I find myself in a very Irish mood today. lol I don't know what it is, but I feel lighter than usual, and I've got Solas tuning in my ears at the moment. Funny thing though, I'm in all black. I apparently "look like death's girlfriend". Thanks for that, Zach. ;)
My current goals for myself I find cover a vast spectrum, from language, to film, to clothing, to spiritual. I'm trying to learn Irish, been trying for many years, while at the same time studying French as well. I'd like my kids at least to be fluently multilingual, and I know being even partially so myself will increase the chances of reaching that goal. I'm also learning again to play the guitar, thanks to Kenji, tho so far all I've managed to do is slice my finger on the high string. *sigh* I am a terminal clutz...
On another note though, been going through Disciplines of a Godly Woman, which was originally a part of my growth plan to come back here to the Honor Academy. Feeling the need for a refresher course, if you will. I feel like I need to change quite a few things in my life, both spiritually, mentally, and physically. Good news in that last department: I've lost 15 lbs in the last couple weeks and I'm actually starting to see it in my face at least. So there's good news!
There are a lot more things I want/need to change, and I know, really, only God can really help me with that. I'm a frail human, susceptible to my own failings, and prone to wander. But my heart at least is seeking for integrity and honor, even if it has to drag the rest of me with it. So for now, I keep seeking. I keep hoping.
One last thing, if you're reading this, and you feel hurt by me in the last several weeks, whether seeemingly intentional or not, please know I am truly, deeply sorry. I am trying to become a better person, both for you, myself, and everyone else. My true heart never intends to hurt people, but again, I'm finding there is much growing that I need to do, and for you, I will.
Love always,
~Char
Friday, July 1, 2011
Thursday, June 30, 2011
The Conception and Birth of Veritas (UTLD)
So I've always had a heart for helping people. Not to brag, but when I was a very little girl, as the story goes, I found a $5 bill at our mall, and without even flinching dropped it into one of the red cross buckets. My grandma swore up and down I was going to be a social worker someday, and I even had designs for a homeless shelter for kids before I turned 12. Needless to say, I have a passion for helping people.
So it came as a bit of a surprise when this passion was equally met by another: for film and television. I had stars in my eyes every time I watched a behind-the-scenes clip, dreaming one day of joining the glamorous stars of Hollywood. Not of course, in front of the camera. I am much to "shy" for that. :)
So what to do? How do I follow my heart's dreams without betraying it at the same time? One or the other? But which one?
And here's the God moment: one day, sitting at my computer, completely bored out of my mind, I came across a small show called Vanguard. These award winning journalists travel around the world documenting lesser known socially impacting issues, like the young soccer slaves in Africa for the world cup (which left thousands of boys stranded in countries they didn't know, far from their families). So it hit me: I could do that. I could take my skills and knowledge in media, and share my heart for the lost and hurting with the world, just like them!
And so, Veritas was born (formally Veritas Unlimited). "Veritas" is Latin for truth, as in absolute truth, and my heart is to share that with others. I know so many others see the hardships their fellow human beings face and are constantly asking them how they can help. The innumerable stories we see on tv or read about pull at our heart strings, and sometimes, we find ourselves wondering, "Just how can I help? What could I possibly do to make a difference?"
The mission of Veritas ULTD is to not only document such human tragedies as natural disasters, war, human trafficking, etc, but to share the heart of those affected with those who can help. And not only that, but to also guide the able through the process of actually reaching out to them, whether by donation, volunteering, or more drastic measures, as have been recently seen by the throngs of people traveling to Japan in order to help with the relief effort.
I, along with a small (and yet unknown) team, will travel around the globe, as well as the US, and cover stories that affect all walks of life. This includes but is not limited to: human and sex trafficking, war times, tribal domestic abuse, natural disasters, missionary life, poverty, etc. The most heartbreaking thing about some people's stories is that it can happen to anyone. Mother nature strikes back at a moment's notice, the economy leaves a family destitute, a young girl is kidnapped and sold into slavery...
So as I continue to pray and ponder the next move, be praying for me, and maybe even leave a comment about something you'd like covered, or a group you support and what they do. There are so many ways to help others in this broken world, and new hands are reaching out every day to do it.
Thanks,
~Char
Founder of Veritas, ULTD
So it came as a bit of a surprise when this passion was equally met by another: for film and television. I had stars in my eyes every time I watched a behind-the-scenes clip, dreaming one day of joining the glamorous stars of Hollywood. Not of course, in front of the camera. I am much to "shy" for that. :)
So what to do? How do I follow my heart's dreams without betraying it at the same time? One or the other? But which one?
And here's the God moment: one day, sitting at my computer, completely bored out of my mind, I came across a small show called Vanguard. These award winning journalists travel around the world documenting lesser known socially impacting issues, like the young soccer slaves in Africa for the world cup (which left thousands of boys stranded in countries they didn't know, far from their families). So it hit me: I could do that. I could take my skills and knowledge in media, and share my heart for the lost and hurting with the world, just like them!
And so, Veritas was born (formally Veritas Unlimited). "Veritas" is Latin for truth, as in absolute truth, and my heart is to share that with others. I know so many others see the hardships their fellow human beings face and are constantly asking them how they can help. The innumerable stories we see on tv or read about pull at our heart strings, and sometimes, we find ourselves wondering, "Just how can I help? What could I possibly do to make a difference?"
The mission of Veritas ULTD is to not only document such human tragedies as natural disasters, war, human trafficking, etc, but to share the heart of those affected with those who can help. And not only that, but to also guide the able through the process of actually reaching out to them, whether by donation, volunteering, or more drastic measures, as have been recently seen by the throngs of people traveling to Japan in order to help with the relief effort.
I, along with a small (and yet unknown) team, will travel around the globe, as well as the US, and cover stories that affect all walks of life. This includes but is not limited to: human and sex trafficking, war times, tribal domestic abuse, natural disasters, missionary life, poverty, etc. The most heartbreaking thing about some people's stories is that it can happen to anyone. Mother nature strikes back at a moment's notice, the economy leaves a family destitute, a young girl is kidnapped and sold into slavery...
So as I continue to pray and ponder the next move, be praying for me, and maybe even leave a comment about something you'd like covered, or a group you support and what they do. There are so many ways to help others in this broken world, and new hands are reaching out every day to do it.
Thanks,
~Char
Founder of Veritas, ULTD
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
*sigh*
It's hard to give your heart to people who really say they want it, but don't understand you enough to know how to handle it or take care of it. You wanna give them credit fro trying, but it's hard doing even that because you're still healing from something really stupid or ignorant they did. Having someone's heart, or a piece of it, is a big responsibility, and I don't think most people understand that. They just want the fun part, where they get loved and feel good. But who's actually willing to put in the effort of taking care of the heart of someone else? Of noticing what makes them happy, in the deeper ways, and what hurts them? Or even just being willing to put their own heart aside long enough to SEE the other person's heart?
God, help me to love others as they need to be loved, and either harden my heart to be able to endure the pain, or bring quick healing to my own heart...
~Char
God, help me to love others as they need to be loved, and either harden my heart to be able to endure the pain, or bring quick healing to my own heart...
~Char
Friday, May 6, 2011
Road Trip!
Wow, it has been AWHILE since I've been on here (sorry!). So much has happened!
Ok, talk about a wild ride, but of the... 10? 11? weeks I've been back, I've been gone for at least 8 of them. Being on the road has been fantastic (though not without it's "uh oh" moments lol), but I am so very glad to be back stationary on campus once more. Gosh, where all have I been? Let's see...Albuquerque...Atlanta....San Diego (that was a nightmare and a half).... Portland (very wet)..... Denver.... New York (more like New Jersey).....and back again, wow! Seriously have covered basically every corner of the US in the last several weeks!
Atlanta was a lot of fun, as it was my event my first year here (on the call team). It was neat to see how the church had been renovated since last we'd been in it, and to see some familiar faces among those attending. Definitely better the second time around! Albuquerque was a nice change from the then cold Texas rain. Nice and warm! Though I can't say my feet agreed with the burs littering the ground...but man! you should have SEEN the kid's room in the church! It literally looked like a city block from downtown Chicago or New York or something! Complete with real cars, a merry old English phone book, and trees that had video game consoles embedded into the bark. Way cool... San Diego was a different beast altogether. I love California, but there were a few people there I could have done without seeing, if you know what I mean. Lexi showed up, which was AWESOME!!! (Missed you girl! 1 more week!) Ha, we even got to go to the beach, which I will never ever ever get tired of :D Dang, after San Diego I had a week to recover before we scooted on up to NYC for the BattleCry (which was actually held in East Rutherford, NJ). We managed to sneak away for a few hours and see the big city across the bridge (best thing ever: Stewart- "Oh my gosh! It's broadway! Wait, why are there two? No, THREE!!!" We happily explained the difference between Broadway theater and Broadway performances. Still hilarious!) Ran into a guy I interviewed the year previous, who surprisingly remembered me. After getting back from New York, I had just enough time to shower and throw in a quick load of laundry before hopping onto yet ANOTHER bus heading for the west coast. Portland was lovely and rainy, and we actually saw a good bit of snow on the way there, which was funny cuz we were all in shorts and flip flops. I had a great chance to talk to some kids who were dealing with cutting, and it was awesome to see that not only my tattoo, but I had an impact on someone in a positive way. It was great! Luckily for me, my grand tour (mostly) ended with me being dropped off with family in Colorado. That's a WHOLE other story for another day, but needless to say: most relaxing and interesting vacation ever :) I miss you guys!
Why am I on the road so much? We host live youth events across the nation every year, and someone's gotta record em, right? That's my job. I do interviews and live event coverage at the events, so that families and churches back home can see what it is exactly their kids have been up to the past weekend (to check out some of our vids, go to www.youtube.com/user/ATFacquirethefire). It's a great opportunity to talk to people and see what's really going on with the kids that go to these events. Most of them really open up for a chance to be in front of the camera, especially when their youth leader's not around censoring everything, or intimidating them. Alot of them don't want their group to know what they're struggling with, because it makes them look "weak" somehow (which obviously isn't true).
*contented sigh* Now, time to rest and relax and prep for the summer events, aka, GE and XC. We're going to be flooded with campers and young missionaries here this summer, and guess who's going to talk to them...
~Char
PS. if anyone wants to send me some sunscreen (or tanning oil lol) that would MARVELOUS! Thanks guys :D
Ok, talk about a wild ride, but of the... 10? 11? weeks I've been back, I've been gone for at least 8 of them. Being on the road has been fantastic (though not without it's "uh oh" moments lol), but I am so very glad to be back stationary on campus once more. Gosh, where all have I been? Let's see...Albuquerque...Atlanta....San Diego (that was a nightmare and a half).... Portland (very wet)..... Denver.... New York (more like New Jersey).....and back again, wow! Seriously have covered basically every corner of the US in the last several weeks!
Atlanta was a lot of fun, as it was my event my first year here (on the call team). It was neat to see how the church had been renovated since last we'd been in it, and to see some familiar faces among those attending. Definitely better the second time around! Albuquerque was a nice change from the then cold Texas rain. Nice and warm! Though I can't say my feet agreed with the burs littering the ground...but man! you should have SEEN the kid's room in the church! It literally looked like a city block from downtown Chicago or New York or something! Complete with real cars, a merry old English phone book, and trees that had video game consoles embedded into the bark. Way cool... San Diego was a different beast altogether. I love California, but there were a few people there I could have done without seeing, if you know what I mean. Lexi showed up, which was AWESOME!!! (Missed you girl! 1 more week!) Ha, we even got to go to the beach, which I will never ever ever get tired of :D Dang, after San Diego I had a week to recover before we scooted on up to NYC for the BattleCry (which was actually held in East Rutherford, NJ). We managed to sneak away for a few hours and see the big city across the bridge (best thing ever: Stewart- "Oh my gosh! It's broadway! Wait, why are there two? No, THREE!!!" We happily explained the difference between Broadway theater and Broadway performances. Still hilarious!) Ran into a guy I interviewed the year previous, who surprisingly remembered me. After getting back from New York, I had just enough time to shower and throw in a quick load of laundry before hopping onto yet ANOTHER bus heading for the west coast. Portland was lovely and rainy, and we actually saw a good bit of snow on the way there, which was funny cuz we were all in shorts and flip flops. I had a great chance to talk to some kids who were dealing with cutting, and it was awesome to see that not only my tattoo, but I had an impact on someone in a positive way. It was great! Luckily for me, my grand tour (mostly) ended with me being dropped off with family in Colorado. That's a WHOLE other story for another day, but needless to say: most relaxing and interesting vacation ever :) I miss you guys!
Why am I on the road so much? We host live youth events across the nation every year, and someone's gotta record em, right? That's my job. I do interviews and live event coverage at the events, so that families and churches back home can see what it is exactly their kids have been up to the past weekend (to check out some of our vids, go to www.youtube.com/user/ATFacquirethefire). It's a great opportunity to talk to people and see what's really going on with the kids that go to these events. Most of them really open up for a chance to be in front of the camera, especially when their youth leader's not around censoring everything, or intimidating them. Alot of them don't want their group to know what they're struggling with, because it makes them look "weak" somehow (which obviously isn't true).
*contented sigh* Now, time to rest and relax and prep for the summer events, aka, GE and XC. We're going to be flooded with campers and young missionaries here this summer, and guess who's going to talk to them...
~Char
PS. if anyone wants to send me some sunscreen (or tanning oil lol) that would MARVELOUS! Thanks guys :D
Monday, April 11, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Losing my mind
"Ok, breathe... Camera: check.
Clean laundry? Check.
Packed? Check.
Shower stuff? Check. Need that...
Crap, where is my toothbrush? Oh, check...
Batteries....check.
Money....ah, who am I kidding....
Food... sort of check....
Ok. PACKED!
Oh crap."
Freeze frame here on my face. What do we see? We see the panicked look of a girl who just realized that all of her equipment is still at work, and she left no room to pack any of it. It's the look of a girl who knows her editor may kill her for not thinking ahead and for possibly having to stash some stuff in his box. This look, was mine.
My life is a crazy rollercoaster, with twists and turns, and crappy seat belts that leave you wondering if you're going to get dumped off the ride at the next turn. Between shoots, filling deliveries from the library, and a "life" outside the walls of the studio, my life is a little crazy, not to mention going on the road. Of the 2 months I've been back, I think I've been gone at least a month of it, traveling to different corners of the US to record the amazing testimonies of teenagers and young adults who attend our events. Oh, and to go to the beach in San Diego of course ;)
Honestly, if my life wasn't totally crazy and up ended, I think I would be wicked bored. Come on, who wouldn't want to travel the states, hang out backstage with top Christian artists and speakers, and meet hundreds of cool and varied people every weekend? Granted, personal space and shower time is limited, but just think of all the cool memories. I don't think even I will bother remembering how stinky the bus is at the end of the weekend, or just how hungry we were when we roll back onto campus. We're all too busy gushing about how Joel Johnson high fived/hugged us, or how we had lunch with Unhindered, or Leeland, or that R-Swift joked with us about breaking his freaking toe ON STAGE DURING A CONCERT. Seriously, no one cares about the hard stuff.
I love seeing people's faces when I explain to them what I do, or show them the highlight reels, or my own little videos. It's a cross between half-hidden jealousy, shock, and confusion, not to mention the starry eyed look everyone gets when they start thinking about VIPs and Backstage, etc. I think the best part about going to the events is seeing the reality of it all, that the VIPs are more like VNPs, that is, very normal people, just like me. Leeland did a birthday video for one our girls, and Joel Johnson told me he likes my job, and R-Swift thinks its funny that one of my shoulders is slightly more muscley than the other because of my camera. That's normal people stuff. Gives you a sense that you can do it too, and that wherever we're at in ministry and life, we're all still equal to God.
We here at the studio are getting ready to head to our biggest event yet: the New York/Tristate Area BattleCry at the IZOD Center. It's a live event, and will be broadcast live to GodTV, so that means a lot of extra hours of prep, and a heck of a lot more people at the event. We're running the feed through a video truck (Trost Pictures), plus manning cameras in the arena, ENG crew interviewing attendees in the halls, and prep work for VIPs, whether they're heading for the stage or our interview room with our hosts. Literally hundreds of MiniDVs and Beta tapes will be recorded, labeled, and archived and by the end of the weekend (27 hours of film time), we'll have close to over 300 hours worth of footage to sort through and possibly transcribe once we get back to the studio. THAT'S INTENSE!
There's a lot of work that goes into making movie magic, and the funny thing is that the movie business is not nearly as glamorous as everyone thinks it is. Well, red carpet nights certainly are. But 3 am wake up calls for shoots in the freezing cold, 6 hours working on makeup, transcribing for weeks at a time, and God only knows how many coffee runs in a day? That's hard work. But man is it FUN. As my boss likes to say, "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life."
For now, it's back to transcribing for me, and praying with everything in me that I don't pass out from how amazing this food next to me smells.
Welcome to my world....
~Char
Clean laundry? Check.
Packed? Check.
Shower stuff? Check. Need that...
Crap, where is my toothbrush? Oh, check...
Batteries....check.
Money....ah, who am I kidding....
Food... sort of check....
Ok. PACKED!
Oh crap."
Freeze frame here on my face. What do we see? We see the panicked look of a girl who just realized that all of her equipment is still at work, and she left no room to pack any of it. It's the look of a girl who knows her editor may kill her for not thinking ahead and for possibly having to stash some stuff in his box. This look, was mine.
My life is a crazy rollercoaster, with twists and turns, and crappy seat belts that leave you wondering if you're going to get dumped off the ride at the next turn. Between shoots, filling deliveries from the library, and a "life" outside the walls of the studio, my life is a little crazy, not to mention going on the road. Of the 2 months I've been back, I think I've been gone at least a month of it, traveling to different corners of the US to record the amazing testimonies of teenagers and young adults who attend our events. Oh, and to go to the beach in San Diego of course ;)
Honestly, if my life wasn't totally crazy and up ended, I think I would be wicked bored. Come on, who wouldn't want to travel the states, hang out backstage with top Christian artists and speakers, and meet hundreds of cool and varied people every weekend? Granted, personal space and shower time is limited, but just think of all the cool memories. I don't think even I will bother remembering how stinky the bus is at the end of the weekend, or just how hungry we were when we roll back onto campus. We're all too busy gushing about how Joel Johnson high fived/hugged us, or how we had lunch with Unhindered, or Leeland, or that R-Swift joked with us about breaking his freaking toe ON STAGE DURING A CONCERT. Seriously, no one cares about the hard stuff.
I love seeing people's faces when I explain to them what I do, or show them the highlight reels, or my own little videos. It's a cross between half-hidden jealousy, shock, and confusion, not to mention the starry eyed look everyone gets when they start thinking about VIPs and Backstage, etc. I think the best part about going to the events is seeing the reality of it all, that the VIPs are more like VNPs, that is, very normal people, just like me. Leeland did a birthday video for one our girls, and Joel Johnson told me he likes my job, and R-Swift thinks its funny that one of my shoulders is slightly more muscley than the other because of my camera. That's normal people stuff. Gives you a sense that you can do it too, and that wherever we're at in ministry and life, we're all still equal to God.
We here at the studio are getting ready to head to our biggest event yet: the New York/Tristate Area BattleCry at the IZOD Center. It's a live event, and will be broadcast live to GodTV, so that means a lot of extra hours of prep, and a heck of a lot more people at the event. We're running the feed through a video truck (Trost Pictures), plus manning cameras in the arena, ENG crew interviewing attendees in the halls, and prep work for VIPs, whether they're heading for the stage or our interview room with our hosts. Literally hundreds of MiniDVs and Beta tapes will be recorded, labeled, and archived and by the end of the weekend (27 hours of film time), we'll have close to over 300 hours worth of footage to sort through and possibly transcribe once we get back to the studio. THAT'S INTENSE!
There's a lot of work that goes into making movie magic, and the funny thing is that the movie business is not nearly as glamorous as everyone thinks it is. Well, red carpet nights certainly are. But 3 am wake up calls for shoots in the freezing cold, 6 hours working on makeup, transcribing for weeks at a time, and God only knows how many coffee runs in a day? That's hard work. But man is it FUN. As my boss likes to say, "If you love what you do, you'll never work a day in your life."
For now, it's back to transcribing for me, and praying with everything in me that I don't pass out from how amazing this food next to me smells.
Welcome to my world....
~Char
Family
I'm a family kinda gal. I love seeing my family, even if I dread it. They mean the world to me, but my oh my, are we a strange group...
I grew up with my mom's family, and they're an interesting bunch. Most of them live in Boston, and they all sound like it, which I love. I love listening to people with different accents, because I don't really have much of one myself. Yay for growing up in Alaska! lol anyway, it's a huge Irish Catholic family, which kinda sounds cliche, but I love my big family. There's always something going on, there's always a fun get together, someone's always pregnant/engaged/some big news, and there's no shortage of little cousins to play with, at any age. I think we have someone for every number between 0 and 50.
Mom and Grandma were the ones who raised me, and when I was 12, my stepdad came into the picture. That also meant a new brother. SO I had two brothers, and was still wishing for a sister. I DO love my brothers though, don't get me wrong. lol plus, being the only girl, I got my own room. What's not to love about that?
In high school, I got a new family, sort of, who took me in and helped me graduate. I love this family so much, because of their kindness and generosity and love, even though I wasn't technically blood related. Haha, I finally got a sister, and not just one, but two! And to top it off, I got 4 new brothers. That means I am one of 10! Yikes lol
I'm finally getting a chance to meet and get to know my dad's side of the family, and sometimes I think I'm more like them than my mom's, because they're all wacky and fun and crazy in basically the same ways I am. Heck, one of them is a director, a big movie dude like me :D Wicked excited to see them, because it's like a missing piece of my life is finally falling into place.
I am the one connector between these different parts of my family. They don't always get along, don't always see eye to eye, and they have a rather nasty habit of fighting for time with me. I love being wanted like that, but I don't like being made to feel guilty for not being to visit every single one of them every time I come up for air from this place. But you know... I love em, all of them. The crazy ones, the "normal" ones, the older ones, the little tiny ones who are brand new to our family; all of them. And that's really all I actually want to say.
~Char
Kemp/Manning/Blunck/Brooks/Cahill/Morgan/Derby/Wallace/Hunter
I grew up with my mom's family, and they're an interesting bunch. Most of them live in Boston, and they all sound like it, which I love. I love listening to people with different accents, because I don't really have much of one myself. Yay for growing up in Alaska! lol anyway, it's a huge Irish Catholic family, which kinda sounds cliche, but I love my big family. There's always something going on, there's always a fun get together, someone's always pregnant/engaged/some big news, and there's no shortage of little cousins to play with, at any age. I think we have someone for every number between 0 and 50.
Mom and Grandma were the ones who raised me, and when I was 12, my stepdad came into the picture. That also meant a new brother. SO I had two brothers, and was still wishing for a sister. I DO love my brothers though, don't get me wrong. lol plus, being the only girl, I got my own room. What's not to love about that?
In high school, I got a new family, sort of, who took me in and helped me graduate. I love this family so much, because of their kindness and generosity and love, even though I wasn't technically blood related. Haha, I finally got a sister, and not just one, but two! And to top it off, I got 4 new brothers. That means I am one of 10! Yikes lol
I'm finally getting a chance to meet and get to know my dad's side of the family, and sometimes I think I'm more like them than my mom's, because they're all wacky and fun and crazy in basically the same ways I am. Heck, one of them is a director, a big movie dude like me :D Wicked excited to see them, because it's like a missing piece of my life is finally falling into place.
I am the one connector between these different parts of my family. They don't always get along, don't always see eye to eye, and they have a rather nasty habit of fighting for time with me. I love being wanted like that, but I don't like being made to feel guilty for not being to visit every single one of them every time I come up for air from this place. But you know... I love em, all of them. The crazy ones, the "normal" ones, the older ones, the little tiny ones who are brand new to our family; all of them. And that's really all I actually want to say.
~Char
Kemp/Manning/Blunck/Brooks/Cahill/Morgan/Derby/Wallace/Hunter
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