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Message In Motion

| Faith and Family Films

What do Amiee Semple McPherson, Pine Wood Studios London, World Wide Pictures, the Salvation Army, hippies during the ‘Jesus Revolution,’ and the Erwin Brothers have in common? The answer: They have all utilized ‘the-media-of-the-day’ to reach the masses with the Gospel.

Aimee used ‘illustrated-sermons’ when she preached at Angelus Temple Foursquare Church.

In 1915 a missionary group noticed that the silent films of the day were not wholesome. So they countered by launching Pinewood Studios, London, to create family-friendly content.

Billy Graham made the Gospel come alive via World Wide Pictures. The Salvation Army, Australia, used film to present the Gospel.

During the ’60’s and ‘70’s the hippies of the Jesus Revolution used music and gospel tracks to communicate the love of God and the Gospel message.

The Erwin Brothers have produced motion pictures presenting stories of hope worldwide.

Film, especially motion pictures, is the most powerful ‘media-of-our-day’ for telling stories. And telling stories is a powerful way to communicate ‘Truth.’ There is nothing like a motion picture to engage the senses. We see life-like images on the screen. We hear the music, conversations and sound effects. We feel the emotional connection to the characters. It is a magical mixture that can drive the audience either in a positive or negative direction.

I have been in the faith and family film industry for more than a decade and can say unequivocally that film in the ‘faith space’ moves audiences toward hope and the Good News. This Movie Guy has seen a multitude of Pastors embolden their congregations to attend faith-based films and have seen positive and dramatic life responses. I encourage those of you who have not utilized this powerful tool to try this media-of-our-day very soon.

Movies produced by dedicated, Christian filmmakers like the Erwin’s, move audiences from contemplation and reflection to life-changing actions; films like: October Baby, where some expectant mothers walked out of the movie with changed minds, deciding to have their babies rather than seek an abortion. Mom’s Night Out reinforced that ‘the JOY of the Lord is our strength. Woodlawn brought a message of hope and salvation to high school football teams across the U.S.A. And I Can Only Imagine showed us the hope of Jesus Christ in the middle of tragedy.

Their new film, The Jesus Revolution, will arrive in theaters in February 2023. It’s a true story about the sea of young people who descended on Southern California in the ‘70’s, intent on redefining ‘Truth,’ through Rock and Roll, drugs and newfound love. But by a ‘twist-of-faith,’ the Jesus Revolution became the greatest spiritual awakening in American history and changed the world.

Maybe there are people in your community, Pastor, that desperately need to hear the Gospel. And it just might be presented via the ‘media-of-the-day,’ Faith-Based-Film!

Dave, the Movie Guy- Dave Almgren – FaithandFamilyFilms.info

A new movie from the Smallbone Brothers

| Faith and Family Films

Multi-Grammy Award-winning duo for KING & COUNTRY officially announced their second feature-length film is coming soon ( I think it may be hitting theaters sometime in 2023). ‘Unsung Hero’ is billed as The Dramatic True Story of an Immigrant Mum and Her Family.

“Many of you have heard our family’s story over the years, but never quite like this- after a devastating financial loss in Australia during the 90s, our Mum and Dad made an incredibly courageous leap to pack up their six kids (with one on the way) and 16 suitcases to move halfway across the world in hopes of a new beginning in the United States,” the duo shared in the announcement. “This is a film about our Mum and motherhood, family and miracles, sacrifice and faith… A film for YOU…It’s been a pretty outrageous undertaking these last few months, but it’s a story we’re incredibly proud of, and we can’t wait to share it with you.” said the Smallbone brothers.

For KING & COUNTRY’s first feature film, titled Priceless, opened in theaters in October 2016, received positive reviews and feedback from audiences, and was the #1 independent film during its launch weekend.

Word on the street is that this film is produced by Kingdom Story Company and co-directed by Joel Smallbone from For King and Country. The cast includes Joel Smallbone and Terry O’Quinn plays the part of Grandpa Smallbone ( Terry has a long list of TV and film credits, including Lost, Hawaii Five O and many others roles).

More information is expected soon. Check out the movie website to sign up for updates at unsungheromovie.com.

Jesus revolution is coming!

| Faith and Family Films

Jesus Revolution is coming to a theater near you starting February 24, 2023, and YOU DO NOT want to miss this movie.

Jesus Revolution is a moving film that captures the essence of a troubled time in the late 1960s and the early 1970s. It was a time when the youth were looking for truth in all the wrong places. Eventually, many (over 400k just in California) of the 60’s generation had an encounter with God, and their lives were changed and transformed. The Jesus Revolution changed the course of history in America, and the country was radically altered for the better.

Here is the synopsis of the story:

Inspired by a true movement, JESUS REVOLUTION tells the story of a young Greg Laurie (Joel Courtney) raised by his struggling mother, Charlene (Kimberly Williams-Paisley), in the 1970s. Laurie and a sea of young people descend on sunny Southern California to redefine truth through all means of liberation. Inadvertently, Laurie meets Lonnie Frisbee (Jonathan Roumie), a charismatic hippie street preacher, and Pastor Chuck Smith (Kelsey Grammer), who have thrown open the doors of Smith’s languishing church to a stream of wandering youth. What unfolds becomes the greatest spiritual awakening in American history. Rock and roll, newfound love, and a twist of faith lead to a JESUS REVOLUTION that turns one counterculture movement into a revival that changes the world.

Jesus Revolution, the movie, is from Kingdom Story Company and will hit theaters everywhere starting February 24, 2023, and early access Wednesday night, February 22, 2023.

Click here for a link to theaters and tickets

Check out the trailer for the movie;

The Hoffman’s are back!

| Faith and Family Films

After a three-year break from the grind of Gold Rush, Todd Hoffman is back with a new show called “Hoffman Family Gold.

Hoffman Family Gold, which premiered March 25th on Discovery and discovery+ will have a total of 10 episodes that takes the Hoffmans back into the Alaskan wilderness with father Todd, son Hunter, and grandfather Jack (and a few other faces with Andy and Thurber) showcasing three generations of gold mining grit as they try to secure enough gold to pay the bills and win a mining lease. But according to Todd Hoffman, it’s family time and Jack’s dream that has fueled the family’s decision to sign up for another high profile and high-risk adventure. We hope that there will be a season two and three and so on. Ok, you get the idea. We would like to see the Hoffman’s stay around on Discovery for a few seasons.

Todd Hoffman would be the first to tell you that he’s far from perfect, but he has the chance to share his faith on TV, and it allows him the opportunity to provide hope to anyone who is watching.

“The show’s not going to show perfect Christians, but it is going to show our faith and that we do love Jesus Christ and we are sold out on the saving grace of Christ,” said the reality star, who became a Christian when he was young. “We want everybody to be encouraged in that. We want everybody to know that God has already won.”

So join the Hoffman’s on this new adventure to find some gold and how they work together as a family. Check out the trailer below and set your clocks for Friday nights at 8:00pm.

Dave Almgren – Faith and Family Films

A Fork in the Road

| Faith and Family Films

12375233_10208225852984748_2333248504309808376_oWould you like some fresh ideas and methods to effectively reach your community and fulfill the great commission? That’s where I found myself in 2008, and God answered that question for me in an amazing way in my life.

I was born and raised in Hollywood. Not the Hollywood of Southern California, but the Hollywood District in Portland Oregon. In 1983 I became a follower of Christ and my desire was to fulfill the great commission in some form or fashion. In 1993 I graduated from Multnomah University and I was ready to embark on the journey to make a difference in the world. Over the years, I have been able to fulfill that desire with many mission trips, two church plants and numerous years as a pastor to youth and children. I have definitely had numerous mountain top experiences and a few low points of desperation along the way. But all in all the first few chapters have been exciting and fulfilling in so many different ways.

The next few chapters were about to be written in my story. In 2008 the story of my life was about to make a major change in the midst of uncertainty. I was facing a fork in the road and did not know what I was going to do and how I would continue to fulfill the great commission. Well, an opportunity was presented to me. But not in Portland or the Hollywood District this time, instead the Hollywood in Southern California.

The opportunity was to help spread the gospel through the medium of film and over the last twelve years I have had the privilege of working on the marketing teams for over 55 feature films. This opportunity has allowed me to continue to fulfill the great commission.14889989_793656094108018_8680511736822919009_o-1  With stories of lives challenged and changed because of films like Warroom, October Baby, Hacksaw Ridge, Woodlawn, Soul Surfer, The Star, Paul The Apostle of Christ, Breakthrough and I Can Only Imagine. The stories have been nothing short of inspiring and they reminds me that God can use anyone and anything to fulfill the great commission. I am so thankful for the door that the Lord has opened for me to be used in the “other Hollywood”.

film-movies-600xx3157-2105-0-233Currently I am working on two incredible films that deliver a powerful message that will encourage the church and will provide the opportunity to laugh and learn to love through the pain of life. The first film is “I Still Believe” and the second is a family comedy called “Selfie Dad”.

I Still Believe opens in theaters nationwide March 13th and is an inspiring love story for the ages. It’s based on the real-life story of chart-topping singer Jeremy Camp and is a powerful reminder that in the midst of life’s storms, true hope can be found. The film stars Gary Sinise as Jeremy Camp’s father and he does a fabulous job bringing insight to the story.

On June 12th, 2020 Selfie Dad hits theaters one week before Fathers Day. Some films have an inspiring faith-based message and others are fall-out-of-your-chair funny, but I don’t think there has ever been a faith film that was both? I believe Selfie Dad is that movie. Watch for the launch of the official Selfie Dad trailer on Tuesday February 25th, 2020.

Both I Still Believe and Selfie Dad are films that will inspire the church and cause people to reflect on their personal journeys. I hope and pray these films will play a part in stirring renewal and personal revival throughout America.

My journey continues and allows me to fulfill the call the Lord put on my life many years ago ‘to go into all the world and preach the gospel’ with some fresh new ideas using the medium of film to impact culture with the good news.

If you are interested in learning more about these two films and how you can utilize them to impact your community, please email me or give me a call.

David Almgren
dave@faithandfamilyflms.info
503-333-1026

 

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I Still Believe movie website
https://istillbelievemovie.com
https://istillbelievemovie.com/share-tools

 

Selfie Dad the Movie Website
The Selfie Dad official trailer is coming Tuesday February 25th, 2020.
https://selfiedadmovie.com
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A Breakthrough Year for Your Community

| Faith and Family Films

By Pastor Jason Noble

jasonheadshot#2Every pastor and church leader I know is looking for creative ways to reach their community, and engage their congregation. In our world today it seems like it’s getting more challenging to creatively reach people in our communities who do not normally attend church. So much is vying for their time and attention. From social media to family to work to entertainment, life has gotten increasingly crazy. Cofilm-movies-600xx3157-2105-0-233uple the craziness and bombardment with the idea that church isn’t even on people’s radar and as a result we definitely have our work cut out for us. The good news is that there are incredible tools at our disposable today to creatively reach our community. This is an exciting time to live. Where we can leverage all of the tools and technology to reach people in our communities. We just have to think different, possibly change the method (we never change the message) and get creative.

Over the last two years I have traveled the nation working on the movie Breakthrough. Not only am I the real pastor in the story, I also have had the opportunity to work on the Church marketing and Engagement team. My passion and focus has been on helping pastors and congregations creatively use this movie as a tool to reach their community. The results have been incredible. Churches have literally had a $15 million-dollar tool paid for by a major Hollywood studio to reach their communities. Did you know that 70%-80% of your community have been to a movie theater? The outreach potential is amazing. People may come to the theater for a movie, before they would ever come to your church.

Hundreds of churches bought out theaters and took groups across the United States to Breakthrough. Churches literally had the opportunity to share the gospel in the theaters and people responded. The result is thousands of people were saved and introduced to local churches in a very creative way. Film impacts people in a powerful way. A great film with a powerful story can reach the heart of a person like nothing I have ever seen before. It’s an incredible tool. Breakthrough came out right before Easter, and answered the question that many pastors have which is “How can I creatively reach my community with the Easter message different than I have before.” Many churches took advantage of Breakthrough and used the movie to promote their Easter services and saw many people came back on Easter Sunday.

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Using film as to reach your community and engage your congregation is easy. The ROI or Return on investment is massive. Most of the work is done for you. All you have to do is setup the showing and arrange it group sales, promote the film, recruit volunteers to help welcome people, recruit a prayer team, and show up. The rest of the work is done for you. You don’t have to worry about concessions or even cleaning up. It’s an easy outreach that will have big impact.

Great tools are created to help you promote and plan for your film outreach. Most faith-based projects provide promotional resources, sermons series, small group curriculum, and video clips to promote the film and make it easy for churches and pastors. Churches also have the tools to equip and empower their congregation members to invite their friends and family to be their guest and come with them to the movie. A movie outreach at the theater becomes a great opportunity for your church families to engage in reaching people in their lives. Asking your friends and family to come to a movie is a very easy thing to do for most people. It’s a great tool to place in their hands to reach people.

You can also use a film to build community in your congregation, or even rent out a whole theater to take your volunteers for a volunteer appreciation. Churches can use a film for many opportunities to make an impact on their congregation and the people in their community.

There was a 15-year girl in Medical Lake WA who had the idea to use “Breakthrough” to reach all of her friends. For her birthday she asked her parents if she could rent out a whole theater. Her birthday was right around the opening weekend. She wanted all of her friends to hear the message behind “Breakthrough”. Her parents rented out the whole theater for her birthday and show “Breakthrough” to a full crowd of all of her friends. A couple of days later she died in a car accident. The kind of impact that she had will only be known when we get to heaven some day. But I promise you this 16-year girl knew what it meant to use a tool like “Breakthrough” to reach the people in her life.

SD poster 12_6_19Currently, we are working on a new movie called “Selfie Dad”  and it hits theaters June 12th, 2020. One week before Fathers Day.

So what is Selfie Dad all about?

Well some films have an inspiring faith-based message and others are fall-out-of-your-chair funny, but has there ever been a film that was both? Enter Selfie Dad.

Meet Ben Marcus, a husband and father who finds himself caught in the throes of a mid-life crisis. Ben has a lot to be thankful for, but despite everything he has achieved, he simply isn’t happy. He decides that the best way to fill the hole in his life is to fulfill his long set aside dream of becoming a comedian. And what better way to jump start his comedic career than with a YouTube channel? Much to his surprise (and his daughter’s embarrassment), a video of Ben goes viral! Just like that, his new career as “Selfie Dad” takes off, and before Ben knows it, he’s a social media phenomenon!

So why is he still unhappy?

Meet Mickey, a brash IT guy who’s studying to be a pastor. He knows exactly what’s really missing from Ben’s life. Will Ben be open to hearing the Word, and we he allow his heart and life to be truly changed?

At its heart, Selfie Dad is an inspiring story about the power of the Bible told through humor and compassion. Traditionally, faith based films with a strong message are dramas; however, Selfie Dad aims to bring healing and understanding through laughter. After all, a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down, right?

Selfie Dad stars comedian Michael JR, and Chondra Pierce. The movie is a great family movie that encourages dads to dig in deeper to their relationship with God. It’s a powerful movie that helps dads be better dads by digging into the Bible. The movie will be a great tool for churches to use. Pastors and Church leaders don’t miss the opportunity to reach your community and your congregation this spring with the movie “Selfie Dad” The movie will be a great follow-up for families right after Easter. It’s easy to promote the movie during your Easter services and then a couple of weeks later go as a congregation. Churches and groups are able to buy-out theaters, and take groups to the theater.

If you have any questions go to selfiedadfilm.com or if we can help you strategize to reach your community with Selfie Dad or any other movie, please email me at jason@advanceteamfilms.com or David Almgren at dave@advanceteamfilms.com.

We are praying  for you and your church and that 2020 is the most incredible BREAKTHROUGH year ever for reaching your community!

Pastor Jason Noble is featured in the highly successful Fox theatrical release of the movie Breakthrough.

Breakthrough is Coming!

| Faith and Family Films

As I sit back and observe this crazy world we live in, I can’t help but think that we all need a breakthrough in our lives. This world is in desperate need of a breakthrough in so many ways and ultimately we need a spiritual breakthrough of revival to bring back what was once dead to new life. We need a breakthrough in our churches, our communites, our homes, in regards to the words we use and how we treat others day in and day out.

We need a spiritual breakthrough and we need it soon!

There is a movie coming to theaters April 17th, 2019 that I believe will impact the culture and will spark revival in the hearts of many in this country and around the world. It’s a powerful story about a boy that died. A mom that prayed and the boy who miraculously came back to life after being DEAD for over an hour.

The movie is called Breakthrough  and it’s based on the inspirational true story of one mother’s unfaltering love in the face of impossible odds. When Joyce Smith’s adopted son John falls through an icy Missouri lake, all hope seems lost. But as John lies lifeless, Joyce refuses to give up. Her steadfast belief inspires those around her to continue to pray for John’s recovery, even in the face of every case history and scientific prediction. From producer DeVon Franklin (Miracles from Heaven) and director Roxann Dawson, adapted for the screen by Grant Nieporte (Seven Pounds) from Joyce Smith’s own book, BREAKTHROUGH is an enthralling reminder that faith and love can create a mountain of hope, and sometimes even a miracle. Synopsis provided by Fox.

Check out what a few national voices are saying about the movie Breakthrough.

“Breakthrough grabs your heart and never let’s go. The characters are genuine, believable and most of all, relatable-because they are people you know, and one of them is likely you. It’s a story of faith over fear when everything and everyone around you says to give up. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and in the end you’re faith will breakthrough!”     Karl Bastian, founder of Kidology.org and a drowning survivor.

“Breakthrough is THE must-see movie for 2019. It’s action-packed, heart warming and soul-stirring.” Ryan Frank – KidzMatter Magazine

Check out the trailer below and think about checking out this movie when it hits theaters April 17th, 2019. My hope is that it will not only be entertaining, but it will also challenge you and encourage you, it will inspire you, it will spark new life in your walk with the Lord and it will remind you that God still does miracles each and every day.

Think about this as well. Don’t miss out on all the miracles that are all around you and the opportunity you have each and every day to be used by God to be a miracle in the lives of others.

Check out the trailer below for Breakthrough and you can also pick up the book of the same title. It’s a great read.

Thanks for stopping by for a few minutes and please join me in praying for revival!

Dave Almgren

Faith and Family Films

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The Power of One

| Faith and Family Films

 

hacksawridge2I once heard a story about a man who went to the beach and as he walked along the way he noticed hundreds of starfish and was so overwhelmed that he started to toss them back into the ocean one by one.  After some time elapsed, a another beach comer came along and noticed what the man was doing with the starfish and asked the gentleman why he was wasting his time tossing the starfish back into the ocean. There are hundreds of starfish and there is no way that you will be able to save all of them. It won’t matter. The man than picked up another starfish and said, it will matter to this one and tossed the starfish into the ocean. This may seem like a small gesture, but there is and cause and effect to every action that we take and we may never know the effects of our actions that we take in life. It mattered to the life of one starfish and that mattered to the man walking on the beach.

Everyone of us faces these same questions in life. Does it really matter what I do. Can I make a difference in my world, my community. Many of us don’t even bother to try and we wander through life without making an impact at all.

Hacksaw Ridge is a TRUE story about a man named Desmond Doss who was an ordinary man who did extraordinary things that were supernatural. Desmond decided to STAND for his convictions and serve his country as a medic in WWII as a conscientious objector. Yes that’s right, he went into battle without a gun and those in his unit questioned Desmond as to what difference could he make? The difference was that he saved not just one, but 75 men from his unit that would have otherwise died. One by one Desmond made a difference. His prayer on the battlefield was “Please Lord, help me get one more.”

Hacksaw Ridge is a powerful film that spoke to me on so many levels, but the one principal that stood out the most is that of obedience. The obedience of one man impacted the lives of 100’s of people for generations to come. You see, Desmond Doss rescued 75 men that would have otherwise perished in battle, Desmond single-handedly evacuated these wounded men from the battlefield behind enemy lines. WOW!  After previewing the film, I wondered where the children, grandchildren and the great grandchildren of the 75 men are today? Do they know what happened and how the course that their lives might have taken a completely different route if it had not been for the obedience on ONE man’s actions – Desmond Doss?

Well, today I discovered a story online about Mark Gamroth and his grandfather was Henry Gamroth. Henry served with Private Doss and Mark describes his grandfathers story from Hacksaw Ridge. “he was struck in a leg by fire and fell about 25 feet off a cliff. Doss, a private first class, crawled to Gamroth, rendered aid and removed him from the area. The whole story is almost so unbelievable; a shocker,” Mark Gamroth said. “I started to think about what Doss did, and without what he does, maybe my grandfather isn’t around, and then the rest of the family isn’t here.“ And think of all those others he saved and their families; what Doss did impacted them as well,” he added. “It’s all so amazing. I can’t wait to see the movie.”  Click here to Read the entire article

So the simple obedience of one man can impact the lives of hundreds of people. There is a cause and effect and YES you can make a difference. The POWER of ONE is real.  Everyday we have a choice to be obedient, to be kind, to be generous and to be selfless. The power of your choices can impact one person and you never know have far reaching your choices will go.

Hacksaw Ridge opens in theaters Friday November 4th. This is a movie that stays with you long after the credits roll. I encourage you do go see the movie, but be ready to be inspired, challenged and reminded of the POWER of ONE and also of the sacrifice’s that were made by the brave men like Desmond Doss in order to secure our FREEDOM.

See you at the movies!  David Almgren

This film is Rated R for the war violence ( not suited for kids at all).

Visit the Hacksaw Ridge web site for more information.

Synopsis : HACKSAW RIDGE is the extraordinary true story of WWII medic Desmond Doss,  who, in Okinawa during the bloodiest battle of WWII, miraculously saved 75 men in a matter of hours without firing or carrying a gun. He was the only American soldier in WWII to fight on the front lines without a weapon, except the simple prayer he uttered before he single-handedly evacuated the wounded from behind enemy lines, under constant enemy gunfire and artillery bombardment. Doss’ courage and faith won the admiration of his commanders and fellow soldiers, as he saved the lives of the very men who had persecuted him for refusing to carry a gun. He believed the war was just, but to kill under any circumstance was wrong. Doss was labeled the first conscientious objector (he called himself a “conscientious cooperator” as he volunteered) to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.

 

Lessons Of Grace

| Faith and Family Films

graceFrom early on in my adult life I knew deep in my heart that my travels through Life would be a little different from ‘the norm’.  I married later than all of my friends, started a family later, and then was blessed to have a daughter who happens to have Down Syndrome.  We had the name ‘Grace’ picked out years before she came along (it is the meaning of my name) and appropriately it means ‘Gift’.  For that is what Grace has been to our family.  It has indeed been a Journey. Grace is now 15 years old and although we get to experience the tween attitude now, we would not trade her in for anything.

Here are some of the Lessons of Grace that we have learned over the years:

  1. IT IS OKAY TO TALK TO PEOPLE ON THE ELEVATOR OR IN LINE… We all tend to avoid eye contact or just stare straight ahead.  Grace, however, loves to meet everyone and socialize with them.  We have met so many strangers over the years because of her.
  2. WHEN PEOPLE ARE SAD, THEY JUST WANT TO BE HUGGED… She is always concerned when someone is crying or sad and wants to hug and console them. Personally, I have a tough time hugging others and do not always know what to do or say when someone is sad.  Grace is teaching me that it is okay to embrace others more.
  3. IT IS IMPORTANT TO SAY “I’M SORRY” IF YOU HURT ANYONE… There were many times that Grace was the reason why other little girls (usually the emotional ones) would be crying.  She went through a long stage of pulling hair when she was young.  I think she was just fascinated with long, golden hair and would reach out to touch it, causing the owner to pull away in shock and get her hair tugged.  Yet Grace always said “Sorry..” and would then try to hug them tightly.  She did not make many close friends during this stage.LessonsfromGrace#1
  4. PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN TOYS… I have been asked multiple times what Grace’s interests or favorite toys are.  It has always been people.  She came out a social butterfly and chats away with anyone she engages with.  However, she has also embarrassed me at times with her strong opinions.  One time someone we met was so excited to get our girls together and Grace took one look at the daughter and said “I don’t like her!” They eventually did become friends, yet that was quite humbling.
  5. SOMETIMES WE JUST NEED TO STOP AND TAKE A NAP… Anywhere. Anytime.  Enough said.
  6. IF YOU ARE SAD, JUST SAY “I AM HAPPY” AND FORGET ABOUT WHAT WAS UPSETTING YOU… Of my three kids, Grace gets over a foul mood quicker than any of them and flashes a smile to let us know that she is happy again.  If only it was that easy for the rest of us!
  7. IT’S IMPORTANT TO WAKE UP EACH MORNING WITH A SMILE… Grace has always been a morning person and now that she is getting older we hear “what’s next?” a lot.  This is tough when we have no plans or she is not excited about “what’s next”.  Yet, unlike her older brother, she always starts the day in a great mood, ready to conquer the Day.
  8. WE ALL WANT FRIENDS WHO LOVE US AS WE ARE AND DO NOT STARE AT US IF WE MAY BE ‘DIFFERENT’… Being my social bug, Grace has made lots of friends over the years.  Bless the ones who have patiently listened to her passing obsessions (over and over again).  We all just want to have people listen to our hearts, don’t we?
  9. WE NEED MORE OF THE ‘OH, WOW SYNDROME’…That is what I call it when Grace is next to me one second, and then missing the next.  What was so fascinating that caused her to say in her head “Oh, wow!” and then take off after it? This was not always logical and yes, we ‘lost’ her temporarily a few times in stores and in our neighborhood.  Now she at least looks back at me like, “Oh, yeah..I’m supposed to check in with you first”.  I need to look around more and find wonderful things that attract my attention.
  10. TO BE CONTENT IN LIFE IS A GREAT THING… There is a stereotype with these wonderful kids with Down Syndrome. The stereotype is that ‘They are always so happy’.  Always happy?  No.  Content?  Yes.  I long to be content with what is going on in my Life, to embrace each day and each person I encounter and to be content.

Grace has been a wonderful gift and is teaching us about living life with a different perspective as we move forward in our journey in life as a family.

“Grace is a pleasant surprise…Grace is a kind gesture.  Grace is something you did not expect.  Yet Grace is something you would never turn down.”  Max Lucado

Have a grace filled day!

Karis Almgren