All Dressed Up and Some Place to Go!

This time last year I was in another State with a friend helping her through her adoption journey.  Because I was on that wonderful trip with her, I missed my first dove awards since 1985.  Yep, I'm not a young one anymore!  I hated not being with my husband, but loved what I was doing. Bringing a little one home to their forever family!  Now I find myself sitting in my home all by myself, all dressed up, waiting on my ride to the Grand Ole Opry House where the 40th Dove Awards will be. I am excited to be going with my hubby of 24 years and am so proud of how he has walked our journey out this last 11 months.  He has been so broken but open and humble before God and his family.  The way he has led us through this most darkest of valleys has been inspiring to me.  I would not be where I am in my grief journey without Steven being right there to catch me when I fall.  In my humble opinion, he is husband and father of the year.  When the absolute toughest of situations was given to our family to navigate through, God totally knew that Steven was the man to lead all of us through the valley of the Shadow of death.  It hasn't been easy but at every turn or curve in the road, Steven has sought the wisdom of our Father in Heaven to guide us and hold us up.  I say this today to simply ask that you all pray for us as we go tonight to the Dove awards.  That we would honor God for the giftings that He has so graciously poured out on Steven.  That the entire Chapman family would be a witness to the Faithfulness of God.  Not that we have it all together and figured out, but that we are clinging to the only hope we have, the One who does have it all together and figured out, Jesus!

Thankful for you, my friends,

Mary Beth

Comments

[Nadia]

I eagerly watched your updates on Thursday as I was unable to watch the show. I'm so grateful that Steven was honored. It was certainly well deserved.

Thank you for your continued example of trusting God in the midst of difficult circumstances. God has been most certainly glorified over this last year through your life and the entire Chapman family.

Praying all the Chapmans!

[Carol from Mason]

What an amazing night. You both carried the evening with such grace with so many people watching. I just had to watch my tivo before I headed to Columbus for WOF on Friday. I've been sick lately, so it was a late start for me, but I had the chance to watch before taking my daughter to a friends for the night.

WOF was interesting. I've done things I never thought I was capable of. I also heard so many messages. Isn't amazing how at that sort of thing you can sit with 16,000 women and hear things just for you. It was weird- I almost got pulled into 8 lanes of traffic in this weird wind. It scared me a bit. My favorite glasses were actually blown off my face and destroyed when 3 cars ran over them. My natural reaction was to run after them (they were not cheap frames!) but I remembered advice someone had given me this week of "be careful" at just the right time.

I'll continue to pray for your family for safety and comfort as I have these many months. I've wished more than anything that you are all safe during such a vulnerable time. It's interesting because I think I'm being offered a place of safety too. It's new to me, so I'm not sure what to make of it, or what I need to do.

Steven is a blessing to your family, and to all. I've been praying for someone like Steven in my life where I can put my trust and look for direction in confusing times. I'm sure he has helped you understand things that didn't make sense to you. You are a perfect pair. I'm sure he appreciates you as you him. I did cry when I saw him take you onstage with him. I know it was nearly a day later, but in tivo land, it was real to me.

I think you and your family are blessed. To have lived a Christian life for so long and know all this stuff. It's so new to me, and not an easy puzzle to figure out. I've actually felt like I need to ask to be baptized, again. I was baptized when I was confirmed, but that was just an exercise my parents made me do. They didn't go to church, so it was confusing to me. Now I don't have anyone who I feel like knows me well to ask to help me with this. I'll just have to pray on it a little more and see what comes back to me.

You are a natural twitter-er. (i wonder if they thought through the twit thing when then named it. I've been called a twit by my family in my life many times, and it was never a compliment.:) )
You are braver than I, though. You let people follow you. I'm more of a lurker. I read other people's twitters (or tweets, or whatever they are called) but don't let people follow me. I'd rather people seek my messages than have them automatically end up on their page.

Safe travels to you and Jim today. I'll be praying for all of you and am thankful for such smiling faces.

c

[Dana]

Thank God for his grace. I thank him for inspiration that comes through Steven and the Chapman family. My sympathy goes out to you from my own loss of my son last June. It is God,Jesus, the Holy Ghost alone that keeps me stepping forward since that very tragic day. I pray for peace in your family and thank you for sharing your love of Him. May God's Blessings be ours soon some day from his very presents. Amen!

[airforcematt]

Mary Beth - I am also one of the many that was unable to watch the Doves but am glad to hear that it was a good evening and Steven brought home some well deserved accolades. I did find a video of Steven getting awarded the artist of the year on youtube and how Steven accepted it brought tears to my eyes and challenged my walk. The depth of faith that it takes to say to "be bold" after what ya'll have been through is staggering, God bless ya'll.
Matt

PS
The doves always bring back fond memories of a simpler time in my life, one that many of us know as "the SWEC era" - we really had fun with that, thanks :)

[Barbara Collins]

Mary Beth,
I read on your Twit that you will be going to Anna Ruths wedding. My niece, Sarah Ross, is married to her brother, Steven. My sister Paige Holloway lives in Franklin. I am down in Texas. We may also have another mutual friend....Janelle Caudill. She is from Basalt Colorado and yall actually adopted at the same time and met her and her three boys in China. It is so interesting how God crosses peoples paths. I hope when I come to Franklin for a visit, which will be soon to see the new baby, we might meet face to face. I love your website. Take care and God bless yall.

[mel24]

So wonderful to see you and Steven at the Dove awards. I have to say I could palpably feel the pain as Steven sang Cinderella once again. Your face conveyed such love and compassion and you could tell you were just willing him, praying for him, word by word, line by line to make it through the song. I imagine singing it in front of an audience who was so full of God's love and grace had to make you both just melt...I believe that those faithful beside you have been helping you through, being God's hands to hold and hug you. Steven, as always, was so humble in his acceptance. He was so deserving though, not only for using his talent in music and songwriting, but for sharing his heart - God's heart- with us all. You are an AMAZING woman of God and we are all so grateful that you are so open to share with us and minister to so many. As always your family remains in my prayers...

[Pat Greene]

My heart goes out to your family with the loss of your sweet daughter. I too have a daughter in heaven. I was thinking when Steven was talking the other night, about Jesus telling Peter that Satan wanted to sift Peter like wheat, and that Jesus had prayed for him. And that He knew Peter could stand the test of Satan and then come out stronger to encourage the brothers. That is exactly what has happened with your family. and mine-it has made us stronger, and we do have the hope of a day in heaven to reunite us with our loved ones, and we just need to let others in on the good news of Jesus Christ. Thank you both for your witness! Time may never heal our broken hearts on earth, but we have the hope of a new heart when we get to heaven! In the mean time, hang in there, pray, and leave all your troubles and pain in God's hands. He has been my Rock and strength-Lean on Him!
Love in Christ,
Pat Greene
Knoxville TN

[L]

Congrats on the win. And you all have walked the walk … a walk that NO ONE wants to have before the … with complete grace, humility and REAL-ness. I guess that might not be a word, but it seemed to fit what I was trying to convey. L in TN

[Lin]

Hey MaryBeth,
I came across this article on AOL and thought I would share just in case you haven't seen it...

http://www.theboot.com/2009/04/24/steven-curtis-chapman-remembers-daughter-at-the-doves/?icid=main|main|dl2|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fwww.theboot.com%2F2009%2F04%2F24%2Fsteven-curtis-chapman-remembers-daughter-at-the-doves%2F

Congrats. on all the awards!!

You have a beautiful family... =)

[Amy @ Living a Blessed Life]

Isn't God amazing?!? Even through tragedy, loss and excrutiating pain, you are able to recognize the blessings God has given you - and the precious husband He has used to help you navigate thru these very, very difficult days and months. I'm so glad that you and Steven have each other. Continuing to pray for you during the hard days and rejoice with you in the good days. Congrats on the Doves. Sweet blessings, Amy in OR

[kim from mississippi]

Wow! Adversity , grief, life either makes you closer or separates but those whose faith in Christ Jesus know a love for one another and devotion so that when the other is hurting, we hurt too. i will never forget Caleb's interview with Robin Roberts, about how when will was hurting, he wanted to make the pain go away. i feel that way about you as a mother. I would love to bring back that smile you had in pics before the loss of Maria Sue. I will SEE that smile again when we all meet on that glorious day, when the world as we know it will be gone and we will be forever with our Maker. I love that we never have to lose someone twice is they are saved. ( i heard that from a chapman) What a testimony, what glory God has been given i this tragedy. I dont want to go thru that but i know after watching you and steven, the God we both serve would give me the same strength He gives you daily. Just so you know, your story has saaved countless children from the same tragedy just by sharing your story. We all take one more look behind or in front before we pull out the car. We all drive a little slower and we all hug a little more and longer. You have taught me so much and for that i'm forever grateful. i will continue to pray and love you all. I hope one day, in the near future, we will have an asian princess at our home. love to all!!!!!!

[Tori]

Dianne,

I'm so sorry to hear of the loss of your
precious grandson Noah. I will keep Tasha and
all your family in my prayers.
We are so blessed as Christians as we can
uplift one another in prayers.
May the Lord bring you and your family comfort.
God Bless!

[Kristen]

Mary Beth,
I was so excited for you all last night as I sat watching the Dove Awards. After everything you've been through this past year we were all rooting for you.
Although I can't say I've lost a child or someone so young, my grandfather died suddenly of a massive heart attack 2 days before your little Maria was called home to be with the Lord. I've been praying for all of you through this past year. I know the pain of losing someone will never go away, but I hope as time goes by it does get a little easier. I will continue to pray for you very hard throughout the next month because I know it's not going to be easy.

[Kim]

Mary Beth, is there anything you guys don't do?

Charity to Honor "Children's Champions"

A grown-up orphan who knows the meaning of family, and a couple who helps families adopt will receive Children's Hunger Fund's (CHF) highest honor at the Children's Champion Award Celebration Banquet.

LOS ANGELES, April 21 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- CHF will present The Children's Champion Award to three individuals who show exemplary care for the needs of children, especially orphans. Focus On The Family President, Jim Daly, an orphan himself, will be recognized for ensuring healthy homes for children by helping to strengthen families and communities. Mr. Daly will also give the keynote address. Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife Mary Beth will receive The Children's Champion Award for their work to facilitate adoptions through their foundation, Show Hope. Mrs. Chapman will be present to accept the award.

"A key portion of CHF's programs provide support for orphans around the world," said Dave Phillips, CHF President. "It seemed only natural to honor Mr. Daly and the Chapmans for their compassionate care of orphans. We are like-minded in our passion to care for the needs of children in crisis."

The banquet's theme, "Resonate", promises to ring on in the minds of CHF's guests throughout the night. "We want our guests to understand how their support causes a reverberation that provides more children with food, care and the love of God," said Phillips.

The ceremony, emceed by Pastor and author, Francis Chan, will highlight CHF's work and honor these and others who help meet the needs of children worldwide.

SFC Antonio Giuliano, U.S. Army Chorus soloist will give a special performance.

USANA Health Sciences, a regular CHF supporter, is the lead banquet sponsor. Regency Lighting also co-sponsored. Other sponsors include Hollywood Against Hunger, McCormick Consulting Group, P.A.C. Properties, Anita G. Inc., Shepherd of the Hills Church, Central Parking System, Nestle USA, World Magazine, and California National Bank.

Established in 2006, The Children's Champion Award will be presented at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in Simi Valley, California on Sunday, April 26, 2009. Ticket information is available at www.ChildrensHungerFund.org

Children's Hunger Fund is recognized as one of the most cost-effective charities in America. Charity Navigator and Ministry Watch give CHF their highest marks. More than 99% of revenue goes directly to programs serving children in need.

Views and opinions expressed by CHF are not necessarily shared by the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation.

Safe travels and congratulations!

[Dianne Hunt]

Mary Beth I saw your family last night on the dove awards and I was so proud for you .Last night was the first time I was able to listen to the song Cinderella since June.June 4 we too lost our 19 month old grandson Noah.I have gone thru so-o-o-o many emotions and all I can say it is only by the grace of God that I am still here.I do hold on with hope knowing our time away from each other is not forever.Please keep my daughter,Tasha his mom and our family in your prayers as we lift you up also. We love your family.

[Stacie Bosquez]

Congrats to Steven & the Chapman family for the win! Sorry I couldn't watch, we do not get that station. I heard it was a Great ending of the awards. God Bless you all:)
Stacie

[jayne]

CONGRATS TO YOU AND THE FAMILY ON THE AWARD. I LIDTENED TO THE JOY FM IN FLORIDIA AND THEY PLAYED A TAPE OF SCC THIS MORNING ON THE PRESS ROOM . WAS SO HAPPY THAT YOU WERE ABLE TO BE WITH HIM ON THE STAGE GOD BLESS YOU YOUR FAMILY IS IN MY PRAYERS .LOOKING TO JESUS

JAYNE

[Tricia]

What a joy to see you accompany your husband on the stage as he received the award-your family's award-last night! You are an inspiration to so many and I am grateful to be allowed to follow your journey. God bless and hold you tightly in these trying times.
Tricia Conrey

[Leanne]

Dear Mrs. Chapman,

I am so excited for you and your family! It is always so awesome to see what our God does through people who are willing to be used by Him. To God be the Glory!!!

"Praise the Lord with melodies on the lyre;
make music for him on the ten-stringed harp.
Sing a new song of praise to him;
play skillfully on the harp, and sing with joy.
For the word of the Lord holds true,
and we can trust everything he does." Psalm 33:2-4 (NLT)

May the Lord bless you as you continue to serve Him!

(Thank you so much for all your encouragement!! You are a special woman of God. A true example of how we are called to live. I give thanks to God for allowing you to be a part of my life (through blogging). God has poured in your life wisdom and grace. Thank you again!!!)

[Becky Russell]

Mary Beth
I am thrilled that I've found your blog!
I am praying hard for you as you enter these next few weeks. Mother's day,..Maria's homegoing anniversary day,... I've found that the anticipation of these special days are brutal compared to the actual day itself.
Yours, Steven's and Maria's minsitry is such a God-Story.
Love you and am journeying with you,...
Becky (WeepySeeds)

[mandie segura]

Congratulations to your entire family on the award!

[Lynn]

What I absolutely love about your family is this, Mary Beth. You guys are so normal! As a fellow resident (stone's throw away from your property), I've had a chance to see you numerous times throughout the years. One thing that always struck me is how everyday you all are! The woman who looked stunning last night with her three boys is the same one that I've seen with jeans on out running errands or picking the kids up from school. You don't change. Steven doesn't change. You guys are really, and almost literally, the people next door! I was beaming when they called Steven's name, and I was crying nearly every time they showed you in the audience, and when he took you up on stage with him, I was so happy to see such a loving devotion that you two have for each other!

Lynn in Franklin

[Denise]

Pure sweetness in your sharing!

(((((((((Your friends hugging you)))))))))))

"To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified."—Isaiah 61:3.

[Tammy]

You and your family are an inspiration to others who have lossed dear loved ones. You have touched many by your transparency. You have let the love of God shine through your loss. Peace to you and your dear family.

[Joseph and Karen]

Mary Beth,

We are more than excited to SEE you and Steven getting up the stage in accepting the "Artist of the Year" award. SCC - you Very Well Deserved this award.

Special moment to celebrate your little Maria Sue and your family as everyone in the crowd honored you guys - through SCC's and band song "Cinderella".

You looked stunning last night and your boys look amazing. We can feel the love last night overflowing within your family and friends.

Jim and Dave are remarkable managers to SCC and your family.

We truly praise the Lord Jesus for being your Rock and Strength from day to day. It was so humbling to hear SCC's acceptance speech - to have the Hope amidst the deep waters and stay Focus on Jesus....

"When you go through deep waters, I will be with you."
~ Isaiah 43:2

Fervently praying and loving you