Myself, along with MANY people have been praying for a Gentleman and his family. Some of us know him, some have only seen his face in the photos. God brought all of us together in the midst of his upcoming life changing surgery.
David Hurst, a fellow Wacoan (I still feel a like I'm a part of Waco even though I don't live there) :) recently found out he had a Brain Tumor, golf ball size, in the left frontal lobe of his brain. David is a local ED Physician, a Husband and father of two adorable little children that I was blessed to have met. Within days, literally days, he and his wife were making plans to have this tumor removed at MD Anderson. MD Anderson specializes in Cancer treatment, and even more so has technology that other hospitals do not.
A few days before surgery day, a friend of the family, Breck contacted me about photographing the family to capture them in their environment before it changed in just a few days. I at the time had no idea how much I would receive from this family having never met them before. I of course said I would and prayed about this day.
His wife Dana answered the door and she was beautiful, full of life, not an ounce of fear was to be found that I could see. She let me in, and down the stairs came David. This was the moment I prayed for.
Lord, please be with me as I meet this family who's lives are changing at a rapid pace. Give me the strength to not show my weakness, tears. Hold my hand steady Lord, allow my camera to operate as it should. Allow me to be a light to this family in a time that would appear to be so dark.
I prayed not only for them, but yes for myself. I had friends praying for me as well. God heard them. God heard me. God heard YOU!
After the pictures were finished, and I had given Dana a few things before leaving, she spoke with me for a minute about the peace she felt. A peace that I wouldn't imagine one could have in the spin cycle she was enduring. She was so confident in God and all that he can do, and those who where praying. She knew that it was in God's hands, and she trusted that, and felt relieved by that it seemed.
They left that evening, and from that moment I kept up with them on their blog. I lived there for a day or two it seemed. After just knowing them for just a few hours, I wanted more than anything at that moment for God to do just as Dana knew he would.
I posted a video the night before surgery. I wanted the family and friends to be able to see the life that was still inside of Dana and David despite what they were facing. The were full of it! LIFE, this thing that God has given us... Life. I know at times it takes something of this magnitude to force you to live your LIFE, but for this family I seemed to gather that they lived their life long before this day. The video brought out many strangers who did not know David, and may never know David. What it also brought was a group of believers together to pray for this man. To pray for healing! God heard, and God healed!
David is now home (Less than 4 full days after having Brain Surgery). The family is so grateful, and still so full of life. They are still awaiting the pathology report from the tumor, and are still prayerful! You can read more about hsi journey at www.hurstfamilyupdate.blogspot.com
This family changed me a lot that day. So much that I had to be thankful for, so much to do in my life to be "living" it. I cannot thank them enough for that. I hope you are able to see the beauty in this family through the video, and this post. God is life, he has given it to us so selflessly! Live your life, and live it in thanks to God for what he has given you. Please, if you get a chance to my photography page on FB and watch the video, and be praying for them. What a joy they are!
Embrace Photography by Brittney Hejl is the name of my page.
Blessings!
Brittney <><
