We are Aren and Trina.  And, I still think we should write a book about our story one day.  Here is a glimpse of our story, but more so - it’s God’s story. Ours is just wrapped up in His. His is what brings meaning and comfort. You’ll see why. Ours started with a three year long-distance relationship between Sydney and LA. We got married in the summer of 08 with the assumption that we’ll be another ministry couple and that’s that. A few years later, Trina’s health started going downhill. Things were not right during her first pregnancy and the first year of our son’s life. Weakness persisted, symptoms multiplied and something was definitely wrong. Those few years were the hardest years as a chronic illness was breaking and ruining and hurting our lives. She was finally diagnosed in the Spring of 15 only to start a new chapter of our story with 7-8 forms of treatment - all dead ends, all leaving us fearful and bruised. A couple of years after that - for reasons beyond us - Trina started improving (about 75%). A sigh of relief, a season of reprieve.  And during that time, our second son was born - what joy!

 

In mid 2020, we starting seriously considering launching a ministry. This ministry was brewing in our hearts during that upcoming year - but honestly, we feel that God was preparing for this during the last decade. Years of sickness and suffering were not pointless and there are some days we know that deep within.At that time it was not clear what this might be, but we definitely felt convicted and called to be a good steward of our story of suffering and take a step to come alongside others in a similar place. This all led to dozens of conversations and much planning until we launched Remain in the Fall of 21, under and alongside Armenian Christian Fellowship Orange County. Our aim was to be a gospel-centered ministry for those in suffering. We wanted to come - with compassionate heart and robust Biblical truth - alongside those in hards seasons to encourage them to remain in Christ with resilience. To provide support not simply so that others would process and persevere through suffering - but to prepare before such seasons come up. We also wanted to encourage and equip others for such a ministry, so that this becomes more than a local ministry but a movement of compassion across the local churches.  And then the story took an unexpected turn. 

 

In the Spring of 22, Trina was 3-months pregnant when during an appointment we received news that devastated us. Our son, whom we named Isaiah Orion, was diagnosed with advanced Trisomy-13. The doctors gave him zero chance of survival. And so began the season of horrific anticipatory grief knowing that he would pass away at any point. We briefly lived as family of five. Trips to the beach, coastal drives, and various family outings - all with a heartbreaking awareness this was going to be brief. Ori was born in October and we held him, sang over him, cherished him and wept over him for just over 3 hours until he died. Our love is always there. Our grief too. And somehow through all this God sustained our faith. We are bruised but still here by God’s help.  And so we continue with this ministry of Remain, only because God has remained faithful in caring for us. He is still writing our story. He is still writing yours.