HOPE

Friday evening we had the privilege

of once again serving at a

Steven Curtis Chapman concert

for the ministry of Show Hope.

We will forever be grateful to the

Chapman family and Show Hope

for their part in bringing Gracie home.

The grant we received was a blessing

we were humbled to receive, so chances

like this, to give back to this ministry

are such a treasure!

I know where I am as a mom right now

is "my place" in God's plan for me,

but I have to say when we are around

those with a huge heart for the orphan,

my heart beats at an incredibly passionate pace.

The best part?...We as a family are all

experiencing this passionate heart beat -

For adoption and China as well.

We can't wait to see what God has for our future.

We were able to spend a good part of the

evening with the Chapman's daughter-in-law.

The humility of the family and their focus

of giving a voice to the "least of these"

is incredible. They are also so gracefully

"stewarding" (as Mary Beth put it)

their testimony of walking through grief

and clinging to Hope in Jesus.

God's hand is clearly on all of them

as they share their talents and story.

Last summer they were able to officially

open Maria's Big House of Hope

(named in memory of their beautiful daughter)

located in the Henan province of China.

This is a home dedicated to special needs

orphans, and is a beautiful facility filled

with love and the presence of Jesus.

The little ones there are not only well cared for,

but are also receiving medical care needed to

make them eligible for adoption!

Geoff Moore (musician & adoptive dad)

shared that the government of China has

recognized the work being done there,

and has asked the ministry of Show Hope

to take over the special needs floor of every

state run orphanage in that province...

unbelievable

the favor of God

He went on the share that if a family

is able to visit the orphanage in China where

their child was kept, the special needs

floor is usually off limits.

That was our Gracie.

Thank you God.

The packets that were being distributed

have a picture on the front of a child who

had been adopted with the help of a

Show Hope grant. As we were setting

up, Ali said "There's_____!"

(a friend from school who was adopted

from China when she was 12!)

To add to that "coincidence", her friend

ended up coming to the concert!

(goosebumps)

She was able to meet the Chapman family,

& they were all blown away by God's

fingerprints all over this encounter!

so cool!

Would you prayerfully consider

becoming a sponsor

with this amazing ministry?

Gracie's new "fwiend"

(At one point, they had a crowd gathered

as they were dancing away in the lobby

to the background music of Caleb Chapman!)

The girls w/ Julia

Ali had the honor of going back with her friend to meet Steven!