When I wrote "Road May Flood" in my last blog I didn't expect it to actually be the worst flood in Louisiana in 500 years! I was also referring to a spiritual flood of God's glory and power. However the physical flood happened in Louisiana, where I am currently living and prepping to film Perfect Swing, while we were in 21 days of prayer with our church family at Shreveport Community Church, as we were battling for breakthrough it rained hard!
The storm matched my struggle to hold on to my God given promises that Perfect Swing will be made. On day 21 we heard the news to expect our financing before the end of the year! During this final season of "The Close" a lot can still go wrong, actually a year ago we were in this closing boat and it sank, but this feels different. I believe the battle has already been won! It's a done deal. Perfect Swing will be made and will empower artists and impact audiences all over the world by the power of the Holy Spirit! So count down the days with us and look for our "Fully Funded" announcement! If you want to partner with us in prayer subscribe to our prayer team emails. Now watch Zoie and I escape the flood waters on our location for Perfect Swing!
On May 31, 2015 we moved out of our house in Lacey, WA. This is a reflection of the last 12 months away from home. When I wrote Perfect Swing in 2012 I had no idea the cost of resurrecting a dream to direct feature films with Jesus. While pursuing this dream it has costs us everything, but our family. Our house, my videography equipment, our car, all our money and most of our possessions. When we hit the road May 31st we had two moving trucks, one for donations and the other for a small storage facility in Sherwood, OR.
Only what fit in our Tahoe came with us when we decided to fully embrace the adventure of independent feature filmmaking with Jesus.
We were traveling light and here's some highlights of our year...
In-N-Out in Redding, CA to visit friends...
Bethel Church, Redding, CA
Disneyland with family
Grand Canyon - Leilani
Grandma and Grandpa Bunfill in Mt Sterling, IL
Our first new home of our own since our move in Winona Lake, IN right on the canal for the next 6 weeks. - June 2015
Working on the movie New Life - Nouvelle Vie as a family!
Here's the Behind the Scenes I created! Coming to theaters October 2016!
Time to hit the trail again! Heading south to Texas!
Stopping to see more family including Grandma Jump along the way.
Last stop in Shreveport, LA before Texas to visit the Erickson cousins...or is it? - August 2015
We were invited to scout our first golf course in Shreveport, LA for Perfect Swing and God told us to look no further. "We have arrived!" - Favor - Handed the keys to this golf course to make our movie. - August 2015
Finally made it to Dallas, TX to work on another production as the Animatic Editor for Hillary's America
The girls enjoyed the Dallas Zoo while I worked at the production office. During this production our financing for Perfect Swing got delayed. "God where do you want us to live now? Dallas, Shreveport or back home in Oregon?" - October 2015
Within 24 hrs of that prayer, perfect strangers, and now dear friends, heard from the Lord and told us Jesus wanted us to live here until our movie was complete. The Erickson family helped us move in after living with them for 7 weeks! Downtown Shreveport - Beautiful, Furnished, Rent Free! - October 2015
This is the storefront "Thrive" right next to our new home!
Thanksgiving with the Bunfill family!
Christmas Eve with cousins.
April's folks celebrated Christmas with us!
My parents brought in the New Year!
Mardi Gras Parade right outside our front door!
Spring at the Asian Gardens across the street. During this time I am editing 14 television episodes for The National Bible Bee Game Show.
Celebrating Easter with new friends in our home.
Playing the land as a family that God promised to us to make Perfect Swing!
Updating the screenplay, playing and praying over our golf course and letting God do the rest. - May 2016
We have decided to commit another year in Shreveport! We are hitting the road for summer vacation at the end of June, getting refueled and refreshed back home in Oregon and we are praying and expecting financial breakthrough for Perfect Swing on the way back to Shreveport in August. Will pre-production begin when we return? Stay tuned! God's got this!
On Saturday I played a solo round on our location for Perfect Swing in Shreveport, LA. I played and prayed on the land that Jesus gave us. Before we arrived in August, God told the manager we were coming and opened up the doors before us. When our financing was delayed Jesus gave us a fully furnished home less then 10 minutes from the course. I have been working on other projects as a video editor to provide for my family as we wait for production to begin. Our family became members of the local church we have been attending as well as joining the country club. My girls are learning to play golf. I take them to the driving range 3 times a week to hit a bucket of balls. My wife and I are playing golf for the first time as a couple. As we possess this land, our inheritance, we feel the spiritual attack increase; discouragement, doubt, feelings of being insignificant, feelings of being a fool while we wait for the funds to be released. I continue to do the work set before me to provide for my family, play the course in faith to prepare me as a director, teach my children, love my wife, meet with young men to encourage them and let wiser men speak into my life. We are trying to partner with a prophetic word spoken to me during church from the stage in February, "The season of delay is over and stability beyond what you can imagine is coming from the Lord, continue to worship Him." This week I've experienced more delay in my video editing work, hence the time to blog and reflect today. Will you declare with us this season of delay over?! The stability of joyful expectation to rule in our home. Let all the resources we need to make this movie be attracted to us. The enemy knows we are here to destroy the works of the devil and lift up Jesus and reveal the truths of who Father God really is. The enemy may now know our intentions but how much more do I need to be reminded that my God is with me fighting for me, preparing the way. This is what I am learning and is also the main theme of Perfect Swing.
Deuteronomy 20The Message (MSG)
20 1-4 When you go to war against your enemy and see horses and chariots and soldiers far outnumbering you, do not recoil in fear of them; God, your God, who brought you up out of Egypt is with you. When the battle is about to begin, let the priest come forward and speak to the troops. He’ll say, “Attention, Israel. In a few minutes you’re going to do battle with your enemies. Don’t waver in resolve. Don’t fear. Don’t hesitate. Don’t panic. God, your God, is right there with you, fighting with you against your enemies, fighting to win.”
I am stuffed. I've been feasting for the last month with family in town. This is actually my first week back to normal since the holidays. It was even supposed to begin yesterday but a Mardi Gras parade went past my front door yesterday, so we celebrated another day! I am not complaining, I am just filled up and ready to go! Filled up with ideas and vision for Perfect Swing and my company, Highwater and filled with expectation of what God is going to do in 2016.
What do y'all think of my vision poster above? It's not the movie poster it's the vision poster. Movie posters are created after the film is complete. This vision poster is for me. I printed it out professionally and it hangs next to my desk and is the first thing I see when I walk in the door and come downstairs, it's my vision poster, "Winner Takes All"! So what is a win for me this year? I bet you can guess. Perfect Swing in production! I want to return to the Great NW with big metal hard drives hanging over my shoulder like a trophy kill, containing beautiful footage and performances to tell this inspirational story. With that hard drive full, I can start editing the movie together, create teasers and trailers, behind the scenes webisodes, making of documentary and even the real finished movie poster! Which I am sure I will need some help on. Filmmaking is collaborative. It takes many people to make a great film, many winners. I can't direct this film without having a winning attitude. The story is about an underdog family winning everything with everything on the line. I am living it and each day becomes less daunting and more exciting. I am learning how to hear God's voice and make the brave decisions each day to be faith filled and expectant verses fearful. So how are we going to win and take all the spoils home and be even more exhausted from feasting and even more filled with vision to make this world a better place? I am going to trust that Jesus is with me everyday and guiding each and every step. He knows the way to my destiny because He's the one who designed it for me.
Production work has slowed this month. I am not making any money. Fortunately we did pretty well this summer. I have been working with actors and another screenplay writer on our script. I love collaboration and can see how God is already attracting amazing people to this project to make it even greater than I can imagine. I am trying not to put a timeline on production. We thought we would be shooting in the spring at this time last year. I wrestle with the thought, "Is there something more I need to do to receive breakthrough?" Do I not have because, I don't ask? Or ask with wrong intentions? Is there something new I need to learn? Do I need to read another book on launching a business, writing a screenplay, managing my time? Maybe there is another sermon I need to hear or a seminar I need to attend. I hunger for wisdom and I know I don't know it all. I am always looking for ways to grow but is what I don't know hindering this particular breakthrough? It took me "Writing" Perfect Swing, "Forming" the LLC with my partners, "Going" to a business conference to connect with our investor, "Moving" from our home, and "Working" on other movie productions this summer, to get to where I am today. Now that we have arrived in our filming location for Perfect Swing, Shreveport, LA, is there something more I need to do?
Remember how God told the golf manager the day before we met that our movie was going to be filmed here. And the Lord used an amazing family we just met to provide a home for us. So maybe since the Lord has told us to "Be Still" this month, perhaps that's exactly what he wants us to do.
When the Israelites left Egypt and Pharos' army pursued, Moses said:
"The Lord will fight for you, and you will not need to lift a finger!" Exodus 14:14 (TLB)
With a pillar of fire and a strong wind to split the sea the Lord did it all! We have great memories living in Olympia, WA for 12 years. We made some lifelong friends and our children lacked nothing. But we were mostly broke and in debt the whole time. It was our Egypt/Wilderness experience. But praise the Lord we are on the move on our conquest exploring new land! The Lord is fighting for us and honoring us as his son and daughters. I am learning how to "Be Still" in this new season by being thankful for all that I have and all that Jesus has already done. How can I honor my family and friends this Christmas season? How can I just be still and enjoy the presence of my children and my lovely wife. Perhaps I need to finish this year and receive my breakthrough for Perfect Swing by not even lifting a finger...
We lived with the Ericksons for 7 weeks in Shreveport, LA from the end of August through September. We found our location for Perfect Swing at the Shreveport Country Club. Then I began commuting and working in Dallas on the new Dinesh D'Souza Documentary, Stealing America, as the Animatic Editor.
Can you spot my red Titleist hat?
While in Dallas, my film investor told me there is further delay in releasing the funding and the timeline is unknown. My worst fear... I did nothing, told no one until my peace returned. 3 days later on Sunday morning I prayed a simple prayer on the way to church. "Jesus, I will continue to wait for Perfect Swing to launch as long as you want me to just tell me where you want me and my family to live as we wait, Shreveport, Dallas or back home in the NW, Portland. By that evening a couple that we just met that morning in our Sunday School class called us and told us that they have a beautiful, furnished, 1800 sq ft, two story loft apartment in downtown Shreveport for us for as long as we need it, rent free. They said, "Jesus, wanted us to have it." Wow, what an answer to prayer! We moved in at the beginning of October and are truly blessed. The front of our home is made of Glass Bricks. I call it my Glass Castle in my city of refuge. Remember we are on a conquest, we have crossed the Jordan and we are conquering land so we can possess our promised land. We are just using Capitalism, not Swords. =)
Deuteronomy 6:10-12The Message (MSG)
10-12 When God, your God, ushers you into the land he promised through your ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob to give you, you’re going to walk into large, bustling cities you didn’t build, well-furnished houses you didn’t buy, come upon wells you didn’t dig, vineyards and olive orchards you didn’t plant. When you take it all in and settle down, pleased and content, make sure you don’t forget how you got there—God brought you out of slavery in Egypt.
We are expecting breakthrough at any moment. Could God be any more clear? Perfect Swing will be shot in Shreveport. Currently I am moving forward in faith by creating an Animatic for Perfect Swing just like I did for Stealing America. Just hearing the actors read the lines is breathing life into this project. Keep praying and keep expecting with us! The walls delaying funding are coming down!
Our last stop on the way to Dallas, Texas this summer was in Shreveport, Louisiana to visit with my Sister-In-Law, Rebecca, and her awesome family! After Nouvelle Vie wrapped in Indiana we had time to visit extended family in Illinois for a couple weeks. We rested and recovered from the long days on set and enjoyed being with family and eating large midwest meals twice a day plus dessert! But when we arrived in Shreveport our pace of life began to pick back up to work mode. David, Rebecca's husband, reminded me of a golf course that was owned by his Pastor and that I should check it out. Our first meeting at the Shreveport Country Club began with the General Manager asking to begin and told me that the Lord spoke to him yesterday and told him that a movie was going to be shot here as well as some other details from our story. I was blown away and blessed that God went before me like that. I tried to explain to him the negative impact a film crew and 200+ extras may have on his course. He didn't care. He heard from the Lord and wanted our movie to be shot on his course.
The next day I arrived with my camera and my oldest daughter Adalie to scout out the course. We both asked Jesus his thoughts about this location individually and then shared notes before we got out of the car. Jesus spoke clearly to both of us that, "We have arrived at our destination!" We scouted the course and sure enough I found all my locations.
The church, the city officials, family, friends, film crew all confirmed and welcomed us like family. It looks like Texas will have to wait for now. I am trusting God to button up business details so we can officially begin Pre-Production in Shreveport! Until then I will continue to prep on my own for directing, Perfect Swing!
I am going to be blogging weekly so follow the action here! For daily updates follow www.facebook.com/HighwaterMovies or Twitter www.twitter.com/HighwaterMovies. To join the Perfect Swing Prayer team and receive weekly prayer points via email fill out the form on the right. Thank you all for your support! Let's make a movie!
We left Ontario, CA June 14th and followed Route 66 most of the way to Mt Sterling, IL. Since we just came from Cars Land in Disney's California Adventure I could picture how this route and landscape inspired filmmaker John Lasseter. Our first stop was Flagstaff where we took the afternoon and visited the Grand Canyon.
We walked the South Rim and finally found the lodges and the restaurant. We were hungry! We had hamburgers, visited the gift shop, took pictures and admired the historic lodges. The girls bought souvenirs: hats, t-shirts, keychains, and postcards. I actually received my souvenir today, on Father's Day, from Zoie. A Grand Canyon travel mug! I love it! We stayed to watch the sunset and then traveled back to Flagstaff seeing multiple elk on the way home. We traveled to Tucumcari, NM the next night and then through Texas, the Panhandle of Oklahoma, to Wichita Kansas for our last night at a hotel for awhile. We rated our hotel experience based on the bed and breakfast experience so far its...
1. Ayres - Ontario, CA
2. Holiday Inn, Wichita, KS
3. Rodeway Inn Tumcumcari, NM
4. Days Inn - Flagstaff, AZ
5. Ramada - Redding, CA
On Wednesday we crossed the Missouri and Mississippi River and arrived in the small town of Mt. Sterling, IL to visit Grandma and Grandpa Bunfill. Lonnie and Sherri, April's folks, were also visiting. It was a great time seeing the old homestead and farms where Lonnie grew up and Lonnie and Sherri's first home. I found myself thankful that they took a faith trip across country to Oregon when they were young unless April and I may never have found each other. Good food and great conversations with Grandma and Grandpa. We felt very loved. We had lunch on Friday on the flooded Illinois River at the Boatel. Lonnie even sprung for the frog legs! Not bad, tastes like chicken.
On Saturday we drove to Winona Lake, Indiana to join the crew of the movie Nouvelle Vie. Cheri Murphy, an associate producer, and her friend Lynn greeted us on the porch overlooking the canal of Winona Lake. They were as excited as we were to show us the house. They decorated, furnished and supplied it themselves! New towels, comforters, recliners etc. They even had friends donate toys for the playroom. They even bought new DVDs for the girls. It feels like a vacation house on the lake. It's been three weeks since we moved out of our house and this is our first place that is our home. It may be for only four weeks but it's ours and we are excited to serve the crew of Nouvelle Vie with our talents and skills. Next week stay tuned for my video of Week #1 Behind the Scenes of Nouvelle Vie!
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Wow! What an amazing week! I feel totally refreshed and recharged! It's incredible what an great vacation will do for the mind, soul and body! The stress from our move is just a distant memory.
We gave God the first fruits of our vacation by spending two nights in Redding, CA to see our friend Ciara and worship and rest at Bethel Church! The Lord confirmed our journey yet again and reminded us how much He loves us! We also celebrated Zoie's 9th Birthday!
On Monday we drove to La Verne, CA to celebrate my brother's graduation for the week! He is now Dr. Brant Himes! We spent two days in Disneyland! It was amazing and inspiring! Thanks Mom and Dad for the trip and Brant and Jackie for being the perfect host and the best Disney tour guides ever!
The hotel we stayed at was beautiful with a great hot breakfast. It was great to be with family! Truly I feel blessed and wooed by Jesus as he gently transitions us into our new life! Next week we begin traveling east! Oh what does Jesus have planned for us next?
It has begun! We moved out of our house in Lacey, WA last Sunday May 31st and put our stuff in storage in Sherwood, OR so we can travel light for the next year of movie production! The first night in Oregon I was flooded with images and story for the sequel of Perfect Swing. Which tells me God has big plans for Perfect Swing if He is already preparing me for a sequel. I wrote the outline and shared in with my partners and if I find myself with 2 weeks downtime this summer perhaps I will write the screenplay. But first Summer Vacation!
This week in Oregon has been with our parents and visiting with old friends.
We spent the first half of the week in Sherwood and the second half in Hillsboro. Last night we celebrated my Dad's 65th Birthday!
It's been a great week to rest from our emotional move. Tomorrow we drive to Redding, CA to see friends and get filled up at Bethel Church as well as celebrate Zoie's 9th Birthday on Sunday! The last time I was at Bethel for a Heaven in Business Conference last August we experienced breakthrough for Perfect Swing. I am excited for my girls to experience Bethel, we already listen to their worship as a family and April and I never miss a podcast. We always get encouraged by the ministries of Bethel. I am excited to see what God has for us this weekend!
Next week we will be celebrating my brother's graduation as he receives his Phd. My folks are treating us to Disneyland!
Stay tuned for a new blog from a new state next week, as we make our way to Winona Lake, Indiana to join the movie crew of Nouvelle Vie!
