Our church, Grace Baptist, is hosting the 2006 Annual Meeting of the International Fellowship of Fundamental Baptists (IFFB) this week.

Sunday was the almost-kickoff to the meeting (the official opening service is tonight). Our Sunday School classes were cancelled and we had two sermons in the morning and two in the evening service. Good southern meals were eaten in the fellowship building and I heard some absolutely delicious music. My favorite music was from Mr. and Mrs. Case. They are the cutest older couple (I met Mrs. Case in the ladies room as we giggled over how sweet tea just shoots right through you and it makes you antsy when you have to sing) and they sing beautifully. Mr. Case plays an accordion and as they began singing I immediately felt like I had swooshed back into a camp-meeting from when I was younger. It has been forever since I've heard music like that and it brought tears to my eyes. There is nothing like good old fashioned hymns that can pound some sense into your soul.

It's been very heart-warming to meet people from all over. And from what it sounds like, there are lots more coming in tonight. I am absolutely delighted that I'm going to be able to hear all of this good preaching. On the way to the evening service yesterday, I told Daniel that I feel like I'm hungering for this conference. Hungry for the Word.

Here are just a few highlights I took from the sermons that were given yesterday. These aren't brand new revelations of things I never knew. It's just things that struck my heart again. These really do matter.

* I need to be bold in my witness. Unashamed. Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John… Acts 4:13
* Great grace will be in my life when I spend time in prayer, walk in the Spirit and be in service for the Lord
* It takes a great deal of giving up self to be Right in this society. We are prone to leave the God we love. He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:8
* If we can discipline our minds, we can discipline our whole lives.
* Be discerning. Walk carefully. And bare the burdens of others.
* 5 Ingredients to Effective Service: 1.) Fear of God, 2.) Fellowship with Others, 3.) Forgiveness, 4.) Food (the Word), and 5.) Faith. Dr. Knickerbocker preached this message and it's simplicity was profound. I really think that the majority of my walk (and whether it's stays true and right) comes down to these five things.

So, the almost-kickoff was heart-lifting. Here's to tonight's service! And if you are around this area, shoot me an email and I'll tell you how to get to Grace so you can enjoy a little IFFB too.

But grow in the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever. Amen. 1 John 3:18

On Friday, February 10, 2006…I decided to be terribly neurotic and keep track of my day with my little fussy journal.

8:00am After a rough start, I leave the apartment and begin the 15 minute drive to work. Lisa Rollins (on the Russ & Lisa Show) discusses the Cartoon Rage and whether we should really respect other faiths or tolerate them. I waver between interest and disgust. So I change the station.

8:20 I pull into Chick-fil-A and order a Dr. Pepper and an egg & cheese biscuit. The Dr. Pepper will give me the jump that I need to begin the day.

8:35 Jerica and I arrive at the Bank minutes apart (and I realize that the construction has really been moving along) and we pile into the office and share our morning hello's with John. We reminisce about our evening out the night before and John teases us about our wild night out at the Cracker Barrel. We mock his going to a Bon Jovi concert. All in good fun.

8:40 I pull up all my morning reports and frown at the realization that I have some things to clear immediately.

8:50 With a deep sigh, I begin pulling all the information together to process payroll.

9:35 Taking a break, I walk through the lobby to see an old flame standing there. We smile and I wonder if he sees my new nametag. Eeek. We smile again and he goes on his way.

9:40 An impromptu birthday party for our CEO. He dislikes cake so we pass out some cheesecake and we all laugh and stuff our faces before going back to the office.

11:03 The Internet is down and the phones do something quirky. I threaten to jump out of the window. Argh. Silly network and silly phone system.

12:25 Hunger pains. Also, an odd phone call occurs. I dial and ask to speak to a certain person and the receptionist says, "Oh, do you actually want me to get her?" Heh.

2:00 Payroll is finally done! I leave for a late lunch.

2:10 I arrive at the Easley Post Office to do a little eBay mailin'. I stomp around fussy-like when my post office box key doesn't work. I take all my packages to the counter, change my address and find out that while gone on my honeymoon the little notice for the post office box payment was sent to me. I must have missed it and all of my items are locked. I smart a little bit and then pay the fee. Only to discover that it's full of junk mail. Send me mail!

2:30 I leave the PO. Head to Wal-Mart. The parking lot is full and it takes all the willpower within me to get out of the car and fight the herd of people. I make it to the Vision Center and tell them I'm there to pick up my contacts. She says, "Did you remember to bring your little yellow slip?" I look at her oddly and tell her that not only did I not bring it, I don't know what she's talking about. After firmly telling me I always need the yellow slip so they can find the name, she looks up my name in her computer and hands me the contacts. I smile politely as the technology proves she doesn't the need the paper.

2:35 As I'm walking out, I see my Great Uncle Joe greeting folks at the front door and I catch his eye and wink. He waves me over and asks about married life. I blush and say that I'm very happy and he waves me on.

2:43 I swing through Wendy's because I'm about to DIE from hunger and also because I really really really want to have a #1 combo without onions.

2:47 I pull into the parking lot at the bank and finish eating. Once again, I'm listening to talk radio. Minimum wage (whether it helps or hurts) is the subject and I smile wryly when I remember that I just put up the new 2006 minimum wage posters in the break-room.

3:15 Back at my desk, working hard. Finally replying to all the email and phone calls I've been avoiding all day. Hoping folks realize that I have to ignore some mediums of communication when I'm in the middle of payroll.

4:30 Interesting conversation with John and Jerica on respect in the workplace. My heart is encouraged and we all chuckle at the things we've learned while being crammed in really tight like a dorm room.

5:20 Taking a little break, I surf over to look at my Flickr photos and get a terribly funny notice that it's blocked due to Nudity. It was even capitalized! After the shock wears off, I realize that an update must have just ran on the network and after seeing the "Kissing" title on one of our wedding pictures - it must have assumed that I'm awful girl. I make a mental note to unblock the site later.

5:35 Walking out with Jerica, I mock her preppy sweater-on-the-shoulders look and we squeal at the realization that it's officially THE WEEKEND.

5:40 I call my adorable husband and we flirt madly. We also decide that it's a pizza night. I hesitate slightly as I remember all the junk that I've had today but then wiggle at the thought that it's Friday and pizza is lovely.

5:52 I park the car and I'm home.

6:02 Daniel takes lots of boxes out to the trash compactor at the complex and I run around in the yard, taking pictures.

6:08 We leave the apartment and head out for movies and food.

6:35 We leave Blockbuster and have: The Office, In Her Shoes, Rat Race and Robin Hood - Prince of Thieves.

6:43 Little Caesars Hot-n-Ready. We listen to Adventures in Odyssey on the way home and both shout out "And if you wrong me, shall I not revenge?!" We then laugh very hard and say that we should buy all the episodes.

6:51 We set up the pizza on the dining room table and Daniel begins to pray over the food. He opens up one eye to catch me making silly faces. Due to the it's-not-right-to-be-silly-during-prayer-rule, I have to finish the prayer. I hate it when he makes me do that. ;)

7:00 We pop in the first CD of The Office and quickly determine that the British version isn't half as funny as the American version. We had heard differently. We decide to watch Rat Race instead. And the laughter and tears that follow are absolutely worth it. We both agree that it's one of our All Time Favorites. Go rent it, by the way.

9:30 We call it an early night. The "I'm hot and you're cold" and "stop taking all the covers" begins. But we both are so sleepy that it doesn't matter and I win. The AC stays on and I get all the covers. For now.

*alarm clock sounding for the second time this morning*

Me: Die!
Daniel: Mphfhwl.

I roll over and reach past the gigantic bottle of water and the cute little house plan magazine where I get my ideas for houses to build in Sims and smash the off button.

Me: (muttering) And I'll kill you and break you and throw you into the lake of fire.
Daniel: (waking up suddenly) Whoa, baby. Goin' all apocalyptic on the alarm clock?

Up: Being married is everything I thought it would be and much more. It is such fun to have your best friend around always. Plus, he flirts with me even when my hair is mussed.

Down: All the boxes that are lined up in the hallway seem daunting.

Up: But the HOARD of gifts that we have is unbelievable. There were many times when my jaw dropped in disbelief and tears flooded my eyes. There has been such an outpouring of love and kindness from our friends and family. Now we just have to find a place for everything.

Up: One of the gifts, a knife set from Bed Bath & Beyond, was given to us by a friend. His note said "Don't cut Daniel's neck with these." Ha!

Down: Daniel cut his own hand on a knife in the dishwasher. Looks like I wouldn't have to try very hard. ;)

Up: The wedding pictures are absolutely breathtaking. And a few of them are down right funny. We should have them up soon. Here is my favorite shot.

Another Up: We'll have either video or mp3 (or both) of the wedding on the wedsite soon.

Down: The little mat that we keep at our front door keeps blowing away. Every single day. For awhile, it was a game. Oh, where did it blow to today?? But then it became sad. Now it sits indoors.

Up: The Ringling Brother's Barnum & Bailey Circus was money well spent. See Flickr set.

Up: Dinner at Miyabi's (Japanese Sushi & Steakhouse) for Jerica's birthday was great fun. We quickly discovered that Dane and Jerica can't dance (Jerica had to do the Birthday Chicken dance).

Up: The New Building is progressing along quite nicely. We should be in it sometime during May.
Down: Even though their is a light at the end of the tunnel (i.e. New Building), the pile of work grows by leaps and bounds each day. And it's hard to hire more people when you are in a shoebox.

Up: One of our apartment neighbors is having a Whole House Sale and we got to go peer at her things the other evening. We bought a coffee table and several Willow Tree figurines.

Down: We haven't had time to take our Christmas tree down yet.

Up: However, the Christmas spirit is ever alive in the apartment. Daniel still turns the lights on.

Wiggliest Up: Cracker Barrel just built next to the apartment.

It's official. I'm Mrs. Daniel Bergey.

It has been quite awhile since I've written at Aelki and obviously, you can guess why. The wedding plans are coming together nicely but the last minute details are certainly starting to feel overwhelming. Of course, The Bank Craze is also throwing me off balance.

I enjoy busyness and more importantly, I enjoy efficiency. But the incredible work load (trying to balance the work for five offices between three people in Operations) is almost pushing me to the breaking point. I absolutely still love what I do, the people I work with are most definitely some of the most energetic and fun-loving folks I've ever met and I still wholeheartedly agree with the heartbeat of The Bank. My struggle is that I love perfection and I love doing 110%. But right now, just keeping the machine well-oiled is what matters. That's really hard. It is disconcerting to see the hoard of paperwork that hasn't been filed because when on earth would I have time to file it? Another tricky task for me is delegating but I'm quickly realizing that to be fair to myself and others - delegating is one of the best things ever. The more I can get off my plate and hand to others, well, that means I can be more efficient in other areas. But it also gives someone else a challenge, and therefore a place to shine.

But right now I am in the midst of writing How To guides and preparing the others in Operations to take over my responsibilities for two weeks. I feel as though remembering to breathe is something I should also write down.

To make busy-overwhelming matters worse, I am having serious trouble with my left knee. I'm debating on wearing a thermal wrap down the aisle instead of a garter. The pain makes me limp and the searing ache is keeping me up tonight. I have washed my face three times, drank two glasses of water and played Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini, Variation 18 four times tonight. Normally, Rachmaninov puts me into a dreamy sleep. However, I'm piled up in the bed contemplating life.

Well, contemplating life might be a bit of a stretch. That sounds like I'm pondering World Hunger or The Price of Eggs in China. In fact, I'm actually just wondering what this last week is going to be like. In seven days, I'll be a wife. So many people are asking me, "Are you nervous yet?" "Do you have cold feet?" "You only have a few days! Live it up!" But I think that's a dismal way to look at marriage.

I will not argue that my heart skips a beat when I think of closing the door on a chapter that has lasted for 24 years. But I know without a doubt that I am ready for this new chapter. No, I don't know what lies around the corner and of course I don't know what I'm getting myself into. That isn't really the point. The point is that I'm choosing to travel these next chapters with someone else. No matter the roads that lie ahead.

In our wedding program, we are having an excerpt from The Many Loves of Marriage by Thomas and Nanette Kinkade. Every time I read over the words, I catch my breath. This really says it all:

Picture two backpackers, a man and a woman, setting out on a journey. As well as they are able, they have prepared themselves for the long trek. They're excited. They're also inexperienced, untested, unproven, and just a little bit scared. Yet they have the essentials. They have a good compass. They have provisions. And they have each other.

The problem is, they have no idea at all where their path will lead. They have a vague notion that there will be long climbs, beautiful vistas, deep canyons, long desert stretches, and swift rivers. Although bright sunlight will occasionally warm their shoulders, they also sense (however dimly) that rain will follow, the wind will blow, and snow may cover the trail.

At the same time, they can also appreciate the fact that each of them will change on this journey – as surely as the terrain transforms beneath their feet. Dark nights, heavy loads, long winds, and the heat of day have a way of shaping a man or woman's soul. They will begin to see things through new eyes. They will find a pace that suits them both. They will adjust to weaknesses – whether of bone and sinew, or of the heart. They will develop attitudes and attributes significantly different from the way they viewed things at the trailhead.

But as the miles fall behind and the months and years slip by, they will continue to walk side by side. Sometimes helping each other across streams or up steep, rocky inclines, they maintain their long journey…into the unknown.

The landscape alters dramatically. Storms rage and pass on. Wildflowers bloom and wither. Seasons pass. Companions on the trail come and go. And the hikers themselves adjust and grow through each experience, each amazing vista, each encounter with hardship and danger.
And they stay together.

Step by step. Day by day. Year after year. Their companionship is a constant as everything else changes. When one stumbles, the other is quick with a helping hand. When one becomes weary, the other shoulders two loads for a few miles. They weather the storms. They take shelter in each other's arms. They experience high country panoramas when life unfolds before them, shining like a rain-washed highway in the morning sun. Nothing, but nothing drives them apart. Nothing short of death divides their path.

They are husband and wife.

Two against the world.

Two for the road, no matter where that road may lead.

We at least do know that the road is leading to Amelia Island next weekend. I am absolutely thrilled at the idea of going away, resting and exploring a beautiful island. Thank the Lord for times of rest.

I'm sure when we turn the page to the next chapter we will have to hold on to our hats. After all, that's the way life is.

Heather and Kevin, freshly engaged. And just before she asked me to be a bridesmaid!!

Waiting, and listening
Hoping and missing all of our time left alone
I'm the one cutting the rope
Frostbite in winter,
'Cause like a splinter
You come and follow me down
I'm the one cutting the rope

In the early moments of the New Year, I find myself curled up in bed, with a large glass of water by the bed. The heat is on and my electric blanket is starting to be a little smothersome. I am playing Evergreen by Switchfoot and the words are powerful. Tonight wasn't everything that New Years normally is. I don't know if it was so much about miscommunication or if it was about mislead expectations. But it has left me wide-eyed and quiet. Pondering, even.

And I think, perhaps, this is a good way to find one's self at the beginning of a new year. It's a new chapter, a new song, a new chorus - and these places should be taken serious. This New Year can be the start of Something Grand or the beginning of a Great Downfall. Each of my steps really does matter.

Remembering the steps and pitfalls of 2005 brings a sharp pain and I hesitate when thinking that those places were worth the lesson I learned. But as Carlyle once said, "All thought worth thinking is conceived in the furnace of suffering." The deepest wounds have the ability to transform my heart into being more like Him. It is simply what I do with the pain that matters. Joy is sorrow inside out. Joy is sorrow overcome.

In Mountains of Spices by Hannah Hurnard, Grace and Glory and the King walk around the mountain slopes while he explains to her the nature of the camphire bushes with produce the fruit of joy. In an amazing and very tender scene, he recites the story of how they are stripped bare and go through a night of sorrow before they can produce sweet perfume. It all becomes worth it when the season changes and oil is ready to be extracted. It is then called the morning of joy. The King and Grace and Glory stand side by side as they listen to the birds begin a lovely song.

Hark to love's triumphant shout!
Joy is born from pain,
Joy is sorrow inside out,
Grief remade again.

Broken hearts look up and see
This is love's own victory.

Here marred things are made anew,
Filth is here made clean,
Here are robes, not rags, for you,
Mirth where tears have been.
Where sin's dreadful power was found,
Grace doth now much more abound.

Hark! such songs of jubilation!
Every creature sings,
Great the joy of every nation,
Love is King of kings.
See, ye blind ones! shout, ye dumb!
Joy is sorrow overcome.

Like Jeremiah said, all of these hard places are things I'll never forget. This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. If is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.

So, I sit here on this New Year morning and hope and pray that I won't cut the ropes to my source. It is easy to say the right words, easy to live the pretend life but at night when I close my eyes - You know if my heart is ever true. You are all that matters. When I lack joy, when I lack victory and when I lack love, challenge me to find my satisfaction in You alone. Understand me before I speak, and teach me what really matters.

The sun will rise soon and tackle the moon
Chasing it still in the sky
All that I've got is tonight
Excuses and reasons,
And now tis the season
For all that I never got right
All that I've got is tonight

The night is a crow saying, "Come hold me"
All that I know is I've been so lonely for you
All that I knew, and all that I know found itself under Your reign
I want to be evergreen

Holiday end,
I'm here once again,
And I'm left alone on the bus with my
Head on the ground,
In hopes that I'm found by you
This time around
I want to be evergreen,
I want to live all year round

If all the valleys and all the missteps give me but one chance, then may I offer that moment to You. May my feet trod lightly through the world I live in and may I learn to be rich in spirit. I want to be as the evergreen tree, living all year round. And I want to be like the birds, wheeling about in a boundless sky - spelling out a message of a higher life, on a higher plane. A winged life in the high places, where all the loveliest of songs are sung.

Daniel,

Happy 26th Birthday!

The past week has been quite swirly - an ice storm having knocked out most of the power around here for days. So, you and I have been camped out at my parent's since Wednesday night.

And it feels like we have been on an Adventure since then. Every day has brought about the unexpected. Thursday was insane - no power at either of our homes, no cell service, no cable internet - nothing. You spent the day in the break room at The Bank and it was quite fun to walk through and see you sitting there.

We both took Friday off and spent the entire day working on wedding plans. It was a real journey to drive to Greenville (all the traffic lights were out, trees were down, and detours were common), but we did it. And then we laughed and wiggled so hard when we saw the wedding invitations. They are beautiful!

Saturday was spent in Hendersonville, in the midst of a bridal portrait shoot. Against tradition, you've seen me in my wedding gown a few times now and it has become very special to us. I'm quite tired of hearing "oh, you can't do that" and "you are going to have horrid luck." We knew that you would be the only one to take me to Hendersonville and what Else are you going to do for those 8 hours? Plus, the wedding gown is becoming more and more special. You are remembering the details of it and getting to see me flounce about in it a lot more than just an hour or so on one evening.

I think my favorite moment was when Judy turned up the music yesterday afternoon while she and Jim were working on the next pose. I was relaxed on the white couch and you were sitting beside me. Mark Cohn was singing True Companion and the words were pounding into my soul while you sat there and stared into my eyes. You took your hand and brushed my veil away and just kissed me so sweetly.

So don't you dare and try to walk away
I've got my heart set on our wedding day
I've got this vision of a girl in white
Made my decision that it's you allright

It was a tender moment. But then so was most of the shoot. When we went outside to take pictures against the ice storm - it was amazing. You kept making sure I wasn't too cold and winking at me between the poses.

The drive home from Hendersonville was really touching. You listened to me cry my heart out and then you held my hand while I slept. I think we are really learning the meaning of give them enough tears to keep them tender, enough hurts to keep them humane, enough of failure to keep them humble, and enough of success to make them sure they walk with You.

And now, Day Five of this Adventure is a most special day. You will turn 26 sometime around noon (I'll probably pinch you during church around that time) and we will get to celebrate your birthday all day long. It's going to be a busy day (my Granny has a lovely 80th birthday party today) - but I'll make sure it's special for you.

I'm going to crawl out of bed now and go knock on the guest room door and sing you happy birthday.

I love you so much, Daniel. Only 34 days until I become your wife.

Only 34 days until we begin learning that marriage is not living merely for each other; it is two uniting and joining hands to serve the Lord.

Here's to more wonderful birthdays! And more days of learning how to look at each other through kind and patient eyes.

Your Whirly Girl

P. S. I love this picture of you.

Congratulations, Mom!!

She received a Master's in Education from Southern Wesleyan University on December 10, 2005. I am so proud of her.

I just attended the midnight advance screening of The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe. It was lovely - even more than what I had thought possible.

On the ride home, Daniel and I were discussing whether one should look at the Chronicles of Narnia as solely a great piece of fiction or whether to admit to the symbolism and imagery that mirrors strong truths of our Christian faith.

I'm not sure that we reached a decision or even a strong opinion because we were half-asleep and much more concerned with not running off the road. But I do know that Edmund's selfish hunger for Turkish Delight (to the point that he betrayed those he loved best) was an accurate picture of our depraved souls.

While rounding the curvy roads in the thick fog tonight, and pondering everything I saw tonight - I flipped the radio to a station that I rarely listen to. My aunt Judy was singing and I couldn't keep the tears back as she sang.

Redeemed, how I love to proclaim it
Redeemed by the blood of the Lamb
Redeemed through His infinite mercy,
His Child and forever I am.

Watching Aslan give himself to save poor Edmund was powerful. Of course, Edmund had no idea of the cost of his actions and to be quite honest - his ungodly hunger for Turkish Delights probably didn't go away with Aslan's redemption.

But remembering redemption is a powerful thing.