I've Been Full Time Freelancing Baby!

Why hello!
It's been a LONG time since I've written here, but thought I would keep friends posted on these past few months!
Back in April, I took the leap of faith and became a full time free lance floral designer!  I have learned so much about the industry and have fallen in love working with weddings almost every weekend! One of the studios I have closely worked with is with Poppy and Mint and I wanted to show some of the work we have done this past spring season!

Has it been scary and stressful to full time freelance and not know when your next gig will be coming in?
Oh yes!
But see that where faith comes in! It's pretty intimidating to not have a 9-5 set schedule everyday, but God has provided work to fill my schedule up and I am beyond thankful for that! Plus, I have met so many new awesome people  and venues in the wedding industry here in New Orleans and they're all so amazing!
 In New Orleans, weddings slow down here during the summer time due to the heat and humidity, while everywhere else in the country it picks up. It's a bit backwards down south here, but I'm loving it! I look forward to the business of weddings this fall and meeting new brides!

Each wedding has their own unique and fun story, but I look forward to the moment when you see the bride lay her eyes at her own wedding bouquet for the first time and they tear up; it's priceless! And I love it! Have a fun weekend friends!

-Sara!

ps- I'll try my best to keep up writing here!

Mardi Gras!

Last week was our first Mardi Gras and let me tell you folks…..
it was AMAZING!

I always thought that Mardi Gras was just old ladies flashing parade floats to get beads, but it was actually far from it and way more than that. Ha!
Mardi Gras felt like the excitement of the Christmas holiday and Halloween costumes all mixed in together. Everyone would greet each other, "Happy Mardi Gras!" and you would reply the same greeting back to them. Locals would debate about who would makes the best King Cake in the city and tourist would basically be hammered 24/7 because  they're visiting "The Big Easy."

My church is a part of a non-profit organization called Answering The Cries (ATC) and we hosted about 150 college-aged students for our Mari Gras Outreach. They would have these young adults go out and just love and serve our city. When I first heard about the outreach, I imagined these people standing in the street corner with Jesus Loves You picket signs, but it was quite the opposite.
 The weekend before Mardi Gras, we had teams go out to the French Quarter and set up face paintings and had music for dance teams. It was pretty sweet! They would go out and talk to people about life, build relationships and invite them to church. If you think about it, it's pretty intimidating to go up to  a stranger and talk about God. However, if you do it with the right mind and spirit these conversations turn out to be divine appointments.

As a traditional Christian, some may stay as far away from the partying as possible, Some may look the other way and others may be rebuking Mardi Gras from a distance. During our first Mardi Gras, we jumped right in the middle of everything and loved every moment of it.
If we weren't in the French Quarter, we would have never met Javier who needed direction in life, we would have never met police officer Andrew to restore his faith in Christianity again; and we would have never met Ash who gave his heart to Christ. You just  never know.

(Above: Ash// Below: Officer Andrew)

Trevor said this quote last week and it really made me think.
"I don't always want to show people the hurt in my city as much as I want to show them the opportunity for hope. "

 I know that Trevor and I are here in New Orleans for a reason. We're here to serve, share God's love and bring hope. Where ever you may find yourself right now, I pray that you may be inspired to do the same. I pray that we all could find the boldness through Christ and be an impact in our local communities. There's always opportunity for hope.
Love you guys!
-Sara

Ps-all photos are Trevors. You can check out more at trevormark.co

Hello San Francisco

Two weeks ago,
           I got to go back to California and surprise my older sister, Flor, for her 30^th birthday… and it was AWESOME! My sister was pretty surprised! We screamed, laughed, cried, and then we all cried some more.

When I go back home it always feels like it’s my time to let go of worries, spend time with my familia and renew my strength.  I spent time in the kitchen with my Madre learning all that I could about new dishes and life lessons. While I was there I spent a lot of time with the family.  It was so nice catching up, even if we did spend about half of the time yelling at each other about which freeway to take & which way was faster. (If you’re from the Bay Area and reading this, I know you’ll get that last part. Ha!)

When my family and I get together, we’re loud, yell at each other, we fight, we cry and then laugh it all off.. and that all happens with in an hour, but that’s my familia and I love them all for it!

If you have family living near by, be thankful. No matter how crazy they may drive you, be thankful. If you have them living across the country like I do, take the time to go visit them. There’s probably nothing more important than being close to your family.

Like my mom always said,

 “La unidad en la familia trae fuerzas.” 

Unity within the family gives you strength.

And let me tell you, especially after this short and sweet trip, it sure does.

-Sara

Something New

For I am about to do something new.
    

See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?


I will make a pathway through the wilderness.
   

I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

~Isaiah 43:19

Last night Trevor was strumming his guitar as I was falling asleep. My mind ran off thinking about plans of this next year, goals, etc.. About how I’m going to turn 25 this year and still not sure what “career” path I should take. Not knowing what’s the next step in life? Where do I see myself in the next 5 years? Have I become too comfortable with myself where I am in life?

Then I felt this verse was gently placed upon my heart. Instead if inventing a new goal, why not focus on the events in my life that are currently happening? This year, I know that God is already working on something. We may not see it everyday, but I pray that my Spirit would be sensitive enough to recognize it when the moment comes. God is creating something new, something that inspires, that moves, that will create a pathway through the wilderness and turn rivers in the dry wasteland. My goal is to discover what He holds for Trveor and I in 2014.

Christmas wrap-up!

Christmas time was pretty memorable for Trevor and I this year. Unfortunately we weren’t able to spend it with our families. We were grateful to be surrounded by loving friends who have become family to us! Trevor & I are thankful for each and every one of them! Not only are we thankful for new friends that we have made in New Orleans, but also our friends from the MidWest who have visited us throughout the month of December! I wanted to share a few photos with “ya’ll”.

The other night we went out with another married couple from the church and we talked about how God really does take care of us. Trevor and I were worried about being financially short this holiday season, but God provided exactly what we needed. Not only that, but He surrounded us by people who love us and sent friends from the MidWest to be with us too! Even though our families may be in California and South Dakota, Trevor and I definitely felt loved this Christmas season. No matter whether the ones you love are close or near by, God will always take care of you where you’re at. God takes care of us, He really does! 

-Sara

Backtracking!

Its Christmas time and so much has happened!

I do apologize for not writing these last few months. I’m originally from California and the weather is usually rainy during this time of year. When we lived in Missouri, we had to deal with ice storms and snow. Now that Trevor and I are living in New Orleans, we are enjoying 75-degree weather and some fog. I’m a happy girl! J

These past few months Trevor and I have been working closely with Saints Community Church in developing new events. We have had Baptism Sunday, Child Dedication Sunday, and Saints Kids Service.  In the midst of different events, I have grown to fallen in love even more with our church. There is such a great sense of community with loving and taking care of one another. From groceries to fixing up cars,  our church has built such a strong sense of community like Acts Chapter 2.

In other news, we have had a few close friends and family visit us these last few months from Springfield and it was wonderful!  I love staying in touch with people and when we do get reconnected, its like we have never left! I love it!

Trevor and I have been married for a year and a few months now! Whenever times have gotten rough for us, I feel like it’s brought us even more closer together. We work together to figure things out and continue in trusting God.

If I could title these past few months, I would call it “The Season When Our Faith Grew Stronger.”  I have always thought that my faith was strong, but sometimes God wants to take your faith to the next level and even beyond.  It hasn’t been an easy journey, but it’s been worth it! I pray that if God wants to take your faith to the next level, trust Him. He really is all that you need.

Sara

It's been 1 whole year!

I still cant believe it! We've been married for 1 whole year and its been quite the adventure!

Here's a small recap:

-In the beginning, we lived in a tiny 700 square ft 1 bedroom shoe box apartment on Elm st in Springfield, MO.

-After 2 months being married, Trevor and I were invited to visit New Orleans for the first time and both knew that God was inviting us to be a apart of a new ministry.

-On April 31st, we packed up our lives and our new puppy (Indie!) and moved south to New Orleans!

If 1 year ago today, somebody would have told me all of this would have happened, I wouldn't have ever believed it. We have been thankful every step of the way.

This past year we have had our ups and downs, but I wouldn't trade any of these moments for anything.  Here are a few things I have learned this past year...

1. Marriage is a beautiful gift from God-enough said!

2. Communication is key.- I know it may sound cheesy, but it's definitely true

3. Simple acts of love keep two people knitted together.

4. Im a crazy sleeper. - I guess I never knew how crazy of a sleep talker I am. Trevor recited back to me what I said to him the night before in my dreams. Pretty embarrassing, but I think at this point he's used to it. :)

I have realized in this past year, we have had so many love and support from so many different people placed in our lives.

To all of our college friends back in Springfield and spread out across the country:

 Thank you! Thank you for your friendship and unforgettable memories we all created together.  We will never forget them! When Trevor and I first met in college, you were all there for us. We miss you all so much!

To all of our supporters:

Thank you so much for your prayers and support and being a part of this new ministry God has called us to be a part of. New Orleans we never something we've planned out, but we were obedient to Gods calling and thank you for being obedient to Gods calling to support us. We are your hands and feet.

To mi familia in California and family South Dakota, WE LOVE YOU ALL so much! Thank you for your prayers and support! We wish we could see you all more than once a year. We miss you all!

To our new friends in New Orleans: Thank you for inviting us to be a part of your lives and becoming a part of your spiritual family. Trevor and I have felt so loved and welcomed!

Trevor and I have had a wonderful first year of marriage and many more years to come! Hooray!