Monthly Archive: February 2017

What a lovely weekend it has been. Tim and I enjoyed a brief getaway with some of our dearest and oldest friends. We rented a cabin about as far away from hustle and bustle as we could. We relaxed, laughed, ate good food, did a little target shooting, and just generally enjoyed each other. It was wonderful.

It is so very easy to get caught up in everything around us. To allow ourselves to become exhausted and run down. We often seem to forget that God put people on this earth to love and encourage us. We can’t be strong all the time. We cannot carry everything alone – that burden is just too great. God never ceases to amaze me, the way He cares for us through other people is always right on time.

It is also a good reminder that sometimes you need to be that person. You need to be the encourager. You need to pour into other people the love of Jesus. You need to be the voice of peace & hope. Just remember, you can’t pour out of an empty cup. So, before you run off to tend a bunch of people, take some time to fill yourself up with the word – that way you are pouring out of a full cup!

1 Thessalonians 5:11
11 So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.

Feb. 4, 2017

With all the wonderful things we have in store this month and year such as the start of the PFK Foundation, DIPG research fundraisers , school events, and the return of softball season. It is very easy for ‘Carrow and I to focus on everything else and not take time for ourselves. So this weekend we were able to join some long time friends and enjoy a weekend getaway for just enough rest and relaxation to kick start another schedule filled week. It’s nice to have a few days of no expectations , no schedules, and extra sleep. The kids may have been jealous about us being gone this weekend but they will have a break/ getaway of their own coming up for spring break.

Psalms 19:1

The heavens proclaim the glory of God. The skies display his craftsmanship.

The view from our deck definitely shows our God’s glory and beauty in his creation.

Titus 3:4-5
4 But— When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love, 5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.

A sweet friend sent me a devotion with this verse this morning. What a beautiful verse and beautiful reminder of God’s unending mercy. We have so much going on trying to set up Kayleigh’s foundation. Wonderful people are working on different aspects but it’s still a massive undertaking. This morning it hit me that I needed to be praying over every little part. Not just waiting – so I did. I started praying for the Lord to work out he details and guide us in the right direction.

And guess what? He answered in a most impressive way. He sent me exactly the people I needed to help set our next steps and give us a plan of action. Just like that… about 1 hour between when I prayed and when He answered. I don’t know why those answered prayers continue to surprise me, they shouldn’t. It just blows me away, how He listened to my every request, and answers.

How thankful I am to be loved, sheltered, protected, and tended by God Almighty. It’s also amazing to see just how quickly my worry dissipates when I set my eyes on Him and trust that he will take care of the details. I hope if you find yourself in a situation that has you fretting, that you will take some time to just be with the Lord. Tell Him exactly where you are – He already knows. It doesn’t have to be pretty, you just have to be willing to open your heart.

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

Thank you to another sweet friend that sent me this picture.

Mercy, what a day. Not a bad day, just a crazy, busy day. The highlight of the day was Cole’s doctor appointment. He had his stitches removed and was given the ok to resume normal activity. He was incredibly nervous about having the stitches removed, but thankfully everything was quick, easy and painless.

Actually, Cole’s nervousness was a wonderful learning opportunity. We prayed before went in to the building for peace, comfort, and an easy procedure. Once we were done and back in the car we had cause to say thank you to the Lord for answering our prayers so completely. It was so good to have an opportunity to talk about how we see the good in every situation, if only we look for it!

For me, I find that looking for the good in every situation not only keeps me on track, but it changes my entire attitude. It helps to firm up my faith. Not to mention, the more I see God answering my prayers, the more my faith grows, and the stronger my hope becomes. It’s like exercise, the more you practice the easier it becomes.

This certainly isn’t how I would have chose to learn these valuable lessons, but I am still thankful for the teaching.

Joshua 1:9
9 This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Lamentations 3:24
24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

This beautiful picture was a gift from a precious girl tonight.

It’s hard to believe January is over. We certainly packed the month full – work, school, the kids surgeries, starting Kayleigh’s foundation, writing… It’s been crazy, but good crazy. We’ve had mostly good days, but hard times slip in unexpectedly from time to time. Thankfully, God is always good to help us weather the storm and get back on track.

Looking back, I know the only way we have been able to survive these past months is our faith. Not just because we believe in God, but because we have seen God do amazing things. Not only do we believe God is good, but we have seen Him BE good. Our every need has been met. Our prayers have been answered beyond our wildest dreams. That statement might cause you to check up a little bit, because you know we prayed in earnest for God to heal Kayleigh. And while that was one of our most ardent prayers, we also prayed for God to do what was best for Kayleigh. We asked God to show us His plan and help us walk in it. And He did.

I miss Kayleigh every minute of every day. But even all of those minutes are just a fraction of a drop in the vast bucket of eternity. And while I do miss her terribly, I know where she is. I know that she has received her reward. She lived her life in the most purple of fashions and now she gets to reside for the rest of time in perfection. That’s not a bad deal. That does leave me missing her, but as a parent I always want what is best for my child, and what is better than perfect healing when you are sick?

This verse continues to give me peace every day.

Isaiah 57:1
57 Good people pass away; the godly often die before their time. But no one seems to care or wonder why. No one seems to understand that God is protecting them from the evil to come.

Do you see that last line? “God is protecting them from the evil to come.” I have no idea what evil that would have been, but I do know that I am glad she didn’t have to endure it. As bright, beautiful, and spunky as she was, Kayleigh always felt fragile to me. I was always a little more worried about her. She just wasn’t as sturdy. But now I know why I felt that way, even then, God was preparing my heart.

So as I muse over Kayleigh’s #livepurple, faith is a very large component. Faith is our foundation. It’s the reason we haven’t been shaken. It doesn’t mean the days aren’t hard, it just means the hard is easier to bear. It means we don’t carry the burden alone. Faith makes something beautiful from these ashes.

Isaiah 61:3
3 To all who mourn in Israel, he will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for his own glory.

I pray we will be oaks, planted for God’s glory.

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

God makes all things beautiful in His time and in His way