Why is the Album called All I Need?This album expresses Janelle's heart of worship. These songs were written throughout the first six years of her Christianity. The songs resemble the struggle in life in the journey to finding relationship with God. Janelle didn't begin writing songs until she was a Christian, and when she first believed, she still didn't have intimate relationship with Jesus. She knew something was missing from her life and she knew she had to find it in God, yet she chased and chased and continued to feel empty in her pursuits of coming to God and then running away again and again. Even in her inconsistency, God supplied her with faith to keep pursuing Him through the ups and downs which included hard life circumstances as well as many poor personal decisions she made. In these five songs you will hear the battle she faced expressed in a vulnerable way. People have different experiences of awakening. But after six years, God awakened Janelle to relationship with Jesus and out-poured His awakening Holy Spirit on her in a powerful way. Though the journey isn't easy, God wants intimate relationship with everyone like He tried to get from Janelle for six years. Janelle learned that nothing else could fill the void in her heart but Jesus and she gave up trying to run after the world when she finally admitted in word and deed--Jesus is all she needs.
After Jesus made His mark on her heart, He gave her the miraculous opportunity to record these songs in India. This album resembles a time of seeking Jesus and never giving up no matter the struggle. Jesus is pursuing you and longs to have you in His arms and have you in a no-turning-back kind of a way. To hear Janelle's testimony, click below. |
In the Studio
Hi, it's Janelle!
Located in Siliguri, India is Judah Plows Music Studio where Daniel Gadal and his team have recorded many talented artists including him and his band Judah Plows. I had the privileged recording in his small yet professional studio. Not only did Daniel record my songs, but he gave me great advice regarding music and worship and shared parts of his personal testimony with me. I'm honored to know him and we are keeping in touch as continues to help me. Getting in touch with Daniel and his team is a miracle story. When walking into their studio, I received the same questions from him and his team that I've been receiving here in America--why India? To be honest with you, I had no intention of recording my music in India, or even ever recording my music in my life time. Yes, it had always been a dream of mine the day God touched my heart with the gift of writing and the spark of musical interest in the 7th grade when I wrote my first song. However, I never imagined it to be a dream come true. And it just so happened to come to fruition. The first night I was in India visiting a dear friend/mentor of mine, Misha Hill, who had given up her whole life to move away from the comforts of America and live in India as a missionary. She has been one to always believe in my musical talent even when I didn't believe in it myself. Many times through the recording process, Daniel would encourage my musical skill and Misha would look at me with eyes that said "I told you that you had a gift." The first night we were in India, Misha and I were trusting that God would make the way and directs us the next month, while I would be there, to where we should go. Later that night, I began playing on a toy guitar in Misha's apartment and Misha exclaimed that I should go and record in a studio while in India. I chuckled and liked the idea but thought nothing would come of it. Later that night, Misha was on the phone with her pastor asking if there were any studios in the area to record my music. The next day I was in the studio recording my songs. After getting help with my songs from Daniel and Robin and quick prayer to try and determine which songs I would record, our relationship began to blossom and we worked away on recording. Six total days of joy and work were spent in the studio recording five of my songs. It was a miracle we recorded the full tracks and the backup vocals in just six days seeing it was my first time ever recording professionally in a studio. With the grace of God, professional coaching, advice, and musical talent from Daniel and Robin's creative fingers working the keyboard and recording equipment, we finished the recording process of the project and I flew back to the U.S. (There were many other things I did the other 24 days I was there in India but just not music related). God was so gracious and revealed some very important things to me throughout the whole process. |
God showed me that I do, indeed, have a gift. Though people have told me that I need to be a good steward of God's gift to me before, I had never taken them seriously and never thought it was possible to take my music any further. God had other plans for me and took me to a studio in the most unexpected place giving me the very best experience and instruction from Daniel.
God knew my dreams and desires to record and He gave me a gift that He wanted to use. See, the important thing I learned is this: If I have a gift, God is GOING to use it. It's not up to me and whether I think I'm good enough or not. Even if this album only ever affects the heart of one individual it would be worth it. God isn't looking for us to impact millions, He is only wanting us to be good stewards of the things He has given us. From there, God will take care of the numbers and the souls. If I don't do something because I think I'm not as good as someone else or because I think I won't be famous, I'm limiting the work of what God could do through something He has decided to give me. Each song is a gift from God to me and if I don't share it, I'm selfishly keeping to myself the glory of God that belongs to be revealed to as many people as possible. When we act, God moves. I don't know whether I'll ever record again, but if I only ever record these five songs in my entire life, I know that God will use them and I will continue doing my very best to believe that God has placed me here on earth for a reason and He is using my individual gifts and songs that the Lord is placing on my heart to the glory of Him. If you have a gift, use it. Don't lack faith like me in the beginning of my years to understand that it's unique and God can use you in a way no one else can be used. |