If you think it's too early for Christmas decorations, you haven't met the McClendons.

Image Credit: Screenshot/WAFF

Seven-year-old Kayleigh McClendon has been fighting for her life since the day of her 7th birthday, when she was diagnosed with brain cancer.

This week, nurses informed the Hartselle, Alabama, family that time may be running out for Kayleigh.

Tim McClendon, Kayleigh's father, told WAFF:

"This particular week, we were given some news from the nurses. Basically, they don't know how long she has to live.

Following the news, McClendon put Christmas decorations up early at the request of his daughter. And since purple is Kayleigh's favorite color, he only strung up purple lights and decorations.

Upon hearing the news of Kayleigh's prognosis, neighbor Melissa Miller offered to help. They told her she could put up purple lights like they had— for Kayleigh. And Miller did just that.

Soon, the entire neighborhood was lighting up in purple.

"Hello friends - I am writing you tonight reporting little change. Kayleigh remains in nearly the same condition as yesterday. And while that may not seem like a good thing, I am quite thankful that I am not reporting any more decline. 

Kayleigh slept very well last night and quite late this morning. She would make a lazy teenager proud! When she did wake she was hungry and snacked nearly all day. Mostly jello and applesauce but she did throw in some veggie straws a steak. We used a thickener in her drink which has helped her sputtering greatly. All things considered, it was a good day. 

Since Kayleigh's favorite color is purple we decided to buy purple Christmas lights to decorate the outside of the house. And since we already have our tree up at Kayleigh's request, Tim decided to go ahead and start putting her exterior lights up too. I rarely get even a moment to leave Kayleigh's side. She doesn't even like it when I take a bathroom break, but tonight I snuck out so I could check out Tim's handiwork. It looked great, but what else do I see when I go outside? I see purple lights up and down the street. Our neighbors have changed out their light bulbs and used purple spotlights to make our street a "purple out." It's wonderful and it made me smile. I hope once all of our lights are up Kayleigh might feel up to daddy carrying her outside to see them first hand. 

Thank you for your prayers for Grace and Cole as well. Grace is sounding better after the antibiotics and cough medicine. Both kids were excited to help Tim with the lights. 

Thank you for your consistent prayers. Tonight as you pray take a little time to marvel at the goodness of our Lord. Take time to be thankful for His infinite blessings. Even when things seem the darkest you can still find reasons to rejoice. And when you CHOOSE to rejoice in the storm - everything changes. I pray each one of you will choose well today. God is good, all the time - I promise. 

Psalm 100

1 Shout with joy to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Worship the Lord with gladness. Come before him, singing with joy. 3 Acknowledge that the Lord is God! He made us, and we are his. We are his people, the sheep of his pasture. 4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving; go into his courts with praise. Give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.

Until tomorrow,

'Carrow

Image Credit: Screenshot/WAFF

While Kayleigh has felt too sick to go outside and see the newly purple town in all its glory, Tim McClendon says she caught a glimpse of them through the window— and was elated.

“Ok, I thought I was done talking to you guys tonight. But then I realized that I gave you the update but not my verses for today. Have I mentioned recently that I don't believe in coincidences? From the songs God played for me today, to the devotion I had this afternoon, our gracious Father has been loving on me and reminding me that no matter what Man says, HE is the one sitting on the throne. 

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

8 Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. 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. 10 That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 

As Kayleigh continues to have treatment and scans and as I continue to petition the Lord on her behalf (because I will be petitioning the Lord for as long as I have breath in my body - if nothing else I'm persistent) I take comfort in Paul's words. He too asked the Lord to take something away and the Lord did not answer his request as Paul had hoped. Rather, God reminded Paul that "grace is all you need". So - we will boast in our weakness, in the futility of our situation, because we know that in our weakness HE becomes strong, and ultimately God's glory is what matters. 

Good night for real

Until tomorrow,

'Carrow