From

Little Devils

to

Little Angels

in no time flat!

Luckily for them, they're cute enough to get away with it!


Peace.

Maria's Memorial Service ( as written by family friend, Jim Houser)

For those who couldn't be here, I thought I'd share a rundown, the best I can remember it as I was a bit emotional. It was a beautiful and moving celebration of this little girl's life. And in typical Chapman fashion... God was honored, the Gospel was presented, and... It went long. : )
Throughout the service, pictures of Maria were shown on screens above the platform. There were about 2000 people present and the program was just over 2 hours.

Michael W Smith provided a beautiful prelude and then sang "Still" to open the service. Then a prayer of invocation was offered, and a Pastor at Christ Community Church, the family's home church, Scotty Smith called us to worship with a congregation responsive reading of a portion of The Heidelberg Catechism and the question What is your only comfort in life and in death?
Matt Redman, who was in the airport in Atlanta preparing to fly back to his home in the UK when he heard the news of Maria's death, left the airport rather than board his flight and drove to Nashville to serve the family anyway he could. The Chapmans not knowing Matt was in the country had discussed him being a part and we're overwhelmed to hear he was able to be there.

Matt led worship along with Christy Nockels singing several songs including two that Redman has written out of his own loss and sorrows, "Blessed Be Your Name," and "You Never Let Go," as well as the hymn "It Is Well."
Then Matt explained that Steven and he had penned a song "Close To Your Heart" a few months ago for a close family friend of the Chapmans just after the loss of their child. Little did Steven know it would bring comfort to him and his own family on this day, as Matt shared it at Maria's service.

One of Shaohannah's Hope's orphan care partners in China, Robin Hill flew in for the service and he offered a prayer.

Then family and friends stood just feet away from Maria's tiny coffin and shared stories about the spunky, adorable little girl. A few here...

Family friend Karen sharing how Maria loved to wash dishes butt naked, and loved when her family "was altogether,"

The unpredictable Mary Beth with a few stories including how Maria loved her nicknames and running the sweet list down,

Family friend Melissa challenging us to live like Maria and love others like she did, not holding back!;

Caleb sharing how he had prayed for God to heal Maria after the accident, and how God did it in a way that he didn't like very much (taking her to heaven) but that he has never been more convinced that Jesus is real,

Miss Meagan, Maria's pre-school teacher, commenting on her love of art, drawing flowers, her classmates and her family,

Emily telling the story of how when she told Maria that Tanner had asked her to marry him that Maria asked her "whacha say?" and Emily went on to challenge us with the picture God gives of how the groom Jesus has asked his bride, us, to marry Him with a relationship through the cross, "whacha say?"

lastly, Steven sharing that Maria had professed Jesus as her Savior and those moments; as well as a moving story from him about how he had asked God to help him see that Maria was safe, and how God showed up. (I'll let him tell it soon)

Next, children in the service brought flowers to Maria's casket as SCC's best friend Geoff Moore sang "With Hope," a song Steven wrote 10 years ago for a family that lost a child, that same family the Mullicans are now walking he and Mary Beth through this now shared tragic experience.

Scotty Smith then took a few precious minutes to challenge us on the Gospel, that Maria's story is our story and we can be adopted into God's family and see Him and Maria at the end of our lives. (I'm not able to do Scotty's words justice)

Tammy Jensen then sang "Jesus I Am Resting, Resting," close family friends mentioned above the Mullicans prayed to close our time. And then the video of "Dishwashin Daddy and "Bellyflop" that has gone around the world was played.

Friends, it was such a difficult, yet sweet time. I urge you now to pray for this family. Be intentional. Set an alarm to go off on the 21st of every month, or anytime you see an SUV let it be a reminder, or whenever you hear a Steven song... whatever you feel is best. As someone who has experienced a difficult loss, some days ahead will be difficult for this family because the rest of the world moves on and forgets. It's very understandable of course. If you can though, remember to keep them in your prayers.

I too echo Caleb and his wise beyond his years comment, after having the privilege to walk with so many of their family and friends next to the Chapmans through this time, I have never been more convinced that Jesus is real, that the Gospel is true.

Despite this tragedy that could seem to contradict He is a good and sovereign God, we know the truth that is on the front of Maria's Memorial Service program!

That He has plans for us "plans for peace and not evil, to give you a future and a hope."

Posted at 09:27 PM in Chapman Family Permalink

Thursday's Treasure!

From Beth Moore's - Living Beyond Yourself- Exploring the Fruit of the Spirit


" Consider Abraham: He believed God and it
was credited to him as righteousness"-

Galatians 3:6


" Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit
of His Son into our hearts, the Spirit who
calls out, 'Abba, Father'".-

Galatians 4:6


I hope your day is a good one!


Peace.

Last Day of Camp!

M & A & B & C & D Lunch


A.C. & M Lunch


C & T


Me taking a picture of T taking a picture!
We will have LOTS of pictures.


Eating lunch at the store. Best burgers in town!
O & H & D & C & M & A & E & AB & L


K & T & Big Rick


Rob & T



Ropin' Lesson


Big girls looking on.


The Roping Instructor and his Sidekick.


He was really good with these kids.......


As you can plainly see.

We had a blast. It rained the first part of the morning and we
had to stay in doors.

After lunch the sun came out and Ricky yelled for a trail ride!

You have never seen little girls get on horses so fast!

On the way home I looked in the rear view mirror to see 12 of the
16 little girls -tired, dirty, and hungry-all talking about what they wanted to do
NEXT YEAR at Cowgirl Camp!

That is the reason we do it.

Good Stuff.

Peace.

Cowgirl Camp Day 2

M


B


M.C.


K



ME!

Cowgirl Camp Day 2

Group photo!


M


K & J & R ( I'm not sure where T is?)


A


R

Cowgirl Camp Day 2

Little M


M


R & T & R


What a crew!


Ma'am- Do you think you could pick out the perpetrator
in a line-up?



H


A.C.


H


A. Alabama


J giving a sortin' lesson.

Cowgirl Camp Day 2

Today was a great day. The girls learned to "team sort" cattle.


K...For the second time. I should really wear my glasses
when I do this!


A.B.


M


C



Captain Danger


Kids riding down the road to the pen! I was not happy about this,
but I was over-ruled!


Big Rick


D


O

Cowgirl Camp 2008

Great first day of camp. We had only a few minor mishaps.

The girls had a great time and the instructors had a better time.

Did I mention that 7 of our instructors are teenagers.

Some of the best kids you will ever meet.

They get out there in the sun and heat and help Rick with these kids.
Their only payment is that their lunch is free.
They do it because they love it, and because they love Rick.
To me -that's just cool.

Rob and T loaded their horses and their family to come and
spend 3 days helping out. That is friendship.

My brother -in-law had the day off from his medical practice.
Where is he? Out there on a horse.

All of this so that 17 little girls can spend a few days ropin' & ridin'.

At the end of Day 1, they were hot, tired, nasty and hungry and all they
could talk about, on the ride home ,was what they were doing tomorrow!

That makes it all worth it.

I posted a some pictures below

I wish all you guys lived closer.

Your kids would love it!

Peace.

Cowgirl Camp 2008

R & A & M


Captain Danger


R & H & L


D


O & L



C & E


Prayin' before Headin' Out

D


Big Rick


K & AC & B