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

[Claudine T in MD]

So beautiful to see genuine smiles on Will Franklin's face! What an answer to prayer. Only the Lord can do such an amazing thing...and He WILL do it!

[Rebecca Whalen]

When we've been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun -
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we first begun.

and

What a privilege to carry everything to God in prayer.

We all love you and are privileged to share and pray for you. Keep on sharin'!
Love, Hugs, and Prayers,
Rebecca W.
SC

[kim from mississippi]

Tell Willy Frank congrats and we are all so proud. I cannot imagine living the tragedy he has lived at 17/18. It's so apparent that he allows God to be glorified thru him and what a testimony. I believe the two chapmans. WF and Maria have a story to tell and will lead people to Christ for years to come. Praying you thru your grief, Kim

[Dee]

Thanks for sharing. My son graduated college this year, they grow up so fast. My prayers are with you and your family.

[yogamama]

Dear Mary Beth-
Thanks for sharing those wonderful (and funny) :-) photos, and this special day with us through your words.

What a remarkable year indeed, and how GREAT is our Lord! Yes He is!!!!

again, our congratulations to the graduate! Way to go Will!!!!

love and blessings,
The Snooks

[Jessica Pavlik]

Mary Beth,

What a joy to be able to pray for you and with you! I was reading today about the ladybugs and it reminded me of my grandmother. She is the strongest woman I have ever known. When my dad was 5 he and the family were headed out to the beach for my grandfather's company picnic. A few miles from their house a drunk driver went left of center and struck their car. It instantly killed my grandfather, my Uncle Gary, 8, my Uncle Jeff, 5, and 2 cousins. My father and grandmother were the only survivors. I once got the courage to ask her how she was able to move on and she said that God has always been faithful to her, even in the darkest times in her life. Whenever her faith was lacking God gave her a little "sign" to allow her to have peace in knowing that her family was alright and one day she would see them again!
Last summer my dad and I took the 2 hour drive to the cemetary where they were buried so I would know how to get there should I ever want go once he and Grandma are gone. It is a rather large cemetary and we knew the general location of the headstones, but were not certain. We had been looking for about a half an hour when I came across a stone that said PAVLIK, my married name, and right next to it was my Grandpa's head stone. I thought that was the neatest thing. As we were standing there I also noticed that my Uncle Gary and my son Justin share the same birthday - 50 years apart. God is so faithful and loving. I know how proud my grandfather must be of the man my grandmother raised on her own. He has been a United Methodist Pastor for 25 years and a great father and husband!
I pray that the memories of your precious daughter give you comfort and the hope that you will be with her again one day sustain you!

[Jarrod Flaming]

I agree with Hannah in your comments that it is a privilege to be able to sneak a peek into the lives of the Chapmans through your blog and twitter. I love it! Been a forever fan of SCC's, but getting to know your family even more personally is such a great honor. So proud of all of you! As the rest of us go through Satan's fiery trials as well, your family does inspire and encourage us, because you're just normal everyday "folk". And even though we'd all love to "build a house up on the mountain", it's down in the valley where our faith is really proven. Thank you for showing a great example of a life of faith.

[debbie]

Thanks for sharing the pictures!! So great to see Will graduate....does he know he had such a big audience?!?! We all have been cheering for him with our thoughts and our prayers! God bless him!

Still remembering and still praying! Keep up the good work Mary Beth...3 down and 2 to go! You only have about 12 more years to go!! Ahhhhhh!!!

Debbie from Orlando

[hannah : )]

your family continues to inspire me daily, and i so look forward to reading all of your blogs. i feel priviliged to be able to get a sneak peek into your daily life.

[T. Cain]

Your comments are amazing! Even with all that your family has been through you show the love of God in this blog and the example you give to others. Continued prayers for your friends and family. God is Good.

[Chrystal]

Will looks so happy. Priceless :)

[Nikowa@KHA]

Congratulations!!! :)

[Cynthia Y.]

CONGRATULATIONS!!! We're so proud of you!! You are an amazing young man! We know God will continue to use you in a mighty way-thank you for being open to that.

Love you!

Cynthia Y.

[Debbie from Ohio]

Wonderful pictures of a wonderful time to celebrate! Thank you for sharing them with us! You have a right to be proud and you are so blessed!

[Nana Honey]

Thank you for all you share. We lost our son the day after you lost Maria. Your honest reflections on the loss of a precious and much loved child have mirrored my own feelings. Thank you for sharing so honestly and yet with faith in God. This last week was difficult and yet, we made it through. May we both continue to find comfort in the midst of the unbearable.
Love, Karen Johnson

[Georgia Boone]

Great pictures Mary Beth, thank you for sharing your life with us. I cannot wait to meet all of you someday. Congratulations Will!!! You certainly are a very special young man and God has great plans for you.

I loved what the man from China had to say about Maria only being meant to be here long enough to accept Jesus so she could go be with Him. Our God is so awesome and so mysterious. He had to pick just the right family for her.

Blessings this week Mary Beth. Try and relax a little!!!!!!!!!
Georgia in NO MI

[Kim]

It's so great seeing this pictures. I was thinking while looking at them that, man, you and Steven look so young! Then I thought, if you didn't have your precious little girls (which I'm so so happy you have), those two young looking parents would have an empty nest! It's incredible how quick the years have gone by!

[WendyJoy]

What wonderful photos and memories. I especially love the one of Will and his little sisters clowning around.

You and SCC have done well in raising your children. Thank you for sharing them and your heart with us.....we are honored.

Praying with hope,
Remembering that God is STILL God,
WendyJoy
New York

[Tina Christen]

Mary Beth,

I got so much joy from seeing these pics...the sparkle was back in his eyes! You rock, Will Franklin!

Love, Tina

[Nancy from California]

Such WONDERFUL pictures--truly glowing smiles and sparkling eyes!! GOD IS GOOD! Thank you for sharing and congratulations to Will Franklin!!!
Praying still
Your sister in Christ,
Nancy

[Shari]

I just love your blog, Mary Beth. You are so warm and real. You make me laugh. You make me cry. You inspire my faith. You open your heart and share what many people would keep hidden. And because of that, I feel I know you and I have grown to love you for the person, mom, wife and Christian woman you so obviously are. My heart both breaks for your suffering and rejoices for what God is accomplishing through you and your family as you witness of His faithfulness in so many ways. I don't normally comment because you have so many comments already to read. But I just had to thank you for sharing yourself with all of us who read your blog. From the first time I read, I loved your transparency and willingness to bear your soul to others. I admire you so much.

Love,
Shari

[Mary from Rochester, NY]

Mary Beth and family,
Once again I sit here with tears in my eyes as I read about your faithfulness. It is hard to understand God's ways, but your family truly has served as an inspiration to me. Congratulations to Will Franklin, you all continue to be in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless.

[Jolynn Van Wienen]

what a wonderful day! hard...but wonderful! i think of all the changes that have occurred in your life these last 12 months, mary beth...and you are firmly standing on and pressing on...i can only imagine how our God will feel so proud to say one day to you "well done good and faithful servant" (we just pray that won't be for many, many, many more years later!) it reminds me of our first 12 months after seth died. actually only 10 months....in 10 months we lost seth, had ben 3 months to the day after his death, and then 6 months later was finally able to bring home our little lydia from guatemala. that is one of the things that hurts my heart the most...that lydie and ben won't meet their brother until the other side. needless to say, our God is faithful and our God is good...all the time. Happy memorial day to you, mary beth and family. our hearts are with you!
from one hurting mom's heart to another
jolynn van wienen
hudsonville, mi

[Kelly Burton]

Thank you again for honoring and blessing your 'internet family' with these precious glimpses. As much as all of this touches my heart - and my tear ducts - I love the 'power cord' picture of Will best... because it shows HOPE. He is, after all this past year, just a boy, silly, still being molded, still laughing at life. May God bless your son not just with healing and grace, but with joy unspeakable.

[fan]

It has been an honor to lift this young man up in prayer and a blessing to know that God is honoring our prayers. We love you Chapman family!
Chinamom