I get a little emotional thinking about the last 6 months that Reflections of Christ has been exhibited in the Mesa Temple Visitor Center. Regardless of religion, it has been an opportunity for people to come together and think about Jesus. January 17, 2008, the Petersons, the Directors of the Visitor Center, hosted an opening that ranks among the coolest days of my life.
For all of us who created Reflections of Christ, it was like sending our child out on the first day of school, knowing that we thought they were OK, but not knowing how the world would accept them. The tears and hugs were confirmation that people felt as we did.
If I get into thanking people, it'll be a long list, I did that in the book... But there were a few people who continue to churn out new Reflections material even after it's initial opening.
Cameron Trejo produces all of the video and slideshow clips... His efforts have carried the images and music and testimonies over the internet to over a million different homes. We've heard from people on nearly every continent and in many countries. He always resists the title "filmmaker", citing other filmmakers that he looks up to as "real filmmakers"... Whatever he wants to be called, he has made a very accurate documentary that conveys our desires and feelings without much embellishment.
Clyde Bawden, Jason Barney, Freddie Ashby, Melynda Brimhall, Alex Boye, Catherine Papworth, Brandon Brown, Lindsay and Teresa Alston, and Hope Shepherd continue to produce music that testifies of Christ, in the spirit of the imagery. The cohesive multi media effort is very rare.
Sam Bawden who never balked at any request and still changes the lightbulbs on the display at very odd hours.
Todd Haser tirelessly worked on our website, and continues to trouble shoot.
Steve Porter, my location scout on these shoots, has become an integral part in the production of our upcoming projects. He and I just returned from Belize, Guatemala, and Southern Mexico visiting ruins for a very aggressive next project. Our travels not only yielded great locations, but a strong friendship.
Nanci Wudel who is one of our biggest advocates and continues to make herself available for new adventures and projects.
Robert Allen continues to sweat out the summer without cutting his hair or shaving. His friendship and insight are both invaluable.
Melissa Dawes... found us on the internet and believed in the message. She has become a great friend and advocate of the message of Reflections of Christ.
See what I said about the list... There are another 50 cast members and crew that I could recognize.
It's nerve racking to think of the exhibit moving, especially to DC (oh yeah, that's where it's headed now). It'll be in the DC Visitor Center this fall, more to come...
Mostly I appreciate those close to me that have helped me try to live up to the standard that I inadvertently set, not artistically, but spiritually, when we released Reflections of Christ.
I'll miss having it here in my backyard... A constant reminder that, no matter how hard I try, I'll never live up to the content of this project.
Thank you.
Mark
Reflections of Christ Exhibit Opening from Reflections of Christ on Vimeo.