Man, do I love this woman. When my Aunt Beth asked me if I would capture her journey I felt honored. To share her story from the past year - what Jesus has been speaking to her, and the strength and courage He has given her and her family throughout this time is a blessing for me.
We only spent about 30 minutes shooting before a relaxing day by the water with family, but the time that we had together was truly powerful. It was filled with the presence of Jesus, with worship, with tears of joy, with prayer, and with rest. Words cannot do it justice.
A little from Aunt Beth:
"What a difference a year makes! Jessa took this head shot of me last fall (2014). About the time it was taken I found a lump in my breast.
January (2015) the diagnosis came-cancer. In February I had a lumpectomy but when my labs came back cancer cells were still detected. March brought another surgery to remove more breast tissue. Still cancer cells were detected. April brought the first of 16 chemotherapy treatments. Ten days later I stared in disbelief at a brush full of my hair, for four days I watched more and more fall out. How long can this go on? May 5th I made the decision to shave what was left of my hair off. I already had a wig waiting.
I had kept my journey private all these months, just close family and friends shared it with me. I needed to hear the Lord's voice above all else. I was frustrated about the wig. People would be able to tell. I was not ready to share my journey. The wig lasted about six weeks. Late June brought such oppressive heat that it was impossible for me to keep it on. Another layer of privacy removed. It was very difficult to let people see the real me. I didn't want to answer questions and I didn't want to be treated like a sick person.
Through the hair loss and the steroid induced weight gain, I have struggled with my view of "me". The Lord has so sweetly through the love and encouragement of family, friends, and even total strangers, begun to teach me about true beauty!"
"When You don't move the mountains I'm needing you to move, when you don't part the waters I wish I could walk through, when you don't give the answers as I cry out to You, I will trust, I will trust, I will trust in You!"
-"Trust In You" by Lauren Daigel
(Click the link above to hear the song)
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."
-Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
