What a beautiful, wonderful, emotional day. For starters, Kayleigh had a better day than she has had in quite a while. No headache, and the stomach, while still hurting, was quite a bit better than it has been. Giant “thank you, Jesus” all around!
Many times when I post I mention our wonderful community. I truly cannot begin to describe the outpouring of love we have received. It is overwhelming in the best of ways, and so humbling. Who are we to have this kind of support? We’re just another ordinary family in an extraordinary circumstance. Yet here we are, our precious girl being loved on and prayed for by so many.
Tonight was one of those special nights. I was contacted late last week by Falkville High to see if Kayleigh might be able to come to a football game to be recognized and prayed over. We said yes and man did they go into overdrive. They passed buckets at last Friday’s football game to collect donations. They were wearing purple Kayleigh shirts. The banner for the players to run through had her name on it. The Chick-Fil-a cows came and brought goodies. They prayed over her and released pink & purple balloons. She was made an honorary cheerleader for the night. And every single young man on the football team gave my baby a purple rose. They even had special gifts for Grace and Cole so they would not feel left out. Then when we left she rode in a police car and was allowed to work the lights and sirens. Oh I wish I had captured some of her excitement on video. Hers eyes were bright and her smile was huge.
And really, right there we could have gone home and went to bed and it would have been a fabulous. However, I received a heads-up from a friend that at the Hartselle game tonight (our home town) there would be people wearing purple for Kayleigh on both sides of the stadium. Since Kayleigh was in such a great mood and feeling well we decided to stop by the field and we were not disappointed. We saw sweet young ladies selling bracelets they had made to raise money for Kayleigh. We were stopped by young, old, and everything in between. People just excited to see Kayleigh and letting us know that they are praying. You cannot know what joy that brings us. “We’re praying for you.” We know nothing else can heal our girl. God alone has that power and knowing that we have an army behind us, praying and asking … well, I don’t have the words to describe that.
I just know that I am thankful to be a part of the body of Christ. Surrounded and lifted up by believers.
1 Corinthians 12:12-13
12 The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up one whole body. So it is with the body of Christ. 13 Some of us are Jews, some are Gentiles, some are slaves, and some are free. But we have all been baptized into one body by one Spirit, and we all share the same Spirit.
Galatians 6:2
Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
So often when people stop us to let us know they are praying, they tell us that we are an inspiration. In all honesty, we’re just normal, messy, people. I am so thankful that God is using Kayleigh’s story to inspire others, but I can promise, the inspiration is all God, not us. And in turn, each one of those people that stop us to tell us they are praying, or donate money, or give us hugs, those people are the inspiration. Our towns and communities coming together to support us, that’s inspirational. Serving a God that puts all of that into place and knows the number of hairs on your head… that’s inspirational. We’re just thankful that God is allowing us to be a part of His plan.
I have many of pictures from tonight. It was a REALLY good day.
Until tomorrow,
‘Carrow💜
Thanks to Kelly Miller for the awesome Falkville pictures and all the other friends that I was able to steal pictures from!
With the whole football team
and the cheerleaders
family and friends
hanging out with the mascot
receiving a BIG check
Officer Sullivan gave her a ride!
And she got to use the lights
front seat of the police car is good – let’s avoid the back!
Cheerleaders praying over Kayleigh
Hartselle’s homecoming decorations, Kayleigh’s initials are under the big “H”💜
the up close 
Precious friends
With the Austin High majorettes
Austin High cheerleaders 
Check out these Austin High guys
we found a few to get a picture with
When I first saw the shirtless guys with 14 on their backs I thought they must have a really good player they were supporting. Then after about the fifth guy walked passed I saw “Kayleigh” written across their shoulders. Talk about floored – thank you guys for such a kind gesture. I’m so glad we were there to see it 💜
Purple filling out the student section