Author Archive: 'Carrow McClendon

Hi friends – I have a different post tonight. My mom penned her thoughts and sent them to me to share some time when I was too tired to post. What a great mom right? So tonight, these are her words…

Don’t you think this blog should be a family affair? Actually, I am writing with the idea that ‘Carrow might need a break one night, and I would have my chance to share about my ‘Carrow. So, if you are reading this, it is Mission Accomplished.

I have watched this journey unfold from the perspective of a mother and grandmother. I stand amazed at how we have seen God’s hand at every turn, and YES, I am very proud of ‘Carrow. She is always quick to say, “Mom, you know it is not me.” That is true, but I am still so thankful she made the decision to hold onto her faith through the toughest time in her life.

Her story began years before she was born. Bill and I had the privilege of watching an unassuming, ordinary couple live a life devoted to making a difference for Christ through their daily walk. They were not perfect, but transparent and determined to raise Godly children in an ungodly world. They were our example, our role models for what we wanted our home to be.

As soon as we found out I was pregnant, I immediately began to pray specifically for several things. I wanted to live a life that would lead her to Jesus, that her life would honor God, and that she would make a difference in the world. On the frivolous side, I prayed she would have Bill’s eye lashes! I also rocked and prayed that her mate would love Jesus.

God has been faithful, in spite of my failures. ‘Carrow was four when my grandmother died; this started the conversation about heaven and having Jesus in your heart. She was inquisitive and for weeks she would bring it up. I did not think she understood enough to make a decision, but I was WRONG. She got up from her nap one afternoon and announced, “I asked Jesus into my heart!” WOW! Now what? I began to ask her questions, trying to convince myself that she really did not understand. Once again, I was wrong and her walk with Jesus began.

Before the foundations of the earth, God had a plan for me and ‘Carrow and Kayleigh and YOU. I am so thankful that I did not know the plan, but I am also very thankful that God did and does. Let me encourage you that children are never too young to hear about Jesus, and we are never too old to make a difference. It’s up to you!

“. . . even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before him. In love . . .” Ephesians 1:4

Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14

We are truly grateful for your prayers.
Beth

Thank you mom. I’ve always said I am so thankful for the foundation my parents gave me. I’m sure this gives you a little glimpse of why. Thank you, Mom. I love you.

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

Look who surprised me in California today! I have the most wonderful husband in the world. One more thing to be thankful for 💜💜💜

Have you ever stopped to think just how small you are in the grand scheme of life? Yes, in our personal worlds we are important. Important to our families, friends, co-workers. But when you think about the entire world we are just one of billions. Billions. That’s not a little number.

And yet, God gave those of us that believe in Him and His son Jesus the job of telling others about Him. Actually, He gave that job to eleven ordinary men. Eleven guys that messed up numerous times, came from sketchy backgrounds, and more than once let Him down. Even after His crucifixion, after they all turned away from Him in their fear, God still had big plans for them. Plans for them to change the world.

Matthew 28:18-20 is the Great Commission. This is where Christ reminds the disciples of who He is, God incarnate with all authority in heaven and earth. And gives them their job – to tell ALL nations about the Messiah. Can you even begin to imagine how daunting that task would be? Even with all our our resources today that is an impossible sounding task. Yet, here we sit, 2000 years later, thousands of miles away, on the other side of the world, and we know the story of Jesus. All because eleven ordinary guys were obedient to the task God set before them.

Today, I sat in meetings about leadership, talking about how everyone has the ability to be a leader no matter their position or title. And then I look at there eleven guys, and what they accomplished. They didn’t start out as big, important authority figures. They started out as nothing special. The difference is they were willing. Willing to leave their comfort zones to become uncomfortable for the cause of Christ.

Often times change requires us to be uncomfortable. The good news is that God blesses our obedience. I am discovering that obedience doesn’t necessarily make the path any easier or more comfortable, but it does make the discomfort worth the reward. I am also learning that God’s rewards always exceed our wildest expectations.

Losing Kayleigh will never be comfortable. Missing Kayleigh will never be comfortable. Yet, by being obedient, and walking the path God has set before us, God is blessing us in ways I could never imagine. Honestly, ways I didn’t want to imagine. I only wanted to imagine what it would be like for Him to answer our prayers for a miracle. But here we are, in a world without our girl, and nearly every day we receive stories about how Kayleigh has changed someone’s life. How she is still making a difference. We are literally watching Kayleigh’s legacy be made. And that is a blessing beyond compare. How thankful I am to to be her mother. Looking back, I would not change a single thing – because I know every step has been a part of God’s plan, and He doesn’t make mistakes.

Matthew 28:18-20
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

God’s beautiful handiwork

Enjoying God’s magnificent ocean

Things that make you feel small…

Greetings tonight from the West Coast! I had the pleasure of traveling west today for a business event. I did not realize how much a change of pace would help my spirits. It’s been a very long but good day. I spent the first 9 hours of the day traveling followed immediately by 6 hours in a very well known amusement park. If hanging out at a certain mouse’s house doesn’t brighten your day nothing will!

Tim and the kids are still in Hartselle but they had a great day as well. Tonight was our local Christmas parade. Our good friends made a float in honor of Kayleigh. So Tim and Grace roads on the Kayleigh float with friends while Cole marched with the Boy Scouts.

I can’t tell you how wonderful it is just to have positive things to share tonight. It’s just another example of God’s grace and mercy in the way he cares for us. We are so incredibly thankful for the amazing friends God has placed in our lives. Our Hartselle friends are such a gift – day in and day out. I don’t know how we could have survived these past 7 months without them. And my work friends are such a pleasant change of pace for me. Exactly what I needed at exactly the right moment.

It never ceases to amaze me, how God orchestrates every little detail. Tending to my battered heart even when I don’t know what to ask for. Meeting my needs before I know I even have a need. He truly is a good, good father – and I am so thankful to be His child.

Isaiah 65:24
24 I will answer them before they even call to me. While they are still talking about their needs, I will go ahead and answer their prayers!

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

All purple for our sweet Kayleigh 

Grace with sweet friends

The grown-ups

Cole with his Scout Troop

I’m so thankful I could travel with my brother

Beautiful Castle

I had to have blinky lights!

Today was a good day. How thankful I am that God’s promises are always true. Indeed, His mercies are new every morning. Often times, it is easy to allow our circumstances to color our view of God. When life is good we trust Him, when life is hard we question Him. One of the most precious gifts God has given me through Kayleigh’s fight and these subsequent three weeks is perspective.

God is always God. And He is always good. Always. While our circumstances change, and good days become what appear by all accounts to be bad days – He is still good. When we plant our hearts in that truth, and refuse to be moved – God does the most amazing things. Yes, difficulties still arise. Yes, there is still sadness and grief. But your perspective changes.

At the beginning of Kayleigh’s journey we decided to place our trust completely in our Heavenly Father – in all circumstances. And God has blessed that decision. He has given us glimpses of His goodness from the very beginning and in every day that has followed. Not just some days… Every. Single. Day. Without fail! Even in the hardest days, we could still see God’s hand and direction, but that’s because we knew to look for it.

Each and every one of you that has a relationship with Jesus Christ has that same access. You just have to be willing to look for it. On good days it’s so easy to find. On bad days it’s harder – but it’s still there. Truly, it’s the hard days when we are determined to see God’s goodness, that He blesses us even more. Maybe not in our external circumstance, but internal peace exceeds circumstances every time. What an amazing gift peace is.

So, tonight I say, thank you Jesus for another wonderful day.

These are some of my favorite verses.

Lamentations 3:20-24
20 I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. 21 Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: 22 The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. 23 Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. 24 I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

Hi friends –

It’s been another dreary day here in Alabama. We are very thankful for the rain, it is much needed, but gray weather just makes me feel dreary too. I know that isn’t the most uplifting way to start a post, but when I decided to continue writing on this page I knew it was to be real. To share Kayleigh’s story, and to be honest about how you continue living and moving forward when God doesn’t answer your prayers how you think He should or how you hoped He would.

Today marks three weeks since our girl went home to be with Jesus. Oh what joy we have knowing that she is healed. But oh my, how hard it is to be left behind. Yet each day, God is good to meet us where we are. To give us strength for that day. To bless us with sweet memories or new stories about how Kayleigh is making a difference. It is still so very difficult, but we continue to find our hope in Christ Jesus.

God continues to send me the same verse. Three days in a row now this verse has come to me, each time from a different source.

2 Corinthians 12:9
9 Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me.

So that is what I will do – boast in my weakness. In my brokenness and grief. Because in my lowest state Christ is able to work through me. There is nothing of my former self left standing. I certainly would not have chosen this path, but every day I continue to be thankful for it. For the change it has brought to our family, friends and community.

We still have a long road in front of us but I know God is in control and will continue to direct our steps. Thank you for continuing to walk with us and pray for us. I know those prayers are what help keep us in the fight.

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜