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.

husband.

I told Rob this week that if I knew how to get up on the roof, I would shout from the rooftops about how proud I am of him for everything that he is accomplishing with work and school and around the house and with MOSES. But, since getting up on the roof seems a bit dangerous, this will have to do and let me tell you, I want everyone to know how proud I am of my husband and how much I love him. Here's a guy who works full-time, who is studying towards his Masters in Social Work and has probably written more papers this semester than he ever has before and  is getting As on every assignment or exam he completes. All that and he still makes sure that we pay our bills on time, is helping re-landscape our yard, keeps all of MOSES' finances on track, helps me plan Sunday School lessons every week...and still somehow finds the energy to love me day in and day out.

So sometimes a girl's gotta do what a girl's gotta do to help provide a fun (quirky?), relaxing evening to get her husband's mind off of all things work and school and just REST for awhile.

And so...I built a fort in the living room. Then we ate chips and cheese, wore "comfies", drank Ruby Red Squirt out of wine glasses and watched the episode of The Biggest Loser that we missed on Tuesday.

Hopefully he knows how much he is appreciated and loved. Because he is.

From the very deepest downs of my heart.

mr. & mrs. lang.

After four years of dating and a year and nine months of engagement, their day has finally come.
Congratulations, Mr. & Mrs. Jakob and Sarah Lang!
Sometimes pictures speak louder words. I think today is one of those days.

Congratulations, Jake and Sarah. May God bless you richly. Happy honeymooning! 

a love story.

Last night was the wedding rehearsal of my dear friends, Jake and Sarah. We rehearsed, we ate amazing food, we laughed, we found out we have get to be at the church at 5:00am tomorrow morning. But, my favorite part of the night was watching the picture slideshow that is being shown following the ceremony tomorrow.

We watched pictures scroll across the screen from the time Jake and Sarah were born until just last week. And I am so blessed to have been able to see my face show up in pictures with Jake from the time I was 4 years old and with Sarah from the time we were in elementary/middle school. Now, let's not get confused here. I wasn't blessed to see my face on the screen in some sort of egotistical way (though, I was a pretty cute kid). No, I'm blessed to be able to recognize the fact that I have had friends so wonderful as Jake and Sarah for the majority of my life.

I think of the verse in John when Jesus tells us that true love is when a man lays down his life for his friends. What a gift to have true friends in my life for all these years that have walked with me through smiles and tears and what a JOY to know that Jake and Sarah are about to enter into a sacred covenant of love and sacrifice when they get married tomorrow morning.

The future Mr. & Mrs. Lang playing "The Shoe Game" at their Rehearsal Dinner!

Jake and Sarah, I am so grateful for both of you and I love you both so much. I'm praying that today is relaxing and fun-filled and that you both get a good night's rest tonight. While my 4:00am wake up time for tomorrow morning doesn't sound all that appealing...I can't wait to watch your faces as you walk down the aisle, speak your vows, and kiss for the first time as husband and wife. 

In fact, I'm so excited that I wish I could figure out a way for Tyler and I to do the 360 degree spin in the air-back flip-heel clicks off the steps tomorrow during the recessional like we talked about during rehearsal. My heart could do it. It's the dress and heels I'm worried about. ツ