Right before she jumped......

HI!

I have had a lot of time on my hands since Wednesday afternoon.  My surgery went well, and I am still in the post recovery phase.  Monday, my packing will be removed, and I will hopefully be a happy breather and sleeper again.  I had visions of this being the first time I have been able to lay around and catch up on a year of no sleep, but that has not exactly happened.  I dis-counted that not being able to breathe for a few days would hinder that.  I don't mind sharing that I had a severe Deviated Septum repaired.  Something I have needed to do for a while.  Thankfully, my parents were here to help with the girls, and the house.  Thank you Mom & Dad.  You probably never thought you would be spending your 55th wedding anniversary doing the mundane around here!  You have blessed me, and I am very thankful!!!!  Hopefully next summer you can visit and have a real vacation!

Let's start with The Chapman's.    I did not think I could respect this family anymore than I already do until I saw them all interviewed.  These were real people, dealing with real grief!

But, if you saw it, you know they are dealing with it through faith.  How else could you face a new day?  I was most impressed with their oldest kids.  Emily, Caleb, & Will.  They are the types of children I hope my girls will grow up to be.  Honest, respectful, loving and bold about their faith.  Through it all this family has stuck together.  No blame, just real raw sadness.  And, lots of questions too.  I relate to MaryBeth in so many ways.  But, what I love most is that at the heart of it all, she is a Mom who loves her kids, just like I do!  I hope they go back to China again!  What a blessing that will be!

If you watched Larry King, you will understand my next statement...  I was frustrated!  He clearly was uncomfortable during the interview.  He called Maria, Mary twice, and then he seemed twitchy when they talked about how they have leaned on God to get them through this tragedy.  But, I have learned later (see link below) that he was blown away by their faith.  He honestly told them, he wishes he could be more like them.  And, I smiled when I heard that Steven told him, if Billy Graham is praying for you, watch out!!  If you have time, watch this feed from CNN.  It is Larry's re-cap of the night.  His life was clearly touched by this family...  You can read about it and see his live remarks here! (Jim updates Marybeth's site almost daily.)

I have saved Mary Beth Chapman's Blog to my list of favorites and I check it often.  Their manager Jim Houser, has done an amazing job of posting daily about this special family.  It is clear that Jim loved Maria too.

Today they they are releasing a press release that announces that the Chapman family will be appearing on Good Morning America on Wednesday, August 6th, Larry King Live on August 7th and in People Magazine in the upcoming issue.  They are also releasing a new single "Yours" with an additional verse that goes like this:

"I've walked the valley of death's shadow

So deep & dark that I could barely breathe

I've had to let go of more than I could bear

And questioned everything that I believe

But still even here

in this great darkness

A comfort and hope come breaking through

As I can say in life or death

God we belong to you."  

(Your will be available tomorrow via digital service providers including iTunes.)

*ALL royalties from this single will be going to Shoahannah's Hope who as you know is an organization whose goal is to help families reduce the financial barrier of adoption!

I hope you will tune in or set your DVR's to tape GMA on Wednesday, and  LKL on Thursday!  I know you can all buy People!  This family has done so much for so many!  I promise you will be blessed if you tune in!

Blessings,

Diana