a home for us.

On October 24th, 2012 at eleven o'clock in the morning, a couple of newlyweds closed on their first house, thus officially entering into adulthood. It was a cloudless day, our hands were more than ready to sign until they couldn't sign anymore, our hearts were about to explode with so much joy--more than we really knew what to do with other than just act like fools--and we were handed the keys to a cute little bungalow in the neighborhood I grew up in. This isn't our first home together, but it's the first place that we can call ours. All ours. We even have papers and debt to prove it, how 'bout that. :)

We sped out of the parking lot, looking at each other with the biggest smiles on our faces, and high-tailed it to our new residence, stopping only for a Chick-fil-a lunch, which we kept in the bag until we got home (ahh, home. doesn't that sounds so wonderful?) and ate it on the floor of our dining room. Fact: we'll never, ever forget our first meal in our first house. We had several visitors throughout the day, all of which made us beyond excited and overwhelmingly thankful for such incredible people in our lives, and we spent the rest of the day unpacking the U-Haul and organizing boxes upon boxes in each of our cozy rooms, stopping only to take pictures of the progress we were making and to smile at my super cute husband while he wasn't looking.

I can still feel the butterflies that were floating in my belly only seven days ago, and my eyes still light up each time I pull out my key to open up our front door. The Lord has been so good to us, and it is my most heartfelt prayer that He will be glorified through everything that happens inside the walls of this home. Over the course of my lifetime, I've probably passed this house at least ten thousand times, never once considering that it might one day be something I call mine; the mystery and sovereignty of my God blows me away, and Teesh and I are committed to dedicating every inch of it to Him. A new adventure has just begun for us, and we can't wait to watch how the Lord moves and stirs hearts along our journey of strengthening and building upon our current little family of two. He's going to show out, and it is going to be such an incredible blessing to watch it all unfold before our very eyes!

Ladies and Gentlemen, here was our first look at this simple house becoming our simply wonderful home.

1 + 2. first look.

3. living room.

4. kitchen.

5. dining room.

6. bathroom.

7. master bedroom.

8. guest bedroom.

pickin' pumpkins.

After we dropped Melly and Dustin off in Greenville post-hike on Saturday, we decided to add another adventure to our day since we were in the adventuring mood: the pumpkin patch was screaming our names, and we answered the call. Stewart Farms was just as lovely this year as it was the last, and we picked out five of the best pumpkins we could find. Two big ones for carving accompanied with three little cute ones for decorating were picked and purchased, and I loved every minute of our second annual visit to this precious little slice of autumn. Once again, I was reminded of how incredible life can be if you choose to see all the beauty in it, even in the small things. I love all of the things us Bargerons get into, but there's just something about a pumpkin and fall that makes my heart go pitter-patter. Not to mention how adorable our jack o' lanterns are going to look on the porch of our newest announcement in just a few days, which will be revealed soon! Get ready, ladies and gentlemen; it's a good one, indeed. Until then, happy fall, ya'll!

"Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird, I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns."

-George Eliot

yellow branch falls.

Yesterday was awesome. Simple as that. Not only did I get to take another adventure through creation, but I got to do so with half my family by my side. Teesh, Melanie, Dustin, and I made the two-hour trek to Walhalla, SC to see what Yellow Branch Falls was all about. Melanie recently hiked the trail with some of her friends from NewSpring and had nothing but great things to tell about it, so we chose to make it next on our list of hikes. It was only a mile and a half one-way, and the trail was relatively flat with only a few uphill stretches (because of which my legs will be very thankful tomorrow). My favorite part, as usual, was just hanging out in a new area of God's craftsmanship that I've never tread upon with three of the best works of His hands.

The weather was beautiful, the fall leaves everywhere made my heart nearly explode with uncontrollable joy and giddiness, the waterfall made my pulse race and my eyes grow wide with excitement, and the company I got the opportunity to enjoy on this wonderful afternoon was way more than I deserved. I've got so much to be thankful for, and days like today only add strength to that argument. I hope I never, ever get tired of making memories like the ones made today; being overwhelmed with thankfulness is my favorite state to be in. 

"I have wandered all my life, and I have also traveled; the difference between the two being this, that we wander for distraction, but we travel for fulfillment."

-Hilarie Belloc

greater things are coming.

Today has been one of those days when I thankfully remember the past, embrace all the incredible blessings around me right now, and eagerly look forward to the exciting things that the future holds. As I thought back about where I was on this day fifteen months ago, I still got butterflies as I recalled becoming Mrs. Bargeron, finally being able to called Teesh my husband. As I sat in my classroom, giving my kiddos endless smiles and hugs, I was reminded (yet again) that while my life may not be one that people look at and want for themselves, it certainly one straight out of my dreams. There are so many people that I give my heart to every single day, and it is genuinely my prayer for that number to increase with each passing moment. My ability to have so much joy in the midst of a seemingly joyless moment doesn't come from my own strength, but from my Jesus, the Almighty Perfecter of even my worst days.

The future is something that I am particularly stoked about. Several of the most important moments of my life have occurred on the sixteenth of any given month. Today, the sixteenth of October, marks a one-month countdown to, what I'm certain will be, the first day of the most influential and life-altering week I've ever encountered. On Friday, the sixteenth of November, Teesh and I will depart from Charlotte, NC and arrive early the next morning in Port au Prince, Haiti, headed almost immediately to to spend a week with our friends at Hope Vision Ministries in Port au Prince, Haiti. Teesh and I are SO excited to finally make this announcement, thus inviting our friends to partner with us in prayer over this next month, continuing even after our return to Greenville. We will be watching, helping, and learning from our friends at the orphanage, all the while searching and seeking the heart of God as we listen to His voice on what comes next two these two newlyweds who just want to serve Jesus.

As I write these words, I am so giddy to finally get to begin this journey that is seven years in the making. This story we are beginning to write has been in the making for quite some time (for your curiosity), and I am confident that Jesus has simply been molding us for success in His name during this waiting period. How blessed am I that He looks down at my flesh-occupied, hopeless life and shows me compassion by offering me endless amounts of grace and mercy. Our lives are not our own, and we are so thankful to play this small role in His big story; wherever He leads and whatever He asks, we want to be so near to His heart that we couldn't possibly refuse to go out into the world carrying His name boldly and proudlyacross our chests.

Please join us in praying against every attempt of the enemy to destroy the good and beauty that he so hates. We will be challenged in ways that we probably haven't even imagined, but we are ready. Not by any of our own strength, but only because of the cross. We have victory in Christ, and, therefore, have no time to fear the schemes of the prince of this world. Beg the Lord to give us a courage and a boldness like we've never experienced. Beg Him to draw near to us as we seek to love the world as He has loved the world since the beginning of time. Beg for Him to lead us to places that will stretch our faith and further root us into His love and provision.

We will go, because there is no other option. It's as simple and difficult as that.

"And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'"

Isaiah 6:8

charleston.

This weekend, I got to be my best friend's date at her older brother's wedding. Before the Sunday evening ceremony, we ventured around Charleston and admired all her beauty. Market Street was fantastic, as it always is, we had a sleepover weekend with the Morteras, and we even got to catch up with our sweet Clarkin, thus having a mini ABS reunion. Sidenote: I really, really love all the wonderful people the Lord has blessed me with over my lifetime. The wedding was stunning; I legitimately cried the whole time, and each tear that fell was loaded with sincerity and thankfulness for such a beautiful relationship. And their vows? Wow.

I had the best time hanging out with my soulmate and her family for a few days. The Pineros clan really has a special spot in my heart that is more sacred than most, and it was such a treat and an honor to be by their side on such an unforgettable day in their lives. I'm seriously so blessed, ya'll. So unbelievably blessed.

"Love must be as much a light, as it is a flame."

-Henry David Thoreau

hallelujah, all I have is Christ.

This weekend has been jam-packed with some pretty great things. Friday night, I ventured to Greenwood to celebrate the upcoming union of Nick and Alicia as husband and wife at their rehearsal dinner. The following day, I made my way back to that quaint town to witness them become Mr. and Mrs. Nicholas Paul Keely after spending my morning at Fountain Inn's Aunt Het Festival. Not only did I get to see love in its purest form at this gorgeous wedding, but I also got to see it as seventy-three people purchased raffle tickets to help us support our friends down in Haiti. That means in a little over seven hours, we raised seven-hundred and thirty dollars to send down to our kiddos as we try to help them relocate to a better, more enabling environment. We've still got a long way to go, but I am confident that the Lord's will shall not waver and will not be shaken.

What a blessing it has been to be burdened so much over the past two years for a group of people that I've never even met. It's my deepest and sincerest prayer for my heart to be broken for the very things that break the heart of Jesus. My flesh hates it, and it stays in constant battle with my spirit; however, it will not fail. I want to go to the hard places. I want to be in the middle of the fire, but only because Jesus is there with me. I will not sit by effortlessly while the world perishes, and even if the people I love most begin to call me crazy, I'll still boldly profess the name and power of Christ. I mess up every single day, and that's something that will not change until I finally meet my Maker face-to-face, but I will live a life of repentance. I will remain committed to the One who saved and redeemed my soul. I will not grow weary in dying to myself so that I may more wholly live for Him.

Praise Jesus for blessing me with a heart that longs for the entire world to know Him! Even when it hurts and my heart is so heavy that I can barely take a breath, I'll still praise Him. May my life be a constant reminder of the grace He has poured out over us, and may people be attracted to this light I carry so deep within me and desire to have it for themselves. Most importantly, may I not forget that this life I live is not my own. Hallelujah, all I have is Christ.

"Come thou long expected Jesus

Born to set thy people free;

From our fears and sins release us,

Let us find our rest in thee.

Israel's strength and consolation,

Hope of all the earth thou art;

Dear desire of every nation,

Joy of every longing heart."

Jesus, please come soon. Until then, however, let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us play a small part in your great plan as you drawing all nations to your name. Hear us as our hearts burn and cry out for you. We live for you, Lord.

my saturday.

My Saturday began with a morning auction where I got lots of goodies for our new home for a great price, continued with an afternoon at Heritage Park selling raffle tickets to benefit our precious kiddos in Haiti, and ended with a concert at The Channel. I can't think of anything that would have made it better, especially since it concluded with my hands held high in the air, praising my Savior with everything I had inside me. Yepp, it was perfect. Goodness, I'm blessed.

First up, Lillies and Sparrows played an incredible set. They were awesome!

Then, Ascend the Hill took the stage. They were really awesome, and it was such a treat to watch this band perform. We play several of their songs at Capstone, and we were all stoked to watch them live!

Meet some of my favorite people ever. I can't begin to count how many times I've thanked the Lord on their behalf, and I have so much joy in my life simply because they're in it with me.

All I can give is an endless amount of thankfulness to the One who made this day so incredible. Oh, how faithful and good is my Jesus!