Author Archive: 'Carrow McClendon

Hello everyone!

I’m getting to write earlier tonight than usual because we are traveling, it’s dark, and thankfully Tim is driving. We had the pleasure of driving to speak at First Baptist Church in Geraldine, AL tonight. What a wonderful congregation! This was actually the first time Tim and I have ever spoken together. We really had no idea how it would work. In case you haven’t been following us very long I have absolutely NO problem speaking (more like I can talk too much), and Tim is my perfect, balance and opposite… as in quiet, and generally doesn’t choose to speak in public. So when he agreed to speak along with me I was excited, but had absolutely no plan of action.

Frankly, we still only had the bare bones of a plan in place when we took the stage, but our God is amazing and the Holy Spirit is a gifted speaker. Not to mention, talking about Kayleigh brings us a great deal of joy as well as healing. It was also a lot of fun to speak with Tim – he’s even pretty funny!

The first verse he shared tonight was

Proverbs 22:6
6 Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.

So often that is one we quote for our children as we look to the future – but tonight that was only half of the story. Yes, we pray for our kids, but more than that – as Tim and I stood on that stage tonight we are proof of the truthfulness of that verse. We are the product of parents who loved us and taught us to love and fear the Lord. We have many shortcomings, and the Lord still has much to teach us. We are works in progress – but we’re in the hands of a nightly God – He will handle the details. But thanks to our parents taking time to direct us, we were prepared when the storm hit.

I pray that we are teaching our children the same things. Building a foundation on the truths of God’s word so when they come under fire, they will be able to stand firm. And. It just on Sunday mornings and Wednesday nights – but 365 days a year – 24/7. Its a full time job!

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

These three are worthy more than words can say

The most wonderful day! 💜💜💜

My monkeys, my circus 🙂

I had the pleasure of sharing Kayleigh’s story today with someone that doesn’t know us and who had not heard of Kayleigh. Reliving our journey always makes my heart a little raw, yet there is so much joy in remembering. Joy sprinkled with a bit of unavoidable sadness.

As I was answering questions today the thought come to me there is ALWAYS something beautiful to look towards. No matter how bleak the situation seems, God is in control. Of course, it is up to us to choose to look for the beauty, and some days it is harder to see than others.

Isaiah 61:4
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 you always choose to see the beauty!

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

My sweet sister in law sent me this picture. Kayleigh loved her cousins beyond measure!

Spring is here, and summer will be here just around the corner. The kids are starting to get restless – looking forward to sleeping late, friends, and swimming in the pool. I remember those restless feelings, anticipation so exciting that it just about kills you to be still!

Sometimes I get that same restless feeling in my spirit. I can see good things up ahead and I start itching to speed up and get there. I fail to remember that life is more about the journey than the destination. Each step along the way has a purpose. Sometimes we find ourselves in a season of waiting. It is so easy, when we feel like God is wasting time, to attempt to take matters into our own hands – but that is when we make a big mess and get ourselves into trouble.

From where I am sitting I can see God has good things in store for our family. But they are off in the distance, so for now we will practice wing patient. Allowing God to teach, mold, and grow us for the next task.

Galarions 6:9
9 So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.

Where ever you find yourself today , good or bad, God can make always!

Untl tomorrow,
‘Carrow 💜

One year ago today…

April 30, 2017

And just like that, April is over. As I go to sleep tonight, tomorrow is making me nervous. Tomorrow is May. May 2016 is when our world turned upside down. I am so incredibly thankful for the way our Lord has blessed us. He has carried us through some of the most difficult things a family can go through. He has been our strength and hope for the future. He has increased our faith through His goodness this last year. And yet even though I know all of these things to be true, I just don’t know how my heart is going to respond as we near the anniversary date of Kayleigh’s diagnosis – her 8th birthday.

I find myself digging into God’s word more and more. I know that by filling myself with Him, I am equipping my heart to weather the storm. But if I told you the storm I see on the horizon wasn’t scary, I would be lying. This is just one of those times where my faith will have to be stronger than my feelings. Where I will have to continue to remind myself that God is good, and His plan is perfect.

I am also thankful for the amazing Women’s conference I was able to enjoy this weekend. The Lord knew I needed to be refilled in order to be able to stand strong. It never ceases to amaze me just how good our God is!

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

Oh how I miss this monkey!

April 29, 2017

Guess what happens when your wife is away at a women’s conference all weekend? You have a Cotillion Spring Ball and State Tournament for Softball on one of the hottest April weekends that I can remember. And everyone has survived and been on time to all required events up to this point. Yes Carrow is off enjoying the Women of Joy conference this weekend with a group from our Church which is something she’s been looking forward to for a while. With Carrow gone we had to recruit some outside help for Grace’s attire, makeup, hair, etc. We all know how that would have gone down if it was left up to me. By the time I made it home from work, my already gorgeous Grace had been transformed into a Princess and it was another reminder to enjoy every moment with my kids. Cole was able to go enjoy some time with his Uncle Rob during our Cotillion outing. Meanwhile Grace was able to remind me of what a miserable dancer that I truly am. Even though the AC was not functioning at this semi-formal event, myself along with other dads and their children learned how to do the Cupid Shuffle along with the Fox Trot. After three hours of Cotillion last night we came home to get ready for a full day at the ball park today. Even though Cole is not a lover of sports like his older sister he enjoys running around the ballpark and of course buying as much junk as possible from the concession stand. This is normally followed by “Why is that child crying? and why are you carrying a nerf gun and a light saber?” Today was a fairly short softball day from 8am to close to 8pm but Grace managed to play pretty well and make us proud as always. Talking to ‘Carrow tonight, I was able to fill her in on how the day went but of course Grace was missing one of her number one fans with her mom away. We did have a special #14 come see us today because she had a younger sibling playing softball and that was a nice surprise for Grace and I.

We still continue to see God at work with Kayleigh’s story whether it be at the ball field or hours away at a Women’s conference. It is pretty awesome to watch the Master at work when you know what to look for.

Until Tomorrow

Tim

Our special #14 escorting Kayleigh around the bases.

• 
• A picture of KB that came up today.  This is well before she was playing softball but she was definitely in the middle of all things including this pictures.