Here are some snaps from a photo session that I did for my DW 6-ply Quilted Maple 14×5.5 Snare Drum with chrome hardware. I spent four years figuring out what I wanted in this snare! Here are five factors that I considered as a drummer:

• Dimensions: Defines pitch and sustain
• Shell: Provides tonal character
• Plies: Determines sound projection
• Finish: Makes the drum look good
• Hardware: Enables different playing styles

The pictures below provide different perspectives that showcase the drum’s beauty.

Capture snare and stand

Use fill flash for the background

Highlight the snare using bounce flash

Shoot snare from an angle

Last year, I decided to order the drum through Guitar Center. The clerks said that the drum company would ship my snare in ten weeks, but it did not come in time. Months passed and I did not hear any news about the drum. Those months certainly tested my patience. I would drive to Guitar Center and hear nothing from the store clerks. I wanted to cancel the order and force the store to give me a refund. That way, I would not have to deal with my frustration about the drum order.

However, my parents encouraged me to stay vigilant and continue asking Guitar Center. I listened to them and drove to Guitar Center to ask the clerks once again. They said no, but this time they remembered me. I got an email address from one of the clerks, and he said that I could use it to follow up with him about the order. As a result, asking about the drum became more bearable. After a month of waiting and asking the clerk, I got an email from him with a picture of the drum in the makings.

My snare is in the works!

This picture gave me peace and security, knowing that the drum was being made and not forgotten. This week, I was told that the drum was available for me to pick up. I jumped for joy! I headed to Guitar Center the next day and took the drum out of its cardboard box.

Fresh out of the box!

I then asked someone to take a picture of me and the clerk who helped me through this journey.

The clerk and I

In my heart, I know that the wait for this drum is worthwhile. Actively waiting for the things that we desire builds up our faith. And I learned from my pastor last week that faith is an intentional act of waiting upon God to do what only he can do. How do we wait intentionally? 2 Peter 1:5-7 claims that we do that by building up our character:

5 For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, 6 and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, 7 and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.

This passage reminds us to focus on what we can control. For instance, our attitude towards life is something that we can control as we wait for that dreaded interview. For those of you who are out there like me, waiting for something to happen or someone to come into your life, know that you are being presented with an opportunity to build up your character and hope. Don’t let those moments pass by! Be strong and courageous, for that is what waiting is all about.