No time to contemplate.

So much to do, so little time.

I hate packing. Especially for long trips.

Departure from Madrid in 20 hours.

It's going to be awesome...God is going to be awesome!

I'm sure Anne Shirley would have agreed...

I’ve grown to love screened porches. They’re not too common where I come from. Decks, verandas and patios are more the fare in the great Midwest, but I think there’s just something so peaceful and somewhat whimsical about these special little rooms.

I sat in a new one tonight…perhaps one of my favorites. The setting sun painted the sky in colors of purple, aquamarine and that brilliant pinkish orange color as I rocked in the rocking chair and dreamed of having a screened porch of my own some day. Of course my daydreaming lasted for but a minute as my friend and I were soon joined by a few others. It was a welcome interruption, though, as lively and humorous talk is sure to inhabit the company of this group of people I’ve come to call my friends.

Besides, this was my only adventure for the night. They’re off right now, traipsing through mud and brush, up the slope of the mountain to build another bonfire. I hate to miss out on the fun, but something tells me it’s wiser for me to get some rest, considering I haven’t felt so wonderful for the past two days. *sigh*

No pude dormir si yo lei.

Having been once again jilted by sleep in the 5:00 am hour, I was compelled to give up trying to sleep and do something productive...like read the Bible.

Our departure for Spain is approaching quickly, and I find myself wishing I knew how to communicate more in the native tongue of the people we are going to reach. So, this morning I read a bit of the Spanish Bible online, and I've determined to find a print version today.

My memorization verse for Spain:

"El ladrón no viene más que a robar, matar y destruir; yo he venido para que tengan vida, y la tengan en abundancia." Juan 10:10

May we bring the truth and joy of the freedom of salvation to the Spaniards.

Photographs.

A day for pictures...

I hadn't seen these faces in quite some time, so I was delighted to see pictures of my girls in my mailbox today:



She looks so little here! But cute in her little pigtails, nonetheless.














Here's my beautiful little girl. Her blue eyes are turning green...









And we can't forget about smilie Rylie.


And now for some interestingness (I don't care if it's not really a word):

So, there's this gem of a website. Careful, it can suck a lot of time away from you if you're not careful. But this is what I've discovered.

Apparently here, here, here, here, and here, I bear about a 75% resemblance to quite a few celebs. Some of the repeat offenders:


(I'm not joshin')

Perhaps the most striking resemblance is how I look like him here.

Not once did it say I look like her, though it's not uncommon for me to hear that I do.

So, I'm practically a celebrity. Practically...

However, how many of them could perfect such a look as this??

(thanks for capturing it, Benny:)

Okay, I'm so done. I spent way too much time on this.

Time is slippin'...

Operation Spain: One week 'til departure.

In one week, my summer will be practically spent, and I'll be back in Tennessee before you can say....the Declaration of Independence...yeah. But seriously. Plans have been coming into place for the rest of the summer. I'll be in Spain for three weeks, then it's off to Connecticut/NYC for a few days with the sis' and mi madre...then the north country, New Hampshire, Illinois...bada boom, bada bang, I'm back in class wishing I didn't have a bunch of papers to write. Ah, life.

And now, for your listening...um...pleasure?...here's some...uh...great...yeah...great...tunes from back in the day. Prepare to be nostalgic. Talk about time passing.

:)

Honest contemplations...

I went for a walk today. I was only going to go around the “block,” but ended up walking much farther than that. I walked for over an hour and a half. Why? It was one of those Forrest Gump moments: “I just felt like runnin’.” I often venture out on such trips of solitude, with only my thoughts to keep me company.
And lots of thoughts I have to occupy myself. See, I’m a thinker. And somehow I’m such a big thinker that it ended up in the top five of my “strengths” (“intellect” they call it)...though I often wonder how good this quality of mine is. There is such a thing as thinking too much…

My thoughts….oh varied in nature…but with one central theme. And, oh, here’s my warning: get ready for some honesty straight from the heart and mind of Kelly Berg. I am so weak. Now, I realize that this is nothing new and nothing uncommon, but it’s just resting a bit heavily right now. I like to be strong. I’ve had to be strong. Having been already broken from relying on my own strength already this year, I don’t come close to wanting to have to go through such a lesson again, however good it was to learn.

It’s different now, anyway. Weakness, as with many things, can take different forms.

I need to fight but have no strength. Drained. Slightly empty from a lack of being filled (partially from my own laziness, partially from circumstances). Before I needed to learn to not fight my own battles. Now I’m being called to do a little warring in prayer and be a bit more vigilant in the mind. Did you know that “Kelly” means “warrior"? Not mistakenly do I bear such a name. I’m to put on the full armor of God…Gird up the loins of my mind. The enemy is real. I don’t fight alone, but I do need to fight. It takes effort. Will I be so lazy and accept defeat? Or, really…will I accept my weakness as my defeat?

I know His strength is perfected in my weakness. I know my times of weakness are His times of glory. I know He is at my right hand (my fighting hand). I know He has given my the instruments to victory.

But they’re heavy. And I am weak. So weak.

He is my hope. I have none other.

They're just "Hull"arious.

Quotes from the canoe:


Nancy: "Bubsie stop!"

Benny: "It's not me. The water's really jumpy tonight."

~~~~~~~~~
Benny: "Is fat a meat? Would a vegetarian consider it a meat?"

Nancy: "Well, if it were from meat a vegetarian wouldn't eat it, but it'd be okay if it were from vegetables."

Kelly: "No, fat isn't a meat. It's an animal bi-product, and vegetarians don't eat animal bi-products."

Benny: "So, they don't get leather seats in their cars?"

Kelly: "Well, not if they were going to knaw on it."

~~~~~~~~~
Benny: "Hey, why don't you put a bird costume on, get some worms, and..."

Kelly: "Benny, I'm a Berg not a bird."

~~~~~~~~~
Nancy: "That's just ignorant."

~~~~~~~~~
Benny: "Well, we're not going to see any deer now."

Nancy: "No, but we'll probably see some laughing hyenas looking for their mate."

Kelly: "Hey!"

~~~~~~~~~~
Nancy: "It's a wonder you still come around for all you endure."

Kelly: "Eh, it's like family."

Nancy: "Yeah. Family, where the abuse happens."

Potsdam Nights

The typical Potsdam (and beyond) night:

1. Plan to go somewhere.
2. Go to that somewhere (while listening to Keith Urban) to find it closed...or just not what someone really wants.
3. Act like we're a slammin' gang/posse/north country folk in the parking lot.
4. Hit the club. ("The Bagelry, "The Bowling Alley" or "Remote Woods in the Middle of Nowhere" are popular choices).
5. Walk the strip (aka. walk to P&C....or to someone's house to return socks).
6. Optional: Hit one last club ("Sergi's") for refreshment and some fly tunes.
7. Call it a night and head back to Madrid (listening to Keith Urban).

We also like to add the following: laughter at our own stupidity; phone calls from/to people far away who should really be there anyway; jokes about a Jewish guy; random breaking out in dance...complete with faces; misunderstanding what someone says...which of course leads to a good 3 minutes of joking; and a man carry a purse....among other things.

Conversations

Speaking of conversations...

A long-overdue phone chat with my sister-in-law makes me thankful that there are those who have "been there"...and who are there...Whenever. She loves me enough to listen...and to speak...not always what I want to hear...but that's the great thing about her. She's willing to ask the hard questions as well as give encourage. So good it was to hear her voice after five weeks. I love my siblings.

An hour and a half late-night IM chat with Alison drew out some tears. My first friend at Lee proves to be one of the most faithful of all. It's hard to keep in touch over the distance and time...but she does...more than anyone else, she does. I love her! And I'm so proud to be able to stand up (in this) at her wedding in January. Good friends aren't easy to come by. She is unique in that sense and such a blessing.

Two special people. Two special conversations. I am blessed to have these women in my life. Sisters and friends. God is good.

PS. I had white tea at 11:00. White tea has some caffeine in it. Maybe this is why I'm still awake.

And then I said..

He commented that I need to post more.

I said that I use to, but I just don't have much to write about.

He said any conversation can turn into a post.

...

So, there you go.

More musings...

Mmm yes…it’s been another week…a “short” week thanks to the change of scenery. I spent about four days in New Hampshire visiting a couple of special people. It was a really great time. Indeed.

I surely wish that I had something profound or witty to write. It seems like I had more to write than I do now. My xanga posts always seemed to be somewhat interesting, whether funny, random or serious…

All I have right now are the thoughts of a heart that longs so greatly to be more. More what? More pure. To have a pure love for my Lord. To be pure in thought, action, speech and motive. To be blameless and without offense. Purity is so much more than physical and relational. Purity…is holiness, righteousness. It is untainted. It is free from pollutants. It’s like distilled water. Pure h2o. Oh, to have everything distilled down into a pure love from my Father….and then to have everything built on that. To live with a simplicity and sincerity as Paul teaches in II Corinthians 1:12. To simply and sincerely love and act upon what our heavenly Father has called us to do…and be.

And I don’t want this just to be a “good girl.” I don’t want it for my reputation. I don’t even want it to preserve (or develop) a “good name.” For, while a good name is to be valued (I believe Proverbs says so), it is not just my name that I uphold. I have taken on another name, been marked by one of whose name I am not worthy to bear…yet He writes it on my heart regardless. What an honor. What a privilege. What a responsibility. “For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord” (II Cor. 4:5). What is my life preaching? For it’s not just about me…it’s about them…and it’s about HIM.

Like I said...nothing profound...just simple thoughts I have tonight.

Random Thoughts...contemplations, if you will...

I've been slightly lax in posting this week, but I only have as long as the Doodle Bops are on...so I'm pulling out: "Kelly's Famous List of Random Thoughts."

• Fewer things can initiate more reflection on the past year than spending an hour scrubbing off 12 months of a dry erase calendar. And fewer things can cause more thoughts of the upcoming 12 months as writing in the new dates...
• Sometimes kids are stinking funny. And sometimes they're just stinking...
• I finally went back to a chiropractor after months of "good intentions." I've been twice this week...shouldn't it feel slightly better??
• My new favorite indulgences: Pomegranate Peach White Tea (iced) and organic Turkish figs. (they don't have my favorite organic granny smith apples up here)
• So, right before our first meeting for Spain, I read this email from school. I had written to the assistant director of the global perspectives program and asked about my trip counting as my cross-cultural experience. What I got back was a verging-upon-rude response that, well, duh, NO, it can't because I'm a loser. I am not a loser!
• Spain is going to be awesome. Stretching. But awesome.
• I think the Lord is wanting my faith to grow. You're right Friend #...um...pi...squared...thanks for the walkingtalk on Wednesday. I needed to hear it.
• It hit me yesterday that I'm going to Africa. I mean...I knew Morocco was in Africa...and I knew we were going there....but I suppose it just didn't sink in. Sweet.
• I'm going off gallivanting in New Hampshire next week for a few days. Gallivanting is sheer pleasure...especially when one gallivants to see wonderful people.
• A new favorite game: Mille Borne. Brietta and I totally whopped our opposition... *Ehem* mentioning no names....
• It's been exactly one month...even to the hour...since I left Cleveland. I still love my southern home..and all that entails...

Okay, I'm off…because the Doodle Bops are, too…

My "Friends"

My new friends here have another group of friends. And they're pretty big fans of their friends. We can't even go for a walk without hearing about how something reminds them of one of them. It's Ross this, Joey that, Monica blah blah blah blah... Yep. I hate to be the one to break it to them that their favorite friends aren't really reality. One already confuses conversations he watched with conversations in real life. It's sad. And slightly obsessive.

But, despite the constant blending of the non-reality with reality (and indeed I would say sometimes because of it), it was a great day. To quote her, "Two good Sundays in a row!" Yes. I would say that Sunday has become my favorite day of the week. Part of it probably has to do with actually having one day of the week when something is actually scheduled...but more than that, I do love gathering together for worship and a message. And I do love the fun times that follow for the rest of the day. Good times indeed.

And for my friends here (the real ones)...just thought I should clear a few things up, so as not to lead you astray:

1. I really am not a country music fanatic. Watching Shania Twain with the family, knowing what Randy Travis looks like, and being able to recognize Leanne Rimes' voice does NOT constitute me being a huge country music fan. I have an appreciation for it, as I do for (most) all music, but I can't say it's my favorite. Though...I do go to school in Tennessee...

2. I don't really eat grass, dirt, rocks...that big pile of dirt in front of the house isn't really for my lunch. And just because I chose carrots when you have milkshakes does not make me....uh...a rabbit...

3. My mom isn't really an albino midget (though she is kinda short). My dad isn't really Japanese-Indian (though he is an engineer). And while my grandma isn't really Jewish (though I wouldn't put it past her to claim that she has a bit in her), my boyfriend indeed is (oh wait...you already knew that...you jokesters, you).

4. No. Nothing I've said here is from any movie. But maybe someday if I write a bad one, it will be.


Yeeeaaahhhh. I'm random. I know.

But...ah. Thank the Lord for friends :)

Random ramblings on a rainy Saturday...

He was right. He told me his concerns about a month ago. I brushed it off. I thought it would be different than that. But as it turns out, my dad was very right. Hmm...go figure.

Sometimes, things don't turn out as I ever imagine them to be. But I suppose it's about time that my idealistic self met my realistic, logicial self.

Ah, thank the Lord for His grace and strength.

"The Lord will give strength to His people;
The Lord will bless His people with peace."

Psalm 29:11

In the eye of the beholder...

I only spent two and half hours in children's church tonight at New Testament Church. But my how those hours held such knowledge and revelation.

For example, I discovered that if young girls were the ones with the money, I could make it as an artist with my "really good," "really pretty" crayon drawings of flowers.

And then, to my utter contempt, I learned that I am "old." This means, however, that I have the experience and authority to give advice to 12 and 13-year-old girls on such relevent issues as "Why do people (aka. boys) throw balls at you?"

And since I am so old, I also have the power to shoo away adolescent boys and tell them to leave girls alone for the next ten years or so until they've matured. Well, I didn't really say such a thing, but it's a nice thought.

So. I should be an artist. And I'm old.

I know I'm on the journey of self-discovery, but this might be too much for one night.

I've got rhythm, I've got dancing...

Unlike pretty much everyone else around here (including my three-year-old summer housemate), I am not the most musical/musically-talented person. My glory days of choir, jazz ensemble and musicals in high school are long gone. My college days of music theory class, choir and musicals (once again) seem to have passed as well. Sure, I can hold a tune, but, despite their appearence, these long fingers don't know anything about playing the piano.

But my uncle has given me hope...hope that perhaps some sort of musical ability is in my blood...and perhaps one day I will rise once again as a musical great (or something of the sort). Or else it just goes to prove that some sort of rhythm runs in the family.

At least I can dance.

:)