A Glimpse into the Past….

Hi, all!

Today I've got something a bit different to share.  As you may know, we receive quite a few donations from quilters that help us keep our ministry going.  But the most recent donation we received has a very unusual story that I want to tell you about.

A few days ago we received a package containing two beautiful hand-pieced quilt tops.  One is made of thrifted fabric pieces.  Here is a close-up of one of the blocks - you can see the poverty blocks in the piecing.

The second top is a beautifully appliquéd SunBonnet Sue, seen here in its full glory...

… and here's a close-up shot of one of those lovely little ladies.

Inside the package was a note, which read…

To Gladeville Baptist Church

These 2 quilt tops have been donated to Gladeville Baptist Church on behalf of Judy D. who lived in Mt. Juliet, TN.  Judy was diagnosed with a very rare cancer in the spring of 2012. In the fall of 2013 Judy brought these two quilt tops to me and asked me to give them to Gladeville Church.  She explained to me that she had  been going through her cedar chest and saw the unfinished quilts that her grandmother had given to her many years ago. These quilts were hand-stitched and were very precious to her.  She wanted Gladeville Church to have them because back in 1974 her house had suffered a devastating fire and some women from Gladeville Church showed up at their house and gave her and her husband a quilt and told them that God loved them.  She said that gift meant so much to her that she never forgot it.  Judy passed away November 17, 2013.

This gift to the Church has touched my heart also. Judy could have given these heirloom quilts to anyone, but at the end of her life she wanted the Church to know how grateful that the love of Jesus Christ was shared with her at a time of tragedy and loss.

God bless you all and to God be the glory!

Our quilt ministry, Piece*Love*Quilt, has been operating since November of 2009.  We did not know that our church had given out quilts before that time and it was a revelation and a joy to find that we were following in the footsteps of others before us.  

These two quilts will be finished and hung in a place of honor somewhere in the church along with a copy of the note that accompanied them, as a reminder of the power of a simple loving gift given in Christ's name.

Thanks for letting us share this story with you!

Hugs!

Sarah