Kevin and I went to see Andrew Peterson’s ‘Behold The Lamb of God‘ concert last Tuesday- the same day we found out our adoption application had been approved.
Have you seen it? It’s so good! I took my mom to it a couple of years ago while Kevin was out of town, and I’ve been determined to take him to it ever since.
It turned out to be an extra fun night because Caleb Chapman was filling in for another musician that couldn’t make it to the show that night.
He and his family are a super inspiring bunch, and we really enjoyed hearing him play and sing, and learning more about the organization his family founded.
It’s called Show Hope and it was created by Caleb’s mom and dad (Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman) in 2003. Show Hope provides orphan care to children, and adoption aid to couples hoping to adopt. Totally, totally awesome peeps, doing totally, totally awesome things!
And speaking of couples hoping to adopt- we’ve (spontaneously) skipped town for a very special adoption-related trip this week! I don’t want to forget any part of it, so I’m going to share it all here on our blog over the next few days. I should probably back track a bit though first.
Kev left the Behold the Lamb concert reeeeally, really inspired. So much so, that when we got home that night, he marched right upstairs to his music room and proceeded to write the most beautiful song to our future child. I’m talkin’- MAJOR waterworks, y’all. Sweet, sweet words from a hopeful daddy to his little love.
A couple of days later, Kevin wound up talking to an amazing producer friend of his, Chuck, who owns a wildly popular (a.k.a- booked up like crazy) studio in Canton, Michigan. He was telling him about the song, when Chuck said, “I’ve got 3 open days next week. If you can get up here, I’ll record the song for free.” Well, as you can imagine, we were completely over-the-moon excited about the opportunity, but we didn’t know if we’d be able to swing it because we weren’t sure if our regular house/pet-sitter would be able/want to come over and stay so last minute. I quickly texted her and we were so excited when she texted back and said YES! (Thanks again, Alicia! You’re the best!) Soooo, we jumped in the car on Tuesday morning and told our GPS to get us to Canton, Michigan!
And look who we met up with along the way:
Caleb and Julia Chapman!
Long story short- I ended up “meeting” Julia on Twitter the night of the Behold the Lamb concert (turns out Julia is a regular reader of our blog. Hi Julia!), and we were so pumped they were okay with posing for a silly adoption song road trip photo able to meet up with us for a quick visit on our way to Michigan!
After Tennessee, we wound our way through Kentucky and then called it a night in Lima, Ohio- which I thought was kinda crazy because we just got back from Lima, Peru! (Note: turns out the one in Ohio is actually pronounced “L-eye-ma”, but I still thought it was a pretty neat ka-winky-dink. And who knew Lima, Ohio is where the TV show “Glee” is supposed to be based! #FunFact)
We arrived in Canton around noon yesterday, and Kevin and the guys at the studio allowed me to take another goofy adoption song roadtrip photo went straight to work.
I don’t want to get in their way too much while they’re working though, so I’ve mainly been out-and-about exploring Canton while they’ve been recording. I am going to swing by and video Kevin singing and playing guitar a little today, and I look forward to sharing some of that here in my next post.
Erika
Such a cool idea! I can’t wait to follow your journey to parenthood! 🙂
jessica@fourgenerationsoneroof
So exciting Layla! I love how you just jumped in the car and went. Now that is the way to go 🙂 Good luck and looking forward to purchasing your adoption song 😉
Susan @ Afford Your Passions
Having a child is the most amazing experience in the world, and I know that you and Kevin are going to be wonderful parents – I would love to contribute to your fund – after the death of 4 year old daughter, my husband and I considered adopting a child, but didn’t pursue it, and instead accepted the genetic risks of having our own baby. I hope the adoption process proceeds smoothly (and quickly!) for you – I can’t wait to meet baby Palmer!
My thoughts are with the two of you as you travel down this road!
BornInaZoo
Gasp! The best part of Michigan is missing from your prop … the Upper Peninsula.
Sandra
Poor UP. All these other Michiganders posting and no other mentions of the missing UP!
Enjoy your stay in Canton. There’s one of everything there, it seems. 🙂
shaunna
Love to y’all. Praying for such a fun trip and a beautiful journey to meeting your little one.
xoxo,
shaunna
Robbin
What inspiration Kevin must have received! Lots of God Moments opening doors. Can’t wait to download the song. You continue to be in my prayers. 2013 will be the best!
Flower Patch Farmgirl
Eeeeeeeeeeeeek! I’ve been curious about the story behind the song.
You were right about a crazy blizzard coming through tomorrow. Sheesh. TT you soon.
xo
Mindy
Oh, this is all just the best ever! I can’t wait to hear (and download) the song. God is amazing how He brings things together in His perfect timing. Love what the Chapman family is doing to bring so many little ones into their forever families. Fans of theirs and yours : )
Kristin S
Now I’m all weepy and I’m not even you!
Karen E.
A song inspired by the Holy Spirit! Just the best!
DLG in Mich
What? You’re here in Michigan? Neat! I’m about 30 minutes away from Canton and agree with the others that you should check out downtown Plymouth or Northville. If you end up having a Michigan meet-up while you’re in town, let us know!
Mary
We are in the midst of our 2nd adoption from China and just the THOUGHT of a sweet adoption song is enough to get me teary. I can’t wait to hear it!
Lisa W.
OMG you are litterally ONE hour from my house. I live in lower Michigan…I am giddy with excitement. I SO wish I could meet you!!! Love this blog, LOVE following your journey with adoption. I hope your enjoying Michigan. Love to have you stop for a visit on your way back through. Hoping you visit Ikea (you may have been their a zillion times…lol) It is the ONLY one in my vacinity. AND Home Goods, a really REALLY yummy store. AND if your into scrapbooking Archiver’s in Novi is the BEST!!! Enjoy, and be safe!
jennifer rizzo
what an awesome thing!! a GOD thing, It’s funny how it all works out when it is supposed to. The song will be amazing!!!
Ellen S
Well Hi! Welcome to Canton! Hope you enjoy your stay. I’ll try to whip up some snow but it looks like we might only have rain!
Beth
Beautiful story. The journey will be a wonderful story for your little one…who is the destination. God bless you guys! I’m so inspired by you!
kelly johnson
AWESOME!! We saw the Behold the Lamb Concert last Friday, and Caleb was there….AND so was our 3 week old daughter adopted in part from a Show Hope grant!!! We sure LOVE Show Hope and the Chapmans and the Kingdom work they do.
If you wanna read her crazy AWESOME full-of-God story its here: http://www.notalltogether.com/harpers-birth-story
Excited to hear YOUR story as it unfolds.
Jen (Balancing Beauty and Bedlam)
YAY!! Doing cartwheels, back flips and over the moon hugs to you all. (But now I am sore because you know of anyone I am not in good enough shape to be doing those. ;)) XOXOXXO !!!!!!! SO EXCITED!
Betsy
God bless you and keep you as he guides you to the child that will complete your family. What an exciting year you have ahead of you. Praying for you, the child to be and all those who will help you complete the process. The Merriest of Christmases to you and Kevin…..God is good!
Erin @ Rare & Beautiful Treasures
WONDERFUL!! I am so happy for you and in awe of His goodness. Merry Christmas, Lay.
Krystle @ Color Transformed Family
So excited for y’all. I have been giving my husband play by play Instagram updates in y’all’s road trip. I can’t wait to download it. Awesome fundraiser idea
Sarah
Aw Yea! Hope you’re having fun in Canton! I live in Ann Arbor & used to live in Plymouth (one town north of Canton). We’re actually heading to Canton tomorrow evening to look at a condo to hopefully start renting in Feb 🙂 If you have time, go up to visit Plymouth for sure, it’s a SUPER cute town!
hello haha narf
everything about this post made me go SQUEEEEEEEEEEEEE!
just so excited for you two (about to be three!)!!!
Julie Chen
I just sent you an email thru your contact page, but here it is again in case you do not receive it:
Dear Layla & Kevin,
I love your blog & am so excited about your upcoming adoption. I was reading your post about your need to fundraise & all of the miraculous things happening with Kevin’s song & recording! So COOL. So GOD!
Anyways, I create inspirational art for the home & have many adoption themed pieces of art in fact.
I have helped others with their fundraising process, but allowing the family to pick a month & any sale that month made in their benefit I donate 20% of the proceeds to their adoption!
I have more details, but wanted to offer it to you & would love to send you a piece of my art also.
OH & my shop has something for everyone: inspiration, Scripture, family, occupation. (It is not limited to adoption art)
Please view my art at:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/lifeverse?section_id=5534438
And let me know after Christmas (or whenever your road trip is done) if you want to partner with me?
Thanks! Praying for a smooth process!
Grace & Peace,
Julie
Jan
Oh my goodness…that is so heartwarming…I am sitting here all teared up! Now…what part of Tennessee where you in…those are my stomping grounds. What a lucky “little one” you and Kev will be blessed with! I am so excited for you two!!!
Merry Christmas!
~Jan
elizabeth h
AH! My husband and I are just starting to dip our toes into the adoption pool and I can’t tell you how much I love reading your adoption posts – even though they make me tear up EVERY TIME. I’m so excited for you and Kevin and it’s amazing to see these doors open for you to all these blessings. How wonderout He is!! Good luck to you – I can’t wait to see where this road leads you and to see your baby finally be in your arms 🙂
monica4patience
Congrats on the adoption process. All three of our kiddos are adoptees (DD22, DS20 & DS13) I remember playing an adoption song non-stop while we were waiting fot the oldest to arrive home from Korea. You’re starting on an awesome adventure. BTW, greetings from a Canton resident.
WendyMI
Hey….. I used to live in Canton! Now I’m a little further north, but love the town and area!
Congratulations and best of luck to you and Kevin in your adoption journey. The song will be wonderful and oh so special!
Rie
Awww, what super idea for fundraiser! So excited for you and so happy to follow your story. God bless! Rie
Heather
I remember the day we were ‘approved’ like it was yesterday – we were so overwhelmed by the blessing! Now our darling girl is 15 years old and loves the Lord, her little brother and playing classical piano – pretty much in that order! Her life has enriched our little family in ways we never dreamed! Knowing that her birthmom entrusted us with her care as God handpicked her for our family is just such a joy – I pray your arms will soon be as filled as your hearts are today! Funny to hear that you all drove right through my backyard to get to MI – and stayed nearby too! We’ll just have to get to know one another so that you’re next northern tour can include a visit!
sami
I am so happy for you both receiving the blessed news that you have been approved for adoption. Let the fun begin!!!
Cheri
Can’t wait to hear the song and download it!
Nicki
Oh my goodness, I live in Ypsilanti next to Canton and now I know to go to THAT Homegoods. I was so jealous at what you found, wishing I had one near me with such cool stuff, LOL. hope you enjoyed Michigan!
Laurie in KY
Wow, small world. I’m from the same small town in KY that Steven Curtis Chapman is from, Paducah. I remember him coming and singing for our Girl Scout troop when we were all still in high school. Nice guy.
Rene' Foust
I am so excited for you!
Susan (Between Naps on the Porch)
Congrats Layla! So exciting about the adoption process moving along! 🙂
Rene'@BargainHoot
So happy for you!!
God bless you!
Ann
Oh my word! What a journey. Best of luck in your fundraising. We wil look for the song!
Elizabeth
I went to my first Behold the Lamb Concert over 10 years ago at our church in Jax. It was the most amazing concert ever. I remember you posting about it last year and I was amazed that you knew who Andrew Peterson was.
Anyway, I’m so excited to read about your adoption journey. We just finished up our first one this past fall and we’ll be starting up again soon. Your posts make me want to start the process right now!
Jeanie
My daughter and her husband were helped by Show Hope. Such a BLESSING! They are at the hospital with their new little guy right now!