A few weeks ago I asked my Facebook friends to send me a message with an experience they had with someone. This "someone" should have had impacted their life in such a way that they would change something about themselves or the path they were on. I received this life experience from Jessica from California. She wrote about her father and his fight with cancer.
She writes:
I am incredibly impacted by the life of my dad. He has been a solid Godly example for me my whole life and I truly believe that is God's amazing gift that I am forever thankful for. This past July he was diagnosed with stage 3 bladder cancer. At Stage 4 cancer metastasizes. We were terrified, saddened, and scared. The Lord spoke to my dad's heart and told him this wouldn't be of death and my father had unwavering faith. He refused any kind of medical treatment saying he knew the Lord would take care of Him and that all the glory would be to Him. After his initial biopsy (when he was diagnosed) they removed 3 tumors. 1 month later when he went in for another biopsy, the 3 removed tumors had all grown back- 1 to the size of a lemon. His kidney's started slowing failing-only working at 60%..this was the hardest time. A time of uncertainty and sorrow. I made it up in my mind that I would start spending more time with him and photographing him I had the chance.... whether it was BBQ's or park days, it didn't matter..I just wanted to capture as much of him as possible. My heart yearned for more of him while we were in this waiting period because I had such great fear that he would be taken and I will have wished I had captured more of him.That feeling is undescribable. You get to a point in grieving where you realize you cannot change things-and you may not have tomorrow, but you have today and you could fully immerse yourself today making memories that would carry you through. I would love this photoshoot because it is so opposite of what my dad would want. Everytime I pull out my camera he makes a silly face or refuses to smile..but the extreme blessing it would be for you to be able to capture his candid smile, the wrinkles in his eyes, and his adoring looks to my mom would be with us forever. It has been 8 months and my dad is cancer free. For now, life has returned back to normal..but the shock we received 8 months ago is not forgotten and I promised myself I would always remember to record these moments we're living as much as I can while we have him. His testimony is amazing-Praise God.. and if you'd be up for the challenge my family would be richly blessed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I thought this would be an encouragement to read. Lets love on our family and friends while they are still here. Jess realized that she should not take any passing minute for granted. To love and appreciate her father more. We can learn something here. It reminds me of this quote: "You never truly appreciate things until their gone" I know i don't want to live like that. I want and will work to appreciate things while i STILL have them. More specifically, the people in my life. Another reason why I chose Jess story was because she hoped to win this free session for her family. Selfless act. Thanks for submitting Jessica! I look forward to photographing your family!
She writes:
I am incredibly impacted by the life of my dad. He has been a solid Godly example for me my whole life and I truly believe that is God's amazing gift that I am forever thankful for. This past July he was diagnosed with stage 3 bladder cancer. At Stage 4 cancer metastasizes. We were terrified, saddened, and scared. The Lord spoke to my dad's heart and told him this wouldn't be of death and my father had unwavering faith. He refused any kind of medical treatment saying he knew the Lord would take care of Him and that all the glory would be to Him. After his initial biopsy (when he was diagnosed) they removed 3 tumors. 1 month later when he went in for another biopsy, the 3 removed tumors had all grown back- 1 to the size of a lemon. His kidney's started slowing failing-only working at 60%..this was the hardest time. A time of uncertainty and sorrow. I made it up in my mind that I would start spending more time with him and photographing him I had the chance.... whether it was BBQ's or park days, it didn't matter..I just wanted to capture as much of him as possible. My heart yearned for more of him while we were in this waiting period because I had such great fear that he would be taken and I will have wished I had captured more of him.That feeling is undescribable. You get to a point in grieving where you realize you cannot change things-and you may not have tomorrow, but you have today and you could fully immerse yourself today making memories that would carry you through. I would love this photoshoot because it is so opposite of what my dad would want. Everytime I pull out my camera he makes a silly face or refuses to smile..but the extreme blessing it would be for you to be able to capture his candid smile, the wrinkles in his eyes, and his adoring looks to my mom would be with us forever. It has been 8 months and my dad is cancer free. For now, life has returned back to normal..but the shock we received 8 months ago is not forgotten and I promised myself I would always remember to record these moments we're living as much as I can while we have him. His testimony is amazing-Praise God.. and if you'd be up for the challenge my family would be richly blessed.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I thought this would be an encouragement to read. Lets love on our family and friends while they are still here. Jess realized that she should not take any passing minute for granted. To love and appreciate her father more. We can learn something here. It reminds me of this quote: "You never truly appreciate things until their gone" I know i don't want to live like that. I want and will work to appreciate things while i STILL have them. More specifically, the people in my life. Another reason why I chose Jess story was because she hoped to win this free session for her family. Selfless act. Thanks for submitting Jessica! I look forward to photographing your family!
2 comments:
Jenny thank you so much for sharing Jessica's story. Jessica, you have a way with words and I am in tears as I write this. God bless you for sharing your story and I pray and hope nothing but the best for you and your family!
Jess, thank you so much for sharing this. I love your dad, and reading this brought tears to my eyes and brought back so many sweet memories with your family. What strength of faith he had- truly inspiring. Thank God and praise Him for healing your dad and what a testimony he has now to share! May the Lord continue to bless you and your family. I'm so looking forward to see these pics- they are going to be precious! Jenny, you truly have amazing talent God has blessed you with. Your pictures are breath taking. Love your work. I pray only blessings for you and your family!
Post a Comment