It's Flood Season - The Close

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!

Road May Flood - Power of Expectancy

This summer our family drove over 7,000 miles for vacation.  We were able to drive home to Oregon and spend July with our parents, siblings and friends.  We relaxed and had a perfect NW summer enjoying the mountains, flowing rivers and ocean beaches.  As we began the trek back to Louisiana we were very expectant for breakthrough for our movie, Perfect Swing.  Our first stop was in Redding, CA at Bethel.  This is where our journey began.  This is where our dream was resurrected.  We were expectant for God to do something new, to finish the work he began two years ago this same month.  We were encouraged by the believers there and continued south.  We enjoyed our last day by the pool at my younger brother's home with his family near Pasadena, CA.  Then we arose at 4 AM and headed east for two days across the desert.  Several times I saw the warning sign, "Road May Flood".  It was summer and dry and didn't worry me, but it did describe the expectancy I was feeling for my motion picture company, Highwater Entertainment.  The flood I am expecting is a new encounter with God.  A lyric from Bethel's, Spirit Move, says, "Let your power rush in like a flood."  That's what it's going to take to impact an audience with our film, power.  Not my power.  I literally have no way to finish this film.  I am no big shot producer.  I am completely dependent on God to finish this work.  We have been obedient to write the screenplay, complete the business plan, and build the team.  He has provided for us by bringing me other production work, giving us our golf course location and speak to perfect strangers to provide a beautifully furnished home for us as we wait.  Wait for what?  Power.  

And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.” - Luke 24:49

Just like the yellow warning sign says, it may or may not flood down the road ahead.  But when the rain season is upon us we will be ready and I see the clouds billowing up into the heavens ahead and I can hear the thunder roll in downtown Shreveport as I write. Expect with us.

Fighting to Win

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.”

Winner Takes All or How 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.

What else can we do to receive our breakthrough?

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...

Scouting for Perfect Swing in Shreveport, Louisiana

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!

Route 66 to Nouvelle Vie

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!

For daily pictures and updates follow Seth Himes and Highwater on Facebook.  If you would like to join the prayer team and receive a weekly prayer update, fill out the form on the right of this blog.

California Dream Vacation

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?

On the road! - Hello Oregon

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!

New Life - Goodbye Washington

This is not how I would have imagined leaving our home in Olympia.  Today we sign the final documents and move out this Sunday.  It's been a mixture of emotions.  It's sad to say goodbye to friends and a little scary to move to an unknown part of the country yet the energy of excitement from my wife and four kids as we pack and clean is pure joy.  The enemy wants me to feel like I have failed them by moving them out of their home.  But a friend of mine told me this week that our name, "Himes", means "Home".  The truth is our family together is home, wherever that may be.  

This morning I was asked what we prefer for our accommodations while working on the movie Nouvelle Vie in Indiana, a hotel with a pool or a house near the lake.  We unanimously chose the house near the lake!  Jesus pointed out to me that it's no coincidence that our first project after our move is called Nouvelle Vie, which is french for, New Life.  We have been preparing for this New Life that's been a promise in our hearts for decades, to make "Movies With Life", which is the tag line and vision of our company Highwater Entertainment.  

April and I ran our first 5k last Saturday from our house to Meconis Subs! #WillRunForFood =)  We have been training for 8 weeks and for the first time in my life I ran for 30 minutes straight, hey I am a big guy.  =)  The training is complete, physically, mentally and spiritually and it's time step into this New Life.  Next week I will be blogging from a new state!  Stay tuned!  Join the prayer team for Perfect Swing Movie and receive a weekly email with prayer points!