ADAPTING YOU TO LIFE. ADAPTING YOU TO GOD
Vol. 2 Issue 1
January/February 2014
ARE YOU REALLY READY FOR LOVE? FIND A CAREER YOU'LL LOVE
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ISHMAEL MAYHEW & SHANE PERGREM
IF I SPEAK IN THE TONGUES OF MEN AND OF ANGELS, BUT HAVE NOT LOVE, I AM A NOISY GONG OR A CLANGING CYMBAL. AND IF I HAVE PROPHETIC POWERS, AND UNDERSTAND ALL MYSTERIES AND ALL KNOWLEDGE, AND IF I HAVE ALL FAITH, SO AS TO REMOVE MOUNTAINS, BUT HAVE NOT LOVE, I AM NOTHING. IF I GIVE AWAY ALL I HAVE, AND IF I DELIVER UP MY BODY TO BE BURNED,[A] BUT HAVE NOT LOVE, I GAIN NOTHING. LOVE IS PATIENT AND KIND; LOVE DOES NOT ENVY OR BOAST; IT IS NOT ARROGANT OR RUDE. IT DOES NOT INSIST ON ITS OWN WAY; IT IS NOT IRRITABLE OR RESENTFUL; IT DOES NOT REJOICE AT WRONGDOING, BUT REJOICES WITH THE TRUTH. LOVE BEARS ALL THINGS, BELIEVES ALL THINGS, HOPES ALL THINGS, ENDURES ALL THINGS. LOVE NEVER ENDS. 1 CORINTHIANS 13: 1-8
(CONTENTS) SPIRITUALITY
MUSIC, JUSTICE & ETC.
P. 16 | Bridal Transformation
P. 30 | Ishmael Mayhew: Just Call Me “Ish” P. 32 | Film: The Almond Tree
LIFESTYLE P. 20 | The Road to “I Do” P. 20 | It's A New Year: Here's to a Successful College Life!
CAREER PREP & MONEY P. 24 | Pursuing a Career You’ll Love P. 26 | Set Your Inner Penny Pincher Free
IN EVERY ISSUE • EDITOR’S LETTER • CONTRIBUTORS
Photo: Monique Dos Anjos
(EDITOR'S LETTER) Love is an absolutely beautiful gift. However, it’s the most costly. Every year our nation spends billions of dollars on Valentine’s Day. Last year that spending was an estimated $18.6 billion, according to the National Retail Federation.
ready for relationships. We’re not ready to selflessly give ourselves to another let alone our friends and family. We were made for relationships but there’s a right way to love and a wrong way to love.
Clearly people believe in the power of In this issue we discuss how to prepare love. yourself to love. God gives us the freedom While love may come easy for many of to love but we have to take it. Let love be us, there are those of us who are a little free wherever you be. slow to jump on the love train. For some of us there is a very serious hurt associated with relationships, romantic and familial alike. There are some of us who are just not
allysen
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(CONTRIBUTORS) Monica Solomon graduated from the University of Florida where she received a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education Monica is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Public Health at the University of South Florida with a specialization in Behavioral Health. During her year of service, Monica plans to promote workforce health promotion in Orlando and Tampa through her platform: Work, Learn, Pray.
MONICA SOLOMON
Antoinette is a hard-working young woman. This wife and student is currently pursing a degree in Education. She and her husband recently moved to Tampa where they felt God drawing them to grow the Kingdom. She has two dogs, Cocoa and Lex, who are very much like children. She enjoys serving in her church’s children’s ministry and looks forward to singing, dancing and praying with the kids each week.
ANTOINETTE CHARLES
Paula is a senior writer for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts®. Her background and experience include communications, human resources management, recruiting, benefits administration and communications, as well as training and development. In her current role, Paula develops and writes communication and education resources for Disney Destinations. She obtained a Bachelor of Science degree in Communications/Public Relations from Iona College, New Rochelle, New York. Paula has been a contributing writer for Adaot Magazine since 2009.
Paula Kerr
Aaron aka “Raj Parker” loves music. A senior studio art major at the University of South Florida, Aaron has been contributing to Adapt for more than two years. He writes music reviews on the latest releases in Christian Hip Hop. When he’s not writing for Adapt, he’s penning bars for his own music. He started a group on campus called “The Collective” that features amateur rappers, singers and creatives who love Jesus and want to reach the lost through awesome music.
Aaron Kerr
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Spirituality
BRIDAL TRANSFORMATION Allysen Kerr, Editor
Then I heard what seemed to be the voice of a great multitude, like the roar of many waters and like the sound of mighty peals of thunder, crying out, “Hallelujah! For the Lord our God the Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and exult and give him the glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and his Bride has made herself ready; it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure” for the fne linen is the righteous deeds of the saints. And the angel said to me, “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the marriage supper of the Lamb.” And he said to me, “These are the true words of God.” Revelation 19:6-9 adaptmag.com
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When I think about marriage, I can’t help but think about the gospel. The true meaning of marriage – the one devoid of self, is ultimately a reflection of God’s own selfless love for us. He gave us His most precious gift, His son Jesus. In response, He asks us for our hearts.
told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.” The Lord wants to be with us, but we also have to want to be with Him.
But if Jesus hadn’t been willing to die, this thing we call the Gospel wouldn’t have worked out so well. He literally gave up everything: His throne, His title, His position to come down to earth to suffer for a people who could never truly understand.
Just because we have the title “Christian” doesn’t mean that all of us are going to go to Heaven (Matthew 7:21). We have to prepare ourselves to meet the Lord. We have to go through bridal transformation. Future brides spend countless dollars and hours preparing for their wedding day.
I bet if believers put the same amount of effort into getting ready for Christ the way brides get ready for their wedding day, our church and our world would look so different.
Those who never worked out are all of sudden hiring a personal trainer. Those who never cared about their weight or diet are all of a sudden starving themselves (I mean dieting) to fit into that dress. Massages, facial treatments, nail and hair appointments become the norm. Why: because brides want to look good on their day. Besides…it’s just ONE day. They may never get this opportunity again. I bet if believers put the same amount of effort into getting ready for Christ the way brides get ready for their wedding day, our church and our world would look so different. It’s the same concept except that instead of preparing the outward appearance, we prepare our hearts. Instead of make up brushes, spray tans, manicures and curling wands, we get trials, persecution and tests.
But God being God has symbolically given us ways to understand what the Gospel truly means. We see it displayed when someone gives money to a homeless person. We see it when a child gets rescued from slavery. We see it when a person is set free from prison. We see it when new life is birthed after a major storm
The way that we respond to lives circumstances, the way that we love people, the way that we live out the Gospel becomes the jewels, shoes, and ultimately the crown that we wear before the Lord. The Lord is going to return for His bride whether we are ready or not.
It’s the same thing with marriage. When two people decide to get married, it’s because they’re ready to die. They have decided that they want to give up everything to be with one another forever.
The other beautiful thing about the Gospel is grace. The Lord knows we are not perfect which is why He came down to get us.
It’s a beautiful thing. And just as the future bride and groom spend time getting ready for each other, the body of Christ spends time getting ready for the ultimate heavenly union between Jesus and us.
He walks with us through the circumstances of life (bad relationships, broken marriages, debt, illness, etc.) and literally leads us to Himself. We have a King who has sacrificed everything to be with us, a people undeserving, yet counted worthy.
In John 14: 1-3, Jesus tries to comfort the disciples before His death. He says: “Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have
Are we willing to do the same for Him?
But if Jesus hadn't been willing to die, this thing we call the Gospel wouldn't have worked out so well. He literally gave up everything: His throne, His title, His position to come down to earth to suffer for a people who could never truly understand.
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FEATURE Story
LIFESTYLE
THE ROAD TO "I DO" Allysen Kerr, Editor
“I want you to be free from anxieties. The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to please the Lord. But the married man is anxious about worldly things, how to please his wife, and his interests are divided. And the unmarried or betrothed woman is anxious about the things of the Lord, how to be holy in body and spirit. But the married woman is anxious about worldly things, how to please her husband. I say this for your own benefit, not to lay any restraint upon you, but to promote good order and to secure your undivided devotion to the Lord.” 1 Corinthians 7:32-35 adaptmag.com
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Love. It’s a touchy subject for a lot of people. But secretly many of us 20-something’s dream of finding it...finding the one. We spend hours of our daydreaming about the future Mr. or Mrs. yet year after year, there are those of us who still find ourselves hopelessly (or maybe hopefully) single. Singleness has been given a bad reputation. Somehow if we still find ourselves single, church and secular culture alike deem us less attractive, less valuable, immature, and at times less holy. After all, relationships are a blessing from the Lord. We were made for relationships so why are we still single?
SINGLENESS... If it causes so much pain, why do we still hope for better? Why does God allow us to go through it?
When we do finally reach that stage of contentment with our single status, friends and family (or others own relationship status’) are quick to rip us from our perch, instead sending us into a spiral of loneliness, confusion and frustration.
OUR SINGLENESS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE TORTURE. IT'S SUPPOSED TO "SECURE" [OUR] UNDIVIDED DEVOTION TO THE LORD . So why singleness? If it causes so much pain, why do we still hope for better? Why does God allow us to go through it? One simple word: preparation. Before God ever commissions us to do something, He spends a lot of time preparing us. The most difficult part is trusting Him because we can’t see what’s ahead. I think that’s called “faith.” Faith does what all the praying, hoping and tears cannot do. It activates our prayers. I was listening to a sermon by Pastor Ben Stuart on singleness. At first I didn’t want to listen to it. I’m 25 (almost 26) and still single. I admittedly get very frustrated, or I should say, restless, with my singleness. There are weeks, days, moments, when I believe I’m totally content and then something or someone comes along to distract me. That’s exactly what Stuart was talking about: having an undistracted devotion to Jesus. Our singleness is not supposed to be torture. It’s supposed to “secure [our] undivided devotion to the Lord (1 Corinthians 7:35).” The securing process is a part of the preparation process but it’s not the whole. We should also prepare ourselves financially—make sure our money is in order, no debt, know how to put together a budget. We should prepare ourselves physically—eat better and work out. We should prepare ourselves spiritually—know what we believe and why we believe it. Being ready for a relationship or marriage doesn’t happen over night. It takes preparation. So get started.
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PREPARING FOR MARRIAGE... 1. PRAY ABOUT YOUR FUTURE MR. OR MRS. 2. PRAY FOR YOURSELF 3. GET FINANCIALLY HEALTHY 4. GET PHYSICALLY FIT 5. FIND YOUR PURPOSE AND PASSIONS 6. DON'T COMPROMISE & DON'T SETTLE 7. PATIENTLY WAIT AND TRUST THE LORD
BOOKS FOR THE PURPOSE DRIVEN SINGLE
IT'S A NEW YEAR: HERE'S TO A SUCCESSFUL COLLEGE LIFE! Paula Kerr, Contributing Editor If you’re in college, the New Year is the perfect time to set some resolutions that can help make your academic year more enjoyable, productive, and successful. Most people know that when a new year begins it allows them the opportunity to start over. While some set goals, there are many who make new years’ resolutions. But of course, we all know that by the end of the first month they often fall by the wayside and we have well forgotten what we “pledged” to do. This year, jump start your new year’s resolution by making some simple changes that will help you achieve academic success, while keeping you healthy and more focused. Here are some stress-free suggestions to get you started: GET A GOOD NIGHT’S REST. College life is hard and often makes it hard to get enough sleep. A good night’s sleep is necessary for your long-term success while in school. It’s a great health benefit, too! RISE AND SHINE EARLY. This helps you get a head start to your day, opening the door to prioritizing and getting a lot more done. LET’S GET PHYSICAL. Include physical activity into your college life routine. A 30-minute workout (aerobics, yes!) three to four times a week is a great way to stay fit and energized. CHOOSE YOUR PLATE WISELY. Choose something healthy at adaptmag.com 22
each meal. Check out the MyPlate Toolkit. Add at least one serving of fruits or vegetables to your diet. Minimize or eliminate soda intake. Cut down on your caffeine intake, you’ll sleep better at night. KEEP A CLEAR HEAD. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Overindulgence can impair your ability to perform academically and could cause you to miss out on key opportunities. DON’T SWEAT THE SMALL STUFF. Reduce stress by finishing homework and or papers in advance. When you finish early you will be less stressed and more successful. TAKE TIME TO RELAX. Instead of allowing stress to get the best of you, stay connected with friends and family who have your best interest at heart. It’s also okay to pamper yourself sometimes, if you can afford it: go get a pedicure, take in a movie now and then, or go shopping. Making and keeping resolutions isn’t as hard as we think. You just need to know where you’ve been, where you want to go next, and how to get there. What’s the worst that can happen? You missed a goal, perhaps. Well, I say, just pick up where you left off and keep going. If you need help, take advantage of resources on campus to support your efforts.
CAREER & MONEY
PURSUING A CAREER YOU'LL LOVE Paula Kerr, Contributing Editor Seniors, now that you are midway through the school year and are (probably) making plans to graduate, have you considered what career path you will take? Well, it is time to start your search! Once you receive your degree and are ready to start looking for a job in your field, research the companies that interest you. As you are doing this, think about what you would like to see in terms of values and growth potential -- look for companies whose values mostly align with your own values and interests. Choosing the right career can be difficult, but if you have a clearly defined direction as to what kind of job you would like to pursue, it will make your career search a little easier. With a little hard work, good planning, and some serious self-reflection, you can set yourself on a path towards a fruitful and fulfilling career that can provide for you and your future family. Here are some tips to help you get started: TAKE TIME TO DO A SELF-INVENTORY. Think about the things you enjoy doing and what don’t you enjoy doing. This will help you discover what you are most passionate about.
KNOW WHO YOU ARE, WHAT YOUR GOALS AND IDEALS ARE. This is helpful when you are “selling” your skills and abilities to a potential employer. LEVERAGE YOUR PERSONAL BRAND: YOUR RESUME! Create one that will speak for you, this way you will do a lot less “selling.” Study your resume so when you are making your presentation you know who you are talking about. Most of all be honest. CONSIDER WHETHER THE JOB YOU ARE PURSUING IS RIGHT FOR YOU. You don’t want to get trapped in a career because of job title, or solely for money. This will prove unfruitful and you might find it to be a frustrating choice. Take the time to fully understand what is actually involved in being successful in that career. IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRAVEL OR RELOCATE, CONSIDER THE PROS AND CONS BEFORE COMMITTING YOURSELF – think about the compensation, location, family, personal time -- what you are willing to trade off, or not. START TALKING TO PEOPLE...career counselors, colleagues, family members, friends and, professionals working in your field of interest. Ask them how they got their job, how they spend their time and how they have gained success. Also ask them about the culture of their company. Is it the
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right environment for you? Ask what their responsibilities are in their role. Consider whether any of that fits your interests. NETWORK, NETWORK, NETWORK! It’s been said that 80 percent of jobs are obtained by word-of-mouth. Sometimes, whom you know and not necessarily what you know may land you your dream job. BE WILLING TO START ENTRY-LEVEL. Most employers are looking for quick learners who are willing to start at the bottom, which is a great way to learn the business. FIND AN INTERNSHIP OR SUMMER JOB. This is a great option or anyone who has never held a job. An internship or summer job will allow you to gain work experience and potentially open the door to future job opportunities within the company. If your education qualifies you for a variety of positions (such as a business degree, or teaching), having an internship may allow you to narrow down your field of opportunity and gain skills that you could use down the road. Remember that sometimes the most difficult part of narrowing down career paths is simply deciding which path to take. Before you know it, you’ll be marching down the path of completing your education. Therefore, the sooner you start looking, the better and less stressful it may be. Start now!
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SET YOUR INNER PENNY PINCHER FREE Antoinette Charles, Contributing Writer Happy New Year! Hopefully you didn’t break the bank while celebrating with friends and family. In lieu of the many social gatherings throughout the year that are fun but at times expensive, I thought it would be a great time to talk about fun ways to save money while hanging with friends. Some people may feel uncomfortable explaining to their friends that they don’t have the money to go out to the movies or to hit up a local restaurant for dinner. Hanging out with friends should never cause financial stress and I definitely don’t recommend spending beyond your means. This year, I implore you to establish a budget. There are programs such as Financial Peace University or Crown Financial Ministries to help you understand different ways to living happy with your finances this year. For now, here are some fun ways to spend more time with friends than you are spending money. THE WEEKEND SHUFFLE Do your friends like to eat out every weekend? If yes, then it sounds like you all should start a weekend shuffle! What is a weekend shuffle? It is a fun way to try new foods and
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practice your cooking skills. Here’s how it works: 1. Grab some friends (4 - 8 people ...or more!) 2. Create a menu for four nights (one night each weekend) 3. Create a separate shopping list for each night 4. Decide who will be the host for the weekend (two hosts makes for light work!) 5. Each host picks a menu and determines the cost. 6. Create a Facebook event or an Evite to see who is going to come. Include the location, time, what’s on the menu and the approximate cost per person. Pick a cut off date for the RSVP, divide up the final cost and try to collect money up front. 7. Last, host your friends with food and games! This could also work potluck style too. Whatever the case, eating in helps you save! Have fun and check out our Pinterest page for fun menu ideas! EATING OUT What about date nights? You don’t want to seem cheap but
you don’t want to spend a fortune on your date either. So, what do you do?
out-of-pocket cost would actually be $9 for a $15 certificate. You can also earn free Restaurant.com certificates if you use apps like Shopkick.
Leveraging sites like giftcards.com or restaurants.com to buy gift cards and gift certificates at a reduced price can help you save while allowing you to still have fun.
My husband and I earn “kicks” when we shop at Best Buy and also when we scan items at various stores. Shopkick allows you to get three different certificate values starting with a minimum certificate of $25 redeemable with 700 “kicks.”
This is also great if your friends like to eat at a particular restaurant. You can buy your gift card and keep it in your wallet until your next night out. Giftcards.com allows you to buy discounted gift cards to various places up to 35 percent off. There are 22 categories to choose from including accessories, apparel, grocery and more.
When you earn restaurant.com gift cards you are not able to use the gift card to purchase a discounted certificate, you must purchase them at full price. However, you are able to purchase smaller value certificates. If you were to buy the $10 certificate you would only have to pay $5 at the restaurant to meet the minimum purchase requirements. You would still have $15 dollars left over on the giftcard to purchase another certificate to the same restaurant or a different one.
Check back often because quantities vary and sometimes you can catch a better deal than the everyday savings. Restaurant.com is a great site but it can also be a little tricky. You get the certificates at a discounted value however each restaurant does have a minimum amount you must pay at the restaurant, normally a few dollars more than the voucher will buy you.
Keep in mind, for each $10 certificate you must spend money out of pocket. You are not able to purchase two discounted certificates to cover the $5 difference. All in all, restaurant.com is a great way to save a few bucks while eating out.
Each value certificate has a different minimum restaurant purchase. For example, if you were in Tampa, FL and wanted to buy a certificate for this restaurant you could purchase a $10 certificate for $4 ($6 savings) but will still be required to spend at least $15 when you get to the restaurant. So your
January/February 2014
So consider these options before heading out this weekend and every weekend to make the most of your money this year.
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MUSIC
Photo: Ishmael Mayhew
JUST CALL ME 'ISH' WHAT’S YOUR NAME?
WHEN DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU WANTED TO BE AN ARTIST?
Well, my real name is Ishmael, but anyone can call me Ish.
Actually about three years ago. I knew then that it was something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. It was just one of those things that as I drew closer to God my passion for it was ignited more and more.
WHERE ARE YOU FROM? HOW OLD ARE YOU? I am from none other than that 8-5-0 (Tallahassee, Florida) and I turned 25 the day after Christmas.
WHAT MAKES YOU AND YOUR MESSAGE DIFFERENT?
WHAT’S YOUR STORY? HOW DID YOU COME TO KNOW THE LORD?
I think that what I do is different because I don’t really preach or talk directly to my audience often. I’m almost always talking directly to God, or a third party.
My story is still being told so far, but basically I was at a very low point in my life and caught up in a lot of things from sexual immorality to getting drunk.
I kind of set my songs up to be a skit, if you will, for listeners to watch except with their ears (laughs).. I also focus a lot on emotions. I know it’s kind of not socially trendy or “deep” enough to be emotional anymore, especially with this group of listeners but it is something that is real and unavoidable.
I came to know the Lord when I was 19. My friend invited me to church and I actually went, which is something that I would have never done. I don’t know how I ended up there except for God leading me [there] and I found myself at the altar repenting before God and completely surrendered to Him for the first time in my life.
We all have feelings whether they are reasonable or primitive and irrational, and for those that have what they consider to be a relationship with Christ, they feel things in that relationship that they want to express.
WHERE DID THIS LOVE FOR MUSIC COME FROM? I have always had a love for music. Probably since the day I was born I was trying to sing, or something.
DID YOU EVER THINK YOUR PASSION FOR MUSIC WOULD TURN OUT THE WAY IT HAS?
Music comes so naturally to me and it is the first thing I felt unafraid to do, and it has always been something I could use to escape the craziness of the day. adaptmag.com
To be honest yes, and I expect more as time goes on. I have never been the type of guy to think that things that are done creatively are to never be shared. It should always be 32
All Artwork featured belongs to respective artists
shared. I’m not that guy that would write a poem and have it in a personal poetry book for no one to see or something. I would share anything with anyone, especially music. TELL US ABOUT YOUR LATEST PROJECT? Lately I’ve just been releasing a bunch of singles and putting them all in a mixtape form called the Journey Collection. You can expect to hear different sides of me. I love hip-hop so you will, of course, hear a large hip-hop influence; but I was focused less on the sound and more on letting people know through the lyrics that God responds or that God is aware of what they may be experiencing in life. WHAT ARE YOU HOPING PEOPLE WILL GET FROM THIS PROJECT? WHAT DO YOU WANT THEM TO KNOW ABOUT ISH? I honestly hope people just enjoy the music and the artistry of it all and, in that I believe that they will begin to listen to the message in the music, and that their perspective on life would become realistic but hopeful at the same time. I believe that will happen as well. As far as what I want people to know about me? Nothing! Ha, ha, just kidding. I want people to know that I am just another person who has experienced the good, the bad and the ugly and that experiences and the feelings that come with them are very temporary, and that God wants us to tap into all of Him so that we can overcome, learn from and change those experiences for our benefit and for Christ’s glory. WHAT HAS BEEN THE MOST CHALLENGING THING TO ADAPT TO ALONG THIS JOURNEY? I would say the most challenging thing would be understanding people. We are complex and I think it is difficult sometimes for us to make sense out of each other what we truly want from each other as humans. I have really tried to focus on being understanding and patient with people. It can be difficult but very worth it.
I don't know how I ended up there except for God leading me [there] and I found myself at the altar repenting before God and completely surrendered to Him for the first time in my life...
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January/February 2014
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FILM: THE ALMOND TREE WHAT’S YOUR NAME?
when I heard from my pastor about an opportunity to tell an amazing story. He gave me the very basic information, a married couple in our church who were unable to conceive were about to adopt a baby.
My name is Shane Pergrem, I am 32 years old and from Cincinnati, Ohio. WHEN DID YOU FIRST FIGURE OUT YOU HAD A PASSION FOR FILM/ DOCUMENTARIES?
He then explained that how this all came to be was the real meat of the story. This was an adoption like no other. I was very intrigued.
It was a long process. I had a strong love for film as a child growing up on sci fi such as Star Wars and ET. It wasn’t until college that I found an interest in making films. At the time I was pursuing music but my major had a lot to do with video so as I learned more, I grew to love the storytelling capabilities that film had.
The initial intent was to create a short film to use for a church service. Once we started production, I saw how big this story was. It was more than just an adoption story. I realized it needed to be a feature length film. Actually, God showed me a sign that He wanted me to do this.
I found that I had a knack for doc work when I was living in Minneapolis working for a production house. We produced a traveling documentary with lots of locations, man-on-thestreet interviews, silly little narratives that we would come up with on the spot as well as reflective story lines.
During the shoot, there was mention of Jeremiah 29:11. It’s a big part of the film. After shooting that day, I was at my studio and I happen to look at a decoration that was on the top shelf of my desk. It’s a sailboat.
I really fell in love with a film creating itself and that’s what doc films are all about.
I noticed the inscription on tHE SAILBOAT WAS JEREMIAH 29:11. I THEN KNEW THIS WAS FOR REAL…AND I WAS ALL IN!
HOW DID THE IDEA FOR THE ALMOND TREE FILM COME ABOUT? It was January of 2011 and I was back living in Cincinnati adaptmag.com
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AT WHAT POINT DID YOU REALIZE THAT THE COUPLE’S STORY WAS DEEPER THAN YOU REALIZED?
The Almond Tree is available on Amazon as well as retailers like Christian Book Store, Family Christian, Christian Cinema and many other Christian retailers.
During production. The great thing about doc films is that the film is organic. I knew very little about their story but as they talked more, the more I realized how God was showing himself. He was right there, creating this amazing story and using me to help tell it to many more people. HOW DIFFICULT WAS THE FILMING PROCESS FOR YOU? THE COUPLE? This was my first feature doc film. I had only worked on one other doc film and all I did was edit. The Almond Tree was all mine. I was a bit worried about doing it all on my own but luckily God made it very easy. Production and post production were extremely easy. I decided to go with a very simple, minimalist feel for the film so that helped as well. The couple was even easier. They didn’t hold back and told their story with such passion. I could tell that they knew God put them through all this to tell their story and help others. WHAT HAS HAPPENED WITH THE FILM SINCE YOU LAUNCHED IT? We hit the film festivals in 2012. Screened at four festivals, won an award and also screened it locally here in Cincinnati a few times. We landed distribution in 2013 and the DVD is available online at many Christian retailers. WHAT’S HAPPENED WITH THE COUPLE SINCE THE FILM? Their story is not yet done. Through producing this film, it has helped Danny and Leslie resolve other issues in their lives. Issues that Danny personally told me, would not have been resolved if they had not done the film. So in a way, the film has not only helped others but it has helped Danny and Leslie both grow as well. WHAT HAS THE LORD TAUGHT YOU THROUGH THIS PROCESS? God truly showed up. He is alive. He is the Master. He can do it all. He created this film and all I had to do was submit to the role he wanting me to play. I gave Him the control and He took over. I need to give Him control more often, life is so much easier when we do. WHAT ARE YOU HOPING PEOPLE WILL GET FROM THE FILM? You answered your own question, it’s hope! I am hoping that viewers will walk away from this film with lots and lots of hope. The Almond Tree has changed lives, turned the atheist to Christ, even kickstarted other Christians to do something that God has been calling them to do. The universal message behind The Almond Tree is redemption. Christian or not, I think that everyone can relate to wanting to gain redemption at one time in their life- or many times! In the end, The Almond Tree is a married couple airing out their dirty laundry to total strangers, and that is a very inspiring act.
January/February 2014
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