Monthly Archive: July 2016

Thank you Jesus for another day! I’m writing early today because it seems I have plenty of time to kill while I wait for our passports to be produced. Thank you all for praying, while the process is a bit tedious it has been quite smooth!

Our largest hurdle was finding the correct building. We began at the right street and number, but it was SW instead of NW – yikes! Thankfully, we were a bit early. The website says if you are more than 15 minutes late you have to reschedule your appointment. As I am learning to do these days, I stopped to pray first – asking for the Lord to get us there on time and to be able to get our passports today – AND to keep my cool.

As always, God is good. Mom is with me so she was able to navigate. When we got close we saw a police officer and he directed us to nearby parking, and then as we headed out of the parking deck I saw a woman headed for the same elevator. That little voice in my head said “ask her for directions” – I ignored it at first but the Holy Spirit is a persistent fellow; so, as we all approached the elevator I asked if she could tell me where the Passport Agency was located. Guess what her response was? “Oh yes, I work in that building, just follow me.”

Follow me… Doesn’t that cover so many things? Thank you Jesus for answering my prayers so specifically. I am reminded that while I often cannot see even the next step, if I will keep my eyes on Jesus and listen when He says “follow me” I don’t have to be able to see the next step. I just need to see Him.

That makes me think of Peter, asking Jesus to let him walk on the water. I pray I will continue to have the faith to walk on this water. Even as the storm rages and the waves are big. I pray I will keep my eyes on Jesus. I am far from perfect and sometimes my eyes slip, but like Matt 14:31 says, Jesus always reaches out IMMEDIATELY to save me.

Matthew 14:
27 But Jesus spoke to them at once. “Don’t be afraid,” he said. “Take courage. I am here!” 28 Then Peter called to him, “Lord, if it’s really you, tell me to come to you, walking on the water.” 29 “Yes, come,” Jesus said. So Peter went over the side of the boat and walked on the water toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strong wind and the waves, he was terrified and began to sink. “Save me, Lord!” he shouted. 31 Jesus immediately reached out and grabbed him. “You have so little faith,” Jesus said. “Why did you doubt me?”

I pray for any of you who read this today, that you will find it in you to hope and believe. To trust that the Lord is good. It’s ok if you can’t see the big picture, God can.

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow 💜

This is the princess on the way to Atlanta 💜

Happy Independence Day!

I am so thankful to live in a country where I am free to express myself and my thoughts openly on a forum like this. Where I am free to worship. For all the shortcomings we have as a nation, I am still thankful for the Red, White, and Blue!

Today Kayleigh and I had a wonderful girls date. We slept late, had lunch at Mellow Mushroom and went shopping for the cruise. Most people spend months and months planning and preparing for a trip like this. We’re putting the whole thing together in just a few weeks. I’m generally a pretty spontaneous person but this is pushing it even for me!

We would very much appreciate you prayers on Tuesday. Kayleigh and I are going to drive to Atlanta to the nearest passport agency. Because of Kayleigh’s medical condition we need to get a passport for her so we will have the ability to fly out of a port if necessary. We are not anticipating needing to fly but we do want to have all of our bases covered. Would you please pray with us that we are able to get the passports pushed through and have them in our hands the same day?

On the health front, today is the first day Kayleigh has not had a headache since Friday. All of them have been mild but it is still a little worrisome. Since she did not have a headache tonight we cut tonight’s regular dose in half. If she is still feeling well in the morning I plan to cut that dose in had as well. The doctor told us the longer she is on the steroids the more side effects we could see. Joint pain was one that he mentioned and that is beginning to be a persistent problem. Her feet and ankles are hurting her quite often. Please pray that we are able to lower the dose and that she still feels good. Our prayer is to get off the steroids as quickly as possible!

Thank you all for your wonderful support and prayers. We love you very much!

John 16:33
I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”

Thank you Jesus that my hope is in you!

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow 💜

Thankful for the Caroline Cart at Target. Kayleigh’s feet and ankles were hurting but she wanted to keep shopping. This made that work!

Getting ready for fireworks 

Today has been wonderful. Kayleigh still tires quickly but a couple of cat naps during the day had her going strong until 10:00 p.m.! We enjoyed being at church and having our small group over for dinner and swimming. We even snuck in a few fireworks before bed.

As I lay down after another precious day all I can do is continue to thank our Heavenly Father for his continuous provision and blessings. Our Sunday School lesson this morning was about remembering to tell God “thank you” when He answers our prayers and having an attitude of thankfulness. Too often we get wrapped up in our wants and asking God for things like He is a genie in a lamp. We forget that we were created by God because He wanted to have a relationship with us!

Think about your own relationships, no one likes those friends that only call or text when they want something. It’s even worse when those same people never say thank you! God is the same way, He wants a relationship with us. Not just have us show up to talk to Him when we want something. And, He wants us to be thankful for everything He has given us. Thankfully, God has made that relationship easy to acquire for anyone who wants it.

Revelation 3:20
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.

Even after all these years walking with the Lord it still amazes me that He wants me. The God of the Universe cares about me so much that he sent Jesus to die for me. He loves me so much He plans each detail of my life. It is so humbling. It also supplies me with unmeasurable peace.

So, I’m going to keep asking the Lord for Kayleigh’s healing and protection for our family because the bible tells me to do that. But I am also going to be mindful to spend time with the Lord just being still and listening. And I’m going to remember to say “thank you” more often.

Matthew 7:7-11
7 “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. 9 “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? 10 Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! 11 So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

Here are some of my many blessings. Thank you Heather at HMP for this beautiful magic!

What an incredibly beautiful day yesterday was!

Anna, her family, and my friend Kelli were all at our house relaxing in the pool and visiting. It was so wonderful to have more time with our precious friends!

Kayleigh is happy to be home! We are seeing that she is tired and fatigues more quickly, but that is to be expected from the radiation. So we are trying to slow down a little and just relax.

Prayer Requests
1.) Complete healing this side of heaven.
2.) Clear scans when we return August 1st – this is a big, bold, audacious prayer!
3.) For Kayleigh’s strength to return
4.) For Tim and I as we use these few days to align all the details for our big family vacation. We leave Friday and we have some big things to get in order. We need God to clear the path and make the necessary things easy.

It’s a beautiful Sunday morning! I hope where ever you are that you’re making time to sit and talk with the Lord. If you don’t have anything to say then just sit and listen!

Psalm 118:24
This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

Much love,
‘Carrow💜

What an amazing day this has been! We made it home just in time to have a quick bite to eat and head to the State Troopers fight hanger. Kayleigh was so excited to ride in a helicopter! I thought it was pretty awesome too. The troopers made her an honorary airmen with her own hat, coin, patch and badge. They even gave her permission to start arresting people!

We were delivered directly to the softball field where our awesome softball family had planned an amazing night for Kayleigh. People filled the park all dressed in purple to celebrate our sweet girl. She was made an honorary member of the UAB, UAH, Wallace State and Hartselle High school softball teams. Auburn sent autographed softballs, t-shirts, and special trophies for both Kayleigh and Grace. Senator Author Orr named her the state of Alabama’s “tough test softball player”. USSSA awarded her an awesome purple trophy. The Sherrie’s office made her an honorary deputy. The DARE officer gave her the DARE bear to keep. And then Magic Moments came to give our family an amazing Disney Cruise.

To put a beautiful cherry on top of this day we had some additional special visitors. Kayleigh’s sweet friend Anna and her entire family surprised us at the park tonight! Grace, Cole & Kayleigh were all
so thrilled to have them here. I was so thrilled to have Kelli, one of my dearest friends from high school here to share the night. My heart is so full!

Truly, I cannot tell you what a beautiful day this has been all together. Even the local news station came out to do a story on Kayleigh. She was so excited to see herself on TV :).

Thank you to our wonderful friends who made tonight one that will always be remembered. We love you all so very much!

I am attaching the link to the news story they did tonight below.
Prayers for Kayleigh: softball player gets big surprise as team supports her fight against brain tumor

Prayers for Kayleigh: softball player gets big surprise as team supports her fight against brain tumor

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow 💜