I remember the first time I heard one of Joey+Rory songs on the radio. Yes (cringe) I am a country music fan. No judgement, please. “That’s Important to Me” was probably one of my favorite songs to listen to as I worked my own, small backyard garden.
I don’t usually keep up on celebrity gossip or the personal lives of singers/songwriters, but when I first heard about Joey Feek’s diagnosis and battle with cancer a couple years ago, I was hooked. I signed up as a follower to Rory Feek’s blog, and prayed fervently with hundreds of thousands of others all over the world for her healing. When I read that her cancer had come back last year, and she had chosen not to fight any longer, I couldn’t drag myself away from their story. Finally, when God called Joey home last March, I wept as though she were my own sister, and as if Rory was a real friend.
A few weeks ago I was asked by Provident Films if I would like to get a sneak peak at the new film, To Joey, With Love, written and directed by Rory Feek, and there was no way I could refuse! Lucky for you, those kind film folks offered me a SECOND copy of the DVD to giveaway! But, we’ll get to that in a sec. First, I want to tell you a little about this amazing film!
Filled with sweet and intimate home videos from Rory’s blog, personal pictures, and Joey’s melodious singing voice in the background, Rory narrates the love story of Joey+Rory. Married for twelve years, homesteading on a little farm in Tennessee, and a music career on its way up, Joey and Rory Feek decided to take a year off in January 2014 to have a baby and spend time as a family. It was at that time that Rory began his This Life I Live blog. “Something told me we needed to remember these moments; that they would be important.” And, oh, how right he was!
The film chronicles the expectation and delivery of their child, Indiana, her diagnosis of Down Syndrome just after her birth, then the almost-immediate discovery of Joey’s cervical cancer, and her fight for remission. After an initial surgery, the doctors believed they got it all, and Rory’s blog returns to daily farm and family life, milestone birthdays, fun-filled exotic vacations, and an anticipated return to the limelight of their hit singing duo. But when the cancer comes back and treatments are no longer working, Joey’s faith remains strong as she decided to forgo more, and instead goes home, “not to die, but to live!”
They make one more album together, my favorite of all, Joey+Rory Hymns That Are Important to Us and ask of their fans “Prayer for a miracle, but strength to accept God’s will.” That statement to me is the embodiment of how this film depicts Joey. Full of love, faith, and family, despite all odds. To Joey, With Love is a beautiful legacy, and a must-see movie. As Rory opens and closes the film, “We believed that God would give us a great story…and He did!” May Joey’s story and memory continue to touch others and grow their love, faith, and family as well!
~~~~~
Watch the trailer of To Joey, With Love here. Want to enter to win a copy of the DVD before it’s released on 12/20? Enter my giveaway below!
Leave a Reply