Impessions of Good Morning America Shoot

Such a profound day, so many amazing truths shared, incredibly hard and dark sadness discussing losing Maria, smiles and laughter remembering Maria. What a rollercoaster.

Topics covered... The day of the accident, the story of the Chapmans and adoption, Memories of Maria, Shaohannahs Hope, "breadcrumbs" Maria and God have left for family, the struggle to find joy again, griefs oddities, verses God has given, the Chapman children each shared powerfully. Caleb about how he now understands better not to lean on God only when there is trouble, but that He is always with us. Will about how Maria fought to the end and how she's inspired him to do the same, Emily on how Maria's many questions endeared her to them and how possibly our questions endear us to our Father, Mary Beth & SCC... wow, too much to say, Robin Roberts and producer Janice are the real deal, wonderful folks on the crew too, anyone we feed Barbaras LOVES it. Exhausted. A lesson in bravery watching this family today. Looks like it will air on August 7th, stay tuned.

So much power. So much recorded. I have no idea how they'll edit all of the incredible stuff they captured down to the 5 or 6 minutes they'll air.

Thanks for your prayers.

Comments

[Erin Merryn]

Hey,
GMA was at my house back in May 2006. They taped all day for hours and I asked the same thing how can they take my life story and edited it down to a 4-5 minute piece but believe me that is the magic of editing.
They did a wonderful job on my story and I am sure they will do the same on sharing God's Grace on the Chapman's Family.
I attached my video link.
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=1986940
Erin Merryn

[Sumi]

Jim, is there a way that Good Morning America could make the footage available to you? Six minutes or so is not enough! I would love to see as much as I can and as a greiving mom I could benefit from hearing the perspective of another grieving family.

Sometimes this is such a lonely road, simply because the things you face are incomprehensible to those around you. Try as they might, they cannot put themselves in your shoes.

There is nothing simple about grief, I have found. It is like you said, an odd and very complex thing.

[The Reed Family]

Thank you for the summary. So many of us have been praying so hard today, and now we can go to sleep knowing how to pray tonight, tomorrow, and in the coming days. God has been glorified thus far; now we pray for His glory in the editing process. Tonight I pray for rest for all of you and for complete peace in all of your hearts. Know that our prayers will continue.

[Patty Smith]

So brave and courageous of the Chapmans. It feels weird to say "I can't wait to see it". If only under different circumstances. Thank you for sharing this journey of courage and hope with all of us. I feel like this blog is a bit of a big group therapy session (in a good way!)for everyone.........all the comments, so many suffering in their own trials and so many feeling pain over the loss of a little girl we've never met. Yet such a sense of togetherness and healing and hope here.

I pray that the GMA bit will show HOPE to those watching and many people will be saved because of it.

[Connie]

Makes me cry. So many memories, just a
precious loss. So hard to even think about
what they have had to endure. But our
Father is watching and he is with each one
of them and he will not leave them ever.
So sad, but yet so wonderful knowing that
our Father is holding Maria now and loving
her. I can see her sitting on his lap and
smiling. Knowing that this is not the end
and she will be reunited with her loving
family one day and they shall be together
forever and ever. No more goodbyes.
Love to this precious family and it fills
my heart knowing that they know Our Lord and
Savior is with them and hugging them and letting them know their precious little
sweetheart is in his safe arms and she
is well taken care of and laughing and playing in God's garden of Heaven.
Prayers to all and Love to all.

[Mike Lee]

Jim -

Thanks for posting so late in your day ...

We have all been praying and thinking about them all day long. Praying that all of you will sleep tight ... :)

[Lori]

Thank you, Jim, for taking the time to blog tonight and let us know how the day went and how powerfully God answered our prayers.

Praying for restful sleep and peace for all of you.

[Ken]

Thanks for your kindness to the public.
This is the bittersweet road of God's mysterious plans.
There is a plan...and it is good.

[Suzanne]

What an honor to be in this extended family, not only the Chapmans and the Housers, but also the family of Christ that is gathering through this blog. I am touched, inspired and encouraged by all of you. Continuing in prayer on the west coast...Suzanne

[Joanne]

What a brave family. Thank you for posting. And what mature, wise comments from the children.

Prayers continue for all of you.

[Suzanne(in Tx)]

Thanks again Jim for the updates! I, too, look forward to seeing this, and seeing how they condense a whole day into 5 or 6 minutes.
Reading Connie's post reminded me of something Steven said Friday night. Speaking about how he knows they will see Maria again someday, but the hard part is just waiting for that someday to get here, and all the heartache they have to deal with between now and then. He even mentioned telling God He could take us all home to be with Him any time now. I'm with him...come quickly, Lord Jesus!! Still praying and asking God to love on the Chapmans, and Grace, and you, Jim. All of us out here in cyberspace love all y'all there in Tn!!
Take care,
Suzanne (in Texas)

[yogamama, Redmond WA]

Just had to check one last time before going to bed :-) Thanks Jim. You really are amazing! I'm looking forward to the GMA segment. It's already on my calendar (since I don't watch much tv, and especially not in the a.m. it will need to be scheduled, and set on the dvr!).

Lord, may Your presence fill the Chapman home with Your undeniable peace. May they rest in You. Thank you that You order all our days. Thank you that You are with us through the tears, and the joys... You are Lord. You are the Living Water in the dry and weary land where it seems there is none. Please help Steven, Mary Beth, Emily, Caleb, Will, Shaoey, Stevey Joy, Jim, Grace, Dave, Melissa and their families and the rest of the support staff be refreshed and renewed this morning, just as your mercies are new every morning, and great is Your faithfulness! amen.

Thanks again Jim.
millie

ps. it would be powerful(as sumi mentioned) to be able to view the "behind the scenes" that are not included in the segment that will air... (special footage for future release?) just a thought ;-)

[Novi Sulistyo]

Jim, I have followed your blog since May 21. I regain my faith from this family testimony during this difficult time. I now even have time to pray for unfortunate children all over the world since learning about the loss of Maria and how she discovered joy in Chapman family since her adoption. I am very excited about GMA and Larry King Show, but I live in Indonesia and there's no way I could watch the shows fully and on the day they aired. Could you please help me find a way so I can watch those 2 shows?

[Shannon]

Melissa in IN said yesterday that the editing process was on her heart, and I have to agree with her. Now is not the time, fellow bloggers, to leave the Chapmans out of your prayers, it's time to add the GMA editors, producers, technical crew, etc to them. Finding a "Catch" is an easy way to garner quick ratings for these folks, and it is unfortunately a part of the industry. Thankfully, morning shows like GMA and others like it look more for emotional stories than shocking ones, which is why I agree (not that it matters much) with the decision to go with a GMA type venue.

The Chapmans and those around them have done their part, and now let's let them take care of themselves, each other, and their beautiful ministry. I ask you, fellow bloggers, to pick up the ball and pray that the awesome efforts and faith of the Chapmans shine through any technical processes and editorial decisions made.

Love you guys
Shannon

[Rhonda (mom to an Asian Princess)]

I've been praying for the Chapmans and GMA team all day long.

Where I work I don't have to think as I do my job (the fun of retail) and I have given over that time to prayer. The Chapmans have been at the top of the list since May 21st.

I can't imagine how myriad the emotions were today for everyone involved, especially the Chapmans and those close to them. My prayers will continue for this family, friend and the GMA team.

[Sue Lucas]

My heart is hurting for this wonderful family. I am sitting here with tears rolling down my face for them. To have to relive the very darkest moments of your life has got to be almost as hard as that day. I pray that GMA will have wisdom as to what is the most important parts to show,and that God will be glorified.I pray many tens of thousands of people will be changed by what this family has endured and by the way Our God has carried them.Also for the world to see how God uses people we do not even know to pray and cry out to Him for others.
God uses many things in our healing process and I pray that this is only the beginning of that process.As always I pray fior them still many times a day and will for a long time to come.God bless all of you and continue to comfort you all. Sue

[Jenny Locht]

Jim thanks again for being faithful to us too!!
We´re still praying, in fact, just wanted to share with you that even though I hadn´t read this blog for a few days, yesterday, July 21st, God reminded me of the Chapmans all day!!! in fact, I logged on early today because of this constant reminding from God, and behold! not bad news, but good ones:)
even if we forget or are too busy, He reminds His people to lift up prayers for his children:)
GMA is on the calendar and prayers:)
blessings from our Father to you all.

[laura gaytan]

thank you jim for your update, i, too, like so many others have been praying faithfully for the Chapmans and have truly been inspired by them through their faith during this very difficult time, Marias life has touched so many already and i pray that with this interview her life will be glorified and remembered and that God will be praised even through this tragedy.........praying for the chapmans and all the wonderful people who surround them daily, not only in person, but through prayer as well.

[Debbie Santora]

5 or 6 minutes??? How can they? I wish they would extend it. The world needs to hear this story...all of it and all about God and what He has done for them, and what He wants to do for others. Should we write GMA and ask them to take more time??

[Tanya Robinson]

Thank you, Jim. We will trust that the Lord will oversee those doing the editing and what is included will be exactly what someone needs to hear. Those of us here, I think, are all believers. We want to soak in everything that the Chapmans have to say and share out of our love for them. What we need to remember is that this segment will reach a population of unbelievers. Those 5-6 minutes are all God needs to move in hearts. So, pray for those editors and trust in the God who will use them!

(stepping off my box now...) :-)

[Nancy]

I agree with what others have posted here - if there is a way for us to see extended footage I believe it would help many. I pray that GMA puts forth a story that glorifies our God and that He speaks to all thru the Chapman family. I think already that I have been changed by this loss, and changed after hearing not only Steven's music ministering to me but also when I saw him at Lifest I took away alot of new thoughts and lessons from God thru what Steven spoke about there. Like the past posts have said, I could've listened to him speak all night. The music was awesome, but the talking was even better to listen to God's message and what he placed on Steven's heart. I am so thankful for these updates and to be able to come here each day with other Christians. My prayers will continue every day for this family and the extended family - Jim, Grace, etc. We love you all!

[melissa from IN]

Decided that I would repost yesterday's post here, it fits better in the stream of Jim's sharing.

Forgive me bloggy friends if I do what in our household is referred to as a "train wreck"- making a radically quick change of subject. I have been thinking and praying since dinner time for the editing process. Praying for wisdom and God's Spirit to hover in the rooms as decisions are made of what to include and to omit. Praying for the end product, that it be God honoring and that many lives would be impacted for the Kingdom.
It must have been a draining process today. Praying for family connect time and for peace and rest for everyone. Praying that they give the process over to God, who is sovereign, that they would be able to rest and trust, knowing that THEY were obedient to the call that God asked them to undertake. The rest/result is in God's hands.
As always, thank you Jim for glimpses of our dear brothers and sisters during this day, so that we might be better informed in our prayers.
As has been commented in other streams on this blog, I feel a real connection with my brothers and sisters in blogland. I believe it is one of the reasons that the call to pray is so strong, because as Scripture says "Iron sharpens Iron"
Blessings to you all!

[Fran]

Blessings over you all. The sweet Lord brought you to mind just as I knew He would.

May God give them rest when needed and strength when they are tired.

Thank you Jim.
Have a beautiful day.
Fran

[Helene]

Thank you for your updates.

Continued prayers for the entire Chapman family from the Chicago-area and especially Will. There are so many of us in God's family beyond your immediate family holding you in prayer every moment of every day.

[Amy]

Thank you Jim for sharing this recap. My thoughts and prayers have been on the Chapman Family all day. As an outsider, I have longed to know how they are doing...how they are getting through each day...I've longed to know as much about Maria as they are willing to share. Maria has not left my thoughts since that horrible May day but from the stories and pictures on this blog I feel like I have gotten to know her a little bit. The words that come to mind are joyful...happy...fun...loved...a truly special little girl. Looking forward to the show...I will continue to pray for the Chapmans and will hold a special place in my heart for them...always.