Cinderella

Mark and I stood next to Amy and bawled like babies when SCC performed this song live last Spring at a "Change for Orphans" concert in Westlake Village. Hug your Cinderellas tonight.



As I read about the beautiful memorial service, I was not surprised to hear that the good news of the Gospel was presented and God received all the Glory. This family will face years of heartache with Maria gone, but they know that Heaven is real, and Maria is there. Please continue to lift them up in prayer daily.

Chapman Family Tragedy

Maria Sue Chapman 2003 - 2008
Photo by Mary Beth Chapman
I keep thinking that this blog needs to be a little more uplifting, but everyday we seem to hurt a little more. Again, today's loss seemed personal. We are devastated at the loss of Maria Sue Chapman.

If you listen to Christian music, or have been blessed by adoption, then you know Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman. They have been instrumental in our family and the reason we chose America World Adoption Agency. Although we've only met SCC a couple of times as well as his daughter Emily, they feel like family to us and millions of others.

Just pray for them. Just pray.....

From Jim Houser (SCC's Manager)

If you'd like to express your condolences and get a glimpse of this beautiful little girl through a short video clip, click here.

Mail to PO Box 150156 Nashville, TN 37215.
In lieu of flowers, the Chapmans request any gifts be directed to Shaohannah's Hope, click here.

In closing, as many of you know, the song "Cinderella" was written by Steven to help him (and us all) grab a hold of the special moments with those we love we might otherwise rush by. It was inspired by a bath time that Steven tried to "hurry," Maria and her sister Stevey Joy were not exactly cooperating. : ) Let us all be reminded again today what Steven compels us to with the lyric of this special song.

A Parent's Grief

Due to China's one child policy, many parents have lost their one and only child in the quake. Please continue to lift our friends up in prayer. Their pain is unfathomable.

From MSNBC.COMBi Kaiwei holds a photo of his daughter Bi Yuexing, who was killed when her schoolroom collapsed in Monday's earthquake, in the rubble of the school in Wufu, in China's southwest Sichuan province Friday May 16, 2008. Most of the students killed when Wufu's school collapsed were only children, deepening the pain of parents who had stuck to China's one-child policy. Parents complained that the school was shoddily built, a common allegation with almost 7,000 schoolrooms destroyed in the earthquake.

China's Pain

If you've seen the grief and loss in the hundreds of pictures coming out of Sichuan such as "China's Pain" and this article, you're likely wondering what you can do to help. It appears that forces have mobilized, and we feel confident in recommending all of the following organizations. As always, Love Without Boundaries receives the highest praise possible for their efficiency as it relates to the donor's money and overhead costs (3% overhead, almost unheard of in charities, but it's because of their dedicated volunteers):



HOW YOU CAN HELP

Love Without Boundaries
Chinese Children Adoption International
Visiting Orphans

Most of the above organizations are working with orphanages, especially due to the fact that there will be many new orphans from this tragedy. Several SWIs are near the epicenter, and you can see a map of them here at Red Thread Maps.
Mercy Corps is already working in Wenchuan, and you can read more info here: Mercy Corps

Here is a blog by Melanie Zhang who is the Associate Director of Children's Hope International-China. She has set up a team of volunteers and is in Chengdu. Children's Hope Team

Happy Mother's Day and Disney

I told my family I wanted to spend Mother's Day at the "Happiest Place on Earth!" It was a great weekend. I loved experiencing Disney with Luke and Linsey. It was Luke's first visit and he soaked it up like a sponge. Linsey loved the roller coasters and Luke was hooked on the Buzz Lightyear ride. The big kids had a blast too. We did 2 parks 2 days compliments of Aunt Agar!!

Happy 5th Birthday Luke!

Super Luke!

Does it get any better than this?

A Proud Sister Moment

Many of you know my brother Mark and his wife Lisa are ministering to the people of Loja, Ecuador. Well, they have broadened that ministry to reach babies in a nearby orphanage. These babies are sleeping in boxes and dresser drawers. Mark made this crib by hand! He has told the orphanage that he will make enough for every baby there to have a bed. Is that just so amazing?? I told him that if he ran a "free shipping" special.....we could use about 20 of them in Chaoyang, China! :)