Thinking Out Loud

New Orleans Wedding

2011-04-04T16:17:00.004-09:00

OWU representWow, what a cake!She's beautiful!Khadija and Landon

Time for some more pics

2011-03-26T17:00:00.004-09:00

I love this picture of Zeke asleep. So, tired from double ear infection. Fell asleep while grocery shopping.All dressed up!Rock Out!

Santa Claus Day???

2010-12-06T07:35:00.024-09:00

Today is my daughter's birthday, and it is also St. Nicholas' Day!I have two brief thoughts that I want to share this Advent season, on the subject of Santa Claus. And they are both anectdotes about my, now, four-year-old daughter. :)1) Last night, we had a birthday party for Ana. It was a great time, and at the end, my wife started to give out little gift bags for the children who came. Ana saw

On Loving God

2010-11-02T05:22:00.002-09:00

I read this last night for Church History:"Who would dream of offering a man a reward for doing something he wants to do?...How much more the soul that loves God seeks no other reward than that God whom it loves. Were the soul to demand anything else, then it would certainly love that other thing and not God....[Jesus] gave himself to merit for us; he keeps himself to be our reward; he serves

Fall Days

2010-10-26T04:05:00.003-09:00

Playroom trip to the Pumpkin PatchZeke and friend Lucy

Playing around

2010-10-26T03:57:00.004-09:00

Aunt Amy came to visitAna is pushing Zeke

First Day of School

2010-09-07T04:17:00.003-09:00

Jeff starts seminary today and the kids start in the playroom. Both kids were sad that we left them, which tugged at my heart, but I know they will have fun. I'm sure Jeff will have fun learning, too.We are at the beginning of a new season in our family. It is exciting to see what the next four years bring.

Shelves

2010-09-04T04:20:00.000-09:00

Jeff has made some home improvements by adding three shelves. One in the stairwell to the basement and the other two in the kitchen. He did a great job!

You are beautiful

2010-08-30T09:06:00.003-09:00

I just finished reading this wonderful book called Little Lamb Who Made Thee?: A Book about Children and Parents by Walter Wangerin, Jr. He writes about being a kid, a parent of young children, a parent of teenagers, adoption, children with disabilities, grandparents, when your parents get older, and being a pastor of others. So really every aspect of parenting. It is a great book and I

Pool and ice cream

2010-07-21T05:38:00.004-09:00

Incline

2010-07-21T05:31:00.005-09:00

Playing around the city

2010-07-21T05:24:00.009-09:00

The 'Burgh

2010-07-20T07:33:00.006-09:00

We have been enjoying our time in our new home. It has been a bit crazy and the kids (especially Zeke) are still adjusting. I miss the community of central OH, but I am grateful that we are continually running into folks we know in the 'burgh. We have had many visitors already and look forward to whoever else may stop by.Also, a note of one of the many crazy moments as parents: Good surprise-your

The Sound

2010-06-26T04:10:00.003-09:00

I just saw this music video, by Switchfoot, inspired by a Jubilee speaker from this past year, John Perkins.Wow! Check it out...Here are the lyrics:The Static comes in slowYou can feel it growOur stream of conscience flowsUnder the streets belowOooohOooohThe rivers made of soundStill running undergroundRuns like a silent floodWe run as thick as bloodOooohOooohCan you hear it riseUp from the

Comfort

2010-05-24T03:05:00.003-09:00

Jeff left this morning on a backpacking trip for a few days. After we said our goodbyes and the door closed Zeke threw himself onto the floor in tears. As he was throwing his 2 year old fit Ana quietly laid down beside him lifted his chin, so he was looking at her, and said, "Just remember Zeke. I love you." Now they are playing together. I love my kids!

The kids

2010-04-05T16:53:00.005-09:00

After looking at multiple friends' blogs I realized we haven't posted pics of the kids in awhile, so here are a few. Zeke enjoying chocolate chip pancakes at the Pancake House in Nashville Zeke at "Dragon Park" in Nashville Jeff at "Dragon Park" in Nashville Ana at "Dragon Park" in Nashville Ana at a local playground, she climbed up there by herself!

Wait

2010-04-02T05:30:00.008-09:00

Good Friday.The Innocent One, condemned, sentenced to death.The Disciples, scattered, scared.Darkness over the earth...But also, the Curtain torn!The powers of evil, exhausted!In January, over the course of just a few days, I found out that:~A friend's father had been in terrible car accident.~A relative lost their baby, in utero.~A friend shared about visiting someone in the hospital.I cried out

Healthcare and Me

2009-11-02T12:34:00.009-09:00

My family and I are blessed to work for the CCO, which offers some pretty incredible Health Care. Having worked for an insurance several years ago, I know something that a lot of people don't: while it is true that to some degree an insurance company determines the service you receive, it is actually your employer (unless you buy insurance directly) that determines your benefits!Having said

No Line on the Horizon

2009-09-09T06:56:00.003-09:00

Here are a few lyrics from U2's latest release, which I have been listening too nearly incessantly for the past two weeks. It gets into my brain:"Stop helping God across the road like a little old lady""Only love, only love can leave such a mark / But only love, only love can heal such a scar. Only love, only love can leave such a mark / But only love, only love unites our hearts / Justified

Health Care

2009-09-09T06:47:00.003-09:00

I don't wanna talk much more about it right now, but please check out this link...which leads to more links, which you should check out too!The only other thing I want to say about it right now, is that, tonight, at 8pm there is a rare event going to take place, and you can watch it on TV...or probably over the internet too. I wish I could watch it tonight, but I'll try to make time to watch the

Ana's busy...

2009-04-15T18:38:00.002-09:00

The other day a student asked Ana something. It was something like: What are you doing?And she said, "I'm busy." Then she said how she was busy.She said:I'm coloringdancingsingingThis was really cute...but also, it makes me wonder if Kelly and I are too busy...hmmm...monkey see!

Sacredness and Heaven

2009-04-06T10:48:00.007-09:00

Well, I recently finished reading The Sacredness of Questioning Everything by David Dark. This book was phenomenal. I really think it's a book that all college-age (or older) Christians should read. It definitely challenged me in very good ways. I know that I have a passion for knowing things and wanting to be able to explain things. I'm coming to appreciate the freedom found in admitting

Relay for Life 2009

2009-03-23T07:16:00.004-09:00

This will be the third consecutive year that Kenyon Christians will be participating in the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life at Kenyon College.If you...~have cancer~have survived cancer~have a family member who has fought or died from cancer~or know someone else affected by cancer in any of the above ways...then please consider giving $5 (or more) to help me, with other Christians at

Thinking Out Loud as an ENFP

2009-03-17T16:08:00.003-09:00

So, a few weeks ago I took an indicator test to try to get a general idea about what kind of personality I am as far as Myers-Briggs is concerned. It can be helpful in learning how you get your energy, make decisions, take in info, and just your general preferences for living. Knowing this can help you understand how you interact with others.My Myers-Briggs-Type Indicator (MBTI) turned out to

The Jones'

2009-03-08T11:35:00.003-09:00

I thought this was an interesting website. After seeing where you fall check out why they do this and how they calculate it.Global Rich ListK

listening, speaking, anger...and "others"

2009-02-25T10:53:00.010-09:00

What is it about being listened to that affirms us? Being able to speak, and being listened to, affects us all deeply. Why?James commands followers of Jesus to be "quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry!" (check it out) I don't think these are three separate, unrelated commands. I believe that they are incredibly interconnected. Even among people with whom we typically

hello again! re:Jubilee

2009-02-19T09:54:00.009-09:00

So! This past weekend was Jubilee 2009 at the Westin in Pittsburgh. It was a fantastic time of personal renewal for me. The theme for the weekend was the same as the title of my bi-monthly CCO Ministry Newsletter: Every Square Inch.Some of the Keynote Speakers included:Gabe Lyons: co-founder of the Fermi Project and co-author of UNChristianBill Strickland: founder of Manchester Craftsman

January Staff Seminar

2009-01-26T11:39:00.007-09:00

The entire Staff Seminar was very illuminating for me, but here are a few things that Dr. Scott Sundquist and Herb Kolbe said that I wanted to share, without much further comment or explanation, but please let me know if you'd like to talk more about this stuff!"The greatest scandal in the church today is our segregation. Not only are we segregated, but, by and large, we see

Quotes

2008-11-25T12:25:00.002-09:00

We ought to think about getting tangled up. The streamlined life is not worth living, Community and friendship are things to get tangled up in. They aren't easy or efficient. But they give meaning to our lives. -Greg Veltman, Comment Magazine, "Making Friends for Life", 2006.To be a Christian is to work for the new humanity. Jesus commands his followers to feed and clothe and visit and take

Kids

2008-11-25T12:18:00.005-09:00

What can I say, we have cute kids:) Ana is super excited about her big girl and Zeke finally rolled over!

Hurricane Ike

2008-09-25T12:06:00.002-09:00

We were effected by high winds from hurricane Ike. We were without power for one week.This is down our road, a street light blown over.These trucks are parked here because there is a tree across the road preventing them from going any farther.We had some of the crazy winds. Then the power went out on Sunday. The college had power by Monday night, so we were able to eat meals in the dining hall.

Baby Zeke

2008-08-26T12:04:00.008-09:00

It's taken us a long time to finally post some pictures of Zeke and the fam. It is definitely much busier with 2 children. But, they are both well, cute, and fun! Ana continues to amaze us at her learning. She has also begun potty training! Here are some photos.

Kenyon in Spring

2008-04-30T12:42:00.004-09:00

This flower is working its way through the cement, impressive.Middle path at KenyonIt has been beautiful around here. Here are a few pictures.

Spring has sprung

2008-04-10T08:02:00.004-09:00

Ana and I have been spending more time outside since the weather has gotten a bit warmer. It is such fun to see her world expand as she learns about things like flowers, rocks, acorns, and ants. She has also learned that some rocks don’t taste so well. It is a wonderful experience to introduce her to things. She looks at things with caution until I let her know it is okay to touch it. She

Happy Easter

2008-03-25T09:14:00.004-09:00

Ana enjoys putting things on her headBergeson family at EasterBunny race 500Ana and Mommy sitting in kids chairs.We had a great Easter. Each year it means more and more to me. I love the sense of celebration. I think children capture it best. At church our pastor informed us he had heard that a father greeted his child in the morning with "He is risen". The child responded with "Yeah!!" So,

Relay for Life 2008

2008-03-22T07:18:00.002-09:00

This post will be short and sweet.Kelly and I are participating in Relay for Life again this year. It will take place at Kenyon College on April 11-12. We have a team of Kenyon students called the God Squad. :)If you would like to help fight cancer, please click here to donate.The money ACS raises through Relay for Life goes to a lot of different areas from research to education. For more info

Ana with cousins and at home

2008-03-11T09:34:00.005-09:00

Ana laying with Papa Switching rooms Princess Ana

Expecting #2

2008-02-08T08:01:00.001-09:00

So, we are expecting our second child. Really, I’m not just pushing my stomach out in that picture. I’ve only just begun to get more excited about this baby as my tummy begins to round and desires for food have increased, it has become more real to me that there will be another one. When Ana is having a “bad” day I feel overwhelmed by this knowledge. I think, “Really? Two! That will be a

freedom?

2008-01-17T16:37:00.000-09:00

Taken from inside me,It was ripped out.I was so numbed, thatI didn't even notice.But now I mourn.I weep over my loss.Stolen from within me,and I gladly consented.Under the pretense offreedom of choice,that which was my ownorganic creativitywas strangled,mutilated,killed,disposed of.Only His love canbreathe new life into my deadImagination, aborted byconsumerism's imperial priests.by Jeff

caesar, colossians, poetry, and things...

2008-01-14T17:36:00.000-09:00

So I just recently finished reading Colossians Remixed by Brian Walsh and Sylvia Keesmaat. It is an incredible book by this Canadian husband and wife duo who work extensively on developing students who will live out a biblical worldview through Christian Reformed Campus Ministries. There was one or two chapters in the book that I'm still trying to think through (i.e. I'm not 100% if I

Advent Musings

2007-12-18T12:41:00.000-09:00

This is the darkest week of the year. I find it some what depressing. I do not really want to get out of bed in the morning. It’s cold and dark. I hear about family members who lose a loved one this time of year, a pregnancy that may not last, strife between friends and family, the forced prostitution of young girls. Then I remember the end of the week. I am so thankful for Christmas. Not just

Maine trip

2007-10-10T10:29:00.000-09:00

We got to visit Jeff's grandparents, aunt, mom, and two sisters in Maine for a long weekend. It was perfect weather. We had fun just spending time together, cooking meals, walking, and enjoying the views. We took a ton of pictures if you feel strong enough to look at them all I will email them to you, just let me know:) Here are just a sample. Jeff's grandparent's cottage was right on the

A wedding

2007-08-20T09:00:00.000-09:00

Jeff, Ana, and I just got back from a family wedding. It really was a family event. My grandparents got married. It's such a great story I wanted to share it. My biological grandparents got divorced over 30 years ago. My grandmother remarried -- he's the man I knew as my grandfather. He passed away a couple of years ago. My biological grandfather moved in with my parents and got

Summer Time

2007-07-22T15:42:00.000-09:00

I feel as though I am an ostrich pulling my head out of the sand, I have lost contact with folks this summer. Some days I just wonder what happened. The past few weeks in particular. Do not get me wrong the weeks have been lots of fun. We had guests of Fred stay with us for a night. Then our friends the Whites came and stayed with us a few days later. Above is a picture of Jessika being attacked

Beantown

2007-06-05T09:27:00.000-09:00

The last week of May beginning of June we got to visit with Jeff's family in Boston. It was great to be back in the city since we left exactly one year ago! Ana got to go to the ocean for the first time. Even though the water was freezing she enjoyed kicking her feet in the water. Check out her Red Sox outfit in that photo:) There is also a picture of Jeff, Ana, and I in Copley square with to

PA visit

2007-05-30T12:20:00.000-09:00

Ana and I got to visit with my family for a week while Jeff took a class. It was lots of fun! Ana can now roll across a room. She also got her first tooth! At the top you can see Ana and cousin Zoey while we were at Phipps Conservatory in Pittsburgh. Then there is a picture of cousin Emma holding Ana with Aunt Chris there to supervise. In the side picture Ana is working on her sitting up skills.

Wonder

2007-04-23T12:22:00.000-09:00

Ana is definitely reminding me of the joy in wonder. She will being crying and then suddenly stop to look at her hand. She will just open and close her hand for several minutes. Or she will look around the room with eyes wide open taking it all in. And then she might just start laughing or "talking" about what she sees. It is such a delight to see her trying to figure things out and just

New Skills

2007-03-16T10:54:00.000-09:00

Ana rolled over! It was fun to see. Both Jeff and I got to be present. It took her several tries, but she did it! We cheered and she cried. It's those simple things that are so exciting!Here are someother pics too.

Amazing Grace

2007-02-26T10:32:00.000-09:00

I recommend the movie "Amazing Grace" that has just come out in theaters. Unfortunately, it may not be in a theater near you, but more likely in the closest city. This movie is about William Wilberforce who worked for a total of 46 years to ban the slave trade and slavery in Great Britain in the early 1800s. I liked the movie because it shows he is not just one man, but a part of a community

This post is rated "V"

2007-01-30T16:46:00.000-09:00

Kelly and I recently watched V for Vendetta, a film based on the graphic novel by Alan Moore and David Loyd published in the 1980s. I was talking with somebody about this movie the other day and they said that they totally hated the movie. I can see and respect how one might dislike this movie...but the same aspects of the movie that caused them to dislike it are exactly why I would recommend

Unconditional Love

2007-01-26T11:42:00.000-09:00

I have heard so many times before that our relationships are often reflections of our relationship with God. Now that I'm a parent it has become even more apparent :) to me. This little person comes into your life, is totally dependent, gets messy, gets you messy, gets your plans messy and yet you completely love them. Simply because of who they are. It gives me a small glimpse of how God loves

New tricks, etc.

2007-01-19T12:41:00.000-09:00

Ana was weighed today, and while, yes, she had her diaper on at the time, she weighed in at 12lbs. 14oz.!!! She's not even quite two months old yet. We were told she's in something like the 95th percentile for weight. So, she's eating well! :) She's also, I think they said, in the 75th percentile for length. So she's growing well...and I'm feeling it in my back! Note to self: start

MLK Day

2007-01-15T17:26:00.000-09:00

This morning Jeff and I had the opportunity to attend a breakfast to commemorate Martin Luther King Jr. We got to sing "Lift every voice and sing" with the rest of community present at the breakfast. I've heard this song before, but never actually read the words. The song is about hope and trust in a God who has led through hard and bitter places. I think Martin Luther King must have been a

My name is...

2007-01-15T08:39:00.000-09:00

So I found this on one of my friend's blog, Amanda Marble, you can click on the link ot the right if you'd like to.Apparently, based on the popularity of the names Jeffrey and Bergeson there are 8 other individuals in the U.S. with my same name! Apparently there are also 5 other Kelly Bergesons.However, to our amazement, our daughter has a singularly unique name for U.S. citizens according to

Divided by Faith

2007-01-14T11:08:00.000-09:00

So I finally finished reading Divided by Faith: Evangelical Religion and the Problem of Race in America. I started it in June during CCO NST, and for various reasons including busy-ness, or other readings, (or laziness) I didn't finish it until a week and a half ago. Now a good chunk of the book is publishings on findings of the authors' 2,000 phone interviews and 200 face-to-face interviews

Ana!

2007-01-09T17:15:00.000-09:00

Well, we just thought we'd share some pictures of our newest addition!

Day One

2007-01-08T15:55:00.000-09:00

Hello all!This is our brand new blog. We just set it up today, and we have a long way to go to get it fully up and running. So please give us a little bit of time.We'll add all sorts of stuff to our blog including pictures of Ana, thoughts about books we're reading, movies we're watching, music we're listening to, and things that are going on in the world and our ministry at Kenyon College