Movie Poster
Family Tree is finally finished! I am excited. I want the first screening to be in churches. If you think your church would be interested in screening our movie, inbox me a contact name, email or number.
For everyone else, I will let you know where and when you can see this awesome masterpiece!
Some people observed, while others celebrated the memory and work of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr this week in the United States. I decided to listen to his speech “I Have Been to the Mountain Top.” This was the last speech he gave.
This speech reminded me of what a great preacher he was. He talked about how there was trouble in the land and the world was messed up. Funny how we think the same thing about today. He reminded his crowd that “only when it is dark enough can you see the stars.” This is a good reminder for us city dwellers who seldom see the stars at night.
But it is only in those times of trouble do we appreciate those moments of peace. The Lord has promised to never forsake us, even though we go through challenges. As long as He is with us, there will be stars in a dark night. Look for the stars.
This is a great speech. I hope you find many treasures there.
The Family Tree movie will be released in 2015.
You can become an honorary member of the family by getting a T-shirt. If you are interested in ordering a T-shirt, email uppcreative@yahoo.com.
Running for her life, Sandy Herrick discovered that God was the only one with her who wasn’t talking smack, trying to kill her or get into her pants. As she and her friends try to figure out who framed them, they all discover that there was more to each other than they thought they knew.
As evil forces closed in on them, they have to determine who they trust and what they believe about each other. Would this be enough to save them?
You can purchase this book on Kindle at:
This journey toward Christmas has been very different than past journeys. I had the opportunity to reflect on this year and some really fun times with my family and friends. I got to revisit doing some things I had never done before. I got to celebrate life with the people I love.
The Lord has used my 49th year of life to stretch me in ways I have never been stretched before. I made a feature length motion picture. I have led an awesome small group of women in bible study. I got to take care of my mom and spoil her before she went to meet Jesus.
I have a lot to be thankful for. The Lord really helped me put things in perspective. If I could take all of the love the Lord has showered on me and turn it into coins I would be a billionaire. I am loved. And that is a successful life.
Forgiveness. It is one of the greatest gifts God has given to me. When I am stressed, I need an overdose of it. As I push on to accomplish the tasks on my list, sometimes things get run over or fall off.
Over the last couple of days I have tried to juggle planning family Christmas, a funeral and finishing a movie. Some things have fallen through the cracks, but I know it will all work out.
God teaches us even through our grief what a marvelous God He is. As we reflect over the past few days we are allowed to remember His goodness, His faithfulness and His sovereignty.
On these last couple of days before Christmas I am reminded of a Savior who loved us so much He came down here to be with us, and take us home when we are ready. I don’t think we can comprehend the depth of this love. I know I can’t.
But in my grief, I like to think that this feeling I am experiencing is what my Savior feels for me. That His heart aches for a time for us to be together again. An amazing love came down from heaven and I don’t think we will ever grasp it.
Peace.
In the midst of my storm, the Lord has given me peace. This year He has taught me to be where I am. Whether I am up or down, be there. Often, He has a reason for placing us in the situations we are in. I can’t say I understand, but I trust the one who made it.
Even though my heart and head conflict, being where I am helps me to appreciate the moments in life. I am appreciating spending time with my family. I have had moments with them I will remember the rest of my life.
Christmas has taken on a new meaning for me. I still love the Christmas story. It will still be my favorite time of the year. This song has been running through my head everyday.
Five days before Christmas, one of the things I am most thankful for is prayer. I have the best prayer warriors in the world. Prayer is a staple in my life. I talk to God everyday, but sometimes my need out weighs my ability to approach Him. When I can’t pray the things I need, it is great to have people in my corner.
When God shows His authority over my life, He also shows His compassion and provision. I am blessed.
Another thing I am grateful for is tradition. When my daughter was younger, I used to have a tradition where she and I would watch the Judy Garland Christmas Show during Christmas time. It was one of the few black and white shows she would watch with me.
Here is a good moment from the show.
The Lord had been preparing me for yesterday for a while. He spoke to my spirit that she was winding down. From the outside, you couldn’t tell but those of us who knew her, could see. She was no longer on the road, she was content to be at home.
One of the things I will always remember about my mom was she told me Barack Obama was going to be president before he ever received the Democratic nomination. I remember thinking this woman is crazy. America is never going to elect an African American President.
An African American woman who was raised in a segregated South got to see Barack Obama become President of the United States. She grew up riding at the back of buses and not crossing the railroad tracks after dark. She got to experience God’s faithfulness.
The Lord allowed her children to gather around her and cater to her. He allowed her grandchildren to amuse the heck out of her. He gave her above all she could imagine or desire in a family.
I almost had 50 years with her. Nothing was funnier than both of us with our readers trying to see something or her laughing at my hot flashes cause she remembered them.
She taught me a lot about life. She taught me how to laugh. She lived what a strong woman looked like.
One of her favorite singers, Nina Simone summed it up.
Today’s present was great. I asked my mom what was the best Christmas present she ever received? One of my sisters was with me and liked the question. As my mother took a minute or two to think about it, my sister added “Was it a doll or a toy?”
My mother stopped thinking and said, “We didn’t get toys for Christmas.”
“You didn’t have a doll?” my sister asked.
“Only ones I made,” mom said. She went on to explain how she would put straw in a pop bottle and pretend it was a doll. My sister couldn’t wrap her mind around this.
For the next hour my mom told us a story she had told several times before, but this time it stuck. My mom’s family was so poor that they never celebrated Christmas the way most folks did. There was no tree or presents or idea of Santa Claus delivering goodies to everyone.
I asked my uncle, “What did y’all think of Santa Claus?”
He said, “Nothing, he wasn’t coming to our house.”
They would have a good meal and they were blessed to have that.
As a kid growing up, we had good Christmases (loved when I got my bike) and a few not so good Christmases. But we always had one. I love how God takes one thing and makes another. He has taken her from no celebration with her first family to over celebration with her own children.
We laughed as we talked about my mom’s childhood and how hard it was. I am amazed that she can find laughter in it.
There are amazing stories in your own family. Take time this holiday to chat with your older family members and hear them.
There are beautiful simple lives waiting to be explored.
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