Top 10 Moments of 2024 (and, as always, honorable mentions)

It's wild that every year I start out remembering I need to do this post but overwhelmed with the idea of putting it all back together YET... EVERY. TIME. I am absolutely thankful to relive so many memories and moments. Candidly, I even forget some of these that were so important yet time and life just moves forward. Thus, I guess if others are seeing this and appreciating it or not, I'm blessed beyond measure and need this time of reflection often to remember. Thank you, God!! 

So let's get into it...

Honorable Mentions:

*) Dallas Cowboys (I believe the Cowboys have made the list every year since I started this tradition of making a top 10 list... Why you ask, because I have been a fan my entire life and EVERY time I get the opportunity to go to a game... ESPECIALLY with my Dad AND MY SON, I'm reminded that all of it is so much more than a silly game, it's tradition, it's legacy. I don't know how much longer Dad is going to have season tickets but every year, I am reminded how special these times are... even if they (Dem Boyz) continue to hurt my heart - HA!).

*) Jock (Honestly, if you know me, this is a pretty strange one... Don't get me wrong, I do like dogs a lot and have even shed a tear or two over the years for my pets BUT I think this is the first time I have felt like one was part of our family. This stinkin' dog is just not normal! From how excited he gets to go on walks with me, to always needing to cuddle with whoever is near the couch, to only eating dinner when we do... it's truly weird and funny at the same time. I've never seen a dog have such a specific personality).

*) Weddings (Not sure why that is plural... Only officiated one wedding this year and it was so fun and special. Also had a range of emotions when I saw this picture, as I had accidentally grabbed my son's button-up shirt and didn't know until we were 30 minutes from ceremony time and a suit jacket that I hadn't worn since college. So ridiculous but still a blast to not only get to be invited to a wedding but the blessing of being in the best seat "in the house" as the minister for your little sister. So good.)!

Top 10 Moments of 2024:

10) Work (It's always nice when work makes it to the list, however, it's making the list this year not because everything is amazing but because it's been such an impactful item in the year of 2024. My first trip to Canada happened this year because of one of our clients, lots of transition has happened this year for all the folks I work with AND my oldest daughter even got to go with me on a super fun work trip which lead us to the Museum of Play in Rochester, NY! **Way more work news happening but will probably land on the 2025 calendar!).

9) Senior Pics... AGAIN!! (It's wild that last year, we were doing senior pics for our first child and I think at some point I forgot that the next kiddo was RIGHT BEHIND him. How did she get this old... I can't believe it and am so thrown back by the fact that I see so much of Courtney in her... she's so beautiful in countless ways!!).

8) Teenage Employment (Both big kids are now officially employed. The middle found a great job at Chick-fil-A and is really enjoying it. I have loved hearing her talk about their values and the reasons they do what they do. So many great things for teens to learn from getting a job, even if they're a straight 'A' student that plays HOURS of volleyball. Of course, the oldest has been mowing for years and even worked at two other businesses in the past but I believe his newest job will become an incredible career and love the fact that there's a photo that popped up in my wheelhouse of him working at Walmart!).

7) Kid's Sports (There were so many pictures to pick from to add here as both girls have school ball and club ball now in two different sports. The youngest has got back into soccer this year and not only made a great club team but also the freshmen team at BWHS. The middle has also decided to play her final season of club volleyball but also just wrapped her senior season at BWHS. However, the most exciting moment was her signing day, as she's been given a scholarship to play at MidAmerica Nazarene in Kansas!)

6) 1st Dances (Though the older two have been to several and even the youngest has been to the middle school dances... This year was the first HS Homecoming dance for the freshmen and she was BEAUTIFUL!! Yet, also a first, both bigs had High School Prom and though they went with others, we were able to snag this amazing pic of them both AND Papa John came over with his Rolls Royce SilverCloud III to take them... WHAT!!)

5) Board Games (Board games continues to make the list year after year and I hope it is something my kids pass on to theirs... We have had friends join us, grandparents and even dates but this core continues to crush games and as always: no matter what, the winner puts their name in the box!!)

4) Dates & Man Time (SO MANY to choose from and for that I am forever grateful! From jumping in the car last minute and going to a Battlehawks game with my son, to breakfast buffet with my oldest daughter and even visiting "Stars Hollow" with my youngest... we crushed some dates and man time this year. But SmashLab was a pretty epic fun night for all of us on Mom's birthday... You should see the video!!).

3) Family Roadtrips (With the most epic trip this summer, we have officially crossed off 49 or the 50 states. We were able to take a cruise in and around Alaska, docking to take some epic hikes and amazing crab. We road-tripped from the needle in Seattle, to the rose garden in Portland. Then from the Crater of the Moon, Inspiration Point and Old Faithful in Yellowstone... It was a trip of a lifetime for sure!! **And if you're wondering our 2025 is booked up all year for at least one of our crew, so we're making plans to finish out in Hawaii in 2026.) 

2) The Last Marble (How do you even start to write something about this as it has brought so many tears this past year. For over 15 years we have had three jars full of marbles in our entryway... each week we move one marble from each jar into the big vase. This year, we moved the final "blue" marble, our oldest's, into the vase. No, he's not dead!! But it has been a great reminder daily to cherish our moments before graduation. Of course, the last marble brought on graduation and now "move-in" day at college. Man, that big vase is beautiful and forever cherished!! **Recently been thinking of adding a marble BACK every time he comes home... what do you all think of that!?).

1) This Woman (I'm sure to many, this will seem cliche or even sappy but the truth is... 23+ years later I am literally MORE infatuated with this woman than the first day I met her. She is my rock in hard times, my excitement on most days, the person I think about anytime I have something to share and I can't wait to spend, God willing, our "older years" together. **Love doesn't feel like a strong enough word when I think of you baby.)!

The craziest part of this list is the fact that lately, I have been pretty down, yet when I can take a step back and see all the smiles, memories, and moments... I remember what all of this is really about. **God is good... ALL THE TIME!!**

**Past years: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023!!

Top 10 Moments of 2016 (and, as always, honorable mentions)

No clue if anyone is still interested in what's going on with our journey but if so, here we are again, posting another crazy year of old life experiences in a completely new context, as well as, brand new moments.  This has become far more of a public journal for myself but I hope it is at the same time inspiring to others to keep moving forward with goals and dreams no matter what life throws at you.  

I honestly didn't think it could get any crazier BUT sure 'nough... This year I learned a ton, spending countless hours experiencing a whole new business, new aspects of life and a new season for our family.  As we move into 2017, the Berg's have the same goals and dreams (help people win) but in a totally new paradigm than we could have ever imagined.  I truly believe this will be the biggest year of change we've had and we're very nervous but extremely excited at the same time!  Get out there and "change things" this year!

Now on to the top 10 moments of 2016... Reminder that not all moments are great but they are the "moments" of the year that have shaped this season.

Honorable Mentions:
*) THE DALLAS COWBOYS (It's been a great season but if we make it all the way to the Super Bowl, you better know that will be a top 3 moment in 2017)!!

Top 10 Moments of 2015 (and honorable mentions)

Crazy... I have been doing my top 10 moments of the previous season for five years now!!  Can't believe so much time has gone by and more importantly to see in pictures/moments how much has evolved.  If you are interested here's some links to the previous years: 2011, 2012, 2013 & 2014!!

Now on to the top 10 moments of 2015... Reminder that not all moments are great but they are the moments that had the biggest impact.

Honorable Mentions:
*) Driving a Lamborghini (Huracan)!!

Top 10 Moments of 2014 (and honorable mentions)

Honorable Mentions:

*) Turning 35 (left the cool '25-34' crowd)... And caught a fish with my bare hands!!

*) Coaching YMCA Basketball... "Perfect" Season!!

*) Frozen!!

*) Private School!!

*) Camping!!

Top 10 Moments of 2014:

10) Being the first confirmed case of Chick-V in Oklahoma!!

9) Winning a VIP Trip to California (Dallas Cowboys Training Camp)!!

8) Kanakuk Family Kamp (K-Kauai)

7) Trips with Grammy (Eastern Michigan University & Great Wolf Lodge)!!

6) Statue Dedication to Pop (Sparky)!!

5) Disneyland (Charleigh finally meeting Mickey)!!

4) Finally getting to take the Kids to Haiti!!

3) Developing the Spartan Code (D.I.S.C.)!!

2) Becoming a Reserve Police Officer 

1) Surge Leadership LLC (New Office)

When we started 2014 we had no idea of the massive changes that were coming before the year closed out.  Though it was the toughest season we have been through, we are steadfast and focused about the amazing things that are to come.  So excited to get 2015 under way...  

If you'd like to stay up to speed with the Berg's make sure you are following me on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.  If you want daily and weekly inspiring or leadership focused posts please follow Surge Leadership at Instagram, Twitter or Facebook.  

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Impacting Tomorrow... Today

DDW- jeff

A Protestant Passover

The sun had just set on the 15th day of Nisan and the reading of the Haggadah at the Seder table had begun... If you are like me, you either already stopped reading this or mumbled through that entire first sentence.  My hope is that this is not your first post to read on the topic of the Passover Seder given that Matt andSankie both shared their Holiday Faith Talks earlier this week.  Our family also sat down to share in this over 2,500 year old tradition and would love to share some of our thoughts from our experience.

Each Monday night is Berg Family Fun Night in our home and when thinking about this particular night several weeks back we were so excited to learn that Monday, April 14th at Sunset was the first day of the traditional passover celebration.  Though for most of my life I have been a conservative protestant, I have always enjoyed learning about other denominations like Catholicism (Read my post on Ash Wednesday) and was very excited to grow in my knowledge of another world religion (Judaism) this week.  The meal begins with washing of hands but the preparation began far earlier this time.  A couple days before, I had gone to Walmart to pick-up some essentials to our evening only to learn that you not only cannot purchase lamb at Walmart but might not want to either.  So off to Sprouts to find a "traditional" looking rack of lamb I had seen in all the cool pictures.  Upon arrival, we found that there was already a "Passover" table set-up for all the folks looking to get in and get out this season.  Having been around church for many years and personally never hearing of ANYONE celebrating the Passover Seder, I was shocked that there was enough demand for these items that the store created a special display at the front.  It was also at this time I realized how close I was cutting it, "You know you have to have this all prepared before sunset today" I was informed by an elder lady passing by in her cart.  As I continued to google product names and looking for more specific lists to find all my items I was slammed with the volume of detail for each "necessity" yet the amount of substitutes that were acceptable.  I have to admit, when I left I was feeling pretty excited about our purchases but semi-scared the kosher police were going to jump out of the bushes and mock us... I assume that is what they do!?

I'd like to say the meal preparation was the easy part but finding the materials was just the start.  Who knew lamb was so meticulous... Probably a lot of you!  I also found out that horseradish not only looks terrible, much like a cow heart, but when it is raw, tastes even worse than it looks.  Please enjoy the series of pictures in regards to horseradish below:

Time came, and as we prepared a place in our living room to sit and recline, the sun began to set.  We invited the kids to the room and began with the ceremonial hand washing.  I'd like to say the next hour was full of reverence, focus and growth and though some of that happened it was the kids excitement that was the most surprising.  Each time we celebrated with another glass of wine (FOUR GLASSES of sparkling grape juice) the kids could not have been more pumped, which was a beautiful picture of exactly the attitudes we are to have in hearing the gospel message of God (which is the ultimate purpose of the Passover celebration today).  

I'm not sure what my favorite piece of the evening was but I know it's wednesday and our kids still remember the reason for the sweet and bitter taste of the parsley and fruit-nut mix and the literal blood on the tray that came from the lamb.  Here are all of the typical pieces to a Passover Seder:

• Charoset: a mixture of apples, nuts, wine and cinnamon that represents the mortar used by the Hebrew slaves to make bricks.
• Zeroah (Lamb): often a shank-bone and commemorates the paschal sacrifice made the night the Hebrews fled Egypt, also symbolizing the outstretched arm of God. 
• Karpas: usually parsley, and represents the freshness of spring and growth for the Hebrews.
• Chazeret: is another bitter herb, most often the root of romaine lettuce.  
• Maror: is often a horseradish root that has been grated or blended and can literally bring tears to your eyes which is the bitterness of slavery the Hebrews endured for hundreds of years.
• Baytsah (Roasted Egg): signifying springtime and renewal but also stands in the place of one of the sacrificial offerings since the Jewish temple has been torn down to this day. 
• Matzah: stack of three pieces of unleavened bread.  The bread is a real example of the lack of time the Hebrews had when God told them to "go" out of Egypt (Sometimes you hide a smaller fourth piece to represent the struggles the Jews continue to face).
• Salt Water: to symbolize the tears and sweat of the Hebrew slaves (Often also paradoxically is a symbol of purity and the sea that brought salvation from the Egyptian army.
• Wine: Four glasses representing the four biblical promises of redemption from God.  And today the spilled blood of Christ which we observe with the Lord's Supper.
• Hand Washing: to clean yourself before embarking on a holy meal.  Christ later takes it a step further in washing His disciples feet at their Passover Seder.

As Protestants we often move past tradition and ceremonies, willing to simply settle for symbolism once a quarter.  But we can learn so much from these times.  Only 30% of us are auditory learners, meaning most folks are visual and tactile-kinesthetic learners.  What can you do this week for not only your kids to learn something new but even you!?  I know how difficult it is to find time to spend with your family and to find more to prepare something like this is pretty much impossible.  However, I personally will never forget this Berg Family Fun Night and I have a feeling it will be something we do again next year.  We would love to hear your stories of this Holiday season. 

May we take the time to remember... May we remember God's provision for each step of our lives... May we remember the cross this weekend... May we remember why we first fell in love with Jesus... May we remember to teach our kids the values we have and where they came from... May we remember to include the Spirit in our homes, lives and future... May we remember the importance of the Church... May we remember!!

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