DO YOU WANT TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE?

AMAZING GRACE HOW SWEET THE SOUND . . . . OF THE MOVIE!

November 13th AMAZING GRACE, a life-changing film produced by my husband, became available in DVD. What a great Christmas gift for families . . . a beautifully written and produced film that inspires and entertains! Because of a limited distribution, many of you missed the movie in theaters, but now is your chance to see a film that I believe will change your lives! The best recommendation I can give this film is that the life of William Wilberforce, the man whose life the film is based, is a great illustration of how one person----with God's help can truly change the world! Do you want to change the world?

Many of us have lofty goals, and then along the way, we often despair, "But I'm just one person . . . how can I accomplish this? Change the world . . . impossible!" Yet God is faithful to provide in the task he has called you to perform. Just as the Lord brought everyone needed around Wilberforce to accomplish the task, he will do the same for you. Many of the individuals were ones you would least expect, but they were the 'right' people Wilberforce needed to accomplish his goal of abolishing the slave trade in England. His wonders to perform . . . God brought together quite a team!

My husband also produced the CBS series Christy, based on Catherine Marshall's book, Christy. I was so inspired by the answer given by Miss Alice, the Quaker missionary in Appalachia, when her young charge Christy asked her the age-old question and I'm paraphrasing here . . . "Why does God allow bad things happen to good and innocent people?" Miss Alice's answer, "Because we don't do the things we are called to do on earth." And Miss Alice then ended her conversation with Chrisy with a profound question, "If you don't do the work God has called you to do, Christy Huddleston, then who will do it?"

What has God called you to do today? Will you do it?

I am reminded of the words of the late great evangelist and healer at the Angeles Temple in Los Angeles. Several chauvinistic male colleagues questioned Kuhlman's ministry. After all she was a woman, and the opposite sex usually didn't hold such a position of power in the church. Kathryn's answer to them, as we say in the south, turned their hot water to a cold drip. . . . "Well, God you, you, and you," she explained pointing to each of the men, calling them by name, "but when you refused him, he looked to me and said, "Well, Kathryn, they've all refused me, so I guess I'm going to have to settle for the old shoe!" You see Kathryn Kuhlman was chosen because she was willing.

As illustrated by Kathryn Kuhlman's ministry, you may not consider that you are the best person for the job, but sometimes the only prerequisite is the willingness to answer God's call. My friend Betty Motes shared a story about her daughter, actress Julia Roberts' first audition for a movie. The casting director asked which of the aspiring young actors who were auditioning for a film, could play a saxophone? Betty said Julie told her that she raised her hand and hollered, "I can! I can!" "But you don't play the saxophone." Her mother reminded her. Julia assured her mother that while that was true, she hadn't lied to the director but meremly had told him, "I can." After her audition, Julia went home that night and learned to play the saxophone enough to get the part! Julia Roberts got the part because she said, "I can do it!"

When God asks something of you, will you say, "I can! I can do it!" If you do, I will assure you that He will take care of the rest, just as he did in the lives of Julia Roberts, William Wilberforce, Catherine Marshall, Christy, Kathryn Kuhlman, and many others who have truly changed the world! And then, you too can change the world . . . if you are willing!

Happy Day!

Susan Wales

COUNTDOWN FOR MY NEW BOOK, THE REPLACEMENT!

Dear Readers,

BOOK NEWS!
I hope you're having a wonderful summer! Whether you're staying home, lying on the beach, doing the Broadway circuit in New York, standing in line at Disney World or Disneyland, traipsing all over Europe, or cruising the Caribbean, there's nothing like a good book in the summertime! Ta da! Do I have a book for you! On July 20, The Replacement will be in bookstores and available online! This is the final book in this series I wrote with Robin Shope for Baker Book's Fleming Revell. What makes this series unique is its not only a political thriller, but it has a love story woven into the story. Because of this, both men and women alike write to say they enjoy it! We develop our books with lots of twists and turns, and our faithful readers say they love this aspect of the series!

DISNEY AND JEOPARDY!
One of the most important ingredient of these books is jeopardy! My husband, Ken, a filmmaker, had the amazing opportunity to have Walt Disney as a mentor when he was a teenager. Walt explained that every film must have jeopardy . . . . that Bambi's mother had to die. I believe this is true of any story. Don't you love a story that keeps you on the edge of your chair! Especially a love story that keeps you on the edge!

If you haven't read THE CHASE and THE REPLACEMENT, the first and second book of the series, start with those books first.

WHAT'S NEXT?
So now that the series has ended . . . what's next for me? I've decided to go solo this time and write a Hollywood thriller! I live in the most publicized city in the world so I decided to concentrate on Tinsel Town since everyone seems to intrigued with LA. My agent absolutely LOVED the story I outlined and said its my best yet. I'm about half way through the story. I'll keep you posted.

Happy Summer!

Susan Wales

A Night at the Oscars

Last year we had the best seats in the house on the floor in the orchestra section, about row seven. We were surrounded by all the stars, and when Larry McMurtry and Diana Ossana brought back their Oscars, they passed the little gold man down for us to hold. This year we were't in the orchestra, but we were still on the floor. The really great thing about year was that all of our family members were able to see us on TV at least three times, even with one close up shot. Maybe it was a coincidence, but I think my friend producer Michael Seligman likely had a hand in that, but truthfully the seats were the best! We're certainly not complaining at where we sat this year.

One thing I never tire of is the beautiful array of glamorous gowns on the red carpet at the Oscars. But hey, I'm a female . . . what do you expect? This year was no exception. In spite of some critic's negative comments, I absolutely adored Nicole Kidman's red dress with the big red bow. WIth her regal height, striking auburn hair, and the startling red color, she was a real standout on the red carpet. . . a princess! That said, the most beautiful gown of all at the Oscar Ball was worn by Helen Mirran. I've never seen such a beautiful gown, especially the way it sparkled under the lights. She was breathtakingly beautiful, and I don't think she's ever even had a face-lift. The silk chiffon skirt of the gown was printed with a small design and the gold lace bodice was splattered with sequins and bugle beads. If Nicole Kidman looked like a princess, then Helen Mirran was the queen! Just as we arrived, so did Reece Witherspoon, stepped out of her limo, and she was stunning in her gown, and I loved her hairstyle. This had to be a difficult year for her, arrriving solo this year, after being accustomed to arriving on the arm of ex, Ryan Philipe, and my heart went out ot her. But she handled the evening beautifully and with style and confidence. She's truly a steel magnolia. JoLo looked like a Greek goddess in her dress. She's always so lovely and appears very happy with Mark Anthony.

The set was beautiful, but throughout the evening became even more beautiful. Once we were seated and the show began, we were in for a delightful evening. Expertly produced by my dear friend, Michael Seligman, the Oscars were entertaining. No matter what your opinion of Ellen DeGeneres, she was a great host full of low key wit and fun. Everyone at the Oscars is lovely. I had a coughing spell during the evening, and left during a commercial break for a drink. Why had I not realized this was sa cash bar. An incredibly lovely and generous bartender

It was so fun to see Jennifer Hudson. What a Hollywood success story she is, and how refreshing to see someone who is just so appreciative and overjoyed at being there. She thanked God twice upon winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. All great gifts come from above! Forest Whittaker thanked Him too. And I always appreciate the actors, who thank their mothers. I was disappointed that Mark Walhberg didn't win since he's a favorite actor of mine, but I've always appreciated the work of the winner Martin Landau although he appeared less than enthusiastic with his win.

What we loved most about the show were the dancers. It was one of the most clever performances we'd ever seen. It just proves you don't always need big name entertainment to be entertained! They gyrated their bodies into amazing shapes . . . our favorite - the penquins from Happy Feet.

The producers of the Gore film, AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH, were seated in our row. One of the producers, a lovely young woman, was so excited at the prospect of winning the Oscar that she fluttered up and down the row several times, voicing her concern that she was seated in the middle of the row, and worried aloud that she would likely have a difficult time getting out to receive the award. My husband and I offered her and her companion our seats, and we took theirs in the middle of the row until the Oscar for Best Documentary was announced. Sure enough she won! She was very gracious and appreciative of our offer. When we moved, we did run into friends, actor Judge Reinhold and his lovely wife Amy, nearby, and had an opportunity to chat with them. We were happy to return to our seats though, especially since the gib blocked a partial view of her seats. I'm very concerned about our planet. I believe that we are divinely called by God to protect the earth and our resources. but I'm no fan of Al Gore. When I was young I was a big suporter of both Al and Tipper Gore, but as they evolved politically, they sold their souls and all they once believed in. It was very sad to me, and I cannot morally support a politician who doesn't stand on his principles and beliefs. I've not settled on a candidate, but I'm carefully observing Obama and Rudy Gulliani.

We were delighted when with the outcome of most of the awards, especially Best Actress to Helen Mirran, and Best Actor to Forest Whittaker for the Last King of Scotland. I think I was really stunned when Tom Cruise stepped up to the podium because the crowd gave him such a cool reception. I know my own personal feelings for him are nothing but negative, but to discover everyone around me shared similar feelings was surprising and confirming. While Brooke Shield has forgiven him, I am still concerned at all the young women out there who heard him berate the reality of postpartum blues. I am truly the most positive person most people know, but I was a victim of postpartum blues, and I know how "real' it is. It's one of the most terrifying experiences I've ever had in my life. My heart goes out to all the young women out there who may have been shamed into silence by his harsh word because I believe that talking about it is one of the first steps to recovery. How I admire Summer Redstone's wife for speaking up on behalf of women everywhere. I personally vowed to never pay to see or ever purchase a DVD for one of Tom Cruises' movies in my lifetime. He may continue to prosper and make blockbuster movies, but never on my nickel!

I thought the Oscars were missing a lot of big names this year . . . Julia Roberts, my favorite. Of course she's pregnant with her third child, and enjoying her twins, so that explains her absence. It was really fun to see Will Smith and his family there. Loved his movie and had an opportunity to meet Chris Gardner at the MOVIEGUI, whose life story became the movie. What an amazing man, and I though he had one of the best faces I've ever seen! People were surprised taht Jack Nicolson had shaved his head, but no one stopped to consider that he's playing a cancer patient in his current movie.

I was so happy to Sherry Lansing accept her lifetime achievement award. What a perfectly gorgeous dress. No longer in the biz, Lansing is dedicating her time and talants to two great foundations that support teachers.

One of the greatest moments of the evening was when Martin Scorcese won Best Director . . . finally! Everyone at the Kodak was happy, and jumped to their feet to give him a standing ovation. As happy as I was for Martin, I was really disappointed when The Departed won Best Movie. What does that say about our culture? Not much. A happy moment was the announcement of Happy Feet as Best Animated Film although I was sad for CARS, but hey, Pixar has the past few years.

2007 was another great year at the Oscars! And next year my goal is to wear a dress as beautiful as Helen Mirran's!