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NOVEMBER 2018
WHAT JOB CAN TEACH US ABOUT GRATITUDE How Faith Can Guide You Through Struggles
M any avid readers consider the story of Job to be the most difficult and challenging text in all of the Bible. The book’s complexity doesn’t stem from unreadable language. In fact, the text is masterfully crafted with rich poetic imagery and philosophical rhetoric. Rather, the complexity stems from the fact that most readers regard the story as an allegory or a parable wherein Job functions as a symbol to guide believers under trial. In the story, God grants Job with good fortune: an ideal family, good health, and abundant riches. Job is grateful and doesn’t take his fortune for granted, but his devotion provokes the envy of Satan, who asks God for permission to tempt his devoted follower. In the course of one day, Job receives four messages bearing news that his livestock, servants, and 10 children have all died due to marauding invaders and natural catastrophes. Satan then puts Job’s health in jeopardy; Job wakes up the following morning covered in painful skin sores. While Job’s faith is definitely tested as he struggles to accept his new circumstances, he does not renounce God. He merely states, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised.” (Job 1:21) Job’s story is particularly interesting during November, the month of gratitude. Whenever I think about all that I am grateful for this year, I am brought back to Job’s experiences. He had everything taken away from him but still found
No matter what is missing in your life, forging a deep connection with God or whichever higher power you believe in can help guide you through your struggles. As prominent rabbi and author, Harold Kushner, explains, “If you concentrate on finding whatever is good in every situation, you will discover that your life will suddenly be filled with gratitude, a feeling that nurtures the soul.” This year, I am particularly grateful for my relationship with God. I am also thankful for my family, hardworking staff, clients, and all of you good people who read this newsletter. Each person I’ve had the pleasure of meeting is special in his or her own way, and I value all of those friendships. So from all of us here at the Law Offices of Jerry Carter, Happy Thanksgiving!
a way to be grateful for all that he had left. More often than not, people find themselves feeling thankful for necessary material possessions like cars, a house, a bed, food, etc. But what happens when these items are taken away? If you strip away all the elements that make your living conditions and your day-to-day routines what they are, would your view of gratitude change? Would you be able to find a way to be thankful? I’ve felt quite blessed in my own life. I’ve had both good and bad circumstances, but I’ve never had to deal with a situation like Job’s, where the bad circumstances so far outweighed the good ones. But even in the worst of situations, I believe the aspects of your life that are lacking can be fulfilled through faith.
“IF YOU STRIP AWAY ALL THE ELEMENTS THAT MAKE YOUR LIVING CONDITIONS AND YOUR DAY-TO-DAY ROUTINES WHAT THEY ARE, WOULD YOUR VIEW OF GRATITUDE CHANGE?”
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Thanksgiving Prep for the Whole Family
work together to bring some seasonal flare to the dining room. Maybe this means picking up some Thanksgiving coloring books, or perhaps the family can venture outdoors to collect autumn trimmings for crafts. It’s a great way to let each family member put their own personal spin on the holiday! HAVE A ‘ROLLER DERBY’ Finally . While an adult should be the one to put these delicious baked goods in the oven, the whole family can help shape the dough. In fact, Care.com recommends making this a contest. Set aside a time when everyone can vie for the title of Fastest Roll Maker, and you’ll have plenty of warm, flaky, delicious treats come dinnertime. Letting everyone play a part may take a little more planning and add slightly more chaos to your Thanksgiving preparations. But it’s sure to produce a lot of great memories and bonding moments among your loved ones. And by the time you sit down to eat, you’ll all have something to be thankful for right in front of you— Those. Delicious. Rolls.
Thanksgiving is more than just a feast; it’s about coming together as a family and being thankful for one another. So why wait to get into the spirit until everyone is seated at the table? Here are a few ways you can make the actual preparation of Thanksgiving dinner fun and engaging for the whole family! GIVE EVERYONE A ROLE No, not those rolls — yet . Making the feast a family project can turn the day from a hectic list of chores into a magical bonding experience. It’s important to match each family member to a job that best fits their abilities. Young children can mash potatoes or rinse ingredients in the sink. Older kids can take on more responsibility, like measuring ingredients, keeping an eye on timers, and setting the table. Teens and young adults can supervise their younger siblings and cousins in these important tasks and may be called upon to stir what’s on the stove while an adult checks on the football game. ROLL OUT THE DECORATIONS Still not talking about bread . Not everything in Thanksgiving preparation needs to be tied to the kitchen. Creative family members of all ages can
3 True Crime Shows You Have to See MOVE OVER, SITCOMS, THERE’S A NEW TREND IN TOWN
‘MAKING A MURDERER’ Directors Laura Ricciardi and Moira Demos take viewers through an experience that feels like the most maddening game of ping pong ever played — in any given episode, your view may bounce from one polarizing opinion to another. After watching 10 mind-bending episodes of Steven Avery and his attorneys going back and forth during the trial, you’ll have questions that demand answers. So many, in fact, that Netflix has confirmed the production of a second season and a spin-off series titled “Convicting a Murderer.” ‘THE JINX’ Forty years of conflicting reports on three murders make for one compelling HBO series. Robert Durst goes under the spotlight after speaking for the first time about the death of three people connected to him. A web of lies, convolution, and gritty storytelling comes to one bone-chilling conclusion that will make your jaw drop. ‘THE STAIRCASE’ Did Michael Peterson kill his wife? Did the American justice system tear apart the dream it so righteously attempts to protect? What is considered fact in a murder trial? These are just a few of the questions you’ll contemplate as you go on a 16-year journey told over 13 gripping episodes. Questionable expert testimony and crime scene evidence are juxtaposed with a competent defense team and a convincing defendant, making for a story that begs viewers to take sides. In the end, the only fact you’ll know to be true is that you can’t trust your intuition.
There’s a genre of entertainment that many Americans are afraid to admit is their secret obsession. It’s as if you’re hiding a secret that you desperately want to confess, but you’re afraid of the judgment and concerned looks from your friends. Then one day, you muster the courage to casually mention a docu-series you watched — hoping for absolution but concerned the jury won’t understand — and the floodgates open. Suddenly your closest friends and family have passionate opinions on the justice system and can tell you they know exactly who murdered who and how. Deep down inside, everyone loves a good mystery. Here are three of the best.
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ENJOY THESE 6 AUTUMN ACTIVITIES
Fun for the Whole Family!
Throughout November, everyone is eagerly looking forward to Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, but you shouldn’t let the rest of the month slip past you! Enjoy these other fall activities with the whole family. HOMEMADE CARAMEL APPLES Homemade treats are no doubt far better than their store-bought counterparts. Try your hand at making your own caramel apples for the whole family to enjoy. You can also add a number of toppings to liven things up, such as nuts, white or milk chocolate, coconut, sprinkles, or pecans. BACKYARD BONFIRE During these cold months, you may be tempted to stay indoors, but heading outside for a bonfire is a great way to spend time with your family while enjoying the brisk weather. If you have a fire pit in your backyard, now is the perfect time to take advantage of it by bundling up with some hot chocolate and s’mores. AUTUMN ARRANGEMENTS It’s time to get crafty! Creating your own fall arrangements will ensure that your home has the seasonal decorations you want. Making beautiful fall flower arrangements for your kitchen table or wreaths for your front door to greet guests will create the desired autumn vibe you’ve been searching for. MOVIE NIGHT Gather your loved ones in the living room with popcorn, blankets, and a great film. Make the most of your autumn evenings by cozying up and spending quality time with each other while watching some family holiday favorites, like “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” or the Thanksgiving comedy-drama “Pieces of April.” HOME-COOKED FOOD When autumn rolls around, pie and warm cider may be high on your list of tasty treats you’re eagerly anticipating. This fall, encourage your family to take part in making annual goodies and sharing themwith your neighbors. Nothing warms the heart more than receiving a loaf of freshly baked pumpkin bread during these increasingly cold days. KNITTED SCARVES If you’re handy with knitting needles, now is the season to put them to work. Hand-knitted scarves are great gifts to give throughout the fall and winter, and you can also make it a family activity! Take some time to teach your kids how to knit and crochet to create scarves of their very own.
SPICY, CREAMY SWEET POTATOES
Sweet potatoes are a Thanksgiving staple, but they’re often the blandest thing on the table. Luckily that’s not the case with this recipe, which features Thai spices and coconut milk.
Ingredients
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1/2 cup dark brown sugar
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5 pounds sweet potatoes
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4 tablespoons unsalted butter
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1 cup canned coconut milk
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1 tablespoon kosher salt
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1 tablespoonThai red curry paste
Directions
1. Heat oven to 375 F. On a large sheet pan, bake potatoes until very soft, approximately 75 minutes. 2. Let potatoes cool until they are safe to handle, then peel and mash. 3. In a small saucepan over low heat, combine coconut milk and curry paste. Once mixed, add the mixture, salt, half the sugar, and half the butter to potatoes. 4. 30 minutes before serving, heat oven to 425 F. Spread potatoes in a baking dish, cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes. 5. Uncover potatoes and dot with remaining butter and sugar. Broil until brown, crusty, and delicious. Serve hot. Inspired by The NewYork Times
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INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1 2 3
What Job Can Teach Us About Gratitude
Let Kids Play a Role This Thanksgiving True Crime Makes for Gripping TV Spicy, Creamy Sweet Potatoes Caramel Apples, Knitting, and Bonfires
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A Historic Veterans Day
A Historic Veterans Day Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the End of WorldWar I
hour on the 11th day of the 11thmonth in 1918, though the war did not officially end until the signing of the Treaty of Versailles the following July. An estimated 16 million soldiers and civilians died in just four years, making it one of the deadliest conflicts inmodern history. VETERANS DAY Originally called Armistice Day, Veterans Day was first observed on Nov. 11, 1919, to honor the one-year anniversary of the armistice, and it became a U.S. holiday in 1938. Today, Veterans Day celebrates veterans who served their country honorably. The U.K., France, Australia, and Canada also commemorate their veterans in November. If you know a veteran, thank them for their service this month.
This year, Veterans Day takes on particular historic significance: Nov. 11, 2018, marks the 100th anniversary of the armistice that ended the FirstWorldWar. Countries around the world will commemorate the signing of this peace agreement withmoments of silence, centennial ceremonies, and historical exhibits.
eventually burn downmuch of Europe. A chain reaction of land disputes, pre-emptive attacks, and strategic alliances brought over 30 countries into WorldWar I. The GreatWar that ravaged Europe resulted in a devastating loss of life, but from those ashes rose a renewed appreciation for the importance of peace and a global effort to ensure its place in the future. THE RESTORATION OF PEACE In 1918, Germany surrendered unconditionally, and the armistice ended the fighting at the 11th
Unlike Memorial Day, Veterans Day is a celebration of life. It’s a day to honor the power of peace and the living veterans across the globe who have served their countries. This November, take a moment to remember the war that helped shape the international community’s dedication to peace and thank the individuals who served to defend it. THE GREATWAR By 1914, a world war had been years in the making, but the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of the Austro-Hungarian Empire by a Serbian nationalist provided the spark that would
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