NESP Forum

Steven Curtis Chapman is one of my favorite Christian/Inspirational artists. I was shocked and saddened when I heard the news about his adopted 5 year old daughter, Maria, was killed in an accident when she was accidently hit in the driveway of her home by a car driven by her teenaged brother. He apparently didn't see her. Steven and his wife, Mary Beth, have 3 older children and 2 adopted girls from China. Maria was their third and most recently adopted daughter.

From his website, http://www.stevencurtischapman.com ---

Last night Maria Sue Chapman, adopted and youngest daughter of Mary Beth & Steven Curtis Chapman, was killed in a tragic accident in the family driveway. She was LifeFlighted to Vanderbilt Children's Hospital but for only reasons God can explain she went home to Him... not back to Franklin as we all so desperately wanted.

We are all humbled by the incredible outpouring of love and support at this difficult time. I have watched you, the Chapman friends, overwhelm website servers and jam phone lines with your gracious words and heartfelt prayers. The Chapman family is so grateful. Obviously, we cherish your prayers for all in the Chapman family, and we welcome you passing this along to others to pray and encouraging them to sign up for Steven's e-mail list to receive continuing updates.

In closing, as many of you know, the song "Cinderella" was written by Steven to help him (and us all) grab a hold of the special moments with those we love we might otherwise rush by. It was inspired by a bath time that Steven tried to "hurry," Maria and her sister Stevey Joy were not exactly cooperating. : ) Let us all be reminded again today what Steven compels us to with the lyric of this special song.

Maria, we already miss you so much, and we only take comfort in The Hope that assures us we'll see you again soon.


On behalf of the Chapman team and family, Jim Houser (Manager)


Here's a link to his song, "Cinderella"--it is a beautiful song with a beautiful message. My husband, who is not easily moved, was really floored when he heard the news of Maria's death. He listened to this lyric and cried.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUk5SZ18WhY

Here are the lyrics---

She spins and she sways to whatever song plays,
Without a care in the world.
And I'm sittin' here wearin' the weight of the world on my shoulders.
It's been a long day and there's still work to do,
She's pulling at me saying "Dad I need you!
There's a ball at the castle and I've been invited and I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I'd approve of a dress
She says "Dad, the prom is just one week away,
And I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy, please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone
She will be gone.

Well, she came home today
With a ring on her hand
Just glowin' and tellin' us all they had planned
She says "Dad, the wedding's due six months away
And I need to practice my dancin'"
"Oh please, daddy please!"

So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Ohh-oh ohh-oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't wanna miss even one song,
(even one song)
Cuz all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

This is a link to Steven discussing the inspiration for the song and an acoustic version that Im sure you will enjoy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4B1XM9jWiLI

Please visit his website to see a picture of the family. and, if you wish, express your condolences. Im sure you will agree this news is tragic.

My prayers are with this very special family today.

Kimberly, this is unbelievable heartbreaking What a beautiful
song. This family sounds incredibly strong in the face of such tragedy. Sending along some prayers for strength for them to cope.

Steven Curtis Chapman and his family were making the rounds on TV interview shows, telling about the day their daughter, Maria Sue, was accidently killed and how they are coping with the grief and loss. I have found their story to be tragic, but also filled with faith. It is a testament to them as a family and also a lesson for all of us to share.

Theirs is a message of hope and I think they are very brave to be sharing it with the public. Maria Sue was killed in May, so we're only talking about a few months that have passed. Steven Curtis is still touring too, as this happened in the middle of his gig. His sons, Caleb and Will Franklin, are still joining him with the tour. Of course, SCC never thought he could go back to music after this tragedy, but God showed him that his music and ministry will sustain him and ultimately, heal him.

The Chapmans are one amazing family.
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Steven Curtis Chapman, family hopeful amidst ongoing grief
Allie Martin - OneNewsNow - 8/16/2008

In May, five-year-old Maria Sue Chapman was killed in an accident outside the Chapman's home in Franklin, Tennessee. Recently, the Chapman family has appeared on various national television networks, discussing the tragedy and explaining how God's grace and promises are never failing.

During an interview segment on ABC's Good Morning America, Mary Beth Chapman talked of her feelings in the days and months after the accident.

"I've said, you know, somewhat coldly, 'I don't care whose lives are touched by this story, and whose lives are changed, or what good comes of it.' The heart of a mom [is that] I want Maria back, and that's what I want people know – I want Maria back," Mary Beth shares. "But, because I know that she is completely whole – because of my faith, I know that she's completely whole and completely okay, and I'm going to see her again. As a mom, I have to shift that grief to go [to]...Emily, who's getting married, and her fiancé Tanner, and Caleb and his girlfriend Julia, and Will Franklin – he's my baby boy – and then Shaoey and Stevey. And my grief gets shifted to making sure they're as whole and healthy as they can be."

Seventeen-year-old Will Chapman was driving the SUV that accidentally hit his sister. He says the support from his family has been crucial. "I've gotten a stronger faith through all this, but then there's [sic] those days that just hit you and you're like, 'Oh man, this is just awful.' You have just got to continue to choose to live, and that's the faith that continues to keep me going," he explains.

And Steven Curtis Chapman says while the family has questions, they are trusting God and are amazed at the outpouring of support from fans and friends worldwide.

"We've talked a lot, and you will hear all of us talk about the process of grieving with hope," Chapman contends. "[F]or us, that's what has kept us breathing, kept us alive...that while we are grieving this process, there is a hope that we have, that we're anchored to in the midst of just what sometimes seems unbearable."

In fact, a special needs healing home will be named in memory of Maria Sue. Shaohanna's Hope, the adoption and orphan care ministry founded by the Chapman family, is naming the healing home "Maria's Big House of Hope." It is located in Luoyang, China, and will be used to treat orphans with medical impairments. The building is expected to be completed in October
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If anyone is interested, go to YouTube and type "Steven Curtis Chapman" in the search box. You can find the interview from GMA and also the hour long interview on Larry King Live (it is uploaded in 6 parts.) I would have brought the links here, but I do not know how to embed it.

Im sharing this info with everyone because their story is so inspiring. Not to mention that SCC is one of my favorite artists.

I love the idea of a healing home in Maria's memory Their
faith is amazingly strong