ncborn@comcast.net
Hey Friend,
Just wanted to ask for your prayers. Our youngest son Steve, age 41, was just diagnosed as having Stage 4 Cancer. It is in his stomach, spine, bones and near his kidneys. There may be more by now.
After suffering horrible stomach pain in the first part of July, he finally went to the doctor. He doesn't have insurance and didn't think he could afford to go initially. After a couple of hospitalizations, the loss of 50 pounds, and intractable pain, they finally did an endoscope and biopsy and here we are today. He's still suffering terribly all the time to the point that it's caused nausea and vomiting. He is just eating ice chips today. We don't know what tomorrow holds.
On July15, 2008 our world turned upside down. This is my son that is a missionary. He and his wife have done mission work together after their marriage 8 years ago. They are so precious. Steve's wife is Sheri. When they were married, Steve adopted her two sons, Charley age 9 and Andy age 4. Of course, Charley is a teenager now at age 17, Andy 13. The boys have gone to Egypt, China and Mexico with Steve and Sheri to learn how to be good stewards.
We all attend the same church. It's called LakePointe Church. It's one of the mega churches in the Dallas area. The folks there have been wonderful to help. But one of the best things to come of it is that Sheri started a blog, telling their story day by day. It's been a roller coaster ride, but I think it's been the most inspiring story I've ever known personally.
I would love to share their story with you and anyone else you think could benefit from a "pain to glory" type story. I HIGHLY recommend that you start at the first of the blog by clicking on the links from mid July. I would like to know if you feel blessed by this. Steve is adamant that this is his "Biggest Mission" from the Lord.
http://steverwarren.blogspot.com/
We're not holy rollers or anything like that. Don't worry about being followed up with.
I just feel that God put you in my life today for a reason. I'm not on the PC much these days, but I treasure your "friendship:. June
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008
Sorting it All
Precious Sheri,
Being "out of sorts" is okay. In fact, it's very normal when you are dealing with the deck you have been dealt. All of those 'negative' feelings come from the sum of all the changes you have in your new life. While laughter, good humor and smiles are the "politically correct" expressions of our culture, tears, fears, anger and sadness have jumped head first into your lives.Go ahead and allow yourself the luxury of feeling all those things and more.
News Flash! ...Sheri is human... and we couldn't love you more! God is there with you no matter what your mood. HE gave you all those feelings. Yes, it's important to not put undo stress on Steve. But you know what? He already knows what you're going through. In the wonderful 8 years you've had together, he's learned how to "read" you no matter what. Give him the honor of sharing all these new feelings that have cratered your life.
Let Steve know he has a purpose to fight for. God put Steve in you life because HE knew you would be Steve's soul-mate. Keeping important things like food choices, finances, etc., just isn't healthy for either of you. I know you just want to protect him, but please know from someone who's been through some really tough times; Steve and you are a Team...good or bad times.
Steve wants to believe that you will be okay when he dies. Tell him all your fears. Honesty will strengthen your relationship with Steve and the Lord. The Lord will carry you through this no matter how bad it gets. Please confide in Steve. Let him feel your anger, fears and pains. God put him in place just for This task at This time in your life!
I hope I'm not stepping on any toes here. I'm trying to help you see the power that you and Steve "the couple" share. It has been pressed onto me the level of your strength as a couple. I know how strong you are as a person. Just behold the power you have as a couple facing this agonizing task together!
My love and compassion and empathy I give to you. (And so does the Lord!)
Mama June
August 21, 2008 11:03 AM
Being "out of sorts" is okay. In fact, it's very normal when you are dealing with the deck you have been dealt. All of those 'negative' feelings come from the sum of all the changes you have in your new life. While laughter, good humor and smiles are the "politically correct" expressions of our culture, tears, fears, anger and sadness have jumped head first into your lives.Go ahead and allow yourself the luxury of feeling all those things and more.
News Flash! ...Sheri is human... and we couldn't love you more! God is there with you no matter what your mood. HE gave you all those feelings. Yes, it's important to not put undo stress on Steve. But you know what? He already knows what you're going through. In the wonderful 8 years you've had together, he's learned how to "read" you no matter what. Give him the honor of sharing all these new feelings that have cratered your life.
Let Steve know he has a purpose to fight for. God put Steve in you life because HE knew you would be Steve's soul-mate. Keeping important things like food choices, finances, etc., just isn't healthy for either of you. I know you just want to protect him, but please know from someone who's been through some really tough times; Steve and you are a Team...good or bad times.
Steve wants to believe that you will be okay when he dies. Tell him all your fears. Honesty will strengthen your relationship with Steve and the Lord. The Lord will carry you through this no matter how bad it gets. Please confide in Steve. Let him feel your anger, fears and pains. God put him in place just for This task at This time in your life!
I hope I'm not stepping on any toes here. I'm trying to help you see the power that you and Steve "the couple" share. It has been pressed onto me the level of your strength as a couple. I know how strong you are as a person. Just behold the power you have as a couple facing this agonizing task together!
My love and compassion and empathy I give to you. (And so does the Lord!)
Mama June
August 21, 2008 11:03 AM
Special Teams
Dear Rick,
I'm June, Steve's mama. I just wanted to personally thank you for ALL you are doing to help Steve and Sheri. I wasn't raised in church. When Steve became a Christian at 16, we just started going to church to encourage him to follow the path he saw before him. Little did we know Steve would have such an important role in our family getting "back to basics" with the Lord in the center. He told us from the beginning that he wanted to be a missionary. It seems ironic that in fulfilling that desire, he has to leave his worldly body.
I believe that Steve and Sheri are soul-mates. As his mother, I know my pain too well; but Sheri is losing even more. The blog they are sharing has been ministering not only family and friends, but people around the world. Not only Egypt, China, and Mexico where they have worked in the mission field, but from the US literally from coast to coast. People who don't even know SnS are weeping, praying and renewing their faith. Steve and Sheri have become a catalyst to so many. No mission trip would ever touch this many lives.
None of this would have been possible if they hadn't had a "quarterback" like you! We will be forever be grateful to you and the blessed people of LPC. My tears flow freely these days. I'm losing my precious son, but gaining faith in the Lord's path. May the Lord bless you in a very unique way; you are special to us and to the Lord.
In His Grace,
Mama June
I'm June, Steve's mama. I just wanted to personally thank you for ALL you are doing to help Steve and Sheri. I wasn't raised in church. When Steve became a Christian at 16, we just started going to church to encourage him to follow the path he saw before him. Little did we know Steve would have such an important role in our family getting "back to basics" with the Lord in the center. He told us from the beginning that he wanted to be a missionary. It seems ironic that in fulfilling that desire, he has to leave his worldly body.
I believe that Steve and Sheri are soul-mates. As his mother, I know my pain too well; but Sheri is losing even more. The blog they are sharing has been ministering not only family and friends, but people around the world. Not only Egypt, China, and Mexico where they have worked in the mission field, but from the US literally from coast to coast. People who don't even know SnS are weeping, praying and renewing their faith. Steve and Sheri have become a catalyst to so many. No mission trip would ever touch this many lives.
None of this would have been possible if they hadn't had a "quarterback" like you! We will be forever be grateful to you and the blessed people of LPC. My tears flow freely these days. I'm losing my precious son, but gaining faith in the Lord's path. May the Lord bless you in a very unique way; you are special to us and to the Lord.
In His Grace,
Mama June
Friday, August 22, 2008
The importance of Today & Other Ramblings
Friday, August 22, 2008
Hey There,
Thanks so much for your input on my blog comments. You're exactly right. I talked to Steve and Sheri about it and neither of them were offended. In fact Sheri said I told her just what she needed to hear! God is truly Amazing!I don't usually get so uptight about something like that. I think it's simply because of the huge stakes we are playing for right now. Things seem Bigger, Louder, More Dire...
I haven't talked to Steve today, but I will give you the latest from yesterday.
Steve's cancer is spreading VERY rapidly. The doctor thinks he has another tumor on or around his spine and kidneys. The pain is almost intolerable. The pain pump dose was increased to try and help this newer pain, but Steve doesn't like the way he feels when he takes that much. He said he has some videotapes he wants to make and other arrangements to do that require a clearer mind. He gets groggy and sleeps a lot of the time when he's on the higher dose.
He said taking baths is helping some on the pain. He said there is something about his stomach being underwater that relieves the pressure pain he has there. The problem is that it only feels better underwater, but to get that way he has to go thru all sorts of disconnecting of tubes, etc, and that uses up his energy. Sorry the news is so bleak.
I do want to touch on what you said about posting on the blog. I agree with you that at times it feels like a writing competition. There are some very gifted writers and Christians out there. Although everything I write is always a lonnnggg comment, some of the briefest, i.e., "I'm praying for you right now." type comments are ones that say the most. Steve is reading them all. He gets some relief knowing that "out there" people are being touched by his story. It gives him comfort. Maybe it's worth a little discomfort on our parts to give him that steady reassurance that he IS changing our lives...literally.
Don't be so hard on yourself about what you say. This is a man that has been a part of your life more than 25 years. It's okay to hurt from what is happening to him. This is STEVE!!! You've got to be kidding!!! Why would God choose STEVE??? These were my thoughts...but I'm slowly realizing what the answer to those statements is.
Would we really have gotten so upset about this if he was 75-80 years old? No, it would be expected. God works in the gray areas of our lives. He can color outside the lines of our lives. How much more of a testament to the Lord is it to be NOW?! I don't like it, can't change it, and am furious about it all. But when it gets down to the nitty gritty, Steve feels "chosen" to bring the Lord into our lives in a tangible way. THIS MATTERS! For GOD's Sakes...It's STEVE!
Aren't we blessed to have been part of his life?!!
Go live a happy day today for Steve and Sheri. Let them change your life for the better, not the bitter. Be happy; love the important people in your life. Live every day for Steve since he can't complete the task himself. Love God. Live God. Every day counts!
All my love,Mama June
Hey There,
Thanks so much for your input on my blog comments. You're exactly right. I talked to Steve and Sheri about it and neither of them were offended. In fact Sheri said I told her just what she needed to hear! God is truly Amazing!I don't usually get so uptight about something like that. I think it's simply because of the huge stakes we are playing for right now. Things seem Bigger, Louder, More Dire...
I haven't talked to Steve today, but I will give you the latest from yesterday.
Steve's cancer is spreading VERY rapidly. The doctor thinks he has another tumor on or around his spine and kidneys. The pain is almost intolerable. The pain pump dose was increased to try and help this newer pain, but Steve doesn't like the way he feels when he takes that much. He said he has some videotapes he wants to make and other arrangements to do that require a clearer mind. He gets groggy and sleeps a lot of the time when he's on the higher dose.
He said taking baths is helping some on the pain. He said there is something about his stomach being underwater that relieves the pressure pain he has there. The problem is that it only feels better underwater, but to get that way he has to go thru all sorts of disconnecting of tubes, etc, and that uses up his energy. Sorry the news is so bleak.
I do want to touch on what you said about posting on the blog. I agree with you that at times it feels like a writing competition. There are some very gifted writers and Christians out there. Although everything I write is always a lonnnggg comment, some of the briefest, i.e., "I'm praying for you right now." type comments are ones that say the most. Steve is reading them all. He gets some relief knowing that "out there" people are being touched by his story. It gives him comfort. Maybe it's worth a little discomfort on our parts to give him that steady reassurance that he IS changing our lives...literally.
Don't be so hard on yourself about what you say. This is a man that has been a part of your life more than 25 years. It's okay to hurt from what is happening to him. This is STEVE!!! You've got to be kidding!!! Why would God choose STEVE??? These were my thoughts...but I'm slowly realizing what the answer to those statements is.
Would we really have gotten so upset about this if he was 75-80 years old? No, it would be expected. God works in the gray areas of our lives. He can color outside the lines of our lives. How much more of a testament to the Lord is it to be NOW?! I don't like it, can't change it, and am furious about it all. But when it gets down to the nitty gritty, Steve feels "chosen" to bring the Lord into our lives in a tangible way. THIS MATTERS! For GOD's Sakes...It's STEVE!
Aren't we blessed to have been part of his life?!!
Go live a happy day today for Steve and Sheri. Let them change your life for the better, not the bitter. Be happy; love the important people in your life. Live every day for Steve since he can't complete the task himself. Love God. Live God. Every day counts!
All my love,Mama June
Saturday, July 26, 2008
Stanza I
My son Brian has convinced me that I need to start my own blog. I really don't know what I should say to begin, so he suggested that I just begin with my most recent comment to my son Steve's blog.Where this journey of the heart will take me, I know not. But I know that with the Lord's guidance, it will provide solace when my heart needs it most.
So here goes...
When I start to write something here I always hesitate. So many people (incl Steve n Sheri), seem to have just the right words to say or scripture to quote. I'm just a mom trying to hang onto every silky strand I see.
There is so much I want you to know about my Steve! There are stories about tonsils and ice cream. Stories about skiing downhill face first! I want you to know that as a child he wouldn't wear any shirts with blue jeans except shirts that had blue in them. (I do think he's grown beyond that bit of fashion faux pas!)
I keep reading your words to describe him and know those words are true. I query. How can each of you know him so well? He has friends that have stayed in touch with him back from the 1st grade! Who does that anymore?!
He still lights up a room when he walks through the door. I have seen that JOY that Steve so easily exudes. I was telling him just before we found his illness, that every time I see his name on my caller ID, I get excited. Not because of any reason except that my day IS better after I talk to him. The Lord has truly blessed our family with Steve. This venue seems to be the best way to share our son.
We hope and pray that Steve will be healed. It's amazing that HE is already showing why we smile when we see Steve. You and I, the whole of us, see the shining face of the Lord when we see Steve. His beauty and love of the Lord have put him exactly where he needs to be. He is healing your heart, even though it may seem to be breaking.
We'll have another chat later. To thank so many of you who have sent cards and letters; I can't name you all. To Toby, Jay, Regan let us just feast in this gift the Lord has been so gracious to share with us. Whether it is long or short, we will continue to praise God for the gifts he has shared.
Please continue to share with our family and friends here on these pages. This is a blessing for us all.And, if nothing else I say seems to make sense, of this I know you will agree: Steve loves the Lord...and the Lord loves Steve!
Mama June
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