I have a picture all ready to post on my computer but unfortunately this is getting blogged from my phone! Doctors orders to slow down and rest a bit here so I haven't been on computer for a couple of days while we take a couple days rest! I couldn't let today go by without letting my faithful friends and prayer warriors know that today is the day we adopted Maria 5 years ago! I've been somewhat reflective today as I listen to the voices of my sweet Shaoey and Stevey. Even though there is much chatter...it is VERY quiet at the same time. I miss her voice and her silly questions and observations...I miss her hugs and kisses....I miss everything about her. Pray for me as I am in the land of her birth without her...yet somehow I know she is with me. I am getting excited for SHOW HOPE team #2 to come on Thursday! Let the painting begin! Love to all and may God let His grace flow today!
Hugs,
Mary Beth
It has been a long time since I have been on your website! My daughter and I were driving home and "Cinderella" came on the radio. I told my daughter, 5 year old, that the man who sings this song adopted 3 children from China (she is also adopted from China). She asked all kinds of questions about your girls. I had to tell her about Maria and we had a very long conversation about your family and China. We are blessed to be apart (kinda) of your lives. We read Shoey and Dot before she went to bed. It was cool to see how everything linked to gether! We are in the process of adopting a second daughter from the waiting child list. Your family is in my heart always!
Posted by: Emily | August 01, 2009 at 08:06 PM
(((Mary Beth)))
Making ladybug cookies in Maria's honour. Praying to the only One who can breathe life again into us and turn darkness into light.
With love to all of you,
Claudine T
Posted by: Claudine Thompson | July 15, 2009 at 09:16 AM
Mary Beth,
Thanks again for sharing such personal thoughts and beautiful pictures with us.
I rejoice in knowing that God gave you and yours Maria to ensure that she become a child of God. All believers who recognize you and your family confidently know that Maria's life as a Chapman was bathed in God's love, family's love, and the act of worship. A daily gift to her every day.
Prayers for continued healing and blessed assurance,
Michele
Posted by: Michele Kelly | July 14, 2009 at 11:27 PM
Prayers for you...understand the health issues as I experience the same each time I travel internationally.
Continued prayer for your rest, and relief from the swelling. God's love, grace and peace to you!
Posted by: Pouillyfamily | July 14, 2009 at 09:37 PM
Praying for you as always!
Posted by: Kimberly | July 14, 2009 at 09:29 PM
Going to China next month to bring home our third little Chinese princess! Might have to make a stop in Luoyang to see MBHOH while I'm there! Try not to get stressed, Mary Beth. That just adds to the blood pressure problems, but so glad to watch all you're doing over there for the orphans! :)
Posted by: Beth | July 14, 2009 at 08:57 PM
Don't post much but check in daily. This has been amazing what you have been able to share. Praying for all!
Thank you Lord that your love is a banner over us. As touching the hem of heavens garmet on the horizon nature proclaims the glory of the Lord. For Mary Beth in this day of lamenting a season to need the touch of the masters hand. Tell her body peace be still. To be made whole again only by your strength your time we ask Father. As Mary Beth reaches out to touch the hem of your garment supply her ever need. Thank you for the grace your providing. We know nothing is to hard for you. You word say ask by faith we ask,that heaven would reach down and touch her lamenting body. So according to the voice of truth even though her heart and flesh fail God is her strength and portion. As praise glory and honor to your Holy name AMEN
Celie
Posted by: Celie | July 14, 2009 at 08:33 PM
Keep taking care of yourself...you are important to SO many! Remembering Maria with you today & praising God that she was brought to your family to be loved & cherished & introduced to her Heavenly Father so that she can live in newness of life eternally with Him. God's blessings and Christian love to you on this bittersweet day.
Posted by: Vanessa Schaecher (from Nebraska) | July 14, 2009 at 08:32 PM
I'm keeping you in my prayers and so excited about what is happening there in China. Take good care of yourself! Thanking God so much for His gift of Maria to you - and asking Him to give you a great big God-hug today. Love and blessings from Canada...
Marta Boulden
Posted by: Marta Boulden | July 14, 2009 at 06:55 PM
Keeping you in my prayers!
Posted by: Kelly H-Y | July 14, 2009 at 06:48 PM
I love your updates and feel apart of this glorious opening of MBHOH. Praying for your strength... both emotionally, spiritually and physically. Hang in there!
Posted by: Jeanette Murphy | July 14, 2009 at 05:44 PM
Praying for you physically and emotionally...Thanks for taking us along. I so look forward to meeting you one day and hugging you in person.
Blessings,
Georgia in NO MI
Posted by: Georgia Boone | July 14, 2009 at 04:27 PM
Prayers headed your way. Get some rest please. Be still and know that He is God.
Much love to you and the rest of the family.
Because of Him,
Holli
Posted by: Holli | July 14, 2009 at 04:15 PM
Wish I was there with you!
We live so our children who are gone will be remembered.
Hugs to you and prayed just now for your blood pressure to be down and your feet to sometime soon be able to be put UP!
Love you friend,
Becky in Arkansas
Posted by: Becky Russell | July 14, 2009 at 03:57 PM
Ooh, you have the Internet on your phone too. :) I love having the feature! Ok anyways, praying that you do indeed slow down and let others do the work for you for awhile. I know the rest left, but you still got Geoff, Jan, Dave, and Steven, and Emily who can do the work that the little girls can't. Then on Thursday, fresh arms and legs will be in to help too! Just remember to slow down and let others help you out! :) Praying you'll be able to stick around there until when you were originally supposed to leave, the 28th, but God's going to do what He thinks is best!
Posted by: Jen | July 14, 2009 at 03:34 PM
Love catching your updates as you travel, still praying for you and your family. Take time in the stillness for God to comfort and breath new life into you today!
Posted by: MamaPoRuski | July 14, 2009 at 03:29 PM
Mary Beth,
I recently read this quote from St. Francis de Sales and thought of you - "There is a precise and direct relationship between the capacity to love and the capacity to suffer. Only he who is capable of suffering is capable of loving." You certainly have been a model to all of us on how to suffer and how to love. Your constant gift of self to your family, friends, orphans and us tag-a-longs is so edifying. Maybe our Lord will always keep the wounds of your loss of Maria so fresh and open because He wants you never to lose your sense of urgency to help so many! God love you!
Posted by: erin@materdeitours.com | July 14, 2009 at 03:01 PM
Hi Mary Beth - praying for your family and praying for your health. Sending hugs and prayers across the sea to China to you and your family and praying for comfort and for healing. Glad to hear that you're taking it easy.
Posted by: Dana | July 14, 2009 at 02:24 PM
Psalm 4:8 "I will both lie down in peace, and sleep: for You alone O Lord,make me dwell in safety"...Praying for you while you sleep:)
Many Blessings~Misty Peterson
Posted by: Misty Peterson | July 14, 2009 at 02:13 PM
Still praying for you!!! God's blessings upon you and yours today!!
Posted by: Lisa | July 14, 2009 at 01:41 PM
(((Mary Beth)))
During my time praying this morning, I came across this prayer and verse. I thought I'd share it with you:
"Lord, thank You that You are a compassionate God, & You not only SEE my trouble & grief & understand my loss, but You extend Your hand to me & hear my prayers. I ask that You would UNLOCK ALL THE PAIN that is captured in my memory & SET ME FREE from it. Help me to SEE that life goes on BECAUSE YOU GO ON & YOUR COMPASSIONS NEVER FAIL."
"You, O God, do see trouble & grief; You consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless." Psalm 10:14
Praying so fervently for all of you. I can see the pain so clearly in your eyes, Mary Beth...the longing in them. Probably never more clearly than in the recent photo of you holding that sweet, sleeping little girl. She very much (from the photo at least) resembled your precious Maria. I couldn't believe how much until I pasted the photo of her & Will beside a photo of Maria & Will (the one w/ her wearing the black dress). All I can do is ache & sigh & pray again for Jesus to hold your heart.
Hold on. Keep holding on to the hem of Jesus' garment.
I promise to keep praying,
Claudine T
Posted by: Claudine Thompson | July 14, 2009 at 12:59 PM
Hugs to you today dear, sweet lady.
Jenny G.
Posted by: Jenny | July 14, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Philippians 4:13 - For I can do everything through Christ who gives me strength.
Praying that God gives you the strength for the getting through today, strength for the next team.
You're an amazing woman of God - thank you for being so faithful to all he's called you to do. You are an inspiration!
Posted by: Clare (UK) | July 14, 2009 at 12:30 PM
I couldn't help but think of you last night as I learned of another special needs Chinese baby that will be coming home at the end of September with my friends from high school. I also think of our next Asian princess. Has she been born yet? Is her birth mother still pregnant or has she had her, and making the difficult decision of where to leave her...all this to say...I will definately celebrate your adoption day of Maria today. Thanks for all you are doing in China to help all of God's Asian princess' lives better! We appreciate and love you and your family!
Still praying...
Paige
wwwbettertonfamily.blogpsot.com
Posted by: Paige Betterton | July 14, 2009 at 12:07 PM
I pray you'll never forget those precious things about Maria. I'm praying for your blood pressure. And for your time there in China to be great. May God show up to you in a new way today! Love and hugs, Laurie
Posted by: Laurie Hare | July 14, 2009 at 11:56 AM