My First Ever Blog Post

When I wrote the original script I wanted it to be really funny, like Lucille Ball funny. With a lot of help it evolved into much more than that. Throughout this blog, I will compare the final movie with the original script, but I wanted to start by answering the question, “How did you do it?” Here goes…


When people ask me how I was able to turn my mission story into a movie I have a hard time answering. It's hard to know where to begin. I’ll start by saying that Heavenly Father provided me with the experiences I needed to write about, He guided me to the right people and He fixed all the mistakes that I made along the way. This project was something that the Lord wanted to have happen; with or without me. I feel very blessed to have been a part of it.

After I had my third child, early 2005, I felt it was time to do something I’d wanted to do for a while; write a story about my mission to Austria from my journals. In April of that year I felt I should write what would become an LDS movie. I have always really enjoyed LDS movies and it was time for one about sister missionaries.

That month we went to Utah to have our baby blessed. I stayed up late the first night talking with my dad about writing of my mission to Austria for a movie. I remember him asking, “How are you going to do it?” I told him that I didn't know yet, but that I would. That morning, my father-in-law, Terry Johnson, a former mission president, wanted to show us the movie, Baptists at our BBQ, given to him by "Elder Vuissa." We started the movie and the name Christian Vuissa appeared on the screen. I asked, “Now who is this guy again?” Terry answered, “He was one of my missionaries. He directed this movie. He is Austrian.” I knew this was no coincidence.

I returned to Virginia determined to write my story before the kids had their summer vacation. I worked very hard and prayed a lot to finish by June. When I finished my mom and sister-in-law edited it for me, I made the changes and then called Terry and asked him to contact Christian Vuissa. I was headed out to Utah over the summer and Christian invited us to meet with him where they were filming a movie. I gave him a copy of the story. He was extremely welcoming and introduced me to many people who had worked on the LDS movies that I love. It was an amazing day to me.

Eventually Christian read the story and I asked him to help improve it. He was able to strengthen the script by adding some of his own experiences and by changing some details of my experiences in order to help the flow and storyline. He consistantly asked for input and wanted to know my opinion as well as my husband’s, my mom’s, my sister-in-law’s, etc. Christian believes that feedback is essential in getting a superior product. It is refreshing to work with someone who truly values the opinions of others.


The process was not as smooth as it might sound. One of the struggles was self doubt. I knew this project was something I was supposed to do, but negative thoughts would still creep in, “You can’t do this. You are crazy. What are you thinking?” Reflecting on the miracles that I’d seen along the way helped remind me that the Lord was behind this project. I remember thinking that Satan has helped people to make hundreds of movies that have been “successful,” at least in the world’s eyes. If Satan can make a movie the Lord can too and it will be amazing!

One Sunday morning I was called to the Bishop's office before church and asked to be the new Young Women’s president. I felt overwhelmed and thought that maybe this movie didn’t need to be made and that I should focus on my kids and calling. Then I went to sacrament meeting, surprised to learn that the mission president and his wife would be speaking. The mission president spoke lovingly about the sister missionaries. Next the sister missionaries sang a beautiful song. I was touched and felt the Lord was telling me that this movie was a gift for the sisters. It was a gift for His daughters and I knew it needed to happen.


After many blessings the movie was finally filmed. Christian emailed me a 3 minute clip of the footage from Austria and I was floored. I remember saying that if I ever doubted there was a God I could no longer doubt because I'd seen a miracle. I also remember thinking how amazing it was that Christian was able to capture my mission so well even through all of the changes in the story. Then I had a thought come to my mind, “This movie is not just for you, Heidi. It is for all the missionaries. They will watch it and feel the way that you do now.” It was then that it was made very clear that it wasn’t about me; it was about something much greater.

My sister-in-law said that it was a miracle that a stay-at-home mom, without any training, was able to do this movie. Later I thought about the Lord calling Joseph Smith, an uneducated 14 year-old boy, to do what he did. I had heard time and again that the Lord calls the weak to do his work. Then I went to read the next scripture in my personal study; D&C 124. I was touched that the Lord was speaking to me:

1 VERILY, thus saith the Lord unto you, my servant Heidi Johnson (Joseph Smith), I am well pleased with your offering and acknowledgments, which you have made; for unto this end have I raised you up, that I might show forth my wisdom through the weak things of the earth.

I feel so blessed to have been a part of this project and to have had the opportunity to work with so many talented people. The Lord has really picked the best to make the best and I’m grateful to have worked with them. I hope that this movie strengthens your faith as it has mine.