Chosen Family Announced!

I want to thank everyone who submitted nominations for deserving families to receive the gift of a free family photo session. If you'd like more information on what these nominations were all about, you can read about it in the original blog post.

I received a flood of nominations from all over Utah and Idaho. And not only did I receive the names of very deserving people, but I was able to hear their incredibly touching stories, learn about their humbling situations, and read about what amazing people they are. These accounts reminded me of the goodness and rightness that exists within people today, and that there is such a need for kindness and love and gratitude in the world. I know for myself, I stand a little firmer in the fight against evil and negativity, and I'm brought to the core of my own gratitude. I'm thankful that I am able to give back in the name of Christ, and I'm grateful to have clients, friends, fans, and colleagues like you in my life!

I started out on this journey expecting to give away one family photo session and ended up choosing two incredibly deserving families for this gift. I discovered along the way a little more about my divine mission here on earth; to glorify God through the talents He has given me by blessing the lives of my brothers and sisters in Christ. I know by doing this, my own life will be edified and I'll come to know a more rich, God-like love.

The first family I chose is 

 The Jons Family

Brad and Kim Jons have a family of five with three beautiful children. Their days are busy and full of love. About two years ago, their youngest daughter Paige was diagnosed with a type of cancer called rhabdomyosarcoma at the young age of three. At first, Paige's mom took her in to the doctor because she couldn't breathe through her nose, and she would hold her head and scream throughout the day and night. After several visits to different doctors, and a few misdiagnoses, they found a tumor behind her eyes that was blocking her nasal passage. Paige and her family decided to fight it hard and went through 28 rounds of sedated radiation treatments and 42 weeks of chemo. Fortunately, they had a lot of support from friends during that time.

Paige gets scans every three months to monitor the tumor because it is something they can never remove. However, because of the radiation she received, the tumor is now a ball of scar tissue so it should always remain dead. At the beginning of this month, Paige's scans came back clear, and she is now one year cancer FREE! Paige has also recently been diagnosed with apraxia so she doesn't say much, but her smile lights up the whole world. She is a beautiful little girl with such a beautiful spirit. I'm excited to bottle up their love and light and let it live on the walls of their home.

"We are so honored that our family was chosen to receive this gift of having our family pictures taken from a professional photographer! I am thankful for my friend who thought of our family and entered us. This means so much to our family!"



The second family I chose is

 The Wood Family

Jason and Cindie Wood have been married for about three years now. They have a combined family of nine with seven vibrant children ages 4 - 22, including a 7 yr old son with Down's Syndrome, and they have another little girl on the way! On Dec 15th, 2012 in Emmett, Idaho, their house was devoured by a fire and they lost almost everything but the clothes on their backs. Then, on Christmas day, they were involved in a minor car accident. They spent Christmas in a hotel and have since moved into a rental house. Everyone is miraculously alright, and, after all that has happened, the Wood family feels wonderfully blessed to have each other healthy, whole, and together. They feel blessed to have support from friends, family, and a wonderful community. And they feel blessed to see the hand of the Lord in their lives. This family is an inspiration to those going through trying times, and they offer a sweet reminder to us all; to cherish what is most important in our lives: the people we love. I'm looking forward to filling their walls with memories of love and growth and sweet reminders of what blessings still remain in their lives. ♥

"We have been doing so much to put things all back together. Our sweet kids struggle with it all and we are looking forward to being back in our house. We are very honored to accept this kind offer."  Photo Credit: Angie Bevan

Emilie's Legacy: In honor of the fallen angels at Sandy Hook Elementary

When I heard of what happened at Sandy Hook Elementary, I wept. So often we take for granted not only our gifts and talents, but also our time and loved ones. And even though my list of uncompleted tasks and piles of chores seemed so important that morning, those things instantly lost meaning. They seemed so undeserving of my time and energy. Instead, I thought of Christ welcoming His children home. I thought of my own nieces and nephews, and my heart longed to be with them. So I looked through the archived photos I'd taken in days past. They meant so much to me. The photos and memories and brightness and happiness clung to me like a warm blanket. And then I turned my thoughts to those who have lost their loved ones. I prayed with fervor that angels would surround them and bring them comfort. I prayed that they too had archives of photos to go back through and find brightness and happiness again. Finally, I thought of my time here on earth, and the talents I possess and the reasons God must have given them, and why He put me here now, at a time when so much heartache and evil prevails in the world..... and I wept a second time. Then I heard about a little girl named Emilie Parker.

Emilie is one of God's sweet children who now rests with Him after her earthly life was taken in Newtown, CT. Robbie Parker is Emilie's father. He described her as "bright, creating, and very loving". And in a statement he gave to NBC news, he said the following:

"I can’t count the number of times Emilie noticed someone feeling sad or frustrated and would rush to find a piece of paper to draw them a picture or to write them an encouraging note... May we use all our energy and strength to overcome this terrible tragedy. May we focus our energy on those who were taken from us and let their memories inspire us to do good. May we look for opportunities to give service and work toward bettering our communities. I feel that if we can do these things we will again feel empowered, and we will make a difference. Remember these beautiful children; keep them close to our hearts. Do not let their bright shining faces become extinguished. Let us do everything in our power to ensure their light will continue to shine brighter and brighter in all we do to remember them."

My heart aches for all those who were directly involved and affected by this horrible tragedy. But I am moved to action by the words of one who must be feeling so much grief and sorrow. I find hope in seeing that grief, while heartbreaking, can also give rise to powerful acts of compassion. I don't want the history books to record evil and heartache when we remember this tragedy, I want love and kindness to be its legacy. So, in honor of Emilie, and in response to her father's touching words, and to remember the love that exists in each of the lives of these sweet fallen angels in Connecticut, I am giving away a gift close to my heart. I'll be offering my talent and services as a photographer for a full 2 hour family photo session.

My hope, is that in doing so, I'll be able to help keep hope and lightness alive and bright. And what a perfect time of year to be blessed with such thought. I think that's why I love Christmas so much. My wish is that these photos will be cherished for years to come, whatever life brings. I'd like to do this for a deserving family in either Utah or Idaho after the first of the year. I'll be taking nominations for a family who you think would appreciate this gift, and I'll be accepting those nominations until December 31st. Please email the family's name, contact information, and a brief summary of why you chose them to malloryhurstphotography@gmail.com.

The chosen family will be contacted via email or phone call. And I will offer them a 2 hour photo session and a collection of digital portraits, so they may have priceless keepsakes to adorn their home with.

One last thing. If you would like to donate to any of the funds set up for these sweet babies, and also desire to have photos taken of you and your loved one[s], I will offer to donate half of each session fee for up to 20 different families. One for each fallen angel. Just email your inquiry to malloryhurstphotography@gmail.com and mention this blog post.

I only ask one thing in return. That you pay it forward. Please consider the talents and blessings God has given you, and how those gifts may more fully serve your community and your Savior. May we each strive to be an instrument in His hands to push out the darkness and surround this world with lightness. Thank you. ♥ Please share this blog post.