Betty J. Eadie, born in Valentine, Nebraska to a Lakota Sioux mother and Scots-Irish father, was raised on the Rosebud Indian Reservation and in Rapid City, South Dakota. She is the mother of 8 children, grandmother of 15, great-grandmother of 3, and is wife of 44 years to husband, Joe Eadie.

In 1992 she published her first book, Embraced By The Light, chronicling her 1973 near-death experience. Embraced was an immediate success and went on to become an international bestseller with 10-million copies sold in 38 languages and in 130 countries. Betty has written three follow-up books: the NY Times bestselling, The Awakening Heart (1996), The Ripple Effect (1999), and Embraced By The Light: Prayers and Devotions for Daily Living (2001).

Betty steps forward

In moving forward, Betty J. Eadie has formed her own company to hold the media rights for her book. "Retaining the rights," she explains, "allows me creative control to ensure the film is kept true to my experience as told in Embraced." The new company, Embraced By The Light Productions, also facilitates the search for production partners. "Embraced By The Light deserves the best the film industry can offer. I am looking for a professional team of highly talented, experienced and imaginative individuals to collaborate with me in this exciting venture."

To finance the film, Betty is inviting the participation of those who believe in the message and in the success of Embraced. The costs of creating the visuals required to immerse audiences in a fully realized "heavenly" experience are enormous, but Betty knows the cost is worth it when lives can be changed for the better. "I want everyone who views the film to feel they have been where I have been. This will not come without expense. But after seeing on the screen the beauty of what I saw, and learning what I learned, people will come away feeling as I did: loved by God unconditionally, regardless of religious preference or mistakes made in life. They will feel a new beginning is possible and be inspired and changed forever by this experience, just as I was."

Betty's commitment: Stay true to the book

"I want to keep Embraced honest and true to what I experienced," she says. "After talking to many producers who suggested change in my experience, I've come to realize the responsibility is mine, not theirs. When people go to see the movie, I want them to know that what they see on the screen is as true to what I experienced as is humanly possible to produce on film."

Betty has met with Hollywood producers, some with big names, who have said, "We want to make this movie, but we can't put Jesus in it, much less you having dialogue with him." But to take Jesus out would not hold true to Betty's experience. "It's not that I believe everyone will meet Jesus when they die. Some don't. Nor do I want to push Jesus on people who are not of that belief. But I know who I met in heaven. I feel to remain honest about that." Betty feels she cannot give creative control to anyone she says "who might retreat from the plain truth of my experience in order to make the movie more 'acceptable' to audiences. I know audiences will accept and embrace the movie as they have the book, because Embraced transcends religious tradition and touches people of every belief system."

"Embraced By The Light is not about religion. Niether is it only about what happens when we die. It's about living life to its fullest as God intended, without fear of him or of making mistakes," she says. "We are divine beings here on earth to gain wisdom through experience, both good and bad, as we exercise our free will. We need to learn loving ways of living based on what is eternally true. This movie will present these principles through the adventure, the drama, the wonder and awe of what I experienced, brought to life as only the art of cinema can do."

Needed: Many hands and hearts and prayers

Like the book, the successful making and marketing of the Embraced movie will take enthusiasm and the grassroots efforts of many people. "I want everyone who feels the call to take part in helping Embraced reach a greater audience. If you feel to lend support through contributions, please see the link below. Your supportive prayers are also needed to help the film become all that we know it can be."

Here's where you can contribute . . .