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Mercy what a day! I count myself as a very fortunate person. I don’t dread Monday’s, I love my job and my coworkers. But today… it was one of those Monday’s.

We visited Kayleigh’s gravesite on the way home yesterday and I’ve just been flat feeling ever since. I miss her. Toss in a little stress with a little sad and it just stinks. I’m so thankful for my faith and a God that loves me just the way I am. That I don’t have to get myself straightened out to be in His presence. I can take my broken pieces and hand them over to Him to fix. He mends my heart, holds me close, and dries my tears. Oh how I want to hold her again. See her face. Brush her hair. Kiss her cheeks. But today is not that day.

While I can’t see, hold, or touch my girl, I can still remember. This evening we met with many of the city leaders to really start getting the Prayers For Kayleigh event underway. It helps to have this project, to feel like we are still doing something for Kayleigh. Carrying on her legacy. Remembering our girl and sharing her with others. Our town is really quite amazing. The way the leaders are willing to help and make this an amazing event. We are truly blessed. I can tell you from the lineup I heard tonight, you’re going to want a ticket. It’s going to be awesome!

And no, I’m not announcing that lineup yet. We still have details to work out. It’s important that anything we do with Kayleigh’s name on it be done to the best of our ability. But stay tuned.

So tonight, I go to bed still sad but hopeful at the same time. We have something to look forward to and there is much work to be done. Thank you God for the promise of a new day.

Deuteronomy 31:8
8 Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you. He will be with you; he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”

2 Corinthians 1:3-4
3 All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.

Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜

You are my sunshine…

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.