Blood is Thicker Than Water

It's been too long since I've update this blog, so I thought I'd add a couple of pictures from a recent Sarver sibling ski weekend. We are so blessed to be such a close family. We all enjoy each other's company, and spend most vacations trying to get together. It's a closeness that was instilled in us early on, and nurtured throughout the course of our lives.



When Mom made the decision to teach us at home in 1984, she took on an enormous challenge. Educating three rambunctious kids at three different grade levels must have a daunting prospect. But Mom relished the opportunity. She wanted to spend more time with us and hated the idea of someone else instilling values in her kids. She felt it was her God-given responsibility to "train up a child in the way he should go" as we read in Proverbs 22:6. She turned our formal dining room into a classroom, complete with chalkboards, school desks and electric pencil sharpeners. She made us wake up early, get showered and dress and sit down for school time. She took the responsibility very seriously, but she always made it fun. She introduced new games and songs to help jog our memory or turn a complicated idea into something memorable. She helped us with English, science and history, always helping the subject come alive. She had a gift for teaching and nurturing. A gift that was later shared with hundreds of kids at Covenant Christian Academy.

For 12 years she taught her children at home, forgoing opportunities to work full time outside of the home or have much of a life outside of her family and her service. She felt like we were her calling, and we are blessed beyond measure because of her sacrifice. We all excelled academically, and went on to graduate at the top of our classes from Sharyland High School. But it was that early foundation that she laid that created a sturdy grounding for future success. And, it was those early years in which we spent so much time together, morning, noon and night that we learned that the best of friends are those who share our blood. The bond of siblings is the strongest and I'm grateful that she taught us to be friends.

Christmas in Mexico

This year we decided to head South for Christmas. Knowing that this particularly holiday would be especially hard without Mom, we thought a fun, activity-filled tropical vacation was in order. So we planned a trip to Playa del Carmen, Mexico where we could blissfully ignore all of the holiday traditions and memories that might have caused sadness rather then joy on this happiness of holidays. Well, after a few mishaps along the way (lost passports, wrong names on tickets, 3-hour plane delays) our plan worked. We had a great Christmas in Playa full of fun, laughter and new memories. We snorkeled, swam, canoed, zip-lined, biked, rappelled, cave dived, played beach volleyball, hiked and climbed to the top of an ancient Mayan pyramid at Coba. (We're pictured above at the top of the pyramid.)

As you can see, we were more "active" then a normal beach vacation and spent a lot of time hiking around and exploring the beautiful sites. This is a view from the cliffs of Tulum, another Mayan village we explored. We did spend a day lounging by one of the two huge pools with poolside food and drinks service. Below is a picture of the Sarver Boys horsing around in the pool.

We stayed at the beautiful new Hacienda Tres Rios along the Riviera Maya. The resort was less than a month old, and was built on the site of a nature preserve, so there was lush vegitation, natural pools called cenotes, bike trails, animal watching and of course, there was lots of eating at our luxurious "all inclusive" resort. After all that eating, we had to enjoy some time in the sun (with suncsreen, of course!).

Overall, we had a great time goofing off with one another and celebrating Christmas. We hope to revive many of our family traditions next year...Mom's Swedish cookies and meatballs, a special Christmas breakfast with sausage and gravy, homemade apple sauce and eggs, a night around the tree with crackers and cheese and sparkling wine, sharing our favorite holiday memories. (Boy, it seems like a lot of our traditions revolve around FOOD!) While we missed Mom dearly, and her seat at the table was noticeably empty, we were grateful for the time time together and for the many blessings God has given us. Merry Christmas to all and best wishes for a Happy New Year!

The First Thanksgiving

Last week we celebrated the first Thanksgiving without Mom. The Longhorn and Aggie wings of the Johnson family met in Austin for the annual Thanksgiving football match. We enjoyed the cool weather, TONS of bbq at the Salt Lick, and of course THE game. (49-9, Texas won)

As I sat around with my family thinking of all that I'm grateful for...good health, a job that I love, amazing friends and family, a free and democratic country and above all, my Heavenly father, I couldn't help but think of Mom. My heart still aches when I think about life without her. Not an hour goes by that I don't think about her. She loved the holidays. She relished any chance to celebrate, decorate, cook and most of all, spent time with her family. Even if we didn't always share Thansksgiving Day together, we were always celebrating together in spirit. This year, though most of the family was actually together in person, Mom was noticeably absent...but her spirit lives on in all of us.

This year, the thing I'm most grateful for is my Mother. The blessing of her in my life as a teacher, mentor and friend, is above all that I could have ever hoped for. I'm grateful that God gave her to me for 32 years, and I'm grateful for the impact she had in my life and the lives of countless others.

Ms. Cheri's Gym!

Last Friday, Oct. 17, 2008 we dedicated the "Cheri Sarver Gymnasium" at Covenant Christian Academy. It was four months to the day of when we held Mom's memorial service...her "graduation celebration" as Dad called it. It was a fitting way to mark the occasion. The new gym and multipurpose building was a huge accomplishment for Mom.

She spent hours of time, energy and prayer helping to plan, prepare for, fundraise for and organize the new building. In many ways it was the culmination of her dream for CCA to move to the next level, by having a permanent building and a solid foundation for the future. She was thrilled when the first bit of concrete was poured, when the walls went up and when the first the event was held there just weeks before her death. I can only imagine that she would wholeheartedly approve of the final accessory...her name on the corner of the building! The dedication service included music, testimony and photos of her beloved CCA kids, and it culminated in the release of 500 purple balloons into the sky...little tokens of love being let up in the air to say one last goodbye to Ms. Cheri.

Mom, you'd be proud. You are missed more than words can begin to express, but we're all working hard to keep your legacy alive, living every day with purpose and passion.

Cheri Sarver Believed God!

Many people have shared so eloquently about Mom...it's comforting to read through them and see how much she inspired others. Below is a note Tom Fleming wrote in a card to Grandma Joyce...

"I wanted to share what I wrote in my journal on Tuesday, June 17, 2008: Cheri’s funeral was today. I was more “teary” and have cried more in the last 5 1/2 days than I ever have in my life. I felt such a mixture of emotions: sadness for the loss, joy over a life given to God, insecurity about the future, inspired by a life that touched so many, thankful to have had the opportunity to know her, and watch her in action, blessed to have learned from her and about her. I loved her management style—very hands-on, and people followed her. She was a woman of conviction, who knew how to laugh, who somehow captured what it is to really love. I’m sure she had all the struggles every human being has, but I really think she believed in God. The woman really believed God. She didn’t just believe in God, Cheri Sarver believed God! It’s not an “I’m believing God for this or that,” but an “I believe God who tells me so many wonderful things in His word.” If one really believes God, how could they not be as joyful as Cheri Sarver?"

With Much Christian Love,

Tom Fleming

Ms. Cheri

This is from the daughter of one of Mom's close friends and a teacher at CCA:

you know how some people say that others are beautiful inside and out? when i say that about ms. cheri, i honestly mean it. my mom is the spanish teacher at a private christian school in my hometown of mcallen, texas. agustin also attends the school and both he and my mom absolutely love it there. when my mom met her for the first time, she came home and told me, "everyone is so nice there, and the principle, she is so sweet. i've never met someone so joyful in my life." as the school year started and i went off to college, mom would always call and tell me what was going on at the school and would just brag about her "lovely spanish speaking" students. she also let me know how she developed a close bond with ms. cheri and how it was a total blessing to have a person like her in her life. i finally got a chance to meet her during one of my visits home. when i did, it was as if we'd known eachother for years. she was so caring and welcoming and not to mention, i witnessed how loving she was towards my mom and family. during my summer vacations at home, i'd go to school with my mom to help her get things together for the upcoming school year or with summer camp classes and ms. cheri was always there to encourage my mom and to see what was new in my life. she would always ask how the school year had gone or what i wanted to do after graduation. and she would always be so thoughtful about my many different ambitions. i'll never forget when mom and i went to a special event at baptist temple, the church where ms. cheri attended. after the event, ms. cheri, mom, and me had a couple cups of coffee and lots of shared laughter at a local restaurant. i'll never forget the way she spoke of her family and how much every single one of her kids meant to her. she shared funny stories and gave excellent advice. mom adored her sense of humor and her honest heart and not only that, mom really considered her one of her closest friends. it made me happy to see that my mom and baby brother were so blessed to have a leader like her in their lives and not only was she a huge impact on them, but also on my dad and middle brother, matias. they loved her just as much!

on the morning of the accident, i was on my way home from summer school. i couldn't believe what my mom had told me on the phone. i kept thinking, "surely there's been a mistake." i was in total shock and became hysterical. i started praying and asked God to grant me the assurance that everything was going to be okay, that her family would be taken care of and loved on, and that my mom, the other teachers, parents and students at CCA would be comforted and at peace. now, i rarely listen to the radio but for some reason, that day i was. i somewhat calmed down and was searching through stations. and out of nowhere, the song "sherry" by the four seasons came on. as weird as it sounds, i had so much peace in my heart and i just burst out in laughter and happy tears. and that was His way of letting me know, she's okay.

i don't know where to begin in explaining how amazing she was and how to tell you how much she blessed my families life and the lives of others. when mom talks about school now, it's a little different. of course she's so happy to be back with her students and agustin is totallyyy enjoying his year as a 5th grader, but when there is an irreplaceable person missing..nothing is the same. God has blessed the school with new leadership and has a grip on the "CCA family". this school year is going to be hard on them and their families at home.

and me? well..i miss her. when i call my mom and she's in the middle of carpool, i miss the voice in the background saying "hey sweetheart!" and mom saying, "ms. cheri says hi!" and handing her the phone to have a quick hello/goodbye. i miss getting pictures from my dad through email of ms. cheri and all the kids dressed up for 16 de septiembre at school. and most of all, i miss her as a strong christian leader and as someone who i looked up to with my whole heart. it took me such a long time to write a blog about her because i had so much to say and couldn't find the words to say it and still don't know if this all sounds okay. but, i know she's having a blast right now. she couldn't be any happier! she left behind a beautiful legacy that will go on through her family, through the CCA family and through other lives she has touched. it's just like what agustin said about her, "this isn't goodbye, it's just a 'see you later'".

Where does my help come from?

This just doesn't get easier. All of the things people say about grief are true. It's unpredictable. It's a rollercoaster. It comes in waves. Right now I feel like I've been hit by a tsunami. How is it possible to go from calmly watching the Presidential debates to sobbing uncontrollably? How can I go from being perfectly OK and in control of my emotions to being a wreck? My only explanation is that the power of my emotion is rooted in the powerful love of my Mother. She was such an incredible human being with an enormous capacity for love, forgiveness and grace. She daily lived an examplary life. A life that made a difference. A life that invested in others, cared for others, loved others. My hope is to daily strive to be a fraction like her. To put others first. To have a serving, giving heart...I don't think I come close. But I'm trying. And, when I need encouragement I turn to the scriptures. Tonight, the verses of comfort come from Psalms.

Psalm 121
I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?
My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.
He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.
Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.