A Long Week Ahead

Things are getting pretty busy at the office - at least for this week. I find it fascinating that the week before you leave on a trip suddenly becomes jam-packed. Think about it! It's so true! Besides getting 2 bulletins done (because I will be gone for a Sunday), we have to find a movie for the Harvest Dessert at our church (yes, that is happening), then I have to make a flyer for said church event (to go in the bulletin THIS week, I might add), AND the November Calendar for church has to be ready to go by Sunday. Whew!

On top of that, I'm working at the yogurt shop every evening this week, except for tonight and Saturday.

On Saturday (Lord willing and weather permitting), we are doing a photo shoot to take pictures for the Hello Again poster and DVD cover (Yay!). That evening, Stephanie and I might go line dancing, but we're still thinking about it.

Sunday I'm working at the yogurt shop (AFTER church. Don't worry). Monday I will probably be working at the yogurt shop again and then packing. Then my friend Sarah drives in that night. And on Tuesday we leave for Texas! Woo!

Why am I going to Texas? Well, let me tell you. We are attending SAICFF, which is the San Antonio Independent Christian Film Festival (see why everyone shortens it?). This will be my 3rd year going to San Antonio. As much as I want to attend the film academy, I just can't afford it this year. Regardless, we are going to have a blast! We will have 5 people and maybe 1 Guide Dog puppy staying in 1 room for 4 nights. Memories will be made I am sure.

Those of you who know me, know that I am a t-shirt sneakers kind of gal. Skirts aren't really my thing (but I will dress up for church). So I'm not really looking forward to having to wear a skirt every day for 3 days straight when all we're doing is watching movies. Skirts and me don't mix well together. There is no getting out of a car gracefully in a skirt. And the only time I have tripped while walking upstairs was in a skirt... same with going downstairs too, now that I think about it. My mom calls me a rebellious homeschooler. I guess I am. What do you think of when you hear the word homeschooler? You probably think of women and girls wearing only skirts among other things, right? I hate that. I was homeschooled and I am a jean wearing, sneaker wearing, outdoorsy girl who loves climbing rocks. Can you climb a rock in a skirt? I don't think so!

So please be praying for my attitude next week. I will be wearing skirts, of course. But I won't like it. And if you see someone tripping up stairs in San Antonio, it's probably me. :P

A Little About Me

The smell of popcorn fills the room. People's chatter and the munching of candy and popcorn all blends in together. Finally, the lights dim, the audience grows quiet, and... the trailers start. I'm really excited about this movie. I saw a trailer for it on TV and was struck by the fact that I am watching a trailer for a Christian film on the TV. So cool!

Finally, the movie starts. Halfway through the film, something happens that totally rocks my world. The main character is standing in a field reading from his Bible. Then he prays. I am sitting in a MOVIE THEATER watching a film where the character is reading his BIBLE and PRAYING to God! In a movie theater!

If you haven't already guessed, the film I am referring to is Facing the Giants by Sherwood Pictures. God used this film in a big way in my life. After six months of praying, I went to my parents and told them I wanted to go into filmmaking. the next day, we received an email from Vision Forum about their Filmmaker's Academy in Texas. My mom and I flew out there and the academy lit a fire.

I am excited about filmmaking. It is a powerful teaching tool that can be used for the glory of God. I am still trying to figure out how God wants me to use film, but I praise Him for the doors He has opened at my church.

If you think about it, please pray for me - that God would direct me where He wants me to go.

"You've got to have my hopes and dreams." ~Grant Taylor praying to God in
Facing the Giants

Merlin's True Colors

The new NBC TV show Merlin follows a young Merlin as he tries to hide his magical abilities from the future King Arthur's father Uther and at the same time keep Arthur safe from danger. It is a fun, hilarious show that I recently got hooked on. While watching it, some things starting bugging me and making me uncomfortable. There is a lot of lying going on in the show. Quite a few times, Merlin is put into a situation where he must lie to protect himself from Uther's law that anyone who is caught using magic will be put to death. Merlin's lies most of the time go unchecked.

But the biggest issue I have with the show is its magic. Merlin is refered to as a warlock. Wikipedia defines a warlock as "the male equivalent of witches". Throughout the show, Merlin uses spells and incantations to perform his magic. This just doesn't sit right with me. It feels too much like witchcraft. If you know me, you know I like a good fantasy movie with magic in it. But when witchcraft is used in a good light, I struggle with it. That is why I have never read the Harry Potter books or watched the movies.

So, it is for these reasons that I have decided to stop watching Merlin. Please don't take this as a personal offense against you reading this post. I in no way am judging you if you watch Merlin. I have really enjoyed Merlin. This is an issue I am dealing with personally between me and God. If you watch the show, I am not going to judge you or tell you to not watch it. At the same time, I will not suggest it to my friends.