THAT'S A WRAP!

Do you ever see a glimmer in one of your children when a certain skill is being demonstrated and wonder if God will develop that into something someday?

In my case, I had no clue about this one, but looking back I can see it.

Our family has always tried to supply our children with tools, rather than only toys in the hopes that they would learn to contribute rather than simply consume.

So I saw her excited giggle to get a camera that could do video at five.  I watched the hours upon hours she would spend making stop motion video shorts with her sisters at seven. I was there in the audience to watch the Thanksgiving plays she had written and watched her direct her sisters and cousins as they made movies about cowboys bringing the gospel and knights fighting off evil. As she got older and my husband bought the girls editing software, I watched her offer to video friends and church events, then work to gain speed and accuracy in her video editing skills.  And last year, I saw her write, costume and cast her friends. Her requested birthday present at 15? To make a film patterned after one of her Lamplighter books. 

Remember this?  Making Zuma and the Secret of Peru

Ya, I think this glimmer is here to stay.

Faith at work, directing a scene on the riverboat

 



This summer, under the authority of her father and our pastor*, she wrote and directed an adventurous short film called The Underground Railroad that she plans to submit to the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival.

Although set in 1857, just after the outrageous Dred Scott decision by the Supreme Court, it is really a message that transcends time. 

Fantastic props by the Rafferty family

We are to do the good work set before us and trust God for the results.

The movie follows a family who is faced with a very difficult decision- to continue in ease and safety or to risk everything to assist a desperate boy who needs their help. Their family is fictional, but they bring life to the unknown stories of families and individuals who worked together at the risk of punishment and even death to help men to freedom. The Underground Railroad was made up of everyday people. And although it did not have a central organizing force, they assisted over 100,000 slaves to freedom.

　

Working on location at the historical Delta King Paddleboat

God has been so gracious in letting us play in this arena of cinematography. And although we had a budget that could just about be rounded down to zero, He provided everything we needed. Costuming; filming locations; equipment and an amazing group of people to work with. We have begun to share some of the behind the scenes stories and photos on Facebook here. 
 

Tom leading us in prayer.  Our first day of filming with over 40 extras!

Want to join us?

• Please go and "like" The Underground Railroad Movie Facebook page to keep up on this project 

• Please pray on October 24.  That is when we plan to mail in our project into the film festival.  It will be entered in the "Short" category (15 minute time limit) and Faith will compete as a young film maker 

• Please go ahead and watch the trailer here

Thanks so much for joining us in this journey. And an extra special thanks if you were one of the ladies that dropped me a note to let me know you were thankful for this blog and were looking forward to hearing from me again soon. You are a blessing. 
 

And that's a wrap!

 

_________________________

*  Skills under authority are important to us as we bring up girls.  We desire to raise young ladies who are subject to the authorities over them, while still allowing them to gain skills that may someday be a blessing to their future husband and family.  Want a book to inspire you in this area?  You may enjoy Preparing to be a Helpmeet.  While our family personally disagrees with sending our girls alone into foreign mission fields (which this book recommends) we don't feel there is any reason to throw the baby out with the bath water.  This resource is fantastic if you want to encourage teen girls to grow skills and contribute in their communities, rather than sit around and wait for Prince Charming.   ;)

    

PRAYER REQUEST {for Lydia}

"It came to pass after these things that God did test Abraham."

- Genesis 22:1

One of my favorite people in Scripture is Abraham. He responds always as I wish that I would. 
 

When it was time for he and Lot to part ways-- he deferred to Lot and allowed him to choose what seemed to be the best land. Esteeming others more highly than himself.

When Lot was in trouble, Abraham rescued him with his trained servants-- yes, he was prepared and ready. Diligent in important matters.

When the king wanted to reward Abraham for returning the kidnapped people that his army was unable to save, Abraham refused-- he was faithful to what he promised God and would not even take even a sandal strap from the spoil. Abraham trusted God alone to provide for him.

And when God asked him to sacrifice his son-- his only son that he loved-- we are told he packed up and left the very next morning to obey God. No complaints. No discussion about how human sacrifice did not line up with his theology.
 

You may know that our six year old, Lydia has been having seizures since December. Every month since then they have been coming at a steady rate of one or two per month. We've come to expect them. But this past month- in August- she had eleven.

We have been searching for months to find the specific causes for Lydia's seizures. We've gone to various doctors and had tests run. And we have learned something. Epilepsy is not exactly a disease. There is no "one size fits all" cure. Really, it is a reaction by the body- a warning cry- that can be caused by a host of things. So while various people are helped some specific fix-- an increase of magnesium; the elimination of allergens, the treatment of an infection and so on... that is just not the fix for everyone.
 

Ultimately-- God is on control and He has a plan.
 

We meet with a new Neurologist today at 3:30 pm Pacific time. We will be praying for clear direction, but most of all to be faithful in trial like Abraham. If you would like to pray with us, we would be blessed.

As my friend Wendy wrote me today:

God is always loving.

God is always kind.

And God is always in control.

Amen.

Whatever the outcome- whatever the direction- that is the truth we desire to cling to.

Many blessings to you!

Praying for the Perkins

A sweet mama gave birth to a beautiful baby boy yesterday. A few hours later he went home to be with the Lord.

Will you please join us in praying for the Perkins family?




UPDATE: You will want to see the Perkin's slide show here.