Choosing to SEE - Mary Beth Chapman [106]
Lori Mullican. I am so sorry it took ten years and more pain for the circle to complete. I knew instinctively to call, and within minutes you were there. I know it brought up so much history and pain, and yet, God was there in the midst of the chaos. The coffee talks have been a balm to my soul. Alex, I’m so proud of you!
Geoff and Jan. We’ve known you since 1984 when we moved to town. An instant friendship began. When I think about our past together, I look forward with great delight to the future. Thank you for following your heart to China for Anna Grace and Ashley Rose. No words were spoken, but your presence in the room spoke volumes the night of May 21.
Terri and Dan, thank you for stepping way out. It has cost you a lot. I’m so sorry for the hard. You are my adoption heroes. Your example changed the look of our family, and I can’t thank you enough. Show Hope was born, in part, as a result of the call on your lives and your faithfulness to follow through. Your heartbeat for orphans is now beating in me.
Mark and Ann, who were the prayer warriors for our whole family. You provided a safe place and sweet Scripture readings over Will Franklin daily. We love you and count it a privilege now to return the favor and intercede on your behalf. Ruthy, you have been an amazing strength for Will. Mature beyond your years. I love you.
Tim, Janie, and Tabby, our new family through Tanner. Thanks for loving us through this time. We all love you, but the girls think you ROCK! Gymnastics and horses – they love it! Tabby, I know you miss her. She loved your aqua hairlights! LOL! You’ve meant the world to the li’l nuggets . . . especially SJ!
My family is simply amazing. You all have stood with us through much of the good and bad that life has brought our way. Mom, Dad, Jim, Yo, Jeanne, Barry, Herbie, Sherri, Herb Sr., Deniece, Judy, and all the children that go with you. I’m honored to be your daughter, sister, sister-in-law, and daughter-in-law.
The preventative maintenance team: Pastor Scotty Smith, Al Andrews, Lynn Husband, Larry Crabb, and Dan Allendar. Your love, wisdom, insight, and great counsel have proven to be invaluable and a true source of hope when our weary souls couldn’t take another step.
Paris Goodyear-Brown and David Thomas. Your expertise and kind hearts have blessed my children. I really don’t know what we would have done without the counseling work you walked them through.
Our community at Christ Presbyterian Academy. ALL of you loved on us, brought us food (Tina, I blame you for the extra twenty), wrote us letters, took the girls fun places, on and on its goes. . . . You also entered into Will’s pain with him and walked closely beside him his senior year. Thank you! Our family at Christ Community Church . . . ditto. The outpouring of love toward our family was felt in a tangible way.
And finally to you – the one who holds this book in your hand. If you are reading this book, then you more than likely have prayed for me and our family at some point. I can’t tell you what it feels like to literally know the world is praying. We felt physically held during the time of losing our Maria, and you were part of the body who cried out on our behalf. Thank you so much. I pray that each word of my story will touch you in a way that gives a blessing back to you for holding us tight during this time. If you are a fellow sufferer, someone who has experienced loss of some kind, I’m so sorry for your pain. All stories of “hard” are different, but pain and suffering are the common ground. I pray for each hurting person that is reading this for some kind of encouragement while life continues on with unrelenting force. Winter comes, that is for sure. But beneath that hard frozen ground is spring, and it most definitely will come.
With