Choosing to SEE: A Journey of Struggle and Hope

This book tells the story of the Steven Curtis and Mary Beth Chapman family and chronicles how they have coped with the death of their daughter. Chapman is a Christian singer, and although I had heard of him, I had not previously listened to his music. I found this book moving and inspiring.

An uplifting, though sad, inspirational journey through the pain of losing a child and the healing that begins with faith.

This book is a myriad of emotions. You will laugh, you will scream, you will cry, and you will feel hope blossom inside of you. Mary Beth gives you a tour of her life in a way that anyone can relate to. She goes from the early part of her life as an awkward, self-conscious teenager, to meeting

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Steven Curtis Chapman, to their marriage, growing family, life struggles, heartache, and finally, the adoption of their three Chinese daughters. This is a well-rounded, well-written story of hope in the midst of life's tragedies.

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Great inspirational book, specially for those who grieve the lost of a love one.

Mary Beth Chapman shares about her struggles--with depression, with the road that led their family to adoption, and with the road of grief that followed them after the death of her daughter Maria. Her honesty gives the reader a lot of insight into her families struggles and what they are passionate

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about. It is very inspiring to see how her relationship with God has been her source of strength through it all, and to see how others have also helped along the way. The stories shared will bring tears, but some will also bring laughter, and many f them encouraged my heart. Fans of Steven Curtis Chapman's music will definitely love it, but anyone who enjoys reading memoirs written by people of faith will enjoy this read. Just be sure to have a few tissues handy.

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This was an excellent book. Mary Beth takes you into her life and her heart. I laughed and cried with her.

Mary Beth Chapman is the wife of Christian singer Steven Curtis Chapman. The book begins with her marriage at 19 to 21-year-old Steven and continues through the early years of their marriage--the beginning of Steven's career as a singer and the ultimate birth of three children. Mary Beth also

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frankly discusses her problems with depression, especially during Steven's early tours, and the fact that she takes anti-depressants. I found that brave because many Christians can be judgmental about mental health issues. At some point Mary Beth and her eldest daughter take a Compassion International trip to Haiti, where Emily's heart is turned toward the plight of orphans. She begins to urge her parents to adopt a child. Ultimately they do decide to adopt a baby girl from China. They are so touched by the situation of the orphans that they urge their friends and others to adopt as well, and several in their circle of friends and family do. The Chapmans go on to adopt two more daughters from China, completing their family with six children. Then one day tragedy strikes when their son Will Franklin hits their 5-year-old daughter Maria with his car in their driveway (NOT a spoiler since this is on the dust jacket). The remainder, and point, of the book is the family, especially Mary Beth, dealing with the grief caused by Maria's death. Mary Beth frankly deals with the fact that in the depth of her sorrow she has questions about why God would allow such a tragedy to happen, but continues to choose to SEE that she has a future with Maria in heaven, that there is a purpose and plan that can't be comprehended, and that while she won't get over the tragedy, she and her family will get through it. She also has to deal not only with the death of her daughter, but also her concern over her son and his guilt, and the fact that the oldest adopted daughter witnessed the accident. The Chapmans have a strong faith that holds them together, and friends and family who share that faith and pull together. They also wisely seek counseling for everyone. The aftermath takes the family members in different directions, but they channel their grief into projects that benefit others and allow them to share their faith.

I enjoyed this book because Mary Beth doesn't hesitate to voice her doubts and questions to God. She doesn't pretend that all is well because she believes in an eternal future with her lost child. She spends day in tears and despair. And yet despite her agony, that doesn't really abate, she is able to hang on to her faith and choose to SEE what God can do and how he meets her needs from day to day. This book was heartbreaking, but inspirational.

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