Get Well Todd!

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Mr. Michael Todd Burleson, age 43, of 9100 Vineyard
Road, Mt. Pleasant, received victory in his courageous
battle with cancer by entering Heaven on Sat. March 8,
2008.  This loving father, devoted husband, faithful
son, guiding brother, true friend , and most
importantly, fearless Christian now has his new body
and is running the streets of gold. 

Todd, a 1982 graduate of Mt. Pleasant High School,
received his bachelor’s degree from UNC Chapel Hill in
1986 and his master’s degree from Duke University in
2002.  Some of his many lifetime accomplishments
included the following: Honorary ROTC, UNC Track Team
member, Tri-Athlete, Founding Headmaster of Covenant
Classical School, Sportswriter for the Independent
Tribune, Sunday School and Bible Study Instructor,
Elder at Providence Church, Youth Director, Boy Scout
Leader, PFL Football Board Member, Coach of Cabarrus
Stallions Football & Basketball, and respected Vice
President of Wachovia Bank.  Of all of these
accomplishments, none were more important to Todd than
his relationship with the Lord.    

Todd is survived by the treasure of his heart — his
family: his beautiful, loving wife of 21 years,
Natalie Stowe Burleson; four devoted sons: Mr. Austin
Burleson, Mr. Dylan Burleson, Mr. Christian Burleson,
and Mr. Jackson Burleson; one beautiful daughter, Miss
Mary Claire Burleson; all members still reside in the
home.  He is also survived by his devoted parents,
Michael Ray and Bobbie Troublefield Burleson; two
sisters, Mrs. Kim B. Smith and husband Terry, as well
as Mrs. Jennifer B. Almond and husband Brian; one
brother, Mr. Scott Burleson and wife Missy. He also
leaves behind 7 wonderful neices and nephews.
Surviving in-laws include inseparable father-in-law
Mr. Jim Stowe and sister-in-law, Kathy Stowe, as well
as mother-in-law Mrs. Nancy Collins and husband Steve.

A Memorial service will be held at 11am on Saturday,
March 15, 2008 at Covenant Classical School on Hwy. 73
West (3200 Patrick Henry Drive, Concord, North
Carolina 28027). The officiating ministers will be
Rev. Mark Weathers, Rev. Frank Blue, Rev. Brenda
Newman, & Rev. Constance Garrett.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials
may be made to Providence Presbyterian Church Mercy
Ministries - Burleson Children
www.ppcnet.net   OR

551-C Pitts School Road, Concord NC 28027

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Our dearest husband, loving father, faithful son, guiding brother, and true friend is now singing and dancing with the angels.  He has run the race here on earth, and now, is running the golden streets of heaven.  He lived more in his forty-three years than most people put into ninety-six years.

Please continue to keep the family in your thoughts and prayers. We desire your words of encouragement at this time.  Your support through this has been immeasurably valuable.

We will post all arrangements once they are finalized.

Anyone interested in participating in the meals ministry, please contact Gail Chu at 704-795-1571.

Love and Peace,

The Burleson Family

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As I sit here this evening by your side, I’ve been reflecting on our past together.  Flipping through photo albums all day - catching glimpses of the past - it amazes me how God has taken us through all of these unique experiences and brought us to this specific point.  Even in all the present hardship we now face, I’ve been humbled by a valuable lesson: God’s grace and peace surpasses all boundaries.

 In looking at the photos today - family outings, holidays, goofy school pictures, weddings, births, birthdays - at not one time did a painful memory or terrible thought cross my mind.  The joys and beauty of the past came back to life through fond stories and memories shared by our loved ones.  No crisis was mentioned, no wounds reopened, no bitter emotions felt. God’s peace provides the grace to see only the good in our past.

In the inexplicable pain and suffering of present events, one would think hopelessness abounds.  As I sit by your frail exhausted body, something greater than hoplessness shines through.  I see undying love in the kisses and hugs you still abundantly provide for your beautiful wife and children and your extended family.  I see the child-like faith as you put your trust and well-being into the hands of friends and family.  I see your passion for others as I enter your room and you raise your balled fist to “tap knuckles” with your little brother.  I see glimpses of your energetic enthusiasm as you crank up your music and find the impossible strength to actually dance, or at weaker moments, at least do your “Night at the Roxbury” head bob.  I see your selflessness when you genuinely ask us “how are you doing - are you alright?”, when only the Lord knows what you’re experiencing.  I see your sense of adventure when you ask to take a road trip to the Circle K for a slurpy and a cruise around the big town of Mt. Pleasant.  I see an unshakeable faith, regardless of what comes your way; and not once, have a heard a single complaint.  All I’ve seen is God’s warrior trusting his heavenly leader through another day of battle.  God’s peace provides the strength to look beyond the bad, and instead, behold unspeakable beauty.

In looking toward the future, the world sees this journey as bleak; however, the faithful in Christ see God’s promises being fulfilled.  Throughout this journey, I have prayed for God’s will in my big brother’s healing.  As the medical diagnosis has become more dim, my weak flesh simply wanted to throw in the towel.  But as God’s strength and presence increase in its always perfect timing, this family’s love for God and one another has become firm and the belief in your healing has become stronger.  We believe, Todd, that you will be healed; whether it be here on Earth or in your new heavenly body is for God’s will to decide.  No matter what the future holds, this family will stand firm upon the promises of God:                   II Corinthians 4: 8-11, 14

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed — always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body.  For we who live are always delivered to death for Jesus’ sake, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in the mortal flesh.  14) …knowing that He who raised up the Lord Jesus will also raise us up with Jesus, and will present us with you.         

God’s grace provides the ability to discard selfish desires for the future and seek God’s plans and blessings for our lives.

All of this reflection has humbled me in the reminder that this is God’s plan for each and every one of us.  We all come from a past filled with regrets and failures.  We all live in a present that seems to want to knock us off our feet.  We all face an unknown worldly future that often unlocks our greatest human fears.  But 2000 years ago, God erased our sinful past on the cross of Calvary; today, the Holy Spirit and God’s Word provides us with protection from the sucker punches of life; and through the acceptance of God’s grace, our futures are perfect and eternal.

Dearest brother and my hero, my continued prayer is for God’s all-powerful mercy and peace to flow throughout your body, this family, and touch the lives of those who have been touched by you.  My undying love and commitment are eternally yours.

Scott Burleson (Brother “Burt”)

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Hello everyone,

Please pray for courage, strength, and God’s mercy for our family. 

Thanks and God Bless,

Natalie

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This is Natalie, or as Todd and many others call me, “Nat.” I thought after this year’s special day of love, I would update you on Todd’s health and share with you how God has poured His Love upon us since the last update.

I have to say we were devastated by the doctor’s last prognosis; many tears were shed and this household felt as if it were “sucker punched.” The most difficult part of the ordeal was having to tell our five children (ages 3 to 19) individually, and then wait for each one’s heartfelt response: 19-year-old Austin saying, “You can’t die… you’re my hero”; 15-year-old Dylan standing speechless, his tender heart breaking; 12-year-old Christian saying, “My heart is in my stomach and it hurts”; 9-year-old Mary Claire crying for one and a half hours wrapped in Todd’s arms before she explained, “I’m crying because I want to know… who’s going to walk me down the aisle at my wedding”; finally, little Jack asking daddy if he was going to see Jesus while walking around in a lot of anger.

I will never forget that weekend of valleys. It seemed to never end. Watching Todd tell his siblings was just heart-wrenching. Though our families were hurting, we held tight to each over for several days: watching ballgames, talking, eating, playing games, laughing, watching movies, etc. All the while no one left Todd’s, the kid’s, or my side all weekend. Thanks also to all the teens that kept and still keep our house cheerful through these tough days. You could have run away but you didn’t! You’re energy and your presence adds to this house.

Well, now that you’re all probably crying, let me say how good God is. We have had so many things happen recently, I will try to mention a few:

First, Todd developed a bout with hiccups that lasted five days straight. It became very painful and completely exhausted him. He lost his appetite and had trouble drinking. We tried everything medicines to scaring the hiccups out of him, yet nothing seemed to work. At this time, God placed it upon the heart of a family friend to share communion and pray with Todd that very day. That night, Faye McRorie visited our home and prayed over Todd for about an hour. He just laid there, unable to move. Faye left, and not thirty minutes after, the hiccups stopped and haven’t returned. Praise God and thank you Faye for feeling God’s tug on your heart strings and obeying.

We have felt all the prayers of loved ones and strangers alike, and because of those prayers, joy and peace abound in our house. We choose to trust God when He says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) and when Jesus says “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. (John 14:27).

After his hiccups passed, Todd slept for two days and then felt much better; however, his pain still existed, mostly in his chest and hip where there are tumors. He was on a lot of pain medication every three hours to ease the pain; we were struggling to manage the pain.

Once again, God moved in our lives just in the nick of time. While we were all feeling Todd’s pain at home, a dear friend, Lori Milo, was three thousand miles away in Maryland sending up a written prayer request concerning Todd at a Spirit-filled service. In the crowd of about 3,000, the speaker quickly came to Lori’s written request concerning Todd, and was immediately broken by our story. Six years ago, this man faced a similar situation: young in age, facing numerous tumors, and given two months to live. God miraculously healed this man in all aspects of his life: physically, mentally , and spiritually.

This speaker visited this very website and read some of Todd’s writings. He believed as we do that it is not Todd’s time to die. At that point, Jim Buchanan and his dear wife, Jackie, felt God move them to get in the car and come to our home. This couples faith took them from their home in Canada to our home in Mt. Pleasant. I was amazed and touched when he called to share their story and tell us they were on the way. They drove down, only resting and eating, shared their full story, prayed with us (the home visit only lasting about two hours), and the couple then made their way back home.

Since then, Todd’s pain has drastically decreased.He was taking 2 heavy pain pills every 3 hours day and night. Recently, he has dropped the dosage to 1 pain pill at night and slept through the night for three consecutive nights. This feat hasn’t been accomplished in over a year! Thank the Lord for his restful and healing mercies.

As Romans 15:4-5 states, “For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope. Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus.”

In this past week, we have faced new challenges. Todd had to spend three days in the hospital for dehydration and anemia. He is now back home resting well. We know God can handle this bump in the road just as He has other bumps on this journey. Our struggle was eased yesterday through the special blessing that Marcia Morris gave us through her beautiful story in the Cabarrus Neighbors section of the Charlotte Observer, depicting our story of love through disease. Thank you for lifting our spirits.

As we face our next challenge and blessing each day, my prayer for all of you who we call our dear friends comes from Phil. 4:6-7

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your request be made known to God.”

Love to you all,
Nat

P.S.
Burleson’s new mailing address:

9100 Vineyard Road
Mount Pleasant, NC 28124

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There is a great legend in the Old Testament of the Bible.  It takes place in the book of 2 Kings, chapter 6.  I think it fits very appropriately with what Natalie the family and I have been going through the past week or so.

In the story from 2 Kings, the king of Syria becomes angered at one of God’s prophets, Elisha.  It seems critical information has been slipping out of the Syrian camp and into the ears of the King of Israel.  The king of Syria believes there must be a spy in the camp so he seeks to destroy that spy.  However, one of the kings advisors tells him of how Elisha has received messages from God regarding Syria and how Elisha has been warning Israel.  Long story short, the king of Syria wants Elisha dead.  He tells his army to find him.

The next scene is Elisha’s servant getting up early one morning to wash up and prepare for breakfast.  He goes outside to get some water to prepare the meal.  Unknown to him, there are thousands of Syrians, their chariots, their servants, and their weapons encircling the place where Elisha and his servant were staying…………………….STOP the reel and page forward to this past Friday………………………………………

I was given some news on 1/11 that I was not prepared for and that sent me into a state of self-pity, despair, almost hopelessness.  In a nutshell, the doctors told me the medication I was taking was not working well enough  to continue and there was really only one other option out there which had a slim hope of being able to help at all.  In short, the doctors told me they believe I have 3-6 months left to live.  (Now I know how Elisha’s servant felt when he walked outside to face thousands of Syrian troops ready to devour them).  Roll forward with both stories……………………

Just as Elisha’s servant panicked when he saw the Syrian army, I went into a state of numbness when I heard the doctor’s prognosis.  But as Paul Harvey says, there is a “Rest of the Story”.  In 2 Kings, the servant called out to Elisha and told him of the great host prepared to attack them.  Elisha told him to “fear not for those that are with us are greater than those who oppose us.”  I don’t know what you would have done but I would have glanced around the room and saw maybe a smattering of religious folks with some rocks and sticks…………………not exactly more than the enemy.  But Elisha had patience.  He prayed that God would open the eyes of the servant so that he could see the help which was sent from above.  The army from above encircled the Syrian army and they did not even realize it.

My realization of everything and everyone that is fighting for me has been a little slower than Elisha’s servant.  God has been diligently pointing out all of you who continue to pray for us and our healing.  The Holy Spirit continues to give us comfort and peace and just the perfect verses to hold on to when we are struggling.

Whether you are battling with cancer, or relationship issues, insecurities, any number of addictions, we all have that feeling of terror that Elisha’s servant felt when he saw the Syrian army in the back yard.  If we will follow through with the story we will see how, once again, God intervenes for us in a seemingly impossible situation to restore his goodness and His plan for our lives.

My prayer for you today is that God opens your eyes to see all the people who are in your corner supporting you through prayer, intercession, love offerings, etc.  God has an army of His warriors greater than whatever you are facing if you will give the battle to him.  Have faith and believe.

Grace & Peace,

Todd & Nat

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I developed a love for boxing during my childhood.  I grew up in an era when the boxing superstars were larger than life.  Men like Ali, Frazier, Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Thomas “Hitman” Hearns were many of the gladiators I loved to watch as a young person.   I watched the “Thrilla in Manilla” before the time of Pay Per View and listened to Howard Cosell “Tell it Like it Is.”  I loved the glamor and the showboating but what I really admired about many of these champions was their ability to get up after being knocked down and persevere through adverse times.

I guess you could say the past week has been one of those times for me.  As I came off my fourth round of Sutent, I encountered a barrage of “punches” as I withdrew from the powerful drug.  I ran fevers, then cold chills, then fevers, then chills etc.  All I wanted to do was sleep.  Other times when I entered my two week reprieve between rounds, I have had side effects, but I don’t think I have ever had it to this extent. 

Yesterday, we returned to the hospital for my regular scans and checkups.  I had to do a CT scan of my chest, abdomen, and pelvic areas and a complete bone scan.  The results were mixed.  While the lesions on my liver and lung pathway had not grown, the lesion on my left hip had returned.  The doctors also noted a new lesion on my backbone at the T-9 vertebra.  That sort of put me on the canvas for a standing 8-count.  The hardest thing for me was seeing my wife from “ringside” as the medical folks counted off the statistics and the less than promising news.  It was almost like when Adrienne was begging Rocky to stay down on the canvas instead of continuing the fight.  (Not that I am a Rocky AND not that Adrienne is anywhere as beautiful as my Natalie).

But, as I have spoken with so many of you over the past months, there really is only one choice in our lives.  It is binary………….Yes or No.  I can choose life or death, blessing or cursing, Fight or Surrender!  “This day I choose life.”

As I have had the opportunity to speak with so many people who are suffering with various challenges in their lives, I have come to learn that courage is not the bravado that we display when everything is calm.  It is the fortitude we exhibit when things are not in our favor.  I appreciate all of your prayers and words of encouragement as we continue this battle.  I hope you know that we continue to pray for those of you who have told us of your struggles.

In the Bible, the book of Hebrews has a chapter that is known as the Hall of Faith.  The entire 11th chapter is devoted to telling the amazing exploits of those who stood on faith even when their friends, family, the entire world was against them.  As chapter 12 begins, we are encouraged with these words, “Wherefore, seeing we also are so compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

There are so many who have stood by faith before us.  We can go another round, we can throw another punch, we can continue to fight the good fight.  The bell just rang.  Go get ‘em slugger!!!!

Grace & Peace,

Todd

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Back in the days when I was in High School at a small, semi-rural school, we needed every available athlete for every sporting season.  I ended up playing three sports every year of my high school experience and am so glad that I did. 

After playing two spring seasons on the golf team during my freshman and sophomore years, I decided to switch to track & field.  Not because I had a burning desire to run but because I felt it would help me get in better shape for my favorite, high potential sport; basketball.  Looking back now, I can’t help but smile at the hopes of my NBA career as a 5′10″, 160lb player who jumped center and played power forward.  However, at 15 & 16 years old, everything is possible.

So, I convinced myself that running track would be a great way to get in shape for my other sports.  I was so assured that I talked some of my friends into coming out for the team also.  We did OK our junior year, but our senior year was something special.  My best friend, Ken Jewell and I actually were named team captains.

I don’t have time to rundown the entire senior season but I can take you to the most special night of that year.  We were in the conference championships.  Back then, the only way you could become All-Conference was to win your event at the Conference Championships.  I had finished second in the 300-meter hurdles and placed in the 800-meter relay and one other field event and we were winding down toward the end of my meet.

Unknown to me until just a few months ago, Ken had pulled the other two guys from our mile relay team to the side.  Ken and the other two fellows had already earned All-Conference patches for earlier events.  I was the only person on the relay team without an All-Conference patch.  I don’t know what exactly Ken told those guys but he got them fired up enough to run the best mile relay our team had ever posted.  We blistered some of the fastest runners in the region.

I was good at the quarter mile but it was not my favorite event.  It is a gruelling run that basically challenges you to sprint as fast as you can until you either collapse or you complete the course.  The quarter and half mile are considered some of the most taxing events in track & field.  But when Ken talked to me, I could see the fire in his eyes.  He was dead set on getting that patch for me, his co-captain, and he was the anchor leg.

It all seems like a complete dream to me now.  I’m not 100% sure which leg I ran (I think I was 2nd) but when it came time for me to take the baton, I flew.  I ran with everything I had left in me.  I don’t think I lost any ground, but I am not sure I gained any either.  We still had catching up to do.  Watching those last two laps were some of the best sporting footage that I can ever remember seeing (In my brain).  The last two guys were just hauling it around that field.  We were screaming to the top of our lungs and praying that we would catch up.  That’s where my memory shifts into slow motion.  As fast as those guys were moving, their legs looked like sticks of butter.  I could feel every twitch of every fiber running through their legs, abs, and arms.  They were giving this everything they had.

When the event was over, I had to curl up in the infield because my abs were cramping so bad from the exertion…………….but it was a wonderful feeling.  It was the best pain I ever endured.  Euphoria and agony.  We were the reigning conference champs and I had a patch!  Ken came over after his amazing run and hugged me a told me this race was for me.  The team had decided they wanted to win this race for me.  And they had.

What’s the importance of this tiny microcosim of a story?  What does this have to do with anything in your life today.  That’s the most important part.

I was physically incapable of winning that patch by myself.  Even if scientists could have cloned me and posted my personal best time in the quarter mile four times, I would not have won that race.  Other people took it upon themselves to do for me what I could not do on my own.

This past year has been that same story in re-run mode for me and my family.  There have been so many things in the past 12 months that we were physically and spiritually incapable of taking care of.  You decided that this race was more important than any individual need of your own.  You decided that the Burleson’s needed that patch.

This past year, the patch has been prayer, groceries, cleaning, child care, clothes, bills being paid, Christmas presents, sitting quietly in the room while I suffered through agonizing treatments, spiritual guidance, giving my wife a girls night out so she can catch her breath, improvements to our home, auto mechanics, masonry, plumbing, electrical, sheet rocking, roofing, guttering, words of encouragement and on and on the list goes.  You have carried us through the race of 2007.  I want you to know as well that I have done my best to run this race with all my might and all my abilities.

Many of you know my faith and that I am a Christ follower.  The story I have shared with you rings true in my faith as well.  I have been taught that in this human race, there is no way physically or spiritually that we can attain the peace, love, and joy that we seek on our own.  The good news is that there has been someone who has ran the race for us and accomplished more than we could ever imagine.  He began to run the race for us over 2,000 years ago when he came to earth as a man.  His name is Jesus of Nazreth.

Jesus knows how desperately you want that patch.  He knows that you realize you are incapable of earning that patch on your own.  That’s why he ran the gauntlet for you.  So that when his journey was complete, he could put his arms around you and hug you and tell you that, “This race was for you.  I ran it for you.”

 Merry Christmas,

Todd & Natalie

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I realize I am a few days late from the official US Holiday but wanted to share an update and a few thoughts.

I am thankful that I completed my 10 rounds of radiation on my back before Thanksgiving.  The pain is going away and I feel that I am getting more mobility as well.

I am thankful that I completed another month of Sutent treatment the day before Thanksgiving. 

I am thankful that I am still alive and doing well considering last year this time, I was in pretty dire (sp?) straits.

For those who just wanted an update, you can stop reading here :>).

As I pondered Thanksgiving and all that has happened over the past year, I have been reminded of a human characteristic that I have impressed upon my family.  When in a chaotic or drastic situation, I believe it is normal human tendency to “circle the wagons” and try to shield yourself from everything that is around you.  I think it is a defense mechanism and sometimes warranted.  However, what I have seen in myself and others in the past 12 months is a tendency to become so pre-occupied with what is happening in your situation that we either can’t or won’t look beyond our current circumstances.

As I meditated on the word Thanksgiving and thought about some wise advice from people I respect, I realized that true thankfulness revolves around giving (i.e. Thanks….giving).  If we are in a mode of sharing of ourselves, our gifts, and our love to others, we are less likely to focus on our own negative situation.  This principle is widely taught in AA, NA, 12-Step programs, and, I believe, throughout true Christianity.  My senior director shared a word from one of our Operating Committee members that goes like this, “When your are down and out, go out into your community and find somewhere that you can help.  You will soon realize that your situation is not nearly as bad as you thought it was.”

My challenge to you this holiday season is to look for ways that you can exercise thankful giving.  I am not talking about making cash donations somewhere, that is the easy way out (I’m not saying don’t make donations either).  What I am after is finding a way that you can directly touch the life of another human being.  Perhaps you can help someone unload their groceries from their car (Make sure you get their permission first!), run an errand for someone, visit someone you have not seen in a long time……………and most importantly, give others the gift of unhurried time.  Don’t make them feel rushed or that you are not interested in what they have to say.  Don’t even be planning what you are going to say in response to their statement.  Just listen and breathe.  You will be surprised at the blessing you will receive by giving of yourself.

Happy Holidays.  Grace & Peace,

Todd

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