Today is your day Will Franklin!

Pictures to be posted later, but I just had to check in quickly to tell all of my faithful blog friends that Will Franklin Chapman is graduating today!  This is no small task for a Drummer who wants to drum but has attended a College Prep School K-12 (with the exception of 11th grade, when he home schooled to...yes...go on the road to drum!)  At any rate, this has been one long journey!  This year has been the toughest that any 17/18 year old should have to live through, but God is using him as a witness not only to his school but to the entire nation!  I have heard the leadership in our school say that he is an amazing young man with a lot of strength who leads with an amazing broken yet strong spirit!!!  Please pray for us and with us that he would feel God with him as he walks across the same stage that one year ago today the entire Chapman family stood at the funeral of Maria Sue.  God can and will continue to bring beauty from our ashes.  Will Franklin......We Love You and are thankful that God gave you to us to be our Son.  As you celebrate today with friends who have walked this journey with you this past year, know that not only is God well pleased, but Maria is right there with you.....saying...."just you wait....just you wait and SEE what God has for you....it's all OK, because God's plans are bigger and if you'll just let him, watch what He is gonna do through you!"....and by the way....the visual I have of Maria is one of her naked in her curious George panties!  Are there Curious George Panties in heaven?  Well, if there are...Maria has them on!  Oh, and by the way....Will Franklin ended his High School Year on the A/B honor roll I might add!  WHOO HOO!

Comments

[Abbey]

Congrats to Will for graduating!!!!! WoOoOoO and with A/B honor roll...WoW I'm impressed you gots a smartie MBC XD LoL....I'm so very happy for yall...and i will continue to pray for all of you including Will Franklin. You are loved deeply by many! And don't you forget it!

~Abbey

[Cathy Melton]

Congratulations, Will Franklin! I am continuing to pray for you and know that God is going to use you greatly for His purpose.

[Celie]

Congratulations to Will Franklin! God has touched and amazing young man.I thank God for the honor to come alone side this family in prayer. Will, God has woke me in the wee morning hours to pray for you . It was and has been my pleasure and an honor. I watch to SEE the fruits that will abound for the work God has for you . A very special young man. Thank you and your family for allowing us to carry your burdens as heavy as they are. God has shone me and I believe he is showing your family his word holds true. We can do all things through Christ. 2Th 3:5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ. Continue to stand upon his truth with the patience till you SEE. You will one day SEE so much he will show you. Our amazing love holds you till then. You will always have a void because the love you each have for Maria is only for her. He is faithful. Stand strong to your strong hold Christ Jesus, your Redeemer.

[Southern Gal]

Congratulations to Will Franklin! Isn't it exciting watching God work through this next generation as we send them off into the world? I pray your day was awesome and filled with His blessings.

[Lisa]

I am so happy for Will Franklin. I can't imagine anyone going through what he has and especially at his age. You and your husband are an amazing mom and dad who while grieving continued to support, encourage and hold your son up through this tragedy. What a beautiful family you are. I have heard you both speak and your transparency is amazing... you struggle with the same things we all do as husbands and wives and moms and dads... but your love and commitment to Jesus has really pulled you through this and I just want you to know that in these tough days, you are a witness to so many. Maria is surely proud of her mommy and daddy. Hugs and love to you all.

Lisa
Orlando

[Rebekah]

Congratulations to your son and your whole family! You are all a beautiful example of God's love.

I just found your blog & have enjoyed reading through it - I'll be back!

[Robin]

Congratulations Will Franklin! I'm looking forward to seeing what God has in store for you!

[Jill]

Thank you, Mary Beth, for being so transparent and letting us share in your family's life. God's people all over the world have walked this journey with you and while you may never know most of us, you can know that God brings you to mind often and you are held before the God who made us family. Congratulations to Will Franklin and we can't wait to see what God's faithfulness looks like in and through him in the weeks and months to come.

[Jeanette]

Congratulations Will Franklin! What a blessing you are to your family and an example of God's goodness and grace to the world. He has mighty plans for you! Mary Beth, I know you are one proud momma! Sending hugs and prayers your way!

[Julie]

Congratulations Will Franklin. God has many plans for you. Continuing to prayer for you.

[MT]

Congratulations Will Franklin!!! Blessings, love and prayers to you!!!

[Ann]

Will Franklin, job well done on so many counts. God bless!! (and can't wait to see you drummin' on the road again!)

[Claudine T - in MD]

** Mary Beth and Will Franklin **

The words coming to mind right now are that you (your whole family)are "living epistles known and read of all men...fragrant aromas having offered your bodies as living sacrifices."

On this day, may all of you be so very blessed! WILL FRANKLIN -- YOU ARE MORE THAN A CONQUEROR THROUGH CHRIST! Today, I pray that you rest assured that among that "great cloud of witnesses" is one beautifully transformed sweetest pea cheering her wonderful big brother on!

There are so many of us left here on earth who have been doing the same for you. You have been called and chosen to bear something more ferociously extreme than the majority of us ever will. May you hear today, not only the many cheers of those left on this earth, but especially the ROAR OF HEAVEN cheering you on, singing over you, shouting, "WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANT!"

May you FOREVER walk as a FREE MAN in Christ!!!

Praying for you & celebrating with you,

Tom Claudine Caleb Noah Daniel & Esther Thompson

[Pat Mcmahon]

Congrats Will Franklin and the class of 2009, I think our future is in good hands, God Bless you on this Very special Day!

[WendyJoy]

Congrats Will Franklin!!
Way to go!!
We are proud of you for graduating and for taking one day at a time with Jesus!

Remembering that God is STILL God,
WendyJoy
New York

[diane]

YAY, WF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ; )

God is good all the time...all the time God is good. Journey on in His Love.

[Stephanie Crawford]

Mary Beth, as I read this post I kept thinking about 2 Corinthians 2:14...my personal version says it like this "we follow Christ step by step in one continuous Victory Walk. And through Him we spread a fragrant offering." One year ago today...that journey was harder than I can imagine... but today...what a great victory for Will Franklin. I can only imagine the LORD standing off to the side and applauding WF today.
May you all hear the applause of Heaven today,
Stephanie

[Debbie from Ohio]

Many well wishes to Will Franklin and your entire family. God's strength and mercy be with all of you today.........Blessings!

[Holli]

Mary Beth,

WHOO HOO!, indeeed. Congratulations to a fine young man and to his two wonderful parents. May God continue to bless each of you and grant you His peace in the days ahead. I look forward to seeing Will Franklin at the next SCC concert. Have a super graduation day.

Because of Him,
Holli

[Jenny]

That is so awesome. Way to go Will Franklin. Still praying for all of you that you see God's clear direction and purpose in Him!

[Michele Hall]

Whoo-Hoo! Congratulations Will Franklin!! I'm listening to your Dad sing YOURS while reading this...best advice EVER. You are HIS and He loves you. Bless you today!

[Amy Jones]

FANTASTIC! way to go Will Franklin!!

[Chelsea]

From a fellow graduate of the class of '09 (I graduate in two weeks!) Congrats Will. Marybeth your blog and your family are so inspiring, I will keep you all in my prayers. congratulations again!

[Lisa..from So. Cal]

God Bless you Will Franklin!! Congratulations!!!
Praying for you all Marybeth! You are such an inspiration to me as a mother!! Have fun today!!

[Michelle]

Will be there at 4:00, rooting Willy Frank on and watching my little niece take the same plunge! It really doesn't seem like it's possible that these kids are this old already! :)