Bill and Susan

When I was at home, I looked and looked through all my files to find the pictures that I had taken of Bill and Susan out in the Prayer garden at church last August. I had their individual photos, but couldn't find their couples photos. With all the hard drive problems I have been having, I thought for sure I had lost them.

However, I was very thankful to come into my old work computer and find the original photos.

I have shown you how handsome Bill was and his contagious smile and now, for those of you who don't know the two of them, you can see what a handsome couple they made. They compliment each other in every way possible and walked the journey of life tackling every struggle, rejoicing every accomplishment, learning to love and forgive, and growing more like Christ with every passing day. All of this was done TOGETHER.

In as much as it pains me to think of saying Susan with out Bill's name preceding it, I find comfort in knowing that Jesus has, and will, always go before her. And I know she finds comfort in that knowledge.

I love you Bill.
I love you Susan.

More about Bill

As most of you know, I lost my job at the church way back in March. Because I moved so far away, I'm out of the loop on most of what is going on with people.

I had heard that Bill was in the hospital around Easter, but had heard that he had recovered and heard nothing more. That is until yesterday.

I still am the main camera operator for all four Sunday services at church and yesterday when I returned from lunch, Don was standing at the top of the stairs. He simply told me, "Bill passed away today around 12:30."

I had no idea who he was talking about. "Bill who?"

He had a puzzled look on his face mixed with a bit of horror as he realized that I didn't know about Bill being diagnosed with cancer.

It was not unusual for Bill and Susan to spend every weekend up in the high country during the summer months and that is where I thought they were weekend after weekend. I would look for them every weekend, and this weekend was no different. I scanned the hundreds of people looking for those two familiar faces and to hear their comforting southern drawl.

Don apologized to me. He thought I knew. I didn't. I was in shock. No tears, only questions. The flood gates would open about an hour later when the news started to sink in.

I worked mainly with Susan on a large video project for her ministry and I had a couple of shoots at their house. I enjoyed speaking to Bill. There have only been two men in my life where simply hearing the sound of their voice has an amazing calming effect on me and Bill was one of them.

I sat at my computer and wept. I didn't cry, I wept! Snot bubbles and all. I'm thankful that I did not have to be on camera for the entire evening service yesterday, only for worship. I sat on my camera perch with a box of tissues at my feet and wept during worship.

I didn't know what to do. I wanted to give Susan a big hug and just hold her, but I didn't want to intrude. I didn't get to do that with my friend, who's momma passed just a month ago and never really felt like I had closure with that loss.

I drove to Bill and Susan's house and was met by their son, Bill Jr.. He looks just like his Dad! It actually took me back to see him.

I was able to hug Susan and just hold her. We talked and she told me about the past four months and how amazing God had been during that time. The people at the hospital would come in and just sit with Bill because there was something calm and peaceful about him.

He touched peoples lives right up to his departure.

I don't know how I'm going to get through the service on Saturday. I have already committed to be on camera for Susan and record this memory for her, a celebration of Bill's life. I told her that when we spoke and she told me we would get through it together.

I found one more photo I had taken of Bill almost a year ago exactly. Once again, you see his contagious smile. If you didn't have an opportunity to know him, I'm sorry for you. For those of us who had the blessing to know him, our lives will never be the same. I will miss him, but celebrate that he is worshiping with Christ, his Lord and King.

Again, In Loving Memory

They say things come in three's. Well, I was just punched in the stomach with the third person in the past month I know of to have passed away of cancer.

Bill passed away today just after lunchtime. He was an amazing man of God with an infectious smile.

I can't write more right now. Please pray for his wife, Susan.

Phoenix monsoon

In loving memory.

On July 6, 2009 at 10:20pm Bonnie went home to be with her Lord. She was adored by those who knew her, especially her heartbroken son, Michael. While she will be missed terribly here on earth, we know she is rejoicing with Christ.


But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.

For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.

For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.

Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thes 4:13-18

A comment I heard years ago when I was in a foreign country came to my mind today. This country I was visiting is a country where a lot of Americans adopt children from and there were/are people who are frightened about letting the children of their country be brought to America. It wasn't because of politics, or fear that the children would be mis-treated by their adoptive families or that they were being exploited. No, people were concerned about these children being brought to America because of an illness that seems to be rampant here.

Cancer!!!

I woke up this morning to find out that a little 8-year girl is/has succumbed to brain cancer after a 2 1/2 year battle. (She was not adopted, just want to clarify that.) I had the privileged and honor to film a fund raising event for her and her family back in 2007. I watched it and I cried.



I also have a friend of mine who's mother has been battling pancreatic cancer for the past 4 months. He is currently there visiting her for what could his last time. I also had the privilege and honor to make a video for him of their last family reunion.

And, my own mother went in for a CT scan last week to investigate "shadows" on her lungs.

I don't like this word. I hate this word. I hate all the tears it brings to the people in my life I love. I hate the pain it brings to people I love. I simply hate it!!!

In the infinite words of Forrest Gump, "And that's all I've got to say about that."

Bull Riding at The Buffalo Chip

Tonight I went out with Leonard and Debbie to The Buffalo Chip in Cave Creek. They had bull riding there tonight and it gave me an opportunity to try my hand at shooting this sport. You can see high rez photos by clicking HERE.

Below are the best shots of the night.


Notice the guy standing by the gate...


He had to make a quick get away from the bull.


Just missed this cowboy.




Rodeo Clowns are the unsung heroes of the rodeo circuit.






Doing good so far...


This hand touch ruined his ride and it didn't count.

FYI

I would like to be able to tell you that this does not happen, but unfortunately it does. I'm finding this out more and more since starting my own photography business.

Flashback to Sweden

I found these photos as I was cleaning up one of my HD's. These were taken the last time I was in Sweden back in 2006.

Competitions

I have recently entered some of my photos in two competitions.

This first was is from AZ Highways to highlight the work of world renown glass artist Chihuly. The AZ Botanical Gardens just concluded a 6-month display of some of his work.





















































The second contest I entered was the "Art of Photography". I entered a series of photos I took in Tanzania.