Steven Curtis Chapman concert

On Thur., Matthew and I drove to Franklin, NC, where Matthew's uncle and aunt, Charlie and Lynn, and his cousin, Scott, and his wife, Sarah, live. Scott runs a performing arts center and Steven Curtis Chapman was scheduled to perform a concert Thur. night, so we made the drive to attend the concert.

Sarah invited us to eat dinner w/her and her friends at The Broiler Room, a restaurant next to the performing arts center. While we were eating, Steven, his road manager, David Trask, and some others, came in to eat in a private room. After we'd gotten our food, Steven came out to meet those of us at Sarah's table.

In order for you to completely understand what meeting him meant to us, you could read the beginning post of this blog....it explains a little about how the Chapman family has influenced ours (especially with adoption)...starting with me. Briefly, I have owned every one of his albums, starting in 1987 with "Real Life Conversations". It was one of my very first Christian casette tapes. The only album I don't have was his first one. I have seen him in concert a few times, but have never had the opportunity to meet him personally.

So, when he came to the table, Matthew had gone out to the car to get a picture of Emma, for us to show Sarah. He came back in and Steven was shaking my hand. It's hard to remember exactly what I said to him, but we thanked him for our Show Hope grants for both girls. It was very emotional. He asked what province Emma was from and we told him. To see this man, who himself has experienced the loss of his youngest child in very tragic way, be so gracious and kind, was amazing.

I am so thankful he listened to God and has continued singing. I cannot even begin to imagine how difficult it must be to take the stage and sing and talk about Maria. They have an amazing family and God is using them to change the face of the orphan crisis. His sons are incredibly talented as well. To see Will whaling away at the drums, in spite of all he has been through, is a miracle...what a worshipful experience. I feel so blessed that we were able to be there. Scott and Sarah got us front row tickets, so we were 'right there'.

Just before the concert started, Sarah came down and gave Matthew and I each a bracelet. She said Steven wanted to give them to us. They are from China. We will wear them proudly and with great honor. We look forward to seeing the Chapman family in Nov. in Birmingham. Maybe we will have the chance to meet all of them.

Thank-you, Scott and Sarah, for giving us this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.