Engaged!!

On May 22nd, 2008, I said yes to the man I love when he asked me if I would marry him! That little word has turned my world upside down! I am now a fiancé and the future wife of David! Whoa!

Okay, now for the story…

The Start:
It was a perfect day and we woke up early to head out to Itasca State Park for a good bike ride. But first we had a nice breakfast of Dad's famous oatmeal which was a lovely start to a perfect day. After chatting with Mom and Dad for a bit, they bid us farewell and off we went (they both knew what was going to happen!). The bikes were in the back and David was driving Dad's truck. He was feeling very trucker-ish and completely enjoyed the ride. I was entertained just watching him hang his arm out the window and pretend to be a country hick from the sticks. He really couldn't pull it off though, thank goodness!

The Proposal (my favorite part!):
When we arrived at the Headwaters to the Mississippi River, we got out of the truck and started off down the path to the river. I noticed that David seemed to be in some sort of an awful hurry and thought we should maybe slow down a little and just enjoy the walk but he was on a definite mission and there was no stopping him! When we arrived at the source I said, "There it is!" expecting some sort of exclamation of wonder and amazement at this humble beginning to the mighty river. Instead he took my hand and nearly dragged me across a log lying over the river. His mind was obviously not on the river. On the other side we stopped near the flowing water and David turned and looked at me. THEN he said it...those amazing words that have changed our lives significantly! He asked me if I would be his wife! I was shocked and delighted and amazed and…well, I think I nearly choked him with a hug and then said YES!! What an amazing moment it was, forever frozen in my memory. The sky was brilliant blue, the sun was shining bright, a pair of ducks watched us from their nest nearby, fish were jumping in the lake, and a loon was calling across the water and I became engaged to the man that I love with all my heart! It was a perfect day!

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Project PGH: Paint Grandma's House

This weekend the extended Berge family had the wonderful privilege of working all together on a special project--painting Grandma's house! It is amazing how a big, time-consuming project like painting a house can turn into a pleasant excuse to just enjoy each other's company. So here we go, step by step, on how to paint a house... :)

Step 1: Scrape all the old, peeling yellow paint off.

Here, Justin is demonstrating that painting doesn't necessarily have to be a safe activity.

Step 2: Cut plastic to cover all the windows.

Step 3: Endure cold blustery wind while taping the plastic to the windows

Step 4: Stop your hard work to smile for the camera!

Step 5: Coffee break! (there is nothing like a yummy "Grandma cookie" to retore your energy!)

Step 6: Back to work painting the trim with a steady, patient hand.

Step 7: Everyone contributing and doing their part!

Step 8: Gather food to feed the troups some supper!

Step 9: EAT!

And that is the end of this happy tale! I have to say, a day at Grandma's house is always a good thing--no matter what the occasion!

The Centrality of the Home

When I listened to this sermon by Voddie Baucham, I found myself shouting "AMEN" at my computer! It is my heart's cry! I feel such a burden for our children and our churches...it makes me weep when I hear the statistics and see the futility of so much "good" effort. Yet I see revival stirring...even in the hearts of our young Bright Lights girls and know that there is hope. It lies directly in my obedience in doing the hard (and often unpopular) things that God commands but oh the rewards when I do!

Praise God for those godly men and women who cherish their children and embrace their God given reponsibility to disciple them. My parents did that for me and I can't even begin to express how grateful I am to God for the eternal vision they imparted to me.

I love you Dad and Mom!

Bright Lights!

"And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction."

- Malachi 4:6

Recently I have been given a beautiful glimpse of the first part of this verse being lived out in real life! I help my sister, Mindy, with a girl's discipleship group called Bright Lights. The last meeting was a Father/Daughter night and it was powerful! Every girl had her dad there and a few invited their grandfathers. To see over 30 sets of fathers and daughters sitting side by side, turning their hearts to each other, was a beautiful sight.

The girls shared a few songs for their fathers that they had learned during choir time...including amazing harmony! Thanks to Beth for teaching us to sing!