Wrapped in Love and Memories

I picked up an early birthday/Christmas gift this past Thursday. 

It's a present to myself. 

And from my dad.

But really, I think it's from God because God led me to this wonderful organization.

Last summer I had been looking for someone to make a memory quilt for me out of some of my dad's shirts. I got a few names from business cards at our local fabric store, but before calling any of them I checked out their Facebook pages. One had a link to an organization that she volunteered with called Living Thread Ministries - which makes memory quilts. As I clicked onto the website and read about this organization I began crying and thanking God for leading me to it because it was absolutely perfect.

Living Threads has three intersecting ministries: creating personalized quilts to those mourning the loss of a loved one, enabling volunteers to use their quilting talent to help others, and a missional focus to support poor and needy children of the world (all the donations received from the quilts are going to support children in the Kibera Slum of Kenya). Since my mission trips to South Africa several years ago, part of my heart remains in Africa and I've always had a heart for children; I'm so thankful God led me to this organization where my donation for my memory quilt can be used for children in Africa.

Last June I met with Jill, the director of Living Threads, for about two hours. We talked about my dad, looked at some quilt designs, went through my dad's shirts, and designed a unique quilt using his shirts and special memories. I was told it would take several months to complete and most likely would be ready in January. I mentioned that it would be really nice to have it done by Christmas.

Last week I received an email notifying me that my quilt was finished and ready to be picked up - earlier than I expected (and just before my birthday). I've really been missing my dad lately and I'm so thankful to have this quilt. When I wrap it around my shoulders I feel like my dad is close by. Even more than that, I sense God's presence and care as I remember how He led me to having this quilt made.

The middle square has a dove quilted in.

The complete quilt - notice the music notes quilted on the borders.

Close-up photos of the different sections

a red summer shirt and a t-shirt from the heart walk

Dad loved eagles - this is the logo from one of his sweatshirts;
the black star points are from a dress shirt.

Micah 6:8 and Dad's motto

I love all the quilting behind the words!

These are all from my dad's dress shirts - 

I remember him wearing each of these.

"The Lord Bless You and Keep You" sheet music -
all dad's choirs at GRCH sang this at the end of concerts.
I will always think of my dad when I hear this song.

The logo from his Calvin College jacket.
(Thank-you for keeping it all these years!)

You can see all the quilting designs on the back.

I love my quilt. 

Thank you Living Threads Ministries for this treasured keepsake filled with love and memories of my dad.

12-12-12

If I thought I could quietly sneak in a milestone birthday this year, I was mistaken. I turned fifty on 12-12-12 (what a cool date!) which happened to be a Wednesday school day. This is what I saw when I opened my classroom door in the morning.

There were streamers and "Happy Birthday" signs all over the room, along with a birthday hat and noisemaker blowers at each student's seat. I was given a birthday tiara and 50 necklace and escorted to our teachers' lounge and seated in a decorated chair for our staff devotions. The teachers all had party hats as well - we do love to have a good time at my school! 

The kids loved the hats and blowers, so I gave them a few minutes to pose for pictures and then we settled in to the day's work. 

The fun was just beginning, however. All throughout the day gift bags, signs, singing telegrams, and classes of students kept appearing at our classroom to wish me a happy 50th birthday. The whole school actually sang Happy Birthday to me in the hallway just before recess. How cool is that?? By the end of the day I had a box filled with gifts and remembrances from my colleagues!

I later found out that my colleagues friends had set up a Google doc to plan the whole day, each writing down what they would do. 

lots to eat and drink

gift cards

beautiful scarves

just for fun ... and to help me get used to that big number

staying healthy and organized

even a "personal" birthday greeting from Donny Osmond!

50 jean days!

(a gift from my principal)

At lunch time I was surprised by a couple moms from my class with a pizza lunch for our class, along with a beautiful (and delicious) cake and a gift card to a local store from the kids!

The kids also made me a book:

I love these two examples (can you tell which was made by a girl and which was made by a boy?)  :)

My birthday treat for my students was s'mores - baked for 5 minutes in the oven. They loved them, even without a campfire. 

And another friend sent a large chocolate-chip cookie to school for my birthday.

Finally, after a day filled with surprises and plenty of sugar, I sent my students home and went to our district Christmas after-school coffee/carol sing ... where I was sung to again! Definitely not going to forget this birthday!

That evening my parents took me out for a wonderful dinner at Alpenrose Restaurant.

Whew - what a day!

But there was still one more surprise. I had made plans with another teacher to meet for supper the following night. But when we walked to the back of the restaurant there were nine additional teachers there to surprise me! How fun!

I am very blessed to work with such wonderful, fun people! 

I will remember 12-12-12 as a very good day. 

I loved my forties ... maybe the fifties will be just as good?