A Blessing and Diploma For Will Franklin/Thoughts of a little girl named Maria

 
 

Above are some of our fun pictures of the graduation ceremony that took place tonight at Christ Presbyterian Academy, exactly 1 year to the day that we stood on that very platform to say goodbye to our little girl, Maria Sue.  God is either a truth or a lie.  Everything He Has said and promised is either 100% true, or it is lie after lie after lie.  Today, along with many days this year, Satan was crushed, and what the enemy intended for evil....God intended for good, and GREAT it was!  Every senior has a blessing written for them and a scripture verse read over them as they graduate from CPA.  The seniors, once again in honor of Maria and our family, and the fact that it was the anniversary of the funeral, walked bare footed, symbolizing they were on Holy Ground!  It was a wonderful service.  The speakers both touching on the fact that the class of 2009 have grown deeply rooted in their faith because tragedy not only struck once, but three times this year.  May, it was our sweet Maria.... October, a teacher at our school suddenly passed away, leaving a senior daughter to wade the waters or grief...and then...in March of 2009, a CPA had a student took His own life, which rocked the entire community of our school.  This class has been through a lot and they have come through stronger than most because I believe God has a great plan for the students of the class of 2009.  I want to leave you all tonight with Will Franklin's blessing and scripture verse:

Will Franklin Chapman - Courageous, "appointed one", gifted, authentic, and tender; one who has walked with vulnerability and grace through the most trying of times; Will knows what is important and what he values; resourceful, resilient, more than a survivor; a persistent warrior who knows which battles to fight; great sense of humor; excellent musician and great team player; he has walked out the Gospel before us; given the gift of faith to carry him through, he is and will be an over comer and a conqueror...steadfast in spirit; he has a radiance and transparency that draw us to Christ.
Psalm 73: 25-26 "Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.  My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."

I also want to tell you part of someone else's blessing and scripture.  David Anderson, Will's best buddy...has never let Will go....This whole year he has been he faithful friend...Showing what it actually means to be someone who won't let you go, no matter what!  He is Julia's brother, and someone that I would take in as my own son.

David Bryant Anderson - A respectful and hardworking individual with a passion for life.  David has loved his friend well and carried his burden this year in an honorable and gentle way;  Just the fact that they wrote this in his blessing means one thing....He has been a friend who sticks closer than a brother!  I am so thankful for friends in Will's life this past year.  If I got started naming them all I would surely forget someone....But David....I love you and would take you as my own!  I am so proud to call you my son's best friend.

A day of mourning....ashes....one year later a place of beauty.....The pain still there...most the times as sharp as ever...God allowing the chisel and hammer to do his beautiful work in and amongst our friends and family.  Maria's death has taken a toll on a lot of us....Not just our family....Those closest to us are mourning and grieving her just as deeply as us, and the toll it has taken on them is as great as ours.  On days, I am guilt ridden that other people have willingly jumped in this fiery pit with us, and then, I realize that if these friends wouldn't have taken the plunge into this dark seemingly endless pit with us, I'd still be at the bottom....God has sent amazing friends that have willingly given up their time/days/months/now a year, to walk right along beside us.  Amazing!  You know who you are, and you all are my hero's!  It is just not as fun without Maria....She was  the funniest most stubborn hoot of a little girl ever....we will ALWAYS be different because we knew her....we will ALWAYS be different because we lost her.  A Chinese friend wrote us the other day to encourage us during this time of anniversary of the accident, etc.  He ended he letter in his somewhat broken Chinese language by saying this:

"We are thankful that Maria was with your family, so that now she is with God"... Could it be that this little girl was simply given to us for a short time so that she would ask Jesus into her heart, and then as simple as that was, leave just two months later to go be with him?  Hard to fathom but completely something only God could orchestrate!  Lord I trust you, help my unbelief......that is where I am, but slowly, slowly, wallowing through this complex journey God has set before us Chapmans who long to show a suffering world that there is Hope....but only through Him.  Love to all and congrats to all those Graduates out there.

Hugs to the seniors and their moms,

Mary Beth

PS  The last picture is a new kind of honor cord....the "Power" cord....LOL.  Will said they didn't have an honor cord for him so he thought maybe he could wear his own "cord".....I'm just thankful he didn't try to graduate with it on....A little pre graduation humor....but I gotta admit...I laughed out loud!  I will say this....He finished on the A/B honor roll.....  a BIG accomplishment for a drummer in a college prep school!  So proud of that boy!!!!!!!!!

Comments

[benefits of hgh]

I want to see the whole event. You look lovely. Congratulations!

[Alison Lewis]

Congratulations to Will! He is such an amazing young man. I know you are proud of him.

[Cheryl]

Precious Mary Beth,

I was just thinking today that your husband's music was a life-line to me when I was lost and 19 years old..... HIs music made me fall in love with Jesus before I really knew Him through His word. Now, I am married to a pastor and we have 8 children!

I love that you are so real and that you share your heart so honestly. You are a great writer and you represent your family and your Lord so well! You are a wonderful mother and wife and your words have brought me to tears many times. Tears because you have touched my heart, and I know you have touched many hearts.

We also have an adopted daughter from China who turned 6 years old on May 10. When I look at her I think of beautiful Maria and you are in my thoughts and prayers.

Carry on knowing that God has so much more for you and your wonderful family!

with thanks and much respect,
May the Lord bless you!

[Tanya Robinson]

Mary Beth,

A beautiful tribute to he and his friend! As a teacher, I can imagine the prayerful struggles that go into writing those. One chance to "get it right". Thanks for sharing them with us. We are privileged to get the insight on how to pray to and praise our great God over the Chapman family. No greater honor than to lift you before the throne! How much better our lives are when we can focus on others! Thank you for allowing us to focus on your family!

Blessings to you today!

[Abbey]

I'm so estatic for Willy Frank!!! He's officially at graduate now WoOoOoOoOo...i know God will work many blessings into Willy Frank's life in the coming years. I'm so proud of him...truly he is such an inspiration to me and to so many others. Congrats Willy Frank!!! You've made it through high school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go Celebrate!

[Cynthia Coleman]

I started this virtual candle lighting for Maria and for your family when she went to be with the Lord, but I had to use initials for the group. Interestingly, others who had loved ones with the initials "MC" have posted prayers and memories on the site as well. Here's the web address: http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=MC . The candles have to be relit every 48 hours. Take care & God bless.

[Michelle]

Congratulations to Will. Your family remains in our family's prayers!

[stephiegdalyrist]

oh graduating,okay.Wow from high school,happy for him

Jennifer

[stephiegdalyrist]

Oh,is Will getting married?Hope things are going well for him.

Jennifer
NC

[Tera Anderson]

Congrats Will and family. I wish you all the best.(lucky) :)

[stephiegdalyrist]

Very happy for Will.Very sweet young man!Congrats!You are on my mind and heart.Thank you for sharing those great photos.Take care.

Jennifer
Charlotte,NC

[Gail Finn]

Remember it is the devil that comes to kill, steal, and destroy!! God is a good God all the time!!!!!!!!!!!!! God only wants "good" for His children.

[Tori]

Mary Beth,

We love you and your beautiful family.
Always praying.
Praying for everyone on the blog too!!
We are one in Christ!!

[Jennifer]

Susie, it's Sat.

[Jennifer]

Ooh, I know, I know! ;) I hope the girls are having fun with it too; that's the most important part! (MB's Twitter)

[Susie]

MB, is the recital tonight?

[Becky Nordby]

Way to go Will!!! What an amazing scripture and prayer for Will, very fitting. Will, you are a special young man and praying your path keeps you walking with Jesus.

Rebecca Nordby - Titusville, FL

[diane]

YIKES, I'm a faithful prayer warrior, faithful blog reader and encourager, faithful tweet reader:)

So....from another "diane"...me:)
Mary Beth, we love your love of the Lord, we love family, we love sonic, and we love standing in and praying for the Body of Christ!!!

Keep tweetin'....it's too much fun!!! Off to check my twitter!

[Tina Christen]

Well said, Claudine. God bless you for having the courage to state the truth that so many of us wanted to say.

Blog away, Mary Beth! We're reading.

Love, Tina

[Claudine T in MD]

Diane,

This may come as a surprise to you, but nobody ever forced you to be here. If you feel like Twitter is being "forced" upon you, unsubscribe. If you don't like people's blogs, stay off of them or, better yet, turn your computer off.

As for now choosing to "spend time with people who actually know you" -- bravo! I hope they will actually be blessed by the words you speak.

Some of us actually DO know MBC, some of us have gone through the same valley, some of us simply have compassion on those who suffer. Fortunately, this isn't something you need to burden yourself with.

I truly hope those "people who actually know you" will unconditionally love you when your words are unkind and insensitive. I also hope that, whenever you walk through a terrible trial, there will be many there for you to love and support you. That's really all this blog is about, and the reason most of us who follow it do so -- we understand pain, we've been comforted by the strong arms of Jesus and by the faithful promises of God, and we simply want others (in this case MBC) to know that same comfort.

I truly am sorry this has offended you. Praying that wherever you spend your time that you would be blessed and be a blessing to others who desperately need you.

[Teresa]

Just caought up on the graduation blogging. Congratulations to Will!! God surely has great plans for you in this world, to help many SEE Him in this world so that we may be with Him in the next.
Blessings to you, Will, and to your family and friends who are walking this path with you.

Peace!

[Stephanie Renfer]

Mary Beth,

Thank you for sharing the graduation photos and your thoughts from this memorable occasion. And, what a beautiful blessing upon Will Franklin...thank you for sharing it with those who have never met you, but love and care so deeply for the Chapman family. It is incredible to SEE what God has been doing in Will's life over the past year!

Your blog has been a wonderful tool to keep all who care about your family informed as to how we can pray for you. My world was rocked the day I received the news of Maria's accident. We have added our prayers to the multitudes of others around the country the past year. May God continue to SHOW HOPE to you as you rely upon His grace from moment to moment. Your times are in His hands.

Love,
Stephanie

[Janice]

Mary Beth,
Steven has given so much to us, his fans, throughout the years, sharing his talents and lifting us up through his music at times when our lives have been difficult. You have enabled him to be able to do this for us. When little Maria left, your family got hurt, and we hurt for all of you, who have been so kind to so many of us throughout the years. Thank you for this blog, for giving us an outlet to express our prayers and the grief we have felt.

[michelle]

Mary Beth, I just wanted to say thank you. I don't even know how to begin writing this, because I have only told a few close friends. even though it has been twenty years, I still fall apart thinking about my baby cousin. May 2, 1989 my cousin Kellie fell into the family pool. she was the youngest and only daughter of my aunt and uncle, they tried for years for a little girl, after three boys, she was born, the light of their world. The day she fell into the pool the boys were asked to watch her, while my uncle took a shower. The boys who were only 5, 8 and 9 were excited about the new car, and Kellie for some reason we will never know went to the pool in the back yard. she fell in and my uncle found her. It was total chaos, my aunt and uncle are from different religious backgrounds, and neither side wanted the other to speak at the funeral. my aunt was blaming my uncle for her death and the boys blamed themselves. I am saying all this to let you know, God always places trinkets of hope during the saddest of times. I remember shortly after the funeral there was a doll at safeway, that looked exactly like Kellie, I showed my grandma, who was there and whom I lived with. many of my have that doll today. Even though I am terribly sad that she is gone, I am proud to have known Emilie who they adopted about a year later. And today my aunt has her girls, all three boys have girls, and one looks so much like Kellie. I am sad to say, my aunt and uncle are no longer together, and my cousins have traveled a hard road and are still trying to find their way.

[michelle]

*hugs* Chapman family and CONGRATES Will Franklin..It is truely wonderful to see your smiling face. My family and I are still praying for you. lol