I have cleared my comments awaiting moderation, thanks to Nick Ciske. Nick, you rock. Thank you Askimet.
My dad and the family are doing well. thanks to everyone for your prayers. We know that God is with us.
Thank you Nick
May 18th, 2008Thank you for your prayers
May 10th, 2008To all who have emailed and responded to me in the homegoing of my mom, thank you…. You’re words and letters have meant much to me and my family.
It’s hard to sum up my mom’s life; I wish you all could have known her. We tried to share a little of her personality at the funeral service, but it’s hard to cram 72 years into 1 hour.
I’d like to say a special thanks to the Rev. Maurice Henson, associate pastor at First Baptist Church, Indian Trail, for bringing such a powerful and meaningful message at my mom’s funeral. Because my parents were very new to the church, I was worried about some pastor delivering some eulogetic masterpiece about my mom without even knowing her. What I saw in Maurice was raw conviction, led by the Holy Spirit, to impart words to all of us about God’s love, His presence in our lives during suffering (“The LORD is….”), and to allow Christ into our sufferings (“be still…..”). Thank you, Maurice, for allowing God to use you to minister to me, and my whole family.
Thank you Danny Myers for ministering to my family all day on that fateful Monday of Mom’s passing.
Mark Christian, I love you like a brother. I’m amazed I know someone so talented and caring and deep. Thanks for suffering and rejoicing with us this weekend, and for being part of the family…
Finally, my mom was a forgiving person. Makes me think alot about the Don Henley song about forgiveness; that is the heart of the matter. My mom was alot happier cause she learned how to let go and forgive. That is a lesson we all need to remember. I’m remembering it even now….
We lost my mom today
May 5th, 2008Today, my mom passed away.
There, plain, and simple. I have more emotions inside than I care to articulate on the written (or electronic page). But, I also have a strange peace, as I look on my mom’s life, and see that this was all for God’s greater good.
Her cancer had come back, and was all over her body (left breast, upper abdomen, rib cage, lower back). That caused a blood clot in her lung, which sent her into cardiac arrest early this morning. She was non responsive from the time the EMT’s took her to the hospital. She died at around 4:30pm today.
I’m a little numb, and still have a bunch of people to call and arrangements to make, to help my dad. Here’s what I have felt today:
Peace….this didn’t happen w/o my Good God knowing it ahead of time.
Comfort…..God’s mercy was extended to my mom, as she was taken to heaven before she had to endure such crappy suffering w/ aggressive cancer.
Security…..Ps 73:25 and 26 tell us that many times our heart and flesh might fail (like my mom’s did), but God is the strength of my heart, and my portion forever. I know that she found that out at 4:30pm, as she went to be w/ Jesus by His side.
my emotions will rise and fall. I might not be as strong as some of you might think me to be. But the fact of the matter is:
God is good
I’m His Kid
My mom was His child
I will see her again someday.
We don’t sorrow as those who have no hope. I have hope; Jesus and His death and resurrection give me hope. Death is not what God intended; sin has screwed up the world. But God has come to earth to make it right. Thanks be to Him who gives us the victory.
more later. I love you all, and appreciate your prayers for me, my dad, and my sister.
My birth dad is dying
December 23rd, 2007Yesterday (Dec 22), I received an email from my birth dad’s brother, who informed me that my biological father is slipping away and slowly dying….
I was adopted at 3 days old, and have been a VanDusen my whole life. Just over 4 years ago, I made contact w/ my birth mother Patty, and our relationship has been wonderful ever since.
Patty seemed to contact the whole world about our re-connection, including contacting my birth dad’s parents. She received a Christmas Card from my birth dad in 2003, which she didn’t need, and she forwarded it onto me. There was a picture of Robert, my b-dad, in there….A small connection…
I’ve carried that card in my computer case, on trips all over the world. When I have a free moment, I’ll pull it out and look at it, and then try to figure out where to start on a letter to the man who gave me life. Then, the busyness of life takes over, and I just can’t think enough to figure out what to write. Kinda like now….
Now, he is dying. I feel an inextricable pull to get on an airplane and go out there to meet him, and say goodbye. His brother Ron has been taking care of him now. Sounds like cancer is what is eating away at him. I know he’s had a tough life, and that he is interested in spirituality. My prayer is that he will die in peace, and he will find that peace with God thru Christ.
No matter what, he will always be a small part of me. And for that, I am grateful.
Traveling again
October 5th, 2007“on the road again… just can’t wait to get on the road again…” The strains of that old Willie Nelson song beckon me from time to time. I do love traveling: meeting people, going to unique places, enjoying new experiences, seeing my great God at work around the world. But even an old road guy like me has doubts about loving the road from time to time.
My new job has me staying home alot more, which I do love. I like seeing my beautiful wife and kids more often. It’s been good to enjoy them, and let them even enjoy me (i guess they do). I’m able to be at church each Sunday, which I’m cherishing more and more. And, I’ve finally been able to join some other men on a regular basis in my hometown, and encourage each other. I haven’t had that since about 1999, when we lived in Baltimore.
Once reason I do enjoy traveling, however, is because of the guys that I get to travel with. I have been working on the road with most of these guys for at least 12 years, some of them for 15 years. When you know people for that long, you miss them. I think my Amy understands; I love her, but I do like my buddies too.
Ok, I was talking about traveling. This weekend, I’m working for a former freelance crewer in Baltimore, MD at Towson State. I was flying up from my hometown of Charlotte tonight. Left work in a rush, got to the airport, got on the plane, was ready to take off when the flight attendant asked if anyone wanted to give up their seat for a free ticket! So, I did it! They booked me on the next flight, set to leave about 2 hours later.
Well, that 2 hours has come and gone…I am at the airport, and we are scheduled to take off in about a hour and a half. It just means that I’ll get to bed a little later tonight. So, I’m enjoying something to drink, and the Yankees/Indians game.
Bottom line: while I miss the road, I don’t miss the delays, the security lines, and the headaches. Let me have my warm bed and my soft, beautiful wife anytime!!!!
Visit w/ Miss Patty
August 13th, 2007Wow, how time has flied! It’s nice to have some time to myself and relax a bit.
We had a nice time w/ my birth mom, Miss Patty. I hope she enjoyed her time in Charlotte; we nearly ran her ragged! But I think she enjoyed herself. We were able to get some nice photos, and they are on my flickr account. (see the link on my home page.).
Will talk more soon.
MARA American advances!
July 11th, 2007A late inning comeback by the MARA National team was foiled by a clutch catch in center field, as the MARA American league All Stars beat the MARA National league All Stars 14-13 in the top of the 6th. There were 5 or 6 home runs in the game, and our boys played great! I guess the hardest thing was playing against families that you know and love; families that we have played with for almost 4 years.
Our rec league is so big that they field two all star teams for Little League playoffs. Most of the time, the parents for each MARA team cheer for each other, no matter where the game is. That is, unless we are against each other. It became very hard not to “verbally” cheer for the kids I know and love on the Nationals….
We now advance one more round in the losers bracket, playing Weddington, who lost last night for the first time. Go MARA!
District 3 playoffs
July 8th, 2007My son plays baseball at Matthews Athletic Recreation Association (MARA) in Matthews, NC. They have a wonderful Little League program, and are currently competing in the district playoffs for 11 year olds. I’m really proud of him, and the entire team for coming together. I refuse to comment on their record at this point, because of my firm beliefs in the superstition of baseball…
“God is sovereign, but I’m still superstitious”. Bad theology, but good baseball sense.
Major kudos to Coaches Hall, Kemp, and Gum for their time and dedication to the boys. You guys rock too…
Independence Day
July 4th, 2007Happy July 4th everyone. I’m enjoying a day at home, maybe some pool time later, a good old fashioned cookout, and some fireworks. Just a good day of rest.
I grew up in a very conservative (politically) family, and learned about God and country. It was a good thing to be educated on the history and wonder of what God has done for the USA. So, I still weep when I hear the Star Spangled Banner, the Pledge of Allegiance, America the Beautiful, and so on.
Derek Webb sings about his allegiance being not being to a country or flag, but to “a King and His Kingdom.” Great thought to think about; however, we do live in the USA. Can’t be passive about your location, or maybe you can. I guess what I’m trying to say is that is my allegiance to the USA based upon childhood training, or heart conviction. For me, it’s a little bit of both.
When I was freelancing and self employed about 15 years ago, I ran into an old friend from college, Vijay, who is from India. When we talked about careers and work, he kept on telling me, “Steve, you are so fortunate; only in America can you do what you want to do (self employed, business owner).” Whether Vijay knew what I did or not, I don’t know. But his words have stuck w/ me for many years.
Politics and the nastiness of them all make me tired of the US Government. And yet, we see the same crud in the church, as people on both sides posture and play politics. Lying, deceit, and shading the truth go on all around us. This is not a symptom of a corrupt political system; it’s a symptom of sin in this broken world.
So Derek Webb is right… the only hope we have is for Christ to return, and set up His Kingdom. Ephesians tells us that He (Christ) will make all things right someday. Question is: do I get on board now, or wait? I’d rather get on board now…
my boss knows 4 presidents
June 4th, 2007As many of you know, I work for the evangelist Billy Graham, and his son, Franklin. On May 31st, three former presidents came to honor Mr. G by attending the opening of the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, NC. I was privileged to direct the pool coverage of this event, and was so honored to be a part of this historic day.
Even Joel Osteen, my long lost twin, attended the festivities. Was a good day overall.
Off to Binghamton, NY next. More to come on these stations. Thanks to you all for your prayers for me and my family.