First off, thank you! I am humbled and amazed by the number of people who are reading and responded to this blog. From family, friends, schoolmates, co-workers, biz partners and photography friends via Amy's industry, I feel surrounded by people who believe in a God that not only loves us, but offers us His healing to those who ask for it.
(Side-note: I have also sent this message out to members of the Facebook Group: Pray for David Wenzel - Operation 55 Zebra, a group started by a good friend of mine. I will soon condense all my updates, but in the meantime I thought I should let you know this facebook group exists.)
Gonna try to keep this short. On Monday morning (the 22nd) around 11:00 CST, I will be meeting with Dr. Uhm (A.K.A. Dr. Awesome) to receive the official pathology results of my brain biopsy.
We have faith, and are praying specifically, that I have a "Grade II - Oligodendroglioma". In addition, we have faith to hear later this week that this tumor has a 'co-deletion of chromosomal arms 1p/19q'. While that may sound confusing, God totally speaks DNA and will hear your prayers loud and clear. If you need help to remember, just pray that David 'minds his p's and q's'.
But this is what I actually wanted to tell you. I have a gut feeling you've got something going on in your life right now and you do not have complete faith that God can (or will) keep His promises to you. Maybe you doubt that God can take care of you when it comes to finding a new job, dealing with your current job, fixing your marriage, managing your kids, finishing school, paying bills, etc... I really don't know what that thing is, but I know that you know.
It will be very easy for you to remain safe and say "I trust that God is in complete control of this situation". To be honest, the majority of my life has been summarized by this statement. And while I believe this is still a super-legit thing to say to God, I am challenging you to take this one step further. I challenge you to ask for faith that moves God, not only to 'be in control', but to act on your behalf.
Reminds me of a simple verse that we often like to pretend is difficult: "Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." - Hebrews 11:1.
If you have trouble with it, just read it like you are 12 years old (child-like faith). If you don't get it, maybe pretend you're 8 and try again. And again.
I want you to be SURE of what you hope for. I want you to be CERTAIN of what you do not see. For once, I want you to JUMP and rely on God to move and come through on your behalf.
Lord knows I'm in mid-air right now. I'll let you know what Dr. Awesome says.
Kung-Fu saved my life.
what an awesome and encouraging post! I check your blog everyday to see how you and your wife are doing. How incredible it is to see the faith that you guys have. I'm keeping youboth in my prayers. Oh, my husband takes Kung Fu, so I'll pass along the cool benefit you noted in your post!
Posted by: Dwn beirnes | June 22, 2009 at 09:33 AM
Praying now and will pray at noon (11:00 CST) too. God is God... from everlasting to everlasting. May His strength surround you and peace fill you as you find out what sort of battle you face. How great to know that no matter the outcome, He has already won the victory! Thanks for your testimony and updates. I find my own faith challenged and encouraged as a result.
BTW, Have you had any Caribou Coffee or Bruegger's Bagels yet?!
Posted by: Jody Ferlaak | June 22, 2009 at 09:33 AM
David, as I deal with my mom's battle with pancreatic cancer, your words are healing to my mind and inspirational. Thank you and I'm praying for your p's and q's.
Posted by: Mark | June 22, 2009 at 10:29 AM
praying for Ps and Qs... you brought me to tears today w/conviction & faith. I haven't been letting God take control (OK, he's always in control.. we know that.. but 'ya know..) I've been feeling the edges of my faith being tugged by fingers of doubt and unworthiness. I need to stop. Thank you for your story, your faith, your openness, and THANK GOD for Dr. Awesome!
Posted by: Carey | June 22, 2009 at 10:40 AM
Praying that God acts on your behalf and does more than you could possibly ask or imagine.
Posted by: Amy | June 22, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Amen brutha...Amen!
Posted by: Jay | June 22, 2009 at 11:11 AM
Thank God for using you as an inspiration to everyone out here!! Your attitude and faith are an awesome example...thank you! Our family will be praying for your p's and q's.
Posted by: Shannon | June 22, 2009 at 11:24 AM
really the only words i can speak right now are . . .
THANK YOU
fully with all my heart.
THANK YOU
Posted by: Courtney DeLaura | June 22, 2009 at 04:16 PM
I continue to pray for you and Amy! I'm believing God for something HUGE!
And thanks for the inspiration--believing God for something big for me and my fam too!
Posted by: Marla Taviano | June 22, 2009 at 04:40 PM
okay.. i'll let you know how it goes...
Posted by: Raquita | June 22, 2009 at 08:11 PM
amazing...thanks for sharing your thoughts and wisdom. prayers for you.
Posted by: juliebelle | June 22, 2009 at 11:49 PM
David and Amy, I am so taking this completely awesome ride of faith with you two. I'm a talker with my source, guess its kind of the same thing as praying, and my conversation for you is all about your p's and q's
Holding the light for you
Posted by: jane cosner | June 23, 2009 at 12:12 AM
Thank you for your post today. You didn't know it but I needed it. Badly. Wishing you the very best.
Posted by: erin | June 23, 2009 at 11:53 AM
Still keeping you & Amy in my prayers.
Posted by: cassandra m | June 23, 2009 at 11:59 AM
thank you.
Posted by: sarah knowlton | June 23, 2009 at 12:35 PM
sending you loads of prayers!
Posted by: Shannon | June 23, 2009 at 03:09 PM
Praying for p's and q's!!! Thanks for the updates.
Posted by: Jamie | June 23, 2009 at 04:44 PM
Hi David! You don't know me, I'm a friend of a woman who attended one of your wife's photo workshops....I wanted to comment and say that you are inspiring in your faith!! I have a bit of inspiration for you I thought pertained to your situation...I am a born-again believer with two friends who have had cancer and the young ages of 16 and 23. In each situation there was a random accident that landed the two guys in the hospital. One tripped on his rollerblades and crashed down a hill, the other had a nagging cough for several weeks that wouldn't go away. To their shock, the doctors found cancer in both of them. Both guys are believers and immediately their faith was tested and each guy grew stronger by the day. Both had types of leukemia in advanced stages, and both started chemo immediately. It's a God-thing to say that their faith never dwindled, and they are now both cancer-free. It's almost a scientific miracle, or if you will, a God-intended miracle. Having said that- your entire situation at hand is God-intended. What a comfort to know He loves you that much!
Thanks for sharing what is going on, I can imagine you had no idea your faith would impact total strangers!!
Posted by: amber | June 23, 2009 at 08:05 PM
You are in my thoughts and prayers. God cured my father of cancer so I know He hears and answers prayers. Thanks for reminding us to have faith. I admire your strength and I pray for you and your family that God delivers you from this, and thanks so much for the words of wisdom. I will remember to believe and always have faith, for God is bigger and better and we are His children after all. Our Father never leaves us and carries us through our hardest time. God bless.
Posted by: Manuella | June 23, 2009 at 09:59 PM
your faith is strong and encouragaing. Thanks.
Posted by: brad | June 23, 2009 at 11:09 PM
While up early - trying to get ahead of the day before my three children awake (aspiring phographer am I ... an admirer to say the lease of your wife, AND Jasmine star - which is how I was lead here), have spent that time reading your posts, and gaining MUCH from them. You are fabulous. I'm writing from you from a small town in Alberta Canada - a speck on the map ... and though you don't know me, and likely haven't seen the movie Horton Hears a Who (an animated movie I've seen with my kids more times than I should admit!... it's all about the power of small 'specs' People all over the world will (have) hear/heard and they'll pray for you, myself included. You're faith in God is so motivating. I particularly loved the part where you posted the 'don't waste your cancer'. Humbling, and nearly brought me to my knees. Thank you for that, and I'm entirely certain that God has big plans for you. I'm also an emergency nurse here at our hospital, and as one of our doctors always says 'Carry on, best as ya can' ...
You're amazing. So many prayers for you and Amy!
Posted by: Angie | June 24, 2009 at 08:41 AM
The strength that you have is unbelievable and humbling...to say the very least.. You have put things into perspective for me.. in more ways than I can describe... and I have never met you...or Amy, but I know I will remember you guys for the rest of my life... You have impacted! God has an amazing purpose for you... And I'm sure its scary and exciting...all at the same time! If you ever think you have a grip on things...watch out... He'll take you for a wild ride... the ride of your life! Keep seeking...and keep shining! :) Hope to meet you guys one day! :)
Posted by: Lacy | June 24, 2009 at 11:08 AM
You made me cry David. I came to check on you and instead you speak words right into my soul. Words I needed to hear. It really took me back to read exactly what I know I needed. I hope I can do what you've challenged me too. Prayers are happening brother xx
Posted by: Leah | June 24, 2009 at 11:13 AM
it's the highs n lows of life that make us long to live...as long as we long to live we are okay. So David...I wonder if you are perceiving this as a high or low? I think I have a good guess with your great attitude!
Posted by: oneshotbeyond | June 24, 2009 at 04:58 PM
If you only knew how your words are impacting all who read them...it's mind blowing. Words and things we've undoubtedly heard before, but why do they hit home and seam more real and almost welcomed and more comforting coming from you and in the sharing your story? I think because of the sheer amount of faith that is coming across in your words and is it strange to say that I can almost (dare I say it) see you grinning as you write??? Is that a horrible thing to say, now, as you should NOT be grinning. But because of your belief and faith, you are touching soooo (myself included) many by sharing your story, your passages, your faith and your love.
Of course, all of our wish for you is that you remain here as LONG and for as many many years as possible. I hope that's God's plan too.
xoxoxo
g
Posted by: gina@kiwistreetstudios | June 26, 2009 at 10:19 PM