11.30.2009

Life, New Moon, And A New Laptop

I've had an amazing week. It was very, very busy, and very stressful at first... but the holiday weekend was just awesome. All the stress I was feeling... God completely took that away. It was a powerful, great change. I feel so much better.

Songwriting is incredibly therapeutic. I wrote a new song that really captures everything I've been feeling, and having it out there just makes me feel 100 times better. And also makes me realize how silly it was to have felt that way to begin with.

I have to say, I'm really proud of the new songs so far. I'm growing as a songwriter. :) I think the new album will be amazing, and I can't wait to record it.

Jesus has really been moving in my life, and in the band. He is planning big things, I think. I'm really looking forward to it.

On a random note, I've seen New Moon twice so far. And I have plans to see it a 3rd time. haha! It's AMAZING. So if you haven't seen it, you should. I'm also finally working on a new podcast! Yay! I got a laptop during the summer that was supposedly "just what I needed"... I think it was a lemon. The computer was made for movies, and yet I couldn't get any videos to play on it. So I couldn't edit all our podcast footage all summer and fall. Finally, they replaced my computer, and now I have an epic laptop that is the best computer I've ever used. So, podcasts are getting done! haha Keep an eye out for it here in the next day or two. :)

11.18.2009

I need Africa more than Africa needs me.

"I've come to understand that I NEED AFRICA MORE THAN AFRICA NEEDS ME. Why? Because it is Africa that has taught me that possessions in my hands will never be as valuable as peace in my heart. I've learned that I don't need what I have and that I have what I need. These are just a few of this continent's many lessons. I came here to serve and yet I've found that I have so much to learn, and Africa, with all its need, has much to teach me." (read more about why We Need Africa More Than Africa Needs Us here)

When I read that, and all the wonderful things that the Mocha Club is doing, I was convinced that I wanted to partner with them and start a team to help benefit one of their projects. By giving up 2 mocha lattes a month -- hence the name, Mocha Club -- I can put that $7 towards something amazing. $7 here in the US doesn't mean much. You can't see a movie for $7 anymore, can't eat out at most places for $7... So we take for granted what so little and just a tiny bit of sacrifice can do.

To the people of Africa, $7 means food for one person for a month. It means clean water for 7 people for a YEAR. 2 children can be educated for a whole school term for that much. $7 can save one person's life from Malaria.

Honestly. Can you imagine that? By just skipping two of your coffee indulgences a month, you can SAVE A PERSON'S LIFE. To me, that's big. That's something worth taking notice.

So, that said, we as a band decided to start our team, and chose to pick Orphan Care as our project. When I went through the list of projects, that one just stuck out to me. Picturing all these young children, orphaned, and without a home... living in bushes and the desert to fend for themselves, and highly susceptible to animal attacks... It broke my heart, and I wanted to be able to do something about it. Our project helps provide food, shelter, and education to these children who have lost their parents to AIDS/HIV and war. That $7 a month can help provide all these needs and more.

So, now, I'm asking you: What can you do with your $7? Do you feel a calling to help those in need in Africa?

Check out mochaclub.org to join our project, and to see all the good they're doing.

Be the change.

~Cait