February 21, 2009.... Stevey Joy was a flower girl....I kept busy!

In spite of it being the 21st of the month....  The 21st will never pass without me thinking about May 21, 2008....  It has been a busy (planned on purpose) day for me.  We started the day with yes.... another BB game for Shaoey.  This is her first year to play....Hilarious is all I can say.  She is a hoot to watch with all of her smiles and running around.  This was yet another day that big brother Will volunteered to help out and coach.  Caleb was also there to help.  A lot of fun to watch two big brothers helping out a 3rd grade girls team!  Then after the snacks were passed out and hugs were given, we hurried off to replace some of the items in the missing BB bag of Will Franklin's....However as I was planning to check out, A phone call from Willy that the missing bag was found saved me some money and MOM was happy!!!  Quickly rushing home we put Stevey Joy in the shower and fed her lunch....Then Julia showed up to french braid hair and put it in a lovely Flower Girl Bun. Stevey Joy was then a Flower Girl in a wedding.  She spent the day and afternoon with on of her best buddies Bella at the wedding.  While she was there, two of my friends took me shopping to look for a dress for Caleb's wedding.  Karen, Kelli, and I along with our sweet daughters, Ashley, Julia, and Emily hung together trying on dresses (my absolute least favorite thing in the whole wide world to do!)  They all managed to keep me laughing....  believe me, some of the things I tried on would have made anyone laugh including me!!!!  I am definitely not "young" anymore! At any rate, as long as I didn't take myself to serious and realized that possibly some exercise would be a good plan (UGGGGHH), it wasn't too terribly painful!  LOL!  Then a nice dinner and back home to chill with my buddy Shaoey!!!!  We are snuggling while daddy is recording with Caleb (you didn't hear it from me!).  Now is the time when I really start thinking about what day it is.  I REALLY  love the support that I've receive from you all as I have begun to wonder back into the blog world.  I really appreciate the love and the support.  Please continue to keep our family in your prayers.  I really try to be honest and open, and as it relates to Maria it continues to be  a very cautious place.  We hurt....deeply....we ARE being held by the One who holds Maria, we believe that.  At the same time I cry out to out Father....Help my unbelief.  Will continues to allow God to work and the "twinkle" has been spotted back in his eyes some.  THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU from the bottom of this momma's heart for holding him in your prayers.  He is an amazing young man, and he is simply a hero in my book.  The pain of a broken heart is at times unbearable to watch, but then God smile's on us and allows us a glimpse of what He is up too.  It is a LONG and at times DARK road.... but the lamp of our faith is lit and we are journeying through it.  God Bless you all for being on the journey with us.  Please don't stop praying. 

Comments

[Katie]

I'm totally bawling my eyes out right now after reading this post. The minute I heard of the accident my heart just sank and I felt so so sick for you guys as parents, and especially for Will. I don't think there are any words (besides God's) to say. I've found that, through a lot of very recent situations of my own, people say so many dumb things! (I don't think they mean it) I know you probably read some things and you are sitting there wondering why the heck someone would say that right now?! Anyway, I just want you to know that Will is totally on my heart and I will continue to pray for him and for your whole family. It takes time....Thank you for being the inspiration that you are to every person who needs it.

[Deborah Kessler]

I just came back from a wonderful tea-party/birthday party for a friend. We laughed a ton!! -- But, we had a few serious moments between the laughter. I gave my friend a book called "greatest lessons learned" where "famous" godly people write briefly about what ONE lesson was most significant in their life. My friend is an amazing saint in CHrist; so I asked her to tell me some time what her "greatest lesson" was after she thought about it.... without a pause, her eyes filled with tears and said "Katie" (the daughter she had that died) and then told about the faithfulness of GOd and learning what an honor it is when God says, "Have you considered my servant... (MaryBeth ?)" to trust the Lord to trust you with the hard thing. To come to the end of your self and say "I want my daughter, but I want Jesus more" and know you are going to be alright and someday you will heal. We had the most inspiring time sharing how God used the hardest times for our good and His glory. -- I got in the car to come home and the first line on the radio that played was "... we are who and where and what we are for now..." I already had you in the back of my mind because one of the women at the party lost her husband in a car accident not too long before your daughter died (so I link the two of you together). So, I came home, looked up your husband's lyrics to Miracle of the Moment and read this post... checked the date... Yup, the 21st... He always reminds me to pray for you. I am praying for you. GOd bless you, sweet sister! GOd is good. He is. He loves you. He is up to something in you... I know you know that, but it is bigger than you think (and bigger than you can imagine) that's just the way He is. Hang in there.

[Sherri]

MaryBeth,

I can so relate to you and how you are feeling as today would have been my daughter's 5th birthday. She was stillborn. The rest of the year is good for me but this one is always hard for me. But, I can honestly say that God is good and it does get better every year.

[Deana Watson]

A few days ago, I heard Cinderella playing in "Ingles" grocery store. I began to pray for you and your family. I felt so burdened for you. Today is March the 10th 2009 and I felt this burden this past Saturday. I have no idea what was going on. I've actually never met any of you. I've only been to one concert due to budget constraints, but for some reason your grief keeps popping into my mind and I'm compelled to lift you up whereever I'm at. Even in a grocery store:
Be blessed this day,
Deana Marie Watson
Cartersville, GA

[Dena]

You express yourself so well, and as you do, it brings back feelings from old hurts, and gives words to them, which feels healing. Thank you. The last part, about Will, wow. Thank you for mentioning about the twinkle having been spotted, and that he is allowing God to work in him. Sometimes that's so hard, and I can only imagine when the hurt is just so completely devastating. If Will can do that, I can too. That involves a level of trust and faith that is sometimes hard to come by when you wonder why/how God would allow something. Still praying for him and your family as the healing comes slowly and through many many tears.

[Lori Powers]

God continues to place you and your precious family in the forefront of my mind at many moments through any given day. Please know that you do have a "family" here that cares deeply about you and is honored to hold you up in prayer. Thank you for your example as you continue to trust the Lord and serve Him one day at a time. Love to you all!!!

[H in Asia]

Dear Mrs.Chapman,
As aniversaries come and go, and as one very special little girl dresses up to be in a wedding, know that someone far, far away is thinking of you and your family to our Father^.

H in Asia

[petsyann]

i love the pics of stevey joy and i pray that she feels the arms of jesus around her to fill that empty space beside her of her sister who's in heaven. it must be lonely and strange for her...for both shaoey and her... jesus is the healer and i pray for you all often. as a mom i know it's often harder to watch the children grieve than to grieve yourself...mary beth, just walk the road, or crawl, or just lay there and weep...knowing that you can borrow our faith, as put so profoundly by another blogger. we are with you and we expect that your hearts will be held safely and softly by the lord who suffers with you. peace to all of you.

[Tanya Robinson]

MB, thank you for sharing about Will. I saw he and SCC (and Caleb of course) at the Biltmore. We were in the third row and SCC commented that he was slightly unnerved by this outdoor venue that allowed him to SEE us. :-) Well, I didn't know until I got there if Will would be there. Pretty much the second I spotted him I began to cry and it lasted the concert. I just prayed and prayed for him throughout the concert and several times I know he caught my stare. I was afraid he would think I was a weirdo! (which might be true, but not for that reason.)

Anyway, the prayers have been many for him and I have longed for news of how he is doing. I know all of us that read and follow would give anything to take even an ounce of your pain away.

We love you! Please give Will and extra hug today.

[Ragan Story]

Mary Beth,
Thank you for always being an amazing woman of God, He is using you in big ways..I believe bigger than any of us will ever know.

[Shar]

Praying for you all, Mary Beth. Your present journey is one I have no desire to experience. I pray for courage, strength, thankfulness and hope on your behalf.

[diane]

Praying for a you today, Mary Beth. May you feel the presence of the Holy Spirit carrying you today.

[Korinne]

The Veggietale song "I Can Be Your Friend" comes to mind when thinking of you. Not the meaning they intended, but because I'd love to be in your circle. Anyway, It's great that you had some fun with the women in your life on this another 21st.
Truly touched by your transparency,as always. We may not pal around this side of Heaven, but are connected through momma prayers.
With love,
Korinne Ritenour

[Nicole Bartell]

Thank you once again, Mary Beth, for your frank and (I am sure) painful honesty. I continue to pray for your family, but from the beginning it has been Will that has captured my heart and prayers. Thank you so much for giving us a glimpse into the work that our Father is continuing to do in his heart. I praise the Lord that He is healing all of your hearts, and that He is giving beauty in place of ashes, and in some ways beginning to give the oil of gladness for mourning. I know your heart is still incredibly pained and will continue to be until we go HOME, but all praise to our Father, and our "Wonderful Counselor", and our blessed "Comforter" who gives us hope and peace even in the hardest of days. Blessing and love to you and to your dearly loved family.

Your sister in our Lord,
Nicole

[Klaye]

Praying for the Chapman family.

[Jamie]

Mary Beth, are you guys heading over to China those first two weeks in August with the rest of the ShowHope mission team, or are you going earlier in the summer? That's quite a group! :) Have a beautiful rest of your day!

[Jenn]

We will keep praying for your whole family. Thank you for sharing so much of your life with us. Your family is so beautiful and an inspiration to ours.

[Kim]

I am already praying for the impact your family and friends will make in China this summer! When is the grand opening?

[Mandy]

MB...we will NEVER stop praying because as long as we are still here on this spinning planet, your hearts will hurt. Man, I'm so ready for HEAVEN!!! Today would be a great day for His return! I find myself watching the sky some days with such longing and hope. I know you guys must do the same. We love you guys and my 3 year old never bows his head without mentioning "the trashmans (Chapmans)." :)

~Mandy

[Jordan]

Thanks for sharing, MBC. I love reading about your family and am constantly thinking of you all. Prayers are being lifted for you daily!
Reading your post today, I'm reminded of a song by Bebo Norman called "Borrow Mine."
"You can borrow mine, when your hope is gone.
Borrow mine, when you can't go on.
Cause the world will not defeat you when we're side by side.
When your faith is hard to find, you can borrow mine."
That is my prayer for you as my sister in Christ. When you feel you can't go on, you can borrow the faith of all your fans and friends. Blessings!

[Lori]

Praying w/o ceasing for your family. You are an amazing women of God and strength. We pray that you all can find peace. Much Love to you and yours.

[Pouillyfamily]

Wow, again, so blessed by your words. Helps me put my days in perspective...my thoughts, my prayers, my tears are for you.

[Debbie Chavers]

Hi!
God bless you as you grow and go, Mary Beth.
Debbie Chavers

[Robin - Mt. Juliet TN]

Stevey Joy looks so adorable. I am glad that your back posting with us all. I know it can't be easy telling everyone how you feel but just know that you have a lot of prayers going up for you and your family. I hope we get to see you at the Nashville show. Hang in there and we'll all hang in there with you. Lots of love!

[Georgia Boone]

Thank you for sharing your heart with us Mary Beth. I love praying for your family and bringing all of you before the King. I know God has a special plan for your Will. He never loses an opportunity to use a situation like this. Unfortunately we never know WHEN He will use these things in our lives. He is such a faithful loving God, just as I know you know.
Keep on!!
Blessings,
Georgia