|   BlogThe Promise May 11, 2010 God has a definite and divine plan for us all. We often have trouble understanding his plan because it doesn't look like our plan. Have you ever prayed for something and given up on it because when God didn't move at your pace you talked yourself into believing it wasn't "God's will?"
Great Theater Review for Performance in 2010 Teco New Plays Festival! February 10, 2010
Well if this wasn't a great way to start the day! I received an e-mail from the writer/director of my current show "The Cosbys: The Lost episode" explaining that we'd gotten a good review:
Very funny characterizations and efficient, fast-paced, believable blocking in Buster Spiller’s self-directed The Cosby’s: The Lost Episode elicit the most audience response of the evening. JuNene K. as Clair Huxtable is the hilarious stand-out of the entire performance with her multi-layered repeated delivery of the line, “Mama gonna tear that ass up.” Who knew that line could be so funny, said so many ways? Spiller’s solid cast includes Aron Watson, J.R.Bradford and Sequoia Houston.
 click to enlarge After the Storm I have a rosebush in my backyard. When I first moved into my house I didn’t even know I had a rosebush because there were no roses. I thought it was just another piece of shrubbery. One day I went outside and saw that I had two little roses. I was so excited. I took pictures. I told people. I made up this really great quip about how God loves me so much that he sent me roses. A few days later there was a storm and they blew away. I thought little about it and moved on to something else; however, a few weeks later I noticed that not only did I now have four red roses, on a separate rose bush I had a single yellow rose. Once again I took pictures, told people. Clearly I get excited about the small things. Shortly after, these roses followed the suit of their predecessors and went away. Last Thursday night there was a really bad thunder storm. The wind’s whispers turned to howls as its speed and intensity increased. The rain beat on my window a/c unit like an African drum. The lightning whipped across the sky and the thunder roared with rage. Anyone who knows me knows that I’m a bit of a scaredy cat in those situations. I had trouble sleeping and wound up calling one of my friends to help me get my mind off of it. Thank goodness for friends who don’t mind you calling at 2am! Lol
After the storm was over, I didn’t think any more of it. I still remember that it happened. I still remember how scared and uncomfortable I was. I still remember how alone and vulnerable I felt. I still remember who I talked to that helped me get through it. Most importantly, I still remember how excited I was that it was over.
Over the weekend I went out into my backyard and noticed that I now have a bush full of roses. Now, I don’t know a lot about rose bushes and how they operate, but I do think that the rain helped the flowers blossom to their full potential. While I may have still had roses without such an intense storm, my bush may not have bloomed to its full potential.
This reminds me a lot about life. There are so many times where it seems we’re given something only to have it taken away. We have children, mothers and fathers that we have to bury. We have jobs that we lose. We have relationships that we expected to last forever, that fall short of that goal. We have dreams that seem to keep us on a roller coaster ride of emotions, because it seems as soon as we take one step forward, we take three steps back. Sometimes it seems as if we’re always coming out of one storm, only to head right into another.
I encourage you to read Lamentations 3. In this passage Jeremiah gave a heart-wrenching account of how he was going through it. He even went as far to say that he had “forgotten what prosperity is.” We’ve all had times where we’ve felt like this. Jeremiah gives us hope to get through these times.
v19. I remember my affliction and my wandering, the bitterness and the gall.
v20. I well remember them, and my soul is downcast within me.
v21. Yet this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
v22. Because of the Lord’s great love, we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
v23. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.
v24. I say to myself, “The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.”
v25. The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the ones who seek him.
Jeremiah does not say that we will never go through storms again. He doesn’t even say that he’s through this storm. He merely gives hope that when you have faith in the Lord, you can make it through your storms.
David, in Psalms 103, gives us even more hope when he says in verses 4 and 5 that God “redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion” and “satisfies your desires with good things…”
If you’re anything like me, you’re probably thinking “I’m all about the love and compassion part, but I’m really not feeling these storms. What’s that all about?” Well, I have an answer for you. James offers this advice in James 1:2-4:
v2. Consider it pure joy, my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds
v3. Because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.
v4. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
I’m sure if rosebushes had feelings, they would have been quite frightened by the storm Thursday. In the end, that was something they had to endure in order to reach their full potential. We also have to endure sometimes frightening and uncomfortable storms in order for God to help us blossom to our full potential, not lacking anything.
Finally, let's remember the message from Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." I hope this message has been a blessing to you and I encourage you to go back and read each chapter I’ve mentioned in its entirety.
God bless! Fly Member of the Week I'm a little late, but I just realized that I was the "Fly Member of the Week" on the Fly Guy Chronicles. Check it out: http://www.flyguychronicles.com/2009/06/sequoia-houston/
Lessons Learned I think life has an interesting way of throwing curve balls. Just when you think everything is going just the way you want, everything sort of falls apart......and out of the ashes comes what you need. I have learned so much about myself and everything around me over the past few years and I'd be remiss if I didn't share. My goal for this note is to be a blessing to someone else. I don't know who you are or what you need, but I hope you can find it here. I also hope that you'll add to this note so that it can be a blessing to yet another person. I've always thought The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill was one of the greatest cds ever, however now I have a much greater appreciation for it. Enjoy the song :)
 click to enlarge Help me pick my pics! February 20, 2009 On Valentine's Day I wasn't out eating at some lavish restaurant with my "valentine." I was working...and luckily doing what I love. I had an amazing photo shoot with the wonderful photographer Bryan Chatlien. He took a million wonderful pictures and now I'm tasked with narrowing them down. I hope you'll help. Please note that none of the pictures have been edited yet. I've somewhat narrowed it down on my photos page. He mentioned that I need to narrow it down to about six. Please check them out and give me some advice on which ones you think I should keep.
The link with all of the pictures is located at: http://bryancphoto.smugmug.com/gallery/7369074_gKhHZ#P-1-20 Thanks a million!  click to enlarge A special Valentine's Day Poem, from me to you. I haven't put the pen to the paper in quite a while, so I'm really excited about this poem. I'm hoping I'll have more soon...and as I do, they'll be posted here for you to enjoy. This doesn't necessary reflect my true views of Valentine's Day (though you should know that I really don't like it), but I'm a writer, and I must write what the people want. So without further ado, my much anticipated poem "Valentine's Day."
Valentine’s Day By: Sequoia © 2009 Why do you mock me so fiercely? You should know that I hate you. The cherub’s bright smile shows no sympathy For the loveless’ gnarled and naked truth. Your red and white paint, mere reminders Of the rebuke and scorn of love’s tattered heart Lying dangerously, shamelessly, painfully on the floor. Even, perchance, if Cupid’s arrow Does happen to land near me, I am only able to enjoy the leftovers From the clouded, disheveled debris. Don't You Want to Be Free I'm so excited and honored to have been a part of the inaugural production of Soul Children's Theatre's "Don't You Want to be Free" by Langston Hughes. This was one of my favorite shows that I've ever been a part of. It was truly "edu-taining." Written in 1937, it journey through slavery and beyond to show you what it was like to be black in America back then. Go Langston! Be on the lookout for the next Soul Children's Theater peice "The Frederick Douglass Story" directed by the South Dallas-reknown H.J. Steward. It's sure to be a treat. As is my new custom, I'd like to give a shout out to everyone in the cast. I truly enjoyed working with you, and hope we'll be able to work together again sometime soon.....I'd like to give a special shout out to my new family! Mookie- You've done it once again! I'm so very proud of you and can't wait to see the many things you will accomplish in your lifetime. Just a heads up, I'll probably be posting you shaking your butt on our way to DC sometime soon. lol Ashley Sade'- I never knew that we would become as close as we have. I'm so glad I met you. You're so talented and I'm sure Debbie Allen is somewhere shaking in her boots.....or at the very least, trying to get in touch with you so she can be your mentor :). Mo Hill- What can I say? You are one of the funniest guys I've ever met. You have such an energizing presence and you're just a joy to be around.....oh, and you're a pretty good actor too. I can't wait to see you in "You Wouldn't Know a Good Man" and whatever else you have planned for the future...and I hope we're able to work together again real soon! Keith "Sir Wellington Thurston" Douglas- You are truly one of a kind...I'm still trying to figure out if that's good or bad....but alas, let me stop with my written vitriol :). I know I joked with you several times saying "We can't all be working actors" but that's very true and I'm proud of you for turning your passion into your full-time occupation. I pray that I'm able to do the same thing sometime soon. You are all very talented people and it was an honor getting to work with you, getting to know you and getting to become your friend......we just can't do so much drinking. I have to keep my youthful appearance for the big screen :). Love ya, Seq Fire from Below Trailer Fire from Below will debut on Sci in September 2009! Please view the trailer so you can see what you're in for :). http://www.cinetelfilms.com/trailer.php?film=38 Enjoy, Seq Wishing you the merriest of Christmases and the happiest of new years!  click to enlarge The Black Nativity- It's a WRAP!!! December 21, 2008 I'm not just saying this because I was a member of the cast, but if you missed The Black Nativity on December 20th or December 21st, you missed quite a show. It was a pretty good show throughout the entirety of it's run, but we really put out feet in it last night and tonight. It was truly an honor working with such a dynamic cast. I think we should go ahead and take this thing on the road! loll. Thank you to all of my friends who came out to support me and/or who called, e-mailed, etc to show their support. It is truly appreciated. Special thanks to my mom who traveled all the way from Baltimore,MD to see her baby and to my boyfriend who drove down from Houston. I would also like to send a special shout out to my fellow cast members: New Arts Six: You ladies are amazing! It was truly wonderful having the opportunity to share the stage with you. I enjoyed each and every conversation and I hope that we are able to keep in touch. H. J. Steward: You can grow up and call yourself whatever you want, but you will always be Mookie to me! lol. Thank you for the opportunity to be a part of such a dynamic show. Can't wait to work with you again soon. Nelson Mandella Nance: Yea, I had to say the whole name lol. It was great getting to work with you. You are truly talented. Best wishes for success now and in the future. Andre' Taylor: When I first found out you were going to be playing Joseph, I didn't know what to think. In hindsight, it turned out to be pretty cool. You're cool ppl and very talented. It was great to see how the shepard scene evolved over the course of the show. Best wishes for much success in the future. TJ Cochran: Thanks so much for helping me off the stage each night. I'm sure I would have broken my neck had it not been for your help lol. You're very talented. Best wishes at KD and in New York! Christa Taylor: What can I say? First, I'm going to need you not to be making me cry on stage! I'm still sitting over here singing "Brown Baby" and the show's been over for a few hours now. lol It was so great getting to know you. It would be an understatement to say that you are talented. Your voice is beyond amazing. Best wishes to you in all of your endeavors. I hope we keep in touch!  click to enlarge Fire from Below December 18, 2008 I attended my second ever movie premier (hopefully more are to come!!!) yesterday evening and had a great time. It was so interesting to see all the special effects as well as how everything looks post-production. The movie, Fire from Below, will broadcast as a Scifi World Premier in September 2009. It will also be available on dvd sometime soon. I have a few special thanks I would like to extend. God, family and friends are excluded, only because it goes without saying that I am immensely thankful for all that they have done and continue to do in my life. I love you!
Andrew Stevens- Thank you for seeing something special in me and allowing me the opportunity to be a part of such a great film. "You betta quit playin on me now." lol
Mario Mims- Thank you for talking to me on the phone all the way to Eustace, Texas. It made the trip far more enjoyable. It was great working with you and I hope we are able to work together again sometime in the near future. "If you don't come back right now, you ain't gettin' none of this."
Ok, I do want to thank one family member and one friend that was there to support me last night :) Judge Aunt Melodee "Melo Yello" Mota- Thank you so much for attending the premier with me. It was greatly appreciated. Your commentary made the movie much more interesting. I need to talk to Andrew to see what we can do about getting it addded as captions throughout the movie lol. I can't believe we didn't take a photo last night!
 click to enlarge A Lesson Before Crying December 15, 2008 Today was the submission deadline for the new plays festival at Teco Theater. I submitted my new creation, A Lesson Before Crying. It's a heart-warming tale about a grandmother who figures if the auto industry can get a government bail out, so can she. Reminiscent of the prodigal son, this is a story that teaches you to forgive and to make each day the best it can be. I am currently working to adapt this story into a short film. I will keep you updated!
*Photo courtesy of callmebecks.blogspot.com/ Review-The Black Nativity (2008) from Oak Cliff People Newspaper
 click to enlarge Yes We Did! November 5, 2008 I am so happy to be alive! I'm happy to be an American and I'm happy to be a Black American. With roughly 338 to 156 electorate votes and the popular vote, Barack Obama has made history in succeeding in becoming the 44th President of the United States of America. The most amazing thing about this for me is that when Bill Clinton won it was like "oh, Clinton won."....when George Bush won it was like " oh, Bush won.".....when Barack Obama won it was like "we won!" ....and not even "we" as black people....but we as people; we as Americans. Like President Elect Barack Obama said, "this is for Black, White, Hispanic, Asian, Gay, Straight...." God promises that his plans for us are to prosper us, and not to harm us. God has truly blessed us tonight! To God be the glory!!! *Picture from www.yahoo.com Me? Blog? and Barack the Vote! November 2, 2008 I never thought I'd ever blog. I figured if people wanted to know what was going on with me, they should just call or shoot me an e-mail......yet here I am on the blogging bandwagon. I hope you enjoy reading about what's going in my little piece of the universe. I feel like my life has been consumed with this election stuff. I've already voted, yet I'm still tuned to CNN, like hearing what one of the candidates says is going to make a difference (for me) at this point. I think it is absolutely amazing that we have had the turn out to the polls that we've had so far and I hope the number continues to grow. That said, if you haven't already done so, please go vote! Vote for the candidate that you feel will be the best president; look beyond race, age, gender and attacks...look at who will be best for your pocket book, who fits your ideals and who you honestly feel can get the country in the direction that we so desparately need it to go. Honestly, I think either candidate could get in the office and do a descent job. I feel in my heart, however, that Barack Obama is what we need as a country right now....plus, the mere thought of Sarah Palin being anywhere near the White House terrifies me. There's something about her that I just don't trust. Like just about everyone else in the country, I'm quite ready for November 5th to get here; that way we'll (hopefully) know who our next president is going to be and stop being subjected to blatant lies and needless bickering. I have to go to work tomorrow, so I'm off to bed. Prayefully one day my full time will be acting, but until then a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do. With Love, Sequoia |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Contents © 2010 Sequoia Houston • Site Provided By: The Sur-Ryl Group | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Linda McAlister-Thank you for your tireless efforts and support of me as well as the rest of our agency family. Your encouragement makes this journey a lot easier. Thank you also for your passionate support of the motion picture industry and bringing the industry to Texas. You are truly a woman of action and not just words. :)
Bryan Chatlien (<-- The best photographer ever)- You Rock! Thanks so much for coming out to support me. I can't wait to shoot with you again some time soon!
