As many of you may already know McKennah stepped from this crazy and broken world into a New and Perfect body in the precious presence of Our Lord Jesus. we are of good courage, I say, and are willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be at home with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8 ASV)
We are amazed and humbled by at all the outpouring of encouragement and love from around the world 🌎 I have been reading endless messages about how much McKennah’s life of faith brought hope to so many.
Your messages have brought peace to my heart as well.
No one should loose a child. The pain is awful. I pray no one will feel that kind of pain.
Because God is our Father.............I have always believed we are given the precious opportunity to raise His children. When we have this perspective that they are loaned to us....then we can allow HIM to determine their destiny.
Years ago when my father passed away at 73, we attended his service in Tempe, AZ. During the service McKennan was given the opportunity to say a few words. I was surprised that she wanted to being so young. I couldn’t have known then how serious she would take that statement.
She said “My grandfather gave his life to Jesus when he was almost 40yrs old. And look what he did for the cause of Christ. If he could do all that, what could I do with My Whole Life.”
I couldn’t have known then what that statement would mean for her short life. What I can say is although her last weeks were physically very difficult for her because she couldn’t move from the waist down; when I read messages or told her how much people were encouraged by how she faced these issues. She would tearfully say “Mom, that is all I ever wanted”. There was no doubt that she knew her message of HOPE in JESUS has reached so many.
As far as our son Nik, he was given emergency leave from Air Force basic training and was able to be home with his sister when she passed. Now, he is back at training and is getting ready to rejoin training as soon as his quarantine period is over.
Since we are unsure when he will be permitted to go return to San Diego we are postponing her memorial service.
I will update the blog when we have a date. In the meantime, we are having a smaller family burial service in Sedona, AZ. on February 26th. Her body will be laid to rest in the same cemetery as her grandfather Dennis Rice and her great-grandmother Martha.
We have received an abundance of flowers and they are beautiful but in the future we will encourage those who would like to send flowers or finances to hold off till her memorial and we will most likely want to have donations made to another child or to evangelism.
Love to all,
the Carters
PS. If you are planning on attending the memorial service please comment on this post since I don’t know everyone who would want to be there.
Katy, my heart has been breaking for you, Ray and Nik for quite some time. I know God is holding you close and will continue to glorify Himself through your story as He has and continues to do in McKennah's story. I would love to be at the service, wherever, whenever, and however you need me to be. Love you so much!
I find myself praying for you everyday. McKennah WAS salt and light. I could so clearly see Jesus when I looked at her. Being a mom myself, my heart aches for the pain that her physical absence brings to you, but I rejoice in knowing that you have a personal relationship with the Comforter who wraps you in His arms and reminds you that McKennah IS now where we long to be when our work on earth is complete. What a testament to McKenna's upbringing, and to the role models that she had in her life as she grew in stature and in favor with the Lord. I know that she has heard him say to her well done my…
We have been fervently praying for her since our daughter Ashley (a former teacher who loves her)introduced us to McKennah's life and her story. She is such a strong daughter of His. Many thoughts have been for ya'll during the whole journey.