A Journey of Dreams...

Exactly 15 days till Australia! I am really excited! :) It will be a exciting adventure! Can't wait to see what God has in store for this year! Today is my Mom and Dad's 26th Wedding Anniversary!

I am so thankful for my parents! I am about to head to Fargo and then eat with them, Then I will be going to Chi Alpha! I haven't been there in a while and greatly miss everyone and the lessons! :) God is sooo great!

I will write again soon! Promise!

With Love,

Devin

This is a archway in Lacock Abbey, England. This was used in the Harry Potter Movies.

Hello Everyone,
It has been a little while since I have written. I have been getting un jet lagged! haha... :) I am finally getting back to my silly self! :) haha! But, yes... Today I realized that it is 33 days till I go to Australia! I am really excited...BUT, I need to figure out the things that I want to see and do while I am there. I am really excited about this new step of a journey in my life. It will be an all around great big adventure. A tad nervous... Cuz I have never done something like this...Talk about stepping out of the comfort zone! :) It will be a good zone to step into though!


This is a tunnel bridge (of sorts) in Bath, England

I think it is just hard to believe that I am going to be going to Australia... I can't believe it. I had only dreamed of going there. Never thought it would be a reality! :)
I will write again soon! :)

Hello Everyone,

So I believe it has been a while! I know I said I would write blog entries while I was in England, but let me say that finding internet was a bit crazy- let me reword that... Free internet... In the UK they charge for everything. You can pay 1 pound for 20 minutes on the internet. So, I decided that I would wait. :) Hope that was fine! haha! :)

I have learned soooo much while I was there! I loooved it! To the point of when I dream- I feel like my dreams are European... which, is odd. They just have a very English feeling! If that makes any sense? lol...

While I was on the trip I brought a new journal that I got from Barnes & Noble before I went and I kept the journal religiously. Now I have been writing almost everyday... trying to write memoir and non-fiction for my project. I have not written much of that form, but decided i would give it a swing. :)

So, I will update again soon... and put some pictures up as well!

Much Love My Friends!

Devin Berglund

x

So, my dad said that Iceland is having problems with their wonderful Volcano again. So, I really hope that for one it doesn't affect our flight to England and second of all i hope (if when we are on the flight) that it doesn't affect our flight-- causing any troubles. So, Pllleeeaaase be praying for me and my group-

I can't believe that it is sooo close.
I have been doing final edits on my magazine and have been getting more and more excited to see it in the print version.

Well, I better get to work on it, but, I just wanted to make an update since I have one day left till i get to go to my first huge trip. :)

God Bless You All! :)


Love, Devin

When life is crazy i just feel like running. Just getting on my tennis-shoes and running. Not running from anything in particular, but just to feel the tension run through your muscles and so that you feel rejuvenated. Random though.







_____________________

...At Home... got a lot accomplished today! I am soooo tired! :P I guess i should admit it, even though i have been denying it lately! I am listening to a bunch of music that i listened to when i was younger... It's crazy how fast you grow up. I remember thinking, "When is my life going to begin?" when i was younger. I really wish i would have just enjoyed being little at that time instead of wishing i could grow up faster. I am now 22 and am trying to figure out what exactly it is that i want to do and waiting to hear what the Lord wants me to do...because my wants and his could be ohhhh sooo different-- but His will is perfect and His will is what i want. I have also wished that the world was a more perfect place to live, but you can truly see that we were not meant to live here forever...because we are citizens to another country, another place... Heaven.
You are probably thinking, "WOW, this girl thinks tooo deeply... is she ok?"
I guess i do think deeply, but maybe that is just the type of person i am. As crazy as it sounds.

Things I have learned from living on my own for 4 years...
1. Stay close to God no matter what happens in your life- He can keep your life consistent!
2. Get out and move...
3. Eat Healthy
4. Just because you live in the City, doesn't mean you should go out shopping and out to eat every single day. Wastes up your money faster than you would ever know.
5. Do more research on the people who you choose to live with so you will not have problems with roommates. (I am thankful for the good roommates that i did have though)
6. Work hard and do good in school
7. Do something for fun that will keep you sane amidst the craziness of life!
8. Oh...how could i forget this one---Get enough sleep. I know that College students and probably every person should get at least 8 hours of sleep. I know I haven't been getting that many for awhile.
9. Drink A LOT of water... Supposed to have 8 glasses a day. Crazy when ya think about it and how little i have compared to that. I need to start doing this better.
10. Don't out do yourself or over wear yourself out. You only have one you, learn to say no.
11. Don't go out with someone who will wear you out, bring you down, or hurt you.
12. Say five nice things about yourself in the mirror to your reflection in the morning.
13. Don't keep everything you have ever had.... Hint: Devin, do you really need to keep that card from 5 years ago... ha- I threw it away today.

14. VERY IMPORTANT: Try to do your best in life- that is all that God wants- is that you try your hardest- there is no way to be perfect no matter what people say.

15. Smile.

16. ALSO VERY IMPORTANT:Get away on your own. Go to the park and read a book. Take a warm bath with light music playing in the background. You need to have down time to mentally charge your energy back up. I know that this is something i have really needed and learned.

So, this whole blog entry has been alllllll over the place. I just thought I would write about the things i learned because today my mom and i cleaned our the trailer and it was crazy! Found many things...but it would have been easier if i had started weeding stuff out when i was still in the apartment. I just have tooo many things.

When everything was laying outside on the cement outside our garages-- I started thinking about how everything i need for life I already have and that I would have been happy just getting rid of everything. I just felt overwhelmed and needed to write so, I did... Seems when i write everything becomes better!

But, yes... So- this was a crazy blog- haha... thanks for reading my muse-ing of today!

2 days till London... I need a break.

Hello Beautiful World,

I am living in a beautiful green globe and am loooving it! It has been raining here for the past few weeks and everything is shining green! I am amazed by the green-ness. :) Must be like this in Ireland all the time! :) So enchanting and refreshing for the soul. Makes me daydream. I have always been a huge daydreamer, though. I remember back in school when my parents would go in for teacher's conferences that the teacher would tell them, "Devin shouldn't sit by the window... she is always staring outside." Well, of course I would be staring outside... Come on, of course i would rather be outside. haha... like come on! lol... :P

But, in 3 days I leave for England and i am WAY OVERLY AMAZED that life is just beginning... I remember last year sitting in a car driving no where in particular with my ex and just staring out the window wishing that i had a different life. I never realized that God had a different life in store for me... One that matched my dreams. Something that i do not expect- but am totally excited about! Brings me back to that little girl who sat in the science class room staring out a window to her future... dreaming of all the possibilities that life holds.



Another thing- Ever since I was little i had dreamt of seeing castles and ancient ruins... Like, seriously, guys!!! I will be able to get a better feeling of one of my stories!



So, Since I have 3 days...
Here are some things i need to do...
1. Finish Magazine and send to printer
2. Unpack my clothing boxes out of the trailer
3. Dig through the amount of clothing and find stuff that would look good in England
4. Pack that clothing
5. Buy leggings next time in Fargo (an easy article of clothing that you can wash easily! and since packing is limited...that would be a good idea...) haha... totally random i know! I will make traveling notes and make note of them on here as well! :) So, stay up to date my dear friends! :)
6. Pack my carry on-What do I want with me for a 7 hour flight?

Ok, well I better get to work! But- Keep dreaming everyone... life would be totally dull without dreams. What are some of your dreams? Were you a daydreamer as well?

Hola,

I hope that this finds everyone well! :) Lately, I have been dizzy with the busyness that comes at the end of semesters. The fretting feeling that everything will turn out. I have been writing a story called "The Created One" and i have been enjoying that. I have a theme verse from the Bible that inspired a part with a sword in it:
After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.-Genesis 3:24

Other than working on that, the progress has been coming with the literary/arts magazine, "New Branch of the Journey"
It has been a huuuuuu-U-ge progress and PRO-cess. lol... It's amazing what goes into a magazine. lol... you would be amazed and with everything a person does to put together one. I will have a like up soon with my magazine that I created, hope you all enjoy it! You will be able to purchase it on lulu.com or Barnes & Noble or even Amazon! :)

I am also thinking about creating my own layout page for this blog... Just something original- that ScReAmS Devin! lol... :P

Well I am going to scoot! haha!

Luv ya all!

Devin Berglund

YAY!! So, I finally got a new layout on here! I am soo excited about it too! It's Australia! :P I would like to thank Steph, one of my friends who told me about the layouts!!! :)

I haven't posted for a few days! So, I have been pretty busy! My room at home is officially packed full of boxes... I still have more stuff at my apartment to move out. The countdown now begins-- I have 5 days till I move out (tomorrow will be 4 to go!) Crazy. After staying some place for a while, you get used to it! I get into my little comfort zone and it's like living in a little pink bubble where everything is cozy and fine... but, then God interrupts the little bubble saying stuff like, "Devin, I have an adventure for you." makes me think, really? Me??
And of course, God's answer was like, "ah, yeah!"
"but, Lord... I am all comfy and i know everyone here, I am close to my friends and family!"

"Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.' "-Mark 8:34

It makes me laugh with how much we get set in our little bubble of comfort!
The only way to grow is to get out of one's comfort zone, even though it may not be comfy-- at least at first.

Packing up these boxes and moving them home has made me think about all this. Last time my room at home was full of boxes was when i was off to MSUM for my first college experience--dorm life. And let's just say that that was a big move for me. Even though my family only lives an hour from Fargo. So, now there is a new experience in front of me. One that I am extremely excited about but also sort of nervous-- mainly about what i will find when i step off that airplane on the other side of the world. I know it will be good.

As my pastor from Assembly told me, "Devin, when you think you will be nervous, just say 'I am excited', God is going to grow you from this, He will lead you to other believers. There is also a very strong church community there. God will be with you each step of the way."

I totally agree with Pastor Bob and I know God will be there each step of the way: For one, He has been there each step of the way for as long as i can remember. And since He said, "Go" I shall! :)

Other than packing, I have also been crazily working on "New Branch of the Journey" which is a literary/arts magazine I am publishing for a class I am in. Totally excited to see how it turns out!! :D

What is your comfort bubble like? Is there something that God wants you to break out of your comfort zone for?

What kind of a mark do you want to leave on the world?
In my American Literature class, (It seems I am always quoting it) We were reading Longfellow and In his poem "A Psalm of Life" he said:

"Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time;

Footprints, that perhaps another,
Sailing o'er life's solemn main,
A forlorn and shipwrecked brother,
Seeing, shall take heart again.

Let us, then be up and doing,
With a heart for any fate;
Still achieving, still pursuing,
Learn to labor and to wait."

This really made me truly think about what kind of a legacy I want to leave... It's crazy how all of these interesting and famous people who came before us thought about the same things... Almost as though these are like letters from the past...from a grandpa type of man who would be sitting on an overstuffed chair with a pipe in his right hand- with a long white beard kindly smiling as writing a letter to a grandchild.

Earlier in Longfellow's poem he said:

"Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not it's goal;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
was not spoken of the soul."

I just love that how he writes you know that He knows of an afterlife and of a Loving Fatherly God!

It just makes me think more tenderly about this whole matter of what kind of footprints am i leaving behind? Am I walking too close to the ocean where my footprints will be to soonly swept away after time and they will not be seen any longer? Or am i on the right path where each step will be recorded in the sands of time! I totally want to make a difference in the sands of time- like Longfellow and all of the past amazing writers, artists, and of course the Creator (who created all of the people in the universe!)

What kind of footprints are you leaving?

Hello All,

How is life treating you all? It's kinda been a little while since my last post and i am procrastinating right now from writing my story so I thought I would update this blog! It seems that when i procrastinate from a thing I love doing i end up doing it in another sense. But I try and try do anything else but work on what i need to and then it gets to be late and then finally I start working on it. I am a night owl, so I find I get my best stuff done later in the night.

"The thing all writers do best is find ways to avoid writing."
— Alan Dean Foster

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started. The secret of getting started is breaking your complex overwhelming tasks into small manageable tasks, and then starting on the first one."
— Mark Twain

" It's easier to resist at the beginning than at the end. "
— Leonardo da Vinci

I find it amazing that I am not the only one who has felt this way! Even amazing and talented people such at Twain or da Vinci!! Makes me feel 100 times better!

I smile while writing this, because you all probably are thinking-- Man, why can't Devin write about anything else but her writing/procrastinating/craziness. I have no Idea who all reads this, but I have just been writing what I know... and that is plainly what i know at this moment! I know that sometimes when i talk about writing to people who are not writers about writing their eyes get slightly glazed over and tend to drift past my head! so, hopefully this blog never puts yall to sleep! :P lol... As that would be to bad! But, hey!! If ya get a nap out of it- I guess that is good! lol...

I hope that all of you had a great Easter, as did I!

In Him,

Devin Berglund

Writers Block...
Isn't it a beautiful thing?

I thought this was wonderful advice from author, Erin Healy.
About Writing in General
Feb. 11, 2010 • Posted in FAQ

Q: What are the “thin places” you like to explore in your novels?

A: If you’ve read C. S. Lewis or anything about Irish history, you’ll know that “thin places” is a Celtic idea. It describes locations in the world where the veil between physical and spiritual realities is so thin that a person can see through it—or perhaps even step between the worlds. Figuratively speaking, thin places represent moments of spiritual revelation, a connection between the seen and unseen elements of our lives.

The Irish girl in me has long been fascinated by this concept. My married name, my maiden name, and my given name are all Irish, so perhaps it was inevitable. As a young adult I spent half my waking hours in the Pentecostal church, and I came away from that tradition with an unshakable belief in the existence of an active spiritual world. I was a high-school sophomore when my mother gave me a copy of the new book This Present Darkness, and the imagery of the spiritual world invading this one stayed with me.

Early in my editorial career Dean Merrill challenged me with a critique of books published in the Christian marketplace. The weaker ones, he said, cause readers to say, “Amen, I agree with you!” The stronger ones, on the other hand, cause readers to say, “I never thought of it that way before.” I hope my exploration of fictional thin places will cause readers to think of their spiritual and physical lives in new, desegregated ways.
_______________________________________
The thin places-- that is totally the style that i loooove! :)

I thought that was amazing!! :) It is so true though... I guess my name is a Celtic name as well! :) Devin-- which, actually means "Poet". I find that amazing! :)

So, I thought I would just open this up for discussion! What do you do to deal with Writer's Blocks or Creativity Blocks? and how do you get over them?

" In a world of black, grey, and white... my words are in piles. Chains... tying them to that desolate place. Nothing can free them unless I break through Delila's secrets and sinister lies (my writer's block! I gave the evil master mind a name.) Her wall can be broken down with energy, light, and Truth... freeing the creativeness from the other side... so it can return to where it should be. Breakthrough!" -Facebook Status of mine from last night concerning my writer's block!

Hello Everyone!

"Stop trusting in man,who has but a breath in his nostrils.Of what account is he?" Isaiah 2:22

"And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything, because he himself gives all men life and breath and everything else." Acts 17:25

So, it's amazing how short life is. I was in Jamaica over spring break! IT was amazing! God taught me a lot of stuff though... stuff that should never be overlooked!

"and call upon me in the day of trouble;
I will deliver you, and you will honor me." Psalm 50:15

I learned to Scuba Dive and it was an amazing experience! Although one day we did 3 dives and I was getting rather fatigued i believe. We were on our last dive and it was 55feet deep in the Caribbean. I removed my mask and breathed water in through my nose (which, is a major NO-NO!) but, I did and it was scary! I felt like i was drowning. I couldn't get air. I don't know if you have ever experienced the feeling of trying to bring in air but instead you meet the sting of salt water. Plus, the feeling of no air. Suffocation. I was blown away by the fact of how much we need air... but also the fact of how much we need Jesus because even when air is limited or not there-- Jesus is. He is always there.


"Reach down your hand from on high;
deliver me and rescue me
from the mighty waters,
from the hands of foreigners" Psalm 144:7

All I remember about the whole experience that happened under water during that moment was "Oh, my gosh I am drowning." and then a while later I felt like i fell asleep and i do remember saying over and over again, "Jesus, help me! Help me Jesus!" and then I saw light. Which then I thought... man! I am dying! The relaxation came over me though to the point that i didn't care because of the bright light. All of a sudden i heard something that must have waken me up or felt something that awoke me. I soon realized that I was floating on top of the waves. my instructor was there patting me saying, "Keep your eyes open!" and a bunch of water and air came out of my stomach. I was floating there and saw the boat while I was thinking, man I want out of the water and onto that boat.

It was crazy because after i thought more and more about it i was amazed. I hadn't told anyone about the feeling like I was sleeping or the whole light that i saw. But, I can now say that I am not afraid to die. I came close, but Jesus saved me! :)
So even when air is not present for you to breath, Jesus was there. And he allowed me to be alright! :)

You guys, I am so thankful that He was there for me and that he had allowed me to have a good instructor because it would have been soooo easy for something to go wrong with my whole drowning incident. With the pressure bar/atmosphere of 55feet and the fact i breathed in water-- a few things could have happened.

I am just amazed that it felt like I fell asleep! Peaceful like... after I couldn't breath. I Kept saying over and over Jesus, Jesus, Jesus!

"Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance.[d] 20I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; 24but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain, and I will continue with all of you for your progress and joy in the faith, so that through my being with you again your joy in Christ Jesus will overflow on account of me." Philippians 1:18-26

So, I pray that this finds you all well! :) and that Jesus BLESSES you all! :)
He has a plan for your lives so ask him about it and he will show you! :) I really thought about these verses and thought what if I hadn't known Jesus and had died? Would have I felt peace? Would i have seen light? Would I have lived?

"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you." Jeremiah 29:11-12

So other than that God also taught me something through what the Jamaicans said! They would say,"No Problem, Mon!" or "No Worries, Mon!"
I always had issues with anxiety or worry and through this whole Jamaican Experience He showed me that i shouldn't worry. Why should a person worry when the next moment their life could be taken a way soo FAST! "Don't worry! Be Happy, Mon!"

Even after experiencing a drowning feeling... I went back out and went down under water again... sure I was scared... haha! Ask my Mom or Dad! :) But, I conquered that fear and just relaxed.

So these things are the top things!

1. Don't take life for-granted. It could be taken away so fast!
2. Make sure you are right with God, plus- when you are right with Him... he will teach ya things you never thought you would ever know!
3. No Problems, No Worries... Mon! Don't worry... Be Happy, Mon!
4. Don't let fear stop you from having an adventure!

Love ya all!

Devin Berglund!!<><

Literally and Figuratively... It's been way tooooooo LOOOOONG!


I am currently on spring break and am very much happy about that. I haven't left for my families destination yet though. We will be leaving on Wednesday (The 17th). We will be going to Jamaica, Negril!

I am amazed that the Red River has risen faster than it had last year at this time. I remember it was the next day that I got back from Spring Break last year- on which Mother Earth wanted to flood the Valley with her precious Ruby- The Red River. I got back to my place with my hair in cornrows and beads...wishing i was anywhere else but FARGO! lol... But, now it's been rising before Spring Break. I actually got a text from someone today, saying that someone needed to have help sandbagging already! It's crazy!!! So, I am hoping and PRAYING that it isn't nearly as bad as it was last year!

OTHERWISE:

My life has been full of writing and reading. As an English major, you are probably thinking, "Ah...Duh, Devin. You picked to be an English major- what do you think you were going to be doing for homework all the time? Going outside and daydreaming for assignments??" hahaha! lol...

I went shopping today and got some fun stuff for the sunshiney land. A pink sundress and a white cover up for my swimsuit. Just give me a sun hat and a pair of big sunglasses and i am ready! Oh, and some suntan lotion- Don't want to burn. A GLOW would be nice BUT PLEASE not a RADIANT RED Loook! lol...

I am going to be writing the whole way to Jamaica... So, It will be crazy! I really hope i don't have to sit by a weird person on the plane. I always hate when that happens! Because, sadly , I can say that I have had to sit next to some pretty interesting characters. lol...

So, it will be in 2 days! :) Yay! I will keep you all updated of course and will take many pictures as well!

If I could, I would pack you all along in my carry on suitcase- the flight attendant might catch on though!! Oh, well- they wouldn't need to know! lol...

Question...

What was the oddest person that you had to sit next to on an airplane?

Much Love,

Devin Berglund

Isn't life full of adventure... and trials and fun things?
I am in the process of writing a full manuscript, studying for 2 finals, and designing/laying out a literary magazine. It has been overly busy on this side of the journey!

I have also been filling out final stuff for my Study Abroad Journey. It's overwhelming with all the stuff due right now. All I know is I want more of Jesus and less of everything else... right now. And I guess that is how it should be for everything!

In 9 days I will be in Jamaica. It will be so nice to get away from melting Fargo! I hope and pray that it isn't flooding here when we get back although the school is already planning on canceling school- so that always sounds promising!

I have a countdown on facebook for England and Australia. I can't believe how close they both are.
I will be on a plane to England in 70 days! And in 129 days I will be on a journey to a country for a semester. It amazes me that it'll be just me and not my whole family! Although, I am really excited... I am still a bit nervous!

I need to figure out what classes I want to take. I am going to order my tickets this week and reserve my place to stay. :)

So, on top of everything and if your semester has been quite busy I really hope that you all stay a float! Jesus Bless Ya All!


Devin Berglund

Hello Everyone,
I hope Monday is treating you all beautifully! :)


" 20Just then a woman who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak. 21She said to herself, "If I only touch his cloak, I will be healed."
22Jesus turned and saw her. "Take heart, daughter," he said, "your faith has healed you." And the woman was healed from that moment." Matthew 9:20-22

It amazes me that the Lord cares so much even to take away issues that are rubbing against us in our life.

Has your past ever jumped up, trying to pull you back- saying that you are the same as you were before you met Jesus? I know it happens to me before!

But, this is a nice reminder- "17Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17

Other than those thoughts... Life has been great! :) I have been filling out papers and sheets for my study abroad journeys... I am really excited! I need to reserve my apartment place there (http://www.varsityapartments.com.au/)and my courses! :) So, I have been busy with that fun stuff and then next week will be the beginning of Mid Terms and Papers! I am majorly awaiting March 17th though... I will be finally in the sunshine for about a week. I promise I will take a lot of pictures! :) Really excited!

I have decided that i need to start finishing my story that I am writing. There has been a small dull moment in getting at least 500-800 words out a day! ahh... lol...

Okay,well I am out... i have British Literature! :)

Love in Him,

Devin Berglund

Extreme soreness set in today! Uffda... must mean i was boarding hard and right!:P lol...

This song has been jumping around in my mind today!

Your Love Never Fails

"Nothing can separate
Even if I ran away
Your love never fails

I know I still make mistakes
But You have new mercies for me everyday
Your love never fails

Chorus:
You stay the same through the ages
Your love never changes
There maybe pain in the night but joy comes in the morning

And when the oceans rage
I don't have to be afraid
Because I know that You love me
Your love never fails

Verse 2:
The wind is strong and the water's deep
But I'm not alone in these open seas
Cause Your love never fails

The chasm is far too wide
I never thought I'd reach the other side
But Your love never fails

Bridge:
You make all things work together for my good"

This is an awesome song... I have been thinking about how people change and disappoint you sometimes in life. But, the Lord doesn't... because he doesn't change.

James 1:17- "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows."

Just thought i would share my randomness of today!

Randomly & Simply,

Devin Lillian Berglund

I love the dictionary and the thesaurus, seriously!! And having my Mac Book Pro, gives me the tool of having the dictionary and thesaurus at my very fingertips!! :) IT has saved my life countless times in countless stories and papers.

Today was a all around good day! :) I see how thankful I am about who I am, where I am, who I know, My family and how I was raised. I am soo thankful, Grateful or as the thesaurus says... Relieved... that I am where i am!

Thankful, pretty much sums this post up... I don't know what else to say...



P.S. If this doesn't make any sense just know that I am really thankful at where I am, I am soo happy I am not with that person anymore! God is soo Good!

I have been blessed and am going to run in the rain
I am going to dance in the meadows of the mountains
listen to the echoes--
echoing in the Fjords.
I am going to waltz across the floor with my Lord.
I am thankful!
Grateful...
Relieved.

:)

Simply,

Devin

X


Pictures taken by me! :)

Hello Everyone!

So, I am going to Australia!! I talked to the office today and she told me she was sick last week so that is why I didn't get the letter last week! So, i am going! YAY! Now i have to figure out a bunch of stuff!

So, i will write again soon, jut wanted to share that i am going to the "Land Down Under"!!

Have you ever had second guesses about different situations in your life? It's like God places things in front of you and says "Go!" or "Do this" and you end up asking yourself why or how?
So, I find myself asking him, "WHY ME, Lord?" and i remember finding these verses a while back... only to remind me of what he says.

"For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you out of all the peoples on the face of the earth to be his people, his treasured possession.The LORD did not set his affection on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other peoples, for you were the fewest of all peoples." Deuteronomy 7:6-7

It just amazes me; How he sees me as the fewest of people. I really like that thought, my heart breaks at that thought! He loves you all the same... it's just like tonight I was struck with burdening thoughts and this really helped, He chose me! :) Not because I am like everyone else, but because I am different! It is amazing! :)

I just think about all the time that I spend wasting doing things for myself instead of what I should be doing... For him... Because He is my Lover. The only one in my life right now!

This song has been so helpful for me in this time of my life. It is The David Crowder Band's "How He Loves Us"

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us oh
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

He is jealous for me, Loves like a hurricane, I am a tree,
Bending beneath the weight of his wind and mercy.
When all of a sudden, I am unaware of these afflictions eclipsed by glory,
And I realize just how beautiful You are,
And how great Your affections are for me.

And oh, how He loves us oh,
Oh how He loves us,
How He loves us all

He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

And we are His portion and He is our prize,
Drawn to redemption by the grace in His eyes,
If His grace is an ocean, we’re all sinking.
And heaven meets earth like an unforeseen kiss,
And my heart turns violently inside of my chest,
I don’t have time to maintain these regrets,
When I think about, the way…

That He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.

Yeah, He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves us,
Oh how He loves.
(check it out!) It is beautiful!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TCunuL58odQ
_____________________
So, I just needed to share this... It was on my heart tonight! I need to sink into him and not into what others think of me!

Love Ya All,

Devin Berglund

P.S. I am going to be pretty busy this week with writing and packing (I need to start packing my apartment up so that I can get stuff moved back home before the end of the semester.)

I will let you all know as soon as I hear about Australia!

<3

I took this photo this summer... I love the green against the red! :)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" 2 Corinthians 5:17



Tomorrow is Monday, that means it is a NEW week! It is just wonderful to be reminded of being a new creation!
I have been so blessed the past year and thank God for every moment of it, even if there were hard times... because I am not perfect!

Other than school and work I have been counting down the days till I will be on the beach in Jamaica for Spring Break, with my family! I really can not wait! I love what my sister said to me today when we picked my parents up. My parents were in Florida for about a week. My dad had meetings. But, anyways we were waiting for them in the car and Cassidy said, "Devin, is it kind of against nature that we live here in Minnesota/North Dakota?" And I thought about it for a second and then she said, "I mean, if we didn't have technology and stuff no one would want to live here!" I really see what she means! Don't get me wrong, I love Minnesota/North Dakota and always will- it's only that it gets cold here! I have lived here for 22 years and i am still not used to it and probably wont ever be! Against Nature... It's a neat slogan! lol...
So, it is 24 days till Jamaica.

Other than that I have been writing still! I am currently working on a book- It is for my Advanced Creative Writing Class, and I would love to get it published when i finish it. Other than that some other things popped up today- as many things do seldom pop up in my life! My Dad and Mom told me that my great aunt died earlier this month... I started thinking back to the letters I used to write her, asking about her brother [my dad's dad] (Who was my Grandpa) I never really got to know my grandpa because he died before I was born. Although, he loved to write and wrote a bunch of stuff and at home- my family has a box full of his and my grandma's love letters! I got to know him a bit through those! :) But, anyways... yes, I started writing some non-fiction stuff today and looked up some places where I could get some articles published for pay! Which would rock my socks off!! :)

Simply Me,

Devin Berglund
<3 ya all!

Picture up above was taken out at my Mom's parents house! It was beautiful this fall! :) I took this photo! :)

I find myself blankly staring at the screen right now. Either it is that I am tired or overly relaxed and happy that it is FINALLY Friday! It will be like a Marathon before us in the coming weeks!

I have a feeling that school will be getting more hectic in the next few weeks. I am trying to figure out how I can balance all the writing, and other college life stuff with MY life and stay sane at the same time! haha!

My sister has been spending the week with me in Fargo, so we have been having a blast- Although not much sleep!

With the Olympics running in full force right now, it has inspired me to run, run, run! Literally and Figuratively! I really find that I enjoy running... A chance to just escape the moment you are in, while soaking into the music. These moments really helped me this week! It seems that it also erases my stress! Which is good! :) These also helped me this week!

"Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained" Philipians 3:12-16

"But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body." Philipians 3:20-21

Hope those help you all, in the up coming week! We just have to keep focused and run, YES... RUN after the prize!! :)

Here is my favorite one though...

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." 1 Corinthians 24-27

Simply,

Devin Berglund
Be Blessed! :)

I am overly blown away by how much literature- some teachers expect you to read on top of all the other things that an English student needs to get done. I am currently reading Chaucer in my British Literature class, and i find it hard to read certain poetry and such long epic poetry--- i find it hard to continue reading. Maybe you could call it a short attention span when it comes to Olde English. I found The Canterbury Tales on SparksNotes, So, I am thankful for that- otherwise this class would be almost an alien to me. uffda! haha! But, in my American Literature class, I really enjoy the conversation and the stories and history that we read about! :)

The American history is jam-packed and full of adventure, love, and action.

Another thing that I need to work on this week is my story for Advanced Creative Writing. The story has taken off to a wonderful start/beginning... the only part is to flesh it out and get it on paper.

I write from experience taking things from my life. If not from my life, I take things from what i see around me. My family, my friends, my life, and the Earth- how amazing it was all created. Like how it is in the winter with the ice and how the frost coats the trees like a breath of warm air was whispered onto the branches and they slowly froze to a sparkling perfection. Or how in the Fall the beauty of all the colors blend into our senses with the smell of damp leaves. How sunsets, mountains, and the ocean touch the deepest part of my soul and leave me awestruck. It is amazing at all that was created and that is one thing that drives me to write... to capture it all on paper! :)

Have any of you ever seen the movie "Nim's Island"? I really love how the author in the movie has conversations with her character throughout the movie... I have always seen myself and my characters like that. Every once in awhile they spark up a conversation or say something I totally didn't expect and then the whole story takes a different route! I find it crazy... but a good crazy! :)

What are some things that you like and don't like about characters in some books that you have read? And why?


Simply,

Devin Berglund

P.S. Look for the sun to set every night and look forward to the sun rising with the morning! :)

Today, I was thinking about what God's will for my life is! I know his will is perfect and amazing, but I sometimes just wonder how and why he chooses the time and places in which he chooses! Because His time is perfect! :) Which, is wonderfully amazing and i am very happy that he is in control. Totally causes me to relax at the thought of where i will be in a year or two.

Earlier today I was listening to the radio and i was listening to "Big House" by Audio Adrenaline. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SN-46M0xUk
That song is amazing!

1"Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God[a]; trust also in me. 2In my Father's house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. 3And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. 4You know the way to the place where I am going." John 14:1-4

Totally love that verse! It makes me think of my house that He is preparing... I know exactly what it's like. Well, at least an idea of it! On a coast line on the rocks overlooking the ocean. A perfect view of sun sets and sun rises can be seen, clear drapes hang from wooden beams. It is like a canopy in a way! haha! Guess, I can't describe it as well as I would like to!

Imagine, what do you think your house will be like, that he is preparing for you? Through out life he will guide you on the path he has set out for you, just have to continue holding his hand... I wrote this on a friends site once and had to save it because I totally love that "It's while you are on the journey that you actually find out what His will for you actually is" :

"You will know what God wants you to do! Just keep praying and God will aim ya in the right direction. Sometimes you wont know even while you are on the path... sometimes it's on the journey that you actually find out! :) I still wonder about that but then God always jumps back in and says, "Devin, trust me... take my hand and I will lead ya!"

So, yes! Just was thinking deep-like today! :) Thought I would share my thoughts! haha!!

P.S. I will find out about Australia this week!! I can't wait!! *crossing fingers*

Love,

Devin Berglund

Happy Hearts Day Everyone,

I hope you all have an amazing day filled with smiles, chocolates, and wonderful people! :) I have been so happy today with it being Valentine's day, I have some friends and people I know who have said that they don't like Valentine's Day, which I don't understand. I mean, even if you are single I think that you should embrace it! God has blessed ya with who you are at this moment in your life and someday there will be that wonderful someone! That's how I look at it! :)

Besides I got a beautiful sunset from the Lord as a Valentine's Day Card! :) haha! Lovely!


Be Blessed,

Devin Berglund

This is a short post, but I just wanted you all to know that my interview to study abroad in Australia- went well this morning. I hope i get accepted; have to wait till next week to find out. There are soooo many things that i want to see and do there! Traveling, writing, meeting new people and praising Jesus. I really can't wait to go to the beach! :) and just soak in the sun! It is tough when it is so cold here. There are some things that I need to start doing this coming week.


I will keep you all updated on what i hear from MSUM about Australia!

Well,
I have to go,

Love you all in Christ,

Let Him Shine On You, relax in his warm embrace this weekend!

Hello Everyone,

I am thinking about posting about the issues of the heart. As human beings, we tend to have heart issues.... Not only in the Natural (Heart Attacks, Coronary Diseases and other Heart Issues.) but, also in the supernatural. (Like giving heart away too easily, or not trusting people because you were burned once.)

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws." Ezekiel 36:26-27

We aren't born with a heart issue. But, we all make choices in life that can cause us to develop a heart issue. Like when someone eats the wrong foods and doesn't exercise they are bound to have heart issues.

One day i was just relaxing and talking to God when, I saw this picture in my head.

God took my heart out of my chest and threw it over his shoulder. My first thought was, "What? that was not nice." but, before my thought had even finished, He reached into his chest and grabbed His heart and placed it in my chest. And I Thought, "Wow, that was powerful..." I have a way of even interrupting God, too. I was thinking man, that isn't from God, but then i was surprised! So, I could say that one of my heart issues is also interrupting people and not listening. Heart issues have a way of mis-leading us from what God has for us.

"Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." Matthew 13: 18-23 (emphasis was added)

So, let me ask... What are your heart issues? Do you need to cut back on certain things that feed your heart issues? Do you need to start running to strengthen your heart?

I know what mine are.

• Facebook can distract me from life
• I tend to give my heart away to fast and i have found that i need to guard it better.
• "Above all else, guard your heart,
for it is the wellspring of life." Proverbs 4:23
• "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,
will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:7
• Interrupting
• Not listening, as good as i should.
• "He who has ears, let him hear." Matthew 13:9 (Jesus says this a lot, guess he meant something by it! :)

This February be look at the real problem, look inside to your heart and you will find it.


Love, Devin

Hello All,
Just thought i would leave a post on the last day of January 2010!
I was thinking.. I am going to share some of my goals and things that I want to do in 2010. Some say a new years resolution and i would call it my adventure/goal list of "10". and these are my small goals... So, I would say this semester's goals. Because, I plan on going to Australia next semester and that will be a wonderful adventure.
Haha... Yes, i will call it my top ten of O-10!

• Start running everyday and getting in shape
• Do something unexpected and kind for someone everyday
• Write everyday so that I have content for my book
• Stop drinking pop for good! (It isn't that good anyways!) And start drinking at least 6 glasses of water a day.
• Find a way to make more money
• That i finish homework before the weekends so that I can relax and do stuff for myself on the weekends. (Also, make sure that I have finished my homework before doing anything fun {including facebook})
• That i also get back on track with reading out of the Bible everyday and praying constantly!
• Start advertising my photography
• Do good in school
• Do something (non-electronic) for myself everyday that will be fun (make jewelry or draw or paint or go for a hike outside.)

Love,

Devin <><

Earnestly keep praying- I know, I am! :)

Hello Everyone,

I went through all my old blogs and deleted them and decided to start one and use JUST one! Because I have a problem with, starting a bunch of blogs and forgetting about them completely! :0)
This semester has been off to a wonderful start! I have been leading a small group with the college ministry "Chi Alpha". It has been a super amazing experience! :0) Something I totally love!
I am still majoring in English/mass communications and have really enjoyed this major!
I handed in my application for studying abroad in Australia last week, so I really can't wait to visit Australia.
I also turned 22 this year (on January 24th) Crazy, I know! I feel ooooolda! haha! okay, guess not! haha! :0)
So, I just wanted to update ya all, and I will update every once in awhile! :)

God Bless You All!

Love,

Devin