maria.
((Maria and Stevie Chapman))
I was really saddened this past week after I read about the death of Steven Curtis Chapman’s daughter, Maria, the youngest of the three little girls they adopted from China. I think I read that she was five years old. She died in a freak accident in their driveway — her older brother was backing up and didn’t see her.
I hear about a lot of devastating things in the news everyday, but for some reason, this particular tragedy has stuck with me and has been on my mind the last few days. I can’t stop thinking about them. I am so sad for their sweet family and I can’t imagine what they are going through.
I haven’t talked about this a whole lot yet, but Lord-willing, Funnel and I would really love to adopt children, hopefully internationally. A couple of weeks ago, we got the packet I sent away for from American World Adoption and last night I finally took the time to pop in the DVD it came with, and it was the Chapmans’ adoption story. It was one of those weird, neat things because they had been on my heart lately, and then theirs was the story we’re presented with. Very bittersweet.
“Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress…”
— James 1:27
May 28th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
I don’t know what her older brother must be feeling right now. Or what any of them must be feeling. I can’t imagine. I hope for feelings of forgiveness between the Chapmans and their son, if that makes sense…. I know it was an accident, but they’re probably going to need to experience forgiveness. What a horrible event.
May 28th, 2008 at 5:04 pm
On another note, looking back over the photos in the David & Betsy wedding post…the Marilyn Monroe shot at the beauty parlor is phenomenal. I love the capturing of both subjects.
May 29th, 2008 at 4:38 am
One of my bosses good friends is an attorney who specializes in international and domestic adoptions. If you want I can give you her information. Her website has a lot of good information about what the requirements are to adopt from different countries.
May 29th, 2008 at 9:07 am
Sarah: I know what you mean about forgiveness. Even though they probably aren’t really angry at him, it probably needs to happen to try and bring closure to the situation. I really hope he can forgive himself too. Thanks so much for the comment on my picture!
Jon: Yeah, that would be cool! I would like to check out the website. We’re a few years away from doing it, but I’m trying to read as much as I can about it.
— jen