need.
Congrats on the engagement as well.
Love in Christ,
Courtney
Posted by: Courtney | May 21, 2008 at 11:42 PM
I don't even know what to say. My heart is breaking for you. I am so thankful that the Lord has called you to a marriage that seeks to bring glory to Christ, and trust that He will bless you richly. Congratulations, Emily, on your engagement. Truly, it is a gift from the Lord.
And I pray that He is wrapping His arms around you as you also endure unthinkable sorrow. My words fail...I'm so glad that He and His words never fail. Ever. We will be praying for you...hurting for and with you...loving you, our dear brothers and sisters in Christ.
Posted by: Jodie | May 21, 2008 at 11:43 PM
There aren't words to express my thoughts - but there are prayers for all of you. Especially for you....
Posted by: BethG | May 21, 2008 at 11:45 PM
There aren't words to express my thoughts - but there are prayers for all of you. Especially for you....
Posted by: BethG | May 21, 2008 at 11:47 PM
I just received word of the accident. I am so very sorry. I will be in prayer for your family. May the God of all comfort and encouragement be with you in these days ahead.
May you be surrounded by the love of your friends and family today. Hang in there, dear sister. God will bring you through this.
Posted by: Chelsea | May 21, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Emily, I am praying for you and your family. God is bigger than all of this and He loves you so much. He holds you now through all the confusing feelings you may go through. He will not leave or let you go. He loves you immensely and will always be there for you. Please know that you are in my thoughts and prayers. For all that you need, God will provide. Hang on to your family and especially to Him! Praying for you.
Posted by: Betsy | May 22, 2008 at 12:03 AM
Emily,
No words other than - I am praying for you and your family.
Posted by: jenn | May 22, 2008 at 12:06 AM
To you and your family...there is the excitement of your upcoming marriage...congratulations...then tragedy. Words just can't express...I am just heartbroken for you and your family. I pray that God be with you all and also with your brother. May God give him peace about this whole tragedy. My prayers go out to your entire family.
Posted by: Cindy | May 22, 2008 at 12:14 AM
I love your pictures of your little sisters and how Maria delighted in life. Many, many prayers are with you and your family!
Posted by: Goalie | May 22, 2008 at 12:22 AM
Emily,
You don't know me...but I have appreciated your "wise" heart and relentless love for our Savior! I can't imagine the pain right now, and tears are streaming down my face as I saw the picture of your 3 sisters on this blog. My heart breaks for your brother...God has blessed all of you with an amazing family and I pray that the Foundation that has been set will be where you find strength to begin to breath again...Jesus is the only Firm Foundation and I know you know that better than most...Our family weeps with you in this time and we will be praying for all of you in this journey of the unexpected...and as you begin to make steps towards your own family we will be praying about that specifically as well...
Wendy in MN
Posted by: Wendy Gordy | May 22, 2008 at 12:28 AM
My deepest sorrow for you and your family. Prayers for peace for you. I'm so sorry for your loss.
Posted by: Tammie | May 22, 2008 at 12:36 AM