I have a lot of catching up to do...

I have a lot of catching up to do...

My in box has over 10,000 emails. About 80% are spam. Which means about 2,000 that are worth reading. As I was sorting through them today an email came through that was sent the day we were in court in Tbilisi. It was to inform me about Steven Curtis Chapman's daughter's tragic death. I couldn't believe that he lost little Maria. Such a sweet little girl. Such a heartbreaking accident.

For those who aren't familiar with his work put your sound on. Mr. Chapman has written several songs which have inspired countless parents to adopt both internationally as well as domestically. We were introduced to his music when we attended our first agency's international orientation meeting some 3 years ago. The majority of adoption blogs feature at least one of his songs as they really do hit come.

"When Love Takes You In" is a personal favorite.

Please turn your sound on.. say a little prayer for the Chapman family .. if your not the religious type send happy thoughts their way. ;o) ok?

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Below is a comment I left on Mr. Chapman's personal blog... yes I do leave comments on others blogs. Although he hasn't posted since the tragedy (understandably) I'm sure at some point he will return and see my comment. Perhaps it will put a smile on his face for a moment to know he indirectly has helped us find Tamara.

"I have over 10,000 emails in my inbox that I'm sorting through and I just found out about your daughter's tragic accident. When it happen we were in The Republic of Georgia adopting our 3 year old baby girl and I'm still trying to catch up. We actually met our daughter the day Maria passed. Kind of strange? Even stranger Maria and I share a Birthday 5/13. Anyway.. I just had to chime in and tell you that our thoughts and prayers are with your family. And Thank You for the work you do to help the orphans around the world. Even though your primary focus seems to be China.. you helped to bring our baby home as well. Through your inspirational adoption / child related music you gave me strength to see our 3 year journey through. Can not Thank You enough!!!Wishing you and yours only the best always,

Lee "

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This is the attachment I received. An article worth reading as it will remind us all of how fragile our lives truly are.

Little Maria is sitting in Steven's lap. One of 3 little girls the Chapman's adopted from China.

NASHVILLE, Tennessee (AP) -- The 5-year-old daughter of Grammy-winning Christian music star Steven Curtis Chapman was struck and killed Wednesday by a sport utility vehicle driven by her brother, authorities said.


The girl, Maria Sue, was hit in the driveway of the family's home Wednesday afternoon by a Toyota Land Cruiser driven by her teenage brother, said Laura McPherson, a spokeswoman for the Tennessee Highway Patrol.
The brother, whose name and exact age weren't available, apparently did not see the girl, McPherson said. No charges are expected.
"It looks like a tragic accident," she said.
Several family members witnessed the accident, which happened in Williamson County just south of Nashville. The girl died later at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, hospital spokeswoman Laurie Holloway said.
In a statement, Velvet Kelm, a publicist for Chapman, said Maria was the Chapmans' youngest daughter.

Chapman, who is originally from Paducah, Ky., and his wife have promoted international adoption and have three daughters from China, including Maria. They also have three biological children.
The singer's Web site says the couple was persuaded by their oldest daughter to adopt a girl from China. The experience led the family to adopt two more children and create Shaohannah's Hope, a foundation and ministry to financially assist thousands of couples in adoption.
The Chapmans did missionary work at Chinese orphanages in 2006 and 2007, according to the Web site.
"After our first trip to China, my wife and I knew our lives were changing -- our eyes and hearts were opening to how big God really is, and we have wanted to experience more of that," Chapman says on the Web site.
"We've really wondered whether or not we should just go to China and stay there. But I don't think so. I believe God is saying, 'I want you to go, get your heart broken, your eyes opened, and then take this story back to the church in America and around the world."'
The 45-year-old singer also has released a book about being a father titled "Cinderella: The Love of Daddy and his Princess." He has won five Grammy awards and 54 Dove awards from the Gospel Music Association, according to Kelm.

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10,000 emails to sort through.. no kidding. As I struggle to get through them in my spare time.. which usually means late night or early morning with an occasional nap time thrown in. She's only 3... you wouldn't think she would demand so much attention. lol. But she does and we're happy to oblige. Tamara is doing very well. And these are the days to cherish... so we are. Every moment, hour , day is very special and unique.

But...I have a lot of catching up to do... ;o)

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Did you put your sound on?

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