When we arrived at Sarah's home, I was nervous. This was our first interview for The Sound & The Sage, our labor of love in its infancy. What should I expect? How will the interview go? Will Sarah tell me that my questions are ridiculous or unanswerable?
The door began to open and I tried to hold myself together. As my eyes adjusted to the darker interior, I could see that we were being welcomed by smiles that seemed to have been waiting an eternity just to show us their magnificence. A rush of calm and happiness immediately took over as my fears and anticipations were washed away. The smell of baked goods, coffee, and cinnamon filled my nose. Warmth, much like Sarah's personality, could be found in every corner. As always, instantaneous, unconditional love radiated from Sarah. This quality is what makes her special. You never feel that you have to be anyone other than yourself. Somehow in her presence, all that you are and all that you have ever been, is perfect.
Sarah lives in Everett with her daughter, husband, and bun in the oven, She is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, mother, daughter, wife, massage therapist, student, and community leader.
All photographs are property of Tallis Photography and Justine Walker.
The door began to open and I tried to hold myself together. As my eyes adjusted to the darker interior, I could see that we were being welcomed by smiles that seemed to have been waiting an eternity just to show us their magnificence. A rush of calm and happiness immediately took over as my fears and anticipations were washed away. The smell of baked goods, coffee, and cinnamon filled my nose. Warmth, much like Sarah's personality, could be found in every corner. As always, instantaneous, unconditional love radiated from Sarah. This quality is what makes her special. You never feel that you have to be anyone other than yourself. Somehow in her presence, all that you are and all that you have ever been, is perfect.
Sarah lives in Everett with her daughter, husband, and bun in the oven, She is a singer, songwriter, guitarist, mother, daughter, wife, massage therapist, student, and community leader.
All photographs are property of Tallis Photography and Justine Walker.
If you would like to check out Sarah's hauntingly beautiful voice and the rest of her awesome band, you can find them here: Preachers Wife
Tell us about what inspires you.
"I think that everything is holistic. I believe the difficult times in my life would be the most inspiring. They give the most information in to what is going on and what direction to go. The struggle and emerging out of the struggle. My therapy over the last three years has been inspiring because it has empowered me to trust myself. It has allowed me to be myself and figure out how to navigate those waters."
"I think that everything is holistic. I believe the difficult times in my life would be the most inspiring. They give the most information in to what is going on and what direction to go. The struggle and emerging out of the struggle. My therapy over the last three years has been inspiring because it has empowered me to trust myself. It has allowed me to be myself and figure out how to navigate those waters."
"People who can be honest inspire me. Those that are true to themselves."
What is one quality, above all others, that you hope to pass along to your children?
"Honesty. Being honest with yourself, being honest with those around you. I think that is the root to being able to understand yourself."
"Honesty. Being honest with yourself, being honest with those around you. I think that is the root to being able to understand yourself."
Sarah and her husband, Jeff, lead a church called Milltown
in the Everett area up until January 2014.
in the Everett area up until January 2014.
"Milltown was a church that was nontraditional in its philosophy. The idea was to have a close knit Christian community. So living in North Everett was part of the requirement. In the Bible, church is actually not a place, it is a group of people. We have it pretty mixed up in our culture these days. The vision [of Milltown] was to bring it back to the local community and hopefully impact the city at some level by having a presence for good and love."
"We learned a lot. I think our goals were accomplished, but mostly within ourselves. It wasn't just something we talked about. We tried to make it a rhythm of our lives, integrated into who we are."
"We learned a lot. I think our goals were accomplished, but mostly within ourselves. It wasn't just something we talked about. We tried to make it a rhythm of our lives, integrated into who we are."
"Milltown was a chance for us to be healed."
What is the impact of music on the spirit?
"Music is amazing. It can make you happy, move you to tears or sometimes make you feel gross. I feel like it is a language that God has given us and somehow we have found a way to make sense of it. Its emotive. Music is able to get to the deeper parts of who we are as humans."
"Music is amazing. It can make you happy, move you to tears or sometimes make you feel gross. I feel like it is a language that God has given us and somehow we have found a way to make sense of it. Its emotive. Music is able to get to the deeper parts of who we are as humans."
When was the last time you did something for the first time?
"Well I had a baby about a year and a half ago. That was the biggest first that I will probably ever have!"
"Well I had a baby about a year and a half ago. That was the biggest first that I will probably ever have!"
Why does forgiveness exist?
"It exists for reconciliation, to maintain relationships. Forgiveness is freeing. Forgiveness is not a one time thing, it is a process. I think that if you are able to do the work and really let go, it is like removing a cancer from your body."
"It exists for reconciliation, to maintain relationships. Forgiveness is freeing. Forgiveness is not a one time thing, it is a process. I think that if you are able to do the work and really let go, it is like removing a cancer from your body."
"Forgiveness is not just emotional, it is a physical freedom."
If you were to pick one song to describe your life, journey or general disposition, what would it be?
"I think it's a little cliche but I would choose Joni Mitchell's Blue. It is all about honesty. Blue is about running away from yourself and then realizing that it doesn't work that way. You are forced to to be honest with yourself, which is a common theme in my life."
"I think it's a little cliche but I would choose Joni Mitchell's Blue. It is all about honesty. Blue is about running away from yourself and then realizing that it doesn't work that way. You are forced to to be honest with yourself, which is a common theme in my life."