By Steve

In Memory Of:


It was several years ago at a Steven Curtis Chapman concert that I first sensed that one day I would adopt a child. Steven and his wife had recently adopted their first child from China, and they told their story during the concert.


Now, years later, they have adopted 3 children and have established a ministry called, shaohannahshope.org to help financially support others in their adoption pursuit.

Sadly, tragedy struck their family yesterday. At approximately 5pm on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 21st, Maria Sue Chapman, 5 years old and the youngest daughter to Steven and Mary Beth Chapman, was struck in the driveway of the Chapman home in Franklin, TN. Maria was rushed to Vanderbilt Childrens Hospital in Nashville, transported by LifeFlight, but died of her injuries there. Maria is one of the close knit family’s six children and one of their three adopted daughters.

Meet Maria

It was on this same day, yesterday, that Ali and I learned that we indeed can move forward in our adoption of Perez from Uganda. We are thrilled by the news, but I find it ironic that the man who first most influenced me to adopt loses a child the same day I learn that I may gain one.

Today, my thoughts are not on Perez, my heart is grieving for the loss of Maria and the hurt in the Chapman family.