The last four months of our lives have been a roller coaster to say the least. When Eddie graduated from Fuller we knew that we were in a transition period. He had finished all his schooling but he still had a year before he would be ordained. The hope was that he would find a job in the area and we’d be able to stay in Pasadena.  Then, the kids would be able to stay in their school and when Eddie was ordainable, we’d move to whatever church God called us to. Well things did not go the way we hoped and it became clear we would not be staying in Pasadena. So Eddie started applying to jobs all around the country.  If none of those worked out, our friends offered us a place to live in Virginia. It was such a relief to have that back up plan and we are eternally grateful to Shannon and Leigh for their willingness to love us in such a selfless way. But as fun as those slumber parties and family dinners would have been, moving to a place without a job or a home of our own was a really scary prospect. Along the way their were some promising job opportunities, but each one resulted in a closed door.

Fast forward to last week and we were 4 weeks away from having to move out of our apartment (the downside of student housing: you have to leave when you’re no longer a student).  We were awaiting word from our last hope for a job feeling extremely nervous because we really needed to start packing and planning for a move.  To add to the anxiety, we simply didn’t know where that move would be to. Then last Saturday, that final door went from wide open to barely cracked. The culmination of a really terrible week ended in what felt like absolute hopelessness. We spent the weekend crying and praying. It was so hard to trust when everything felt lost. Sunday at church, I got asked questions about where we were headed and I broke down crying and said “Trying to trust, but it’s getting hard”. But by the end of the sermon, God filled me with just enough hope that I was emotional and crying because I knew that God had not abandoned us. No matter where we ended up or what job Eddie would have in this interim, God would use us and grow us. The day was topped off with amazing friends bringing us dinner. By the time they left Eddie and I were both ready to get up and start knocking on every door possible and see which one God would open up. I’m still in shock about the next part of the story. Within 24 hours a lot of pieces fell into place and Monday night Eddie was offered an interim job at our church. So in three weeks we will be moving, but just to a new home here in Pasadena!

Throughout our journey in seminary God always provided exactly what we needed, exactly when we needed it, and not a minute earlier. I kind of knew that this would continue to be our story and as frustrating as it is to be patient and trust, my faith is stronger because of it. God has us on this journey and no matter what, even in the darkest days, God is still there. I’ve never been more confident or grateful of this fact. And I am so, so excited to have more time in this city that we love!

So, while I will be taking a short “vacation” to pack up and move, Sarah Mariel Photography is still in business in LA! And if you’re a regular reader of the blog, it may look a little different around here. Today I also launched my new website and blog! Take a look around, I hope you love it as much as I do! And a HUGE thank you to Shannon Burnette for my beautiful new logo!