A Night with the Chapman Family and good friends...

Tonight, Rick and I, went on a triple date with some our dear, sweet friends.  We went to the "A Night with the Chapman's" concert!  The band, "Caleb," opened...which is a band that includes two of Steven Curtis Chapman's very talented boys.  Next, Steven sang some of his old #1 hits before he started sharing a little bit about their adoption story and how adoption has changed their lives forever.  Then, he switched to the songs from his new album "Beauty Will Rise" that is dedicated to his daughter that was killed in a tragic accident two years ago.  The album is his way of greiving and healing her loss.  You can imagine the emotion as he sang "Cinderella", "Out of these Ashes, Beauty will Rise", "God in the face of my little girl" and "I will trust You God."  There was not a dry eye in the auditorium!  After that, his beautiful wife, Mary Beth, came on stage to share their story of grieving, getting through and trying to heal after Maria's death.  The Chapman's have started a charity called "Show Hope" which is named after their first adopted daughter.  This charity raises money to provide scholarships to families who need financial help with their adoptions.  Now, they have just opened "Maria's Big House" (named after their daughter who was killed) in China which is a huge 3 story care facility for sick orphans...some of the children are terminally ill and some stay for a short while.  Wow...talk about inspiring!  What an amazing family that is so completely grounded in our Lord and Savior.  The name of their tour is "Spring is Coming" which is symbolic of them finally being able to move forward after the "Dark Winter" that they have just experienced.  I just recently finished reading Mary Beth's book which is titled, "Choosing to SEE."  I would highly recommend this book to anyone,  but especially anyone grieving the death of a child.  The book is very candid, filled with honest grieving and a hopeful future.  A big thank you needs to go out to my hubby who planned such a fabulous night for me!