Download “Traveler”, off Lainey’s album here:
itunes.apple.com/us/album/traveler/id435208520

Music video by Zsofi Pictures – USA / International
Executive Producer: Deborah Ramamoorthy
Directed by: Jonathan Guy
Cinematography by: Jonathan Guy and Trevor Gray
http://www.zsofipictures.com/

I’m excited to be announcing some upcoming tour dates really soon!  I’ll be on the road with another Austin artist, Chad Chaney in mid-April!  We’re heading up and over to the great state of Colorado, and hope to see you on the way!  Stay tuned for official dates!

If you’re interested in booking a date, contact timr@reachoutagency.com!

blessings, lainey

Remember a few months ago I wrote a short bit about filming a music video for “Traveler”?  I’m so excited to say it will be releasing very soon!  Stay tuned : )

Christmas is drawing near!  Hope you are all enjoying this holiday season!  Here is a little something I wanted to share — it’s from a book called The Valley of Vision – a collection of Puritan prayers.

Valley of Vision- The Gift of Gifts

O Source of all Good,

LITTLE TOWN

I grew up in a small town in the heart of the Texas hill country.  And by small, I mean population: 3,500.  Llano, Texas.  I’m amazed if you’ve heard of it – especially if you’re not from Texas.  Unless, of course, you’re a barbeque connoisseur, and have tasted the goodness of Llano’s own Cooper’s Barbeque.  Or if you’re a deer hunter, you might have visited my little town, known by many as the Deer Capitol of Texas. But, if you’re neither of those things, you’ve probably never heard of Llano.

Although it’s small, this town really is a gem.  I’m so thankful to have spent so many years growing up with small town life.  Everyone knows each other.  Everyone is friendly.  You can’t go anywhere without seeing someone you know.  A quaint little place, really.  At the local pizza joint, they’ve memorized the favorite pizza of many of their customers.  They know if you drink your tea sweetened or unsweetened (a southern thing!)  Football season marks the beginning of THE social season… and during this time, Sonic becomes the coolest post-football game hangout.  If you have a birthday, it’s often announced on the town marquee on the courthouse square.  I could go on, but I think I’ve made it clear that Llano holds a sweet little spot in my heart.  And though that is true, after 18 years in my little town, I was ready to experience a new place.

Almost three years ago, I moved to Austin, Texas, and although it’s not the biggest city by any means, it was plenty big for this small town girl.  This transition was such a great time in my life — extremely challenging, but so great.  I left all the things I had known for all my life, and arrived in a completely new atmosphere.  I was uncomfortable, uneasy, and lonely for the majority of my first few months away from home.  Nothing was familiar, and my family and friends were no longer by my side to hug me through this transition!  I began to realize that the time had come to really make my life my own.  It was time for me to be who I was meant to be.  It wasn’t easy, but then the best things in life never are, right?  I had to be proactive in every area of my life.  I had to choose to go to church, choose to go to class, choose to enter potentially awkward situations in order to meet new people… and let me tell you, there were plenty of those situations!  God was incredibly faithful.  He became my friends and my family.  He became so real to me, and I really began enjoying him in a way I hadn’t before.  It has turned into such a sweet time in my life!

I love being in the city.  I believe it has “rounded me out,” and made me better.  It has also grown in me a greater appreciation for the little town I’ve always called home. It’s nice to close my eyes and remember watching a sunset by the river, or the times spent riding around town with windows down in a car full of friends.  Such good memories.  And the beauty is that these memories are my roots.  I love looking out and seeing the city lights of downtown Austin, but there is nothing like seeing a sky full of stars on the darkest night in Llano.  It’s why going home is such a treat.  Every time all those familiar things just wrap me up like a nice winter blanket and I know I’m home.

If you don’t know about Matthew West’s latest project, The Story of Your Life, please please please go check it out.  It really is incredible : )

I’ve been wanting to share stories behind some of the songs with you all, and because a few friends have recently asked specifically about the song Jaleah, I think this is a good starting point!

JALEAH.
A few years back, I spent time in inner city St. Louis, Missouri at a youth and family center. Within the first 30 minutes of arriving at the center, I met Jaleah, the sweetest little 9-year-old girl. Jaleah didn’t leave my side for the rest of my time there. We spent hours jumping rope in the street, playing hopscotch, running through a sprinkler, and talking about our lives. Our lives were very different. My life up to that point had been mostly smooth sailing. I grew up with all my needs met and never once did I worry about my safety or wonder where I would get my next meal. I lived what most would call an extremely comfortable life. Jaleah, on the other hand, lived a life of uncertainty. She spent her days in the roughest part of the city. More than one of her friends had lost a parent due to violence. It would have been easy for Jaleah to believe that her future could not look bright. She could have chosen to be defeated by her circumstance. She chose otherwise, though. Somehow, Jaleah knew that there was more to her life than her circumstance. There was more to her life than the things she didn’t have. Jaleah overflowed with love. Her eyes were always full of joy, and her smile truly did drive away the darkness around her. Really incredible. I had come with a heart to lead Jaleah and be the love of Christ to her, but I never expected to be lead and shown the love of Christ by this 9-year-old girl. I saw Christ in a way I never had before. Looking into Jaleah’s eyes, the only explanation was that something bigger had taken hold of her life. Something bigger had pulled her spirit out of her dark circumstances, out of this tangible world, and into an undeniable love. To this day, there are few others who have touched my life the way Jaleah did.