Quilt Therapy

We were very upset to learn that one of the ladies in our quilt group passed away about 10 days ago.  She had some type of respiratory ailment that was never going to get better, but the doctors had predicted she’d have 3-4 years left in her.  Unfortunately, she went to Denver to receive a specialized treatment that was supposed to help her … and she never made it home.

Maggie was a fiber arts expert and her projects have been published in a number of books.  She was a lover of all things textile, and we convinced her to start quilting – and she made her first quilt about three months ago.  We were as proud of her project as she was!

My oldest daughter thought Maggie was the cat’s pajamas.  We had tried for months to set up a date for DD#1 to go to spend a few hours with Maggie, because Maggie had competed (and WON) a much-coveted sled dog race in Alaska – something our daughter wants to do when she grows up.

Maggie – I know heaven has relieved your pain – but, we sure love you and miss you!

I have a special angel
who could never know
Just how close she is,
wherever my heart seems to go.

Today, I know an angel
who knows just how to make me smile
By living out her faith in God
As she teaches me thru the distant miles.

And just like an heavenly angel
Who shines down from high above
A special friend, turned “sister”
Blesses me daily with God’s love.

She is more than any fairy tale
She is a messenger from up above
Sent by my Friend, my Jesus,
to guide me with her love.

And though I’ve never seen one
I know I hear my angel all the time
Within each poem I sit and write
Whether it does,or doesn’t rhyme.

So with this new, and loving Angel
His Peace, I know has taken place
by the sharing with me of God’s forgiveness
it’s there where God has strengthed my trust, and my faith.

The above poem was written by me, for my friend, Mary, quite a few years ago. Mary lives in another state clear across the US from me, in Oregon, yet because of our  relationship based in the Lord, we are just as close, despite the miles between us.

Mary, like this poem says, is my Angel.

Not only because of what she has taught me from the Word of God, but because in the very times I have needed a ” mother” when my own has not wanted to be mine, I have learned from her what it means to be loved, and to be treausred as a daughter, and a friend.

When Tammy asked me to write a guest blog about her angel in need idea, I thought, sure, I could do that. And I can. and I am. But as I thought about the idea she had, I began asking God to show me what He would want to be conveyed in this blog post for Tammy. As I sat and listened to the Holy Spirit, my heart grew excited in knowing that its not about the conotation of the word Angel that I should write about, but its about the spirit of being an angel, both an angel in need, and an angel who is a giver.

Tammy wrote some time ago on her blog about recieving emails from several people who are quilters, or sewers, yet who struggle to have supplies necessary for their craft. Being a quilter herself, Tammy knows the cost of such supplies, and most likely the deep frustrations at time in not being able to afford the very same. I am a quilter, as well, and do very much understand the frustrations of not being able to buy fabric, or quilt batting, or even thread to complete a project that I know would bless others. I know, sometimes that God is my supplier, and that blessing brings me to tears many more times than not, especially now, in this season of my life, where I can not buy any fabric, due to multiple hospital bills and surgical bills over the last year. Yet, God allowed Tammy and I to email from her blog, as she blessed me with encouragement and understanding about what giving really means. Not just giving a hand out to someone in need, but giving, as many might know of her, a spirit of wanting to love someone, thru encouraging word, or beautiuful photos of her handiwork in the quilting craft.

Tammy, well, she is an angel to her husband and to her children. She is, although we have never met, one that I see giving, and kind, and only wants to serve the Lord with her ability, and her talents. She has written emails to me, sharing her pain of her life, yet she, like an angel of giving, does not stay in that pain (and encourages me to not stay in mine, even if she doesn’t realize it ).

Tammy’s idea of the angel in need, or Giving Angel, is something that we all can become part of. I know I do not have the ablity to purchase my supplies, but someone else might be able to do that, and bless someone else. I do, however, have the ability to share things in the quilting craft that I have here at my home, and I want to be a blessing as an Giving Angel, if there are those in need of things I might have to share. Why would someone who has no way to buy things, like me, be willing to share with others?  Because I am a steward of what God has blessed me with, and I want to be an extension of His hand. And like Tammy wrote me a few days ago, completely off the subject, her quote here: “If we can’t support and love each other, what do we have left?”

We are left with hurting people, brothers and sisters who can’t find joy in thier lives, knowing there might not be anyone who would help them stand, in their life experiences, because they do not share what other blessings God has given to them.

Today, I stand with Tammy, and offer what I can share, with someone who might be in need. I want to be a Giving Angel, one who supports with encouragement, and with blessings in the tangible way. And I hope, prayerfully, that you whom might read Tammy’s blog here, that you can either recieve your own blessing if you are in need, or be a giver, and encourager to those that need some special touch of joy.

Would you pray about Tammy’s idea, and become part of a special treausre box of encouragement? Whether you have fabric, or thread, or patterns to give away, or if you are in need of anything like that, please prayerfully, ask God to minister to you, or to others in a way that you would know an Angel really does exist when least expecting it.

Blessings!

One of my foster mothers asked me this quesiton in FB today, and that alone made me smile … that she cared enough to want to know what it was that makes me smile.  I think we should take regular stock of our smiles, to see what makes us tick month-to-month, year-to-year.  I’m sure my smile quotient changes often enough, does yours?  Here’s my short-list of smiles for this month:

• My kids and their spontaneous laughter or their knowledge (which is usually way over my head).
• My husband’s dry humor or when he gets mine.
• My friends who are always there/here when I need them.
• Doing God’s work and sharing His message.
• Loving and being loved.
• Opening the door to my sewing room, knowing I have more fabric than a woman ought to and knowing I can take that fabric and make a quilt that will be loved for a lifetime for someone.
• The smell of coffee grounds (though I can’t stand the taste of coffee).
• The torpedo turd (DD#1’s dog), who comes a’running when I lay down for nap so she can have a few minutes of belly-rubbing.
• No blisters on my hands.
• Free time to do what I want.
• Being a Girl Scout leader and (hopefully) making a difference in the lives of girls.
• Butterflies and hummingbirds fighting over the sweet nectar in the feeder.
• Collecting the bounty of eggs from our chickens.
• The smell of my husband’s homemade bread baking.
• Warm chocolate chip cookies.
• Brownies.
• Nature’s quiet.

Our church happened to have some extra lillies from our Easter service, and they said anyone in the congregation could pick one up, if they wanted.  DD#2 asked for one, we said it was fine.  Since it’s still Easter season on the church calendar, we will continue to celebrate our Risen Lord.  What I love about the Easter lilly is that it usually lasts about as long as the Easter season – and then they’re ready to set aside until the bulbs can be planted.

The purity of the lilly is striking and very symbolic.  White to represent the innocent, green to represent spiritual growth and the yellow bringing sunshine to the flower and that a flower needs sunshine to grow.  Amazing.  Touching.  Purity.

I don’t usually bring much of my private life into this blog, but this topic really hit me.  I was a victim of child abuse in at least one foster home (beatings, locked in the basement, etc.) and successfully survived….but, there will always be terror in me for adults or older-than-the-child who does things to children.

Recently an acquaintance was on trial for indecency with a minor.  He was 16 or 17 when the incidents occurred, with three different girls (ages 12-13). 

After the first day of testimony from one of the victims, he, his family and his attorney decided he should take a plea bargain.

Whether it happened or not isn’t the point – by taking a plea, he admitted guilt and will have a felony record the rest of his life, and he will have to be on the state/national sex registry for the rest of his life.  He really won’t have to worry about a job when he gets out, as his dad owns a business.

My writing here is not specifically about this young man, though he and his family will remain in our prayers.  He will go to prison.  My brother is in prison, and although it’s not where I would choose to live, my brother thrives in such a rigid environment.

After we were told about his plea bargain, the person making the statement said something that really made me stop and give thought.  He said (paraphrasing) that the system is all messed up.  We teach our children to have safe s*x, but we don’t give them the lawful information about who they can do that with.

What?

According to the testimony, one of these young girls (who incidentally are about the age of our second daughter – totally bringing this issue home for me) said that the young man took her home after being at his house with his sister, and he allegedly attacked her in the car. 

I’m sorry.  I just cannot wrap my head around the statement that I heard and the incident that the young girl, under testimony, gave.  A 16-17 year-old doesn’t know to keep his hands off of a girl that is his sister’s age?  And he doesn’t know consent?  It wasn’t a dating or romantic setting or situation – he was driving her home from a slumber party with his sister and he allegedly attacked her in the car!

One of the most basic rules in our house is to keep your hands to yourself.  If you ask my kids, they’ll say the exact same thing.  In case you’re wondering, the other main rule is that they are mind their own business, unless it’s for compassion purposes.

So, I wonder how this statement-making person (who hasn’t known the family very long) can make a blanket statement like that?  Right and wrong, in this type of situation, are pretty basic.  As a parent, our job is to teach our children those rights and wrongs – and we personally do that both via verbal communication and with our faith (i.e the 10 Commandments).  I know this young man went through the same teachings that our children go through at church.  I know they receive instruction in school on the same topic.

This isn’t really my problem.  It’s not my issue – except it’s yet another eye-opening topic that we need to make sure we address, age-appropriately, with our children.

No means no.  And no child of mine will ever be forced to allow anyone else to touch them (even via a hug) if they don’t want them to.  They never have to worry about us sticking up for them, if they are put into that type of situation.

But, to blame the system for this issue is way too much of a stretch for me.  If anyone is to blame, it’s a singular person – one that is going to get his first inmate number in a few days.  If his parents failed him, that’s their business.  If his school failed him, I can’t do a thing about it.  If society failed him, I’d like someone to explain to me how I, as an individual in this society, could have contributed to his behavior. 

I do know that those three young girls who were (allegedly) victimized by him will spend a lifetime dealing with what he (allegedly) did to them.  They have a life sentence.  He has five years.  I’m really having trouble understanding how the system is to blame for a person in this situation.

My blog has been on the blitz for a week and I just haven’t had time to correct it – until this evening, when I made time.  It’s such a release for me to be able to write down life and loves, it truly IS my quilt therapy!

My middle daughter tried out for the JV cheer squad last week, and didn’t make the team…so, there’s been a little extra TLC needed for her.  The son-man had a meeting with our Pastor last week and earned his God & Family award for Scouts, so he’ll be presented with that medal at church, after the Easter holiday.  Our eldest has been on the usual teenage roller-coaster and amazingly our youngest daughter has been on the same type of roller-coaster lately, too.  UGH   I keep reminding myself that the kids are our entertainment, else I’m not sure I’ll make it through the various stages of their development.

I’ve also been working my tail off.  Lots going on in my work world.  Not to mention helping develop a fundraiser at church for the youth to be able to take a mission trip this summer, helping get a Wednesday meal ready that the youth are serving next week, doing my usual assisting with the Sacred Arts class at church that our two youngest kids take plus my usual running the kids in 20 different directions each week.  Whew, I need quilt therapy!

Lucky for me, I received my www.quiltsforkids.org package from Downy in the mail last week:

It was free and it contains not just the cut fabric, the pattern but also a tag for the quilt!  I can’t wait to make the quilt and hope the kids give me time this weekend to put it together for a special child in need of some quilted love.

You may also notice the header above.  I was able to sneak into my sewing room on Saturday morning and put those six blocks together for my foster cousin – she will then make six for her and six for me (out of our own fabrics we chose) and when finished, we’ll both have 12 blocks to put together into a special quilts that each of us can treasure for years to come.

Quilt on!

I’m one of those parents who throws a FIT if one of my children brings home a note from school that has spelling and/or grammatical errors in it.  This should NOT happen.  These people are teaching MY children – and yours, too!  There are so many tools that can be used to check spelling and grammar — but, they are not infallible.  Just sitting down and actually reading what you wrote could possibly save a teacher or school from a critical parental letter from me!

On Saturday, my hubster was a judge for the Junior Ag Mechanics show (notice, that is not shown as possessive – according to the powers that be for the event – who are ALL educators).  I toodled around with his judging group, acting as a gopher, photographer and all-around entertainment … just because I’ve been busy with kids for so many years that I never got to enjoy some of the extracurricular activities that my husband attended.

But, I was stopped in my tracks by the following sign, that was on a number of exhibits from a particular school (I have removed the school’s name, to protect the innocent):

Do you see what I see?  At first, I just walked around the sign, to make sure I was seeing what I thought I saw.  Then, I asked the collegiate FFA assistant that was assisting my husband’s group if she thought that “tomorrows” should be possessive.  Heck, she’s a graduating college student, surely she would have taken English 101 and would know.  ummm, not so much.  Then, I asked a judge or two what he thought – just because it was DRIVING.  ME.  NUTS.  All of the judges in our group are well-educated and work, in some way or another, in an ag-related field – two actually holding teaching certificates in our great state of Texas.  I didn’t expect them to be as retentive as I was about this egregious error…but, I did expect them to know the difference between whether a word was possessive or not.  Not so much there, either.

But, it still made me whip my neck around every time I saw a sign that was missing an apostrophe!

As we were leaving the building, I came upon another sign from the same school:

Ahhh.  I felt so much better.  Except for the fact that half of their signs were WRONG – and their teachers that were attending the event with them should be forced to personally fix every single sign that had errors.  With paintbrushes.  Held with their teeth.  And then, their photos should appear on a shameful teacher website for allowing their students to show up to such a prestigious event with signs that were grammatically incorrect.  Shame on them.

My quilting virtual best friend forever, Pat Sloan (famed quilt designer), designed and posted this photo the other day to a group that we belong to:

Guess she thinks we’re funny – she’s a city slicker and we’re country folk.  I guess when I talk about living in the hills without a phone, wrangling our chickens (NOT pigs) and not being able to run down the block to the grocery store makes her think I’m a country bumpkin!

Ok, I am a country bumpkin – and this photo gave me a good laugh.  What are friends for?

I’ve been coding and coding and coding a website that has a deadline that I hope to meet by the weekend.  Today I take off for my normal Wednesday afternoon activities with the kids at church, but I’m sure that coding will be in my head until I get the site done. 

Whoa, you ever dream of web codes?  Wish I could say I remember what I dream so the coding would go quicker, but all I remember is waking up and feeling like all I’ve done is WORK all night long, in my sleep!

Be back soon! 

Here’s another tote I put together last weekend:

My quilting VBFF (virtual best friend forever) Pat Sloan has a great blog post up today about choosing one word to describe your goals for the new year.  Immediately, my ONE WORD came to me – and I hope by remembering it, it’ll be a part of my quilt therapy for the entire year!  Here’s my word:

Wishing you the best for 2010 – and pray that we ALL SOAR to new heights – in faith, in love, in life.