My sweet Maria met a special little guy today!

 

This post finds me very saddened yet grateful over the loss of a precious little guy I met at Maria's Big House of Hope just about a month ago.  He was special to me in that he took me by surprise!  Steven and Stevey Joy had left to come back to the states, and Emily, Shaoey, and myself were going to be there for one more week with Show Hope Team #2.  Emily and I were standing in the lobby of MBHOH one morning when all of a sudden, in came two nurses with two new precious bundles.  A girl and a boy.  I had never witnessed an intake before, and I was just stunned as I was handed one of the babies.  Both of these precious packages were taken to the medical room for review and admittance.  Both heart babies, the little boy worse than the girl.  I was given the privilege of giving both babies their English names.  The little boy was without hesitation....Hudson, after James Hudson Taylor, an amazing missionary to China!  This little guy's eyes locked onto mine immediately and I knew I was in trouble!  I spent alot of the rest of my time rocking and singing and snuggling little hudson.  He was born on a 21st, which is the date of Maria's passing, and it happen to be the 21st of July when he arrived at MBHOH.  I was gentle with him as he was fragile and struggling to breathe at times.  Everyday I carefully walked him down to the "Cars" room and showed him the murals of Lightening McQueen and Mater!  Mater was one of Maria's very favorite characters!  Instead of choosing a new Princess or Hello Kitty blanket like her sisters one time, she chose...a MATER blanket!  I always talked to Hudson about Maria and what she was like and where she was at.  One day, while Emily was rocking Hudson, I was leaning over top of him talking silly like Momma's do....I was trying to get a first ever smile out of him!  I wouldn't have believed what happened next if I didn't have Emily as a witness.  I was saying in a very silly voice that I was going to pray hard that God would heal him.  I told Hudson that I longed to have him healed this side of heaven but if God chose to take him home early, an amazing little girl named Maria would be waiting for him when he got to heaven!  At the exact moment I said "Maria", Hudson let out his first ever giggle and smile.  It gave me goosebumps and I just froze.  I said, "Emily, please tell me that you saw that!"  She confirmed it and we just kind of marinated there in that moment!  When I left China and came home, I continued to pray for Hudson and to continue to think about all the little ones at MBHOH.  I knew that everything was being done that could be done, and I was so grateful that he had found his way to MBHOH.  I had a couple of days before Show Hope Team #3 was leaving, for China,  so I bought a blanket and had his name embroidered on it so that Hudson would have his own snugly blanket from me.  In someway....I hoped that he would sense it was from someone who was really fighting for him on this side of the world!.  I have sweet pictures of Show Hope Staffer Wendy Cosby giving him his blanket and showing pictures of us to his nannies.  I will always treasure these pictures.  Show Hope Team #3 got to spend time with the kids at MBHOH for a couple more weeks and came home mid August.  Many of the team members loved on Hudson for the Chapmans and I will always be grateful for that as well.  I received word a couple of days ago that he had taken a turn for the worse, and that he wasn't doing well at all.  I was really struck again at how short life can be, such a wisp of time and we will be in heaven....Tonight I got a call from my sweet, sweet Husband....just minutes before he was to walk on stage for a show. I could tell something wasn't quite right but I figured he just had his mind on the show....come to find out when he called back a second time...He had received the call that Little Hudson had been healed, and he was running in heaven with his new heart with absolutely no problems breathing!  I just know my Maria was waiting for him, and I have a sneaking suspicion that they may be cuddled up with popcorn watching "Cars" together!  She most certainly is the one qualified to inform him all about Mater and Lightening McQueen!  I can also hear her saying to him, just like she said it to us SO many times after watching that movie...."Hi, my name is Mater, like in TOE Mater....cept without the TOE!"  I am sad, I am heartbroken, but I'm not without Hope.  Without Hope, Hudson may never have heard the words.....Jesus Loves You, This I Know....sung to him over and over again.  God, who gave us Jesus, knew in His infinite wisdom that for such a time as this, God's people would move and Maria's Big House would be built.  I am so grateful tonight, as I lay here with my two girls, for everyone involved with making this amazing place happen.  Hope says that God can accomplish great things through His people who are willing to act....One little guy, with BIG brown eyes.. would be loved, cuddled, and sung to, right up until he was seeing the face of Jesus, with an anxious Maria peeking over His shoulder, busting at the seems to meet one of the residents of her namesake.  Thank You for listening to this broken but humbled heart.  For I know that weeping  lasts for a night, but JOY comes in the morning...and that truly God is and will always be working out His plans in us.  I am so honored to be a part....but to God alone be ALL the glory....May we always be found willing to do what He is asking of us.  I'm pretty sure His voice isn't loud and clear.....so get quiet and really listen to that still small voice.  Things might get risky and crazy and break your heart at times, but it is all worth it!  I leave all of you who are hurting or suffering in some way a quote from the man little Hudson was named after...JAMES HUDSON TAYLOR

"May this be your experience; may you feel that the Hand which inflicts the wound supplies the balm, and that He who has emptied your heart has filled the void with Himself." 

Everything including our pain is His, I am thankful He will meet me in it,

Peace to all of you tonight as you sleep,
Mary Beth

Comments

[RB]

Mary Beth,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts through tragedy. It seems that is the purpose of the church, to share. You have blessed me this morning in ways you will not know. Thank you for your words of encouragement.

[Brooke]

Thank you for this post. My sister sent this to me because my firstborn was named Hudson (after J. Hudson Taylor as well) and he went to be with Jesus just two days after birth. I love that quote you shared. I love reading your thoughts about your daughter as I have been processing the loss of my son these 7 years and still ache at times for him. Thank you for reminding us about where they are and that they are healed and in the presence of the Savior!

[-t-smith-]

Oh How you bless me :) I am sooo thankful to see HIm shining through you! You are an amazing picture of Jesus in Mary Beth!! I love it & am humbled, thankful, broken, excited, inspired, encouraged & prayerful.
Thank you for allowing Him to be your all and to share this journey with us.
In You, O Lord, I put my trust... You are my rock and my fortress. Ps 71
John 15:5
-t-smith-

[H in Asia]

Dear Mrs. Chapman,
I understand too well the emotions that coming with loosing a baby orphan. I recently discovered another quote from James Hudson Taylor: "G^^ uses people who are weak and feeble enough to lean on Him." I'm still thinking^ of you and your family and all those sweet babies still in Asia.

H in Asia

[kim4him2]

Thank you to the Chapman's and MBHOH for making this possible for these beautiful children. You are always in my prayers. I have a precious friend who is from Louyang, I am trying to get Jesus into her without sending her into a freakout. The front page of the opening of MBHOH made her day(she is currently in Japan with her mom). Mike should remember her. Her mother is finally getting help and I am praying to go to Louyang next summer. I want to see this beautiful house and children. I can't wait to see God's work.

[Tiffany R Roath]

I have written a book called I Call You Beautiful and I would be so greatful if you could read it for your review. I wrote it for my daughter and it is relevant to a girl of 5-50. It is about being truly beautiful when you are a reflection of Christ. I don't know how to get a copy to you, my web page is www.tiffanyroathministries.vpweb.com and I would really like to offer a portion of the proceeds to help benefit Maria's House. The book can be ordered through Borders, Barnes and Noble, and Lifeway. God bless you and your family in your many ministries, Tiffany Roath
tiffanyroath@gmail.com

[Nicole Baker]

Marybeth.... I continue to pray for you and your family every day.
Blessings,
-Nicole
www.bakerssweets.blogspot.com

[Cheryl]

No words to say what a beautiful boy he was and what a perfect boy he now is. Perhaps my little Lily is joining in on the Cars action...who knows. Can't wait for the day I can see all of these babies.

Thank you for allowing Christ to work in you and through you. You are truly a blessing.

[Kaylynn Powers]

Mary Beth ,it is Kaylynn Powers again I know that my Mickeal and Novy are also cuddled up watching Cars with Maria and Hudson...Man what a day it will be when we are all together again....Love You Guys,Kaylynn

[Chris Stubblefield]

Thank you so much for your blog. Our youngest son is named Hudson. We were reminded after we named him that he shared his name with a great missionary to China. I never expected that one day we would go to China and bring home our daughter. Thank you especially for reminding me to listen for God's voice and be willing to go where He says. Also, thank you for the attention your family has brought to international adoption and for the work you all have done for the orphans in China.

[Trish Hielkema]

Just wish that one time I could read your blog without crying. Sometimes it's tears of sorrow, sometimes tears of joy but pretty much always some tears. That little boy was just darling (he reminded me of my youngest daughter from China) and I am so sad that he didn't get to grow up. But I am so glad for the wonderful care he had at MBHOH while he was alive. You are right that out of tremendous sorrow, God has brought something wonderful and that is MBHOH where this little boy could receive such excellent care. I am so glad you guys built that place and I am so looking forward to all the wonderful ways I already know God has to use it for His purposes in the future. We pray for you guys every night.

Trish

[Jenny]

Just read your husband's twitter message about being nervous about speaking tonight. The answer is, you don't have to be nervous because we are so excited to hear you say anything at all, so just know that your audience tonight is so thrilled that you're speaking in the first place! :) You'll do great! Praying for you to breathe in and out, and we'll see you tonight! :)

[Jenny]

Beautiful little guy there, Mary Beth, and now a completely whole little angel in Heaven! :) Can't wait to hear your message tomorrow night at Long Hollow! :)

[Debbie Rupp]

MBHOH sounds like an amazing place for these special babies! God Bless you and your family for MBHOH and the work you do for China's orphans.

[Darlene JB]

Mary Beth, joy does come in the morning, or through the mourning. Think of all the Hudsons that will be ministered too and THIS is why you do what you do. Such a precious legacy from the Lord. Keep strong

[stephiegdalyrist]

Yes,indeed an amazing story!!!!!!!

Love to you my friend.

Steph G

[stephiegdalyrist]

Mary Beth,

Wow,apreciate you sharing that.A touching story of how Maria's House is helping,sad that Hudson...so young but is with Jesus.
Wow,the photos are sweet.
Good words of encouragement for those who are suffering,it brought back mems of the little ones I've seen go to heaven so soon.It hurts,sad,sometimes I go to the place of rest right up the road where little one's are laid to rest,special section for them and talk to them in peace.Knowing they're in heaven.

Anyway,thanks so much for sharing,God bless this ministry.Love you so much.

heartbroken but I know there's a God in heaven,presence amoung us here on earth.

May God be the glory forever.Healer of hurt,instrument of peace forever.

Stephanie G
Charlotte,NC

[The Whitaker's]

Thank you for your ministry to the children and for your sweet, sweet words. Your blogs really help this mommy on the days I find things hard. Thank you.

[Jackie Haynes]

I so loved the word picture of Maria taking Hudson's hand and showing him around. I have used that word picture many times when talking to someone who has lost a child. Having lost my 13-year-old, Cliff, in 2001, I feel quite comfortable and confident in "asking" Cliff to meet young newcomers to Heaven with whom we have a connection. I just know he takes them by the hand and shows them around...maybe even having the extreme privilege of leading them to meet the Father. I patiently wait for the day when Cliff can do that for me.
God's richest blessings on you, MaryBeth, for sharing your heart. Please continue to do what you do.
I, and my family, have shared our hearts a little bit on our sites www.cliffhaynes.com and www.yieldingtogodswill.com

[Michelle]

Beautiful angel! God sent you to him to comfort him, show him motherly love on this Earth. I know your heart has to be heavy for the loss of him down here, but he doesn't have a broken heart anymore! He's whole again!

Off the subject, but I'm so happy you're coming to speak as part of the Crazy Love campaign at Long Hollow this Thursday! I am looking forward to hearing your amazing story firsthand! :)

[Leslie]

Such conflicting feelings myself. I have a little girl whose heart is not well and I long for the day when it is completely healed in heaven, but I absolutely thank God for everyday here on earth with her.

I will go to sleep tonight thinking of Hudson and all the others who wait, especially the heart babies w/ CL/CP. They are near and dear to my heart.

Hudson will be remembered. The photos you posted are so touching. No doubt Hudson knew nothing but love and peace in your arms. What a beautiful blessing that God ordained your time with him before He took him home.

[Debbie from Ohio]

Oh, how sad that little Hudson had to leave this earth. But how wonderful that he woke up in Heaven with our Lord and Savior and little Maria.

[June Vendetti]

Hi Mary Beth,

Thanks for sharing that beautiful story with us. It gave me chills as I read it, and a tear in my eye. God bless you and your family as you continue to help those children with special needs. I know what it's like, because I teach our faith to autistic children, as well as children with Down's syndrome. God shows us in many ways through these special children, who love unconditionally, that we need to be more like them, in their carefree way.

God bless,
June Vendetti
Bridgeport, Ct.

[Rhonda Kemp]

MB,

I'm so thankful you have the platform you do....so many hurting people can draw strength and hope from reading your words...

Love you girl!
~Rhonda

[Kelly Burton]

God works through you so incredibly, in that you are able to give so much in the depths of grief I can't fathom. You are a hero to me, though I know you'd never ask to be. I cry with you for little Hudson. Thank you for reminding us about hope. You are so loved & prayed for.