library nerd.

I am a library nerd.

It's ok. I will admit it. I think I always knew that I was a library nerd at heart. I spent two years in high school working in the public library in Jenison. And despite the fact that I despised shelf reading, I loved working at the library. When I went on to study at Kuyper College, I spent my freshman year working in the Zondervan Library on campus. I loved that too. There's just something about being surrounded by shelves and shelves of books.

But, tonight is when I really knew that it's true.

I haven't been to the public library in a couple of years - probably more like four years. Something about college and required reading does that to you. Since graduation, the books I acquired during my undergrad (and never had time to read) and the church library have held me over just fine. Until tonight.

Tonight I went to the Grand Rapids Public Library, West Side Branch. I had never been there before so when I walked in, I wasn't sure what to expect. But, as soon as I walked in and saw all those books and smelled that distinct library smell, the biggest, geekiest, ear-to-ear grin overtook my face (and I knew it and I still couldn't stop smiling) and that's when I knew. I am a library nerd. I love libraries. Why has it been 4 years since I've been to one!?

The West Side Branch isn't a large library by any means but I still walked up and down every aisle (and smiled the whole time) and they had the book I was looking for and the lady at the desk was kind enough to inform me that I have a 60 cent fine on my card at the Georgetown location (from when?! 2005?). 

Best of all, I got my very own GRPL Library Card. Wahoo!

So much cooler looking than my old Georgetown Library card.
And there's even a little one for my key ring!

Now I can go to the library whenever I want and I can check out books whenever I want. (And I'll have to remember library book due dates. Yikes.) I can only imagine the smile I'll have when I walk in the Main Branch downtown sometime soon! (And then I'll start classes again in August and all this joy will quickly come to a halt. Boo.)

In other news, I signed up on BookSneeze tonight! So as soon as I select my first book, receive it in the mail, and find time to read it - you can expect to see a 200 word book review from me on the blog. Best part about it? I get to keep the book I choose to review! Thanks to Annie for the suggestion!

camping.

Rob and I had another opportunity to go camping this weekend. Unfortunately, the weather wasn't much better than it was when we were camping a couple of weekends ago. Fortunately, we did see some sun and I have the sunburn to prove it! I don't know about for Rob, but this weekend of camping did cause me to think back to the 3:30am phone call we received during our last camping adventure. It's hard to believe that it's only [already] been two weeks since Darcy passed away. I can't decide if it seems like forever ago or like yesterday.

Thankfully, this weekend was a bit more celebratory! Not for any particular reason - if only because this is year 11 or 12 or 13 or something equally outrageous that my family has camped together with 5 other families. As Rob and I sat around the fire on Friday night, I leaned over and said to him, "Wow, things sure are different than they were way back then." I commented on the fact that it was 10:30pm and not long ago, half of the group would have already been asleep due to having a bedtime, some of the people around the fire wouldn't have even been there (but I'm thankful they are now!) due to recent weddings, and the 4 or 5 kids drinking Dr. Pepper (cans handed out by one of the parents, nonetheless!) just before 11pm certainly wouldn't have been happening either! 

But, aside from all of that, and aside from the fact that the group was significantly smaller this year due to lots of the kids having to work or having other plans, there's something about tradition and faithfulness and good friends. There's something really good about it. And I am thankful.

The weather was cool and windy most of the time, except for Friday afternoon- which I spent reading in the sun - and Sunday just before we left. So, all that to say, there was a lot of sitting around the fire and not much picture taking. In fact, I have a grand total of 4 pictures from the weekend...and one of them was actually taken when we got home. Oops. 

My dad and brother on Sunday morning: watching the ladies (and Rob) do the packing, if I remember correctly.
Rachel showing off her mad tennis skills on Friday night.

Bright blue skies, deep blue water, and sunshine...on Sunday afternoon as we drove out of the campground to go home.

Home Sweet Home - with a carload of camping gear to unload.
Sunburned, sleepy and ready for a shower. Isn't that what camping is all about?

I may only have 4 pictures and maybe we haven't taken a "kid picture" in 3 years due to the fact that 16+ of us kids are never there at the same time - or at all - anymore, but that doesn't mean it's a weekend that we don't look forward to year after year after year. So thankful for family and friend traditions. And for a husband who loves to enjoy them with me.

bloom.

It seems like spring might have finally arrived on the northwest side at the Bergman house. We've had some beautiful weather the past couple of days and hopefully it's here to stay! Our yard has been loving the mix of rain and gorgeous sunshine that we've been enjoying as well.

I love the way LIFE is blooming up all around the place we call home.

The grass seed we planted is finally coming up: bold and full and beautiful!
(And so much nicer to walk on than the weeds that were originally in its place.)

The hanging basket we planted at Koetsiers Greenhouse in March started as 6 little plugs and is now in full bloom
(and huge! the picture only shows maybe a fourth of the entire basket!)
and the gladiolus bulbs that I planted in front of our bedroom window are sprouting too!

We also planted some sort of lily bulb near our front porch. 3 of the 4 bulbs have sprouted - I can't wait to see what color the flowers end up being! And the poppy plants (also from Koetsier's) just opened up their flowers today!

Our garden is in full bloom too. Well, most of it is at least. So far our potatoes, tomatoes, cauliflower, peppers and variety of herbs seem to be doing quite well! Hopefully they continue to grow. I see fresh food ahead!

We're looking forward to the coming months of warm weather and opportunities to be outside. We've been so thankful for the nice weather - especially these last couple of days as we face visitation and the funeral tomorrow and Friday. The sunshine helps warm up the cold places, inside and out. But, aside from that, we're thankful for the changing seasons and the way the new life in our yard reminds us of our new life in Christ and the fact that everything - you, me, and even the potato sprouts in our garden - belong to Him.

It may be an old hymn, but take the time to read the words. God is the ruler yet.

This is my Father's world and to my listening ears
all nature sings and 'round me rings the music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world: I rest me in the thought of rocks and trees,
of skies and seas; his hand the wonders wrought.

This is my Father's world, the birds their carols raise,
the morning light, the lily white, declare their Maker's praise.
This is my Father's world: He shines in all that's fair;
in the rustling grass I hear Him pass; He speaks to me everywhere.

This is my Father's world. O let me ne'er forget
that though the wrong seems oft so strong, God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world: why should my heart be sad?
The Lord is King! Let the heavens ring!

God reigns, let the earth be glad!

This is our Father's world. I rest me in the thought.

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.