So hard

Comments

[Brian McFarlin, Mt. Juliet, TN]

The love of God will sustain them!!

[Brandy]

I know that is hard- family of five instead of six. Two precious china babies instead of three. It is jolting and hard for me to see too. It's like I keep wanting a re-count. Praying for them and for you too.

[ashley]

heart breaking...praying STILL!

[Mike Lee]

Indeed .........

Praying for them ...

[Brian McFarlin, Mt. Juliet, TN]

Jim,

Thank you for allowing us to be there through your blogs! It is great to see them all together. What a family full of love!

Brian

[Taryn]

It is a "So hard" moment... things just seem so different without little Maria's smile.
However, it is nice to see the rest of the family together, walking through each moment of this with one another!

Praying on!

[Nancy]

Still praying for you all.

[Kelly Burton]

Bless them, Lord. Bless them BIG.

[Lisa]

Still praying.

[Connie]

Hold them Dear Father Hold them.
So heartbreaking to see them.
His love is all around them carrying them
through.
Praying so much for them.

[Mindy]

So good to seem them, yet so hard. My heart just breaks for them, I can't imagine how difficult it is... but His Strength is perfect. Praying in Ohio!

[Cheryl in Oregon]

Yup... hard indeed

[Phil Bransom]

Thanks for being the filter for the Chapman family. You are a great friend.

As one who lost their 7 year old son to a neighbor's SUV in a front-over incident two years ago, I pray the Chapman family aren't being thrown into the limelight too soon. We are going on two years and while the valleys aren't as deep, they are still there.

The loss of a child is a devastating thing. The grieving process for each person is different. They are still experiencing all the 'firsts'. First vacation without, first day back to school without, etc. etc.

They will need to rely on their faith, their family and their friends over these next few days, weeks and months.

I know you are savvy enough to know when the media is using this for their own gain. God can truly be glorified during this time through their story.

[Sarah]

Thanks for keeping us up-to-date. We continue to pray.

[stephs]

Jim,
Wow...It's like realtime updates! Thank you so much for keeping all of us connected. Your posts are invaluable. THIS family will make it--no doubt.

[leigh-ann pendleton]

love this family. It's amazing to me how God can use this family to bring us closer to him. God is perfect all the time and his arms are around this family every moment. Always in my prayers
leigh-ann
South Carolina

[The Jones Family]

Thank you so much for bringing this to the SCC fans. My heart breaks and tears fall at these photos, the concert updates, the ache that I know they must feel to the core of their beings. I continue to pray that God be lifted up and glorified in all that goes on. We know that you all are allowing God to guide and heal. May God keep you all in his embrace.

Kristi & Family

[Phil Bransom]

The Chapmans are truly a wonderful family. They have been in our family's prayers each.

[Casey M]

Been praying off and on all afternoon. My own Russian princess adoption day was yesterday. I cannot imagine where they are today....but, I am SO proud of them. They continue to amaze and bless all of us by their faith.

[Donna]

Have been thinking of them all day, praying for them. Yes, it's very hard to NOT see Maria in the pictures...

[MT]

Praying hard for this day.

[Holli]

Maria Sue is there. She is in the gentle breeze, the warm sun (Son), and the beauty that surrounds them. She is never far away. Though her family cannot physically see her at this moment they can sense her sweet smile and tender, pure love for each of them. Rest assured Chapman family Maria Sue is indeed wih our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

With much love and many prayers,
Holli

[Kevin in Paducah]

So good to see them together. God Bless!

[J.B.]

Oh, Jim, I can't enlarge that picture. That's too difficult. :(

[Tanya Robinson]

...but SO worth it! It's Kingdom work!

[J.B.]

Holli, exactly! I know I talk about my daughter too much on here, and some people probably tire of it. I can't help it. It's a way of release to share my own emotions on here along with being witness to the Chapmans. My daughter had a stuffed dog named Oscar. It was a little stuffed beagle that was given to her just a couple weeks before she died. Yesterday, I was running in the park when a little beagle puppy came running up to me. The little girl who was trailing behind it said, "Oscar, get over here!" That is no coincidence. It was my daughter. I fully believe it. I'm sure the Chapman family will experience those "signs" too. They aren't by coincidence.

[K.]

I know it could also just be the timing of the picture, but does it look to anyone else like most of them just want the photo shoot to be over? How long does it last? I look at Will, and he looks so sad. :(

[Donna]

J.B., please don't ever feel you talk about your daughter too much on these posts. Those of us lifting up the Chapmans in prayer are here for you and your family as well. God bless you, my heart aches for you as well every time I read one of your heartfelt posts.

[Amy]

My heart hurts for the SCC family today - It is hard to grieve with hope sometimes. Aren't we glad God is stronger than our sorrow...

[lora]

tears.......wishing for the old normal...praying for strength for all of them...

[Cynthia Y.]

Continuing to pray for all of them, especially Will.

Love you!

Cynthia Y.

[Bethany]

Praying, praying, praying...

[Holli]

J.B.- No dear heart I am not tired of hearing about your daughter. Just like Donna stated we are here for you also. It would be nice to think that perhaps Maria Sue and your own little one have met in Heaven. One can only hope that they have. God bless you also J.B. for the kindness you have shown the Chapmans by sharing their grief and offering encouragement to them.
Continued prayers for you also,
Holli <

[Cherish]

Difficult to see them in front of the driveway. Continuing to lift them up...

[DeLynn]

Praying for you all...may God give comfort as only He can do.

[Rene']

The day continues, as do our prayers....

[Kim]

Thank you so much for keeping us posted. We love them and are praying for them continually. Can't wait to dance and sing praises with Maria and all the rest of you some day!

[Beth]

Praying - praying - praying

[Kayley]

Keeping them in my prayers...!!! been thinking about them today and keeping them in my heart as they finish this long day... !

[Kim]

tears fall as i read and see these photos. God is amongst all these moments...so there is NO WAY He will not be represented. Praying for God's love and constant presence to be shown through every photo and every line in this article.
God bless...

[Melissa Melvin]

This hurts. I am Praying on for the family and for all of you.

[Nyssa Reed]

Oh, just like every other person, my heart just aches for them and this difficult and emotional roller coaster they are on today. Oh, Father, be with them in such a huge way, that it will be obvious to everyone around them, the special relationship they have with You. May the People staff be touched by the Chapman's family!!

[Missy in SC]

Jim~

You're so good to us on here! Thank you and the Chapmans for allowing us to see inside their world. My eyes did tear up when I saw them standing there, now only a family of 7. Thank you, thank you for the constant updates!! It means SO much to us!

Praying on!!
Missy

[Nyssa Reed]

Oh, just like every other person, my heart just aches for them and this difficult and emotional roller coaster they are on today. Oh, Father, be with them in such a huge way, that it will be obvious to everyone around them, the special relationship they have with You. May the People staff be touched by the Chapman's family!!

[Paige]

It is hard to see them without Maria...I can't imagine what they are feeling. I'm praying hard for them. Sometimes I feel helpless and want to do more, but I guess praying is the most important. So I will pray on along with the many, many others who care so much about this family.

[Anna]

Still praying on...

[Mike Lee]

Still praying hard for you guys out here. Hip deep in the middle of a ton of work, but my mind is with you folks ...

[Carrie]

I was at Lifest Friday night and was blessed beyond measure to see their 1st concert back since Maria passed away. It was an amazing night...very emotional. What an AMAZING family...so real and true. Being real with one another is how people can learn from each other. I'm just following some of their story now about the daughters they adopted. In many of the pictures we saw 3 little girls from China..but I hear them say they adopted 2. Can anyone explain who the other little girl is and who she belongs to?

[Jenny]

Praying that God gives each one of you the strength to get through the rest of the day...thanks for the updates, Jim. God bless you.

[Rhonda (mom to an Asian Princess)]

My heart still breaks for this family. Today of all days it must be so hard to take a new family picture on Maria's special day.

We pray daily for this family.

[Nicole]

This picture breaks my heart. Still praying.

[Karen B.]

Carrie, the Chapmans adopted 3 girls from China: Shaohannah (aka Shaoey), Stevey Joy, and Maria.

You can find all the details here at Shaohannah's Hope, the organization the Chapmans founded to help families wanting to adopt:
http://members.shaohannahshope.org/site/PageServer?pagename=abt_chapmanStory

[JoanKan]

Nothing physical was accomplished in my house today..........I have been here on blog after blog, catching up on things since I was able to read them last. I have been crying out to the Lord of All today, in serious support of the family, and those who they would be spending their day with, that in His grace, EVERYONE would be touched in such a particular way...the believers with People (hopefully, there are some) and those whose hearts WILL BE impacted by the Chapman's testimony. When I got on this part of the blog and saw the new family picture, it was small on the screen, and I looked at everyone. And thinking that maybe the 'little' guy next to Emily was Tanner, since I have not seen his picture in awhile, said out loud, "there is one missing", then as I enlarged the pic and saw that it was Caleb, almost stopped my heart! Like J.B.'s NOT coincidence, it was that 'new normal' that even we as unknown friends will have to get used to! I couldn't believe it! Yes, but we also know WHERE that one who is missing is.......she is carried in her loving family's hearts as she is held in the arms of her loving Abba Father! Just imagine the reunion they will all have someday! THAT is a reason for TRUE JOY!!!!!! Thanks again, Jim and all, for sharing some of the bits with us all......my house can be cleaned or whatever another day......today, we are here for the Chapman's!!! Praying in Michigan.....

[Diana Lopez]

I'm still praying for you all...

[Lori]

I hope the photo shoot is over by now. With today following the intense emotions of the concerts (and the girls at home for the first time without Steven and the boys) - they must all be so weary. Maybe Steven can reschedule the 9pm studio session, if he needs to be at home tonight.

Praying for each of them and for you, Jim. You must be feeling drained as well.

[Heather in Georgia]

How wonderful to see the entire family together! It's great to finally get a glimpse of the family we've been in so much prayer for. I love them all dearly in Jesus' name! Been praying all day, on every hour that the Lord's grace will comfort their hearts today and HIS strength will get them through. What an incredible testimony they are! I can't wait to see them on the air during the week of August 4th! Will be praying continually...... Jim, you deserve so many accolades and I know you don't want them. You are a gem to us out here in cyber world but more importantly to Steven and his family. We love you and your family too!

[Karen B.]

Knowing the People interview was today, I was curious to see if the mainstream media had written anything about Steven's concerts over the weekend. There's a really excellent story in a Michigan paper:

http://www.argus-press.com/articles/2008/07/14/news/news1.txt

WOW. The writer let's Steven speak for himself and there is MUCH of the Gospel and some Scripture in that article. Thanks be to God.

The article from Fremont aren't anything so special, it doesn't really include what Steven shared, which is a great shame. It does however focus a bit on adoption, so it's not all a lost opportunity.

http://www.fremonttribune.com/articles/2008/07/14/news/local/doc487b67cdc4e54452282926.txt

I didn't find any article about Steven's concert at Lifest in Oshkosh.

[laura gaytan]

so nice to see their faces but at the same time so difficult and sad at the missing member of this wonderful family, you can still see and feel their pain ............... praying extra hard for the chapmans.

[Lori Powers, Kentucky]

Thank you so much for the pictures. It is hard, but good to see them all together as a family. I'm sure they are even closer than ever before and cherish every moment. Again, thank you Jim for helping us all stay connected with the family- they are precious.

[cindy wheatley]

Been praying on & off all day. As someone above said - I think we have all grown a little closer to God & our own families thru bonding together to pray for the Chapmans. To be so open in sharing their struggles with us goes "above & beyond." As I've said before, many, MANY hearts are being touched for God thru the love & faith of this amazing family. Thanks again for keeping us posted. Hugs & Blessings to you all, Cindy from Ohio

[Janice]

The community here is so awesome! I do believe the gates of Heaven have been rattling non-stop with prayers for the Chapman family and Jim. Now, will someone please pass the tissues? :)

[Karen Dewhirst]

God is sustaining them! Glory and praise to a good and compassionate God! Praying on...
Karen Dewhirst
Trussville, AL

[Carrie]

Karen B. - Thanks for answering my question...I hadn't realized that they had adopted 3 girls! It was very cool to read more about all of that.

I'll be praying for the Chapmans.....

[Erin]

Wow...God Bless them all...Praying...

[Sia]

Wow! They amaze me. How brave they are. I know that it hurts more than I can even begin to understand but I must wonder: could God have chosen a better family to endure this? For they will not crumble in the mist of suffering, they will not lose sight of hope, they remain so very strong. How sweet it is to see God provide strength and peace that surpasses understanding. Let us stand back and watch God's fame spread through the nations as they put God's glory display for the world to see.

Our God moves in a mysterious way.

[Kimberly Barger]

I have to say that it was somewhat of a sigh of relief for me to see Mary Beth in these photos. Being a mother myself, I have thought of her throughout all of this in a special way. Just to "see" that she is doing ok. I know you have kept us up to date on the family as a whole, but to see her being able to give a smile for the photo shoot was such blessing :-) Thank you, Jim, keeping us up on the progress of this healing family. And thank the family for allowing you to post pictures and information that is personal in their healing process.

God bless you all!

Kim Barger

[shawnee]

Thank you, Jim. Praying, praying, praying.

[Jami Holland]

Still praying every day for you and the family and all those around!! God sees the big picture even when we cannnot...I'm excited to see how he will use Maria's death for His glory...I still cannot imagine the pain and hurt, but I commend Steven and family for being bold and courageous in the near future public endeavors to share their story, even when they are still continuing the healing process. Many people in Boone, NC are still praying!!!

[Ashley age 14]

Im still praying for you guys!! I got a big group of my friends on friday and we sat there for the longest time prayin... Gods going to hold you up, keep on looking for the light!!!! Loads of love, Ashley

[Kristi Bittle]

here's hoping for a nice long sleep tonight after a busy & tiring day for the clan.

[A Praying Mom]

My heart breaks for the family still. I cannot imagine the pain and sorrow. I am praying daily for the family and those close to them.

Thank you for keep us connected. May God shower you all with his mercy and peace.

God bless.

[angie (dallas, tx.)]

praying, praying, praying. jim, thank you so much for keeping us all updated. it has really helped us know how to pray for the chapmans each day, and in every circumstance. so thankful for your role in their life, your love and support is so huge.

[Rev. Nathan Lewis]

SCC and Family, Thinking about the family every day. Praying for you all. Shared your story in church Sunday. Tears flowed from me and others. We prayed for you. Wishing we could hold you all. We do in our prayers. God has a whole new ministry in store for you I feel. All our love. Your Brothers and Sisters in Christ from Prince of Peace Lutheran Church Sturgeon Bay Wisconsin.

[Amy]

Oh I can so see our family's faces in that picture. The emotional drain is excruciating, but we know our Lord will carry them through as He did our family. When we lost our daughter, I felt numb for months (I felt no happiness, no sadness, I felt nothing). The Chapmans are doing amazing well considering everything they have gone through. We will continue to pray for them daily and for all those around them.

[Jenni]

Praying on in Missouri!!

[Stephanie]

Praying....constantly.
Hard day, indeed.
Praying Habukuk 3:19. believing God to be their Personal Bravery and make their feet secure on the place He is taking them.
Believing Him,
Even on the hard days,
Stgephanie

[Kelly @ Love Well]

If that picture is difficult for those of us who never met Maria, I can't imagine how hard it must be for you (Jim) and the Chapmans.

Only God.

[Sue Lucas]

I am at a loss for words except Lord you are so good and merciful.And please God keep your hand upon them they are your faithful.

[Mike Lee]

Been praying all day and this evening out here on the west coast.

Lord, help all of them to sleep well ...

[Karen]

Thank you for allowing us to "see" part of the Chapman's life. Praying that they continued to be susutained by friends, family, and God.

[jenn]

I have been praying today. Thank you for the updates and the photos. Thank you for giving us the dates of all the upcoming interviews so we can be praying. I have them on my calendar. I say amen to Mike lee's post (above) - please Lord help them (and you) sleep well tonight after such an emotional day.

[NiHaoMa-Da'Shotaz]

-remembering Maria.

"Let's not say another word, we don't need to question why,
Let us pass through this moment like a candle in the night.
We don't need to wave goodbye,
This is not our final song
Even though in our sadness tears may fall.

Take my smile, hold it in your heart forever.
And I will be with you wherever you may go.

How much pain must we taste,
How much sorrow must we know,
Will we only learn in losing
How to cherish what we own.
Our love is like the wind we can't hold it in our hands.
In the light of a new day we will understand.

Take my smile, hold it in your heart forever.
And I will be with you wherever you may go.

May the road rise to meet you on your way,
May the sun always shine upon your face,
And until the journey brings us back together.
May God hold you in the center of His hand.

May the road rise to meet you on your way,
May the sun always shine upon your face,
And until the journey brings us back together,
May God hold you in His hand.

May the road rise to meet you on your way,
May the sun always shine upon your face,
And until the journey brings us back together,
May God hold you in the center of His hand.
May God hold you in the center of His hand."
(Musical Blessings - S.C. Chapman)

-sorry so many quotes from S.C.C's songs, but they're just so appropriate, Biblical,& Christ-centered...the songs have helped us remember the importance of hanging on to Jesus, especially in our tough times...Sharing them back is just our way of saying "thank you."
<><
Rodney, Gail and Samantha

[sherrie]

Praying in the wee hours. Hope they are all resting well.

[Karen B.]

A friend of mine posted the following devotional from Streams in the Desert on her blog this morning. It seems very appropriate to post here:

---------

We often pray to be delivered from calamities; we even trust that we shall be; but we do not pray to be made what we should be, in the very presence of the calamities; to live amid them, as long as they last, in the consciousness that we are, held and sheltered by the Lord, and can therefore remain in the midst of them, so long as they continue, without any hurt.

For forty days and nights, the Saviour was kept in the presence of Satan in the wilderness, and that, under circumstances of special trial, His human nature being weakened by want of food and rest. The furnace was heated seven times more than it was wont to be heated, but the three Hebrew children were kept a season amid its flames as calm and composed in the presence of the tyrant's last appliances of torture, as they were in the presence of himself before their time of deliverance came. And the livelong night did Daniel sit among the lions, and when he was taken up out of the den, "no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God." They dwelt in the presence of the enemy, because they dwelt in the presence of God.

...Streams in the Desert

[Cheryl Allen]

I'll try to keep long story short. I always pray "God use me, I'm a nobody", well, a week after Maria's death, I was preparing lesson for Home sch. and my heart just hurt for the SCC family and I couldn't find comfort, so I prayed, cried, and went on. At lunch break, I was doing dishes and wanted to cry, the pain was so heavy, more than it had been, thought if I turn on the radio, maybe they'll play SCC and that will comfort me, they did, and it did, only I had this overwhelming urge to STOP everything and pray hard. I obeyed and gathered my boys, 8&5, and prayed. All of the sudden, there was a caller on the radio saying that he was "driving along and he too had this overwhelming need to pull over, call the radio station and tell them to stop everything and pray for the SCC family! I couldn't believe it (Well, I can, thats how God works, believe the Unbelievable right Steven!) I felt so honored to have been a part of that and it was a GREAT witness to my boys! Now, you're(Steven) not just a great "rock" star, but a real person who is hurting. They too have older brothers in their 20's so we know the relationship. Be honored, as I was, to be used in a way that hurts, but, is very, very powerful on a huge, wordly scale! Many will come to Him, I'm sure of it. God bless, and comfort. .

[Debbie from Ohio]

I'm sure it was hard. God bless.

[Jolynn]

oh how much yesterday must have been a draining day for them. we, too, miss our little boy - seth. he was in a car accident as well last nov. and i dread taking pictures without him. we haven't had a family shot done yet - just too hard. i can only imagine how difficult that taking those pictures had to been. it's funny someone commented on always counting and re-counting....that is SO true - it just doesn't seem right. praying so hard for you, jim (thanks so much for all your updates - i check regularly. it gives us something specific to pray about for them and you) and for the chapman family.
living with broken hearts.....
jolynn

[lynn]

God bless those dear and beautiful people. They give so much. And i pray God continues to sustain them in their hour of need.

[Dan Walraven]

Still praying in Columbus OH! Jim, could you do us a favor? We would love to know some of the NEW lyrics to "Yours." Honestly, it is my prayer song for the Chapmans as I drive all over metro Columbus. I pray, sing, and cry through it multiple times over. I have no clue how many times I have sung, "my kids are yours, God..." By any chance does Steven sing words like that with the new 3rd verse to "Yours"? Please let us know when you can. Thanks!!! :)

[vanessa]

God will always be there for all of you! :))

[Fulenwider Family]

Still praying for SCC and family. We lost our precious Rachel in April and still feel the hurt so deep, but we too are carrying on... it is so hard. Can't wait to see SCC and boys in concert on Fri and First Euless!
Hanging on to Him
Georgia, Whitewright, Texas

[Jessica]

Oh how I pray daily for this family. Listening to his music daily to remind me to pray. He has done so much for me in my walk, the least I can do is pray for him and his family.

We live in MICH and found out that Steven will be in MICH this THURS with Michael W. Smith. I so wish we could be their to see Steven in person. I haven't been able to make it to a concert in some time because of the birth of our child a couple of years ago. But now that she is older we are able to go. Except for finances. Very tight. My husband tried to win tickets on the radio but was not the first caller, BUMMER!. Anyway, how great it would be to be there in person, but will be praying anyway.

Interesting though. 6 years ago God prompted us to adopt because of the Chapmans. But then we conceived our daughter. We were all set to go to China actually and pursue our plans until our daughter came into the world, and what a great blessing she is. And honestly now that she is almost three years old we are thinking of our next child. And amazingly thru this incredibly awful tragedy that the chapmans have had to go thru, goodness has come thru. We were reminded once again of our heart for adoption. We have also decided instead of trying to conceive again, that we are going to pursue adoption. We are so very excited about this. It brings me great joy to know that Maria is being honored on this earth in so many ways. What a wonderful and great purpose she has had and will continue to have.

Anyway. Thank you so much for making it possible for all of us to see how the Chapmans are doing and to know how to better pray for them.

I will certainly be praying as the band and family prepares for the next round of concerts.

Much love.
Jessica
~MICHIGAN

[Pam Davis]

Jim, I just heard you on KCBI, Dallas Fort Worth. What an inspiration you are. I am looking forward to seeing SCC, and maybe you??? in the great state of Texas on Friday!!

[Pam DeArmon]

How heartbreaking. I'm sitting here bawling. There is such a huge gap there where Maria should be. Now, only our Savior can fill that. Praying that He overflows them with His love and presence.

[Mike Lee]

Jim -

In many ways I'm sure it's harder for them to wake up this morning. They probably worked to be ready for yesterday ... hopefully our prayers fill them up for today where reality is as hard as it was yesterday.

Praying that God will give them some peace today ...

[Cindie]

as always Jim thank you so much for the updates. I facilitate a Bible Study on Monday evenings and I am the only one wheo reads the blog so I always update my sisters in Christ. We are all praying and feeling their pain.

My heart breaks for all of the parents who have lost a little one. What a blessing this forum has become for so many.

May God continue to hold all of you who have lost a precious child close to you.

[joseph and karen]

Jim,

You bring so much encouragement and hope as you continuously share daily about SCC, the band and how the rest of the Chapmans are doing.

It's great to see the family in these new photos. However, their pain is still fresh and obvious in these pictures missing little Maria. We can definitely see the scar that each family member carries in them that identifies them with Jesus.

Our Sovereign God sees their agony, broken hearts, pain and hears each cries as they call out to Him. He will never waste any of their cries and heartaches.

Jesus will be proclaimed all over the globe as they continue to share His love in these difficult days in obedience to His calling.

"No matter how difficult the challege,
When we spread our wings of Faith
And allow the Winds of God's Spirit
To lift us,
No obstacle is too great to overcome."
By: Roy Lessin.

"Be still and know that I am GOD!"
Psalm 46:10

Our full speed prayers daily for all of you.
In His Love.

[tracey]

jim...

not sure when you even get to read these..but.. :)

i stumbled across this blog..

the posts you write - raw...real...wrecked..joy..hard times..tears..hope..peace..

my heart continues to believe that even in the hard and "bad", that there is always something that our jesus uses for good.

indeed he has done this..and i'm, once again, truly overwhelmed by His unending grace.

my heart is with you and the chapman's..one step at a time..one moment at a time...as joy continues to come in the morning..

be blessed this day friend. and warm hugs to all..

tracey in vancouver

[The Vander-Plas Family (Lubbock, TX)]

Precious, precious family. They are loved and prayed for constantly...held up and cared for by brothers and sisters.

You are as well, Jim. Feels like the Family of God has been drawn closer over the past couple of months. You are a big part of that.

Much love and even more prayers surround you daily!
Kristen Vander-Plas
For the Family

[Kerri]

Here I am states away looking at my own little love from China who favors Shoey a great deal. My heart is better for seeing MaryBeth and yet so heavy for her mother's heart as she poses with her children so the world can see what it means to lean full into the grace of Christ. Thank you for your passion, your ministry, your endurance and your strength. I pray that you feel us as we "carry you to Jesus". All of our hearts.....today and forever.

[karen]

Jim,

Nothing can separate them and you from the love of God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

We love the Chapmans so much and all of you walking along side with them.

Cling on to Jesus!

[Charlotte]

I'm so sorry that I have been out of the loop for over a week, but I had major surgery last week, came home over the weekend, and am just feeling good enough to get online. Anyhow, the Chapman's have been through a LOT over the past week, haven't they! I want you to know that even in the midst of my own struggles, I am praying for all of you.

Grace and peace,
Charlotte
Pittsburgh, PA

[Carrie]

Thank you for your diligence and honesty in all of your postings. They are a key link to those of us who feel we "know" the Chapmans. Praise God for how he is working in the lives of this precious family and those they surround themselves with. He will be greatly praised through you, in the big and small things, and more will become saved because of the faithfulness and boldness of all of you to continue to see Him. We continue to pray as you press on.

[Carrie]

Thank you, Jim, for your diligence and honesty in all of your frequent postings to us who feel we "know" the Chapmans and are concerned. He IS being praised and lifted high as you all press on to pelase Him in the midst of very difficult, unfamiliar circumstances, both big and small. Many WILL be saved because of the faith and boldness of all of the Chapmans and those that surround them. We continue to uphold you all in prayer as you walk on toward the light.

[yogamama, Redmond WA]

Difficult to put into words thru the lump in my throat, and there goes another perfectly good box of tissue...

To see pictures of the family minus Maria crystalizes the reality of the temporary separation, one that all of you have been seeing and feeling and facing every day for nearly the past 2 months. If this view of the "new normal" is difficult for ME to see...

Ok, all I can do is pray on... praying hard through the tears. Every day.

That was a particularly beautiful photo of Shaoey. Praying that God's presence especially fills the space for Shaoey and Stevey Joy.

Remembering that there's more to this life than living and dying, more than just trying to make it through the day. Lord, continue to uphold each who love Maria so dearly, and may Your vision be their vision. Comfort them and carry them through the days ahead. Thank you for sustaining them, and for giving them Your eternal perspective, and the hope in knowing that Your plans will prevail, to Your glory! amen.

peace,
millie

[yogamama, Redmond WA]

Difficult to put into words thru the lump in my throat, and there goes another perfectly good box of tissue...

To see pictures of the family minus Maria crystalizes the reality of the temporary separation, one that all of you have been seeing and feeling and facing every day for nearly the past 2 months. If this view of the "new normal" is difficult for ME to see...

Ok, all I can do is pray on... praying hard through the tears. Every day.

That was a particularly beautiful photo of Shaoey. Praying that God's presence especially fills the space for Shaoey and Stevey Joy.

Remembering that there's more to this life than living and dying, more than just trying to make it through the day. Lord, continue to uphold each who love Maria so dearly, and may Your vision be their vision. Comfort them and carry them through the days ahead. Thank you for sustaining them, and for giving them Your eternal perspective, and the hope in knowing that Your plans will prevail, to Your glory! amen.

peace,
millie

[Kathy from NY]

What a day. Perhaps another few steps down the road to healing although no doubt very difficult. The courage and love of this family is a testimony to who they are in Christ. The whole world will see and know Him through the Chapmans, and Maria is so proud of them!!!
Kathy from NY

[Sonya]

Praying in Decatur, AL!

[Pam in Michigan]

My family was privileged to attend SCC's 2nd concert back on tour in Michigan on July 12. We walked away from that concert SO blessed by God's Spirit being in that place. SCC spoke from his heart and it was clear that he was there through God's strength. This author describes the night very well and accurately:

http://www.argus-press.com/articles/2008/07/14/top_stories/main1.txt

[Sarah]

My thoughts and prayers are with you all. God gives us a peace that passes all understanding when we are His childen. My prayers have been and are that this peace covers you. I have found this peace and it is amazing how God will carry you through when you yourself can't walk any more. Lean on Him. In the good times and the bad. He is always there and always will be. God bless you all.

[Christin]

Oh, I hate not seeing Maria in the pictures. The Chapman's are always in my prayers. Always.