Our Final Two Quilts

 

 

Our final two quilts for the month will be going to the Alpha Resource Center in GR. At the center, young pregnant mothers can take classes and earn points that they can spend on items for their unborn children. We are thinking of these soon-to-be mothers and praying that they are able to give the best possible care to their new babies. Thanks to Catherine for the suggestion!

A Quilt for Patricia

 

This quilt is for Patricia. Here is a little snipit of the message her friend Gwen sent me. "Pat's mother died a couple of months back. This was obviously a huge loss for her, and I think it was especially difficult because her mom had been living in Texas, so there was grief about this separation too. Anyway, I know Pat would really appreciate a quilt. She makes gifts for people all the time -- I've received several handmade potholders and cards, and she's given my two-year-old everything from beads on a string to lollipops to keep him entertained during church :). She's a really cool lady."
We pray that this gift will bring some added joy to Pat's life right now and that her friends will provide the friendship she seeks.

 

A Quilt for a Child in Appalacia

 

A week ago or so, I was drawn to a blog of a woman named Rachel. She had seen a show on ABC's 20/20 on the children of Appalacia and felt she had to do something to insure that these children were warm in the winter. She tells the story much better than I do, so you can check out her blog www.rachelcox.blogspot.com. Anyway, we are sending one of our baby/kid-themed quilts to her today. I love to share what God has given to us with a kindred-quilting soul!

A Gift for Krisztina

 

Today's quilt is being delivered to Krisztina and her two children. Her friend Heidi writes this about her situation.

"She left her abusive/alcoholic husband but is in a very very hard
place right now and is completely overwhelmed and exhausted.
Her name is Krisztina. To top it off she is an immigrant from Romania and
language barriers prohibit job possibilities and educational opportunities
too."
We hope this quilt will bring some happiness and joy to Krisztina as she navigates her way through this situation.

A Quilt for Dawn

 

Today's quilt is being given to Dawn. This is what Dawn writes about herself on her blog:
"In February of 2008 I was diagnoised with Bulbar ALS (aka Lou Gehrig's disease). Since this diagnosis I have lost my ability to speak (I now use a speech machine), as well as my ability to swallow most foods and liquids. During these months of decline I am thankful that I have been able to enjoy my family and so many of my friends who have shared their lives with me. I have also had the joy of holding three new grandsons born within the past year."
Through reading some of her blog I can tell you that she is trying her best to stay positive through a hopeless situation. Her spirit is an example to me. We chose this quilt for her because it is bright and bold and seems to reflect her personality. We are praying for her to remain positive as her symtoms change and become worse-and that she will find her HOPE in the Lord.

A Quilt for Rick

Once again I am lacking a photo of the quilt we have sent to Rick but I can tell you it is a man quilt! This is what Sharon shared about Rick. "I do know a couple who are having it hard at the moment. He has been diagnosed with Progressive Alzheimer's. She now has had to go part time (at work) to take care of her husband. She needs hope. He is growing rapidly with this disease. I am sure he would love to have something like this as she would. I would love to see a smile on her face or his at this time.
We hope this quilt will bring him comfort as the world around him becomes increasingly confusing. We are also praying for his wife-that she would have strength to get up everyday and do the things that she needs to do.

For Alexandria

 

Alexandria is 10 years old. She had a stem cell transplant earlier this month to treat her leukemia. We haven't heard how she is doing but we pray that she is responding well and staying infection free. We understand that she may not be able to use the quilt right now because she is in isolation but in the future we hope it will bring her comfort and warmth.

A Quilt for Claude

A really sharp-looking quilt that I don't have a picture of is being delivered to Claude. We call this quilt one of our MAN QUILTS because it has no flowers, hearts, or shades of pink in it :). We have been saving it for just the right man of God's choosing. This is what Claude's friend writes about his situation, "He sustained a neck injury resulting in paralysis after a fall on the ice earlier this month. He will soon move to a long-term care facility. He was/is a father -figure to several grandsons, expecially after his daughter died a couple of years ago. Even though he has a trach and feeding tube in place, he did show a little improvement in the last few days." It sounds like it will be a long road for Claude and his wife and those who love them. We pray it is a road filled with HOPE and caring.

Hope for Carol

 

This quilt has been given to Carol. This is what Kim, her daughter writes, "She is terminal with Pancreatic Cancer and is in her last stage of life. She has been through so very much and is very sick, all of the time. She has gotten down below 90 pounds and is either on the couch or bed unless she is up to the bathroom. Although she has always been strong, we just got report that the tumor has gotten bigger and is putting pressure on vital organs. Her heart just can not keep up which makes her so short of breath it is a nightmare to watch her suffocate. She is so very cold all of the time and I would be blessed as well as she to receive one as one of her final gifts."

We are honored to give her this gift of HOPE.

For Joan

 

This quilt is being given to Joan. She recently lost her husband to cancer. Sadly, her first husband also died some years back. This is a hard time for her and her family-leaning again how to say good-bye and adjust back to life without a spouse.

For Julie

 

This whirlygig quilt is on it's way to Julie. Today is the one year anniversary of Julie's marriage ending abruptly and unexpectedly. Deep pain, loneliness and I suspect hopelessness have followed. It is our prayer that she and her two young children are healing and find forgiveness and peace.
Giving this quilt to Julie demonstrates God's sense of humor. I worked with Julie several years ago when I was in college. She gave me a not so good evaluation and I have been bitter about it ever since. I made this quilt especially for her as an act of forgiveness(by the way I LOVE this quilt-the colors, the pattern). I thought about her and me and how unforgiving I can be. I thought about how never in my wildest dreams would I have imagined being able to make a quilt for her. And all of this was set in motion by my grandma's murder. Amazing. So, this quilt serves two purposes I guess. One, HOPE for her, and two, a way for me to say I'm sorry for being so unforgiving.

A Quilt for Robert

 

Robert's daughter requested a quilt for her dad-this is what she wrote about him. "He was diagnosed in July of 2008 with terminal Kidney Cancer that has spread to his lungs. At that time he had just met his now wife Linda. Despite the diagnosis they wed in August of 2008. The side effects of the medication have gotten so bad that he can’t spend any real time with us he is so tired and in so much discomfort that often he doesn’t even get out of bed. He has been talking of ending the medication because it is so hard for him. Unfortunately if he quits the medicine the time he has left wouldn’t be that long they said maybe months."

This family is really struggling right now. Watching a loved one suffer can feel hopeless. We pray that this quilt will bring him comfort, warmth, and HOPE.

A Quilt for Breanna

 

My mom had the pleasure of delivering this quilt to Breanna at her school today. Breanna will be
having surgery next week to correct something related to her physical condition of dwarfism. Tom Rademacher wrote a great article in the Grand Rapids Press a few weeks ago about how Breanna had donated her hair to Locks for Love. I read that article and decided immediately to include her in our February quilt liquidation.
We are praying for a successful surgery and quick recovery for her!

For Two Little Girls

 

This quilt is being given to 7 and 9 year old sisters. There father and mother are far away from them awaiting the possibility of a bone marrow transplant for their father who has leukemia. We pray that this quilt will bring them some comfort and HOPE for a time in the future when they will be reunited as a family.

A Quilt for Amanda and Joel

 

Today's quilt is being given to Joel and his fiance Amanda. Joel's dad died last month from cancer. He lost his mother a few years ago as well. I'm sure he will miss the love and guidance that parents can offer their grown children. I pray that others will step in and provide that friendship to Joel and Amanda.

A Gift to Lo

 

Today, this quilt is being sent to Lo. She works with my sister-in-law. Her husband recently passed away from cancer and she is quite lonely. It is our prayer that this quilt and lots of love from caring friends and family will help Lo experience healing and hope for a new life without her husband.

Monday's Quilt

 

This is the quilt that was sent to Kelly today. She has just left an abusive marriage and is in the process of starting over. This quilt will join her on her journey to a new safe life. Thanks to my friend Mary for recommending her.

For Jane

 

I used to teach 3rd. Imagine my surprise when one of my former third grade students (who is now a freshman at Calvin College!) wrote me and asked for a quilt for her friend Jane. Jane is pregnant, not what she was planning. She is confused and upset and needs comfort. I am praying that she makes good choices about her future and the future of her child....

For a Friend Deep in Grief

 

This quilt was given to a woman who works in my son's classroom. Her brother was murdered in Iran this week. I don't know all of the details but when I suggested to my 5 year old that we give her a quilt he was very excited. She looked so sad yesterday but accepted the quilt with a warm hug and a promise of prayers.

For a Family in Need

 

Laura recommended a family for today's quilt. Their home burned down around Christmas and are generally in a bad situation. Laura is delivering this quilt to them with a message of love and HOPE.

Thursday's Quilt

 

This quilt is being picked up and delivered to Rachel as I write this. I went to high school with Rachel. She had a serious complication during a gastric bypass surgery 2 months ago and ended up in a coma on a ventilator. Rachel has a beautiful singing voice and personality to match. She has a long road to full recovery. We are sending a little ray of HOPE her way!

A Quilt for Ann

 

This quilt will be delivered to Ann who was in a serious car accident a few weeks ago. She has a very long road ahead of her with many unanswered questions about her future. Her husband and two small children are anxiously waiting and watching her progress and we want to give them reason to HOPE.

A Quilt for Susan

 

Today's quilt is going to Susan who is battling cancer. Doctors believe she will lose the battle in a very short period of time but I believe the Great Physician is the only one who knows how our days are numbered. We pray for hope, peace, and the knowledge of Christ Jesus' love for her through this struggle.

February 2 Quilt

 

Our quilt today is being given the Christner family in Kentucky. Their father died very suddenly of a heart attack. He was only 32. As I understand it, his 5-year-old daughter found him in the kitchen. We are sending this quilt in hopes that it will bring comfort in the days of mourning readjustment that lie ahead for this family.