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

[melissa]

just beautiful. beautiful maria, beautiful hudson, and beautiful jesus!
praying for you all. will there be show hope teams next summer?

[Alison]

What an amazing story. Thank you for your willingness to share your heart with us. God has used you and your family to bring hope to so many people that otherwise would not have any. You have such a sweet and loving spirit. I will continue to pray for your family and your ministries.

[Jenn Hatch]

Thanks for the beautiful words you had to share. As part of Team #3, I am confident in saying that Hudson most definately stole a place in the hearts of each and every person that had the opportunity to meet this precious little boy. He is now healthy, happy....and HOME, with Maria by his side. Praise God for his life and for the way he used this little guy to touch our lives!

[Tammie]

It just seems like in this moment nothing else matters. As the tears flow and my heart aches I am overcome with a sense of peace knowing Hudson is with Maria and being cuddled up every so tightly with our Father who is holding them and loving them.
I am so thankful for you Mary Beth allowing us to "SEE" hudson and be able to fight for him and pray for him and LOVE him on this side of Heaven - becasue he mattered. All of God's children Matter not one should ever be left along and thinking they don't matter and that they aren't loved- I am so grateful we have/had the opportunity to LOVE these kids from a far

[Korinne]

Too choked up to articulate. Thank you for your update and the quote.

With love from Michigan.

Korinne

[Christine Gordon and Family in MA]

"speechless.....astonished and amazed."
with hope in the tears that remind me how precious every life is.
so thankful Hudson had a mama and mbhoh family to love on him.
MB...thanks for taking the time to share and let us SEE all He is doing.
grateful.

[Laurie H.]

Those photos are so precious. I love the story about his first giggle and smile. What a sweet gift to you that you will always remember. I pray God continues to strengthen your faith. Hugs, Laurie

[Kim]

As the others have said, what a blessing that Hudson was able to spend his days at Maria's House. If only all the orphans in China had such a beautiful place to live. I'm sure Maria is loving Hudson and telling him all about Mater. God is good even in our deepest valley's of weeping.

[sheila]

Very touching MaryBeth. I just love to read your heart and will continue to pray others can see your love for Jesus and for the little ones of China. In God's Love, sheila

[Kyleene, OH]

What a beautiful Angel, literally.

[jody]

Mary Beth,
I watched the videos of Hudson that were on face book. I could not help but think of the "dieing rooms" that some babies are left in. Thanks to Maria's Big House of Hope, Hudson knew the feeling of being held,cuddled,and loved. He cooed,giggled and smiled. Thank you for dreaming BIG!

[Cheri]

Thank you for the Taylor quote. I'm going to my mom's funeral tomorrow and I'll remember that quote. It has been hard, but His hand has supplied the balm and filled the void.

God bless you.

[NiHaoMa - Da'Shotaz]

Amazing story.

"..when we all get to Heaven what a day of rejoicing that will be, when we all see Jesus will sing and shout the victory!"
(E.Hewitt and E.Wilson)

[Nancy]

God bless you for showing him love & making him smile! God is good & is now taking care of little Hudson!

[Tanya Robinson]

MB,

I have looked at so many pictures of little Hudson and prayed for him. So much so, that I could recognize him from those pictures. How amazing that the Lord would bring all of us together in prayers for these precious little ones! How amazing it will be when we can all stand together in Heaven! I do long for it!

Thank you for being the hands and feet, MB!
Bless you tonight!
Tanya

[Melody M]

I am sorry about little Hudson. I am sure that Maria was glad to welcome Him into Heaven. He was a cute baby.

[Lora]

Mary Beth, thank you so much for sharing! I love you and continue to pray that Jesus constantly wraps His arms around you guys and lets you SEE how Maria's life is bringing Him glory.

[teagues5@msn.com]

Thanks so much for sharing your sweet Maria with us. I can only imagine her showing sweet Hudson around and the utter glees of delight in the Big House. We have our own sweet Hudson from China who LOVES Mater. He brings us unbelievable joy!!!

[Lori]

God blessed Hudson by having you meet him. Hudson knew a love like no other in his short time with you. Maria can now share with him the rest of your story. God Bless you all. Someday I hope to meet the children of China.

[Karin]

What a beautiful story of sweet Hudson and your precious Maria. I hang on every word about Maria's Big House because I have two heart babies from Hope Healing Home. How THANKFUL I am that HHH was available. And now to see Maria's house open to bring healing to so many more children...well...it's just amazing. I am so sorry about little Hudson. I can't imagine how it must break your heart yet again. Thank you for hanging on to God in the midst of your pain. It is a choice--and I'm so glad you are making the right one.

[Anne from Pa]

As an adopted child from birth myself... these kids hold a special place in my <3

Anne

[kerri]

Thank you from all of us for giving Baby Hudson loving arms to hold him in his last weeks here. I continue to pray for you and I'm grateful for the privilege. I just can't say enough how much I appreciate you and your truthful heart. Again, I wish we were drinking coffee on the back deck together!

[Pat McMahon]

I can't express it more beautifully than those who have already written. So I will just say Thank you and God Bless as he continues to use you and your family for his Glory! Love ya Chapmans

[Tina Christen]

Mary Beth,

When I saw the title of your blog, I almost didn't have the guts to read it. I fell in love with that sweet little face the first time you blogged about Hudson. I touched him through my computer screen and prayed over him. After reading your words, I now rejoice for Hudson and Maria. They are in the arms of Jesus! Thank you for sharing again your hope in the One who saves and in all His promises.

[Suzette Jones]

How your heart must be torn, but oh, the inner joy of knowing you got to love Hudson while he waiting on his perfect healing. What a wonderful hope to know we will see them again and until then, they have the BEST daddy taking care of them. I pray you are blessed as you show hope to a hurting world through your own pain.