Reaching far enough

I started a new book this week called Red Letters by Tom Davis and came across a passage that really resonated with me. It seemed to speak to the heart of what the message of SWL is all about...

"We spend most of our time trying to protect what we have, fearing what would happen if that went away...We can't reach far enough because our arms are too busy holing all that we own. If, on the other hand, we recognize that what we have is a gift, then we can extend our reach and use a portion of our gift to improve someone else's life, maybe even to save someone else's life."

I think one of the most difficult things to do in life is to let go of all the "stuff" that weighs our lives down and prevents us from being conduits of change - and of love.

Here's to learning how to hold all our gifts and blessings loosely...

-travis / SWL

One year ago today...

So one year ago today we launched SWL to the world. It's been an incredible 12 months full of so many stories and so many memories. It's interesting because even after one year we feel like we haven't even really begun. There is so much more we want to see SWL do and become.

Thank you for blessing us day in and day out with your kind words of encouragement and support - for if it wasn't for all of you, SWL wouldn't be a fraction of what it's become.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you. Your love means more than you can ever imagine and on behalf of all the people whose lives we've been able to impact because of your involvement, thank you.

Here's looking forward to a new year full of new ideas, new callings and our continued devotion to proving to the world that LOVE STILL EXISTS.

In his arms,

- travis, wes, katelyn, joel & eric

New Website / 49 Fire Benefit Concert!!!

Hi Everyone!

We've got a ton of really exciting stuff going on with SWL and I wanted to take a moment and share all the new news with you :)

**New Website:

As of Sunday night, we have officially launched the all new SWL website (www.speakwithlove.org). Wes has done an absolutely incredible job - so if you have a moment please go and check it out.

**New Apparel:

In addition to the new site, we've also come up with 4 brand new t-shirts designs and we're releasing our first 2 hoodie designs ever. Everything is available in the store section of the new site!

**49 Fire Benefit Concert:

In response to the incredible needs of the victims of the Auburn 49 Fire, SWL is organizing a city-wide 49 Fire Benefit Concert event to raise resources and support for our family members, neighbors, and friends who’ve lost everything.

The concert is scheduled for September 26, 2009, from 12pm to 8pm and will be hosted at the Auburn Library Garden Theater.

There will be a host of music acts as well as food and beverage concessions, a charity silent auction, and the venue will serve as a day-long Salvation Army donation drop point – all proceeds generated from all facets of the event (tickets, food and beverage, apparel, auction, ect.) will be donated directly to support the victims of the 49 Fire.

I've attached the event page which has all the bands and details - so RSVP :). We can't wait to see you all out there! It's going to be an incredible day in the park - so bring your chairs and blankets :)

We've got some other incredible stuff in the works too that we'll be sharing soon. Thank you all for your love and support. I know it's been a while in the making, but we couldn't be more excited about the new SWL and the impact we're going to make in our world.

Love,

Travis/SWL

Concert this Friday! (Auburn, CA)

I wanted to take a minute and let all you know about an awesome concert that's happening here in Auburn, CA this coming Friday night.

Our dear friends The Music Room are opening for Andy Gullahorn & Jill Phillips.

Here's the essentials:

Date:	Friday, August 28, 2009
Time:	7:00pm - 10:00pm
Location:	Sierra Grace Fellowship in Auburn, CA
Street:	1260 Wesley Lane
City/Town:	Auburn, CA

Or you can check out the Facebook Event Page

Hope to see you Friday!

- travis/SWL

New concert/events tour? We want your input! New website comin' too!

What's up everyone!

So we're thinking we're long overdue for another concert/events tour...I've been getting a little stir crazy as of late and I'm thinking it's time to put something together. What do you guys think? Got any ideas/venues/bands you'd like us to make happen?

If you got any ideas, just drop a comment at the bottom of this post! Or drop a note on our Facebook page.

p.s. - get ready for a totally new website in the next month or so! I can't wait, Wes just showed me the latest rendition and it looks awesome! :)

I hope all is well!

-travis/SWL

SWL Apparel now available at Rolling Hills Church in Eldorado Hills, CA

We're really excited to announce that you can now find SWL Apparel at Rolling Hills Christian Church in Eldorado Hills, CA! (Click the link for the map)

So if you haven't gotten your hands on some of our gear, stop by the RHCC Bookstore and pick some up!

Be on the lookout for more retail outlets soon. We're about to bring the SWL mission and vision to you!

Our First Donation / Visiting Caring 4 Kids in Las Vegas this week

Hello!

So it's been some time since we've sent out an update to all of you, so I figured I would do just that! :)

Over the past month or so (after a little vacation :) ), we've been working hard on putting together a TON of new stuff for SWL and are getting really close to being able to share it all with the world. We've got some really exciting things in the works and can't wait to roll out a new giving campaign and some new outreach events.

The main reason I'm writing is because this past week we made our first ever donation to Caring 4 Kids on behalf of all of you who have supported us. We've been setting aside all the donations over the past few months and we thought now couldn't be a better time as some many kids don't have the schools to rely on during the summer months for food.

Caring 4 Kids are incredibly thankful for all our support and are really excited about what we will be able to accomplish moving forward. So again, I know I've said it a million times but it deserves to be said a million more, thank you to each and every one of you who have supported us. Because of your support, we are making a hugely important and tangible impact in the lives of children and freeing them up to dream about tomorrow, instead of just trying to survive today. Right here. In our own back yards.

I am going to be in Las Vegas this next week and am planning on visiting Caring 4 Kids. I'm really looking forward to spending some time with the Caring 4 Kids team and having a chance to experience all that they're doing for the LV youth in person. (Expect some pics and a post-visit update :) )

I've attached a really cool letter from a teacher from a local LV elementry school sharing about the impact Caring 4 Kids has made in the lives of her students.

Talk to you soon!

- travis