As we say goodbye to 2018 and welcome 2019, I have been reflecting on the moments that will forever be cemented in the Chapman book of 2018. I’ve also begun to wonder what new chapters will surprise us, or for that matter, disappoint us in 2019. These “Christmas Card” type journal entries such as this one serve as the year-end announcement to our friends and family of our journey and accomplishments and are usually intended to bring a smile to all who read. But I often find myself saddened by those whose year may not have been that great; maybe the chapters that came were hard. To be honest, I’ve got a lot of fun things to report on, yet for some reason I’ve been melancholy in remembering this year. I often think it must be the stage of life I’m in. The older one gets, the more reflective that person seems to be. Maybe those who live with a sense of sad so to speak, begin to be okay with the fact that it has become a part of who they are. I’m not sure, but with a keen sense of years flying by and the sad melancholy that comes with it, here is the Chapman year in the rearview mirror.
Steven Curtis:
Another successful year with his new business partner, Mark Mattingly. Together, their company, The Stable Collective has been working hard managing the “Chapman Brand” - both mine and Steven’s. Steven’s SCC SOLO tour was crazy successful. He toured all over the country and has 43 more tour stops coming in 2019! Be sure to grab your tickets if he’s coming to a city near you. You can find more information here.
Steven played the Grand Ole Opry a bunch this past year! He loves the Opry, and anytime they want him, he tries to go. The joy that brings him, being on that stage and seeing him connect with his country roots, has been a blast.
Creating, writing, and recording was at the top of the list, and 2019 will reap the benefits of an amazing soon-to-be release that will happen early next year. I won’t spoil the surprise, but lets just say SCC is going back to his roots. Get ready, it’s good! Steven continues to recreate himself and find ways to entertain and share about what Gods been doing in his life. With an ever-changing industry, people still want to hear from SCC. I love that about my man. The respect and the love that people have for him will never be lost on me. For more information on what Steven is up to, you can find more information here.
Tanner and Emily (Eiley, Della, Verity):
Tanner and Emily had a big 2018! They moved their family across town to a home that needed a bit of a hug. Good news! It’s closer to our house! We are so excited for them to be close to Grammy and Poppops!
They have been in the middle of a home renovation that has left them living out of boxes and suitcases for a good bit of this year. In the midst of it all, Eiley is breezing through first grade, Della is killing pre-school, and Verity is bringing up the rear in the 3-year-old class. The girls have kept Tanner and Emily both very busy. Tanner continues to invest his time at his family owned gymnastics business, Let It Shine here in the Cool Springs area of Franklin, and their girls find themselves hanging out there a lot, taking lessons and getting better at tumbling.
Emily has seen the biggest change this past year.
She was recently named the Executive Director of Show Hope. She has been with Show Hope since 2008 and with her undergrad in International Studies and her Master’s in theology, as well as her family’s heart for the work and mission, Emily said yes and is now leading a staff of about 24 forward in the work of Show Hope. She has led them through a strategic planning process and is loving her time there. Pray for she and Tanner as this is a bit of an adjustment for the family. You can read more about Emily’s new role in the press release that went out here or in the blog post she wrote here.
Caleb and Julia (Noble and Olive):
Caleb and Julia welcomed Olive Eloise into the world on January 7, 2018! That was the highlight of their year!
Ollie, as we like to call her, also started walking at barely 8 months old and is moving full steam ahead! She is beautiful and does a great job keeping up with her big brother Noble.
Julia continues doing great at Show Hope and was recently promoted to Director of Finance. Caleb has been on tour most of the year with his band Colony House! The first half of the year they toured with Judah and the Lion, and the second half of the year they headlined their own tour. They signed a new management deal and drove thousands and thousands of miles. They went back into the studio in November to start work on record number three. I’ve already been listening to it, and it is by far the best stuff I’ve heard coming out of this town. Period. (I know, I know, I’m a proud mom!)
Caleb’s writing is so innovative and his creative ideas and production skills are so fresh. He and Will make a great team for the “sound” of Colony House. Get ready Colony House Fans. My guess would be that they’ll release their new music later in 2019. Great things ahead for those boys.
Early 2019 will have them touring with Switchfoot on the Native Tongue Tour. How awesome that my boys are touring with one of their all time favorite bands growing up? They are honored to be a part of this tour and should be back home in April to finish the record. Rumor has it that Caleb and Will may be playing with SCC at Disney around Easter time. Keep your eyes and “Mickey” ears opened for that news a little later!
Will Franklin and Jillian (Willow Faye):
Will and Jill chased Willow Faye, who turned 1 in November of 2018, all around this past year. Learning to parent her was top of the list this past year for both of them.
Will has been on tour as well with his band Colony House! Everything I said about Caleb is true of Will. While Caleb is the main writer, Will’s production and arrangements of songs make them a great team.
Will tried his hand at his first DJ set this year! He is always looking for a side hustle, and I think that DJ’ing may be the thing for him! Steven and I watched a two hour set he did for a friends wedding. He was so entertaining! Watch out DJ world, Will may be coming your way! If that weren’t enough, Will and his buddy Sutton started a clothing company called Swaggin Wagon!!! It can be found on Instagram @swagginwagonusa. The company features vintage clothing from around the country.
Jillian continues to write and has had great success with placements for her songs. With the voice of a songbird, look for her version of Lean on Me (co-produced and arranged by SCC himself) on the new A Dogs Way Home movie this January! She is also continuing her work with her company, The Deeply Co. Celebrating beauty through gatherings of music, art and clothing. Find out more about that on Instagram @thedeeplyco.
Shaoey:
Shaoey graduated high school this year, was awarded the presidential scholarship, and was selected as a prestigious Fellow at The University of Alabama. You can read more about Shaoey and her award here.
She entered college with 33 credits to her name and just got home from her first semester at The Capstone (that’s Alabama for those who don’t know!) She landed herself on the Deans List, is making a ton of new friends, and is loving watching the Crimson Tide Roll!
Shaoey has been selected as an intern this summer at Maria’s Big House of Hope through the work of Show Hope.
Stevey Joy:
Stevey Joy got her license this year! Everybody watch out! All 4’9” of her is on the road. She is actually doing quite well and is a big help to me. She loves cheerleading for her high school Christ Presbyterian Academy.
She also loves working with her private tumbling and stunting cheer coaches. Her dream has been to compete in cheer at a high level in college, and she is working hard towards that goal.
Not sure where she will land (she has some ideas), but she has the highest o goals set and she is determined. The one thing about SJ is that she is kind. She is a blast to be around and makes everyone around her better.
Mary Beth:
Phew, with all the above going on, this Momma/Grammy is tired! I have been busy juggling a lot of the above. With Steven’s new venture, The Stable Collective, I’ve been trying to offer my opinions and strategic planning help. I love being a fan at the Opry. Watching Steven play with Nashvilles finest is good for the soul. Watching him interact with the artists at the Opry is something that I love to watch. Steven always has time to spend with everyone and he loves every minute of the Opry. I also loved cheering him on during the SCC SOLO tour. What a stroll down memory lane. Years of touring and putting memories to video and pictures while SCC tells stories, has been precious. Seeing the fans respond the way that they have has been wind under SCC’s wings and we can’t thank you all enough for supporting this tour.
I’ve also been very busy at a place that I love with all of my heart, Show Hope! This year has been a busy one in that we have been finishing up and unveiling a 3-year strategic plan for the organization! Little did we know at the beginning of the year that Emily would become the Executive Director. I am so proud of her I could pop and working with her has been so gratifying. To SEE her taking up the mantle is a surreal full circle moment! This dream started with 11-year-old Emily and today has her at the center of it all. We couldn’t be more excited to SEE where Show Hope goes. I’m going to be continuing to mentor her, but she is so ready, which is going to give me time to travel a bit more with SCC, which I am excited about. If you’d like to read more about Show Hope and consider how you might get involved, click here for more information.
It will also give me some more time with the 6 beautiful grandchildren that we have. Eiley, Della, Verity, Noble, Ollie and Faye. They are growing up so fast and Steven and I are glad to be close to spend some great moments with them.
As I reflect back on this year, full and busy and blessed…I would be remised if I didn’t say it has been a more introspective time for me personally. What I mean is that when I found time for me, I continued finding myself sad and melancholy for what could have been. Again, God gives great days. Days that are so good we wonder what we did to deserve them. I also think there are days where we are just too tired and weary to fight off the fears and we find ourselves begging God for re-dos and for sure playing the what-if mind game.
I for sure could have been a more attentive wife, a kinder friend, or more understanding co-worker. The times when being a mom meant being a bad mom, I could have dug deep and did it better, that’s what moms do, right? I could have gained less weight, or at least grown 6 inches taller to even it out. I could have written or created more and watched TV less. I could have dwelled on the good and stayed away from the news that is most certainly swayed one way or the other all the time. And for sure, plain and simple I could have trusted the process more. The process? What process? The process of Jesus, giving us all these years, one after the other, to refine and shape us towards that new creature that we are becoming.
Trust may be the hardest word in the English language for me. But today, as I give you the Chapman Family update, I am declaring again that I’m going to hang on and continue to trust the process that God is moving me towards new things. Even the days that I clench my fists and scream, it’s part of the process and I continue trusting because Jesus came, dwelt among us, was crucified and buried so that he could raise up, and the plan could be made complete. He will finish what was started and I am going to trust the process.
Thank you, my friends, for being on the journey with me, for reading my sometimes rambling words, and for encouraging our family along our journey. You all have prayed for us and held us up during some dark days, and from our family to yours, THANK YOU for loving us through it all. At the end of the day, It is well with my soul…. Blessed be the name, Emmanuel, God with us! has come to save us!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
