Patience.

The topic of our small group's conversation last night was James 5:7-11, where it talks about being patient in suffering, as we wait for God's fruit to be revealed in our lives. I will admit, this is hard for me.

This year, I have been working on various scholarship applications, looking for work, trying to save money and study in preparation for graduate school in the fall.  Currently, I am waiting to hear back from all said scholarship foundations, finishing up a temporary work assignment (i.e. looking for work again), spending money on wedding celebrations that I am honored to be a part of, and getting discouraged in my studies (as well as not finding too much time for it!).  You can see why it's hard for me to be patient and wait for fruit. 


What I've been holding to since our conversation last night is James 1:2-4 which says,

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

I know that God is faithful to us, to me.  He has chosen to make me mature and complete through trials that do not make any sense in the moment. I'll be honest, I'm not in love with the methods, but God must have his reasons.  And so, I will look to be joyful as I wait patiently. 

So pray for me.

To Aaron Rodgers

Let me start by saying this is my first year cheering for you and your team because in general, I've found it hard to cheer for a team with a number four on it. I enjoyed this season immensely! I, like many others, was really saddened that we will not get to see you play further into the playoffs. Is your neck okay after that Cardinal yanked on your helmet?

I wanted to tell you that although Brett's shadow is long, you have outshined him this year. You play exceptionally well. Mr. Favre has a knack for getting and sitting in the limelight. I am sorry that you must live in that shadow. Be assured that your name will go further than his if you continue to play and lead well.

Your newest fan,

Jaime Sherf

The Count of Monte Cristo

I downloaded this book on my new iPod for something to read at work, without having to lug a book. I fell in love with its adventure and humor. So, I took myself to the library to pick up the real copy for home reading and WHOA... I found out that I'm reading the unabridged 1,200+ page edition! It's all in my little iPod! Amazing.

The other sweet thing that I found out was that I was already on page 650! whew. It's a great read... thoughtful and funny and informing. I recommend it! Pick up the abridged verison if you are strapped for time!

Also, I love my new iPod!

What are you guys reading?

Resolution vs. Goal

I've determined that it is much more benefitial to think in terms of goal instead of resolution. With a resolution, such as not eating chips in 2010, it ends with the first chip. It's not a progressive work, it's a sudden "new you." Instead of thinking about how you want to be different in 2010, I challenge you to think about how you want to be different by 2011! That's a goal. I want to be the best... husband/employee/basketball player that I can be. I want to read this book. I want to work on this friendship. You get the idea... Don't resolve to be better, because you might just fail and give up on January 11.

Make it a goal and work towards it. And honestly, even if you don't make it by the end of 2010, at least you'll be closer to it! Setting goals lets you start where you are, instead of hoping to be where you are not!

What are your goals for 2010?

The Decade Wanes

2000 to 2009. A Decade.

It's fun to reflect back on these years.

I've traveled to 4 continents in 10 years. I've lived in a foreign country for one of them. I've learned 2 1/2 languages since 2000. I graduated from high school and college. I've lost two grandparents. I've gained sister-in-laws. I have grown in my relationship with Christ. I have learned countless things about myself. I have made life-long friends. God has given me and my family health. He has provided jobs and given innumerable other blessings. He has sustained me, through Christ.

What has been your biggest accomplishment/proudest moment?

What do you hope to do better in the next ten years?

How has your life impacted others? and been impacted by them?

What are a few of the happiest moments of this past decade?

What have you learned?

Those days... [Irrational Fears]

I remember when I was young and every time I got a really bad sore throat, I thought that it was going to close up just like it did for George Washington when he died.

What fears did you have as a child that you've since deemed irrational?

Family Times

We spent last night trekking back in time… to when we set out on an adventure together – to new places and seemingly “more refined” tastes. We started out the day in snow-dusted Solway, saying good-bye to the curved driveway and bare trees. We had packed up our lives into boxes. Each of us had taken a stroll through the house with the video camera, reliving old memories and trying not to forget. For me, it was my first noteworthy venture into complete unknown. I was thankful that I had my family to go through it with the first time. Our dogs, Ginger and Blackie, are quiet and contemplative, as if they feel that was are leaving. Dad shows us the garage… the place where he created, now his vacant workbench and custom shelving. The tractor that carried our wood so many faithful years sits in the corner, to be picked up by a new owner. The yard is a dismal brown, looking so forlorn, even after the winter’s cleansing. The swing set where I first learned to pump my knees. The basketball hoop where I first went Around the World. The memories come rushing back as we view this piece of our lives.

In seconds, we find ourselves saying hello to a new house, even to a new life. First, we are introduced to the office that seemed to set this whole chaos into motion. It was a brown building with several different office spaces inside. Worldbook had the sliver office at the end. My dad was moving up in his company. I am awed by a town that was twice the size of Bemidji, MN. We caught our first views of our street, our drive home. This place would be where we opened our lives, the new chapter. The grass is green in our new manicured lawn. Here, the trees are intentionally placed and not left to come up where the wind blows the seed. As we watch, we are reminiscent of shorter trees, basketball hoop-less driveways, and old wall paper. I remember the new excitement that accompanied this house that has become so acquainted and comfortable. My room has dry-wall on all four sides!

The screen goes blue. I am torn from my reverie, being met again with the reality that it is 14 years later. It is late in the night. There is church tomorrow. All that I want to do is put in the next tape and continue to cuddle with my daddy. Times like these are precious, becoming scarcer with each passing day. I live in the same room that I did while in high school, but so much time has gone by. I can see it in the shooting height of the trees and Cody, in the extra gray hairs around dad’s ears, in my own body’s commencing physical decline. Life continues to go on, picking up speed by the minute. Most days, I long for a cave filled with now…

We hear a song or read a story, & the good feelings get don’t remain inside of us. We are either anticipating them, or we’ve had them and they are gone. We never experience them as now… I’m writing a story about a little girl who discovers a cave where there is a lasting now. – Chaim Potok [The Gift of Asher Lev, p.99]

May you enjoy your Thanksgiving with friends and family, in the now...