Thursday, May 22, 2008

Last night I had the opportunity to have dinner with five dear ladies. One of which recently lost her daughter Samantha in an accident on Good Friday of this year. I had a post about her in April. My heart aches for her as she sits beside me and talks about Sam. It was hard because there we all are, like all Moms, talking about our children. She did says things about Sam several times. I was talking about my Nick not wanting senior pictures taken and she said Samantha had hers taken twice, and she bought them both times. She told us that Sam texts her non-stop. I'm not sure if she noticed if herself, but she did use present tense a few times. One of her friends told me she goes to the grave and sits by herself every evening until it gets dark. It is so hard to know what to say, because I can't even begin to imagine her grief and pain. On Sunday, June 1st we will have graduation, and they will be presenting Samantha's parents with her diploma.

When I came home I sat down to read emails and KP had written me about Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter Maria. It hit me really hard especially since having spent three hours with Joyce and just hurting for her and her loss. Again, I can't even begin to imagine what the Chapman family must be going through. Bradley had hard time with it and couldn't go to sleep last night. Tonight we sat down and watched the you-tube clip of Steven and Maria washing dishes. Bradley and I both cried. For precious Maria Sue we mourn. Even though I have not met this family, I feel like they are friends. I can't tell you how many times I have watched their video rejoicing their adoptions. Before we received our referral, I would go to their web page or blogs and just stare at their pictures wondering what it would be like to have our little one.

The death of a child is so unnatural. I've heard it said that when a wife loses a husband she is a widow, a husband loses a wife he is a widower, a child loses parents they are orphans, parents that lose a child.... well there are no words. That's how terrible it is. And that's how I feel.

Lord, be with those in these time of grief and pain. Comfort them as only you can. Give us words to say to those that have lost loved ones. Help them to heal and find the comfort in knowing they are in a better place.

Wednesday, May 21, 2008

With a Heavy Heart.... In Memory of Maria Sue


Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter killed by car in driveway

Steven Curtis Chapman’s youngest child died Wednesday afternoon after being struck by a car driven by her teenage brother in the driveway of the family’s Williamson County home.Maria, one of the Christian singer’s six children, was taken by LifeFlight to Vanderbilt Hospital, which confirmed the death, according to Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol. The 5-year-old was hit by an SUV driven by her teenage brother, she said. Police did not give the driver’s name.The teen was driving a Toyota Land Cruiser down the driveway of the rural home at about 5:30 p.m. and several children were playing in the area, McPherson said. He did not see Maria in the driveway before the vehicle struck her, she said.“It appears to be a terrible accident,’’ McPherson said. No charges are expected, she said. The accident was witnessed by two other children; the entire family was home at the time, McPherson said.Singer/songwriter Chapman, who recently was inducted into Music City Walk of Fame, is one of contemporary Christian music’s most recognizable and most awarded names. He and his wife Mary Beth have long been supporters of international adoption, having brought three girls from China into their family. Maria was the youngest.The couple is so active in the cause that they formed an organization, Shaohannah’s Hope, to aid families wanting to adopt. With his latest music tour, which came through Nashville in November, Chapman started a campaign called “Change for Orphans”. He asked audience members at each stop to bring spare change to the concert, where it was counted and given to a local family to aid in their adoption process.“I don’t know of anybody who loves his children more than he does and is so committed to the adoption concept, and to lose one, no matter what the circumstances, is heartbreaking beyond all comprehension,” said John Styll, president of the Nashville-based Gospel Music Association.“He talks about his kids all the time. That’s his life. His kids are more important to him than music, that’s for sure.”The tragedy was announced during Wednesday-night services at Harpeth Hills Church of Christ, which the family attends. Maria had just graduated from the church preschool.And word spread throughout the tight-knit Christian music community on Wednesday evening.Styll got the news not long after Maria’s death.“I’m confident I can speak for everyone in the community to say we will do everything we can to support this family, as we would do at any time, but especially at a time like this,” he said.Most of the Chapman family was at Vanderbilt children’s hospital after the accident and could not be contacted. The long, gravel driveway leading to the home west of Franklin was blocked off by Williamson County sheriff’s deputies.

By KATE HOWARD and LINDA ZETTLER • Staff Writers • May 21, 2008
The Tennesean

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Leslie's 8th Grade Banquet

I failed to post pictures from Leslie's banquet. Some of my pictures are blurry since my camera was set on manual focus and I didn't realize it for a long time which I obviously was very unhappy about.

For the banquet we had a dinner, slide show and then they had a dance afterward. A very long dance that lasted 3 hours. They all had a good time and after that Leslie had five girls stay alnight. They all were pretty tired so they went to bed earlier this time than last. The last time Leslie had a sleepover they finally went to sleep around 5 a.m. and there were lots more girls. It was more like 2 a.m. when they passed out this time.








Wednesday, May 14, 2008

Prom

Saturday, Buffalo High School had their Prom. At first Nick wasn't going to attend since he didn't enjoy last year. Finally, after much encouragement and nagging, he decided to go. He seemed more relaxed this year, and actually acted like he had a good time.

Before the Prom, the kids meet at the park for pictures. Parents, family and friends all gather to take pictures at the gazebo. After that they depart to separate locations to eat dinner. Emily, Nick's girlfriend, has an uncle that made a wonderful dinner for them. Four couples went along, and Leslie and I went to help serve. It was really nice. We were very impressed.




















Emily, Nick and Me













Maylea and Nick



Monday, May 12, 2008

Prom




Nick and Emily




















Buffalo's Baseball Team

Wednesday, May 7, 2008

Hip Hip Hooray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

CONGRATULATIONS TO CHRIS AND KATHLEEN MOLES!!!!

on their referral from Ethiopia today.

They have a bouncing baby boy. He is 4 months old and a little chunk weighing 16 pounds.

Praising the Lord for he is sooo Good!!!

You can view their blog by clicking on The Moles Family below under Ethiopia Adoptions. They won't be able to post any pictures until after their court date. By the way.... Chris is our Pastor at Grace Community Chapel.

Sunday, May 4, 2008

A Day at the Park





She's lookin a little sleepy.
Not too happy Drew was kissing her.
She LOVED the slide.