Author Archive: 'Carrow McClendon

I sit here tonight looking at a gift from a kind group of local friends. It is a sweet reminder that brings up mixed emotions. Thankfully more good than sad, but the sad is still there.

I have also read tonight about two more DIPG warriors that have been taken from us this week. One of them was a young college student, which is pretty rare but not unheard of for this disease, and the other a 5 year old child. What really pushed me to write tonight was reading about this 5 year old and seeing the words “a bucket list for a 5 year old” in a story written about him. Can you imagine? Friends, Kayleigh was only 7 and she never truly grasped how horrible of a disease she was fighting. That kind of load is more than a 5 or 7 year old can even begin to process, not to mention too much for most of us parents.

All Kayleigh needed to know was that she was loved, protected, and she would never have to fight alone. I can guarantee that we did anything and everything (other than get her a purple taser) that our child wanted to do for her last 6 months on this earth. Now, every time I read an update about one of our brave DIPG fighters whether they are fighting in the U.K., US, or other countries, it reinforces what we are doing with the PFK Foundation.

We want to raise support and awareness for this disease so that we can defeat it. This disease eventually traps the child in a body that is functionally cut off from the brain due to the location of the tumor. Sadly, the child is mentally aware of everything going on until they take their last breath. This is not an easy topic for any of us, but we want everyone to know why DIPG is so terrible. Kayleigh’s mutation of DIPG was extremely aggressive, and even with treatments that normally slow or stabilize the tumor for some period of time; hers took her from us in a mere 6 months.

God has blessed us tremendously since Kayleigh’s diagnosis last May, mostly by hearing how her story has continued to spread and influence people all around us. In the next few days we will be sharing information about our PFK fundraising events. The funds will enable our foundation to donate to DIPG clinical trials at St. Jude Hospital as well as other DIPG research facilities. We will also be able to give back to a community that has graciously and generously taken care of Kayleigh and our family.

The 3 things we have centered the foundation around are Building Faith – Sharing Hope – Defeating DIPG. It is our prayer that this foundation will become another strong force with the rest of the DIPG foundations to end this disease. We invite all of you to participate in the upcoming events if you are local, or consider becoming a sponsor if you are many miles away. Stay tuned for event information coming your way.

As always, we thank you all for the continued love and support. These kids and their families are worth our time and effort and need our help finding a cure.

Luke 20
36 And they will never die again. In this respect they will be like angels. They are children of God and children of the resurrection.

38 So he is the God of the living, not the dead, for they are all alive to him.”

Until tomorrow
💜Tim

Front of the gift we received today.

The back of the coin..

Kaykeigh’s name among many of the DIPG Warriors fighting this disease.

#dipgawarenessandsupport

In honor of softball season starting up here are a couple of my all time favorite pictures of KB and Grace.

PFK #14

Kayleigh and her buddy/partner in crime at the Ronald McDonald House of Memphis.

One of my favorites now.. Originally is was not.  I was not smiling and and we were about to find out for the first time that Kayleigh had a brain tumor.

Happy Monday friends,

It’s been a busy day here. As we work to get the foundation’s first event off the ground, the details seem to be filling every spare moment we have. Tim and I of course have our “real” jobs as well which means every moment of every day is filled to the brim. Frankly, I am exhausted, but I know there is relief on the horizon.

We have an amazing team helping us, for which we are so very thankful. Really, every bit of this event is their ideas, Tim and I are just excited we get to be a part! We are also looking forward to sharing everything with all of you. I know I keep saying that, but we are getting really close.

But no matter how excited we get over this upcoming event, we cannot forget what our purpose is. To point other to Christ. To share our amazing story of how the Lord has carried us through the most tragic of circumstances. To share hope, even from the depths of deepest despair. We have endured the storm and continue to hold fast, even though we are still battered from every side.

Tonight I am tired. My heart is so very weary. The tasks ahead seem so enormous, yet I know my God is bigger. So even in my weakness, I have no doubts that my God has everything under control. HE has the plan. HE makes the way. And since I trust him, I say, “Yes, Lord” and follow where He leads.

This verse from a devotion today reminds me that my focus belongs on heavenly things. While everything going on around me has the potential to be an amazing blessing, they don’t matter as much as the One who grants the blessing. So I will set my eyes on those things that I cannot see, and I will trust the Father to lead me where He would have me go.

2 Corinthians 4:18
18 So we don’t look at the troubles we can see now; rather, we fix our gaze on things that cannot be seen. For the things we see now will soon be gone, but the things we cannot see will last forever.

Please lift our family up in prayer as we continue to heal. Our hearts are still so tender. We are trying to move forward, but some days are harder than others. Watching our children struggle is one of the most difficult things I face each day. Praying for the right words to offer comfort while pointing them back to the ultimate comforter.

Thank you for standing with us.

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

Precious memories from when life was normal

Happy Sunday Friends!

It was a beautiful day here in North Alabama. The weather was unseasonably warm – as in 80 degrees – and the sun was shining. Beautiful weather always brightens my spirit. Of course, worshiping in God’s house, with His people is even better. The love and support Tim and I receive from our church family is part of what keeps us going. We are so thankful for the body of Christ we have the opportunity to be a part of.

Another vital part of our support system is our small group. The four families we started sharing life with about 3 years ago have been through some incredibly difficult times. Yet, we have stayed together, loving and supporting each other any way we can. It doesn’t change the circumstances around us, but it lightens to load immeasurably when you have many people carrying a piece of your burden. And not because the feel obligated, but because they love you and want to do anything possible to make your life better.

As I sit here tonight reflecting over how God has cared for us, I continue to be amazed. You see, we have amazing families. Close knit brothers, sister, parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins. People we know will always be there for us. But with Kayleigh’s death, each part of our family is dealing with their own grief. Struggling to find the joy each day. Searching for the positive. It’s hard.

God knew we would need extended family. Church family to help carry us. So years ago He began laying that foundation. It’s amazing to look back and just see how His hand guided each price and person into place. Each “for such a moment as this.”

I pray each of you has a church home with people that love you. But I know in reality many of you do not. My suggestion is for you to find a church you want to be a part of and get yourself plugged in. Learn, grow and share. Our God is truly amazing.

Proverbs 27:17
17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.

Proverbs 17:17
17 A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.

Proverbs 18:24
24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

Our church family

Our small group

It’s been another good day. A busy day filled with family and friends – what a blessing. One of those friends sent me a song today. Not just any friend, Kayleigh’s teacher this year. It made me cry, but not a bad cry. It just seemed to capture our lives these past 9 months and say everything that is in my heart.

I am copying some of the lyrics below as well as the link to the song. Read these words and then go have a listen. The last verse below is where it got me. The line that says “…here when the healing hasn’t happened yet…” That’s where I am. My heart is still broken, but I don’t doubt my God is here. He knows my hurts and feels my pain. He never leaves me, and always draws me near – overwhelming me with peace.

Thank you Emily Jackson Stipe, this is just what I needed tonight. I’m downloading it now so I can listen often.

Find You Here – Ellie Holcomb

It’s not the news that any of us hoped that we would hear,
It’s not the road we would have chosen, no.
The only thing that we can see is darkness up ahead –
but you’re asking us to lay our worry down and sing a song instead.

And I didn’t know I’d find you here, in the middle of my deepest fear,
but you were drawing near, you were overwhelming me with peace.
So I lift my voice and sing: “You’re gonna carry us through everything!”
You were drawing near, you’re overwhelming all my fears with peace.

You say that I should come to you with everything I need.
You’re asking me to thank you even when the pain is deep.
You promise that you’ll come and meet us on the road ahead.
And no matter what the fear says, you give me a reason to be glad.

And I didn’t know I’d find you here, in the middle of my deepest fear,
but you were drawing near me, you were overwhelming me with peace.
So I lift my voice and sing: “You’re gonna carry me through everything.”
You were drawing near, you’re overwhelming all my fear.

Here in the middle of the lonely night, here in the middle of the losing fight,
you’re here in the middle of the deep regret, here when the healing hasn’t happened yet.
Here in the middle of the desert place, here in the middle when I cannot see your face,
Here in the middle with your outstretched arms, you can see my pain and it breaks your heart.

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

Oh my goodness, I am exhausted – but it was worth it. Today has been a great day! Our little Prayers For Kayleigh Foundation is official. All the paperwork has been filed, bank account opened, and as of 10:45 tonight, bylaws written. Baby Duck would be so proud!

I cannot tell you how wonderful it is to know we are doing something so positive. Raising money for research, helping families, giving back to the community, sharing Kayleigh’s story. Somehow, it’s like I am still being allowed to tend her. To love on her and care for her. No, her body is no longer with me, but her spunk and spirit are a live and well.

Nothing shows that more than the softball community that has rallied today. What precious friends, near and far, working to honor Kayleigh. I’ve never seen anything like it. Knowing its my baby, that is so humbling – and we are so thankful! No matter the outcome, we can see, yet again, just how much she is loved.

Proverbs 18:24
24 There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.

Your guys cannot know just how much we treasure you. Your kind words, continued prayers, and petition signing. Thank you. Today has been a good day. It feels really good to say that. Thank you Jesus for a new day.

Unit tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜