There are often people who you meet on your journey that can impact your life forever. They are messengers of hope. They are angels on earth. They often don't know how much their words or actions shape others. They're not in it for the praise. They are in it, to give it.
In my journey through sobriety, and in the pursuit of my dreams two women changed the direction of my life. They shaped my dreams. They pushed me along not knowing that they touched my life and do for so many around them. Their names are Denise Baran Unland and Michelle Jo Whitmore Sanchez. One is an author and features writer. The other is a filmmaker who specializes in faith based films.
I first met Denise when she interviewed me for the local paper about my journey. We became fast friends. Her service work to God and Man is tireless. From home schooling her six children, to starting a church in her own backyard, Denise motivated me and helped edit the book you are reading.
As I began to write Denise shared the experiences and challenges she faced in the writing of her first book "Bryony." It is an amazing piece of literature. Based in the late 1800's Bryony is a vampire novel that is rich in history, classic literature and a snapshot into the romantacism of the Nineteenth Century.
Deep in her faith Denise penned a novel that is devoid of the sex, violence, foul language and horror that are the common root in the classic vampire book. I devoured it in only a few days. I turned to her for counsel on on the possibility of writing my own book. After reading a few blogs she said my story might help change the lives of addicts and gave great insight into the world of addiction. I was flattered by her praise after reading such a masterful work as Bryony.
Day after day I would call with questions about formats and reference pages, proper writing and punctuation. My manic obsession with my writings never seemed to phase her. She always took time to ease me off a literary cliff or calm me after a temporary set back.
While we spoke she was busy home schooling two of her children. The other 4 have passed through her classroom already. As we spoke more about her job as a features reporter for the Sun-Times Media Service her specialty floored me. Along with the latest news she focuses on those who have died and brings them back to life again through her stories recounting their amazing works while living. She brings their voices back from eternity to share the extraordinary feats of ordinary people who no longer speak for themselves. Hope is her mission. Shining light upon others her focus.
As she shared more and more about the service work she did in the community it sparked my interest to serve. It was weeks before we met after many conversations about God, hope and making a difference. Serving others comes as natural to her as breathing itself. Her faith is unshakable. From working with Big Brothers-Big Sisters to offering guidance to novice writers like me, she never once said no to somebody reaching out for help. I could never have completed Soul Parole without her direction, editing and advice. Our friendship is forged forever.
As I grew in my sobriety and my film work was moving from that of being an extra to feature work in commercials and films I met another amazing woman. Michelle Jo Whitmore Sanchez is a filmmaker and owner of Take 9 Productions. Sanchez specializes in faith based films and positive role models. Her specialty is rare in the film business these days. I am sure her works will help the genre grow by leaps and bounds. She is unstoppable.
During the summer of 2010 Michelle called me and asked me if I was interested in a small part in her film "Just Kneel." I was to play a recovering addict who finds faith and works to save others from life on the streets. It was my first faith based film. I know it will not be my last. The most intriguing thing about my part in the film was that after a few written lines Michelle wanted me to share my journey to faith. It was unexpected. It brought MY journey and faith to the story. I was taken aback by her trust in having me shape the film with my testimony.
Sanchez has written several faith based films including "Revision 7," "Heal," "Dancerball," and "Zapketball." All of them are aimed at bringing people to faith. They touch the nerve of our humanity and our daily struggles with freewill and putting our trust in God. I am honored to have my imprint on "Just Kneel." Michelle changed my life by further instilling in me the desire to share my story of addiction and my journey to faith.
I have met many people in my new life of sobriety. Denise and Michelle have showed me we can all make a difference. We all have gifts we are meant to share. We are all messengers here. God guides us. We do the footwork. I am grateful to have such driven friends in my life. They keep me centered and focused on my mission.look for Denise's riveting book at bryonyseries.com and Michelle's works at take9productions.com. You will quickly see why I am proud to call them friends.
In my journey through sobriety, and in the pursuit of my dreams two women changed the direction of my life. They shaped my dreams. They pushed me along not knowing that they touched my life and do for so many around them. Their names are Denise Baran Unland and Michelle Jo Whitmore Sanchez. One is an author and features writer. The other is a filmmaker who specializes in faith based films.
I first met Denise when she interviewed me for the local paper about my journey. We became fast friends. Her service work to God and Man is tireless. From home schooling her six children, to starting a church in her own backyard, Denise motivated me and helped edit the book you are reading.
As I began to write Denise shared the experiences and challenges she faced in the writing of her first book "Bryony." It is an amazing piece of literature. Based in the late 1800's Bryony is a vampire novel that is rich in history, classic literature and a snapshot into the romantacism of the Nineteenth Century.
Deep in her faith Denise penned a novel that is devoid of the sex, violence, foul language and horror that are the common root in the classic vampire book. I devoured it in only a few days. I turned to her for counsel on on the possibility of writing my own book. After reading a few blogs she said my story might help change the lives of addicts and gave great insight into the world of addiction. I was flattered by her praise after reading such a masterful work as Bryony.
Day after day I would call with questions about formats and reference pages, proper writing and punctuation. My manic obsession with my writings never seemed to phase her. She always took time to ease me off a literary cliff or calm me after a temporary set back.
While we spoke she was busy home schooling two of her children. The other 4 have passed through her classroom already. As we spoke more about her job as a features reporter for the Sun-Times Media Service her specialty floored me. Along with the latest news she focuses on those who have died and brings them back to life again through her stories recounting their amazing works while living. She brings their voices back from eternity to share the extraordinary feats of ordinary people who no longer speak for themselves. Hope is her mission. Shining light upon others her focus.
As she shared more and more about the service work she did in the community it sparked my interest to serve. It was weeks before we met after many conversations about God, hope and making a difference. Serving others comes as natural to her as breathing itself. Her faith is unshakable. From working with Big Brothers-Big Sisters to offering guidance to novice writers like me, she never once said no to somebody reaching out for help. I could never have completed Soul Parole without her direction, editing and advice. Our friendship is forged forever.
As I grew in my sobriety and my film work was moving from that of being an extra to feature work in commercials and films I met another amazing woman. Michelle Jo Whitmore Sanchez is a filmmaker and owner of Take 9 Productions. Sanchez specializes in faith based films and positive role models. Her specialty is rare in the film business these days. I am sure her works will help the genre grow by leaps and bounds. She is unstoppable.
During the summer of 2010 Michelle called me and asked me if I was interested in a small part in her film "Just Kneel." I was to play a recovering addict who finds faith and works to save others from life on the streets. It was my first faith based film. I know it will not be my last. The most intriguing thing about my part in the film was that after a few written lines Michelle wanted me to share my journey to faith. It was unexpected. It brought MY journey and faith to the story. I was taken aback by her trust in having me shape the film with my testimony.
Sanchez has written several faith based films including "Revision 7," "Heal," "Dancerball," and "Zapketball." All of them are aimed at bringing people to faith. They touch the nerve of our humanity and our daily struggles with freewill and putting our trust in God. I am honored to have my imprint on "Just Kneel." Michelle changed my life by further instilling in me the desire to share my story of addiction and my journey to faith.
I have met many people in my new life of sobriety. Denise and Michelle have showed me we can all make a difference. We all have gifts we are meant to share. We are all messengers here. God guides us. We do the footwork. I am grateful to have such driven friends in my life. They keep me centered and focused on my mission.look for Denise's riveting book at bryonyseries.com and Michelle's works at take9productions.com. You will quickly see why I am proud to call them friends.
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