Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Stitch-a-Quilt

These last two years I've had the privilege of spending my Tuesday mornings with a wonderful group of ladies, the quilters at Bethel. Like I said in my Christmas letter (see the post in January), these are the ladies that have taught me so much about life. I treasure their friendships!

I meant to post this last Tuesday, but...well....time got away from me. Here are some pictures from last Tuesday when we had our last day of actual stitching. There are around 15 of us, but I didn't get the camera out in time to catch everyone.


Here is a baby quilt that Mary and Elaine finished.


This is Orpha, Solveig and Verna Mae working on a table-topper or wallhanging that was given as a fundraiser in the Hillcrest auction.




Some of the quilts we've finished recently.

Today we met as a group and decided how to disperse the money that was raised for missions. I usually just think of this group as the big blessing it is to me, and how much I'm learning or the fun that I'm having, but today I was reminded of how unselfish these women are. They volunteer hundreds of hours, don't ask for anything in return except the camaraderie of the other women, and then give away all the money they make on a quilt or the quilt itself. It was amazing to learn that since it's beginning in the 1980's, Stitch-a-Quilt has raised over $30,000 for missions! WOW!!!!! What a blessing to the kingdom of heaven!! I have very much felt part of this group, but when it comes down to that, it's too humbling to think of "we" and much easier to think of "they". Besides, I'm so slow at stitching my help doesn't always count!!

We finish the year with everyone going out to eat, so here are some pictures from that. It was pretty sad to think that this was the last time for me that I'd have all these ladies together in one place. Since I'm not leaving for another 3 months, I'll still get to see everyone, but not together as this group.




THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU ladies for the incredible impact you have had on my life! I will miss you terribly! Check back here at my blog often for updates on where I'm at, and I'll look forward to coming back to Fergus some Tuesday morning to join you in stitching!

5 comments:

Jim and Marilyn said...

It is so much fun to see all those dear friends from Bethel! I know that they are going to miss you as much as you miss them. The best thing to remember as you move on--those friendships last forever! PTL

Leingang Family said...

What gorgeous quilts! I miss Fergus! Thanks for the memories!

doug&margarethe said...

It has blessed your mom many times to know you have had this wonderful experience being part of this quilters group. I know quilting is a small part of this group...the stories and wealth of knowledge and friendship these dear ladies have shared with you is priceless and a real privilege. You have even received stories about your grandparents... you have also been a joy to them from their comments to me. Blessings to you, Kari. Quilting is a great hobby!!

Anonymous said...

What a fun thing to do these years! I even know most of the dear ladies!! You bet you've learned a lot. Our first year of marriage we lived in a little town in western Montana while Joel built a hospital. Our mobile home was surrounded by senior citizens that taught me a lot about gardening, canning, freezing food, and different needle work. I loved every minute of it! While you were meeting there on Tuesday I called and talked to Cheryl to see what it would take for that group to do my Church "friendship quilt" that I put together a few years ago. So they might do it next fall. You have great memories!!! June

CJ Olson said...

I love all the beautiful quilts these ladies made!! Wow what a tremendous and beautiful gift that these ladies do in serving the Lord. I'm glad that you were able to be involved, help and be inspired to serve in such a wonderful way.