lacy claire.

My uncle and his precious wife, Val, are having a baby in two months, and we are SO excited. It's been a long time comin', and I can assure you that when March 19th (or hopefully sooner!) rolls around, none of us will be able to contain our enthusiasm to have a baby in the family again--especially one that is named after our very own angel. Lucky for us, the ladies of the family got to celebrate Val and Lacy Claire on Sunday afternoon! Even luckier for us, we get to do it again next month, too. This little girl will know more love than most little girls, and I can't wait!

"A baby is God's opinion that the world should go on."

-Carl Sanburg

lake conestee.

It was an icy Saturday morning in the upstate of South Carolina, but it was also our last chance to go hiking for the chilly month of January. We didn't want to risk the potential bad weather of the mountains, so we kept it local at a nearby nature trail at Lake Conestee. It was nice to take a peaceful stroll through the woods without having to constantly catch our breath, and we took our sweet time simply because we could. We didn't freeze quite to our bones, and we were able to talk through some things while crying out to the Lord on each other's behalf. Nope, I'll never get sick of Saturdays like these.

"One's destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things."

-Henry Miller

death.

My least favorite thing about being alive is dealing with death. While some of it may be able to be explained, none of it is easy--especially not the kind with unresolved questions. Over the course of my almost twenty-four years of life, death has never been too far away. In fact, a lot of the time, I'm convinced that it follows me around waiting to strike again. Sometimes I am directly affected, other times people that I love are directly affected, and then there are the times when I hear about a certain death and am overcome with so much sorrow and righteous anger because of the circumstances. Simply put, I am not a fan of death. Even more so when my mind is clouded with doubt and uncertainty about what came next for them.

Death was never part of the plan at the start of creation, but there is no denying that it's here and it's real. I look forward to the day that death dies for good, but my heart is also burdened for all those who will never taste life to the full. Some of us believe we've already reached that life, but that's not to conviction I love by. One day, I will enter His gates with thanksgiving, walk the streets paved in gold, enter His courts with praise, gaze upon my Savior's face for the first time, and spend an eternity knelt down at His feet singing "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty." Chills. I long for that say to come soon, but I also long for everyone on earth to confess Him as Lord first. While I suffer from what feels like constant heartache from the brokenness of this world, joy is flowing from my pores and causing the most beautiful glow to resonate within my spirit. That glow is a never-ending reminder that this pain won't last forever. My Jesus will come again and He has promised to wipe every tear from my eyes when He does. He desires to do the same for you, too, if you'll let Him.

I am clinging to the hope of the cross while I struggle to smile in the overwhelming truth that this world is ruled by the prince of evil. Praise be to Jesus that though he rules now, he won't rule forever. Behold, my Savior will come for His own and death will reign no more! May my eyes be fixed on His mercy, love, and grace while I allow faith and hope to rule within my spirit.

Come soon, Lord Jesus, come soon!

the fab four.

meet three of my favorite ladies.

Melanie + Laura + Molly

My favorite part of any holiday or any family get-together is always this picture. I've got quite a few of them, and I can't imagine a time when I'll ever grow tired of taking them. These gals make me laugh, stand by my side, and every time we get to hang out, it's like the first time meets the thousandth time and there's never a dull moment. How blessed am I to have three ladies that I know I can count on for anything.

Family is so special, and I've spent a lot more time lately praising Jesus for the one He bestowed upon me. Sure, we have our disagreements and moments of drama, but that's kind of what makes family, well, family. I hope the day never comes when I am too weary or frustrated to thank my Jesus for each person that has had a hand in making me that little lady I've turned into over the years. Especially these three women of the Lord right here.

abs.

Last Friday night, I got to have coffee with some of the best girls the Lord ever created. It's been a little over four years since I met each of these ladies for the first time, and there is no doubt that they will always be a part of what makes me, well, me. We have cried together, laughed together, pranked together, and never left each other--not even for a second. It's so refreshing for a group of girls to get together and not talk about the latest gossip, but encourage one another to continue living for Jesus. What we have is rare, but I can assure you that it isn't taken for granted by any of us. My girls are the best girls, and I'll stand by that statement and defend it to the death. God gave me twelve sisters that I know will never be anything less that just that--sisters in Christ.

We were missing two of our gals for our spur-of-the-moment Coffee Underground date, but that's the cool thing about this friendship--we always carry each other in our spirits. I'm tellin' ya, this isn't something you find everyday, and I can't imagine a time when I don't cry out to the Lord on their behalf with so much thankfulness and love.

"As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."

-Proverbs 27:17

final hike of the year.

It's hard to believe that it's been six months since we committed to hiking a trail each month. That means we've explored four different parks, six unique trails, seen more beauty than we really know how to comprehend, and had some pretty great company by our sides for many of them. I can't wait to look back on our lives in fifty years and recall all the terrain our feet walked upon. For as long as our legs move, I hope we never stop exploring. Always seeking. Never stopping where we are, but continuously moving forward. Both on the trail and off, in all walks of life.

I can't wait for all the adventures the Bargerons will have in this new year, and I'm already giddy for all of them to come to life! Explore a little, guys and gals, and just keep on keepin' on.

happy new year!

Welp, we made it. One year gone, and another one on the horizon. Two thousand thirteen. A new year, a fresh opportunity to get things right, a second (or third or fourth) chance to really discover who you want to be in this world, a clean slate. Hopefully, you achieved some of your goals and kept up with a few resolutions over the past three hundred and sixty-five days. But, if not, no fear--this could be the year everything turns around for you. The important thing is that we not grow weary in living.

My challenge to myself and you this year is that we would strive to make our life something we're proud to look back on, something we want the whole world to see, something that others desire to have for themselves. Sure, this world is a messed up place, that's no secret, but there is nothing wrong with spreading a little love and cheer simply with the presence you carry. Not every day will be full of rainbows and smiles, but just never forget that whatever heartache you face, whatever mistakes you make along the way--they won't last forever. We've got to keep moving through the rubble and pushing through the mess so that we can bask in the sunshine once it passes. Because it will. It always does. We just have to cling to the One who promises to never leave nor forsake us along the way; through the good and bad, He is all we need.

Love. Belief. Heart. Dedication. Optimism. Peace. Encouragement. Soul. Compassion. Patience. Empathy. Sincerity. Endurance. Joy. Forgiveness. Kindness. Trust.

Those are the things that have the power to change our world. May we choose to invest in those fruits this year, and may we let go of the weight of this world that tries to hold us down and keep us there. Praise be to the Father that this is not as good as it gets. Live in confidence that, with Jesus on our side, we're not home yet. Until that day, though, we must tell of His wonders on Earth and pour our entire being into making His name famous throughout every tongue and nation.

Happy New Year!

May you be blessed and thankful all year long.