Books for Children (of any age)

When I was a little girl, my family had a tradition on Saturday mornings. We would eat doughnuts at the little eat-in spot in the grocery store and then go to the library. I can still remember the feeling of calm and stillness in that building. It reminds me of church where there is a certain smell and feel to the air, both being heavier than in other spaces. 

I remember the libraries from each of the cities I have lived in. 

I remember school libraries and the library from college.

We live close to a library now. We walk there often in the summer. It is a safe and special place and I’m grateful for its’ nearness.

We read often to our girls. Paul is currently reading his way through The Chronicles of Narnia with Stella. Dayli goes through phases with books, loving one and needing to read it several times a day and then it goes back on the shelf replaced by a new favorite.

There are many beautiful children’s books out there. Some, with pictures so beautiful your eyes ache. Some, that bring raucous laughter or quiet tears with each reading. Whether you have children or not, I recommend you take a walk to your library (drive if you must) and find a corner and see if you can’t read a few of the following:

In the Beginning There was no Sky  by Walter Wangerin, Jr.

This book is a sweet account of the creation of the world. It’s thoughtful, beautiful and was Paul’s gift to Stella for Christmas a few years ago. On the trip that was to be my last time seeing my Granma, one of the last moments I had with her was reading this book aloud to her. My eyes well with tears. Every. Single. Time.

There’s a Train Going By My Window  by Wendy Kesselman

This is a book the same Granma gave to me when I was little. Her handwriting lives in the front. The images were so exotic to my little Kansas girl mind. It’s a simple rhyme about a girl dreaming where the train that runs past her window will take her. I think it’s about dreams and hope. 

The Serendipity Series  by Stephen Cosgrove

These books are from my childhood as well. I remember thinking that the pictures were lovely. Each story strives to tell a lesson, perhaps about manners or patience. They all take place in a magical world called Serendipity and it’s great for the imagination. 

Martin’s Big Words  by Doreen Rappaport

I bought this book for Stella. Again, the illustrations are beautiful. It tells the story of Martin Luther King, Jr. in a simple and profound way. Some of Martin’s big words are: Together. Love. Peace. Freedom. 

Kiss Goodnight By Amy Hest and Anita Jeram

This was a board book that my parents bought for baby Stella. A momma bear readies her son for bed. This book is so gooey sweet that your heart will melt as you wish your momma had the same bedtime routine for you when you were a child.

The Mysteries of Harris Burdick  by Chris Van Allsburg

The legend goes that Chris Van Allsburg came across these drawings in the home of a friend. The friend once worked for a children’s book publisher where the drawings were dropped off one day by Harris Burdick.  Burdick was invited to return the following day to bring along the stories he had written to go along with each picture. But, Harris Burdick never returned. These are lovely, creepy, imagination-stirring images that all children need to look at and then wonder about. 

The Peace Book  by Todd Parr

Simple and profound. This book is a good definition of the peace that I think every woman, man and child is to strive to bring to the world. (all of his books are delightful!)

Porcupining  by Lisa Wheeler

A book we found in the library one summer, told in rhyme with a sweet little twangy song to sing, all the RL’s fell in love with this. A porcupine is looking for love and you have to read it to see if he finds any!!!

Sylvester and the Magic Pebble  by William Steig

Another book from my librarian granma. It was magical to me when I was little. Poor Sylvester makes a poor choice of a wish on a magic pebble and a bit of a sad adventure ensues. But, all is well that ends well. And love...well, love is the main idea here...and all the characters understand that at adventures end.

Happy Reading!

I Am Mom

As our attentions are drawn once again to mothers this week ( You know, since mother's day is this Sunday... but you knew that right?) I wanted to re-post a video I did last year that was made for Restoration Community Church last year. You may notice the three stars of the film, they are the three love's of my life one year younger than they are now.

This short film attempts to hold in tension the desires and fears a mom has in her head as she goes about her holy work. Christa and I wrote this peice together and it is her voice that narrates the film.

To all mothers, My hope is that you hear and see something that is true and beautiful and afterwards feel a little more hope and courage to love the high calling you've recieved whether you have children or not.

To all my mothers, Thank you. Everything I touch has your fingerprint.

I Love you. 

The Seven-year-old & The Critic

“The two hardest parts of the writing of drama are (1) disregarding all the notes and sketches and writing, “at rise” and (2) accepting the resulting draft and committing oneself to work on that rather than bemoaning or exploring (which are the same) the difference between that draft and the (actually nonexistent) ideal foreseen version of the play.”  - David Mamet from Theatre

This is where I am now. In this struggle... in so many ways. This struggle.
Constantly warring in me is the critic and the seven year old.
The Seven-year-old is oozing creativity, adventures, fantasties and magic.
The Critic oozes planning, prudence, intellect and “taste.”
Together, they don’t usually produce much.

Thankfully, I have paragraphs like this one from one of my truest teachers (although we’ve never met) David Mamet, as well as various crumbs of grace from other authors like Anne Lamott, and Don Miller who remind me that writing something on paper is actually an act of bravery.

Writing is very hard for me. Writing plays is slightly easier than writing blogs (although I’m not sure what that means about my plays.) In fact, I have yet to write a play that is totally “mine.” In other words, a piece that was not commissioned for another ministry. In a way, I think that this has been safer for me because I can hide a little in the collaborative style of those projects. saying, “I made this change for that audience, ” and by this confess my willingness  to lie just a little.

 I'm trying to have the guts to write a story that I want to tell. In fact,  I’ve had no shortage of very exciting ideas that I think would make great plays or films but then the Critic's voice says, “Who’s gonna watch that?” or “Are you sure you have the guts to handle that kind of subject matter?”... The Seven-year-old of course then flips-him-off and retreats to his fanstasy world where he fights and slays imaginary dragons. Such battles are inevitably smothered by the obligations and other desires of my “normal” life whatever that means.

I know that the only antidote to this futile inner-bickering. Is the simple act of writing “at rise” and then doing what comes next... and after that... doing what comes next.

It’s just so hard to start... and I’m afraid of wasting time... and...

putting my heart somewhere where it can be dropped and broken.
Is it as dramatic as all that? I don’t know. It’s only a play after all... Or is it?

Isn’t this really about my life? I want everything I do to be meaningful.
… and I’m still afraid that I can still do things that are meaningless. This is my fear.
My faith tells me that nothing (maybe nothing) I do is meaningless if it is surrendered to Jesus. Surrendered to him because he’s a better writer than I am.

So the Seven-year-old and the critic are really just just my faith and my fear punching it out again.

At least this Monday I wrote something down... so it can’t be all that bad.

Top Docs

Okay, I was talking with my friend Todd Carrasco about a week ago and he told me that he doesn't remember ever seeing a good documentary... “!” So, I told him I'd make a list of some of my favorites for him and then I thought that maybe a lot of my online friends have yet to experience a great soulful doc. I thought I could limit it to just 10 but after Christa and I started talking about our fav's the list grew to 25 (it might be overkill but I really feel strongly about this… so back off!). Now, I understand that some of the choices may not interest in the least so this is by no means a "must see" list, just a list of noteworthy and time-worthy films. Let me also say that this these films are in no particular rank, They all shine wonderfully in their own way.

If you are already a "doc-fan" and we didn't include one of your favorites, don't be stingy! Leave a comment and let everyone in on the secret!
And now onto the list!

King of Kong: Fist full of Quarters
This hilarious and humane story follows the story of legendary Billy Mitchell who set a Donkey Kong record  int the 1980's that stood for almost 25 years. This documentary follows the assault on the record by Steve Wiebe.
Spellbound
Spellbound follows eight teenagers on their quest to win the 1999 National Spelling Bee. I Dare you not to fall in love with these kids.
Helvetica
A film about typography, graphic design and the people who create a global visual culture. Totally wierd I know but I was riveted.
To Be and to Have
A touching film about a village schoolhouse in Auvergne, where Georges Lopez teaches 13 children, ages ranging from about four to 12. A rare and beautiful movie.
Born into Brothels
Two documentary filmmakers chronicle their time in Sonagchi, Calcutta and the relationships they developed with children of prostitutes who work the city's notorious red light district. Goes the heart of what I think the Kingdom of God looks like.
Exit Through the Gift Shop
The story of how an eccentric French shop keeper and amateur film maker attempted to locate and befriend Banksy (The illusive street artist). a wonderful and complicated history of Street art.
In the Realms of the Unreal
A wierd and beautiful story about Henry Darger a man who worked all his life in menial jobs in Chicago. Living alone and in poverty, with no friends or close family. Spending all his off hours alone working on a 15,000 page illustrated novel called The Realms of the Unreal. A stunning amalgam of religious imagery, fantasy, and heroic drama, the work was only discovered after Darger was moved to a hospital during the last days of his life.
Mad Hot Ballroom
The students of several New York City elementary schools learn ballroom dancing and compete in a city wide dance competition. Like Spellbound, these kids will crush your heart!
Sister Helen
In this emotionally compelling documentary, Sister Helen opens a private home for recovering addicts and alcoholics in the South Bronx after the death of her husband and two sons. Gotta love a great "salty" kick-ass nun!
Pressure Cooker
A film about Inner-city Philadelphia High-school teacher Ms. Fatoumata and her class of students competing in a national cooking championships. I starting to detect a trend in the docs I like, great stories of kids overcoming odds. This one will not disappoint!
Kings of Pastry
Here's another great cooking competition movie: This is a film about The collar awarded to the winners of the Meilleur Ouvrier de France (Best Craftsman in France) is more than the ultimate recognition for every pastry chef - it is a dream and an obsession.
Marwencol
I saw this short story first on "This American Life" which was later expanded into a feature. After a vicious attacks leaves him brain-damaged and broke, Mark Hogancamp seeks recovery in "Marwencol", a 1/6th scale World War II-era town he creates in his backyard. Absolutely heartbreaking!
Man on Wire
On August 7, 1974, Philippe Petit, a French wire walker, juggler, and street performer spent 45 minutes walking, dancing, kneeling, and lying on a wire between the rooftops of the Twin Towers. This is such a beautiful account of the audacity it takes to make beauty in our world.
Buck
An examination of the life of acclaimed 'horse whisperer' Buck Brannaman, who recovered from years of child abuse to become a well-known expert in the interactions between horses and people. Balled my freakin' eyes out. Jesus is all over this movie
My Architect
Director Nathaniel Kahn searches to understand his father, noted architect Louis Kahn, who died bankrupt and alone in 1974. A wonderful mystery that I still think about from time to time.
Danielson: A Family Movie (or, Make a Joyful Noise Here)
The film inspires me specifically as a Christian and an artist. It follows Daniel Smith, an eccentric musician and visual artist, as he leads his four siblings and best friend to indie rock stardom, eventually facing the struggle to become viable as a solo act. Along the way he mentors an unknown singer-songwriter named Sufjan Stevens.
Autism: The Musical
Follows five autistic children as they work together to create and perform a live musical production... What do you know another movie about kids overcoming obstacles... what a surprise. Actually, this one is more about the parents I think.
Murderball
A film about paraplegics who play full-contact rugby in Mad Max-style wheelchairs overcoming unimaginable obstacles to compete in the Paralympic Games in Athens, Greece. It's manly and tough but you're still gonna need the kleenex.
Wasteland
Top-selling contemporary artist Vik Muniz takes us on an emotional journey from Jardim Gramacho, the world's largest landfill on the outskirts of Rio de Janeiro, to the heights of international art stardom. Vik collaborates with the brilliant catadores, pickers of recyclable materials, true Shakespearean characters who live and work in the garbage quoting Machiavelli and showing us how to recycle ourselves. Making Beautiful art out of trash?... where have I seen that before?... oh yeah, Jesus.
It Might Get Loud
Davis Guggenhiem follows guitarists Jack White (The White Stripes), Jimmy Page (Led Zepplin), The Edge (U2) as they meet and talk about their instruments, careers and (in my opinion) spirituality. One of the rare features I saw in the theatre and it definitely left a thumb-print on my brain.

If you haven't seen these films I highly recommend them! 

Until next time!

Peace,

Dare 2 Share Stories

 It has been a landmark year for Torn Curtain and Dare 2 Share. It is the first tour that has involved the partnership with Colorado Christian University and four interns from the school of music, the first tour for me on the road again after a year hiatus, the first time we produced a session-long dance piece that included, dance, live music, and real-time illustration and narration, and  thousands of first moments that happened for thousands of people who came to the events; events that had never happened before and will never happen again.

All in all, it's been a very full year indeed. I wanted to post a few responses that have made their way back to me from the seven Dare 2 Share conferences this year. Thank you for you supporting and participating in this work of transformion.

If you don't support TCA  yet, I would invite you to consider "What is the worth of a good story?" and ask you if there is someway you might participate with us in the healing of all thing through the cultivation of actors and dramatic artists. Pray about it and then I'd love to talk to you!

Thanks again! Here are some stories!

"I totally loved the dramas that were performed this past weekend at Dayton's dare2share. they were very inspiring,very talented and totally awesome. They gave me goosebumps/chills after every act. I am from Youngstown, Ohio, I have a HUGE passion for theater and for CHRIST and have been dying to combine them.my skills include acting, directing, writing,and singing.My question to you is how I can become a part of the awesome ministry that your company provides and serve Christ with the talents that he has provided me to use for HIM.If you accept new members let me know what the next step would be to take whether its sending you a resume or an audition video of some sort... I can't wait to hear from you.thank you for your time"

 - Ben Gavitt

"Saw some of your actors and actresess at Dare 2 Share in Lincholn Nebraska!!! You guys were AMAZING!!!! Acting for JESUS is AWESOME!! Hope I can do that someday too!!

 You guys are AMAZING!!!! I want to be like you when I grow up!!!!!:) I saw you in Lincoln, Nebraska at Dare 2 Share you guys are the BEST!!!!!!!!!!:) I really hope you tour with Dare 2 Share next year!!!!!!!!:)" 

- Kayla Lane

I attended the D2S conference in Dayton, OH and was really moved by the skit done on Saturday where Greg read the story of the King and his bride while the actors danced and acted out the story and the musicians sang and played. I would LOVE to get my hands on the story that Greg read and use it at our Easter service at my church. I was so moved by the interpretation of the Gospel in that story and I know that many in our crowd would be as well. Would there be anyway I could get the words to the story that Greg read?

-Dave Neeley

 I just saw you guys perform at Dare 2 Share in Dayton and just want to say that your dramas were life changing. Thank you!! There was so much talent in the group that performed and I could see that they were doing it for Our Lord Jesus. Thank you for inspiring me to be all that I can be and that I need to live like I'm dying everyday because we never know when the end is going to come. (My favorite one was the Romance Dance!!)
Thank you again,
- Andrea B.

Hey there! I guess I'll just start off like that... Umm I'm just contacting you because I wanted to thank you. I went to the Lincoln session and it really touched me! A little background on me is when I was 10 I got in a terrible car accident, lost my dad, brother (on his own birthday) & step mom because of it & now I'm a "miracle" to people, which I guess if every doctor in Creighton University Medical Center knows you by name, that's what you'd be considered too. Look me me up on Google for any details about the accident. But I just want to know that your skit really changed me! Ever since the accident I have made terrible terrible decisions, & Im only 13. & when I saw how the devil was there watching that girl watching everything, it made me think how God was there too. He has watched me make these decisions, and just that is enough to make me cry. So thank you, thank you so much. You have honestly changed my life. <3

- Marti Ita

Hello! My name is Taylor, and I saw you guys on the Dare2Share GameDay Tour. I absolutely fell in love with the Judgement Day skit that was performed. I was wondering if there would be any chance for me to get the script for it, because I really want to show it to my friends, church, and family. I just loved the way that it was so honest and didn't hide anything about how serious the matter of Heaven or Hell is.
The skit brought tears to my eyes and showed me the reality that life is short and I need to reach out to anyone and everyone about the word of God. It would be wonderful if you could help me out. I have been acting for a while and I have a few friends that would help me out with performing it. Also, if you would rather not give out the script, I was wondering if you had a video of the skit so i could show it to my church and family.
Thank you so much for your time,

-Taylor Arnold

I'd like to wrap up this entry with a link to video made by one of this year's actors, Katie Columbia. Katie and I really wrestled early in the process on how to authentically and responsibly portray a character who choses eternal separation from God. It's a controversaial topic, maybe the most controversial in Christianity. However, the goal for me is never the conclusion we reach about what is "Hell" and why, but rather, the discussions and process that develops between actor and director through the investigation. Anyway, this is a post from Katie's video journal after her final performance in "The Advocate." Thank you again for your support folks. Love ya.

http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=3732728082622