uncle.

This weekend Rob and I were camping with Rob's family and some friends at a state park in Muskegon. The weekend didn't give us the greatest weather for the days we were there, but that's ok. We enjoyed time together and that is what matters.

Unfortunately, the weekend's events took a turn for the worse. Rob's uncle Darcy has been back in the hospital for the past couple of weeks battling 7 surgeries within 10 days. At 3:00am on Sunday morning, Rob's mom came and woke us up. We all thought Darcy had been doing a bit better but when she woke us up, she said that Darcy had taken a turn for the worse and they were requested to come to the hospital.

Uncle Darcy passed away Sunday evening. He was only in his early-60s. While we celebrate his life and rejoice that he no longer suffers the earthly pain that he has been dealing with for so long, our hearts hurt for the loss of an uncle and for the pain we feel for his wife, daughters, and grandchildren as they now face life without their husband, father, and grandpa by their side.

 Most of the Bergman family at Uncle Steve's wedding, December 2010  |  Uncle Darcy & Aunt Linda

Uncle Darcy, we will miss you. We will grieve alongside your dear wife and children and grandchildren. And we will trust that we will learn something of the Lord's mercy and grace and unending peace as we endure this current sadness.

moped justice mission.

Most people get excited about making plans for the summer. Activities like camping, boating, bike riding, laying out, eating ice cream, swimming, no homework, lemonade on the front porch, campfires and friends take over our thoughts and consume our time for days on end.

For Brady and Jon, summer looks a little bit different. Summer means mopeds, justice, and a mission. A "road trip" of sorts around the country, riding mopeds/scooters, and spreading the word about the injustice of human trafficking and the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

For differing lengths of times, I went to college with these guys: Brady Mulder and Jonathan Stockeland.

They are embarking on a journey that could teach me a thing or two about humility and standing up for what I believe in. I'm not particularly close with either of them, so I don't know the story firsthand, but that doesn't mean that it's not a story worth hearing...and following for the summer. You should take a couple of minutes and read their story for yourself: http://www.mopedjusticemission.blogspot.com/.

These men have given up their summer to ride around the United States on mopeds/scooters with the intent of  having conversations with people, being intentional about community, and spreading the word about a horrific injustice that plagues the world and our own country. Please take the time to read their story and pray for them this summer. And if you're impressed with what they are doing, don't applaud them for it - I think I can safely say that they aren't looking for credit or a standing ovation. Instead, give God the glory for putting such a mission on the hearts of these guys and for giving them the means to tell others. 

This is a link to a specific post on the Moped Justice Mission blog that shares a few more details about their travel plans and some frequently asked questions about why they are doing what they are doing. If you're not interested in back reading the blog via the link I listed at the beginning of this post, at least take a look at the one posted in this paragraph. Then, pray that God would continue to bless and use them.

You can also follow them on Facebook to hear updates and see pictures from their travels.

"Learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed.

Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow."

Isaiah 1:17

[All photo credits: Bri Mulder]

golf.

Today we were able to enjoy the little bit of sunshine we had while walking the golf course for one of my not-so-little-anymore little brother's last high school golf matches. He's basically a pro in my book. He's the #1 golfer on the #1 Varsity Golf Team in the OK-Green Conference and he's the #2 individual golfer in the conference. He'll probably tell you that he "played terrible today" because he shot two over par, but like I said, he's basically a pro in my book.

Whether he believes it or not, I'm proud of him and the things he's accomplished - including but not limited to the fact that he has two AP exams to take tomorrow. Not sure my brain could handle AP English in the morning and AP Stats in the afternoon, but if anyone can do it, it's him. And he graduates in 15 days. I'm not sure where time went...last I checked he was still 11 years old. Love you, Brett.

a good, good day.

Yesterday was a good day in the Bergman household. And by good day, I mean great day!

And so we celebrated (in the only appropriate way) with ice cream!

Rob had his interview for his Masters of Social Work internship at Spectrum Health Hospice. Rob is passionate about people in their end stages of life - young and old alike - and would love to work in the hospital someday with children and adults who are facing the end of their lives. He knew that he was being interviewed at the same time as another candidate but that was all he knew. When he arrived at the interview, there were two interviewers (who will ultimately be the supervisors for the internship). One of the interviewers is the same woman who interviewed and "hired" Rob as the undergraduate intern at Gilda's Club Grand Rapids and the other was the man who Rob had previously job shadowed with at Hospice. (Score!) Needless to say...

Rob was chosen for the internship at Spectrum Health Hospice!

And, to add on to our already good day (a few other internship possibilities fell through earlier this year for Rob, so his good news was already awesome enough!), I received a call from Spring Arbor University with the results of my graduate program interview and timed writing sample that I took last week.

You're looking at a two graduate student family...I was accepted!

Thanks to all of you who have been praying for us and encouraging us. God is faithful.