"Travels With Jackie"

This past weekend we went to Durham to see Baby Natalie, our newest grandchild. We didn't leave for Durham until three thirty in the afternoon because I had a booksiging. The trip to Durham is at least seven hours if you stop to eat and so we pulled in to my son's house around eleven that night.

Now I know I am still in my prime but driving for seven hours takes it out of you. Then by the time we got to the motel where we were staying it was after midnight. When I tried to sleep I felt like I was still driving the car. Yep I drove most of the night.

The next day was spent with Natalie. We went to her house around nine and stayed until ten that night. For some reason I didn't sleep very good that night either and the next morning we awoke, got dressed, and hit the road. Seven hours later we were finally home. I have never been so happy to see our house.

Natalie is a beautiful baby, smells sweet and feels soft and cuddly. She actually woke up a little Sunday afternoon and charmed us all. We got to see her eyes and also watch her smile. Okay it may have been gas but she still smiled!

JJ, his wife Angela, and Natalie will be down here for Easter but that seems like a long time away. I may just have to crank up the car and head north one more time. Seven hours isn't really that bad.

Today I headed to Albany, Georgia to visit the set of the movie "Fireproof." This is the latest movie being made by the folks at Sherwood Baptist Church. Their first film was "Flywheel" which is now available on DVD. Their second was the fantastically successful "Facing the Giants," which gained national release and acclaim. Now they are busily making "Fireproof."

The folks at Sherwood Baptist write their movies, direct their movies, and act in their movies. They handle all the jobs even the technical ones with very little outside help. Alex and Stephen Kendrick, associate ministers at the church, wrote the script for "Fireproof." Alex is also the director and Stephen is the producer.

Kirk Cameron is the star of the film. He plays a firefighter whose marriage is in trouble. I got a chance to talk with him and he told me he had seen "Facing the Giants" and was so impressed he contacted Alex and told him he would be happy to help with any future films. He then got a phone call asking if he would like to audition for this movie. I was totally surprised they would ask Kirk Cameron to audition. He said it didn't upset him as he knew Alex sees each film as a mission and testimony and he has to make sure the actors are completely right for the roles talent wise and spiritually.

"Fireproof" should wrap up filming this week and then the editing process begins which Alex says is his favorite part of the process. The film has been a labor of love for all involved and the future success? Well it is all in God's hands.

I'm back home now and I am going to stay put for a while. At least until the next big opportunity comes my way.
 

 

 

 

 

©2007 Jackie K. Cooper

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