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Choosing to SEE (Abridged): A Journey of Struggle and Hope Audiobook
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(4.00) - 5,084 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
"I've told my kids for years that God doesn't make mistakes," writes Mary Beth Chapman, wife of Grammy winning recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman. "Would I believe it now, when my whole world as I knew it came to an end?"
Covering her courtship and marriage to Steven Curtis Chapman, struggles for emotional balance, and living with grief, Mary Beth's story is our story—wondering where God is when the worst happens. In Choosing to See, she shows how she wrestles with God even as she has allowed him to write her story—both during times of happiness and those of tragedy. Readers will hear firsthand about the loss of her daughter, the struggle to heal, and the unexpected path God has placed her on. Even as difficult as life can be, Mary Beth Chapman chooses to see.
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"I truly enjoyed reading this book. I love how honestly it was told. MaryBeth talks about all the emotions she went through including being angry with God. Yes, she's married to a Gospel singer and they are a religious family, but she was not afraid to say she was mad at God for taking her child. It seemed like this book was her way of dealing with the grief. In the end she holds onto her belief in God, and there is no fault in that. Every single person deals with grief and their religion in different ways. I cried when I read this book, but I also found it helpful in dealing with my own anger at God for taking my great-niece at just 11days old (she & her twin brother were born 4mos premature weighing only 1lb each. Her twin brother is now 16mos old and is happy and healthy. I feel his sister is up in heaven watching over him as his guardian angel)! If you get the chance to read it I recommend it."
— Dawn (4 out of 5 stars)
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“The Chapmans’ story is harrowing and deeply sorrowful, yet the author finds a way to communicate their hope, faith, and love for a faithful God in every moment by grace-infused moment.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“This tender story will capture your heart and point you back to the one who restores, replenishes, and renews…even when he asks us to do hard, seemingly impossible things.”
— Wess Stafford, president and CEO of Compassion International -
“With a balanced combination of heart-wrenching honesty and absolute grace, Mary Beth shares her ‘severe mercy.’ I couldn’t help but sense God’s presence in every sentence.”
— Mary Graham, president of Women of Faith -
“Mary Beth and Steven Curtis Chapman are living their story in a way that brings glory to God and real, practical help to the body of Christ. You won’t be able to put this book down until you’ve wept, laughed, and relished every page.”
— Chuck Colson, founder of Prison Fellowship and the Chuck Colson Center for Christian Worldview
Awards
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A New York Times bestseller
Choosing to SEE Listener Reviews
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" Choosing to SEE is a beautifully written story of love and loss and learning to love again. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to gain strength and courage and needs a re surge to their faith. "
— Sandi, 2/14/2014 -
" this is a fabulous book! A Great mother's view of life and death, bravery and faith. "
— Karen, 2/9/2014 -
" Excellent read! I consider the Chapman family heroes of the faith. Why? They have faced adversity, pain and horror and had all the human emotions that would accompany those events, but in the end, they cling to Jesus. Wow. Mary Beth Chapman speaks clearly, she shares her struggles, her pain and her shortcomings (real and perceived) in a very real and honest way. In spite of THE terrible thing that happened, there is hope. There is good. Beauty can rise from the ashes. "
— Linda, 2/3/2014 -
" This book had me crying throughout! But it is a beautiful story. "
— Karen, 1/26/2014 -
" I really enjoyed reading this book. It opened my eyes to how much God can use adoption of children as a comparison of his adoption of us into his Family. My heart breaks for this family in this very difficult time. It was revealed to me what a lengthy process it is to get over a child's death and how there are good days an bad days, and having a strong foundation in the Lord is everything. "
— April, 1/23/2014 -
" I could appreciate the struggles anD the anguish, and feel so sad for the family. I just did not feel it was a good book, not well written. "
— Linda, 1/22/2014 -
" Tragic story of parents losing their daughter and an amazing story of using their grief to help others. "
— Bobbiprinsen, 1/19/2014 -
" Loved!!! Will make you cry! "
— Starlyn, 12/21/2013 -
" Choosing To See is a wonderful book. It is a story of how you can take pain from tragedy and still give thanks. This book is a true testimony of the faith and love of Jesus Christ. It is a must read! "
— Shawnee, 12/16/2013 -
" Wonderful story. I laughed, I cried and everything in between. What an amazing family this is, even when faced with unspeakable tragedy. Their story really inspired me. "
— Kristin, 11/25/2013 -
" Beautiful story of God's faithfulness. "
— Ashleigh, 11/22/2013 -
" Great book with very "real" feelings as her family struggles through joy and loss in life. Very touching and I enjoyed reading her perspective. Great family with big vision and lots of hope! "
— Stephanie, 9/29/2013 -
" My mom got this book awhile back and told me to read it. Usually my mom has epic taste in books and I am so glad I took her advice and read Choosing to SEE. I've always been a fan of Steven Curtis Chapman and reading about their life and struggles through his wife's eyes inspired and encouraged me. "
— Bobbie, 9/12/2013 -
" Good message but poorly written... "
— Dyanne, 5/7/2013 -
" excruciating story of losing a child, yet it seems they are a family grounded in Christ. "
— Julie, 5/5/2013 -
" A heartfelt book that I can not relate to, but was inspired by her trust in God. "
— Lori, 4/24/2013 -
" True story of the challenges in her life. A little too much "born again" doctrine though. "
— Alice, 4/8/2013 -
" Loved this book! So inspirational, thank you Mary Beth for sharing your story. "
— Libby, 10/1/2012 -
" Loved it! Cried too! "
— Joy, 7/18/2012 -
" This isn't the most well-written book on the planet, but that's not really the point. It's an honest book, and that's hard to pull off when you're dealing with a very personal family tragedy. The scenes describing the accident that took Maria Chapman's life are wrenching. This book is worth reading. "
— Becky, 12/25/2011 -
" Christian book that is very moving. I could read this again! "
— Tonya, 12/9/2011 -
" Awesome, inspiring book. Keep the Kleenex handy. "
— Connie, 11/11/2011 -
" Great reminder of hope and encouragement in loss. Be prepared to cry....a lot. "
— Tiffany, 9/28/2011 -
" I flew through this book! Highly recommend whether you're struggling through a tragedy of your own or just would like to know about the Chapmans....very good! "
— Alycia, 8/13/2011 -
" What an emotional read! I read it after a close friend's baby passed away. It was very helpful in understanding more of what she and her husband are going through. "
— Catherine, 5/15/2011 -
" excruciating story of losing a child, yet it seems they are a family grounded in Christ. "
— Julie, 5/4/2011 -
" No words to explain such an emotional journey for this family. I learned so much about life, my relationship with Christ and things we hold so dear. "
— Ally, 4/25/2011 -
" Such a beautiful story! Mary Beth did a wonderful job of sharing her joys and struggles as a mother and wife. So grateful to find a story that shares her faith is such a real and transparent fashion! "
— Karen, 4/23/2011 -
" The brutal honesty and grief of Mary Beth Chapman and her family, following the death of 5-year old Maria is heart-wrenching. Be sure to have a box of kleenex handy should you choose to read this book. "
— Robin, 4/12/2011 -
" An honest look at loss, love, and holding true to the important things in life. A great read! "
— Monica, 3/28/2011 -
" An honest, real, down-to-earth memoir, sharing the doubt and faith that go hand-in-hand with tragedy. Beautifully done. "
— Glynis, 3/22/2011 -
" Amazing. When I heard their story last year, I knew this was a book I really wanted to read. She speaks truth through out the book. Even when she questions the will of God, she does not hold back. Very raw and honest. "
— Shera, 3/7/2011 -
" This is such an excellent book. I'm in the middle of it right now. Couldn't put it down last night - read until 1:00 a.m. LOL! Such insight into God's design for a Christian family and how He works thru us. "
— Daylene, 3/3/2011 -
" I LOVED this book, such a tragedy the Chapman's went through. "
— Vicki, 3/2/2011
About the Authors
Mary Beth Chapman is the wife of Grammy and Dove Award–winning recording artist Steven Curtis Chapman. Together they began Show Hope, a nonprofit organization dedicated to caring for the world’s most vulnerable children by providing financial assistance to families wishing to adopt. She serves as president of Show Hope and was a speaker on the Women of Faith Tour 2010 with her husband. She is also coauthor with Steven of the Shaoey and Dot series of children’s picture books. She and her family live in Tennessee.
Ellen Vaughn is an award-winning author and speaker. She speaks frequently at Christian retreats and has been featured at writers’ seminars in the US and Canada. A native of Washington DC, Vaughn and her husband, Lee, live in Virginia with daughter Emily, twins Walker and Haley, and an enormous dog named after C. S. Lewis.
About Connie Wetzell
Connie Wetzell is a former award-winning Christian radio personality and current voice-over recording artist who can be seen and/or heard through her extensive work on national television and radio spots for McDonald’s, Tropicana Twister, Dollar General Stores, Cellular One, and Fannie Mae Candies. She has also done television spots for Lowe’s Home Improvement Stores, HGTV, and was named national spokesperson for Boston Market restaurants in 2000. You can also hear Connie’s voice on nationwide voice response systems for the likes of IBM, AT&T, Kinko’s, and Morgan Stanley, as well as on many websites Connie was even nominated for a Grammy Award in 1993 after lending her voice to a children’s recording, Trollies Radio Show & Sing Along.