Long October Road

It was the summer of 2007 and Sarah Schieber along with her husband, Chad, a fifteen year veteran of the Midland (Michigan) Police Department, were on the verge of launching a new ministry to married couples. It was intended to compliment Sarah's growing music ministry. After singing in a regional Christian group for nearly a decade, Sarah had just finished her debut solo CD entitled Gratitude. It was like the summer sun and God's blessing were shining down upon them. Then, in an instant, the warmth of summer was replaced by the cold winds of change and Sarah began the journey down a long October road. The date was Sunday, October 7. Sarah and Chad were running in the Chicago Marathon. At mile 18, Chad dropped to the ground unconscious. In just minutes he went on to be with the Lord. 'Obviously at that point, I had the moment in your life that you hope will never ever come...but it came anyway,' shares Sarah as she looks back on the darkest day of her life. 'And the world moves on and the nights grow cold and the winds blow strong against my soul, take my hand and lead me on this long October road.' THE LONG OCTOBER ROAD is not just the title of Sarah's new CD, it is a phrase that gives us a glimpse into the journey she has been traveling since 'that day' and the faithfulness of God Who has sustained her each step of the way. God has used music to carry Sarah along this stormy path. It started with a song called 'Christmas In Heaven.' Released to Christian radio in November 2008, it climbed to #15 on the national Soft AC/Inspirational chart published by Radio & Records, the industry's leading magazine. Sarah also sold nearly 4,000 copies of the CD single from her home. 'This just doesn't happen!' says Wendell Gafford, a fifteen year radio promotions veteran and President of Creative Promotions, hired to promote 'Christmas In Heaven.' We've promoted over 200 national Top 20 singles and I don't ever remember a song having this kind of impact!' The healing in Sarah's heart and life has continued with the writing and recording of her new release. Many of the songs on THE LONG OCTOBER ROAD were inspired by her journal she began writing the day Chad died. 'These pages are so deep and full of emotion. They really open the window on a widow's journey,' shares Sarah. Raw, gut-level songs like 'My Beloved,' 'Box of Memories' and the title cut are intermingled with songs like 'Wishin' Time Away,' 'Lead Me To the Rock' and 'Not Today' that are filled with the hope only God can bring. Sarah in woodsThe balance of being honest and transparent about life's darkest valleys mixed with a message of God's hope and faithfulness are not only the recipe for THE LONG OCTOBER ROAD, it is also what makes a concert or event with Sarah so special. 'I work very hard to make sure my concerts have a good balance of message and fun,' says Sarah. The message she shares has been refined by the fire of one of life's most difficult challenges. 'As I walked through the months following Chad's death, I found out that God is big...

He's huge!' exclaims Sarah. 'He's so huge that he can handle my grieving, my depression, and He can handle me questioning Him.' She also discovered how important it is to build a foundation in Christ. 'Mine is a message of hope to everyone! It encourages them to become deeply rooted in their relationship with Christ so that when that moment in life happens that they hope will never happen, they can stand. It's about knowing that when that time comes, we can be assured that God is faithful and everything promised in His Word is there for you! I know because I've been there!'