Love and Prayers

The beautiful and amazing Daphne.

Jan 25, 2012 11:25

By: Elizabeth Nelson

“Even with bad news from the doctors, we will forever trust that God will act in Daphne's best interest. We continue to pray for healing for her.”

That’s what I read when I opened up Facebook on Monday morning. Daphne’s dad wrote that.

If you’re wondering who Daphne is, she’s a friend of mine. I first met her when she was 3-years-old. Her family moved to town to teach at the Christian school I was attending in 1991. Her dad was teaching music, and her mom was the Spanish and home economics teacher. They both turned out to be my favorite teachers. They made going to school amazing. Not only did I enjoy my classes, I became good friends with my teachers.

Eleven years after meeting these amazing people, they were there for me on the day I got married. My music teacher sang at my wedding, and my home economics teacher saved the day when she made a last minute wedding veil. My mom burned a hole while ironing the veil she made, and called me in tears. I suggested that we call my dear teacher and ask for a favor. The new veil was perfection.

I remember seeing a young teenage Daphne that day. I marveled at how she had changed. I remembered her as an adorable toddler full of spunk, a little girl who charmed everyone she met. Yes, she was taller, but she was still charming Daphne.

Fast forward nearly a decade. Move me two states away with a new job, busy family, and I completely lost track of this dear family. This is where I’m so thankful for Facebook. My music teacher sent me a friend request. It was so good to reconnect.

This past summer I read a prayer request he posted about Daphne. It mentioned that she was having another brain biopsy. This is where my mind yelled “ANOTHER”? I contacted him, and he told me how Daphne had been in a car accident at 19. She had hit her head during the accident, so they did a scan. The scan revealed something they weren’t expecting. A brain tumor.

Over the past few years, Daphne has had surgery, radiation, chemotherapy, multiple tests and has spent weeks, if not months at a time in the hospital. Despite all of this, she stays strong. She has a sense of humor. She trusts God. She encourages others. She’s the sort of person at 23 that I want to be when I grow up.

I asked you in mid December to pray for Daphne. Many of you have. You even call to ask how she’s doing if I don’t give an update on her every day. The past two weeks have been very difficult for her. She’s in the hospital, and her test results aren’t what her family has been praying for.

Please continue to pray for Daphne. As I sit here and type this out, I’m overwhelmingly thankful for you. Thank you for being willing to pray for my friend just because I asked you to.  Thank you for having a burden on your heart to lift her up to the Lord. Thank you for loving Daphne.

Love,

Elizabeth