One last post for today.....

Steven Curtis Chapman has long been a favorite artist of mine....because of his heartfelt, spiritual, biblically based lyrics. We've followed their family for years now, and our adoption of Jing-Jing was sparked by hearing him and Mary Beth speak in Aug. 2003 at a Family Life one-day marriage seminar in Baltimore, MD. At that time they had adopted Shoaey in 2001 and just brought Stevey Joy home. Learning of Maria's death in May of 2008 was heart-wrenching for me. I cried for days, weeks....God used it to speak to me about what was I doing to help the orphan crisis....was I just content and thought I'd done my part by adopting one???

The Lord truly spoke to me through several things and lots has happened since the summer of 2008...mainly I began to pray about a church adoption ministry, and the possibility of adopting a second child....knowing Matthew was adamantly opposed to it! BTW, my dream job would be to work for Show Hope, AWAA, or any adoption-related ministry. That's a side note...at any rate, that summer, I sensed Him calling me to a greater level of obedience in this area...it scared me and was exciting all at the same time.

Fast-forward to July 9th, 2010.....we returned late July 8th from the beach. Matthew took the girls to Pt. Mallard that morning and I headed off to another job interview. As I was driving to the interview, I noticed mail in the mailbox. Normally, I would have driven off and gotten it later (which Matthew did that morning), but I stopped to see what was there.

A few 'junk' pieces and a letter from Show Hope. We'd applied for a grant back in March. They gave us a grant for Jing-Jing....so we weren't sure if we'd receive another one or not. And when I saw that envelope I figured it was a response about our grant application. They so graciously awarded us another grant!!!!!! Thank-You, Jesus!!! I wanted to fall into a heap in the car, but had to hold it together b/c of my interview.

My mind immediately went back to May 10th and my run when I was praying and pleading with God. I knew He was saying, remember My promise. I am taking care of you all and Emma....have faith.

So, what does that have to do with you??? If at all possible, please begin supporting, or continue supporting Steven C. Chapman and his ministry....his concerts, CDs, Mary Beth's new book, his sons music careers, the Show Hope ministry, etc. God has used that family, in the midst of unthinkable tragedy, which many times rips families apart, to further the Gospel through the miracle of adoption.

How are you praying for God to radically show up in your life?? He wants to....just ask Him!