Steve update ~ Surgery was 05/20/08

Thought I would put in a note here for those of you still praying for Steve. They are both hanging in! Praying you home, We love you both!

Wed. May 28,2008
365 feet, one step at a time. That's how many steps Coach was able to take last night. Any of you who know him well, know that he is NOT a quitter. He is quite the overachiever, in fact. So, last night was his first night on the 6th floor after surgery. I had been sleeping next to him on a cot every night prior to his surgery, so I figured once we returned to the 6th floor, it would be the same. Not quite. You see, he is still in a lot of pain. He can't sleep in one position for long. The nausea is unbearable at times, and his coumadin levels are high right now. Last night at one point, I leaned forward to help him, and he had gauze shoved up his nose because he was bleeding (they are working on the levels). His lasix intake is high, because they are still trying to get some of the water off of him. From the waist up, he looks like he has lost about 20 lbs. However, because of his split sternum, he needed help getting his legs into bed because he had to guard his torso. He was looking for me to help raise his legs up into bed in a nice smooth manner... didn't happen. He kind of gave me the "what happened" look.... I nicely explained that he was sportin' about 20 extra lbs. of water in those legs, and nothing was happenin' smoothly at this point. WE LAUGH A LOT THROUGH ALL OF THIS!! I left the hospital this morning, after about only an hour of sleep. I went to my brother-in-law's house to climb into the bed that I call "mine" for right now. My sister-in -law, Katie, has been so gracious through all of this. She brings me healthy food, and walks with me, and lets me talk about "stuff". Our devotions today, were from Romans 12:2 .".Let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think." Frankly, my attitude stunk this morning. It's on days like today, that I have to make a conscious effort to change my attitude. I am competitive, and I don't like it when I allow Satan to control my thoughts. So, I had to get out of "isolation" today... and enjoy the sunshine and some alone time with God. Our I.V. therapy nurse has become such a terrific friend. She has invited Steve and I up to her home for a "date night" once he is discharged. She said something profound to me today. She said... Monica... Steve's needs are great right now... he is NOT your patient... he is your Husband. Let us meet his needs here... you meet his needs emotionally and physically. Wow! why hadn't I thought of that? God brought "Suzie" to us about 3 days after we arrived in Spokane. She just returned from a mission trip in El Salvador. She is an angel. God just keeps bringing them to us. Through the nurses, through the doctor's, and through all of you. Thank you for standing in the gap for us on days like today, when, at times, we don't even have the strength to draw our swords. We love you.... and we continue with victory. Our blessings are abundant!Love, Mon

Shots and Rain!

Let the shots begin! So this is my daughter and I with the first set of shots before we can go. This was a grand thing not only because it feels like we are doing something but also because Savannah HATES needles!! I was so proud of her!! Tracy will get his from the VA office so that will save us a little money. Saubi is all current on her shots and even has the HepA already; I thought this was a good thing but she was not happy that everyone got a shot but her. Go figure! So we will have another shot next month and then again in about 5 months from now. This will put us about November and I am hoping to have some very excellent news by that time!! Oh please Lord!

AND it is raining in ET today! Thank you lord!! You are good, all the time; all the time you are good!!

We have some very wonderful friends that we are blessed with. Right Beverly and Landon (16 months) are visiting us for a couple of weeks; daddy is in Iraq again. So I just thought I would share a couple of pictures with you all. They are a blessing to have around!!

Compassion Article

Last November as I was to deliver the address at Compassion's first Leadership Development Program (LDP) graduation in Ethiopia, I remembered a tearful promise uttered from the depths of my broken heart.We were honoring 16 outstanding university graduates who were among the first Compassion-sponsored children there in 1993. As I watched these young adults speak with poise and confidence about their accomplishments and dreams, it was obvious that even though they had been born in poverty, poverty had not been born in them.For the graduation program, two Ethiopian leaders and I took part in a foot-washing ceremony as a charge to the graduates to follow Christ's example of servant leadership. It was expected that I would wash the feet of a male graduate. But as I walked onto the platform, I looked into the soft, dark eyes of a young woman graduate named Abaynesh and felt strongly compelled to kneel in front of her instead. Her eyes, filled with a calm dignity, were mysteriously familiar.Suddenly a flood of memories transported me back to 1985, the year Abaynesh was born. Ethiopia was suffering from a devastating famine.Communism ruled and the Ethiopian Church was enduring great persecution. Compassion's Child Sponsorship Program was not operating there at that time, but we did provide relief funds. Our president Wally Erickson sent me, his assistant, to Ethiopia to make sure the money was allocated as intended "in Jesus' name."I flew to a refugee camp in the country's Gamo-Gofa region. As I stepped off the small plane into this crowded tent city in the wilderness, I found myself face to face with the sadly familiar TV images of the emaciated masses. But now I met them as the brave individuals they were, hoveringon the brink of survival with as much dignity as possible. Having grownup in Africa myself as the son of missionaries, I had lost many boyhood friends to poverty's cruelties and I thought I knew poverty. But I had never experienced anything like this.My guide took me to a tent reserved for severely malnourished infants.Dozens of young mothers were sitting on the ground with babies in theirlaps who were too weak to cry. The mothers were skin and bones and their breasts had no milk for their little ones. But they were dipping their fingers into bowls of infant formula provided by the relief efforts and were patiently trying to force it, drop by drop, into the slack mouths of their starving children. I sat down in the dirt and joined a small circle. One frail mother, still a girl herself, handed me her baby girl. She must have thought I was a doctor or at least might somehow produce a miracle. Her daughter was slipping away and this was her last desperate grasp at hope.I took the child, limp as a doll, and held her. I too dipped my finger into the formula and placed a drop on her lips. Through a blur of tears I beggedher, "Please swallow, sweetheart. Please live." I watched in dismay as the nourishment — too little, too late — dribbled away. Then her half closed eyelids opened wide, clear and serene, and our eyes met. Her tiny,protruding ribs slowly rose, then fell, in a silent sigh. Then nothing more.Her head rolled slowly to the side … and she was gone. This precious little princess died in my arms.I will never forget that moment as long as I live. It galvanized God's callingon my life. I whispered to her, "I'm so sorry I couldn't save you." This was wrong! Through tears and clenched teeth I added, "I promise you, one day Compassion will come here." Deep sorrow enveloped that young mother as I gently handed back her lifeless baby. As she rocked her daughter's body, we cried together. When I left and the tent-flap door fell behind me,I could still hear her anguished weeping and it pierced my heart.Eight years later, during my first year as Compassion's president,Ethiopia's Communist government collapsed. After 17 long years the persecution ended and the Church of Ethiopia sent the message: "Comequickly now. We are free. Our children need Compassion." It was my first decision as president and an easy one to make. After all, I had alreadymade it years ago in my promise to a dying princess.So on this special graduation day, as I knelt with towel and basin before another Ethiopian princess — one who had grown and thrived because of her caring Compassion sponsor — I remembered where I had seen those noble eyes before. Abaynesh could have been that sweet infant girl who had died in my arms 23 years ago; that little baby could have grown up tobe like Abaynesh, a Compassion LDP graduate with a bright future. And while I had the profound privilege of washing Abaynesh's feet that day, in my heart I was also washing the feet of that tragically lost baby girl, and I could have filled the basin with my tears.Today Ethiopia is beginning to prosper and the Church is strong. I am so grateful to God for enabling us to keep that promise made long ago and to our Compassion sponsors who are enabling more than 65,000 Ethiopian children to be rescued and released from poverty in Jesus' name.

Maria Sue Chapman

May 22, 2008
Maria Sue Chapman (2003-2008)
Maria Sue Chapman, adopted and youngest daughter to Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman, was killed Wednesday night in a tragic accident in the family driveway on Wednesday evening. She was LifeFlighted to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital but for only reasons God can explain she went home to Him... not to Franklin as we all so desperately wanted.
Your prayers are needed for all in the Chapman family. This is a family who has so generously loved and given to so many. Just hours before this close knit family was celebrating the engagement of the oldest daughter Emily Chapman, and were just hours away from a graduation party marking Caleb Chapman's completion of high school. Now, they are preparing to bury a child who blew out 5 candles on a birthday cake less than 10 days ago. These words are unthinkable to type. - Jim Houser (Manager)
Meet Maria
For those who never had the chance to meet this special little girl, we invite you to get a glimpse through this "goofy" blog video shot with her Daddy just two months ago. It’s a wonderful recording to help us remember Maria. We miss you so badly already. We'll see you soon Maria.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn8ajucsXr8

This is so heartbreaking! I can not imagine what they are going thru! Lord, please hold them in your hands right now, ever so close to your heart! Help us all to remember to dance!
Steven Curtis Chapman Cinderella Music Video & story

Praying for Rain ... and Reign

Poor rainfall in rainy seasons = less water for hydroelectric power & less water for crops = lack of food = famine conditions
Rising cost of food production (due to factors such as: environmental changes, poor rainfall, and crops being used for fuel or livestock) = less aid for the same cost = less food distributed to areas of need = famine conditions
Rising costs for food & fuel = economic downturn in developed countries = less giving to aid organizations = less aid provided to those in need

There are many things running slow right now because of lack of electricity, which comes from lack of water. Please continue to pray with us that Ethiopia will receive the much needed rain.

I also wanted to share with you this wonderful picture of Africa with the little hands on Ethiopia - we are waiting and praying!

Happy Anniversary Honey ...

13 YEARS!!! I love you so much! I can't believe it has been years when I am so in love with you today it seems as if it was yesterday! Kids, jobs, friends and even a few "intense fellowship" moments but you are my one and only babe, always! I pray we will grow more in love as we get gray hair and become that "old" couple out walking while holding hands. Thanks for sharing in this grand adventure we call life, I wouldn't want it any other way!

Birthdays ... What is in a number?

Hmmmm.......35. Well, Thursday was my birthday and I don't feel older today. My very special friend took me to breakfast at a place that we love and can just sit and talk for awhile. We all had dinner with my parents at my favorite Mexican food restaurant and ended with mocha with my husband! It was a pretty good day!

And, well about 35 is where we are in line. (Oh, that sounds so, so I don't know) I actually think we may be a couple less than that but trying to stay on the conservative side. That does not mean that we will ACTUALLY get our referral after number 34 because of some wanting only girls or only boys or toddler children so you get the jist. We are still waiting! :):)

An update with Steve is that he will be having a pump put in on Tuesday morning that will hopefully help and get his body to where they want it to be able to be a recipient. Tracy will be flying up on Monday night to be with Monica and returning home Wednesday morning if all is well. Thank you for your prayers and keep 'em coming!

Well, I'm off to finish some household chores. (I was outside all day yesterday and have a sunburn to prove it, so in the house today)!