HEART TO HEART

Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.     Psalm 27:3

It was the Christmas season.  Presents were under the tree for the family.  Plans were underway for holiday dinners and celebrations.   Everything changed in one hour.  She went out to the field to call her husband for lunch and found that he had been fatally injured on the machine he had been using.  Suzy's life turned upside down. 

Her husband had truly believed in Garden of Hope Ministries.  He taught a bible study class and asked us to come and share our story about how God stirred this passion in our hearts.  He told me that our quilts would bring comfort and peace to many.  He had no idea it would be to his own family just a few months later.  This quilt Heart to Heart was presented to Suzy and her family on Christmas Eve.

Each scripture contains the word Heart in this "Tumbler" pattern quilt.

MAGNIFICANT AWESOME GOD

  The majesty of God, how great is Your handiwork.....In spite of our circumstances that truth remains. Yours, O Lord, is the greatness, the power, the glory, the victory, and the majesty. Everything in the heavens and on earth is yours, O Lord, ... 1 Chronicles 29:11  

Heather just found out she has cancer.  When anyone hears those words it becomes a life-changing event for them, their family and friends.  Heather is choosing to focus on God, His majesty, His power, and put complete trust in His hands.  It was such a joy when we delivered this quilt to her.  We came to bless her with a quilt, and we left blessed ourselves.

 

I promise... Melissa

I PROMISE....   Melissa 
God is always true to His promises.   "For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."  Jeremiah 19:11

Melissa is facing chemotherapy.  She needs to hold on to the promises of God every day as she cares for her family, works, and completes her therapy.  Fear can grip the heart if we look on the physical.  We need to keep our eyes looking up to HIM, and he will pour out His comfort into our hearts and souls.  Look to the one who is the "lifter of our head",
 But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head"  psalm 3:3

Peace Will Come

It has been a long 5 years for Evelyn.  Husband in a coma after a traffic accident.  Young children to raise.  Balancing the finances, job, children and taking over the personal care of her loving husband each day.   Her supply of peace was getting low.....

Five years ago, I had rescued 28 kittens from our little farm.  In the process of finding them a home a young couple came to my home and fell in love with one of my favorite little gray kittens.  It would lay on its back in the palm of your hands and when you massaged its neck it would become purring putty in your hands and fall limp as a ragdoll.  I liked the couple instantly and I knew this was the right home for her.

I was blessed with the privilege of delivering the quilt.  I met her at the hospital in her husbands room.  As I walked into the room and our eyes met...she opened her arms and came to me..."THE CAT LADY, YOUR THE CAT LADY".  

In one lifetime, I was able to give her both the comfort of a kitten and a blanket of peace.  

She sent me a text that evening, "I am sitting in my recliner, with my bible, wrapped in my God quilt."   ONE QUILT DOES MAKE A DIFFERENCE.

SUNshine, SONshine

But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.  Malachi 4:2

Juanita is a walking, talking sunbeam for Christ.  Her face lights up and her joy is contagious.  She is fighting cancer, but she is the first to tell you, whatever the outcome she is with her LORD and she is FULL OF JOY.  These are two of our volunteers with the quilt.

ARMOR OF GOD

Our first "Man Quilt".   Jay had battled one illness after another.  His body was worn out, but every day he and his family quoted scriptures and put on the full armor of God.  This quilt is our own design, complete with photos of the breastplate of righteousness, the helmet of salvation and the sword of truth.  As of today, he is still here, standing firm in his faith, walking through this battle with God at his side.  Never doubting in the faithfulness of God.

FOREVER AND EVER AMEN.

Scriptures about the faithfulness of God.  One of my favorite,
The Lord will fight for you and you shall hold your peace.   Exodus 14:14

Heidi had been diagnosed with cancer for the 2nd time.  After her recovery from the  first time, she was told she would never have children.   two children later......she heard the "C" word again.  We received the request for a quilt for her, and we included her favorite scripture: 

One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek:  that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek Him in His temple.  Psalm 27:4

No matter what happened to her physical body...her one desire was just to "gaze on the beauty of the Lord".   I loved her heart for God.  When we delivered the quilt she wrapped it around herself, and we took a picture....and her little child,  the one doctors said she would never have, danced into the picture.  It is a priceless photo of the faithfulness of God.

The quilt is named JOY.  Joy is different from being happy.  Happiness comes from our circumstances,  Joy comes from God in spite of our circumstances,

We received a wonderful thank you from Pat, who received the quilt.  Here is a short excerpt from her letter:
"did I ever need the Joy!  Scriptures of love, encouragement, and hope were written all around the sides.  Such a peace and comfort and joy touched me.  I had been struggling with the fear of losing my leg since it was so infected.  After receiving the quilt my fear began to subside and my faith began to rise and hope started filling my heart.  To think that I was remembered and loved so much ....I was amazed."

She is walking today.  The scars remain - but she will never forget the comfort she felt from the gift of  a love quilt.

Victory Quilt

This quilt was made by one of our "first-timers", Carolyn, who did a wonderful job.  The pattern is a French Braid, and is much easier than it looks.  This quilt gave us such inspiration as we were putting it together....reading about the victories of God as we basted and tied the quilt, we could not help but sing "Victory in Jesus" that beloved old hymn.  

Alysa had open wounds after surgery that were not healing properly.  diabetes was causing complications.  When we delivered the quilt she layed it across her body and her eyes opened wide as she exclaimed that it felt like a warm electricity was pouring through her body. 

Our God is still in the healing business.