One of the reasons I started putting up videos on youtube... was because of a young girl named Kina Grannis. If you watch youtube frequently, I guarantee you've probably run across one of her videos. I first "discovered" her in 2007. She entered one of her original songs in a "Crash the Superbowl" contest. And found unique ways to promote herself! One of those was writing a song, "Gotta Digg" about the growing social platform. Her audience grew and she won the CTS contest as well as a major record deal. Not too soon after, however, she left the label. She wanted independent control of her music and desired to reach out to her fans in a more personal way. Since then, she has worked harder than any artist I know! And she seems to love every minute of it. If I had to explain the youtube community to you... it would be sort of like the blogging world.  You find other youtubers that you look up to. And you gain wisdom from them on how to grow your community. I learned from Kina - and she took time to encourage me by leaving comments on my channel. Yesterday, she was featured on Ellen and finally received some national exposure! I have always been blown away by her music, but her newest music video has me speechless. Literally. It is an entire video made from... JELLY BEANS!!! You have to see this. I wonder how many jelly beans were eaten in the process? :)

Watch the "Making of - In Your Arms" first!

And a HUGE shout out to the director of this video: Greg Jardin (that guy has TALENT... and patience).

p.s. I'm 7 subscribers away from 2,000 on my youtube channel!! join here: http://youtube.com/cacity87 

Today was a good day. I felt so much better after a rough night last night. (I had to take one of the heavy painkillers from the doctor - that's when you know it's a rough night) I have enjoyed being back with the students at school this week. While I was there today, I had the urge to sit at the piano and write. I don't really play piano and I haven't really had anything to write about lately, so this was odd. But once I sat down, I was again reminded of the loss that our town has been experiencing lately. We lost another one today. I didn't know him, but many close to us did. When I think about this pain of losing loved ones, my heart is torn out of my chest. I believe the Lord offers so much comfort and grace in those times of need, and I know He will provide that for me when the time eventually comes. (because it is true, death is coming for us all) But I just cannot imagine it now. I can literally bring myself to tears thinking about losing Josh, my sister and my parents. But I know it's going to happen. (unless, I go first) So I wrote this (very) short song with that in mind. One day I'm going to need to sing this. Even now I can sing it thinking about my dear friends who are dealing with the pain of loss. And when people come up and ask "how are you doing?" I am sure the words will go something like this...

**please excuse the rough singing, I am just getting my voice back after being sick with a virus (and the surgery didn't help much! ha)

Pain - Cassidy Robinson

since you're gone nothing's right only wrong (2x)

no i can't explain how i feel in the pain no i can't explain how i feel in the pain of losing you, ooh.

Click here to read more posts from this series.

I received some encouraging news last night! Four of the songs off my "New Day" EP are playing on the radio in Lexington, KY!! Pretty exciting! It's amazing to know that my music is ministering in a place I've never been, to people I've never met. Thank you, Jesus. That's what it's all about.

In honor of this, I felt it was time I featured another "Behind the Music" post. This one is probably my second hardest to write (see the first here). The fifth track on the album, Everything, is dedicated to my brother-in-law, Jordan.

It was two months and four days after Josh and I were married that his younger brother, Jordan ended his battle with cancer. He received the ultimate healing. It was so difficult to see him in this type of pain. Jordan was strong and healthy, a basketball player at NGU and only 20 years old. We made it up to visit him about two weeks before he passed away, and were blessed to spend some good days watching movies, laughing and talking. He received lots of gifts during those days. I can remember one time specifically, when he received this "Sudoku" handset game. I was sitting in the room with him while he opened it. Attempting to be enthusiastic about his new gift, I told him that I loved that game! I remember he looked at it and then handed it to me and said, "Here, you can have it." I tried to refuse, but he insisted that I keep it. Even in his sickness, he was still giving to others. It's just the person he was. I never really play it, but I keep this little gift from Jordan as a reminder on my bookshelf.

That first Christmas we spent together with the Robinson's was hard. It was wonderful being with them, because they are such a comforting and encouraging family to be around, but it was hard to know there was someone missing. Even more difficult, Josh and I were now sleeping in Jordan's old room.

I sat on the bed alone one afternoon, just thinking. Jordan has everything.

We think of death and often refer to it as, the "loss of life." But, the Scripture teaches us that death is gain. Looking around Jordan's room, I saw all of his earthly possessions still in their place. Clothes, games, electronics. Some of the most valuable things to us here on earth. And they are just... things. The truth is, he gained everything the day he met his Savior, Jesus Christ face to face. In the presence of the fullness of joy. Nothing can compare.

This song was written in those quiet moments of reflection. We will all leave this earth eventually and stand before Jesus. Will we leave having filled ourselves with empty possessions or with all of Christ? Jordan chose what was best.

Everything

In my weakness You are strength and life In my doubt You are my faith to fight In my sickness You are hope to breathe

In my loneliness You're everything to me Everything

When I'm barely hanging on You're there When I'm too afraid to call You answer When I feel like hope is lost You speak

In my dying breath You're everything to me Everything

When I leave this world And all tomorrows When I leave this world Of pain and sorrow When I stand by You With nothing left

I will still hold in my heart Everything, You're everything

Click here to listen: [audio:http://cassidyrobinson.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/05-Everything.mp3|titles=Everything]

Purchase "Everything" here.