The Sweetest Thing I Have Ever Seen

This is a handprint and note from Safinatu. The most beautiful little girl that James and I sponsor in Sierra Leone.
It says, "I Love you Aunty Mom"


Safinatu and her little sister came to The Covering (The Orphanage at The Raining Season) after their parents were killed in a ferry accident in a small village called Shenge.The accident killed hundreds and left so many children alone and without anyone to help them. The Raining Season was made aware of the situation and took as many as they could feasibly take care of. They were already full, but they and the incredible staff made sacrifices to make room for nearly 40 more children. The staff even had to give up part of their salaries to make this possible. What an incredible blessing!!!

Safinatu and her little sister, both came to The Covering in urgent need of nutrition and care. I have seen photos of her before she arrived. She doesn't even look like the same person. Look at her now!!!!


I found out about her specifically because of one of my dearest friend's, Jessie. Jessie went to Sierra Leone, all by herself before the rest of the group got there, and she really got to know the kids during that time. She connected with many of the older girls. And it turns out that Safinatu's sponsorship hadn't been filled because most people gravitate toward the younger kids. As soon as I saw her picture, I felt deeply connected to her. I know it may sound crazy, but I knew instantly that we were supposed to sponsor her. Sponsors had all sent pictures and special gifts to their children... I didn't know I was sponsoring her before The Raining Season had left. But Jessie showed her my picture on her phone, and gave her some gifts so she would know I was thinking of her. That's when she drew me the pictures of her hands.

Jessie and Safi: Peace Love Fiddle, WORLDWIDE!


I can't wait to go to Sierra Leone and meet these amazing children. I want to give Safi a great big hug and let her know that someone prays specifically for her and her 80 "brothers and sisters" every day.

To read more incredible stories about their latest trip and learn about ways to help:
www.therainingseason.org

And Jessie's specific blog is:
http://anyroadanycost.blogspot.com/
Jessie has quite the stories from sleeping under a mosquito net where a rat ate all the snacks in her back pack... to getting THIS done to her hair!!!


Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

Hey Sister Sol Sister

I got to spend most of the day with Ella and her baby sister, Sol. Sol means "sun" in Spanish - and she is truly a ray of sunshine! She is the most perfect little baby, complete with lots of thick black hair, and a dimple in her left cheek when she smiles!




And from around the world....

The Raining Season is back in Africa. My good friend, Jessie, has gone a little ahead of the rest of the gang. She has already had a couple of amazing days with the 82 children in the orphanage that the Raining Season has opened in Sierra Leone. I love reading Jessie's blogs. http://anyroadanycost.blogspot.com/

Here's just a piece of one of her blogs which talks about one of the beautiful little girls that needs a sponsor. It is only $20 a month to sponsor a child!!! You wouldn't believe the difference that just $20 a month can do for one of these children!!! Sponsorship includes things like clothing, shoes, proper nutrition, personal items such as toothpaste, shampoo, etc. sanitary items and undergarments for the girls.

Here's Jessie's (Auntie Essie as the kids are calling her!) words about Safianatu:
I do want to first let you know about a child who needs a sponsorship filled ($20/month- personal sponsor)... her name is Safianatu. She is 13 years old (I believe). She is HILARIOUS... she has the best smile... and is always helping the little ones out. Both of her parents died within the year last year and she and her 2 sisters are now at the center (they are from Shenge) She doesn't speak much creo (or English) but she has been teaching us Shako which is the language in Shenge. She starts talking really fast and singing really fast and makes everyone laugh cause it sounds like she is just jabbering off... she LOVES to make people laugh! She is BEAUTIFUL! If you are interested in sponsoring her email info@therainingseason.org!! :)

That's Safianatu hanging onto Auntie Essie in the middle!


To learn even more about Sponsorships with the Raining Season, visit:
http://www.therainingseason.org/The_Raining_Season/Sponsorship.html


The Raining Season is such an incredible organization run by people just like you and me who happened into a situation in Sierra Leone that they couldn't turn their backs on. They weren't prepared for what they found, but they have spent every moment of their lives ever since trying to help. They saw children in need and in just a couple short years have set up an entire orphanage dedicated to helping children in need! It is truly amazing the work they have already done. And such a little bit from us can go a LOOOOONG way for helping them!

Peace. Love. Fiddle. Around the World!
~Natalie

The Raining Season

I haven't blogged about The Raining Season in a while. And I am feeling a responsibility to do so tonight. I was all excited about blogging about our day at the Rock N Roll Hall of Fame - which was inspiring to say the least. But we just arrived at our hotel for the night and I watched a new video on the Raining Season's website.

The Raining Season is an organization that was created by some friends of mine. It was created to support, sponsor, care for, and save the lives of orphans in Sierra Leone, Africa. They began as a very small organization... and sort of stumbled upon their connection to Sierra Leone when they first visited to adopt their little girl.

What started as a group of people visiting Sierra Leone, providing food and water to an impoverished shelter they discovered... has - within a year and half - turned into a thriving orphanage of their own. We now have over 80 children in the orphanage. And jobs have even been provided for the care givers, cooks, a nurse, and even former orphans. Over 30 new children just arrived in the last week. TRS wasn't quite prepared for that many arrivals, but the incredible staff and care givers have been pulling double shifts to take in these beautiful children. A ferry accident left an entire village, Shenge, in ruins last year, and TRS was notified by the City Council of Shenge because there were so many needy children left homeless from this accident.

To read more details and see pictures about the children that were brought in, visit their blogspot site:
http://www.savetheorphan.blogspot.com/

They had to choose the children most in need of immediate medical attention. Even though the orphanage wasn't quite equipped to handle so many new arrivals, they were not about to turn away the children.

The Raining Season relies strictly on donations to help keep the orphanage going. It is truly amazing how little it takes to make a HUGE difference. There are so many opportunities - ANYTHING helps. You can even sponsor a specific child, which you will receive updates on! And from personal experience, I can tell you that it is extremely fulfilling to see the difference you are making in these children's lives!!! James and I dream of visiting soon. There are constantly trips being planned to visit the orphanage, and you can even look at the packages to go on a trip yourself on the website!

Check out this video of a new arrival that just had me weeping. Sherrif is only 6 years old, and he was working in a rock quarry before he came to The Raining Season!

The Raining Season's Arrival of Sherrif

Child Sponsorship from The Raining Season on Vimeo.

If you are interested in seeing another short video... here's one that shows the progress made last year - finding the building for the Orphanage, mattresses, building beds... all because of OUR donations!!!

Year End Accomplishments of The Raining Season

YEAR END Accomplishments! from The Raining Season on Vimeo.

Peace. Love. Fiddle.
~natalie

103WKDF, Froggy 100.9, and UMASS Dartmouth!

I woke to a flood of delightful texts and phone calls from Nashville this morning!!! It was some very exciting news that at first... in my groggy state... I didn't quite believe it.

Wylie Rose on 103.3WKDF in the morning gave me a shout out on the radio station!!! I've heard a few different stories - everyone had their own version (kind of like the game telephone... but only real-life telephone) but the basic gist is that she said something along the lines of "If Natalie Stovall can't get a record deal... then I don't know who can." Ummm. WHOA. REALLY!?!?! That is pretty much one of the sweetest and most awesome comments on the radio I have ever heard.

Wylie and I met last November when I did a benefit for the Raining Season at 3rd and Lindlsey. There were tons of HUGE songwriters and great performers there. Wylie was the host of the evening. She had such incredibly kind things to say to me after the show. And to hear that she gave me a shout out ON AIR on one of Nashville's best country stations... well that my friends, ROCKS.

SO thank you to Wylie and David in the mornings on 103.3, and thank you to everyone who called to let me know they were talking about me!!!

I did my own interview over the phone with Froggy 100.9 in Barre Vermont today! Jim Severance had me on his "Drive at 5" show this afternoon. He was giving away 2 tickets to our show tomorrow night, and then they'll be giving away more tickets in the morning!! Hehe. So fun. I even got to pick which caller would win - but it was pretaped, so I didn't actually get to hear the winner. Oh well. Maybe I'll get to meet them tomorrow night!

And then on to tonight! We did a show at UMASS Dartmouth, I was really excited to be here - it's only an hour away from Boston!!! So I feel like I am at home. :) I was talking to one of the guys tonight and he had a really thick Boston accent. I asked where he was from (just checking) and of course Boston. Isn't it funny how a very strong Boston accent and a really strong Southern accent BOTH make me feel at home?

The University of Massachusetts in Dartmouth is Paul's alma mater!!! Paul (aka my manager) went to school here :) And since it is only an hour away from where he lives now, he came out to the show!!!! I always love it when Paul comes. And he's gotten to come to a lot more shows lately since we have been up in the northeast more.
Oh Paul. :)


There were SOOOO Many students there to help us today. Load in and load out seem like a breeze!!!
All the members of CAB who helped put on our show tonight!


And here's Chris who was our main contact and the Student Supervisor :)


They made some really cool posters for the show :)

They even made Life size Natalie Posters :)


You'd think I'd be able to do that pose down to a "T"... close.... at least I am wearing the same belt :)

Paul!!! Paul helped guide us to the venue and was so helpful the whole night. He even took us to the late-night dining place on campus so we could get some grub after the show. Thank you for everything! Told you I'd put this in my blog!!! I expect the same from you :)


Tapan. I loved this guy. The first thing he said was, "Say "hi" to your Granny for me. Tell her thank you for putting you on stage." And then later on he said "I just want to meet your Granny and talk to her." HOW COOL IS THAT? Granny will LOVE that story. I'm sure Mamma will print out this blog and take it to her... so "HI GRANNY." From Natalie and your new friend Tapan in Dartmouth Massachusetts.

I also love the guy in the background who is ALREADY wearing the Peace, Love, Fiddle shirt he JUST bought! :)

Jeff! Jeff did an interview with me for the school paper. Plus he was the photographer for tonight! He was pulling double duty.
:)


This guy knows EVERY word to Taylor Swift's songs. The ladies like that :) He's a smart guy.


He was VERY happy when we threw in a little Zepplin :)



And I am so bummed. I didn't get a picture with Austin. What was I thinking!?!?! Or not thinking... actually.... Austin was our soundman for the evening. And Chris informed me before the show that Austin's birthday was yesterday. :)- So we played Beatles Happy Birthday song and got him up on stage to dance it out. He was SUCH a good sport!!!

And also it is my Daddy's Birthday today!!!! He doesn't have myspace, facebook, or twitter, so instead of updating my status' today... I'll reach him through my blog. This is currently my favorite pic of me and Daddy. (Who everyone calls Colonel. Cause... well... he is. Yup. Retired Colonel from the Army. Don't mess with this guy. He's had to chew monkey meat!!! - and he's a jungle expert)

Happy Birthday Daddy!!

From JJ's BBQ to Africa

Something about a giant baked potato with the best pulled pork BBQ I know of just makes the world make sense to me. I LOVE the Pulled Pork Potatoes from JJ's in Columbia. And ummm.... most anyone who knows me knows that I am obsessed with their fruit tea as well. I even have the recipe and use it frequently at Thanksgiving, Christmas... you know... days when JJ's isn't open. :)-

After loading up on JJ's today, Jessie finally got to catch me up on the videos I had yet to see from The Raining Season's trip to Sierra Leone. It amazing what perspective does. It's heartbreaking, inspiring, uplifting, and overwhelming all at the same time to watch the footage from their trip. These children and these people have been left with so little. Their country is in ruin after a brutal civil war. Children who are suffering can't get the medical attention they need because there's always someone who is worse off. It is hard to watch. But it is beautiful to see something being done.

I am so inspired by the work the Raining Season is doing. And they are helping people brick by brick, drop by drop, and grain by grain. The people of Sierra Leone are so grateful. Seeing an entire people that know nothing but poverty, who are thankful for a bowl of rice each day, and seem so happy.... It's beautiful.

After talking and watching the footage with Jessie, I was heading back to my apartment with a quick pit stop for my sister. I went to her best friend's house to pick something up for her. Now, Stephanie's best friend Suzanne. Wow. I know her first 2 children. But I hadn't really gotten to spend time with or meet the rest of her kids. There have been 4 additions since the last time I saw her!!! How crazy is that? I had the best time talking with and getting to actually spend time with her children. Children just fill my heart. They LOVED Cinnamon and let me bring her in. They were having a ball chasing her around the house! (Not sure how Cinnamon felt, but she's pretty good at holding her own. With 7 nieces and nephews... she's gotten pretty used to it!)

This is Caleb, Annabelle, Michael, MillerAnne, Joshua, Grace, and Mallory (Mallory is "technically" a neighbor, but let's face it - she's family!)



Suzanne is such a beautiful person. She is actually going to Uganda very soon. And her 2 oldest children who are around 10 and 12 are going with her. I have just spent the last 30 minutes reading and looking at the blogs of Amazima Ministries. Amazima is what inspired Suzanne to make her trip to Africa.
Katie is a 21 year old girl who first went to Uganda at 18. She fell in love with the people, and her heart was broken as she saw so may children just sitting idly on the side of the road. She started this foundation which has grown tremendously over the last few years. Her stories are so moving. And I encourage everyone to at least read some of her stories. It will impact your day in a beautiful way.

I spent part of my night catching up on some accounting, and I found a movie about Coco Chanel which sounded like a good working/listening movie. Boy was I wrong!!! I was having trouble focusing on my work because she was such a captivating woman.

At one point in the movie, they are discussing how frustrating it is that men seem to have so many advantages (this is the early 1900's) Her friend says,"That's just the way the world is. Not like you can change the world." Coco replied with "Why not?"

Beautiful.

Here's to whatever your light is in the world - music, fashion, mission work, cooking....

Peace, Love, Fiddle, and doing what we can to change the world

Jesse Sampson

Meet Jesse Sampson!



This is the child that James and I sponsored through the Raining Season.
$130 means this handsome young man from Sierra Leone, Africa gets tuition for school for an entire year, books, a uniform, and a meal per day!

And this right here is the greatest part of the Raining Season. With this organization, you can keep up with what they are doing on each mission trip through their blogs and posts. And you KNOW that your money is going towards truly helping those in need.

For more info on the Raining Season:
www.therainingseason.org

And now.... I sleep a little bit before a long drive to Maine tomorrow!!!

Night y'all.
Peace, Love, Fiddle

One Child At A Time

Ezra Jane and The Raining Season have returned home from Africa and they just posted a video. I know that they went through an unbelievable emotional roller coaster while they were in Sierra Leone. They encountered some unfathomable circumstances, but they were able to do so much to help. Not only did they provide scholarships, clothing, food, and books to the children you see in this video, but they also provided food and water to an orphanage of 84 children that was in dire circumstances. Because of their work and love and willingness to give, 84 children have a new chance at life.

It only takes $130 to provide an entire year-long scholarship for a child.

Visit www.therainingseason.org to find out more about how you can help.



peace, love, fiddle

New Year's Resolutions and a Thank You from Africa

First of all let me say THANK YOU. I have heard from so many of you about the Raining Season blog I posted yesterday. And many of you have already said you will donate to the cause. The girls said the first thing they did yesterday morning when they woke up in Africa was read my blog. That BLOWS my mind. I didn't eve realize they would be able to see it. But all of your comments, help, and prayers only strengthens them to do even more good. So keep it coming and THANK YOU from The Raining Season in Africa!! I know that it sure has inspired me even more!

Tomorrow I begin a week of writing with Gordon Brown. He and I have an incredible musical relationship and I am so excited to see what will materialize from this next round of writing! :) I am already excited to share the music with you and we haven't even written it yet! (It reminds me of the scene in Pretty Woman when Vivian tells Edward "Thank You" in the elevator on the way to the opera before they have even started the date!) And yes, I just referenced "Pretty Woman" I'm a dork, I know :)

So it's been a few years since I have actually written down New Year's Resolutions. That's just unacceptable! :)-

Natalie's New Year's Resolutions:

1. Write hit songs.

2. Blog EVERY day :)

3. Write MORE hit songs. LOTS of hit songs.

4. Work out.
Yep, the typical New year's resolution. My sister, who is a personal trainer gave me some workouts that are hotel room-
friendly for the road. So now there is NO excuse. I love working out and running... I've just gotten out of the habit.

5. Write beautiful, inspired, meaningful hit songs.

6. Respond to emails/phone calls immediately after I get them.
I get into this thing where I would rather sit down and write emails when I can REALLY respond. It happens on myspace,
facebook, and especially with work. But by the time I have time to get to them.... there's a million other things that need
more immediate attention. My intentions are good... but..... too many times, things get lost in the shuffle. It makes me
sad. So NO MORE!

7. Ummmm.... can you say #1's??

8. Use my time more efficiently on the road.
It sure is easy to get into bad habits on the road. EVERYTHING has to be adapted, so the things get put off. But I am
learning (and also just being more conscious lately) of how I can make normal stuff work better from the back of my little
nest in the Suburban. :) It sounds simple... but it sure is easier to just play games on my iphone than actually sit back
there and act like I am "in the office"

9. Eh emmm..... Billboard, chart-topping, Number ONES, people!

10. Do more for those in need.
If you can't tell from my blog yesterday, I am so inspired by the Raining Season. And charity work has been heavy on my
mind lately. There is SO MUCH MORE that I could be doing. I already have a bunch of ideas stewing!

So yeah. Now you guys can hold me accountable since I am sharing this with the whole world! :) I am really excited about this year though. I have lots of good creative juices flowing. And I feel a lot more renewal happening within my own life than I normally do around this time of year.

It is very easy to get caught up in this crazy record industry world and listen to what you are told. EVERYONE has an opinion. But I am not the person who will ever be content with doing "just enough". I don't just want the next big hit as a country artist. I want the next HUGE career. The type of career where your songs mean something. The type of music that is inspired. Too many times in country radio I hear songs that may be good songs, but they could have been sung by anyone. And no matter how hard I try, I can't for the life of me distinguish who the artist is.

But I am ALL about dreaming BIG and reaching for the sky! It's what we sang about each and every day in the Kid's Club show. And I KNOW that we can all do ANYTHING we put our minds to.

This is such an exciting and rejuvenating time for music. The internet allows us to connect with people in such a HUGE way! We can connect with people in a way that has never been possible before. And it forces ALL of us musicians to work harder and persevere. I can tell you right now, that there is no disillusionment in my mind to where I expect a record label to sign me and do all the work for me! It is up to ME to get my music out there. And in utilizing every tool I can find.... eventually people will come on board that can help me take it to the next step whether that's a record label or my own version of that. But I'm just saying that I don't expect anyone to do it for me. That is for sure.

So here's to dreaming big, inspired music, doing what we love, and helping those in need!

2009 Here I come!

Sierra Leone

I sit here and write this with tears in my eyes and a heavy heart.

Many of you may remember a benefit concert I did back in November at 3rd and Lindsley. It was an incredible night filled with a star-studded cast of songwriters. The Raining Season is the organization that put the concert together. My good friend, Jessie introduced me to Ezra Jane, which consists of Erica and Kelly a country duo that started this organization. It only costs $135 for 1 child to go to school or an entire year in Sierra Leone which includes books, uniforms, 1 meal a day, and tuition for that whole year! We raised enough money to provide 50 scholarships for children there. I was so honored to be a part of an evening like that. And James and I can't wait to hear all about the child that we sponsored!!!

Jessie, Ezra Jane, and a few others left on Christmas Day to travel to Sierre Leone to give away the scholarships and spend time in the orphanages and with the people of Sierra Leone. A day when most of us get to spend time at home with our families and friends, they were making a trip halfway around the world to help those who need it most.

Erica has started posting blogs during their trip. They are doing so much good over there. They are making a difference 1 life at a time, and it is truly amazing to watch. But it hurts so badly to hear about some of these children and their stories. They came across an orphanage that was not in their plans. It had about 75 children the first day, which grew to 84 by the next. Many of the children are severely malnourished and the orphanage is completely out of food and their well is dry. Because this was not originally in their plans, they didn't have enough money to do anything. They ended up scrounging up anything and everything they could to get rice and water to these children. They even had a money donation wired over from the States to help them. They have a video posted on their blog of these children cheering when they deliver a truckload of rice to them. Can you imagine feeling joy because you will have the privilege of eating rice for EVERY meal for who knows how long?

I am going to post an excerpt from Erica's blog here just so you can read and see an example. Here, Erica is talking about a little boy named Festus that she met at the orphanage.

"Festus was first....This is where we began to realize that in Sierra Leone there is a difference between the dying and the almost dying....Festus was suffering from starvation...not extreme malnourishment by starvation....he was making sucking noises with his mouth that proved he was in the final moments of his life....He is almost 2 years old and they weighed him in at just over 6 pounds....horrific...I cannot evein begin to explain what it feels like to touch and hold a child that is in his last days....Kelly held tight to him all day...she never once put him down...

They were not able to admit Festus right away so about 3 hours later we returned to the hospital and went inside to wait for a bed....At that point our hearts broke....they did not want to admit him because he was an orphan and there was no birthmother to stay with him....we pleaded and begged him to change his mind....finally he softened and I paid him some extra money so he could take time to watch him since a birthmother could not be there for his feedings. Inside the hospital we were horrified by the condition of each child....Festus was only one of many who were all suffering from starvation, malaria, typhoid, etc.....each one was dying and there was little at this point that anyone could do.....The room was hot, the beds were crammed in side by side like sardines.....the staff was overworked, and the parents were weary...I can't begin to imagine what it feels like to watch your child die from something that is so easily preventable...."

To read more of this blog:
http://therainingseason.blogspot.com/


Sierre Leone has been left in shambles after Civil War. The people are struggling to survive. And on a continent where little food can be grown, and with very little resources available, it is so much more difficult to get their feet on the ground. We can't even conceive of the life these people lead. We are inconvenienced when the line at Starbucks is longer than normal. I don't mean to sound like everyone has it easy just because they are in America. We face many of the same problems here which is almost even more unbelievable since we live in a country of plenty. But in Sierra Leone it is a way of life. Children in hospitals can't be admitted because they are sick. They can only be admitted when they are dying.Our eyes and hearts and minds need to be opened here at home as well as abroad. And it takes so little for us to help.
If you would like to sponsor a child or help in some way visit the Raining Season's Website.

http://www.therainingseason.org/

I have seen these kinds of pictures and heard similar stories before. But it brings it so much closer to home when I see my friends holding these children in their arms. It makes it so much more real and doesn't feel like it is a world apart from my life. And I KNOW that the people running this organization make sure the money donated goes where it needs to go. I know that has been fear of mine in the past for donating - not being sure that my money is going where I am trying to send it. But I know these people personally, and they document their trips so that you can see the good your donation is doing in others' lives.

This is a photo of all the students that received scholarships and now have a chance to go to school this year.



And here is a picture of Jessie with a bunch of kids. Look closely and you'll see that Peace Love Fiddle has made it's way to Africa!!!!!



The Raining Season is a wonderful organization. I am sure we will being doing MANY more concerts and benefit shows in the near future. ANd it is amazing who will show up when it is for such a good cause!

Again, here are the links to check out their blog and their website.

http://therainingseason.blogspot.com/

http://www.therainingseason.org/

Peace, Love, Fiddle