Hi, my name is Amy Kenney, I'm a stay-at-home mother of nine and a student in the University of Utah's Bachelor of Social Work program.  I am also a film maker. 

Through the gift of writing, I was increasingly inspired to turn my essays to a more powerful medium of film.  Film is the medium of our time.  The messages I've been inspired to share are stories of hope, faith, forgiveness and healing.  Another inspiration was to create films that unite Christians of all faiths.  The film projects feature the cooperation and collaboration of shared gifts and talents of people of numerous denominational and non-denominational backgrounds united in a common goal, that of leading others to Christ. 

 In 2009, I wrote and directed my first feature film, Stand Strong.  www.standstrongmovie.com Talented actors, musicians, and technical crew contributed their gifts and talents to the making of the film.  It was released in October 2011.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wzn4ESrnlus

It is now endorsed by Dave Ramsey.

Here is the Synopsis for Stand Strong:

“If you lose it all, will you stand or fall?"

Matt Webster measures his success by his possessions. Though he appears to have it all, pride of ownership does little to fill the void of a purposeless life. Broken relationships, isolation and pain for himself and his family, are the result of his pride and selfishness.

Through a series of financial and family crises, Matt and his family are stripped of all they own and are humbled enough to learn what success is really all about.

On the first day of filming Stand Strong, I was inspired with the story for the second film, Uphill Battle, which was filmed in 2011.  It will soon be released on DVD.   View the trailer at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW3blu8nwbY   It is the story of a single mother raising two teens after a divorce due to her husband’s pornography addiction and infidelity.

True to form, I was inspired with the story for the third film on the first day of filming.  The third film may be the most important one yet as it has the potential to actually save physical lives in addition to spiritual lives.  It is called “The Gift of Grace.”  It is the story of a nineteen year old college athlete who becomes pregnant.  Faced with a problem that could destroy her future, she decides to have an abortion.  Through a series of moving experiences, she places her baby for adoption. 

The script is ready and it is nearly cast.  Filming is scheduled for Monday, May 20-Saturday, June 1.  It’s coming up fast!  I am writing to ask for your help in making it happen.  The first movie was completely self-funded.  The second was partially self-funded and funded by private donations.  The third film will need to rely on the generosity of private donations.  We need your help.

If your life or someone close to you has been affected by such issues as abortion or adoption, please help.  If you want to see more beautiful and inspiring media available, please help.  If you want to make a tax deductible donation to offset your taxes, please help!  Our production company, Illumin8ed Productions is a not for profit entity.  We need to raise $25,000 in the next ten days.  We can do it with your help. 

To donate to The Gift of Grace, please utilize Paypal.  All donations go directly and entirely to the project by donating to illumin8ed@msn.com  We are aware of Kickstarter as a potential donation site, but with so few days until filming, and the format of all or nothing funding (the full amount requested has to be reached to get any of the donations), it won’t be feasible at this time.  Every dollar counts.  Please contribute!   

For donations of $50, we will include a free Stand Strong DVD.  For donations of $100, we will include a DVD of Stand Strong and Uphill Battle.  For donations over $1,000, you can come spend a day on set as well as receive both DVDs!  For donations over $5,000, we can find you a part in the film!

Like the Facebook page for The Gift of Grace for updates.  https://www.facebook.com/thegiftofgracemovie?fref=ts

You can like Stand Strong, Uphill Battle, and Illumin8ed Productions as well!

https://www.facebook.com/StandStrongMovie?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Uphill-Battle/191072104271831?fref=ts

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Illumin8ed-Productions/101348116621267?fref=ts

Thanks so much for your time and consideration,.  I hope to see you on set!

Sincerely,

Amy Kenney

The Reality of Dreams

I've been thinking a lot lately on the nature of personal revelation, and the way I mainly receive it; through dreams. Even as a child, my dreams were very vivid. Whether my dream was peaceful and fun, or scary and unsettling, it was lucid, vivid, clear, and full of meaning. I can recall those early childhood dreams as easily as those I had last night. I have always been grateful for the knowledge, instruction, insight, understanding, peace, joy, comfort, visuals of the future, and detailed premonitions I have received through dreams.

Over the years, and through many provident experiences, I realized that dreams are a powerful way I receive and interpret God's will for me. The information I've received in dreams has literally saved lives on several occasions. I keep a "dream journal" to write down my dreams when I wake up. As I come to consciousness, my mind is often filled with the interpretation of the dream. I write down the interpretations as well, knowing that the dream is important and impactful in the work of my conscious life. I have been humbled on many occasions to re-read old passages and realize that what I had dreamed several years prior, was fulfilled in near perfect detail in reality. I know that by being a good steward of the information I receive by recording and trusting it, I am further blessed with additional experiences and understanding. This principle is true for all. When we acknowledge, regard and appreciate our blessings, we are further blessed.

I have learned by experience never to underestimate dreams as a source for personal revelation. In fact, I have come to trust and count on the information I receive and I find myself praying for dreams that further my understanding as I study gospel principles.

Scripture also states that dreams, visions, and an increase in the Lord's spirit will be poured out on men, women and children in the last days. I know this is true.

Joel 2:
28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
29 And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.

“In all ages and dispensations God has revealed many important instructions and warnings to men by means of dreams. When the conscious mind and physical senses are released from their activity, the nerves relaxed, and mankind lies asleep, it is then that the spiritual senses are at liberty in a certain degree to assume their functions, to recall some faint outline, some confused and half-defined recollections of that heavenly world, and those endearing scenes of their former estate. Their kindred spirits then hover about them with the fondest affection, the most anxious solicitude. Spirit communes with spirit, thought meets thought, soul blends with soul, in all the raptures of mutual, pure, and eternal love. In this situation the spiritual organs (and if we could see our spirits, we would know that they have eyes to see, ears to hear, tongues to speak, and so on) may converse with deity, or have communion with angels, and the spirits of just men made perfect.” If we will learn not to be so sophisticated that we disregard that possibility of impressions from those who are beyond sight, then we too may have a dream that may direct us as a revelation.

The revelations of God are the standards by which we measure all learning, and if anything does not agree with the revelations, then we may be certain that it is not truth." --Parley P. Pratt

I can think of numerous times I know that I communed with angels and "kindred spirits" in dreams. Several weeks ago, I dreamed that Aura was getting married and I was at her wedding party. I was taking photos with my phone. When they drove away, I put my phone down on a table while I talked with other guests. A few minutes passed and I went to get my phone from off of the table. It was gone. I got on my hands and knees and crawled under the table, looking on the ground and in random purses and bags. I looked on and under all the tables, in flower arrangements, in the kitchen, asked people if they'd seen it, and became more and more distressed. I couldn't find it anywhere. I was heartsick that the photos of the wedding party, which were irreplaceable, were gone. I started to cry. For some reason, I called out for my grandma. This would not be unusual, except she died in February. In my dream, I seemed to be aware of that as well.

Within an instant, she walked toward me, looking her same beautiful self as I saw her before her illness. She asked me what was wrong. I told her I'd lost my phone and all the photos I'd taken. "Did you look in your pocket?" she asked. I told her I had. "Check again," she said. I put my hand in my right pocket and felt my phone. As I was taking it out to look at it, she said "Don't worry. I'm right here watching and helping when you need me." I understood the big picture of what she was saying. She meant that she was watching and helping with the problems and perplexities of the lives of our family, that she was mindful and proactive in providing assistance. I was comforted when I awoke moments later, knowing that she had in fact, visited me and affirmed her position as a spiritual ally for me and my family.

That dream served in strengthening my faith, especially of the future and in all the problems and projects I am working on now. I know that I am not working on them alone and that all will work out as it should so long as I am obedient and do all in my power, and trust God with the rest.

Due to a life threatening circumstance involving the birth of my ninth baby this January, I had to have major surgery. I was taken to the operating room and given a local anesthetic through a mask over my mouth and nose. I remember only seeing the room briefly before my consciousness ended. Once I was completely out, I was intubated and my surgery lasted four and a half hours. The first thing I remember as my breathing tube was being removed was a cough, and then I said "You're waking me up from a really good dream." I don't remember any of what was happening during that time I was out, or who was there, only that it was immensely enjoyable. Considering I prayed every available angel and ancestor in attendance, I have a feeling I was at an amazing family reunion. I fell asleep again after stating that I had a good dream. I think it no accident that I remembered that.

Several days later, I talked to one of the surgeons. There were four who performed my surgery. With all the nurses and interns, there were seventeen people present at the surgery, besides myself. I asked her about the surgery and if she was nervous about how complicated it would be. She told me that she had been perplexed about it. She knew it was very risky. She said that the night before the surgery, she had a dream about it. She saw how and what to do and followed through with it perfectly in her dream. When it came time to do it for real, she was calm because she said it was exactly like what she had seen in her dream. I knew it was an answer to the many prayers offered in my behalf.

Dreams and revelation are as real as the images we see, and the sounds we hear in our temporal reality. This film is an excellent clip on personal revelation and how to better tune in to it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPbDZnrxBLM

I've never liked sleeping, but always loved to dream. I guess there has to be some balance so that I wouldn't want to be sleeping all the time just to have the opportunity to dream.

Vision of Zion

In the summer of 2006, our family took a 27 state, 5 week, 8,015 mile journey across America. It was incredible; definitely an unforgettable family favorite. One of the stops we made was to visit the Kirtland Temple in Ohio. We also visited the Newell K. Whitney store, which was the location for many key revelations received by Joseph Smith, including the Word of Wisdom. The room above the store also became the place used as the training grounds for the first four prophets of the LDS church in what was known as the "School of the Prophets."

Standing in the "School of the Prophets" was overwhelmingly powerful for me. I was hit with inspiration so deeply and strongly, I could not ignore it. I knew I needed to start a "school" with the same attributes. The "School of the Prophets" was designed to teach world history, languages, upper mathematics, world cultures, ancient history, the wars and perplexities of the nations, manners and civility, and an in depth study of theology and religion as all subjects were taught through a gospel perspective, with Christ at the center of all truth.

The undeniable witness I felt was that this type of school was needed, not only for my children and those that would come to the classes, but to serve as an example of what is possible for others to replicate. Parents everywhere could make their own "schools," completely privatized, unfunded by government dollars, uncontrolled by compulsory laws, voluntary, staffed by educated, skillful, passionate, and God fearing instructors in an environment where God is welcome and invited rather than prohibited and shunned. The classes would be inexpensive and yet, superior to the government schools run by tax dollars. It would also be non-profit and rely on the work, effort, vision, and support of the families that utilized it.


Not long after returning home from the trip, I set to work on formulating a vision for this type of institution. I have always wanted to build a large "community center" type building to use for classes, parties, dances, political functions, meetings, community service projects, family support services, business endeavors, etc. much like the usage of the public libraries, only, it would be privately owned and under no such regulations, restrictions, and scrutiny as government owned buildings. As the vision got bigger and more defined, I started looking at large buildings to purchase. I looked at buildings that were minimally 7,000 SF, consequently making the sales price begin at about $500,000. Knowing that I didn't want to get a loan on the building, I started entertaining the idea of getting other investors to purchase the building with me, using cash so we would own it outright. I formulated the numbers and started looking for investors. If ten investors put up $50,000 a piece, we would easily be able to buy a building outright and negotiate quite a deal with our cash.

It soon became apparent within the diverse group of potential investors that our motives were different. Several potential investors were about the philanthropy and community impact of the project, while others were bent on a phenomenal profit margin that discouraged philanthropy. The tension over the use of the building and the lack of cohesion in the investment group started to make me doubt whether we could make the project work. When it looked as though we could not make it happen as a team, I started thinking about starting something on my own again. I immediately felt as though I was on the right track.

Along with the thought to press forward on my own, came a rememberance of a principle I have always utilized in entrepreneurship, and really, in life: start at the bottom stair (or ladder) and build upward. I realized that I had been trying to skip many steps by purchasing a building that I did not have the cash to purchase on my own. I knew that I had to start at the beginning and that if I built upward, like climbing stairs, I would eventually be at the place I could buy a building on my own and it would be when it was the logical "next step." A spiritual confirmation followed, so I set out to define and start at the beginning step.

In the fall of 2008, I started holding classes in our existing real estate office space for older teens. We had Seminary, Speech and Debate, Constitutional Studies, and History. By the spring of 2009, the vision had grown and I rented the space next door to our real estate office, formed a non-profit organization, and called it Vision of Zion. We used it in the summer as a place to audition, cast, and rehearse for our movie, Stand Strong. We used it in the fall of 2009 to start hosting an extended number of classes for teens as well as younger children. Month by month, new students, and excellent instructors kept manifesting themselves into the vision.

Because of the intensity of the inspiration, and the urgency to start Vision of Zion, I was sure that it had been for the purpose of spiritually aiding one of my children. It turned out that at the end of the 2009-2010 school year, that child had never attended a class, and will not be in the future. While contemplating that thought and the realization that was not the purpose, it occurred to me that amongst other things, Aura made a friend in her classes that she may never have met any other way. I felt a spiritual witness of that truth. Vision of Zion was started for many reasons, all of which were inspired.


I thoroughly enjoyed watching Vision of Zion blossom this year. As we just ended the school year, I have had some time to think about the many great families and youth I've come to know and love through our association at Vision of Zion. We finished out the year with a night games party last night. It was amazing to watch the 70+ youth who attended, run and chase and laugh. They are incredible youth and I'm so blessed to have gotten to know them.

Here is a link to the photos that were taken over the 2009-2010 school year. If you took photos or video of activities, parties, classes, or events, please share them on the site.

http://visionofzion.shutterfly.com/#

Next year's schedule is looking amazing and will start again the day after Labor Day, Tuesday, September 7, 2010. Hopefully, I am ambitious enough to get a website up for it soon!

The Course of Life

At 4:09 AM Saturday, April 17, my eyes popped open wide, anticipating the sound of the alarm set to buzz six minutes later. Shawn had registered us in the Salt Lake City Marathon Bike Tour which started at 6:00 AM. He planned plenty of time for us to drink freshly juiced apples and carrots, assemble our bikes and gear and get to the start line on the University of Utah campus.

We arrived at the start line at 5:40 AM and waited in the dark with hundreds of other riders of all shapes and sizes. There was a giant of a man, over seven feet tall on a bike next to me. I marveled at his incredible stature. There were fit and experienced cycling athletes, amateurs, couples on "bicycles built for two," elderly people on commuter cruisers, children riding with their parents, and participating observers like myself.

All were excitedly awaiting the horn that signaled the time to pedal onto the course. As I watched the growing crowd arrive, I was moved to tears with the thought of such waiting for our departure into mortality. I felt the unity and joy of so many people gathered to share a common purpose, excited for the same event, waiting for the thrill of the experience together. Such was our anxiousness, anticipation and joy at leaving our spirit home to enter the course on earth.

My daily rides have given me time to reflect on the true need to experience a mortal life. Just as there is only so much training and simulation one can do in the gym, or so much discovery that can take place in the lab, getting out in the field with real conditions is the best way to learn and grow. Life is a brutal and effective, yet, awesome teacher and trainer; much like 40+ mph headwinds on my morning rides. Nice as a spin class is, especially in the dead of winter, it just can't simulate the sun, wind, friendly nods and waves of passing cyclists, joggers and bystanders, and the sheer beauty of the earth. Neither can a class adequately simulate the real hazards of traffic, gravel, potholes and the alertness and confidence that is learned by anticipating and actively moving away from them. Mortal life is the place to experience true beauty, unity, and joy amidst such real hazards as addiction, malice and greed.

The Bike Tour was an untimed tour, for fun, not a race, or a competition. Nearly two thousand biking enthusiasts came together to enjoy the ride together. It was meant to attract all types of riders for an "enjoyable family event that covers the most scenic areas of downtown Salt Lake City." Because it was not a competition, riders paced themselves at their own speeds. Those who wished to push themselves to their limits, did so and quickly moved into the lead. Others who wanted to take in the views and move at a moderate pace kindly moved to the right to allow faster riders to pass. Well wishers lined the route, calling out cheers of support and praise in an effort to inspire all to finish; reminding me that angels and ancestors do the same for us moment to moment in mortality.

I've often thought of the nature of competition as stronger, fitter, and faster riders pass me. I never mind it. I am inspired. I am not angry, threatened or fearful. I am grateful they come, seemingly out of nowhere and pass me with ease, especially in moments where I feel like I want to give up or die. What a blessing! They give me a vision of moving forward with strength that I did not have before I saw them pass and serve as an example once in front of me. Seeing the excellence and greatness of another gives me hope and sparks my creativity. There will always be someone smarter, faster, more creative or beautiful, and what cause for celebration, as there is someone to learn from; a model to emulate! The competition I love is the one with myself. Am I better today than I was yesterday? Am I living my potential? Am I glorifying God with my gifts, talents and abilities? Am I recognizing and fulfilling the needs of others? Am I doing good? Unity is a state of complete cooperation, rather than competition. Each gives his or her talent or ability freely to edify and uplift others thereby glorifying God. I love what C.S. Lewis has to say on the subject of competition from his classic work "The Screwtape Letters":

"The whole philosophy of Hell rests on recognition of the axiom that one thing is not another thing, and, specially, that one self is not another self. My good is my good and your good is yours. What one gains another loses. Even an inanimate object is what it is by excluding all other objects from the space it occupies; if it expands, it does so by thrusting other objects aside or by absorbing them. A self does the same. With beasts the absorption takes the form of eating; for us, it means the sucking of will and freedom out of a weaker self into a stronger. "To be" means to be in competition." Now the Enemy's (Christ's) philosophy is nothing more nor less than one continued attempt to evade this very obvious truth. He aims at contradiction. Things are to be many, yet somehow also one. The good of one self is to be the good of another. This impossibility He calls love, and this same monotonous panacea can be detected under all He does and even all He is--or claims to be."

Christ stated:
D&C 38: 27 Behold, this I have given unto you as a parable, and it is even as I am. I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine.

At the twentieth mile mark on the Bike Tour, we passed a house that had a refreshment station out front much like the water tables we kept passing. The only difference was a huge sign that read "Temptation: Free Booze, Come take a shot!" There were devil horns coming out of the "T" and a pitchfork at the bottom. The irony made me laugh hysterically. Isn't that like life? Five miles to the finish, and a major distraction is introduced. Though "free booze" isn't a draw for me, life has plenty of other distractions that I can get caught up in at any given time, that lure me from the pace and the course I need to follow. It was amazing to visually see a model for the journey of life and experience gratitude for it. Also, in reviewing the map of the Bike Tour, I noticed how straightforward and simple the course of life really is.

We have a clear map set forth in scripture and emulated perfectly by Christ in mortality. Diligently following the map and example Christ set forth will surely lead us home.

One hour and twenty minutes after the horn signaled, Shawn and I crossed the finish line at the Gateway together, joining hundreds of others who had already arrived and awaited hundreds more that followed. I thought of the homecoming we'll receive at death, again uniting with friends and family that have gone on before.How joyous that time will be when it comes. Until then, I'll be enjoying the ride!

Amy Kenney

The Sharing of Truth: My Purpose for Blogging

It may be a little late, but I've decided to officially enter the 21st Century as evidenced by my decision to post a blog.

Nevermind what has kept me from joining cyberspace in the past, because honestly I can't pinpoint any particular reason to have avoided it. Except maybe feeling it was somehow a waste of time. To an efficiency freak, especially one with a detailed plan, time wasting is unacceptable! I've overcome those negative feelings about blogging, or I should say, outweighed those feelings with the sudden and rather unexpected inspiration that there might be something to it. It occurred to me that blogging may be a further extension of that detailed plan, a way for me to connect on a grander scale with others with similar callings.

For this purpose of connection, I found meaning in what millions of others must already understand or feel on a deep level about blogging. Now, what to say...

So many thoughts, ideas, feelings, and pictures tumble through my head in the course of mere seconds that weeding through them to find the most pertinent, urgent, and important at any given time will take some work and practice. Perhaps a blog provides this type of focus and thus is another draw for all those attracted to this form of expression.

The title of my blog says it all. My understanding of my purpose in life is to educate, inspire and unite. Nothing thrills, electrifies, or ignites me into a passionate frenzy of words, ideas, and the need to connect, like these activities.

I love to educate, inspire and unite people not on a particular topic, but rather around and through a particular principle. I am a lover and seeker of truth and have been for as long as I can remember. I am passionate about truth above all else. I seek it constantly and revel in the light, beauty and simplicity of it, when I find it at the core of any subject. Finding truth can be minimally compared to the feeling of finding an incredible sale, collecting the rare, or owning priceless treasure. Truly this description of finding truth is indeed minimal, because it is a powerful feeling beyond description, an experience beyond compare. The sheer joy of it is addictive and is what fuels my insatiable desire for endless study. Not only do I live to find it, but also to apply it, and ultimately, to share it.

This blog is one of the tools available to me to share the truths I find. Of course it will be smattered with what seems like random musings, and I'm sure, some family stories and photos from time to time. Rest assured as one proned to finding purpose and meaning in all, my intentions are not random. Truth lovers adore metaphors, analogies, stories and parables as a way to share truth. Because in all actuality, truth exists in the common place all around us.

Sharing truth is a two way communication. Connection requires more than one! This blog is a dialogue. Please comment and share your ideas, thoughts and understanding. You have insight I'm excited to discover.

Amy Kenney