Christina Esselman Photography: 2009

Many years ago in church, the pastor was discussing gifts that God has given people. I went down to the front during prayer and prayed to myself. I asked God what my gift was. I asked this silently, where no one could hear me. A minute or so later, someone came up to me, put their hand on me and told me, "You are to heal those who have been wounded by life". I have kept that with me ever since but never knew what it was I should do. Is that it? Heal those who have been wounded by life? Isn't that everyone, in a way? What did that mean? Maybe this man was cooky and just saying whatever he wanted to say? Although, he couldn't have known what I was praying about, he still answered my question. I've never healed anyone.

About a year ago, I realized I have a talent for taking pictures. Sure, it's nothing important enough to grant anyone eternal life, it's something material and we won't be taking pictures with us to the grave. But I enjoy it and I'm good at it. Especially child photography. So one evening, I began to pray, asking God how I could use this talent for Him. I went to bed and woke up to an email message from someone I didn't know. I had been a member of a message board for photographers and I suppose she saw my pics and wanted to tell me something. In this message she told me about The Littlest Heroes Project.
Quoted from their website
"Our mission at The Littlest Heroes Project is to help provide and capture memories for families who are dealing with hectic schedules due to having a child who is suffering from a serious illness or life altering disability."

Was that an answer to the prayer I prayed the night before? At the time, I was overwhelmed. Wondering if it was a coincidence? Could it be that God answered me through that email? Was I to join this project and help those little children and their families by capturing special moments that they were too busy or too sad to think of capturing? Could pictures help heal people? I know that when I look at pictures of my children from years ago, it makes my heart feel good. Not quite "healing" but it does bring me joy.
I looked into the project and thought it was a wonderful thing. Then doubt really crept in. Maybe I'm not good enough. Maybe I'm seeing things that aren't really there. At the time I wasn't charging for my services but spent a lot of time out taking pictures and editing and sitting in front of the computer learning more about what I loved to do. This kept me away from my family and my husband didn't understand why I was doing this for free. I thought, surely I can't sign up for something that would take me away from my family even more and I would not be paid. My husband wants me to start charging people, and this just couldn't work out. I'd be out taking pictures for families in need on top of doing it for free for friends. Over time, I completely forgot about The Littlest Heroes Project.

Fast forward to the present...
My husband and I were driving down some back roads, I'm scoping out new locations cause now I'm charging people and booking sessions. It's a real business for me. I remembered The Littlest Heroes Project. I had told my husband about it before but I think he completely forgot about it. So, I told him again. "Remember when I prayed and got that email about the project where you take pictures of sick children and you do it for free to help the families out? Maybe I should do that." He thought it sounded good. I told him about praying one night and waking up to the email message. He told me, "God answered your prayer.". He told me I should get involved. And we talked a little more about it and that was it. I still wasn't sure. I knew I wanted to, but I don't know if I'd be good enough. Later that evening we had our last football gathering for one of my son's football team. We were cooking hot dogs and chit chatting. A dad of one of the boys had seen my website because I had taken some pictures of the football games. He came up to me and said, "Have you ever thought about taking pictures of terminally ill children?" I about fell out! Chills went all over me. My husband jumped up from his seat and said, "That's how you know!!". There's no way it is a coincidence. I know this now. A man I had never spoken to, had only seen at games and a practice here and there, gave me conformation. I know without a doubt that God has given me this talent to help those who are hurting. I would love to be a part of something so great. I want to do this.
Another quote from their site...
"We understand that in the midst of being thrown a diagnosis and having to switch from a “normal” life to a life that is totally different, and often scary, things like getting photos taken is sometimes a huge challenge and is one of the last things families are thinking about. But when everything is done, and either the child has reached the end of their battle, or has proven the odds against it many wish they had more time to stop, and capture the journey that they lived through for so long."

Please pray for me in this journey. I know without a doubt that there is a God and He does answer prayers. Even if your stubborn and don't listen the first time, He will continue to give you conformation until you stop and listen to Him.

For more information on The Littlest Heroes Project visit their website.

http://www.littlestheroesproject.org/

I hope to be a part of this very soon.