Former 'Full House' Teen Now an Actress Full of Faith
When Candace Cameron Bure came of age, it was on the popular TV sitcom "Full House." Turning 18 during the show's final season, she's since transformed into a talented performer, a caring mother of three and an outspoken Christian.
Bure next stars in "The Heart of Christmas," a holiday special airing 7 and 9 p.m. this Sunday on gmc. It recounts the tragic story of Dax Locke, a young boy suffering from cancer during the Christmas season. As his condition worsens, the community rallies around him in a show of support and Bure's character realizes she must reclaim her own family before it's too late.
In an interview with The Christian Post, Bure professes her belief in the power of Christ and family to sustain us. Without the two, she says, even the fullest house isn't a home.
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CP: You grew up onscreen playing DJ Tanner on the sitcom "Full House." Was it hard acting in front of America throughout all of your teens?
Bure: It wasn't hard but just awkward at times. Growing up from 10 to 18 on national TV was hard but I managed somehow. I wasn't scarred by it.
CP: After "Full House," you took a break from acting to focus on your children. Why was that important to you?
Bure: I wanted to be the one raising my children. My husband, Valeri Bure, was a professional hockey player and it would have been too hard when he was touring before he retired to have him do that.
It wasn't an easy transition but I knew I wanted to do it and I'm so thankful I could. Now that Valeri's retired I can go back to work a little bit. I'm so blessed to be a mom. It's been incredible making some lifetime memories and having time with my children. The fun now is balancing work and family life.
CP: You next star in "The Heart of Christmas," a TV special about a community rallying around a young boy with cancer. As a mother, was it hard acting in a situation where a child's life is in danger?
Bure: As a mom of three, my heart goes out during a story like this. I can't say I understand what a family in this situation goes through, but I understand what they're feeling. My heartstrings were definitely pulled. The uplifting part of the story is seeing how this experience touches the other characters' lives. You'll definitely want a tissue box by your side.
CP: How does "The Heart of Christmas" reflect the true meaning of Christmas?
Bure: The title says it all. We should cherish every moment and that's really what it's all about. We should place our families first as life is like a vapor and is incredibly short.
CP: You typically play family-oriented characters like Megan, a mother you play in "The Heart of Christmas." Having spent so much time acting in family programs, how do you think America's culture and values have changed over the years?
Bure: It depends on who you talk to. I was raised with strong moral values within my family. There are other people and things that go on in the world that aren't a reflection of how I choose to live my life or what I would want from it. Life evolves and at times things seem to get darker. No matter what we can keep finding stories of hope and ways of overcoming challenges.
CP: You are a strong Christian. Is it hard practicing your faith in Hollywood?
Bure: I don't think it's any more difficult than living out a faith-filled life elsewhere. There are certainly different challenges. I enjoy finding scripts that are meaningful or valuable to me. It's about choosing the projects differently. With so many television stations and production companies the industry has changed and grown immensely. It's almost getting easier to find Christian or family programing.
CP: You're a spokesperson for National House of Hope, a Christian organization for teens. Why is Christianity an important message for that age group?
Bure: National House of Hope is a wonderful organization that houses troubled teens as they work through issues directly with their families. It teaches them how to play a positive part in society. It teaches their parents how to have a successful relationship with their children. We treat things as diverse as drugs, alcohol and cutting. It's based on biblical principles and transforms people through Jesus.
At the core of it, these teens learn that our value is found in Christ and what he created us to be. We learn to see our worst through his eyes and we grow to find comfort in him rather than the empty promises of our lives.
CP: How has Jesus impacted your life?
Bure: I am who I am today because of my relationship with Christ. It produced a life change in me in my early 20s. I never understood my need for Jesus growing up as I thought I was pretty good person. I didn't know why I needed him at first. Eventually I understood that God's standard of goodness is different from the world's standard of goodness. We can't attain perfection by following just the law and doing good work. That's why God came here and paid the fine for us through his ultimate sacrifice. That's our eternal salvation. I realized at that point why I needed him and now it means absolutely everything to me.
